The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1898-01-26
CUBA ALWAYS
ON DECK.
A Perennial Theme of Discus
sion at the
Capital.
BUT THE END IS NOT FAR OFF.
Mr.. HIT ForshadOws the Presidents Action
The Policy Decided Upon
Last Summer.
BUT THE END IS NOT FAR OFF.
ACTION SOON TO BE TAKEN

capital. II 1t is not a debate In the house
of representatives, a resolution In the SEN
ate or a rumor that warships are to be dis
patched to Havana IL is something else.
But the end, or the beginning of the end,
cannot now be far off. More than once in
these dispatches have told my readers of
the purpose Of the president ultimately to
intervene between Cuba and Spain. My
predictions have of late been confirmed In
many ways. Chairman Hit of the foreign
affairs committee of the house recently
spoke from his place and told the world
virtually that President Mckinley was
preparing to intervene. Mr.. Hit was in
consultation with the president at the
White House the night before this remark
able speech was made The significance
Of Mr.. Hits speech was not in foreshad-
owing the action of the president, for that
has been presaged for some time past by
newspaper correspondents who actually
know what is going on In Washington.
Its true significance was that the culmi-
nation of the presidents policy has been
fastened by events in Cuba over which, Of
course, the executive had no control.
1t Is we'll to bear In mind that no other
man in the country has had greater influ-
ence upon President McKinley's Cuban
policy than Mr.. Hit himself This policy
was formulated last summer, just after
the return of Special Commissioner Cal
houn from Cuba and just before the de-
parture of Minister Woodford to Madrid.
Mr.. Hit was then in almost daily consul
tation with the president and Assistant
Secretary of State Day.
The president properly placed great con-
fldence in Mr.. Hits Judgment and knowl-
edge. He is and long has been special
student Of all foreign questions. He is
gifted by nature with an adaptability to
such matters, and his diplomatic expert
ence and his close and intelligent study
give his opinions when once formed the
weight Of authority. Mr.. Hit had always
been in favor Of action by this government
concerning Cuba, because he had always
believed the problem there was one which
this government alone could solve and his
influence upon President Mckinley was
right In this line and direction.
The Presidents Policy.
What was the policy of the president,
formed last summer2 The American oiti-
zen who wishes to enjoy full under
standing Of the various moves upon the
international observation-disclosures now be-
ing made and others which are to come in
the near future-may be glad to have this
question clearly answered. / will endeavor
to do so, my information being none the
less trustworthy and accurate because l
am unable to name its source.
When President Mckinley spent two
weeks in consultation with his advisers
and evolved Cuban policy, 1t was plan
with a purpose. 1t was not leap In the
dark, IL was not a bit Of opportunism,
waiting for what might turn up but was,
to the contrary, definite plan with an
achievement Of great moment at the far
end of it. President Mckinley decided
that he would go at the Cuban problem
upon the basis that ultimately 1t would be
the duty Of the United States to solve IL.
He would, however, take his steps In such
way, II possible, that when the crisis came
war with Spain might DO averted. He had
reason to believe, and since that day the
reasons have grown stronger, that In the
end Spain will be found too weak to offer
resistance to the United States, but will
be glad to make the best terms possible.
Having all this in mind the president
prepared the note to Spain which was de-
liyered by General Woodford and which is
known by the minister's name That was
notice upon Spain that ultimately, unless
Spain herself solves the problem, we shall
find IL necessary to step in and solve 1t for
her. That was the first step. Then Spain
reversed her policy In Cuba. She recalled
General Weyler. She began to carry on
the war along modern, Christian lines.
She instituted what she called autonomy.
She made every possible concession to the
United States, eager TO avert the threaten
ed intervention.
In recognition Of this tho president staid
his hand for time. He was willing to
await the outcome of SPANS efforts to
conciliate Cuba with autonomy and am
nesty. II affairs In the island had contin-
ued normal, the president. In all probable
ity would have been willing to walt for
some months yet, that SPANS new policy
might have ample chance to demonstrate
whether or not IL was going to achieve
anything good and wholesome. But Cuba
has not remained normal.
Fastening to . Crisis.
As have already told you in these dis
patches the president has been greatly
stirred by the disclosures as to the terrible
condition Of the rural population OF Cuba.
He started a relief fund In their behalf,
and 1t has been failure because the peo-
pie OF the United States believe there can
be no adequate relief till our government
interposes It's strong arm. Meanwhile,
also, there have been riots In Havana.
Tho Significance OF these riots was twofold
first, that autonomy was a failure, that
the ruling class In Cuba would not accept
IL; second, that the new captain general
could not depend upon the loyalty OF the
volunteer forces which have garrisoned
Havana.
Following those came signs Of unrest In
the house OF representatives. ID Is well
known to every observer In Washington
that II the brakes were taken on In the
house a majority for action concerning
TUBA would be manifest. All these things
have operated 10 hasten a elimination OF
the plan which the president formed last
summer. Instead Of intervention about
November this year, Il Is likely 10 come In
some form or other within 90 days. Other
events may delay or prevent ID, but uniess
they do a new note TO Spain-a note de-
mandlDg that the United States be admit
ted a. factor 10 solution Of the Cuban
problem, not necessarily 10 put the insur-
gents In power, but 10 solve IL In some way
lis now being prepared and viii soon be
presented TO the government at Madrid.
Whal win follow no one Is wise enough
b loloa<o. WkLIAl MAILMAN.