Evening star., 1896-12-16
THE CASE OF CUBA
Resolutions Discussed by the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee.
SIMPLE DECLARATION MOST PROBABLE
No Action Likely to Be Taken
Until After the Holidays.
FEELING ON THE SUBJECT

The meeting of the Senate foreign rela-
tions committee today resulted in very
little information to the probable course
as regards Cuba. More than the usual
precautions were taken to prevent disclo
sures as to the happenings in the meeting
being made. The one statement made was
that no final action had been taken on
the resolutions before the committee, all of
which were discussed. The members of
the committee are always expected to
maintain perfect silence to what occurs
behind closed doors, but on this occasion
special precautions were taken against in
formation getting out. the members of the
committee being particularly pledged not
to divulge anything. The significance of
this probably is that the discussion which
took place indicated clearly that reso-
luton will be reported shortly. Three
members of the committee were absent.
This Of itself was sufficient reason for
postponing final action on matter of such
grave Importance. The discussion dis
closed that the Cameron resolution, pro-
viding for the recognition of the independ-
ence of Cuba. met with the greatest favor,
and its adoption seemed to be foreshadow-
ed. The committee adjourned until Fri
day.
A Pretty Hard Struggle.
Under cover there is pretty hard strug-
thizers and those who think that the busi-
ness interests of this country demand quiet
and should not be subjected to the dis
turbing influences of threatened trouble
with Spain. 1t is apparent that Cuban
sympathy is very strong In the Senate
committee. and the opposition is simply
resorting to delay In the hope that a
change may occur in the situation. The
Cuban sympathizers are becoming more
and more impatient and aggressive. On
the House side the subcommittee having
the Cuban matter in charge has majority
disposed to consider first OF all the enect
aggressive action would have on the bust
ness interests of the country. With this
in view they are holding back as much as
possible on the ground that they have no
which t. act. Their first course will be
to endeavor to get information from the
State Department. This will cause delay
and give more time for developments.
1t would undoubtedly be impossible for
the conservative forces to delay action
much longer were 1t not for the apprehen-
sion that interference on the part of the
United States without clear and undoubted
provocation would call forth protest from
the foreign powers, and possibly involve
US with some one Of them in addition to tho
trouble it would provoke with Spain. If
the provocation leading to Intervention is
indisputable, it is not at all likely that any
foreign power will take the side of Spain.
1t is, therefore, such a provocation that is
awaited. 1t is held, however, by the most
ardent sympathiZerS of Cuba that the Cam
eron resolution can be adopted without
this government being open to criticism of
having intermeddled in a matter outside its
jurisdiction. 1t is held that while this ac-
ton might lead to war, yet it could not be
said that by merely recognizing the Cuban
government, without rendering 1t any act
I've assistance, an inevitable provocation
OF hostilities had been given Spain.
Going the Limit.
The majority sentiment undoubtedly is in
favor of going as far as we can without be-
coming involved with any government save
that OF Spain. The chances are that some
thing similar to the Cameron resolution
will be ADOPTED by the Senate committee
Friday, or at the next meeting thereafter,
but 1t Is not now thought that action will
be had in either house until after the holi-
days.
The holiday recess having been agreed to
by both houses, to take place from the 22,l
to the 9th of January, 1t would be danger
Gus to take such action pending that as
might bring about hostile situation dur
ing the time that Congress would be scat
tered and In no condition to meet the
emergency. During the holiday recess
there may be change In the situation in
Cuba which would influence the action of
Congress. but If there is no change or is an
Increase of irritation little doubt is felt
that the Senate will act soon after Congress
reassembles. Action by the Senate would
probably render further delay by the House
impossible.
If the Senate committee should report a
resolution and let 1t lie over until after the
holiday recess, it would serve as a notice
TO Spain that If she did not do something
toward the pacification of Cuba meanwhile
she would have to confront a certain condi-
ton OF affairs after the reassembling of
Congress January 5.
The House committe do not contemplate
any sort of action before the recess