Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-06
DIVISION IN THE SENATE
Differences as to the Advisability of Recog-
Mining Cuban Independence.
Exhaustive Discussion In Executive
Session on the Proper Course
to Pursue.

A debate in the executive session Of the
Senate yesterday afternoon would indi-
cate that no matter what was the char
acter of the resolution to come from the
&C mnittee en- foreign relations the reso-
luton would cause a serious and perhaps
prolonged discussion. 1t emphasized the
fact that there are two elements in the
Senate-one for independence recognition
OF Cuba with Intervention, another for in
PREVENTION alone, and these two factions
will fight vigorously for their ideas.
The relations of the United States with
Spain were discussed in the executive ses-
sion and constituted the subject of many
conferences among senators.
The activity was due to the announce
n:ent that the Presidents message would
recommend the adoption Of a policy look
ing to Intervention in Cuba, but not the
recognition of Independence, and to an
effort to make smooth the way for the re-
ception of such a report. The executive
session was devoted to a general discus
sion of the policy to be pursued toward
Spain. The question was raised by Sena-
tor Allen, who made long speech pre-
dieting much dissatisfaction il the coun-
try at large with policy on the part OF
the executive that did not go to the ex-
tent of giving the Cubans their entire in
dependence of the mother country.
Senator Allen was followed by other
speakers in the same line. and the fact was
foreign relations should bring in a resolu
tion merely complying vita the Presidents
request and stopping short Of a declara-
ton for independence there would be an
effort in the Senate to amend 1t SO as to
accomplish this end. Indeed the announce
rent was made by more than one senator
that he would offer such an amendment
and by many more that they would sup
Fort an effort in the direction of adding
the independence declaration to reSolu-
ton providing simply for intervention The
committee was, therefore. urged not to
yield to the wishes of the President but
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 1t now is, except that
1T 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 speech-making
was in opposition to the executive, and
no one attempted to outline the probable
action of the committee.
There was also a recurrence to the IN
tention of the President to Withholding the
Cuban consular correspondence, and sug-
gestion was made that if this matter was
of a character too infammable to permit
OF its being made public that it be given to
the Senate in secret session.
A resolution was offered that the entire
Cuban question should be considered be-
hiEd closed doors account of the proba-
tility of utterances which would afford IN
formation to the enemy. This proposition
debated without reaching conclu-
sion.
Opposition to Recognition.
While the Senate was in executive session
q formidable element in the Senate was
considering what should be done in case
resolutions should be reported providing
fer recognition of independence. This fac
ton was composed of what is known as the
conservative element on the republican side
of the Senate. Their conference was held
in Senator Aldrich's committee room, and
among those present were Senators Han
ma, Platt Of Connecticut, Spooner, Hale.
Fairbanks and Aldrich. Senator Allison
was also there for a brief time.
A general purpose was expressed to op-
pose the adoption of any report that should
recommend recognition Of Cuban indepen-
denca, and which did not confine itself to
the support of the Presidents recommen-
dalton for Intervention only. This position
was taken because Of the generally ex-
pressed conviction among the senators pres
Ont that in case of war with Spain and the
triumph of the arms of the United States.
this country should be left free to dispose
of Cuba as she might proper. Many
of them expressed dissatisfaction with the
present Cuban administration, and the opin-
ion was given that the recognition of indie
pendence at this time would bind the
United States to the support of the present
Cuban administration as to guaranteeing
its bonds. giving to the Cuban junta po-
Is not, in their opinion, entitled. Hence a |
decision was reached to labor with the |
committee on foreign relations not to re-
port a resolution with double purpose,
and their intention was expressed on the |
part of some to oppose its adoption if re-
ported.
The Committees Report.
In accordance with the action of this |
committee, Senators Allison and Aldrich |
had prolonged conference later with Sen |
ators Davis Frye and Lodge of the COM |
mittee on foreign relations. These men, |
bers of the foreign relations committee |
were able to assure the other senator's that |
no effort would be made to report the res
olution today, or the same day in which |
the message should be received but they
could not give the same assurance as to |
the character of the resolutions. They did |
rot conceal from their visitors the fact that |
the committee already had agreed upon a |
resolution providing both for independence |
and Intervention, and that it might be diff |
hcult to change the Recommendation. But |
on this point no one could speak definitely
until the committee could confer, and the
visiting senators were compelled to with
draw without receiving any very satisfac-
tory assurances.
The opinion held by many senators is
that the committee will recede from its
position for both independence and inter-
vention, and report resolution in accord
ance with the Presidents recommendation
for Intervention alone; but this is not GER
seen, all classed as pro-Cuban, one, Sena-
tor Frye announced himself satisfied with
intervention: another, Senator Foraker,
announced that he would not favor the
change, and a third, Senator Davis refused
to commit himself. Senator Lodge had
previously said that he would support the
Presidents position.
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