The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-05
WILL CONGRESS HELP CUBA?
Many Members Would Be Willing to
Vote for BeIigseront Rights.
THE COMMITTEE HAS COOLED DOWN.
Matter VIII Take Up Much of the Time
of the senate-Congressman swanson
Expresses Views That Many Of the
Friends Of Cuba ina Congress Hold

WASHINGTON, y. c.. Jan. Especial
The close Of the holiday recess has again
awakened interest in the probability OK
ection on the Senate Cuban resolutions.
Those most familiar with sentiment in
both houses are Of the opinion that tho
recess has given the country and mem-
bors Of Congress time TO ponder over tho
probable effect Of tho step which the
Senate committee proposes should be
taken with the result that the desire to
rush procipItately into quarrel with
Spain has diminished materially
The fact that the House IS almost cer-
tain to reject the Cameron resolutions
even II they pass tho Senate, has tended
20 dampen the ard0r OF some OF tHe
Senate jingOes There IS no DOUBT 'ha-
the Cuban question VIII occupy tho Sc
ri0us consideration Of tho Senate TOT some
time 10 come. and that tho discussion
Of the matter will begin this week. how
ever thc only action that seems probable
in either house s. the passage oil d Ieso-
luton recognizing the beligcrcncy or the
insurgents. .
CONGRESSMAN SWANsON'S VIEWS.
Reprosontative Swanson said to-day re-
rarGinc the situation. that he would vote
to recognize the belieerency or the
Cubans. but not their independence. Il
think" 10 said. that this Government
should occupy a position of strict neu-
tralltv. This can only be done when bei-
Iigerant rights have been extended 70
the Cubans When this is done, thcn
Cubans viii have an equal right with
Spain to purchase arms and supplies here
of course subject 30 seizure and capture
by tho Spanish Government. At present
and for tho last two years our Govern
mont has rendered substantial and MAJ
terial ald 10 Spain. and has oone much
10 retard tho success Of the revolution.
OUR NAVY HELPS SPAIN.
Our navy and revenue cutter service
have done grand duty for spain ana
prevented the Cubons from receiving amy
substantial aid from this country. / bee
Ueve this has been as potential as any
tbing Spain has done t0 maintain Spanish
authority. ] believe had we granted
belligorent rights and thus been strictly
neutral that tho Cuhaus would have hy
this time, established their iudcpcndl lnce.
| ? think it a shame that this government
should lend it8 aid and influence % per-
petuating Spanish misrule IN the lsllnd-
CUBAN Success WILL FOLLOW.
Uevc Cul SUCCESS VIII very soon come
| This action by our government would To
no evidence Of hostility 10 Span and She
could take no exception thereto. rec
cOgniti0n Of Cubas independence would
be an act OIL hostility and would .uevl-
tably emlrou us FIN q war with Spain. I
am opposed 10 this. lu addition to what
| ] have said. it seems to me that we can
mako no complaint of the cruelty the
Spanish government pcrpctratcs upon tho
captured Cuhaus when we ourselves re-
fuse 10 grant them the right OF beillger-
ents for until this is granted by the Span
| ish government 20 the Cubans they are
treated as guerllas. ri0tous and law
breakers. not entitled TO the usascs and
treatment of regular warfare.
IL seems ridiculous 10 expect Spain 70
treat them as. and give them the rights
| Of belliCerents when Ne ourselves refuse
/ 10 do SO.
Mr. Swansons views are shared by near
| ly an the friends of Cuba in the House.