New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-07
CONGRESS- AND CUBA.
existence

The Senate Conference COmmit'ee u'u WIZ III
promptly accepting the Cuban resolutions or the
House Of Representatives In place OF lis own.
Senator Hale who has already done good service
in this matter, did better in securing post
noncment of action on the report until next
week Rest of all will 1t be If ut that time the
whole case be seriously reconsidered IN n calm
and statesmanike spirit, and some line OF pro-
codure no adopted more temperate and logical,
and at the same time more DEFINITE ana prac-
t,caI than even the House resolutions There
need no no lcssening OF sympathy with the
Cuban natriots But there might be and should
be an utterance by COngress-if there Is 10 pe
apv at all-that would not be mere SOUND ana
fury Simplifying nothing" The resolutions do
cause needlessy much irritation and offence
In Spain And they are potential for vast mis-
chief TO this country.
The criticisms hitherto made upon them that
they go either too far or not far enough seem
entirely just. If they are merely IN expression
OF Americas benevolent neutrality and desire
for peacc they go TOO far. for they imply great
deal more than that. II they are intended sim
ply 10 recognize the Cuban insurgents as Del
ligerents they 90 too far, for they hint directly
M independence and intervention. Why men
ton these latter measures at all in an utterance
intended to be friendly and peaceful! On the
other hand II they are 10 be interpreted as
s,cp toward declaring the independence OF Cuba
and toward forcible Intervention by the United
States in Cuba's behalf they are palterngly
weak There u.s. as We hav" consistently con
tended serious reason to doubt the propriciy OF
any action whatever on the part Of this COY
eminent except TO maintain the neutrality laws
and TO safeguard American interests. II further
action is 10 be taken II certainly seems desirable
that il should be taken on the basis Of more
ample and authoritative information than yet
appears To have reached Washington. II will
he remembered that the South American rcpub-
lies were recognized by the United States only
after their condition had been specially invcsti-
gated and reported upon by trustworthy Govern
ment agents sent thithcr for the purpose. But
le, there either be action or not Lee the con
duct of Congress be- either hot or cold. and not
cmetically lukewarm.
Nor does there seem 10 be- any good reason
why the resolutions. If any are 10 be passed.
should he merely concurrent in form. Concur
rent resolutions are blank cartridges They
make lot OF noise and smoke. and give foreign
nations the idea that We are firing away ~ a
prrl gous rate but they carry no shot and hi,
n.
lative branch 81 the Government - say any
thing on tlc subject, II II worth while for II 10
say IL so that the executive branch will have 10
take some notice ~ IT, Then We shall know
where we stand II the President shall approx"
and act upon The resolutions, some pEdciical
effect will he given 10 them. II he shtll. veto
them. he will doubtless give his rcasins for
doing 50. and may thus contribute some valuable
information TO The controversy: and. at any rate,
there will be "A definite placing ~ responsibility.
Surely there il no reason why Congress should
be so tender toward the Presidents personal
comfort as 10 wish 10 spare him the onuS Of
making such a decision He has shown ii no
particular consideration On the contrary. both
he and his underllngs have often manifested a
studied contempt for the representatives ~ the
people whom he has ION his hands, and who
prevent him from ruling the country according
TO his own sweet Will II Congress has any
thing 10 say 10 the President about Cuba. let II
say 1t openly and manfuy in a manner dcserv-
ing and compelling some respect and worthy
Of O branch of the Government fully coordinate
with the Executive There is no occasion for
Blended knee and batcd breath and rcvcrcntlal
awe.