The times., 1897-11-29
CONGRESS AND THE CUBANS.
Administration Policy Is Condemned
on All Sides.

Administration Policy Is Condemned
on All Sides.
1t is quite evident from the expression
of Senators and Members of the House
now reaching Washington that the Cuban
situation is one OF the burning questions
of the hour. The dilly y-dailying policy
of the Administration, its evident intention
To plead for more time, viii meet with no
responsive chord in the hearts OF those
statesmen whose blood throbs with indig
nation and whose conduct is actuated
10y patriotic instincts. Free Cuba is to
he the shlbboleth of every Anne jean
entitled to vote in this Congress, but al
ready the cuekoos have flown To the
topmost rail- on the Administration fence
and are chatteiing in unison, Wait for
the President
1t is apparent that SPANS offer OF
autonomy is TO be accepted by the Ad-
ministration, as preteXt Of postpnning
action, at least. And still everybody he
lieveS that that atonomyi is fraud and
sham Spain has been fulsome III her
promises in the past, but she has hever
kept any Of them. She is making the same
old promises again, and reiterating 10 the
President her hypocritical intentions OF
giving the Cubans good government AID
self-rule. Just AT tie time when the Ad-
minstratioE was congratulating itself III on
having accomplished so much, Spain an
nounces her system of reform, and t is
learned that that political oyerseer of
Cuba, the governor general is still TO
have absolute power. With that pro .iso
there can be nothing like autonomy.
When Congress meets, SO far as The
Administration is concerned, there viii
he q repetition Of the scenes Of the closing
days or the Fifty-fourth and the eXtr1or-
dinary session of the Fifty fifth Con
gresses. During the closing hours of the
Cleveland administration there was a great
deal Of talk among Republican Senators
about doing something for Cuba. Speeches
We're made on the subject that could ell
be desgna ted as red hot. Senator ThurS.On,
for one, went West and presided at a
pro Cuban meeting and made a fprach
that caused sensation. On his way Jack
he stopped at Canton. When he appeared
in Washington a change had come over
the spiri of his dreams 1t was at once
whispered among Republicans that Nc
kinIey did not want anything done until
hs came into power. The Republic aus 1T
once ceased their loud talk, and lot a
chirp in favor Of poor Cuba was heard.
Mckinley has been in power now several
months ana the situation has not changed.
Senators are growing tired Of inaction and
restive under restraint. out OF twenty-five
who have been recently interviewed, but
seven advocate waiting for whatever ac-
tha: the President ma yta ke. These twenty
two are representative Senators, and the
oh % tn
standing OF the whole body. The Senate
has repeatedly empha sized its position,
but VIII undoubtedly pass Al addition Il
resolution soon after reconyening i'll order
10 let the President know its present tom
per Oh tie subject. II the Administration
does not wish anything done for Cuba
the House VIII probably be repressed by
the usual methods. Debate, however, ca n
MT he sufled, and the Cuban question
viii lead to some lively situations.
There appears 10 he variance between
Minister WOGdford's views and those Of
the Administration as To the success OF
seifgovernment for the Cubans Minister
Woodiord is said Ia believe, and to have
informed the State department that the
scheme, especialIy with reference TO the
tariff and the share or the debt to be
borne by Cube VIII be inevitably failure.
Re il credited with advising the Cabinet
To change its plan.
The proposed new laws take away from
the Cubans the right 70 fix their own
tariff, and besides the final juris Lotion
in all matters rests in the Spanish Pariia-
ment That simply means government as
usual by the captain general. The shqie
! Of the war debt and all other expenses
will be excessively dis proportion4tc 50
! tnat local taxation VIII be as gneyo1s as
ever.
The news OF the absolute rejection OF
the so-called home rule scheme Of the
| Insurgents mas reached Minister Woodford
| and the Cogtes, and this undoubtedly makes
the pan impossible, much less worthy Of
consideration.