The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-16
A CURIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT.
From the Washington Post.

from the washington PoSt.
We note with interest the announce
ment given out from the state depart
ment, on Thursday, to the effect that the
president intends taking no action with
reference to the Cuban insurrection; that
he is glad congress has adjourned and
left him free from annoyance in that re.
spect. Even more interesting are the rea-
sons given for this feeling of relief in tho
presidents mind The explanation is
made with engaging frankness that Sem
ator MOrgan's resolution would, If adopt
ed, have compelled him either to sign
or to veto the measure. He was averse
to signing it because Dupuy de LONE, the
Spanish envoy, had assured that his sig-N
nature would have brought on a war, and
he was averse to vetoing 1t because that
would have put him in an attitude of hos
tility to the overwhelming sentiment of
the country. Thus we are told that the
adjournment OF congress has relieved the
president of very awkward dilemma, and
that for the future he will trouble HIM
self no more about the Cubans and their
trumpery affairs.
1t is a strange announcement upon the
whole-perhaps the most remarkable one
that has ever emanated from Mr.. Cleve-
land. Here is president of the United
States, the peoples servant, admitting
that those he serves desire, almost to
man, to have him do a certain thing, and
In the next breath confessing that he
would rather not do that thing because
the diplomatic representative Of a foreign
nation threatens him with war. Now,
however, he has escaped the dilemma,
and feels easy in his mind. And he hopes
that, by the time congress reassembles,
conditions in Cuba will have SO changed
as to spare him any further annoyance in
the premises. What can happen between
now and next December to rob the Cuban
termination Of the insurgents? 1t is an
absolute certainty that the insurgents
have no idea Of surrendering. Better be
killed in battle than shot or tortured to
death by Weyler. 1t Is improbable that
the insurgents can destroy the Spanish
armies. for the latter stay penned up in
fortified places and the rebels have no ar
tillery. What, then, can Mr.. Cleveland
look forward to with such prayerful eX-
pectation except the utter extinction Of
the insurgents? Certainly this Is curl
Gus utterance. 1t is an utterance which
may we'll make humane and patriotic
people think.
upon American citizens and destruction
of their property swells with each sue
ceeding day. Is callous Indifference to
these things part of Mr.. Cleveland's pro-
gramme OF summer ease and recreation?
The latest case Is that of Senor Delgado,
q duly naturalized American citizen, who
IS the owner of large and valuable es-
tate not far from Havana. One day few
insurgents called at his place and asked
for water, or, perhaps, something 60 eat,
While he was talking with them band
of Spanish soldiers appeared upon the
scene, drove off the insurgents, and then
took Senior Delgado prisoner. Without
asking questions or knowing anything Of
the facts, they condemned him to death,
put him on his knees and then fired a vol
ley at his back. One or more bullets
struck him, but did not kill him. Then the
officer in charge drew his saber and
struck Senior Delgado violent blow in the
face, leaving dreadful cash. Still the
unhappy man survived. At last he
reached Havana and sailed for New York.
Now he is here, perhaps in Washington
at this moment. He comes to ask the
president whether this great nation pro.
poses to protect its citizens as against
wanton outrages on their persons and
their property. His Is not an isolated
case. II Is TYPICAL. <tTe ull VI tucsc QucS"
tions to be postponed until congress meets
again?
And there Is another mystery which
perplexes observant .folk-the mystery of
the sudden suppression of Mr.. Morgan's
Joint resolution. How did that resolution
come to die SO utterly? What was it that
the president said to, Senators Sherman,
Gray and Lodge-what was the argu
ment which persuaded them to fall away
from Senator Morgan and connive at the
asphyxiation of his resolution? Those who
have heard and are still wondering at the
presidents strange declaration Of relief.
would like to know how It all came about.
They would like to know by what repre-
sentations the president managed to SUBJ
due the impetuosity Of Mr.. Lodge and
reconcile him to delay, II not tnaction, In
q cause for which he had previously shown