The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-28
IN THE Interest OF CUBA
Resolutions Adopted by House Com
mittee Of Foreign Affairs.
NR. TUCKER IN OPPOSITION
The Only Vote Cast Against the Adoption
OF the Resolutions s-CougressiOusI
support Pledged the Prcsi.
dent in Taking Action.

Washington, Feb ga series of con-
| current resolutions recognizing the bel
! ligerency of the Cuban insurgents We're
! adopted by the house foreign affairs
, committee today after a session of one
and one-half hours.
| The only opposing vote was cast by
Mr.. Tucker, Virginia, who objected prin-
| cipally to the second resolution. Mr.
| Draper. Massachusetts. was also known
! to oppose the general proposition but
he was called from the committee room
| before final vote was taken.
! The resolutions reported to the house,
! excepting the last were drawn by Mr..
Adams, Pennsylvania. the chairman of
the subcommittee to whom the Cuban
correspondence was referred a fortnight
ago. The last resolution was offered by
Mr.. Money, Mississippi. The first three
! resolutions did not receive the approval
OF Messrs. Draper and Tucker. who
served on the subcommittee with Mr..
Adams and therefore, when they were
presented TO the full committee today
they represented only that gentleman 8
views. They furnished the basis Of the
discussion which followed and they
were finally adopted. with the addi-
tion of the Money resolution as above
stated
Mr.. McCreary. of Kentucky, the for
delay i'm reporting the resolution until
II should be ascertained If II is the
duty Of the president to sign them.
This precipitated general discussion.
which consumed considerable time. Mr..
Smith, Michigan, who is an active
champion of the Cuban cause. insist
ed that any resolution which had the
force and effect of law must bear the
presidents signature in order to become
nnpIlfiVp llnlaSS thpy hapnp,a "a la hV
reason of his failure to sign them with
in the prescribed ten days. Mr.. Draper
took strong ground against the resolu-
tion, his argument in effect being that
their adoption was likely to involve the
United States in war with Spain. and
that another effect would be the de-
struction of American property inter-
ests in the island. Mr.. Tucker regard
ed ii as no concern of the United States
what the Internal policy of the island
was ahd thought that this government
should keen it's hands off.
II contended by those who strongly
favored the resolution that their adop-
ton by congress could not justify Spain
In proceeding TO hostilities against this
country, the argument being that the
Spanish crown could not properly OBJ
ject to a recognition of belligerency. as
under the general Interpretation of in
act of neutrality.
Another subject which led to further
discussion was precipitated by Mr..
Smith This had reference to the bar
barous system of warfare which the
Spanish government Is now alleged 10
be pursuing against their revolving sub
jects. 1t was finally decided that in
the absence of any official information
bearing upon the matter. it should be
passed over and not made part of the
resolutions to be reported.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The following is the text Of the Cuban
belligerent resolutions:
Resolved. BY the house OF representa-
tiyes (thc senate concurring) that IN inc
opinion Of congress d state OF war ex-
lists in Cuba. the parties to which are en-
titled to belli2erent rights. and the Cmtcd
States should observe a strict neutrality
between tho belligerents.
Resolved. That congress dep!ores the de-
struction of life and property caused by
the war row waginR In that island, and be-
lieving that the only permanent solution
of the contest, equally in the interest OF
Spain, the people OF Cuba and other ma
tlons, would be in the establishment of a
government by the choice of the people,
Of Cuba, 1t Is the sense of the congress,
and the government Of the United States
should use Its good offices and friendly
influence 10 that end.
Resolved, That the United States has
not interviewed in struggles between any
European governments and their colonies
Oh this continent: hut from the very close
relations between the people OF the United
States and those of Cuba in consequence
of its proximity and the extent of he
commerce between the two people, the
present was Is entaiing such losses upon
the people of the United Stats that con
gress is of opinion that the government of
the United States should be prepared 10
protect the legitimate interests OF Ameri-
cans by intervention. If necessary.
Resolved, That congress pledges It's sup
port TO the president in carrying out the
foregoing resolutions