Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-25
SENATOR MILLS
Is 0utspoken In His Desire to
Help the Poor Cubans.
Would Seize the Island If Spain Re-
fuses It Self-Government.
Declares That Our Right 10 Do is Right I
Sell. Preservation.

Washington, March 24.-Mills al.
dressed the Senate on his resoiu-
ton looking to the seizure Of
Cuba by the United States if Spain re-
fuses to grant government He
said the United States never had
asserted that it had any rights
in ireland, Hungary, Poland or
elsew here in Europe; but it as
serted its rights in every solitary
acre of land on the western hen,i-
sphere 1t had there the highest
right-the right of self-preservation
The Monroe doctrine. he declared, Nas
as old as humanity; God Almighty WAS
its author For when He made mau
He placed in him the right to preserv"
his life and liberty.
Mills reviewed the declarations OF
President jefferson in relation to the
Louisiana purchase, when as American
minister to France, he was instructed
to notify Napoleon that if he would
not sell that territory TO the United
States. the United States would allay
itself to Great Britain and sweep the
French fleets OFF the ocean to mainta n
the right of the United States to the
mouth of the Mississippi river-not-
Withstandng France had a perfect
title TO it.
We have said" Mills continue l.
that we will resist With all tie
power Of this government thu transfer
of Cuta to any European power i
has been the unchallengad American
doctrine that Cuba snail remain with
Spain unless il come t. us Wherever
ing duties. The people of the I'rited
States owe to that oppressed and down
trodden people Of Cuba Ia say to Spain
The aOur has come when you must
stop your iniquities We are response
BILE for the slavery Of that people. :or
every drop Of blood you have shed
for every dollar you have stolen. Cuba
has the right to appeal 10 us, and W.
intend that you shall give her free
government
Mills read letter detailing the atrpC-
tiles said to have been perpetrated by
Gen Weyler in the last Cuban war
and he characterized him as AR
atrocious scoundrel" who would not be
IN Cuba, today, if the United States
had drawn her sword, as il was he
duty to do. and establish a government;
that would protect helpless females IL
their homes. Mills compared the pro-
lection which SPAN gives to Cuba t.
that which he hawk gives to the dove
and said that all these atrocities WEI.
committed while the C1ited States was
acting as a taller and guardian. /;
was the duty of tie United States
Mills declared, either to protect tht
people of Cuba or say to France. Eng
land ard other European power, -
YOU want the island take it"
The United States should say to
Spain: You shall give that island
| self government or we will" We are
| able to do it. too, Mills added He said
| that the opposition to American inter
ference in Cuban affairs came fro.n
those who thought they had right to
receive a cargo from Ctba and make
| 100000 on it. and the right to send 81
cargo to Cuba and make S100 600 on it,
These were the things that were
pokng their heads up all over tn"
country and pleading against 'jingos -"
He had received a letter from New
York. today speaking of him a.
| another fool who had turned lingo. IKE
| Sherman and Lodge. and signed A
| Disguised Democrat"
| Mills spoke of Cuba as a cripple w
| ing at the gate of a fortress that com
| mands the lbities of the American
people and crying for help. He said
| that thu American people would, after
e.lift her to her feet aud en-
able her to stand and walk
Morgan presented additional, ,urre-
spondance bearing on the Cuban
question; and then the joint resolution
was sent to the calendar
The legislative appropriation bill
was taken up. All the committee
amendments We're disposed of. and
then numerous amendments were Of
fered The bill did not reach a fral
vote, but went over till tomorrow.
The Senate at $50 adjourned.