The Press., 1897-10-07
Washington Letter.
Washington, Oct. 4, iss


 Washington Letter.
 Washington, Oct. 4, 1sg7.
 Memb bers of the diplomatic corps, under special instructions from their govern ments, are keeping a close watch upon the relations between the United States And Spain concerning Cuba, and one of them consented to express his views pro- vided his name was not used. He said "I don't think that either the American people or their press, with all their shrewd- ness, understand the moves that are be- ing made in this Cuban business. The general impression Is that this country Is working to bring about tho independence of Cuba, with view to its ultimate annexa- ton. In my opinion, and in the opinion of many of my fellow diplomates, that Is entirely wrong. 1 have reason to believe that the prorosition made by the United States to Spain, which I believe to have the moral support, If not the material support of Great Britain, does not go any further than bringing peace to Cuba, in order that the commerce of this country hHd EuHAhAAu Wlbh blB lSlbuh may b5 To- stored to It's former size. In other words, 1t is question of dollars and c~nts and not of favorltlsm or sentiment. 1 believe further, that the new Spanish cabinet will be favorably inclined to this proposition, but that doesn't mean that 1t will be, or can be carried out. There are two ob- stacles- serious ones. First the Cubans have lost no opportunity of proclaiming to the world that they will listen to no offsr that does not grant them absolute independence, and lastly the strength of public opinion In this country in favor of independence for Cuba. If Spain offers Cuba peace and home rule with govern ment something like England gives her colonies. and the Cubans refuse 1t, what will this country dol A majority of your people appear to be with the Cubans, but I am satlsfled that your government Is not, and your government Is right. Cuba could not maintain It's independence if 1t had 1t. consider It's native population unftted for self government, and equally unfltted to become part of the United States, even if your government wished to annex the Island, which I do not be- lieve. From diplomatic point of view, 1t Is an interesting problem, but l con- feas that see no solution in sight"
 The other side of tho Cuban question might have been heard at public meet Ing held in Washington church, Sunday afternoon, which was the first of a series to be held In Washington and elsewhere during the fall and winter, under the management of the Woman's National Cuban League. Among the speakers were q number of prominent men and wo. men and several Washington preachers and the text from which they all spoke and demanded action on the part of thle government was Free Cuba"
 The star among president McKInley's numerous political visitors since his re- turn to Washington was Senator Forake CT of Ohio. He was preceded by the story that he had loft Ohio in a hun because oI some disagreement with Senator Hanna and his lieutenant, Col. Dick, over the management of the campaign, and did not intend to return. This may or may not have been true, but after several confer enoes with President Mckinley, Senator Foraker left Washington today for Ohio and said he would at once resume his campaign work, which he had only left temporarily on account of pressing private business. Tho politicians believe that ths,~a ...... g.....,t..at.... F th.. ,ft.ms.-.s. story, and that President Mckinley, who has a record as a peacemaker among Ohio republican factions, in some way brought about a truce and persuaded Sen. ator Foraker to again enter the campaign. Anyway he ls going Into the campaign again thls week.
 No ezar or emperor Is more autocratiC than political boss and all parties are afflicted with the boss. A story bearing on this assertion ls now going the rounds of the friends of Representative Amos Cummings, of New York. It shows why the talk of nominating Mir. Cummings, as Tammany candidate for mayor of Greater New York was SO sud. denly hushed, although 1t was generally admitted that he would have been many thousand votes stronger than the man nominated, because of his popularity with old soldiers, letter carriers, printers and organized labor generally. His nomIna- ton was prevented by Richard Croker, whose nod Is as potent as 1t ever was with Tamnany, although he claims to have given up the leadership, on the ground that Cummings was too inde- pendent and could not be trusted to obey orders whom they elashed with his own opinion. The particular refusal to obey orders that angered Mir. Croker was when Cummings refused to vote for the Pacific Railroad funding bill in the house at the last session of congress. And the declaration of Mir. Cumminns that he be- lievad the bill to be "A lob added to Mr.