Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-14
NECESSARY MYSTERY
The summouing of the Republican Members
of the House.
Obj cts of the Call Much May De-
pend on the Answer to
the Resolution.

Much unnecessary mystery was made this
morning of the intentions of the House
foreign affairs committee. The excitement
of members of the House. manifested when
they received Mr.. Hits call to be on hand
this morning. illustrates the deep interest
which is felt in the Cuban matter and the
readiness with which anything suggestive
Of action is seized upon Apparently there
were two reason; for the mysterious man.
ner of approaching the subject this morn
ing. when there was nothing more intend
ed than the passage of a resolution of III
quiry. One was the love of the air Of di-
plomacy which mystery gives; the Other
was fear that the democrats might, If
they had notice OF the resolution coming
up, attempt to make trouble by amending
it Developments showed that there was
no foundation for the apprehension that
the democrats would make trouble. 1t was
a resolution introduced by democrat, and
had not been amended in any way 10 de-
stroy its effectiveness Of it has any, and
therefore the democrats were in posi-
ticn to interfere with its prompt passage.
1t took only about ten minutes to dispose
OF the whole business. How long 1t will
take to get d reply TO the resolution is an
other matter.
No Significance I'm This Action.
There is no significance in the commit
tees reporting this resolution of inquiry at
this time That class of resolutions must
be reported within seven days, or the reso-
luton will acquire a privilege to be called
up in the House at any time. Had this
resolution acquired such privilege, it would
have become vehicle upoQ which the
democrats could draw the Cuban question
| into the House when they wanted to- BY
making the favorable report the committee
disposed of the matter without friction.
and without having the of
milton of Independence or of belligerency
raised The action Goes NOT signify that
the President Is ready to have Congi ess
lake up the Cuban question nor that he
! has anything he wants to communis cate
| without the formality of a message
1t Is not the intention of the foreign af-
fairs committee to take any notice Of the
De LONE incidens. It is no. Il matter
which properly lies within the province of
Congress, though the knowledge Of what
Is disclosed in The letter written Ly De
LONE may have It's influence upon The gem
erai polcy or Congress toward the Cuban
question.
Fro-Cuban Sentiment Increasing.
1t was made evident today that there is a
great deal more pro-Cuban sentiment in
the House Low than there was formerly.
Ii the President answers the resolution of
inquiry promptly and informs Congress. as
| ne mist. II he says. anything on the SUBJ
Ject. that autonomy has not been a success
and that the reconcentrados are still In the
same pitiabie condition they were before
the recall of Weyler. such reply is almost
certain to lead to action by Congress.
though no recommendation be made by the
President. Therefore, If the President stilI
desires to have Congress held in check he
Will not be in any hurry to reply to the
inquiry. prompt reply might fairly be
interpreted as signifying that he was will
ing to give Congress its head and let it
take such course as 1t might choose. No
one need ask what would happen If this
were done. 1t is with great difficulty that
| the Cuban sentiment is held in check