The herald., 1896-12-19
0Iney Is Willing If . Future Course b
Provided For
Some Discussion of the Effects to Be
Produced by the Recognition OF
Belligerency or Independence
of the Cubans
Associated Press Special yvir.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-The meet
ing of the senate committee on foreign
relations today was important in two
respects. 1t resulted in an agreement
to report the Cameron resolution for the
recognition of Cuban independence,
and it developed, through the statement
of Secretary Olney, the administration's
policy in regard to the insurrection in
Cuba.
The secretary occupied the greateH
part of the time of the meeting answer
ing questions and suggestions made by
the committee. He and Senator Morgan
engaged in several spirited colloquies.
Mr.. Olney made two points against the
Cameron resolution as follows:
First-That the Cuban insurgents have
established no government
Second-That the rig't to recognize
new state rests with the president, in
dependent of congressional action.
He contended in elaboration of the first
point that the pretended government Of
the island was without habitation.
Suppose you recognize the independ-
ence of the island" said he, what are
you going 10 90 WITH II.
Il, for one" said Senator Morgan.
while advocating this recognition want
it understood that / am opposed to an
nexation.''
How then would you maintain its IN
dependence? asked the secretary HIM
self becoming interlocutor How would
you, for instance, prevent Spanish COM
ination over the island?"
Il would, replied the Alabama sena-
tor, establish, if need be. a protector.
ate. I would follow much the same
policy we are pursuing with regard to
Hawaii and would send as army of oc-
cupation to the island, if necessary, as
we did in the case of Mexico
The secretary made the impression
upon some of the members of the CONF
mittee. by the way he pursued his line
of inquiry, that while he was disposed to
hold out strongly for the presidents pre-.
rogative, he was not nearly so strongly
opposed to Cuban independence as he
had been year ago, and that he woulC
be entirely reconciled to it if satisfied as
to the future course to be pursued He
did not dissent strongly from a point
made that his own report showed a
sufficient cause for action, and he admit.
ted that state of affairs which permits
the killing of American citizens and the
destruction of American property was
deplorable. ''They are, however" he
added, 1.-The incidents of war"
Not of war properly conducted, but Of
anarchy" was the response.
The secretary set at rest the story
which had been very industriously cir.
culated that Consul-General Lee has
provided the state department with an
elaborate report on the condition of af.
fairs in Cuba.
at is not true he said. General Lee
has made no written report at ALL He
has made reports on several spec.
ial cases, but not on the situation rs a
whole"
1t also developed during the examina.
ton that the government had made no
demand in the case of the Competitor
and in other cases of similar character
beyond requests for information.
While the committee will report the
resolution as agreed upon Monday, it is
not expected the question will be pressed
until after the holidays. The dispose
ton of the committee will be to press the
resolutions to a speedy determination
as soon as possible after the question is
once taken UP for debate.
The Cameron resolution as modified
and agreed upon by the foreign relations
committee is as follows:
Resolved, by the senate and house OF
representa- in congress assembled,
That the independence of the republic
of Cuba be and the same is hereby ac-
knowledged by the United States Of
America.
Section 2--That the United States will
use it's friendly offices with the govern
ment of Spain to bring to close the
war between Spain and Cuba.
EFFECT OF RECOGNITION
WASHINGTON, Dec. iS.-The action
of the senate committee on foreign re-
ations in agreeing to report the Cam
eron resolution recognizing the inde-
perdence of Cuba. has naturally led to
the inquiry how such recognition. II
completed, would affect the position Of
the insurgents. Inquiry OF competent
authorities goes to show that such recog-
milton from a. legal point Of view would
be of greater value to them morally than
in addition of any substantial and act-
ual privileges to those they now possssA