Evening star., 1898-04-07
OPPOSITION OF THE JUNTA.
1t VIII Not Affect the Action of the
House Regarding Cuba.

HOuse Regarding Cuba.
The statement of Mr.. Rubens Of New
| York. counsel for the Cuban junta, that
| Cuba would oppose intervention by this
| country If recognition were not given ex-
cited considerable interest among the mem
| bers Of the House yesterday. Mr.. Henry Of
| Indiana, member Of the foreign affairs
committee said he cared nothing about the
views of the junta. He favored the inde-
| pendence of the people Of the island from
Spanish dominion, but he did not believe
it wise to recognize government which
he had no knowledge existed except on
paper.
Mr. Berry (Ky.), member of the foreign
affairs committee, declined to credit the
statement, but added "If it is true there
are probably some bonds some interests
the junta seeks to protect. But we will
know the truth. At my suggestion, Mr..
Adams, acting chairman Of the committee,
has decided to call Mr.. Quesada, the repre-
sentative of the junta in this city, before
the committee tomorrow"
Mr.. VIM. Alden Smith of Michigan a,so
member of the foreign affairs committee
said II shall be disappointed If the action
of our government does not contemplate
the recognition Of the Cuban insurgents
and the government established by Maceo
Garcia and Gomez, which now exercises
jurisdiction over a considerable portion of
the island and has for its president an hon.
orable and patriotic Cuban, Mr.. Masso
They have earned this recognition frcm us
| and it should not be grudgingly given f
| extended at all. Those who have opposed
Cuba from the first are now endeavoring
| to dictate the policy to be pursued by the
United States. and l hope they will fall
The wrong remedy would be worse .Aan
| nothing, and shall not be a party to any
action which does snot contemplate abso-
| lutte indapenaence from Spanish rule
l. Mr.. Quigg IN. ", member of the for
oil Pfsufr nynif
| and purposes, Of the Cuban junta did not
seem tQphim,, to have any relation to the
obligations Of the United States govern
ment. $50 Tar as my action as one repre-
sentative is concerned" said Mr. Quigg, at
will not be determined from the point OF
| view ofithe interests Of the Cuban junta
am not sending American citizens off to
| be shot at in order to give value to the
junta' issue Of bonds If my vote is finally
given in favor Of war against Spain, the
ruling c6nsideration with me will be the in
i terests Or the American people.
"I dojnot think that the time has come
| to recognize a political status in Cuba or
| to declare fox or against any existing COM
bination of persons as a government there
We should. however. declare the people of
Cuba to be Independent of the government
| of Spain, and If necessary I think We
should employ our land and naval forces to
give validity to our declaration and having
| thus assumed responsibility to the world
! for Cuba, we should leave ourselves free
| to discharge that responsibility intelligent
| ly on the conditions that will exist when
| the war is over and not forestall action by
hasty committals now. This does not mean
annexation. 1t simply means rational pro-
| cedure. The grounds do not exist anyhow
| in International law for the recognition Of
the junta in New York as the government
| Of Cuba. It Is the 266 American seamen
| who were assassinated by the destruction
| of the Maine and the $50 900 Cuban nom
combatants who have been starved to death
| by Weyler's Internal order of concentration
and not the Cuban junta's bonds that I
shall have in mind when vote for war;