Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-07

II Is reported that the senate commit
tee on foreign relations will not press
the Cameron resolution acknowledging
the independence of Cuba. If such an
understanding has been reached it Is
doubtless due to recognition of the fact
that public sentiment is very strongly
against any action that might bring
about conflict with Spain at this juno
ture Since the action of the committee
in agreeing to report the Cameron resolu-
ton there have been expressions of Op-
position to such declaration by con
gress from influential financial
and business quarters. 1t las
been urged upon the attention
of statesmen at Washington that
the agitation of the Cuban question was
having an injurious effect upon return
ing confidence and therefore was helping
to retard the restoration of the coRdi-
tons to prosperity. Our own people
are not disposed to embark in productive
enterprises or to make investments of
any kind on an extensive scale while
confronted with the possibility of Il for
egn war, for however well assured they
may feel that such war would temi-
nate in victory for the United States they
know 1t would be more or less disturb
ing to our business affairs at home and
abroad and more or less costly to the nl-
ton.
A war with Spain would increase the
public debt, to what extent no one cln
foresce but that it would add materially
TO the governments obligations can lot b,
doubted. This would mean increased
taxation, without any compensatng ad-
vantages. 1t would unfavorabiy affect
the value of our securities abroad. so
that they would probably be thrown on
the American market in large volume,
thereby greatly reducing if 1t did rot
wipe out the large balance now in our
favor. Our foreign commerce would
inevitably be somewhat damaged and
home industries and enterprises would
anguish for time. These considara-
tions make the financial and business
interests of the country. which want rest
from all disturbing and unsettling III
iiuences and an opportunity to
recupcratc, practically unanimous IL
opposition to any action on the
part of congress which might involve
Spain and the United States in war.
Undoubtedly members of the senate
committee have in very direct way
been made aware of this sentiment.
The danger of preciptating Il conflict
between the legislative and executive
branches Of the government may also
have influence with the more conServa-
tive members of the senate committee.
The question raised as to the exclusive
prerogative of the executive to rccog-
nize the independence of the CubanS
has received very thorough discussion
and the weight of intelligent Judgment
is OH the side of the contention that the
president has exclusive authority to ac-
cord belligerent rights to or recognize
the independence of people engaged
in revolution. All precedent supports
this position, Notwithstanding the fact
that III some eases the advice of con
gress has been invited by the executive
DtlOlt uCllOll HtIc Is niue
reason to doubt, therefore, that in the
event of n conflict between congress
and the executive on this question pub
lie opinion would be very largely with
the executive.
1t is probable. also, that republican
senators realize it would be n grave mis-
take to do anything at this time which
might have consequences seriously EN-
barrassng to the incoming administra-
ton. Another weighty fact is that the
chances of passing the Cameron rcsolu-
tiOn have been very greatly lessened.
1t might pass the senate, though that
could be prevented by Il persistent op-
position, but the best opinion is that it
could not pass the house. In any event
it would be killed by executive veto.
Such being the situation, why continue
n useless and damaging agitation? 1t
is sincerely to be hoped that the report
of the intention of the senate foreign
relations committee is well founded.