The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-06
But Upheld by Members Who Think
1t Unwise to Recognize the In
dependence of Cuba.
LATTER WILL PROBABLY WIN
CONSERVATIVE SENATOR'S WORKING
AGAINST RADICAL ACTION.
Legal Argument I'm Opposition to
Acknowledging the Independence
of UnOrganized BeIIigerents.

-A--
WASHINGTON, April "a debate which
occurred in the executive session of the
Senate late this afternoon would indicate
that no matter what was the character of
the resolution to come from the committee
On foreign relations, the resolution would
cause serious and perhaps prolonged dis
cussion. 1t emphasized the fact that there
are two elements in the Senate-one for in
dependence with Intervention, another for
intervention alone-and these two factions
will fight vigorously for their ideas
The relations of the United States with
Spain was the uppermost topic in the ex-
ecutive session. and constituted the subject
of many conferences among senators. The
activity was due to the announcement that
the Presidents message would recommend
the adoption of policy looking to interven-
tion in Cuba on the part of the executive
branch of the government rather than the
recognition of independence, and to an ef-
fort to make smooth the way for
the reception of such report. The
executive session was devoted to a
general discussion of the policy to be
pursued towards Spain, and developed the
fact that much opposition would be made
to the acceptance Of a policy III line with
the Presidents desires.
The question was raised by Senator Allen,
who made d long speech, predicting much
dissatisfaction in the country at large with
a policy the part of the executive that
did not go to the extent of giving the
Cubans their entire independence of the
mother country. Senator Allen was fol-
lowed by other speakers in the same line.
and the fact was made very evidenet that
ba alaf
bring in a resolution merely complying
with the Presidents requests and stopping
short of a declaration for independence
there would be an effort in the Senate to
amend it as to accomplish this end. In
deed, the announcement was made by more
than one senator that he would offer such
an amendment and by many more that they
would support an effort in the direction OF
adding the independence declaration to a
resolution providing simply for intervention.
The committee was, therefore, urged not to
yield to the wishes of the President but
to stand out strongly for complete action.
The policy of the President for executive
Intervention only was criticised as one
which would place the entire question in
the hands of the President and thus leave
the matter where it now is, except that it
would be a voluntary REIMBURSEMENT of the
right of Congress in the premises-the right
among others to declare war. The greater
part of the speechmaking was in opposi-
tion to the executive, and no one attempted
to outline the probable action of the COM
mittee.
There was also a recurrence to the inten-
tion Of the President to withhold the Cuban
consular correspondence, and suggestion
was made that if this matter was of char
hi IN of re heir
made public that it be given to the Senate
in secret session. A resolution was offered
that the entire Cuban question should be
considered behind closed doors on account
Of the probability of utterances which
would afford information to the enemy.
This proposition was debated, but without
reaching a conclusion.
CONSERVATIVES CONFER.
While the Senate was in executive session
a formidable element in the Senate was con-
sidering what should be done in case reso-
lutions be reported providing for recogni-
tion of independence This faction was COM
posed of what is known as the conservative
element on the Republican side of the Sem
ate. Their conference was held in Senator
Aldrich's committee room, and among those
present were Senators Hanna, Platt of Con-
necticut, Spooner, Hale, Fairbanks and
Aldrich Senator Allison was also there for
a brief time. A general purpose was ex-
pressed to oppose the adoption or any re-
port that should recommend a recognition
of Cuban independence and which did not
indeed confine itself to the support Of the
Presidents recommendation for interven-
ton only This position was taken because
of the generally expressed conviction among
the senators present that in case of war
with Spain and the triumph of the armies
of the United States this country should
he left free to dispose of Cuba as she might
see proper.
Some of the senators expressed dissatis-
faction with the present Cuban administra-
ton and the opinion was given that the
recognition of independence at this time
would bind the United States to the sup
mort of the present Cuban administration,
and to guaranteeing its bonds, giving to
the Cuban Junto position of influence
and power to which il was not, in their
opinion, entitled. Hence, decision was
reached to labor with the committee on
foreign relations not to report resolution
with a double purpose, and the intention
was expressed on the part of some to op-
pose its adoption II reported.
In accordance with the action of this
committee Senators Allison and Aldrich had
a prolonged conference later with Senator's
Davis Frye and Lodge. of the committee
on foreign relations. These members of the
foreign committee were able to assure the
other senator's that no effort would be
made to report the resolution tomorrow or
the same day OH when the message should
be received; but they could not give the
same assurance as TO the character of the
resolutions. They did not conceal from their
visitors the fact that the committee al
ready agreed upon a resolution providing