The Portland daily press., 1896-01-30
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
Two Reports From the Foreign
Relations Committee.
CLEVELAND MAY BE ASKED TO
MEDIATE.

Don Cameron Tells of Grants Position in
Similar Crisis-The Text of the Keso.
lutions-House Adjourns for Lack of
Quorum-News Gleanings.
washing gton, January 29.-During the
morning business and when reports OF
committees We're called for, Mr.. Morgan
said that he reported back from the com
mlttee on foreign relations number OF
petitions on the subject of recognizing
belligerent rights in Cuba, also resolu-
tion offered by Call. Democrat of Flori-
da, declaring that state Of public war
existed in Cuba ana that bellirerent
rights should be accorded to the .Cuban
government. He reported back, he said.
Senate substitute, two resolutions ao-
companied BY a written report. Mr..
Cameron, Republican of Pennsylvania.
presented a minority report closing with
! a resolution that the ssPresident is here.
by requested to interpose his friendly
officers with the Spanish government for
the recognition of the independence of
Cuba. The reading Of the full minority
report being called for it was read by
the clerk.
Among the bills introduced and re-
ferred was one by Mr.. Gallinger, Repub-
lican Of New Hampshire, granting pen
sion of Sl00 month to the widow of Gen.
nhomQo Eruin vuho 80
last week.
The Cuban resolutions reported from
the committee on foreign relations to the
Senate this morning by Mr.. Morgan are
as follows:
Resolved by the Senate, the House of
representatives concurring. that the
present deplorable war on the island of
Cupa has reached a magnitude that
concerns all civilized nations to the ex-
tent that it should be conducted, if un-
happily 1t is longer to continue, on those
principles and laws of warfare that are
acknowledged to be obligatory upon civil
llzed nations when engaged in open hos
ttl1t1es. including the treatment of cap
tives who are enlisted in either army due
respect to oartels for exchange of prison
ers and for other military purposes,
truces and flags Of truce. the provision
OF proper hospitals and hospital supplies
and services to the sick and wounded of
either army. Be it further
Resolved, That this representation of
the views and opinions Of Congress be
sent to the Presldent, and if he concurs
therein that be will in a friendly spirit
Use the good offices of this governments to
the end that Spain shall be requested to
accord to the armies with which 1t is en-
gagged in war the rights of belligerents,
as the same are recognized under the
laws of nations.
These resolutions were accompanied by
comprehensive report. Among other
things the committee says:
The Congress of the United States
deeply regretting that the unhappy state
of hostilities existing in Cuba, which has
again been the result of the demand of
large mum Der OF the native population
Of that island for it's independence, in
| q spirit of respect and regard for the well
| fare of both countries, earnestly desire
| that the security of life and property and
the establishment Of permanent peace
and of government that is satisfactory
to the people of Cuba should be accom-
plished. And to the extent that the
people of Cuba are seeking the rights
OF local self government for domestic
purposes, the Congress of the United
States expresses it's earnest sympathy
with them.
The Congress would also welcome with
satisfaction the concession by Spain of
complete sovereignty to the people of that
island and would cheerfully give to such
voluntary concession the cordial sup
port Of the United States. The near prox.
unity OF Cuba to the frontier of the
United States that the fact that it is un-
iversally regarded as a part of the conti-
mental system OF America, interferes that
island so closely with the political and
commercial welfare of our people, that
Congress oannot be Indifferent to the fact
that civil war is hagrant among the peo-
pie of Cuba. Nor can we longer overlook
the fact that the destructive character of
this war is doing serious harm to the
rights and interests of our people on the
Island and to our lawful commerce. the
protection and freedom of which is safe
guarded by treaty obligations. The com
mittee emphasizes the fact that the
United States, in the various struggles
between Cuba ald Spain, has always
observed in perfect faith, all OF it's duties
towards the belligerents. Although diff
cult, the task was performed with vigor.
impartiality and JUSTICE in the hope
that Spain would 90 ameliorate the con-
ditions Of the Cuban people as to give
them peace, contentment and pr 1sperity
The committee says this result has not
been accomplished The hospitality
which our treaties. the laws of nations,
and of Christianity, have extended to
Cuban refugees, has caused distrust by
the Spanish government as to the fdeli-
ty OF the United States government to
its obligations of neutrality. Ibis dis
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