Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-04
What is Said of the Administrators
Declaration.
HR. CLEVELAND CRITICISED
How the spaniards Are Appointed
in the Consular Service.
NO MORE OUTBREAKS FEARED

uttera, ces emanating from the admins
tration last night. Comment on the SUBJ
ject was confined chiefly to private con-
ference and conversation not expected to
be quoted but there was n marked evidence
OF strong feeling. The Authoritative"
statement of the Presidents attitude to-
ward the Cuban question, which is under
stood to have teen written and given out
by Secretary Olney, is regarded as having
for it's object the quieting Of the appre
hension in certain conservative business
quarters. EXP -essions Of resentment at the
advance announce ment that Mr.. Cleveland
will disregard the expressed wishes of
Congress are common among the members
OF each house.
1t has Teen feared by many Mr.. Cleveland
would ignore the concurrent resolutions,
but 1t was not thought that there would
be any declaration adverse to the Cubans.
Undoubtedly a number of those who voted
In the House and Senate for the resolu-
tions do so reluctantly. These are pleased
with the attitude assumed by The admin
1strat1on, but evidently a large majority
are displeased. AS to what will be done
ABOUT the matter it is said that that is d
matter for future consideration, but the
impression is given that Congress will not
be satisfied to let it drop with the mere ex-
preston of opinion when it Is known that
tne President Will disregard this express
sion.
The Senate committee on foreign srela-
tions today recommended non-concurrence
In the House resolutions. and asked for a
conference The Senate acted on this sus-
gestion. and Sherman, Lodge and Morgan
were appointed conferees on the part of the
Senate. The sentiment at first appeared
to be IN favor of concur in the House
amendment. and it is thought that the
declaration of the Presidents position had
something to do with influencing the
adoption of the other course
There IS talk Of putting the matter into
the +. rm of joint resolution, but practice
lars this being done In conference for the
reason that neither house proposed that
form, AID the conferees are confined to the
pIopcs TORS Of the respective houses. 1t is
probable, however, that joint resolution
will be introduced in each house. There is
surely a strong sentiment in favor of en-
forcing the recognition of the belligerents
but 1t is doubtful how this can be done.
The Presidents Utternnces Criticized.
The criticisms passed upon Mr. Cleve-
lands utterances before the PRESBYTERIAN
board of Home Missions in New York are
much more severe than upon the official
declaration as to the Cuban question. The
fact of his declaring that he spoke as
Chics Executive in addressing a religious
body and then his references that followed
to the state of morals in the western terri
tories and new states, excited great indig-
nation in many quarters.
By members of beth houses it was spoken
of as a great breach of official propriety
for him to declare that his participation in
the work of the mission of particular
church was in his official capacity as Presi-
deIit of the United States. His attending
the rally and making a speech was not the
subject of any question. but his declaration
lii terms that he spoke as chief executive
was strongly objected to.
Violation of Prophecies.
But the thing that called forth the most
resentment was his reference to the moral
status of the territories and new states
The representatives of that section ex-
pressed the greatest Indignation, and men
from other sections spoke of his remarks
as a violation of the proprieties of his Of
fetal position. His saying that as Presi-
dent of the United States he recognized a
condition of affairs in certain section of
the country that demanded the work of
the mission, and that there were unsafe
territories" and undesirable states," is
spoken of as utterly unbecoming though
he might in his private capacity express
that opinion.
No WhOlesnIe Resignation.
There has been no wholesale resigna ton
from the United States consular service of
persons appointed from Spain, as is report
ed by cable, or If SO, the State Department
has not yet been informed of the fact In
Spain and the Spanish colonial possessions
there are just thirty persons appointed to
the United States consular service from
Spain, most of these being of Spanish birth.
Generally they hold offices of minor i'm
portance, such as vice conSulS and CONNER
cial agents, and the compensat ton of these
officials being made up solely of fees, is SO
small that it fails to attract suitable per-
sons OF American nativity or citizenship.
Hence if the United States is to have repre-
sentatlves of any kind in many small places
In foreign countries it is under the neces-
sity of appointing some reputable resident
OF the place, who is willing to assume the
duties. not for the fees so much as for the
distinction conferred by representing a
powerful foreign government.
These officials are usually appointed upon
the recommendation of the United States
consul having jurisdiction in the particular
district, which the State Department acts
upon without knowledge itself of the char
acter of the appointee. If there should be
many designations of this class of officials
the department would be inconvenienced,
but not seriously, as the business Of the
places where vacancies were left would de-
voive upon the nearest United States con-
sui. and delay in the transaction of con-
sular business would be the principal result
of the designations.
No Fear of Another Outbreak.
But it is felt here that the extreme irri.
tation that was excited in Spain last Sum
DAY over the action of Congress is passing
away, and that there is now little reason to
fear another similar spasm Of anti-Ameri-
can feeling for the present at least All of
the resentment that can be expected to is
sue from the Spanish people has, 1t is be-
Aeved. been aroused and has well-nigh
exhausted itself over the proceedings in
congress touching the concurrent resolu-
tons. and the future course of our govern
ment is not expected to give rise to further
exhibitions like that of last Sunday at Bar
celona- When the resolutions reach the ex-
ecutiye, they will be made the subject of
earnest consideration, and perhaps of re-
Dewed inquiry to ascertain whether there
has been anv change in the situation in
Cuba to warrant a change in the attitude
of our government toward either party, but
If this inquiry shall, as is expected In ad-
min'stration circles, fail to indicate the ne
cessity for a change, then the resolutions
will be allowed to remain on the files Of the
State Department, as do the Armenian res
olut.ons.
This plan of action is indicated in the
semi official statement Of the attitude of the
administration, published in another COL
umn. Although not admitted, 1t is generally
assumed that the statement in question
was inspired by Secretary Olhey.