The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-17
Again Revived in the Senate by
Mr.. Morgan.
PLEA FOR DECISIVE ACTION
The Duty of Congress to Adopt
Joint Resolutions.
The CONDEMNED AMERICANS
a Senate Resolution Directing an In
quiry Into the Treaty Relations
Between Spain and the
United States.

Washington, May 16.-The Cuban
question was revived in the Senate to-
day when Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama,
who reported the original resolution
spoke in favor of further and more
decisive action towards recognition of
the Cubans as belligerents. The SEN
ator declared it to be the duty of Con-
gress to adopt joint resolutions on
belligerency which unlike the pre-
yious concurrent resolutions, would
require the approval of the President
and thus fix responsibility.
At the close of Mr.. Germans speech
the Senate adopted, without division,
the resolutions introduced by him di-
recting the committee on Foreign Re-
lations to inquire into the report on
the treaty relations between the Uni
ted States and Spain relating to the
Americans now under condemnation
at Havana, also requesting the Presi-
dent for the recent diplomatic cores
pondence with Spain on this subject.
The resolutions have no reference to
the recognition Of belligerency, al
though they served Mr.. Morgan as
text for his speech on that line.
Eulogies were delivered on the late
w. III. Crane, of Texas, after which as
further mark of respect to the de-
ceased. the Senate adjourned.
Mr.. Morgan. in the course OF his
speech, on the Cuban situation, said
the proximity OF the island to our
shores, our commercial relations with
the Cnbans, the American ownership
OF much property there, the actual re-
sidence of many Americans there, all
combine to compel us to examine into
the conditions existing in Cuba and
to determine for ourselves whether a
state of war existed.
He spoke of the impotence of Amer
lean people in witnessing the painful
occurrences in Cuba, while our gov
eminent measured the losses by dol
lars and submitted claims for COM
Densation for individual losses. A
great civil conflict had waged in Cuba
since the fall Of 1894, he said, and had
increased with startling magnitude,
until 10000 Spanish troops were in
the field Yet, upon denial OF these
self-evident facts rests the position OF
Spain that the United States must not
recognize q condition Of war as exist
ing. 4.
Mr.. Morgan said the fragrant condi-
tions existing might escape the atten-
ton Of those III authority, yet 1T must
shock the world that diplomatic TAI
lacy permits the assertion that no war
exists. This diplomatic fallacy Is sus-
tanned by the claim that the Cubans
have no forts, when the wise general
ship OF the Cubans kept them from
concentrating in forts. 1t was sutan-
ed also by the claim that the Cubans
had no fleet and no seaports, when it
was evident that these could be main
tanned only by heavy artillery and
equipments not possessed by the ln-
surgents.
These, said the Senator, were the as
sertions of carpet knights and chiyalric
warriors. but to sensible military lead
ers, bent on gaining independence
rather than a display of sentiment,
they were the climax Of absurd5ty.
The Senator declared that the Of
Tense committed by the Americans now
held at Havana were no more serious
than smuggling. 1T was the first duty
of this government to demand that the
military trial Of the American prisoners
be set aside. Until this was done no
other or further negotiations should
be considered. Until set aside, declared
Mr.. Morgan, every day Is a national hu-
initiation to us as people.
After reviewing the course OF the
United States in the struggle for free
institutions, the Senator compared it
with the search for technical and
frivolous excuses" to debar us from
4,..a
Ter" He referred to the conclusive eyi-
dences Of the atrocities and the shoot
ing of non-combatants.
With war recognized as existing, the
laws of war, as applied by the law of
nations, would become an application
to our citizens now serving in Cuba,
and would forbid Spain from treating
them as insurrectionists.
Mr.. Morgan said in conclusion: sit
is, therefore, the proper course for
Congress to observe to send a joint
resolution to the President declaring
that state of public war existed in
Cuba and that the parties engaged in
that war are belligerents, to each of
whom the laws of nations equally APP
ply, If such is the opinion of Congress.
This is a duty of wise and sincere
patriotism, although III may not be
otherwise imperative for the reason
that such a declaration is not legisla-
tive net and is not, there, required to
be sent TO the President for his APP
proYal. Congress can waive that ques-
ton, and should not raise it in matter
that does not necessarily involve the
status of the constitutional distribu-
zion Of the power of our own gaaarn-
ment, whether it is in a state of war
or peace, but only concerns duty we