The times., 1897-06-07
One Chance for Spain Before In
dependence Is Recognized.
PROPOSAL TO BUY THE ISLAND
II This Is Refused the President,
1t L. said, VIII Send a Message
to Congress- Urging Recognition.
American Property LOSSES TO Be
Seeured-Mr. Calhoun's Report.

return from tie Nashville trip. TINS
policy. it is said, is already decided on 10y
the Administrative in its larger parts, and
will only he changed or modified, If at al,
In the smaller details by what the Presi-
dent hears by word oil mouth from his
special commissioner to Cuba, Mr.. Calhoun,
and from his ether sources OF Cuban IN
formation.
In an article published in The Times On
Friday afternoon it was announced that
the Presidnte had then under considera-
tion this policy, and that il probably ia
Guided "a message to Congress recommend
ing the recognition OF the independence
of Cuba This message, the article said,
would 5e prepared, or at least arranged.
duIIng the trip To Nashville, the probability
being that Nh Calhoun would accompany
the President on this trip.
This statement in The Times has been
corroboratpd by an excellent authority on
Administration matters In every particular
1t Is now believed, however, that
proposition To Spain preceding this mes
sage is one OF the probabilities. Its not
believed that this proposition has yet been
sent to the Spanish government II is
Sp2in that size grant the Cubans their in
depeGder.ee on the payment of sum not
ia nyevent to be more than S15o,ooo,uOO,
and probably very much less, for the
property Of the Spanish government on the
island the buildings and telegraph lines
and other Improvements
The suggestion Of this proposition aud
Of its probability, has been made IN The
Times heretofore. There is one new phase
IN this plan. 1t is now believed that the
President will demand that If Spain ac-
cepts this offer, enough shall be withheld
irom this amount Co pay the claims of
American citizens for property destroyed
Ia the island. This is a most important
feature of the plan as it viii, it is said,
have a tendency 10 make the idea ac-
ceptable to the commercial interests Of
the United states in the island
1t is not believed that Spain VIII accept
this proposition. There is, however, this
possibility: she may see the detennina-
tion OF Nh Mckinley in the proposition, and
may not care to bring on war with this
country 1t is said that in case there
should be a spirit of this kind, Spain would
not only lose Cuba but Costa Rlca. The
Spanish government may find II the better
policy to give up Cuba in order to hold the
latter island.
In the event, however, that the Spanish
government refuses to accept this propo-
sition, comes Mr.. McKinley's second and
most important proposition, that of active
intervention by this country, to be pro-
posed in a message to Congress. This would
mean, in the end. which would come very
Of ha
island would be secured to Cuba. There
is a money end to this proposition also, 1t
is said The United States would make it
condition of securing the Cubans
their independence, that they should them
selves assume the debt of Spain in the
ISiand: not he war debt, but $50 600 ,00G
or SO Of private claims for damages.
1t is said that the Cubans are favorable
to this line Of action on the part of the
United States, and that the President is
aware OF this fact. There was published
ia The Times two weeks ago a statement
Of the position of the Cuban leaders in
this matter. They have for some time ex-
pressed theiI willingness TO assume the pay
ment Of a small sum TO Spain for buildings
and other property in the island, in order to
secure their independence in the quickest
manner, and to stop the devastating war
and the barbarisms Of Spain in the island
President Cisneros, in a private letter, writ
ten two or three months ago, made a de
finite statement to this effect. He, how
ever, very positively stated that no large
sum would he for moment contemplated
by the Cubans in this plan.
II this is the correct solution of the PreSi-
dents attitude at the present time, the new
minister to Spain viii probably be nomi-
mated ia few days. as has been seBli-offi-
Clally announced by the Administration
1t seems probable that TINS nomination
Will be made before the Nashville trip. 1t
is thought that the new Spanish minister
may he the carrier Of the Presidents
message to Spain. 1t is not believed that
this gentleman has yet been chosen. 1t was
learned on good authority last night that
Representative Hit has been a second tiue
offered this position and pressed to takeit
It is believed, however, that he has q
second tine refused it ON account OF his
health Another gentleman. whose name
is now. mentioned in connection with the
mission is Mr. Lew Wallace Mr. Wallace
has had training in the diplomatic service,
and. although not a noted inter national
lawyer. is a strong personal friend Of the
President. and would probably be entirely
rapable OF carrying out the Presidents
ideas in tie present emergency 1t may
be announced with certainty that no active
politician, who is politician mostly and
a statesman afterwards, will be chosen
for the position. In this connection resi-
dent Mckinley's larger diplomatic appoint
meHts may he suggested as correlative evi-
dence. Mr.. Hay, DR.. Angel, MIR Porter,
Mr.. Draper, and Andrew d. White are all
In this class
AS to other details Of the plan they are
perhaps not so certain. 1t has been sl,sr.
gested that in pursuance of this general
policy the President may wish to allow the
House TO express itself on the Morgan
belligerency resolution, and that IL the
House passes the resolution the message to
Congress now In contemplation may be in
the nature Of veto message, stating that
the President does not beieYain beIliyerency
because he believes in independence. FOR
Cuba.
The whole of this line OF action Will be
that suggested in the Republican
platform.
1t is noticeable that every member of
the Senate who voted against the Moran
beiligerency resolution is an Adninistra-
ton nan In the light OF this alleged
policy of the President the action of the
Administration Senators is capable OF she
that they have acted all
aiong entirely in concert with this plan.
MARQUIS DE RABEL HERE.