The San Francisco call., 1896-02-29

on the war, and containing an order of
General Maximo Gomez as 10 the humane
treatment of prisoners that might fall into
the hands of the insurgents; and vet, he
said, this man Gomez had been denounced
as a murderer and barbarous criminal, like
the one he would speak of after while,
Captain General Weyler.
Speaking Of the last ten years. war in
Cuba, Sherman said it cost $500, ,OOO, 600 to
Spain, and had only ceased when fair and
liberal terms were made with the Cubans
by General Campos, the greatest general
whom Spain had produced in later years.
But Spain had failed to keep her agree
ment, having violated it, and the conse-
ouence was that, in few years afterward.
all the Cabans took up arms again.
Sherman alluded to the historical cruel
ties exercised by Spain and her military
commanders, by Pizarro and Cortez in
Mexico and Peru, and by the Duke of Alba
in The Netherlands. Speaking of the
rebel general, Gomez. Sherman said he
was a man of standing and character
probably an idealist. But he ought to be
and would probably soon be considered a
patriot. He referred to General Grant 3
sympathy during his Presidency and to
the fact that ne himself had introduced a
resolution in the Senate on the subject,
but owing to the opposition of Hamilton
Fish (then Secretary of State) the matter
was dropped. He went on to say that he
was not in favor of the annexation Of Cuba
to the United States. In his judgment
Cuba should be attached to Mexico, be-
cause Cubans and Mexicans spoke the
same language, had the same origin, the
same antecedents and many of the same
characteristics.
Sherman sent to the clerks desk and
had read extracts from a Spanish book,
printed in New York newspaper, recit-
ing horrible cruelties charged against
Weyler, some of the incidents being so
bad that he directed the clerk to omit
them. He spoke of these deeds as barbar-
GUS atrocities and as inhuman cruelties,
and said that Weyler was a demon rather
than general. He denounced the idea of
putting such man in command of 100, 600
troops, to ride rough. shod, kill and
slaughter feeble body of people and he
declared Tin the most solemn terms} tn at
II this kind of policy is pursued by Spain
IN Cuba and If the people of the United
States be notified of it there is no earthly
power that will prevent the people of the
United States from going over to that
island, running all over its length and
breadth, and driving out those robbers and
imitators OF the worst men that ever lived
in the world. Applause from crowds in
the gallery
IL" Sherman continued, NV eyler car
ries out his projected plan, there is not a
~;
contribute to put an end to this violence.
1t has lasted long enough. The Cuban
people ought to be allowed in their own
way to form their own government and to
be as free as we are. Every Christian man
or woman who believes in the ciyiliza-
tion OF this age-every one in this broad
land-hates tyranny and oppression,
whether ii comes from a governor o. ty-
rant. We are opposed to cruelty..-We do
not wish an Armenia near our shores. We
will not shield ourselves behind the posi-
tion taken by Great Britain that Armenia
is too far away and that she could not pre-
vent Armenians from being murdered
That was no doubt a true position for
England 10 take. 1t would be difficult for
England to interfere. But this island lies
right at our shores; few hours will carry
us across to Havana. a beautiful island
it is, too-rich in products, tine best sugar
land in the world, with people of gentle
and kindly race, not disposed to warfare
except to resist tyranny and oppression.
Whatever" Sherman concluded, "may
be the result of the adoption of this meas
ure desire to take my share of responsi-
biIity for it, and with a confidence in the
A ID
Universe ! believe it will be wise if we can
assist and if ali the other nations of Amer
lea will concur in giving to the people of
Cuba the same liberties we now enjoy.
Applause.
Gallinger {R.) of New Hampshire spoke
in favor of the resolution. He would give
Spain to understand that the same love of
liberty which burned so brightly on the
battle-fields of the American Revolution
were still in the hearts of the American
people.
Frye (R.) of Maine said he would do, or
say or vote anything consistent with the
honor or integrity of the United States to
assist the Cuban patriots to wrest liberty
from the grasp of a cruel and relentless
despotism.
Caffery CD of Louisiana said the United
States had no right to violate any one OF
the principles of international law. Con-
gress had no power to make recognition
of Cuban belligerency or independence,
and ii it had the power, the facts did not
justify such recognition.
Lodge (R.) of Massachusetts spoke in
favor of taking the most advanced posi-
tion toward helping the Cuban cause. He
read portion of the last proclamation of
Captain-General Weyler and said that
proclamation seemed to justify any action
that Congress might take.
Allen (Pop.) of Nebraska took issue
with the position assumed by Gray (D.) of
Delaware, and contended that the power
of recognizing belligerency or independ-
ence rested in Congress, not IN the Chief
Executive. He declared himself in favor
OF resolution recognizing not only bel
igerent rights, but complete independ-
ence, and he would invite the President to
issue proclamation to that effect and to
admit to diplomatic circles the represen-
tatiye of the Republic of Cuba on terms of