26 DECEMBER 1896, Page 2

The Foreign Committee of the American Senate has pro- posed,

by a vote described as practically unanimous, the following important Resolution :—" Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled :—(1) That the independence of the Republic of Cnba be and the same is hereby acknow- ledged by the United States of America. (2) That the United States will use its friendly offices with the Govern- ment of Spain to bring to a close the war between Spain and Cuba." It is believed that the Senate and the House of Representatives will both pass this Resolution, which will then be vetoed by the President. There is some danger—not much—that the Resolution will then be passed by a two- thirds vote, in which case the question arises whether the President is not constitutionally bound to obey it, and recog- nise the Republic of Cuba, and therefore, of course, the belligerent status of the insurgents, and the right of the Union to make an alliance with any Government they may set up.