The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-03-19
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

washington, March 12.-Ihere Is no
abatement of public interest in the Cuban
debate in the senate as is evidenced 10y
the large crowds which continue to fill
the galleries to their fullest capacity. A
number of ladies of the diplomatic corps
were in the diplomatic gallery and some
of those occupying front seats were sup
piled with opera glasses, with which
they surveyed the senator's.
Mr.. Sherman gave notice that he would
endeavOr to secure vote on the Cuban
report at the earliest possible moment.
After one hour was consumed in clear
ing away routine matters the Cuban
resolutions were laid before the senate
and Mr.. Hill of New York was rccog-
nized: He was given marked attention,
and in opening said he would vote
against the conference report and would
coniine his remarks mainly to an cXplana-
ton of his reasons therefor.
He pointed out that this being n CON
ference report, the resolutions could not
be amended He would, therefore, vote
against the report in order that at sub.
sGqucnt time amendments tou,a be made.
The sen"tccr particularly objected to the
third clause of the resolutions, stating
that the United States has not inter
vencd in the struggles between any Euro
pcan governments and their colonies, but
that owing to the proximity of Cuba the
United States should be prepared to
intervene.
This he declared to be ambiguous and
unmeaning. We had interviewed in such
controversies. We had interviewed and
recognized the countries which had been
colonies of Spain.
What the resolutions sought to convey
was Il threat to intervene. To this OK
tent the resolutions were unnecessary.
1t is subject to doubtful construction and
mischief breeder. 1t was liable to com
promise us. The phrase that the
"uhited States should be prepared to
protect the legitimate interests of our
citizens by intervention sounded like II
threat, or it was buncombc.
IF this resolution means that we
should increase our army, let us say so
frankly and frame bill for that pur-
pose" said Mr. Hill. IF it means that
we should increase our navy, let us state
it frankly and fearlessly and frame bill
to that end. Let us not indulge in idle
| boasts and threats and doubtful phrases
rs to our being prepared to protect legiti-
mate interests by intervention
Mr. Hill asked what these Legitimate
interests" referred to were. Were there
| any ''illegitimatc intcrestsE' This was
not n proposition to intervene in the cause
of humanity or to aid in the cause of
| freedom or to stop bloodshcd, but to pro
tcct ur legitimate interests. Mr.. Hill
uttered the words with great scorn.
"This is placing our Intervention on
very low grounds" said he. IF we are
to intervene ut all. then mt least let us
put it on some higher grounds than the
urgency of protecting our business inter.
ests. DO not put it on the low ground
that we are losing few dollars by this
| lot, Ia nd nhn
Mr.. Hill held up bunch of kilograms
which he said he had received from New
| York. One of the kilograms read sub
stantially ms follows:
present attitude of United States
toward Cuba seriously affecting com
merce with that island. Merchant,
there are preparing TO boycott American
merchants and to cancel their orders
here"
Mr.. Hill paused for Il moment aftcl
reading the dispatch and then, shaking i
in his hand he added with disdain:
and they expect me to have my cours,
here proceed on the ground that Spanish
merchants threaten to boycott some o.
our merchants. With all due respect t,
these gentlemen, | think our actor
should be on higher grounds; If we wiSi
to proceed let us do so without the idl,
! boasting. without this buncombe."
Mr.. Hill said he favored the other por
tions of the resolution declaring that
state of war existed Does not war &C
tually exist in Cuba today? Senators
asked for facts. Cuba was today full
of reliable OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES is one
in n while a reliable correspondcnt-an,
they are detailing the progress of th
conflict. Today it is reported that on
Cuban general is within stones throw
of Havana. 1t is idle to shut our eye
to these conditions.
ut is said" proceeded Mr. HILL ''tha
the administration will be embarrassed
by the resolutions. | deny it, If the ad
ministration had felt in that way, ther
some one ON this side of the chamber