Evening star., 1898-04-08
Discussing 7thes Way to Settle the
Cuban Question.
TEE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Senators y .'F't Oppose Modification
Of Report.
GENERAL LEES DISCLOSURES


tions had no regular meeting today. but
members Of the committee came together
informally and discussed the Cuban situa-
ton. While there Is the appearance of
calmness everywhere at the Capitol, yet
the gravity OF the situation is realized. No
one there seems to doubt that war is inev-
liable. Discussion now is largely directed
toward the method Of procedure. and there
ere even now theories advanced as to how
Cuba shall be governed. These discussions
relate to the form of declaration by Con-
gress and the present condition in Cuba, to-
gether with what the condition will be after
Spain has been expelled. and are partici-
rated in by Senators who are charged with
the responsibility of action.
From those best informed it is learned
that, In the opinion of leading senators,
whatever action is taken, forcible interyen-
ton by the United States will make this
country responsible for the future govern
ment Of the island. and that we must make
it safe for life and property.
The principal movement about the Senate
at present Is to find an expeditions method
of doing whatever is to be done in the way
OF declaring the sense of the government
as to the proper procedure in settling tho
Cuban question. There is a general feeling
that much delay or long dsbate in Congress
after the receipt Of the Presidents message
would be undesirable from all points Of
view.
Efforts to Harmonise Differences.
Still it is recognized that there is sharp
line of difference between the two elements
in the Senate, one of which contends for
declaration of the independence of the
Cubans, sustain ed by armed Intervention,
and the other for supporting the position
of the President for Intervention alone.
There Is determined effort to harmonic
these elements. and some headway is being
made on the lines of an assertion in gen.
eral terms of the rights of the Cubans to
their independence without recognising the
present government. The movers in this
direction have received some encourage
ment. and claim to have promises of votes
for this compromise which they could not
get for Intervention alone.
Meantime the committee on foreign rela-
tions is going forward taking testimony to
strengthen Its report IN favor of its posi-
ton favorable to Intervention and the
recognition of the present government of
Cuba, and apparently with no intention of
changing the form OF its report or of its
resolution.
The committees report, as now prepared,
will deal with the two questions Of the
Maine disaster and the condition of desti-
tuition in the Island Of Cuba, taking the
position that the Spanish policy of the con-
centration of non-combatants without sup
plying them with the necessaries of life Is
unprecedented in It's barbarity, and that
the system still holds; and as to the Maine
explosion, that 1t was the result of Spanish
t'eachery and, as such, was an act of war.
A prominent House republican. who is
close to the President and who is kept ad
vised Of the situation. said at noon that the
situation was unchanged.
do you believe Spain will yield?" he was
asked. IL
IT do not see how she can." he replied.
take the reins in her own hands and con-
cede everything Wednesday almost
caused the downfall OF the ministry
Opposed to Modification.
Among the senators seen today who ex-
pressed themselves in opposition to any
modification of the resolution to be reported
by the committee on foreign relations were
Eessrs. Thurston, Pettigrew, Allen and
Mason.
1--WE cannot" said Senator Mason. "agree
to any change that would rob the present
Cuban government of the victory which
they have 80 nearly won."
I'm my opinion a set OF men who have
maintained themselves as the Cuban insur-
gents have in opposition to the entire
Spanish army deserve our fullest indorse-
ment," Senator Allen said. adding that he
would oppose any effort to curtail their
rights.
Senator Thurston said: "If we should in
tervene without recognizing the present
government of Cuba we should place the
United States in position of responsibility
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 do
not believe 1t can be successfully contro-
verted. Furthermore, I think wa would in
that event be held liable for the payment of
interest on the Spanish bonds which is se-
cured by the Cuban revenues. But a
greater weight with me than all these con-
siderationsl Is the conviction that IL we in
terfere in the conflict between Spain and
the Cubans without recognizing q present
government In the island we shall witness
the spectacle of the Cubans bsing COM
PEELED to make terms with the bondholders
for their recognition after all the sacrifices
they shall have made and we shall have
made for them.
This is the thing that is most repulsive
to me in the proposition to deny the pres
ent Cuban government its just dues. do
OF want to see the Cubans compelled to
enter into a dicker to secure their rights
after the Spanial DIS shall have been driven
out. rs
Senator Lodge Of the committee on for
eign relations SAID today that he thought
the committee wculdsenot report before
Tuesday He also expressed the opinion
that the Senate Would dispose Of the reso-
luton reported at one sitting.
The spantsh Bonds.
Some of the reppbncaaps who are not yet
decided whether they want Intervention
without Independence are Investigating the
question as to whether the United States,
under international law. could IL the
United States intarve4ed In Cuba and cut
off the revenues be held responsible for
the Spanish bonds, SAID to aggregate s4OO,-
10000, which have beeh issued against the