The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-16
NOTES In THE DIARY
The Cuban Question When Grant Was
President.
HAMILTON FlSH'S RECORD
How the United States Treated the
Affair hen and What The
Chief Executive Said and
What Was Done.
HAMILTON FlSH'S RECORD

Copyright. 1896. by Associated Press.
Albany, N. T., March 15.-During the
debate on the Cuban question in the
| United State senate many illusions
were made by both Senator Sherman
and Senator Hill as to the attitude of
President Grant and the then secre-
tary of state, Hamilton Fish. Senator
Sherman declared that there was a
| conflict of opinion over Cuban affairs
between the president and his secretary
| or state. The speaker of the assembly,
Hamilton Fish, son of the late secre-
tary, is in possession of information
| upon this subject contained in the dia-
ries kept by his father that is of great
/ Importance in the controversy. On the
authority of these diaries ii is shown
that President Grant had at one timu
under the circumstances of a pending
negotiation at Madrid, been inclined to
recognize the belligerency of Cuba, but
on June 13, 1870, the opinion of the
| president and the cabinet was unani-
nous that there were no facts to JUS
tify the declaration of belligerency and
that the satisfaction of the president
with the Cuban policy of his admins
tration and it's effects upon the coun-
expression a few weeks later in thanks
to the secretary of state for whatever
share in 1t may have been due to his
wisdom and judgment.
During his eight years service in the
state department Mr.. Fish kept, chief
ly as a reference record for his own
eyes, diary in his own handwriting
containing a statement of his import
ant transactions with the president,
members of the cabinet, senators and
other leading men in regard to the
more prominent foreign questions with
which he had to deal From May 81 TO
June 13, 1870, the date of President
Grants special message to congress on
Cuban belligerency, the entries in the
diary are many and very full in regard
to the origin, preparation, discussions
in the cabinet and the final completion
of the special message. Some of these
entries have a peculiar interest in the
light of recent events and were shown
to-day to the correspondent of the
associated press.
Under date Of Feb. 10, 1870, there is
suggestion of a rift in the unity of
the republican party in defense of that
policy respecting foreign affairs, which
policy the president had announced in
his annual message of the previous
December. The entry is as follows:
Called this morning (by appoint
ment to see Senator Sherman on the
subject of the unit of coinage. After
conversing on that question, l referred
to his resolution introduced in the sem
ate and his speech in favor of recog-
nizing the belligerency of Cuba, and
asked If he had recently examined the
treaty with Spain of 1895. He said he
had not, was not aware of the exist
ence of such treaty. / referred to its
provisions and to the probable conse-
quence of the exercise by Spain of the
right of visit Cor of search); thought
our people would not submit to ii and
that the consequences would soon de-
velop in war; said that fighting was
not belligerency; there is fighting but
no belligerency in Cuba; there is no
government of the insurrectionary
party; no political organization, etc.
He admitted he had not examined the
subject closely, but said there is a
good deal of excitement in the country
on the subject Advised him, in con-
nection with the passing of his resolu-
tion of belliGerency, to prepare bills
for the increase of the public debt and
to meet the increase appropriation
which will be necessary for the army.
navy, ETC."
An evident solicitude among the re-
publicans lest the party, in the pres
ence OF the approaching autumn cleo
tion, should be divided on the Cuban
question by reason Of representations
to the country In regard TO the presi-
dents real attitude, is indicated on
June 10. by this entry:
Judge Orth and General Butler, call
ed in the evening TO urge the sending
OF a message by the president on the
question of Cuban belligerency. Orth
says the vote will be close Banks will
make the closing speech. but there are
some 20 or 30 members who may be
decided by his speech, but would not
go against the presidents views"
On June IL there is this entry: Stay
at home and prepare a message on the
Cuban belligerency question to be sub
mitted for the presidents consideration
in case he agrees TO send one. He has
not yet returned from his fishing excur-
sion"
OF the discussion in the cabinet on
the 18th, the day on which the special
message was sent 10 congress, the diary
says: 1T was generally admitted that
II war is TO be resorted to. it would be
by direct declaration and not by en-
barrassing Spain by a declaration OF
belligerency; agrees unanimously that
no condition of facts exists to Justify
belligerency. Finally, the president
amends his sentences by referring in
general terms TO seizures on high seas.
embargoes OF property and personal
outrage. Robson adds the concluding
sentence. claiming the question OF bel
iigerency is distinct from those ques-
tions Of wrongs which are being press
ed for decentralization. and. II not sat
isfied. they will be made the subject OF