The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-03
Little Likelihood the Executive VIII
Urge Recognition of Belligerent
Rights of Insurgents.
NO JINGOISM In HIS MESSAGE
PURCHASE OR CONQUEST OF CUBA
NOT VIEWED WITH FAVOR.
Work of the "War Bureaus"-Many
Senator's in Favor of Radical Ac-
tiOn-Fitzhugh Lees Report.
Special to the Indian ipolis Journal.

Special to the Indian ipolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The Presidents
message, as stated yesterday, is practically
complete, excepting the chapter on Cuba,
and interest now centers on that part more
than all the others. Mr.. Cleveland finds ii
difficult to say just what he wants TO say
and still avoid giving offense to Spain,
causing alarm I'm conservative quarters or
furnishing the jingoes just excuse for crit
icising him for taking an unpatriotic
stand. The administration believes there is
less reason for recognizing the beligerent
rights of tho Cubans now than there was
year ago, and that, as matters now stand,
the worst thing that could happen the ISL
and would be the success of General Ma
Geo. The agents of the government have
impressed On the President the view that
the revolution has taken the form of
race war, which would become a struggle
between the white and black survivors in
the event of the success of the present
movement, a struggle which could have
only one ending-the extinguishment of one
side or the other.
Both the President and Secretary Olney
oppose the annexation, purchase or con-
quest of Cuba, and, feeling, as they do,
that the revolution is along lines which, if
the island with dreadful consequences,
they naturally lean toward Spain. AT the
same time neither the President nor his
premier can be blind to the atrocities COM
mitted by the Spanish butchers, or deaf to
the strong American sentiment in favor of
the adoption of measures that will restore
peace to the biood-drenched land and make
it possible to rehabilitate its commerce. 1t
is understood that the President will take
the safest and most conservative course of
briefly reciting known facts with regard to
the loss of life, property and trade due TO
the continuance of the war, deplore the
atrocities being committed and express the
hope that peace be soon restored. Such
treatment Of very delicate situation will,
it is believed in administration quarters,
be a satisfactory solution of the bother
some issue.
FAKE MANUFACTURES.
The President has been informed on au-
thority that commands his respect that
Gomez, the Cuban commander, was killed
last spring, and that the whites of the
island have been steadily Withdrawing since
that event, until now the great majority
of insurgents under arms negroes and
mixed bloods. He has also been placed in
possession OF of information by
which it is sought to be proved that the
Cuban news bureaus in Florida, Washing
ton and New York are being operated in
close business relations with a group of
speculative concerns on Wall street. sen
sations being invariably known on the
street the day before they are published.
The charge is openly made. and strongly
supported, that these bureaus have been
systematically working the markets and
fakes manufactured to order to affect
prices and keep jingo sentiment stirred up
"a curious commingling of cupidity, pelf
and patriotism.
The Associated Press reporter, in describ-
ing the Presidents coming message says
the interest by congressman in the atti-
tude assumed by the administration to-
wards the Cuban insurrection is
evidenced by the number of calls
Secretary Olney is receiving from
such of the senators and merabers of the
House as have arrived in Washington in
anticipation of the assembling of Congress
next Monday Naturally the secretary's
visitors take advantage of their call to seek
the latest official news to Cuba, but as
far as can be learned, the department has
little information on that subject to COM
municate. One thing that does appear to
be established by the testimony of these
callers is that the administration contem-
plates no change in the line OF policy it has
pursued SO consistently since the begin
ming of the insurrection two years ago.
While that part of the Presidents message
which will! deal with the subject has not
yet been finally reduced to form, il is be-
lieved that 1t will be brief but cogent
presentation OF reasons that have influ-
enced the administration in holding to its
present attitude. The events of the past
years campaign probably will be rapidly
WI M Sh inc 4 bat
the insurgents so far have failed to meet
the requirements originally laid down by
the President as essential TO their recogni-
ton. They have fought no general en-
gagement TO a successful issue; have not
established permanent seat of govern
ment, and have no seaport; in other words,
they have not sensibly changed their con-
dition from what it was year ago, so
that by the same line of reasoning laid
down by the administration in the state
ment semi-officially published last spring
there is at present no occasion for a
change of policy on our part, 1t is pre-
statement to this effect, the President will
not hesitate to deplore the continuance of
the present unsatisfactory conditions in
Cuba, injurious as they are to American
interests, and under cover of his message
may intimate to Spain the. necessity of a
termination of existing evils at reason
ably early date.
GEN LEES REPORT
Reports were in circulation to-day to the
effect that Secretary Olney, some time in
November. had given the Spanish govern
ment courteously, but firmly to under
stand that the Cuban rebellion must be
crushed within three months or the United
States would be compelled to intervene to
stop hostilites. 1t was said that prom
inent Republican Senators had been in
formed Of this ultimatum. The reports i'm
their general features were similar to ru-
mors prevalent about a month ago, and
emphaticaly denied at the time hv officials
Of this government, and also at Madrid
No confirmation of the latest reports could
be obtained in official circles here to-day
and ii was denied that Spain had been in
formed Of any such ultimatum. Senators
who have been active in foreign affairs
and have consulted State Department off,
cials on the Cuban situation, expressed the
opinion that the administration had not
made any radical change in its attitude.
but a number of them gave IL their own
personal opinions that Congress should
adopt vigorous measures to end the pres
ent state of affairs. IL is expected that the
President will take early occasion to send
to Congress the report Consul General Lee
has submitted to the secretary of state on
the result OF his observations in Cuba
a prominent member of the Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations said to-day that
IL would not be possible for the President
TO send a pro-Spanish message to Con-
gress. in view OF the report which Consul
General Lee had made to Secretary Olney