The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-29


II share in the responsibility of the
course we must take" said Sherman in
closing. and confident in the justice of
this course. confident in the justice of
the Almighty Ruler of the universe.
feel we should aid in securing for Cuba
the same liberty we now enjoy"
Sherman was warmly applauded as
he closed and Gallinger took the floor.
He graphically pictured the wrongs
which Spain inflicted on the Cubans,
quoting many newspaper articles, and
declared that General Weyler was be-
ginning to live up to his fame. In con-
clusion he said: God speed the day
when Cuba shall be free
Lodge asked to have splaced In the
Record the outline of Weyler's forth
coming precipitation, sent by the cor
respondent ofthe associated press. and
said this alone would justify any ac-
ton the senate would take. General
Weyler's policy OF shooting down de-
fenseless people was begun. said Lodge.
There was a people struggling against
wrongs, beside which the grievances
which led the American colonies to
rebel against Great Britain wes moth
ing. The insurgents had gained the
rights of recognition by a year OF war
fare"
Frye said: "I am heartsick and tired
to see, day after day. this splendid re-
public OF ours doing police duty for the
most wicked nation on the face of the
earth. After reading an account of the
seizure of the Bermuda. Frye, continli
ing, said that he had been mortified and
Inundated by 1t beyond measure. AL
though recognizing the supremacy of
law he would have been delighted IL
Almighty God. without loss of human
life, could have sent a commotion OF
nature to send skyward the seizing ves-
sci and speed the other Cubaward." In
closing he said he would vote for any
thing that would aid the cause of the
patriots who were successfully strug-
Cling to wrest liberty from the grasp
of a relentless despotism.
Senator Caffery took an opposing
view on the question. He declared
Spain must be treated as belonging TO
the family of civilized nations, and said
all rules OF international law should
prevail in the dealings of this nation
with the rebellion. Attacks upon the
past conduct of Spain were out of place
in this discussion. Spain was not sin
gular in her record for ferocity. What
had we, asked the senator, to warrant
a declaration of belligerency, much less
of independence? There was not a scin-
tilla of actual evidence warranting this
action.
The senator said he did not favor any
course contemplating the taking up of
arms against Spain in favor OF Cuba
If we interfered in the affairs Of Cuba,
he said, we do 80 with the implied
threat that we will protect Cuba.
Against the powers of the United
States, Spanish chivalry and valor
would not last half a campaign. Lest
we incur the imputation of bullying a
weaker nation, the United States should
move with caution. Caffery opposed
the resolutions because congress had no
power and the facts did not warrant
action II we had the power.
Allen read an argument as to the le-
gal right of congress to recognize in
dependence. The senator spoke at great
length. referring to Spain as an out
lawed nation" and weyler as a bloody
butcher" Allen said he would not only
recognize Cuba, but he would establish
her as one of the nations of the earth.
and for that purpose would summon
our armies and fleets to Cuba's aid.
At this point numerous amendments,
some verbal. were offered. One by Call
proposed a proclamation by the presi-
dent recognizing the independence of
Cuba.
Pasco called attention to the import
ant fact that the pending committee
resolution was concurrent" which,
according to usage. did not need the
presidents signature. He urged that ii
be a Joint" resolution. thus endors-
ing the president in his action.
The resolution against adopting a
Joint resolution said Sherman, "is that
the president would be compelled TO act
within 10 days. while a concurrent res
olution will express the wish of con-
gress and allow the president to act
when the circumstances warrant"
Pasco offered an amendment direct
ing the president to issue a proclama-
tion of belligerency.
Cameron offered an amendment for
extending the friendly ofices OF the
United States to Spain for the recogni-
ton Of the independence Of Cuba.
II am authorized by the committee
on foreign relations to accept that
amendment" said Sherman. Sherman
moved to lay on the table the resolution
of White requesting the executive
branch to grant belligerency. and add
ing sympathetic expressions. The mo-
tion prevailed-yeas 81. nays II
This afforded the first test of the SEN
ate against a limited sympathy resolu-
tion. The vote to table the White res
olution was as follows:
Yeas-Republicans: Allison, Baker.
Brown. Burrows. Cameron. Cannon,
Carter. Chandler, Clark. Cullom. Davis.
Dubois, Elkins. Frye. GaIIinger. Gear.
Hawley. Lodge. Mcbride. Mcmillan
Mantle. Mitchell (oregon). Nelson,
Proctor. Quay. Sherman, Shoup.
Squire. Teller. Wilson and Warren.
Democrats-Bacon, Berry. Call. Chill
ton. Cockrell. Daniel. Faulkner. Glib
son. German. Gray. Irby. Jones CAR
Kansas. Lindsay. Mills. Martin. Nor