The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-12-08
Speaker Reed Holds the Key To
II.
DILEMMA OF THE PRESIDENT.
Why Congress Is d posed 10 be More
Conservative --MokInley's Hobby
And.HIs Dissemination to vetOes
FRIENDS OF CUBA ARE srlll HOPEFUL

standing the recommendation of the presi-
dent in his message that this country
should wait reasonable time to see what
the effect Is TO be Of SPANS new policy in
the island, a large number Of senators and
representatives think congress should take
some action without further delay. The
desire Of the insurgent leaders in this
country is that congress recognize tho bel
ligerency of Cuba. All the influence they
possess is to be brought to bear for the
purpose of bringing about such recogni-
ton at this session Of congress. They hope
to succeed. Already a resolution recogniz-
ing belligerency is pending in the house,
having passed the senate. AS to whether
or not it will be taken up and discussed in
the house and be allowed to come to a
vote depends altogether upon the attitude
of one man-Speaker Reed.
Reed on the Safety Valve.
. Last session Speaker Reed sat on the
safety valve, so to speak, through several
long and trying months. He resisted all
the efforts of the friends of Cuba to force
action. His Justification was that congress
had been called together for a special pur-
pose. The administration was just in Of
flee and had had no time to look into the
Cuban question and to determine its pol
Icy In that direction IL Is obvious these
arguments will not hold good now. II the
speaker concludes 1t to be his duty to stand
between the house and action concerning
Cuba, he must have some new means of
justifying himself. These may be found
and the situation thus be held substantial
ly where 1t is.
Nor Is It at all unlikely that the house
itself win DO more conservative than 1t
. was last spring, and the senate as we'll.
The conditions have changed. Most men
will agree that since the adjournment of
congress greater measure of prosperity
has come to the people of the United
States. There are fewer unemployed men
and women than there were year ago.
The outlook is more hopeful Unquestion-
ably the temper Of the people has changed
to some extent as to Cuba. When things
were about as dark as they could be in
this country, they thought little trouble
over Cuba certainly could not make the
picture any more somber. Any change
might be a change for the better. But.
now that the situation Is much improved
they say they want to hold what they have
gained. If prosperity is here or is coming
they do not want it stricken down by O
war or a iumor Of war. Without doubt
this line of reasoning has had its effect
upon the people and upon the peoples rep
resentatlves In congress. So far cannot
discover among the senators and represent
atiyes any fierce desire to rush 20 Cuba's
aid
Belligerency Claims.
The best argument in favor of recog-
milton Of the belligerency of Cuba is that
It Is matter wholly within the rights OF
the United States. Whether or not state
of war shall be officially recognized in
foreign country Is for q nation to deter
mine solely with reference to its own in.
terests That there is war In Cuba and
has been war for long time no one will
deny. II the United States chooses to say
so, and to govern itself accordingly, IL Is
the right Of the United States, and the 40
ton Is not cause for offense or complaint
on the part of Spain.
The true inwardness Of the desire op the
part Of the insurgents friends In this
country for recognition Of belligerenoy
was given me today by man who Is ia
miliar with all the facts
"If we recognize belligerency, " said he
ait will not Of itself change the relations
between the United States and Spain.
Peace will reign, as before-that Is, until
eome foolish or ovorzealous Spanish naval
officer exceeds his authority or makes q
bad blunder and seizes an American ship
on the high seas and carries the crew of
co Spanish dungeon. Then there will
be an uproar. The people will demand
that this sort Of thing be stopped. This Is
precisely what the friends Of Cuba are
counting on. They reckon that with a
state Of war officially recognized 1t will
not be long before Spain so seriously Of
tends the American people in her exercise
OF the right of search upon the ocean,
which she does not now possess that war
will follow.
The Presidents Views.
President Mckinley does not want to
face the question OF belligerency. He much
prefers that congress do not pass any reso-
luton 90 that effect and send 1t to him for
his signature. The president would not
like to veto such a resolution, nor yet
would he like to sign 1t. If he adopted the
latter course, as Is probable, he would fear
for the consequences II he vetoed ID, the
people who are friendly TO Cuba would say
he was the enemy Of liberty.
One Of President McKinley's hobbies is
peaceful relations between the executive
and the congress. He wants harmony. He
goes out Of his way to tell senators and
members OF congress that 10 Is his great
desire 70 have amlcable relations and 90
uIaAutluH uCtNoth tno wv tiiVa W tNo ~
enue, as we say IN Washington. He thinks
congress should defer to him ON the Cuban
question. He points out In his message
that good deal has already been accom-
plished The Spanish have needed the de-
mands Of this government. They have re-
yorsed their policy In order to satisfy pub
Ito opinion In this country. They have
freed ali American prisoners. II the Span
ish do not succeed In restoring peace In
Cuba, the inference Is very plain that the
president will act when the time comes.
and meanwhile congress should keep
hands on
But the friends OF Cuba, knowing the
great desIre OF the president for harmoni-
Gus relations with the national Legislature
and his dIslnolination 10 veto measure
passed by that body. believe be will sign a
resolution recognising helllgoroncy II they
ean only push one through the house
They promise 60 bring tho question 70 tho
Ifoni a. an early day So We may make
up our minds ~ hnTe another Cuban die-
NAIIER NFltHtH