Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-19
MORE WAR TALK.
England Has Stirred Up Wrong Gus
toner in Uncle Sam.
II She Attempts 10 Secure Cuba She Must
Surely Fight.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-The Senate
Republicans held another caucus, this
afternoon, at which the foreign affairs Of
the country were discussed, and for up
wards of AN hour matters of detail con
nectpd with the committee assignments
were considered
On motion of Mitchell of Oregon. u was
deced To increase TO seven the member
ship of the select committees ON the CON
struction of the Nicaraguan canal. The
chairmanship will be given II Democrat.
Morgan being the ranking mani, and
the Democrats will have three members.
Mitchell informed the caucus that he
had received II letter from Mr.. Gorgau,
chairman of the Democratic caucus, that
the Democrats would not resist the re.
organization of the committee, but tho
Republicans must enlarge the Democratic
representation on the committee on appro-
prations and finance, so as to make the
Republican majorities on these commit
tees Que, in accordance with the established
custom of the Senate. This was agreed
to, and these committees will consist Of 18
each. .a.-
1t was reported that it would be i'm
possible to reorganize any committees be-
fore the holidays, the Democratic com
mittee insisting that IL was impossible t.
make the assignments in the short time
allowed them II is probable that the
Senate will adjourn for the holidays with
the committee still In the hands Of the
Democrats
The bill passed, during the morning, by
the House, proyioin ing for an appropriation
of : 100 600 for the expenses Of commits
sion to investigate the Venezuelan bound
AIRY question, was discussed.
The Republicans agreed that 10 would
he the part Of wisdom for this measure to
be referred to the committee on foreign
relations for revision and amendment, and
the debate showed there was unanimity
of sentiment In favor OF amending the
measure by incorporating In II the text Of
the Monroe doctrine. The time within
which the commission shall report was
also considered and the time when their
report must be made will lie fixed.
One speaker said al the data needed by
this commission was on file in the state
department, and full and thorough re-
port could be made within 10 days. 1t was
agreed that 1t would not do to let the idea
go abroad that this comm sson was in
tended as time consuming affair. Its re-
port is tn be made a. early ~ possible and
when that is done, Congress will he called
upon to act. All those who spoke took
strong grounds in favor Of upholding the
President in the enforcement Of the Mon
roe doctrine
The press dispatches to the effect that
Great Britain was to secure the island Of
Cuba either by purchase or exchanging
Gibraltar, caused the discussion to take n
turn in that direction The prevailing
sentiment was that If England sought to
get possession Of Cuba, or II Spain sought
to dispose Of the island, such an act would
be accepted as n declaration Of war.
The island, 1t WIS agreed, must remain
as the property Of Spain or must be given
it's Independence. In the hands Of any
other power it would be menace tn the
United States, and II such an affront to
this government was attempted the Re
publlcans asserted that this government
must fight.