The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-09
The Cuban Question Drew
a Big Crowd.
Stringent Penalties for Mutiny
on the High Seas.
Committee on Foreign Relations to
Report Available Facts.

WASHINGTON, March 9.--The prospect
that the Cuban question would reach It's
final legislative stage drew large crowds
to- the Senate galleries today. BY II
o'clock all of the public galleries were
taxed to their full capacity and the at
tendance In the reserved galleries indicat-
ed that every available seat would be oc-
cupied by the time the early routine
was cleared away. Mr.. Sherman, chair
man OF the committee on foreign relations,
was early at his desk. He had given no.
tice that he would move during the morn
ing hour, lasting until o'clock, the
adoption OF the conference repsrt agree
ing to House Cuban resolutions and
while this is usually formal proceed
ing, IL was expected in this case TO renew
the animated Cuban debate and in apy
event to close the Cuban question SO far
as Congress is concerned.
The bill was passed liking stringent
penalties for mutjny and other offenses
on American vessels on the high seas,
whether participated In by passengers or
the crew. Before the main branch OF the
Cuban question came up Mr.. Hoar (Rep.,
Mass.,) offered two resolutions bearing
on the subject. One, which went over
under the rules, postponed further consid-
Grafton of the Cuban resolutions until
April o, and directed the committee on
foreign relations in the meantime to Sc
cufe and report all available facts. Mr..
Hoar did not press this to consideration
ana Ii went over. The other resolution
from Mr.. Hoar, which was agreed, to calls
ON the President for all available infor-
nation as to the status OF affairs in Cuba,
particularly so far as they concern the in
terests of the United States.
AT :l5 Mr.. Sherman moved the adoption
OF the conference report accepting the
House Cuban resolutions. BY this time
the public galleries were packed. In the
diplomatic gallery sat Mr.. Hoe and Mr.
Chung of the Chinese legation; Baron
Von Gettlar of the German emhass I;
Minister Mendonca Of Brazil, and other
members OF the diplomatic corps.
MIR. Hale (Rep., Me- spoke energeti-
cally against the resolutions. he said he
did MOI think the senate posses ed the
Information justlfying the resolutions
recognizing the belligerents. He did not
think the infiam matory statements made
by Senators in justifying the resolution
were backed up by facts. In 1870 this same
condition of affairs existed and an effort
was made 10 involve the United States in
the CONTROVERSY. At that time the House
committee on foreign Affairs, presided
over by General Banks, reported
a resolution similar to this one,
but fortunately for the cause
of peace and progress, there was
then." said Mr.. Hale, "a man in the Pres
ident's chair whose love of liberty and
patriotism was certainly equal to hat of
any of the members of the committee on
foreign relations, a man who knew the
real meaning of war-General Grant.
The message General Grant sent to Con-
gress Is as pertinent today as 1t was at
that time and 1t was an unanswera bic
plea against the present resolutions.
Mr.. Gray interrupted To ask what result
had come from General Grants message.
"It had" continued Mr.. Hale, "become
the congressional resolution to nothing.
That message was SO d stinct, so unan-
swerable, that in the PRESENCE OF that
great calm man all excitement disappear
ed and the resolution came TO naught." T"