Evening star., 1897-03-18
New Administration Will Differ From
Its Predecessor.
NEUTRALITY LAWS TO Be ENFORCED
American Citizens, However, Must
Be Protected.
r E S ULT OF A W WARNING

The attitude of the new adminst ation
to ward the Cuban question has not yet be-
come thoroughly understood The impress
sion has got abroad in certain quarters that
there is to be a continuation of the policy
of the Cleveland administration. The ac-
tion of the cabinet yesterday with respec.
to the clearance of the Dauntless is likely
to be interpreted by those who do not un-
derstand the situation as confirming this
impression. The fact is that Mr. Cleve-
lands course will be avoided There may
be little difference in the declaration of
policy" for the policy Of maintaining neu-
trality declared by Mr.. Cleveland was all
right, except that in its applca ation ne
actually favored the Spanish and placed
this CO, ntry in the attitude of passive sub
missiveness while outrages We're perpe-
trated upon American citizens. Under this
administration the declaration will he prac
tically the same. but the Interpretation and
application will be different.
A Different Idea.
Mr.. Mckinley and Mr.. Sherman have
different Idea from that held by Mr. Cleve-
land as to what neutrality, under condi-
tions which obtain in Cuba, means.
If those persons who looked for the i'm
mediate adoption of vigorous policy by
a
disappointment 1t is due to change of
attitude the part of the Spanish au-
thorities. The Spanish have had notice
served on them that the course which they
followed freely during the Cleveland ad-
ministration will not be tolerated by the
Mckinley administration. They are there
fore not proceeding with such a high
hand There is a thorough understanding
on their part that their license has ex-
pired. Much surprise was expressed when
Mr.. Sherman. knowing that Sanguilly Was
about to be given his liberty. reported from
the Senate foreign relate committee the
resolution demanding Sanguillys release.
But now the fruits of this are beginning
to develop. This action by Mr. Sherman
just before taking up the responsibilities of
the State Department has been received
by the Spanish government a warming
such 1t was intended to be. and 1t prom
ises to save the new administration con-
siderable trouble. To avoid trouble it
desirable that the Spanish government
should be warned in advance and that 1t
should be understood that unjust inter-
ference with American citizens would not
be tolerated.
Result of the Warming.
The result of this warning is seen in the
release of number of American prisoners
in Cuba without direct threat of force
having to be made, and it is unnecessary
for the new administration to engage in
any bluster in order to make its position
administration to assume threatening at
titude. 1t is we'll understood that the nil
itary laws will be enforced in the manner
usual among nations. but that there will
pe no extraordinary steps taken to assist
Spain in maintaining her sovereignty over
Cuba. Mr.. Clevelahds course of direct
antagoniSm to the Cubans Will not be ac-
cepted as an example to be followed. The
United States navy will not be placed at
the disposal of the Spanish minister for
the purposes of hlockadng commerce be-
tween the United States and Cuba. Viola
tions of the neutrality law Will be prose-
cuted and usual and proper precautions
will be taken to enforce the law, but it IS
rot understood that embargo is to be
put on trade.
The Policy to BE Persued.
The policy. it is understood will be not
to interfere In the Cuban rebellion unless
a situation developes which renders OBJ
vious the necessity for doing, nut Amer
lean citizens and American interests will
have to be protected, and if Spain is un-
willing unable to furnish this protec-
ton it will be provided by the United
States. This will not be done in the spirit
of taking sides in the Cuban struggle, but
purely from the standpoint of
rights. The action with relation to the
Daunt,ess is understood to be simply pre-
cautionary. to avoid being open on the
start to the criticism of being lax In the
enforcement of the law. An evidence of
laXity at this time would be taken as an
encouragement to filibustering and might
lead to many actual violations of neutral-
ty which would keep the administration in
hot water. This is to be avoided by draw
ing the line sharply between the enforce
ment of the law and interference with
commerce.