The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-09
81
OR RECOGNITION.
Dilemma That Confrons Congressman the Cuban Issue.
Each Carries Responsibilities That Cause Reflection.
Program of Action by the Authorities Has Been
Prepared--General Feeling is That Talk Has
Been Exhausted, and That Decisive
Action Must Now Be Taken.

washington. April s.--Good Friday
passed In Washington with not a ripple
on the surface either at the White House
or the Capitol to show that the United
States is on the brink of war. Both
houses OF congress had adjourned until
Monday, and at the executive mansion
there was no rush of eager. and excited
public men. but Sunday quiet pre-
vailed. At only the war and navy de-
partments were there signs of an i'm
pending conflict in the rush of orders
"a q host of naval officers to report at
once for duty on vessels to which they
were assigned. and In conference among
bureau chiefs on details of war prep
arations. Yet the reolve was firmer than
ever that unless Spain yielded to the
United States demands in regard to
Cuba, the United states by force of arms
would move on Havana 1t was the
very recognition of the fxity of this pur-
pose that caused the day to be In marked
contrast with the excitement Of al its
predecessors Of late.
There was still some discussion OF Gu
ban AFFAIRS. but 1t only served to empha-
ejze the fact that one forward step OF
immense Importance had been taken, as
the discussion concerned not merely In
tervention and the freedom Of Cuba from
Spanish dominion, but the obligations
and duties that might be imposed upon
the United States after we had expelled
Spain from the island. This discussion
revolved around two propositions, name
ly, Intervention without recognition OF
national independence OF the Cuban In
surgents, and Intervention with the con-
current recognition Of the independence
OF the present insurgent government OF
Cuba. Some men hovered between these
two propositions and favored a COM
promise. There was no definite infor-
nation an to which course would be
adopted. but the unsettled state of pub
lie opinion indicated that the events of
the next few days. the strength OF the
arguments OF the presidential message
or a distinct uttera1fe from our con-
sui general to Cubf might be strong
enough to incline tie balance to either
course.
At the Capitol the senators who are
devoting themselves 10 the task Of Sc
tion on which practical unanimity of
the senate can be obtained were quite
active, and when the day closed they
feit that they had made appreciable
progress There was a Joint meeting Of
the members Of the leading members
Of the steering committees OF the va
rious parties during the day In the rooms
Of the committee on appropriations in
which the whole situation was canvessed
and the reasons for prompt action in
the senate after the matter is once taken
up were gone over much az they had
been In preceding meetings. The man.
pgers Of this movement are endeavor-
ing to secure a reversal OF the decision
OF the committee on foreign relations to
report for both independence and inter-
vention. and the claim Is put forth that
they have succeeded. the senators COM
rrising the majority contenting them
selves with a general declaration for
the freedom and independence of the
island. coupled with a proposition for
Intervention in the present war between
Spain and Cuba.
Among the senator's opposed to any
modification Of the resolution are Messrs.
Thurston, Pettigrew, Allen and Mason.
I'VE cannot" said Senator Mason
"agree TO any change that would rob
the present Cuban government of the
victory which they have so nearly won"
In my opinion, a set of men who have
maintained themselves as the Cuban in
eurgents in opposition to the entire
Spanish arms deserve our fullest en-
dorsement," Senator Allen said. add
ing that he would oppose any effort to
curtail their rights.
Senator Thurston said: IF we should
intervene without recognising the pres
ent government OF Cuba we should place
the United states In a position OF re-
rponsibility to all other powers and to
the citizens Of all other countries for
any damage done them In case of war
This is my Interpretation Of the interna-
tional law bearing upon the case. and /