Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-21
TALK ABOUT CUBA.
Senators Discuss the Question
Of 6elIigersnt Rights.
UNCLE SAM AS A BUCK fAHsHAw.

with Spain Hhnoelz, which War the
Aiabam. statesman Predicts-A Spanish
Legation Attsclhs Listens to the Debate
from the Diplomatic Gallery.
WASHINGTON, Feb 2l--The Cuban ques-
definite and final action, and it is expected
that votes will DO taken at an early day
on the pending propositions-requesting
Spain to recognise the Independence Of
Cuba, and requesting q recognition of
Cuban belligerency by the United States
There is every indication, also that the
debate will lead to more radical and decis-
i've resolutions The opening of the de-
bate drew large crowds to the galleries,
and there were frequent demonstrations
Of approval at the stirring and dramatic
utteranccs Of several of the speakers.
Lodge and Morgan were particularly fore.
tble and direct in their language, Morgan
expressing the belief that war between the
United States and Spain would result
from recognizing the Cubans as belliger-
ents.
Rise aud Progress Of the Rebellion.
In graphically picturing the rise and
spread Of the rebellion Lodge said: "Just
year ago another revolution began. 1t
began in the eastern part of the island
with a small band of 500 men. With tho
vast Wilderness Of lying bulletins that
come from Spanish sources it is very diff
cult-and it is not worth while perhaps
TO try-to trace the battles which have
been fought. But there are certain great
facts which there is no installing. Those
men who started so fccbly year ago in
the eastern part of the island have crept
over that island from one end to the other
The 800 have grown until even today the
hostile accounts represent them at A, 900
I'm the field. We know that the railroad
lines are cut, that the telegraph lines arc
down, that every report of a Spanish vic
tory that comes to US in the newspapers is
followed by the statement Of fresh in
surgent advance"
Compares Campos and Weyler.
Comparing the former commander, Mar
tinez Campos. with the present one, Gen.
| eral Weyler, Lodge said: Martinez Cam
pos, the ablest general in Spain, has been
recalled because he failed to put down this
instruction, recalled when the insurgent
troops had been actually in the suburbs Of
Havana, and in his place has been sent a
man whose only reputation known to tho
world is that of the most cold -blooded
brutality in the last war for liberty in
that island .. Cuba is fighting not
only for independence. These men are
fighting-every one of them-with a price
on their heads and a rope around their
necks."
Pleads for Stop to the War.
There was hearty applause rs Lodge
closed with the following pcroration: IF
that war goes on in Cuba with the added
horrors which this new general Brings
with him; if it continues the responsible
ity is on u.s. We cannot escape it, We
should exert every influence of thcC nited
States, standing as believe they do for
humanity and civilization. We should
exercise every influence Of our great coun-
try to put a stop to that great war
which is now raging there, and try to
give to that island once moro peace and
liberty and security"
Congress Supreme in the Matter.
Morgan, who reported the resolution,
expressed the opinion that "any action
that this country might take looking to
Cuban recognition would result i'm war
| with Spain" The galleries broke into loud
applause when, in response to a question
by Frye, Morgan saiG: "My opinion is
that congress has the perfect. independent,
absolute right to make this recognition Of
| belligerency, or a declaration of indepen-
dence; and IL 1t is necessary to enforce it
by any military movement at sea or on
land 1t has the right to command the
| commander-in-chief Of the army and navy
to go on the field If it Is necessary, and ex-
pose his person to the execution of that or.
der. That is my opinion"
RErncHurrnr nm