Omaha daily bee., 1896-04-07

After Two months of consideration
aud discussion In committees. in con.
ferences and on the floors Of tic two
houses. congress has finally recorded Its
opinion regarding the situation in Cuba
and the duty of the United States in
relation thereto. The resolutions passed
by the senate more than Il month ago
were yesterday concurred In Ivy the
house of representatives, receiving an
overwhelming majority. These resolu-
tons declare that, in the opinion OF
congress. a condition OF public war cx-
lists between the government OF Spain
and the government proclaimed and
maintained by force of arms by tho
people of Cuba and that this country
should maintain strict neutrality be-
tween the contending powers. accord
ing TO each all the rights Of bclligcr-
ents In the ports and territory Of the
United States: also that the friendly
offices of this government should be Of
fered by the president TO the Spanish
government for the recognition of the
independence of Cuba.
Being concurrent, these resolutions
are simply an e%nunciation of congress
sional opinion. They do not go to the
president, nor do they I'M any sense or
degrees commit the executive branch Of
the government. They have no legal
force, whatever of moral force they
may exert. They do not I'm the least
change the attitude of the United
States toward the conflict in Cuba.
That can be done only by the action of
the president and congress carefully
avoided the course which would have
compelled the chief executive to act.
either in approval or disapproval Of it's
declarations. Had 1t made its resolu-
tons joint instead of concurrent the
president would have been required to
disclose his position, but as 1t is he is
not called upon to pay any attention to
the opinion of congress-, which he may
or may not regard as representing the
sentiment of the country.
1t may very reasonably be asked,
therefore, what good purpose is served
by the passage of these resolutions?
1t will not in the least help the cause
of the Cuban patriots, who already had
all the moral support they needed. 1t
does not place the American people in
any better light before the world, be-
cause their sympathy with the insur-
gents was well known. 1t does not
maintain any principle. nor does it es-
tablish the fact proclaimed that the
Cubans are entitled to belligerent rights.
There has been a great deal said in
support Of the assumption that they
are entitled to such recognition, but
there has been nothing to demonstrate,
as was said by Mr.. Boutelle, the actual
existence of the fact of belligerency as
is required by the rules aid down and
that have been recognized from the days
Of George Washington to the present
hour.
On the other hand, the effect will be
to intensity the feeling of hostility in
Spain. toward the United States and
while there are, doubtless, many who
will make light Of this, it is really n
serious matter. 1t involves the danger
of war and so long as this danger is
present financial confidence will be
more or less disturbed and unsettled,
to the detriment of business recovery.
1t is not believed that the president
will be influenced by the declaration of
congressional opinion regarding Cuba.
The impression is that he does not
think the insurgents have established
a claim to be recognized as belligerents.
But the action of congress gives him
warrant to act whenever he shall deem
it %eXpedient to do so and it is possible
that he may select a time for action
when partisan interests would be bene-
flied. There is reason to believe that
the passage of these resolutions will
result in harm, rather than good.