The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-09
HIS LEGACY.
Mckinley Will Have the
Cuban Matter.
Before it is Settled Much
Trouble is Anticipated.
United States May Get Both Cuba
and Hawaii in the End.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-[Special. Pub
| lie men In Washington are settling down
to the opinion that nothing WILL be done
about Cuba till after tho advent of tho Nc.
kinley administration. They are now con-
vinced chat tho president does not intend
to take any action, and the chances for the
passage Of any resolution by congress that
might prccipitato another crisis are becom.
ing less and less with each passing day
There appears to have been change Of
mind on the part Of great many senators
and representatives Tho death of Antonio
Maceo and tho strange stories which were
at first told Of the manner in which he met
his fate served to rouse the indignation Of
congress to high pitch, and the most def
into result Of this state OF feeling was the
Cameron resolution for the recognition OF
Cuba. The friends Of that resolution have
now given up hope of Its passage either In
the house or the senate.
Looking For q Statesman.
The whole Cuban problem will thus 60
over TO the Mckinley administration, bar.
ring some accident which might precipitate
another crisis. This Is one reason why
President Elect Mckinley is so much wor
ried about filing adequately the office OF
secretary OF state. He realizes that the Gu
ban problem Is a most delicate and danger
Gus one to deal WITH and he naturally
wants the assistance of secretary of state
of ripe experience, sound judgment, great
tact and profound ability Mr.. Mckinley
will be fortunate II he ser 4 u n man big
enough to I'll Mr.. Olney's V.oes, for 1t is
generally conceded Mr. Olney has made one
Of the greatest secretaries of state we ever
had. This Is admitted by Republicans as
we'll as Democrats, and by men who do not
approve the stand which Mr.. Olney recent
ly took as to the constitutional powers Of
the president and Of congress respectively
as well as by men who approve his course.
Major Mckinley once said TO the writer
that he should deem himself fortunate II
he were to be able To find an Olney for his
secretary of state. He did not exclaim, az
has been reported In somo papers. "Ob, for
an Olney" as II lamenting the absence Of
men Of genuine ability and fitness for that
post from the ranks of the Republican
party. Mr.. Mckinley believes there are
men able to carry on the work Of the state
department on the high plane Of ability
and strength shown by Dir. Olney, and
that he will be ablo to find the man to do
It.
'Look Out For Brealkersi"
I find upon conversation with q great
many public men TINT there Is In Washing
ton general conviction we are going to
have trouble with Spain over Cuba In the
end, They point out that Spain's rule In
Cuba has not been success; that the is-
land Is overburdened with debts; that the
conditions are such that as soon as one re-
beiiion is crushed another will break out;
that Spain will find IL necessary to main-
tain In Cuba perpetual army OF conquest
and subjugntiop, and that In this day and
generation such rule cannot be perma-
nent. They also point to the obvious fact
that u this rebellion goes on much longer
the United States government will be
forced by public opinion and in protection
OF its own interests and that Of Its citizens
to interfere, and that interference can have
but one result--the independence IF Cuba.
The best informed mon with whom I
have talked--and among them are men,
bers Of the diplomatic corps, state depart
ment officials and senator's who have made
u special syddy of the Cuban situation
think independence will be but stepping
stone TO annexation. They call attention
government has not been successful In any
Of the West Indies, and that the property
holding classes Of Cuba, even the Cuban
planters themselves, prefer Spanish rule
with autonomy and reform to local self
government. Next TO that they prefer an
noxation to tho United States. They take
this view because they want stable gov
e-nmont, and they fear they can never get
1t with their own people as the sovereigns
am not oyerstating the case when say
that the prevalent feeling among public
men ut this capital whose opinions are
worth anything Is that within n couple of
years the United States and Spain are very
likely to DO at war over Cuba, and that
after Cuba has had an experience with
home rule she will .sk for annexation TO
the United States.
Cuba and Hawaii.
Before Cuba secures her independence
and many years before tho lime comes for
her 70 become part OF the territory OF the
United States 1t is now regarded as pretty
we'll settled that we shall have mado
start In a colonial policy in the Pacific
ocean. There are few public men in Wash
ington who do not entertain n strong con.
yiction that within year or year and
half Hawaii will be annexed TO the United
States. have taken pains during the
past six weeks to sound great many Of
our leading mon on this subject, and three
fourths of them are Of this opinion. There
Is somo opposition, but 1t does not appear
to bc strong enough TO offer stumbling
block. The understanding at the present
time IL that the initiative for annexation
will como from Hawaii, where the leaders
Of tho republican government are known
to bo simply waiting for change of nd
ministration In this country for starting
up thoir movement. The only serious
question as TO Hawaii, which / have al
rondy called attention to in former letter,
IL as 20 the form Of government 20 be In
stituted there. The prevailing belief Is
that Hawaii will como In as federal ter
ritory, to bc governed by local legisla-
turo and governor appointed by the pres
ident