Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-07
STRUGGLING CUBA
No Opportunity Yet for Congress to
Declare Itself.
The PRESIDENT HAS KEPT IT BUSY
No Doubt as to Its Friendly Feeling
Toward the insurgents.
GOMEZ ACTING ON HINTS

Congress feels none of the shame that
Don M. Dickinson thinks ought to possess
it on the subject of Cuba. Its sympathy
with the insurgents is as good as declared.
That it has not been formally declared is
not the fault of Congress. The first reso-
luton presented in the House was one for
the recognition of the insurgents as belig-
erents. Could it have been brought to
vote at once 1t would have passed hy a1l
overwhelming majority. But a reference un-
der the rule was necessary, and no foreign
affairs committee was at that time in ex-
istence to consider it. This committee had
no sooner been appointed than all atten-
ton in the country Yves fixed on Venezuela
by the President. prospective war with
Great Britain, such as the Presidents
Venezuelan message seemed TO threaten,
was well calculated to subordinate for the
time every other subject. Then followed
the racket about the finances, which the
President also stands accountable Tor.
First and last, therefore, Congress has had
no opportunity to do anything formally for
Cuba.
The Presfdent's Fault.
Mr.. Dickinson, it is suggested, has spoken
hurrfedly. He is a democrat, he has been
referred to as possible candidate of his
presidential year. 1t may be good politics
to try and handicap the opposition as much
as possible, but this. to be effective. must
be done with something like skill and with
due regard to the record. In this Cuban
matter 1t Is strange that Mr.. Dickinson
should have erred. He knows the record
thoroughly. No man better than lie knows
how promptly Congress wouli have re-
slonded had the President taken Cuba in
stead of Venezl lela as the text for the
6avi tn, Hi.
sage. That is what good many demo-
c1ats-Mr. Dickinson among the number
wanted the President to do. The argument
advanced was very strong. Nothing was
10 be abated In the Venezuelan matter, but
that was not so urgent. 1t coul,l wait a
month or two. But Cuba was most press
Ing. The insurgents, with hearts fixed OH
free government, were in a death grupple
with Spain, and stitch in time saves
nine, word in time, it was urged, would
as largely multiply for the good of the in
surgents' cause. ...
A COlOrless Reference.
But Mr.. Cleveland did not speak that
word. His reference to Cuba in the mes
sage was not unfriendly. but it carried with
1t the encouragement of colorlessness and
tentativeness. And when on the top of
this came the raising of the Venezuelan
Issue into the most overshadowing of is
sues the friends of Cuba turned from the
have been addressing themselves exclu-
sively to Congress, where there has all
along been every assurance of sympathy
and asss tance.
Gomez Had n TIN.
Furthermore the belief is strong in
Washington that General Gomez is ting
on the aggressive now in obedience to sug-
gestions from his friends in this country
He has heard that the present Congress is
not only well disposed toward the Cuban
cause, but toward the cause of free govern
ment everywhere. 1t is a patriotic Con-
gress, dealing not alone with rates Of in
terest and rates of customs duty, but with
large questions as well. 1t is anxious for
his success. 1t will help him if it can.
He can make it's action the easier by
demonstrations showing his power and
earnestness. He Is now engaged in that
work. He is giving the lie to the asser-
tion Of his enemies that he is merely a
bandit, marshaling cutthroats in mountain
Businesses and unworthy of the name or
treatment Of soldier.
No Fear for Congress.
Leading members Of Congress have no
fear for the credit Of that body, so far as
the Cuban cause is concerned. 1t will be
able to read its title clear to the respect
Of liberty loving Cubans, and Americans as
we'll, no matter what the result on the
island may be. General Gomez cannot
win his fight too soon or too signally to