The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-28
PEACE AT LAST FOR CUBA.
ISTERTENTION. UNLESS AUTONOMY
rs SOON ESTABLIsHED.


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-,,I,nt or federation or the war Set BIZ the
,,,teo states Us close ut usand-The Admin
,.,r.tIon to Act independently OF Any Cone
illusions That May ne Reached ss TO the
ua,nc DIsastcr-The Present ConEress to
nscornire the BeiiEerency or the lnsurEonts
v,snrSGroH, Feb. 27.-Republican members
a, Congress are becoming FESTIVE over the
Cuban situation, and though they desire to re-
,nec, President McKinlcy's wishes and to regard
Sneaker Reeds desire to go slow. they never
,helcss believe that the Fifty-hfth Congress
should not adjourn without passing tho Senate
resolution recognizing the belligerent rights
nj the Cuban insurgents. now locked up in
the House Committee OF Foreign Affairs.
These sentiments were expressed today
bv those competent to speak on the sub
,ec,. and were uttered without regard
10 any verdict that may DO reached by
the Court OF Inquiry as to the destruction Of
the Maine in Havana harbor. Setting aside
the Maino affair entirely. a representative Of
THE suN is informed by trustworthy authority
that the Fifty.ffth Congress will not adjourn
without according belligerent rights to the in
surrents. In fact, according to tho same ex-
eellent authority, 1t may be declared that a dis
tinct promise has been made to that effect. In
other words. the promises and pledges OF the
Republican National Convention Of 1896 arc
TO be carried out.
Meantime, as already said. the Republican
Congressmen are becoming FESTIVE. This feel
ing does not pertain alone to Republican Con.
Rressmcn west OF the Alleghanies. The senti-
ment among the Republicans Of the New York
delegation will serve as an indication Of the
feeling among Eastern and Northern Congress-
mon. With possibly two exceptions, the solid
New York Republican delegation of twenty
eight Congressman Is for the passage of the reso-
luton giving belligerent rights to the insur-
gents. In Difference to President McKinley's
policy and to Speaker Reed the New Workers
are trotting along in harness until the time
comes to remove the bit, and yet. nevertheless,
the New Workers are becoming quite as restless
as their Republican brethren from other States.
The official programme all along has been that
II Premier Sagasta should be able to say to Pres
ident Mckinley on March l that the successful
establishment of autonomy in Cuba Is prac-
tNoAig eoouASNt thSA sAe y Sk"kSo SuA
reserve action for another month. If. on April
], adequate further progress has been made. an
additional months respite would be given. On
the other hand. II. on March /, the success of
autonomy is not assured by Premier SaRasta,
the programme has been that the United States
would be unable to delay longer taking such
action as may be necessary to reestablish peace
in the island of Cuba.
All this is a substantiation of the statement
made to-day that. Notwithstanding the destruo-
tion Of the Maine. and even II it had not oc-
Cured, the Fifty.afth Congress is not to ad-
journ without adopting the resolution which
grants belligerent rights to the Cubans. The
Republican Congressman, with but few excep-
tons, are actuated by patriotism as we'll as pol
tiles. The destruction of the Maine. whether
by responsible or irresponsible persons, has &C
centuated the sympathy of the American
people with the struggling Cubans. While
there Is not a single desire to EN-
barrass President Mckinley, but on the
contrary there is every disposition to sustain
him in reaching the best possible solution of the
present difficulties. the Republican Congress
men nevertheless believe that q recognition of
the sentiment of the American people should
not be delayed longer than the actual needs of
the situation demand. Tho Cuban question,
these Congressman say. promises to become
more than ever a political factor of the highest
Importance In the fall elections, whore Con-
gressmen are to be reelected. The Cuban senti-
ment, in the estimation of some. is far stronger
west OF the Alleghanies than it Is in the Eastern
and New England States. and yet this statement
Hcombated by the known attitude OF the vast
majority OF the Republican Congressman east of
the Alleghanies.
Cuban independence is a tenet OF the Repub-
ncan national platform and has been recognized