The herald., 1896-02-29
The Senators Favor the Inde-
pendence OF Cuba
BY AN OVERWHELMING VOTE
A Concurrent Resolution Is Adopted
Favoring Belligerency
TIE House Is Expected to Take Up the Ques-
tlon on Monday-The Result
IL Certain
Asxociated Press Special Wire.


WASHINGTON. Feb. 2S.-By the over
whelmins vote of sixty-four to six, the SEN
ate today adopted a concurrent resolution
favorable to Cuban belligerency and inde-
pendence. The resolutions adopted are as
follows:
Resolved, BY the senate, the house OF
ropresentatives concurring. that in the
epinion of congress a condition OF public
var exists between the government OF
0pain and the government proclaimed and
for some time maintained by force OF arms
~ the people of Cuba; and that the United
States of America should maintain strict
neutrality between the contending powers,
according to each all the rights of belliger-
onts in the ports and territory of the
United States.
Resolved, That the friendly offices OF
the United States should be offered by the
president to the Spanish government for
the independence of Cuba.
When the result was announced the
densely packed galleries broke into loud,
continued applause. which the vice-presi-
dent checked with difficulty.
The result was resched after day OF
fervid speeches, which at times aroused
the crowd of spectators to enthusiastic
demonstrations. The keen public interest
IA the subject as evidenced by the presence
Of the largest crowd since congress as
Oembled.
The representatives of foreign powers
we're numerousIy in attendance, the occu-
pants of the diplomatic gallery including
Ministers Mei,donca of Brazil, Hatch of
Hawaii, Lazo-Arriaga of Guatemala, KEN
gifo of Colombia and Baron Won ketteier
of the German embassy. Senior Dupuy de
ho
ent, but two Of the attaches of the Spanish
legation occupied seats with the other
diplomats. The main feature of the debate
was the speech of Senator Sherman, chair
man of the committee on foreign relations.
Az rule the veteran senator from Ohio
speaks with conservatism. SO it was the
more surprising when he arraigned Spain
and her governor general, Weyler, IN the
most scathing language. Mr.. Sherman
read specific instances in which Weyler
was pictured as stripping young girls held
% captives and compelling them to dance
before the Spanish troops.
Other speeches were made by Messrs.
Lindsay of Kentucky, Lodge of Massa-
chusetts, Caifery of Louisiana and Allen of
Nebraska
The voting began at 4 o'clock. according
to agreement. 1t was simplified by the
withdrawal of conflicting amendments. 30
that only three votes were necessary. The
hrst disposed of was the resolution OF
White of California, limiting the action of
congress to request to the president to
grant belligerency. This was tabled-57
to ~.
The amendment of Allen. directing the
president to recognize the Cuban republic
as independent, met like defeat-52 to II.
Then came the final vote as above re-
corded.
The senate galleries were we'll filled. in
= anticipation of the elimination of the Gu
ban debate, final vote being set for a
o'clock. Shortly after the session opened
Sherman moved the Cuban resolutions be
taken up. This prevailed without object
ion. Tho floor was yielded for the adoption
of the conference report on the pension ap-
pr.ation bill; also the passage OF bill re.
iating to anchorage and movement of ves-
sells in St. Mary's river.
Lindsay (Democrat) then addressed the
senate on the Cuban resolution. He said
the conflict in Cuba was being waged with
such desperation that only one of two re-
suits could come-either the complete in
dependence of Cuba on the one hand or
utter annihilation of the Cuban people on
the other. The senator said he approached
the subject from the standpoint of human
ity rather than law. Declarations of SYM
pathy would avail nothing to the Cubans.
Declarations that they had progressed to
stage of bellgerents would avail nothing.
"If the United States intends taking any
b.
Cubans, that step should be in the
direction of the ultimate independence of
Cuba,'' declared Lindsay in stentorian
tones. In the past the United States had
not hesitated to take position recogniz-
ing the independence under circumstances
similar to those now existing in Cuba, justi-
flying the United States in considering the
proposition for active Intervention to
restore public order and in behalf of hu-
manity.
But the resolution he urged did not con.
template active intervention. 1t extended
our good offices to Spain with the view of
securing the ultimate independence of
Cuba. Spain contemplated the annihila-
ton of all able bodied men in Cuba in
order to crush this uprising. Spain owed
Cuba as much as Turkey owes Armenia,
or say the United States owes Venezuela,
the duty of protection, and if this protec-
ton is not given, then the point has been
reached when the United States should
move for the severance of Cuba from
Spain.
At11:l5 Sherman began his speech clos
ing the debate. He said he felt the time
had come when the United States must in
tervene, and put an end to crime almost
beyond description. He referred to several
pamphlets presented by Estrada Palma
oyent and repre- sentative of Cubans in this
country, and said the statement overcome
Misrepresentation that the Cubans were
scattered, unorganized bands. 1t showed
the organization of a legislature, and of a
president, the latter a man of high char
acter. It was as complete an organization
az the United States had during the revolu-
tionary war.
The rules of war observed by the Cubans
were humane and honorable, showing none
of the barbarous ferocity of the Spanish
troops. The senator read from the orders
of Maximo Gomez, showing the humane
treatment ordered for prisoners. 1t was
in striking contrast with the murderous
course of Gen. Weyler, the Spanish com
rnander. The entire Spanish force now in
Cuba was indistinctly Spanish. No trus
was placed in any man of Cuban birth
This Spanish force today was greater thar
the entire British force sent to the United
States to combat our struggle for indie
pendence.
While Mr.. Sherman was speaking of the
character of the Cubans Mr.. Morgan asked
to read letter just received from an of
fetal of the National Capital bank of hi,
city. WHO, with tine president OF the bank
had travelled through Cuba. The lette
described the Cubans as an honorable
high-minded people, brave to an extreme
ready to risk their lives for patriotism.
Sherman went on to speak of the ba(
faith of Spain in putting down the forme
rebellion, when reforms were promised an(
never executed. The rule of Spain haG
always been one of oppression and atroci
tiAs. The senator paid a glowing tribute Il
General Gomez, commander of the Gu
bans, who had been pictured as a brigand
"Gomez is man of standing, of charac
Ho ts hi,