The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-19

against statements on the subject which
might be attributed to him, however in
direct.
Secretary Olney declines to say any
thing at all about his visit to the Capt.
tol to-day or about the relations of the
United States and Spain.
HURRYING SHIPS REPAIRS.
Acting Secretary McAdoo. of the navy,
this afternoon summoned the chiefs of
construction, engineering and ordnance,
CommodoreS Hichborn, Melville and
Sampson, and ordered them TO take
Whatever steps were necessary to ex-
pedite the repairs on all ships now in
commission at the Atlantic coast navy
yards.
This action is taken, it is explained.
in order that all available ships may be
ready to rendezvous for drill purposes
with Admiral Bunce's fleet at Hampton
Roads not later than January 1st The
chiefs were also directed to approve no
changes or extensive repairs in ships
for the present, as 1t was the desire of
the department to get all the commits
stoned vessels away from the navy
yards in order that urgent work may
be prosecuted on other vessels which
have been dismantled for thorough
overhauling. This extra work at the
navy-yards is said to be made possible
through the assurances given to Com
modores Melville and Hichborn by the
Appropriation Committee before which
they appeared this morning in regard to
urgent deficiency item of one million dol
lars for repairs. The required amount
was promised ana the officials were
told that the money would be promptly
placed at their disposal on their eNpla-
nation that the work would have to be
suspended at once and wholesale dis
charges OF men made unless prompt re-
lief was afforded.
THE HOUSE MAY NOT AGREE
The House heard with surprise of the
action of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee in recognizing the indcpend-
ence of Cuba. and If the opinion OF the
members of the Foreign Affairs Com
mittec and some of the Democratic and
Republican leaders in the House is to
be taken as II criterion, the popular
branch of the Government Will not sus-
tain the position taken by the Senate
committee. Mr.. Hit, of Illinois, the
chairman OF the House committee. is
out of the city and is not expected To
return before the holiday recess. Seve-
raj of the committee were not ii their
seats to-day and have presumably left
town. or those who remain-and of
this number Southern Associated
Press reporter talked with nvc--the en-
tion at this time. THE Republicans OBJ
jected to any step which would. in their
opinion. bring about a war with Spain
on the ground that the Mckinley adj
Il
very moment of coming into power by
so serious an International problem. Ii
was thought better that Mr.. Mex inley
should formulate his own Cuban policy.
and i'm this conclusion the Democrats
fully concurred Other members felt
that it would he injud!cious on the part
Of the United States TO recognize either
the independence or the bell.gerency of
the Cuban rebels until the real situation
in the island was known Thus far
members of the House at least. are in
absolute ignorance except SO FAR as con-
nicting newspaper reports are concern
ed. of the strength Of the rebels OF their
ability TO maintain more than Guer-
lila warfare against the Spanish crown
TIME FOR ACTION PASSED.
Another gentleman. also q member of
the House FOREIGN Affairs Committee,
said the time cor action had passed; that
the island was bankrupt; that Amcr-
can interests in cuba are destroyed;
that our commerce with ehe island has
practically disappeared, and that recog-
nltion now would be mere sentiment
without a practical consideration be
hind it. If" said he. we want a war
with Spain for n sentiment. we are at
liberty to have it, bur not with my con-
sent II we had interviewed year ago
the war would have ended in thirty
days. American property rights in the
island would have been saved and our
tr2Nc WITH lupl WOulu ldNt SutieItI
only a partial interference. To-day, as
say. the island is bankrupt and their
trade will be worth nothing 10 the
United states for twenty years"
MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS.
Another member OF the committee ex-
pressed the belief that the United States
had better attend TO its own business
and not go dancing through The Con
gress Of nations with chip on its
shoulder. spelling for Il fight. There
is great difference of opinion" he said,
"among our own people to-day as to the
financial policy which we would adopt.
About half the American people favor
himctallism and the remainder are a
unit for gold standard. We had better
settle our own difficulties and get our
affairs on n satisfactory basis before
taking any further trouble upon our
shoulders"
The prediction was made thai, net
withstanding the upanimity with which
ate Committee. II was doubtful If the
Senate would adopt ii. or, at least. no!
without very considerable delay. Not
n single member OF the House, out of a
score or more of the leaders, could be
found who believed that the Senate
resolution could pass the House. even
though It be favorably reported hy tn"
House Committee which i3 also raGard-
ed as impossible The opinion was free
ly expressed that the Senate from he
ing the conservative branch Of the Gov
crnment. has changed places With the