Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-01-25

CINE Chum ana ColleaSue Oh senator Sluay)
he cannot accommodate them, and must
say no to their appeals for the offices.
Therefore it is no wonder that he should
compare the honor of his office with it's
burdens. 1t is likely that, if the Office
seekers could themselves see this condi
ton, they would have fewer harsh
words to say of their congressman and
senators, and that they would give the
president their prayers instead of their
imprecations.
But it was day of interviews. After
walking past the treasury department,
Senator Mcbride, of Oregon, was met
on Fifteenth street, and in reply to the
customary inquiries of the interviewer,
he said: "It does not seem likely to
me that anything will occupy the atten-
ton of the congress during the coming
session so much as foreign affairs. The
people of the Pacific coast are very
much interested in the question of Ha-
waiian annexation; and the people of
the Mississippi valley and the Atlantic
coast are interested in the question of
Cuban autonomy or liberty. Both of
those questions will be before the con-
gress, and some thing must be done to
settle them"
"Are the people of the Pacific coast
unanimously in favor of Hawaiian an
neXa tipn?"
"No. There is division of senti-
ment. But all of our people seem to be
anxious to have cable communication
with the islands, and a majority of them
are in favor of American domination
in some way. Many, however, fear that
annexation would result in the early
creation of new state out of the
islands, and quite goodly number of
people do not believe that Hawaii is
capable of self1government. SO far as
statehood is concerned. That is to say,
they do not believe that Hawaii is CO.
equal with any of the present states
in intelligence. 1t is great and grave
question"
Congressman Amos j. Cummings, Of
New York. was afterwards seen on
Pennsylvania avenue, and he said:
"Cuba must be free. That lis a matter
which Mckinley cannot afford to ig-
more. The majority of our people want
to see the Cuban patriots triumph; and,
II this country will give them belliger-
ent rights. they will win their liberty
and establish their independent govern
ment"
What is the meaning of belligerent
rights?"
"Itmeans that If this government rec
ognizes them as belligerepts instead of
rebels it will not be criminal for our
people who sympa athize with the Cubans
10 take ships and carry TO the insur-
gents such arms, ammunition and re-
Inducements as they desire. AS long
as they are not given belligerent rights
by this country they are regarded az
rebels, without rights of any character;
and the only way for them to get fight
ing material Is for our folks 10 go to
the risk of smuggling supplies to them.
And unless they are recognized as bel
ligerents it is criminal. in international
law, 10 give the Cubans aid and COM
fort. Under tingcircumstances any
OF our people caught carrying supplies
30 the Cubans can be captured, tried and
sent to prison for violating the neu-
trality laws. That is the difference"
What do you think congress will
do?"
1T will depend largely upon Tom
Reed; and what he does will be in ac-
cord with the desires of President Nc
Kinley. Under the rules of the present
congress no legislation can be enacted
without the conseut Of Speaker Reed.
/ don't believe that the rules are con-
stitutional, but they exist. and we must
work under them. As il Is now, Tom
Reed is the house of representatives.
and we little congres.men creep about,
begging crumbs from his table. IfTom
Reed says that Cuba shall be free a
resolution granting belligerent rights
will he passed without delay, and that
will settle mattersdn favor OF the Cuban
patriots"
That ended the interviewing for to-
day. It will show you q fair sample
Of how newspaper men in Washington
rub UP against tho party and national
Leaders and how they get their informa.
tion. "on the fiy." as sitwere.
SMITH D. FRY.