Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-06
Why the Senate Committee Re
ported Another Resolution.
THE PRESIDENTS FOREIGN POLICY
He is Not in Touch at All With
Congress.
A GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY

The action Of the Senate committee on
foreign relations in formulating a new de-
liverance on the Cuban question is sur
prise in all quarters and as such is en-
gaging much attention. What explains II :?
The dissatisfaction with which the former
deliverance was greeted? That was very
pointed in some quarters, but 1t did not
| rise to the proportions OF an energetic pro-
test. The friends of Cuba. while clearly
disappointed, were very diplomatic in the
expression Of their fe ceilings.
Any marked charge in the Cuban sit
uation Itself? That situation appears to
have remained unchanged since that time.
Generals Gomez and Maceo were very &C
tive then. and they are very active now.
What, then. can the matter be?
Cooperation With the President Inn
possible.
Congress, it is said, has made the dis
covery that cooperation with the President
on questions of foreign relations is i'm
possible. 1t differs with him too widely
ana too radically The Senate, in particu-
iar' 49, completely out of touch with his
views, and has been since the present ad-
mlnistratton began. 1t favored Hawaii. he
opposed II. 1t sympa thized, though by no
formal expression, with Nicaragua in the
contention at Corinto; the President re-
FUSED to speak, and British troops were
landed. 1T started in to back him uo in
~, Inc new assertion OF the Monroe doctrine,
ne, through Mr.. Smith of New Jersey.
promptly took issue with its deliverance.
Inc Davis resolution was pronounced ex-
IRENE and untimely. Its passage will be
unWelcoile to the President The SENATE
gave cordial approval to the Armenian res
Ciutlons; the President, it is said will not
forward them to the European powers.
ana SO now IN this Cuban business The
Senate, If 1t could, would grant beIligeren1
insurgents al he
ident shows no such disposition. The part
OF wisdom, therefore, in order to make
s!s !, position entirely clear. was for the
senate to propose Independent action by
Congress. and that is what Yesterdays
dehVerance comprehends.
The Trouble With Mr.. Cleveland.
Naturally, there is talk as to why the
President and Congress cannot get to-
gether in business of this kind. In Con-
gress, and not on the republican side alone
the blame Is laid at the door of the Presi-
dent. He is accused of being unwilling to
permit congress to share beyond the limit
OF MS own allowance in the credit of for
elgn policy. He insists always on taking
tne initiative Congress may follow. but it
must not presume to lead The bulk of the
glory must be his, or there shall be no
glory at all. That, it is charged, is WHY he
rejects the Davis Monroe resolution, and
WI. Milhnolos the Armenian resolutions In
1urther emphasize the Presidents Venezue-
ian message, and in the other it has had
the temerity to act entirely without sug-
sestion from him. He. therefore, refuses
to fndorse either performance
Responsibilities Resting on Him.
1t is considered certain that the Senate
will pass the resolution reported yester-
day, and that the House will approve
CUBA, then, SO far as Congress is concerned,
Will be formally assured of American SYM
pathy. But that will not open American
ports or markets to Cuba's friends seeking
with money in hand, to supply the men in
the field with the sinews of war. They will
still be obliged to dicker on the sly for all
that they get, and embark it under all the
disadvantages of haste and secrecy Not
until the President acts can this very great
difficulty be removed A stroke of his pen
would do wonders. Will he much longer
withhold it after the representatives of all!
the people shall have formally spok en- :?
Shall have, in effect, respectfully declared
1t his duty to use his great office in the peo-
pies name in Cuba's interests? The gravest
of responsibilities will then rest on him
alone.