The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-02-21
.A Strong APPEAL FOR CUBA
Senator Lodge Gives Reasons for I'm
mediate Recognition.
GROWTH OF THE REVOLUTION
The Little Band of Five Hundred Has In
creased to Forty-fve Thousand in a
Year-senator Morgan Thinks War
With Spain Would Follow.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 81. 49, The Cuban
question came before the senate yesterday
for definite and final action, and it is ex-
pected that votes will be taken at an early .
day, on the several pending propositions
requesting Spain to recognize the belliger-
ency of Cuba, and requesting recognition
of Cuban independence. There is every
indication, also, that the debate will lead
to more radical and decisive resolutions.
The opening of the debate drew large |
crowds to the galleries, and there were fire.
quent demonstrations of approval at the |
stirring and dramatic utterances of several
of the speakers. Mr.. Lodge, of Massachu- |
setts, and Mr. Morgan, of Alabama, were
particularly forcible and direct in their
language In graphically picturing the
rise and spread of tho rebellion Mr. Lodge
said
Just a year ago another revolution be-
gan. 1t began in the eastern part of the
island with a small band of 500 men.
With the vast wilderness of lying bulletins
that come from Spanish sources it is very
difficult, and 1t is not worth while, per
haps, to try to trace the battles which
have been fought. But there are certain
great facts which there is no mistaking.
Those men who started so feebly year
ago in the eastern part of the island have
crept over the island from one end to the
other. The 800 have grown until today
even the hostile accounts represent them
at 45 600 in the field.
1--WE know that the railroad lines are
cut, that tho telegraph lines are down,
that every report of n Spanish victory that
comes to us in the newspapers is followed
by the statement of u fresh insurgent ad-
vance. We know as a matter of fact that
the whole of that island today, except
where the Spanish fleets ride at anchor
and where the Spanish armies are en-
camped, is in the hands of the insurgents
1--WE know the insurgents have formed
a government, that they have held two
elections, that every officer in the army
holds his commission from the govern
ment which they have established. We
know the terms of that provisional gov
ernment, and in the presence of these
facts and of the fighting that these men
have DONE think it not unreasonable of
them to ask some recognition at the hands
of the United States
Comparing the former commander, Gen
eral Martinez Campos with the present
one. General Weyler, Mr.. Lodge said:
MARTINEZ Campos the ablest general in
| Spain, has been recalled because he failed
/ to put down this insurrection-recalle
when the insurgent troops had been ac-
/ tually in the suburbs of Havana and in
! his place has been sent a man whose only
reputation known to the world is that of
the most cold blooded brutality in the last
war for liberty in that island"
Again, the senator said, referring to the
desperate fighting of the insurgents said:
"Cuba is fighting not only for indepen-
dence These men are fighting, every one
of them, with price on their heads and
rope around their necks They have shown
that they could fight well. They are fight
ing the battle of despair"
There was hearty applause as Mr. Lodge
closed with the following peroration;
'1f the war goes on in Cuba, with the
added horrors which this new general
brings with him, the responsibility is on
us. We cannot escape it. We should ex-
ert every influence of the United States.
Standing as l believe they do for human
ity and civilization, we should exercise
every influence of our great country to put
stop to that great war that is now rag
ing there, and try to give to that island
once more peace and liberty and security.
Mr. Morgan, who reported the resolu-
ton, expressed the opinion that amy ac-
ton that this country might take looking
to Cuban recognition would result in war
with Spain" and he also said that spain
would welcome war with this country,
which would afford her legitimate ex-
cuse to get rid of Cuba in way not TO
wound her pride. The galleries broke into
loud applause when, in response to aques-
tion by Mr. Frye, Mr. Morgan said;
"My opinion is that congress has the
perfect, Independents, absolute right to
make this recognition of belligerency, or a
declaration of Independence, and if it is
necessary, to enforce it by any military
I movement at sea or on land. 1t has the
right to command the chief
of the army and navy to go on the field, if
it is necessary, and expose his person to
the execution of that order. That is my
opinion"
Mr.. Cameron and Mr.. Call also spoke.
| Mr. Cameron gave notice that If the reso.
luton was adopted requesting Spain to
act, and should it not, he would then
move for the immediate and complete
recognition of Cuban independence.
Throughout the debate, lasting three
hours, Senior Pastor, Of the Spanish lega-
tion, sat in the diplomatic gallery.
Again the house attended strictly to
business. The conference report on the
diplomatic and consular bill was agreed
to, the senate amendments to the pension
bill were sent to conference, and the In
dian appropriation bill was taken up The
latter bill carries SS, $780, 995, or Sl3s 792 less
than the law for the current year
Watson House Free Lunch.