The herald., 1896-03-13
THE F|FTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
Cuban Debate Is Continued in
the Senate
Mr.. HILL MAKES OBJECTION
To the Mercenary Character of the
House Resolution
He Would Recognize Cuban Beiiigercncy on
the Ground Of Human Rights.
Proceedings In the House

-
Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, March 12.-Senators Sher-
man and Hill were the conspicuous fig
ures in the Cuban debate in the senate to-
day. The New York senator forcibly
urged the mercenary character of the
pending resolutions, while Mr.. Sherman
upheld them with another graphic arraign-
ment of Spain and General Weyler.
IT was the fourth day of the debate on
thsNconference report, and yet there was
no evidence of near approach to a
final vote, although Mr.. Sherman an.
nount .ed that he would press for vote at
the ca sliest moment.
The valleries continue to be crowded,
and too Nay showed no diminution of public
interest.
Mr.. Hi.V's opposition to the resolutions
was conf ned to that feature which ex-
pressed the, purpose of the United States
to intervene, to protect the legitimate in
terests of the United States. This, the
Senator said, was an ignoble and contempt
fble attitude. 1t was placing the cause of
human liberty and patriotism on very
low plane, anil he urged that the resolu-
lions be defea tsd in order that they might
Be amended a, vi the mercenary features
eliminated.
Mr.. Sherman ys speech was mainly re.
assertion of the views he presented when
the senate resoi lutions were adopted. He
declared that WI lr in Cuba was fragrant and
the evidence of it abundant. He insisted
on his character Eation of General Weyler
a. ''the butcher,'' but conceded that the
Spanish minister, Senior Dupuy de LONE,
had the full right and the duty of contro-
verting and exp taining the statement,
either In or out of the state department..
In the course of his; speech Mr.. Sherman
paid glowing tri butte to the patriotism
and fidelity of Pres dent Cleveland and his
yeadiness to uphold the country's flag.
The latter part of the day was given to
the Dupont contest, Mr.. Pritchard of North
Carolina arguing in support of the claim
ant.
An important bill :re ating an art COM
mission of five meml sers was passed.
After an hour was consumed in clearing
away the routine ma tte RS the Cuban reso.
buttons were laid teiore the senate and
Hill of New York 'wsis recognized. He
pointed out that this being a conference
report, the resolutions could not be amend
ed. He would therefore vote against the
report, in order that, ali a subsequene time.
the amendments mig hit be made. The
senator particularly q bjected to the third
clause of the resoluti. ,ns, stating that the
United States had not intervened in the
struggles between any European govern
ments and their colonie s, but that owing to
the proximity of Cuba the United States
should be prepared to intervene. This he
declared ambiguous ancl unmeaning. We
had intervene6 and recognized the coun-
tries which had been colonies of Spain,
What the resolutions SO ught to convey was
a threat to intervene.
To this extent the resolution was unnec-
essary. 1t was the object of doubtful con-
struction and a mischief breeder, liable to
compromise us. The phrase the "United
States should be prepared to protect the
legitimate interests of our citizens by inter-
vention." sounded like a threat, or it was
buncombe. IF this resolution means we
should increase our army. let us say 80
frankly and frame a bill for that purpose
said Hill. "If it means we should increase
our navy. let us state it frankly and fear
lessly and frame o bill to that end. Let Us
not indulge in idle boasts and threats and
doubtful phrases as to being prepared to
protect legitimate interests by interven-
Sion.''
Mr.. Hill asked what the Legitimate in.
terests'' referred to we're.
Were there any illeisitimate interests?''
This was not proposition to intervene in
the cause of humanity or to aid in the
cause of freedom, or to stop bloodshed, but
TO ''protect our legitimate interests.''
Mr.. Hill uttered the words with great
scorn.
4ulS l6 p1t4Cluk Ouf intervention on V9ry
low grounds" said he. If we are to inter-
vene at all then at least let us put it on
some higher ground than the urgency of
protecting our business interests; do not
put it on the low ground that we are losing
few dollars by this contest between Spain
and Cuba.''
Mr.. Hill held up bunch of kilograms
which he said he had received from New
York. One of the kilograms read substan-
TALLY as follows: 'Present attitude of
United States toward Cuba seriously af.
fecting commerce with that island. Mer-
chants there are preparing to boycott
American merchants and to cancel their
orders here.''
Mr.. Hill paused for moment after
reading the dispatch and then, shaking it
IN his hand. he added with disdain: "And
they expect me to have my course here
placed on the ground that Spanish mer-
chants threaten to boycott some of our
merchants. With all due respect to these
gentlemen, think our action should be on
higher grounds.
'sIf we wish to act let us do so, without
this boasting, without these idle declara-
tions, without this buncombe.''
Mr.. Hill said he favored the other por.
tons of the resolutions declaring that a
state of war existed. Does war not actu-
ally exist in Cuba today? Senators asked
for facts. Cuba was today full of reliable
correspondents ts-there is once in while a
Soliabie correspondent-and they are daily
detailing the progress of this conflict To-
day 1t is reported that one Cuban general
u within stones throw of Havana. 1t is
idle to shut our eyes to these conditions.
ut is said" proceeded Mr.. Hill, THAT
the administration will be embarrassed
by the resolutions. | deny it. If the ad-
ministration had felt in that way then
some one on this side of the chamber
would know it. | no not believe that the
officers of the administration would keep
their feelings on such a subject 80 close
shat no one would know it.
"lf the president should sign the resolu-
t1Ons American citizens could sell arms to
the insurgents" said Mr. Hill
"Certainly," replied Mr.. Hoar.
"They can do so now" interposed Mr..
Morgan and Mr. Vest together.
II think not" returned MIR. Hoar.
Most assuredly they can" insisted Mr..
Morgan.
s'You maintain that the passage of these
resolutions would not change the law of the
oand one particle" asked Mr.. Hill,
II do,' replied Mr.. Hoar
'And ~ then continued Mr.. Hill, ''agree
With you that the resolutions would have
10 legal effect. 1t is from that standpoint
that now desire to argue the propriety of
their passage"
~ should have hesitated, Mr.. President
oaid Mr.. Hill. "to vote for a Joint resoil-
tion which would have required the presi-
dents action within ten days But these
resolutions are safe because they merely
(trp int