Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-15
President Said to Be Firm in His In
tention to Secure Action.
LIPPLE CHANCE At THIS SESSION
Situation a Grave One and Full of
Risks.
OF CONDITION. 5

that would meet the Cuban situation can
be had at this session. In the first
place, there is not time for a full consdera-
ton of that problem and the discussion 1t
would inevitably provoke. An attempt
might be made to attach to an appropria-
ton bill a grant of power to the President
to deal with the matter as he sees ht as II
may be presented to him by the action or
Cubans, in the PRONUNCIATION Of Their constl-
tuition but it is extremely doubtful Whetner
those who do not agree that there is any
justification for any qualification or the an
solute independence of Cuba would con-
sent to such a resolution, and the opposl-
ton of few would be sufnclent TO pre-
vent action at this late date.
Moreover, it is understood that the Presi-.
dent does not want the entire responsibility
thus thrown upon him by Congress, and
that he would not be willing to assume 1t to
the extent that circumstances might re-
Quire if Congress were relieved from par
ticpation in the matter.
This situation renders it almost certain
that there will be no action at this session
of Congress. This will leave the President
with nothing but a mandatory requirement
of law that he shall withdraw from Cuba
and treat it as an independent government
wher ever the Cubans shall signify their
readiness to be left to themselves, law
which is somewhat stretched through the
Willingness of the Cubans to enable US to
retain control even until government is
actually formed, since the condition requir-
ing our withdrawal is made "paclficat ton,
not stable government.
Congress Must Share Responsibilities.
This condition of affairs existing it is
suggested that the CubanS themselves
might relieve the necessity for an extra
session of our Congress either by volun-
;arily making all provisions desirable for
the protection of the interests of the United
States or by delaying action in the matter
of forming government until near tlme
for Congress to meet again IN regular ses-
sion. But if the President remains OF ms
present frame of mind it is said that even
if the Cuban constitution makers make
proper provisions with reference to rela-
tions with the United States he Will re-
uuirc the presence of Congress to take its
share of responsibility in recognizing the
independen, of the island and providing
for the establishment of the relations thae
must exist between the two countries.
Present indications are, however, that the
provisions made by the CubanS for the pro-
lection of our interests will not be ade-
uuate, and in that event. If Congress is not
called together, the President might have
to choose betneew violating the direct COM
mand of law contained in the so-caled Tel
Ter resolution and seriously jeopardizing
the peace and welfare of our own country.
To comply with the terms of the law as 1t
stands would be to accept whatever the
Cubans might do, if 1t were accomplished
without revolution violence, even though
it placed the United States government
in a position of accountability to foreign
governments for any shortcomings OF the
Cuban republic, without the corresponding
authority to restrain Cuba from aggres-
aggression.
situation Too Risky.
1t is not believed that the President will
consent to run the risk Of such a situation.
1t is suggested that Congress has tied the
hands of the President, and that Congress
must either unite them or else be present
and take it's responsibility for whatever
may happen while his hands remain tied.
The realization of the Importance of our
having naval stations in Cuba and some
right to intervene 10 prevent the new re-
public from entanSling alliances or
o.her entanglements with foreign pow
ers, which would of necessity involve
US, is becoming more strongly impressed
upon men who feel the responsibility of
the situation. A promnent senator said
today that the situation was simply this.
that if we could not exercise any influence
over the foreign relations of Cuba then
Cuba would exercise an influence over our
foreign relations that might at any time
bring trouble, perhaps disaster. upon US.
CuDa might make treaties to our injury
and to her own and might commit acts that
would bring the war vessels of one or more
of the powers with menacing force into Ha-
vana harbor The consequence of these
acts would fall upon this government in
two ways-by reason of our standing by
the Monroe doctrine and in consequence of
our responsibility for the existence of the
Cuban government, and yet We would have
no supervision of the acts for which we
would become responsible.
President Is Firm.
It is said that the President is very firm
in his position that Congress must perform
its duty with reference to the settlement
of this matter.
Little doubt is expressed that the Phil
ippine resolution will be adopted as an
amendment to the army appropriation BILL
but though the attempt may be made to
adopt a Cuban provision also. the views
on that question too divergent in the
Senate to give promise Of any success to
the effort. 1t is expected now that the ap-
preparation bills will be all that will pass
during the remaining days of the session
and that the river and harbor bill may be
among those that fail. Therefore there Will
be much that might be considered at an
extra session besides Cuba.