The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-12
Senator Hoar Continues His
Speech on Cuba
A TRIBUTE PAID TO OLNEY
A Plea Made for Dignified and Judi.
cial Action
Prom This Time on Sherman VIII Press the
Privileged Question, the House Res.
oIutlon Regarding Cuba

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The Cuban
debate in the senate has advanced to the
stage of one of the greatest debates of the
American congress. and the speech today
Of Senator Hoar was another eventful fea-
ture of the discussion. In this debate the
senators and the crowded galleries are
kept at high tension by such stirring
themes as war and patriotism and liberty.
Mr. Hoar's speech was notable in setting
forth the conservative views of the subject
and urging postponement of action until
April 9Th.
This developed many sharp controversies
from Mr.. Sherman and other senators. In
the main the speech was il favor of digni.
fled and judicial action, instead of excite
ment and disorder of the mob and the i'm
passioned speech of orators. Mr.. Hoar
characterized his colleague, Mr.. Sherman,
as one of the greatest statesman of the
country, whose name will go down in his
tory along with that of Lincoln,
Grant, Seward and his illus
trious brother, and he besought
the Ohio senator not to cbliterate this
brilliant record by hasty and unguarded
action on the Cuban question. Hr. Hoar
did not confine himself to Cuba. but spoke
against congressional meddling in any for
connection, paid glowing tribute to Sec
rotary Olney. and while differing with him
politically, Mr.. Hoar said the secretary of
state was a clear-headed, old-fashioned
Massachusetts Yankee. who could be safe
~ trusted with our foreign negotiations.
The senator added a like tribute to the
sincerity of President Cleveland in dealing
with the Venezuelan question, and de-
clared that any action by congress- attack
ing the presidents course would be an
attack OH America. Mr.. Hoar's motion
for postponement lost its parliamentary
status at o'clock and went to the calen.
dar. Mr.. Sherman announced that from
this time forward he would press the priv !.
legged question. the conference report ac-
cepting the house. Cuban resolutions.
downpour of sleet did not deter the
crowds from coming to the capitol today
and taking possession of the senate CALLER
les.
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska offered the first
development as to Cuba. in the form of a
JOINT resolution urging the president to
make a thorough and rigid investigation
into the present state of war in Cuba !;
whether it is being conducted in accord
ance with the rules OF civilized warfare !;
whether extreme cruelties are being prac-
ticed by either side. particularly toward
non.combatants, and appropriating S2O.-
COO for the purpose of the presidents in
vestiga ion. MIR. Allen did not press for
immediate action and without debate it
went to the committee on foreign relations.
Mr.. Hoar was then recognized onhis res
olution postponing the entire Cuban ques-
ton until April 8, and directing the conf
mttee on foreign relations to make an in
quiry in The mean time.
The senator said his course was taken
viii every feeling of respect for tie chair
man of the foreign relations committee,
tSIernan.) Turning to the latter, Mr..
Hoar added: II regard him as the most
iilustrious public character on the political
stage on this continent today. l sometimes
differ with him, but always with profound
respect for him."
Mr.. Hoar spoke of the serious feeling
prevailing in Spain, which had given the
United States minister at Madrid feeling
of insecurity for himself and family. The
same condition of public irritation had
stuug the spanish minister at Washington
TO a violation of the customary diplomatic
proprieties. 1t indicated the excited con.
dition of feeling prevailing. 1t was con-
trary to that calmness and dignity with
which great subjects should be dealt. This
was not time for imitation of the clamor
of mobs, but for the exercise of the judicial
faculty.
Mr.. Hoar spoke of the entire absence of
facts and Information on the Cuban ques-
ton. The committee on foreign relations
had considered it, and it had brought in a
The committee had cited a document
, which, on inquiry, proved to be the state
ment of the agent in this country of the
Cubans.
MIR. Sherman protested against this
broad characterization of the committee,
and infested there was much information
which MIR Hoar prevented his seeing.
Amid much laughter, Mr.. Hoar besought
his respected friend to let him proceed
without interruption.
II am not prepared said he ironically,
'to 90 to war on the authority of histo.
rian whose name the senator from Maine
did not know and whoss name the senator
from Alabama (Morgan), who knows more
than all of us put together, had forgotten,
and an article i'll the encyclopedia by
Clarence King.
IF the committee on foreign relations
had examined, considered and weighed
these alleged facts and affirmed that they
found any of them true, fail to recall it,"
Mr.; Sherman interposed to protest that
Mr.: Hoar was not stating the case fairly,
calling his attention to the official consll-
lar correspondence from the state depart.
ment, which was comprised in volume of
$50 pages.
Mr.. hoar responded somewhat testify
that what he complained of was the fact
that the committee on foreign relations
had made no investigation. 1t was not
able to report what was true and what was
not true.
Mr.. Hoar warned senators that the adop.
ton OF the resolutions meant the denial of
the rule of International law which we in.
sisted on so strenuously during the rebel.
lion and to which the United States com.
mitted itself through our ministers to all
foreign courts, including Spain.
IF we are pledged in nationa! honor to
anything" said he. 'it is that the Cubans
are not entitled to belligerent rights under
any circumstances"
He read some of the instructions of Sec
relary Seward and quoted the words of
President Wolsey of Yale college against
granting the right OF beiligerency, to show
that if granted belligerency it would have
to lie Withdrawn once the success of the
revolution seemed impossible. He would
like to know, he said, if it was not a matter !
OF great gravity for forty-five states to de- !
clare against our traditional policy and !,
the statement of that eminent interna-
tional authority.
twill you." he asked. looking about the
senate, put the seal of your condemnation |
on the doctrine which Lincoln and Seward, |
and later, Grant, stood by in two Of the |
most important crises in our history?''
Mr.. Hoar cited writer's of International |