The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-12

washington, April 12.-The future OF
the relations Of the United States with
Bpain and with Cuba rests with congress.
people. What course the men COM
posing II will pursue cannot be foretold.
The foreign committees Of both houses
now have the subject in their control,
and after due deliberation will report
to their respective branches what they
consider should be the attitude of the
United States on the grave question
presented. Early action by the COM
mittees is expected. but exactly when
1t may be looked for II not now deter
minable.
The full responsibility of the subject
was placed upon congress when Presi-
dent Mckinley transmitted to II care
fully prepared and anxiously awaited
message relating to our negotiations
with Spain as to It's warfare in Cuba, and
drawing therefrom his personal con-
clusions and recommendations. He
placed the trust with these words: THE
issue Is now with congress. 1t Is
solemn responsibility. Ihave exhausted
every effort to relieve the intolerable
condition of affairs which is at our doors.
Prepared to execute every obligation
imposed upon me by the constitution and
the law, l await your action"
No message in recent years, not even
that of President Cleveland on Ven
ezuela. nor Of President Harrison on
Chill, caused such widespread and in
tense interest No message was ever
listened to with more close attention by
both galleries and members at both ends
of the capitol. That II did not create
profound enthusiasm may have been due
TO the fact that its main features had
been accurately forecasted, or to a dis
appointment among those who wanted
Cuban independence and immediate re-
prisal upon Spain for the destruction of
the Maine. For long time large ma
5ority in both houses have favored rec
ognitiop Of the independence of Cuba:
for more than two years. as voiced in
resolutions passed by congress, the rec
ognition of bellteerency has been sought.
Both Of these propositions were antag-
onized In the message. and consequently
in this regard the document did not &C.
cord with the majority sentiment.
The message left congress very much
at sea because of the disagreement In
views between II and the executive, an
OBSTACLE hard to surmount, unless. as
now seems possible, congress sees it's
course to be in accord with the presi-
dents recommendation. 1t Is generally
believed that the president would have
been authorized to intervene with the
army and navy had IL not been for the
concluding paragraphs Of the document.
which announced the latest phase of Dip
lomatic negotiations.
Some senator's. who, previous to the
receipt of the message, had indicated a
willingness to confine the action Of con-
gress to declaration for intervention,
are inclined to turn to the original posi-
ton for independence coupled with in
tervention. II was stated by one SEN
ator that the resolutions reported would
probably contain at least recognition
of the right of the Cuban people to free
dom and independence. Conservative
Republican senator's recognized the fact
that the movement to secure support for
the presidents position hal lost ground
since the receipt OF the message. They
did not. however. manifest any abate-
ment In their determination to oppose
any proposition hooking to more radical
action than the executive desired. The
conservatives say they will continue
their efforts to secure harmonious ac-
ton by congress and the administration.
At the Democratic conference the mes
sage was sharply criticised, and while
there was much difference of opinion
as to the course to be pursued and no
conclusion was reached. there is no doubt
that resolutions recognizing the inde-
pendence of the Cubans will be intro
duced by Democrats in both houses of
congress.