The times., 1897-05-21
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION
What the Action in the Senate
and House Indicates.
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY
Mr.. Hits Admissions Strengthen
the Belief That the Administ ra-
of Cuhn's independence, Although
She Has Already Earned 1t.

The Cuban situation was cleared up
houses OF Congress yesterday The over
wheiming vote in the Senate shows the
trend OF sentiment in a body that csnuo,
be tied hand aud foot aud then gagged
by the powerof one man. The bell &c reacy
resolution was debated there Tor weeks
and, at the outset, there was the most
determined opposition TO it. Gradually
1T melted away in the presence of an
overpowering public sentiment. that he
came more and more pronounced as the
days went by.
The influence OF the Administration was
used to repress that action, but with all
its power, the Admins tration failed 10
accomplish it's set purpose Even the poor
satisfaction Of having the resolution re-
ferred to the committee for a few day
was denied by a vote OF "a To 10.
There is no doubt but Jnat the climax
was reached in this remarkable discussion
when senator Foraker took the floor
Wednesday and began TO make public in
formation of a startling character, til at
mas laiT in the files of the State Depart
nent SO long that it had become musty
That this information had beeu in the
possession OF President Cleveland ana
Secretary oiney, and they had still de
cIined to act, caused great surprise.
The criticism Wednesday of Mr.. Vest
was aimed at the Democratic admins
traiion, and that of MI. German yester-
day at the Republican, both gentlemen
taking the ground that il il was tue that /
ctr ConsGis could not have the content 6
% their official dispatches made enown
without the fear or threat OF asss ssina-
tion, the President had been delinquent
in his duty Under such conditions, suf-
ficieut meR-of-waT should have been sent
TO Cuba to protect them in the discharge
Of their duty
The speech Of Senator Foraker made
many votes for the resolution. and when
the vote finally came, instead of being
dose, as both sides anticipated, WAS over
whelmingly 0ne-siGed
The debate yesterday in the House threw
some light on the situation. Mr.. Hit, who
took part in tie debate came directly from
4 conference at the White House, and. while
his information was stan fresh in bis mind,
made admissions n debate that verify the
statements that have been made that Prasi-
ooRtemplates the purchase of its indie
pendenCe-
Mr. Hit deprecated the passage of a bel
ligCrency resolution hecauSeit would inter-
fere with the negotiations now under way
that were intended to mean much more
tim a mere recognition of belligerency.
To what negotiations did Mr. Hit refer?
In the Senate Mr. Foraker said tender
OF mediation bad been made and declined
II could not, then, be that IF Mckinley
contemplated intervention he would not
negotiate with Spain. The only other
negotiation, therefore, possible and Ger
tainly the most plausible. is that relating
to the purchase by Cuba Of her own free
dom, her purchase money TO be backed
up bv the United States. This is the only
tenablc conclusion that can be reached
and Mr. Hits admissions were not un-
guardedly made. If that is the policy Of
the Administration, IL remains TO be seen
in how far he will receive the support of
Congress and the American people.