The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1898-04-16
UP TO CONGRESS- NOW
FATE OF CUBA IN THE HANDS OF
THE LEGISLATIVE BODY.

FATE OF CUBA IN THE HANDS OF
THE LEGISLATIVE BODY.
Early Action Expected but Just When
Il Not Observation-Disclosures and Sen.
ate Very Much at ssa Over the 4Rso-
: emmendatlons Of tho President.
WASHINGTON, April lathe future
Of the relations Of the United States
with Spain and to Cuba now rests with
congress, tho representative body of
the American people. What course
the elected men composing it will pur.
sue cannot be foretold. The foreign
committees Of both houses now have
the subject in their control and after
due dehberation will report to their re.
spective branches what they consider
should be the attitude Of the United
States on the gravc question presented.
Early action by the committees is ex.
peoted, but exactly when it may be
looked for now is not determinable.
The full responsibility of the subject
was placed upon congress when Presi-
dent Mckinley transmitted to it a care.
fully prepared and anxiously awaited
message relating-to
Our Negotiations with Spain
as to its warfare in Cuba and drawing
therefrom his personal conclusions and
recommendations. He placed the trust
with these words:
''The issue is now with congress. It
is solemn responsibility. I have ex.
hausted every effort to relieve the in.
tolerable condition of affairs which is
at our doors. Prepared to execute
every obligation imposed upon me by
the constitution and the law, Iawait
your action"
No message in recent years caused
such widespread and intense interest.
No message was ever listened to with
more close attention by both galleries
and members at both ends of the Gap.
itol. That it did not create profound
enthusiasm may have been due to the
fact that its main features
Had Been Accurately Forecast
or to o disappointment among those
who wanted Cuban independence and
immediate reprisal upon Spain for the
destruction of the Maine. For long
time o large majority in both houses
has favored recognition of the indie.
pendence Of Cuba; for more than two
years, as voiced in resolutions passed
by congress, the recognition of belliger.
ency has been sought. Both of these
propositions were antagonized in the
message and consequently, in this re.
gard, the message did not accord with
the majority sentiment. The message
left congress very much at sea, because
the disparagement In views between it
and the executive are obstacles hard to
surmount, unless, as now seems posi-.
ble, congress sees its course to act in
accord with the presidents recon-.
mendation. i
Salient Points OF the Message.
In his message to congress the
president strongly opposes recognition
Of belligerency as inexpedient. He
also opposes the recognition of
the independence of Cuba at this
VAuAOS OUV A0NO46 tAo 81oAV4AA VI
authority for such use of the armed
forces of the United States as he may
deem necessary to put an end to hos
tilities and to secure stable govern.
ment in Cuba. He also asks for an ap-
preparation to be used for the relief of
such Of the people as are still in need.
The Maine incident figures prominently
in the message, and the president
argues that the wreck Of our battleship
In Havana harbor shows conclusively
that Spain is not able to guarantee to
the United States and to tho other ma
tions that security to their vessels
which they have right to demand.
The message shows, however, that
Spain, so far as can be done, without
specific action by the cortes, has dis.
avowed any connection with the wreck.
ing Of the Maine, and has expressed her
deep regret and sorrow that the ap.
palling disaster should have occurred
In port within her jurisdiction.
Spain's decree for a suspension of
hostilities is submitted to congress for
just and careful attention, with the OBJ.
servation that If the measure attains a
successful result then our aspirations
as q peace.loving people will be real.
lied. It it fails it will be only another
justification for our contemplated &C.
ton.