The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-04
tina. enlightened .el!-lntsrs.t which /. the tru.

that enlightened self-interest which IL the true
guide In the policy Of nations.
when this vote has been given. as " will be
overwhelmingly by this House. concurring with
the senate IN Expressing the will OF the people
tion. and that we will sreedily hear that the
President has recognized the belliperency OF the
has been apparent from week to week for two
months past. II will not be long until we shall
have an end OF all the bqmbnstic pretensions and
and the Cubane, having vindlcated their rights
with their arms. will enjoy the liberty they have
Mr. Hitt was interrupted by Mr.. Patterson
dem, Tenn. who asked what proportion OF
the 900, 900 population in cuba had engaged
IN the movement To secure the Independence OF
the island.
Mr. Hit stated that = communication to the
House from the Secretary OF state showed that
the number OF troops In the Held last August
was 10000, one-third OF whicl, were WEI, armed
Since coming to the House to-day. Mr.. Hit said,
he had received II statement made by MIR. Rap.
pleye, tho correspondent OF the New York MAJ
and Express, who had just returned from CUBA,
VIII, n showed that the Cuban army now num-
bcrcd over 10000 men.
Mr.. Boutclle drop, Me- reviewed the history
OF the parliamentary progress ofthe resolutions,
and Expressed the opinion that II was not the In
nit Congress- TO any definite and decided policy.
Congress, he said, had the power to put the
resolution in such a form as to compel the
President to act upon them, but that had been
carefully avoided. II was as well known as
anything possibly could be that the President
ull " tlltN lIhI u fluIS VI 40
in the island OF Cuba.
Referring to the matter of public sentiment
alleged to be supporting the resolutions, Mr..
Boutelle said he did not claim to speak for the
entire American public, but he had not received,
In the course of the discussion, a single letter
from n man of reliable. thoughtful, considerate
Judgment, expressing an opinion in favor OF the
United States embrOiling itself in this conten-
ton In the island of Cuba. He said people knew
how this alleged public sentiment was created
and fostered. especially by n portion of the
press which lives and thrives upon sensational
ism.
MIR. Boutelle said that there was a tendency
on the part of some Representative YES in Con-
grcss. as well as other people. to jump. to the
conclusion that 1t Is the duty of the United
States to step in and right every wrong that Is
brought to public notice. He denied IL. 1t was
not the duty of the United states TO be the Don
Quixote OF the earth. Even II the duty were
conceded, the country did not have the ability
to perform that part.
Mr.. Boutelle said that the House was in duty
bound not to act upon n matter OF such great
Importance without full knowledge OF the facts.
There were no facts here. he said, sufficient to
justify the House in adopting Theses resolutions.
He was free to say that the Administration had
not received facts which justified the President
and his advisers In recognizing n state OF
belligerency in Cuba. That belligerent rights
had not been granted to the Cubnns was. in his
opinion, ample proof that the President had no
ground upon which to act.
Mr.. Skinner Pop, y. CO. was the last speaker
OF the afternoon, eloquently pleading for bring
ing Cuba under the Stars and Stripes.