The herald., 1896-02-28
AN IMpASsIONED APPEAL
For Recognition Of Belligerent Rights
of Cubans
Passes Resolutions Recognizing the
Beiiigerency Of Cuban Insurgents
Associated Press Special Wire

Che Cuban resolution would be taken at 4
p. NJ. tomorrow and the debate was pro-
ceeding, Mr.. White of California and Mr..
Gray of Delaware contending as legal
proposition that the United States at this
time could not recognize Cuba's independ-
ence. 1lnis aroused Mr.. Vest, first for
questions of remonstrance and then to one
oR the bursts of eloquence with which he at
times electrifies the senate. He spoke
u Spain as the toothless old woman who
had lost one by one all her litter and was
still cEinging to this single remaining cub.
He pictured Spain the impotent Giant
Of Despair of the Pilgrims Progress. gaz-
tng on defeat. In impassioned words he
beauty and fervor, adding, with raging en-
phasjs, that the Cuban patriots would
never, never, never again become the un-
willing subject of Spain.
A. the close of the speech Mr.. Gray, who
oppossd Mr.. Vest. said that if eloquence
burning words of the Missouri senator
would set her free. The debate will be
closed by Mr.. Sherman tomorrow. It is
considered certain that favorable decision
will be taken on one of the several resolIl-
taons, the only doubt being whether it shall
yelete to independence or belligerency,
and - to the extent of it.
Tho army appropriation bill, carrying
a1,out $23 900 900, was passed during the
At the opening of the senate Rev. Mr..
A6ilburn, in his prayer, made eloquent ref.
srelce to the death of Mr.. Shankiin, q vet
oran employe.
Senator Proctor of Vermont addressed
the Senate on the question of coast de-
1ense. The senator's former services as
secretary of war gave added interest to his
HsmArks. At the outset he quoted a state
ment by Admiral Walker to the effect that
II the English were to send over such q
naval force as they could spare from
Europe they would have their own way
here. The senator took the ground that
land Notifications are much more efficient
for coast defense than a navy, aud when
once constructed are durable, cheaply
maintained and easily strengthened, in
that the defense of our cities cannot be
left to the navy alone, however large, and
that q navy that would equal the great
navies of Europe is unnecessary and its
cost makes such . navy impracticable.
The senator said that the total amount
appropriated up to date from and includ-
increase of the navy was $1lO,371 ,71O,
and during the same time only $1O,631 :
71O for coast defense.
1--WE also spent, he continued, ''mill-
Ions in deepening the approaches to our
harbors to make them accessible to a hos
tile feet and practically nothing for their
defense.
1--WE have neglected the work which
should have been done first and which
would have been more than completed
for tie sum spent on the navy, while the
navy, still far too small to protect itself,
T. left without the protection Of system
ct harbpr defense, which should have pre-
ceeded its construction. 1t is to be hoped
the British war office and admiralty have
not plans in detail of our partially con-
atructed mine and torpedo systems. There
il no danger of exposing our weak points.
They are we'll KNOWN
Speaking again of the navy, the senator
said that brief comparison taken from
the last report of the secretary will demon
strate how hopelessly behind foreign pow-
ers the United STATES is in naval equip
ment. This was particularly true as re-
CARDS Great Britain, our traditional enemy.
He also compared the inadequacy of our
navy with what coast defenses would ac-
eomplish, and said:
''Such is our navy; but suppose that a
like sum had been expended on land de-
3enses. what would the country now have
70 show for the expenditure?"
The senator quoted Admiral Walker as
saying that if our harbors were properly
1ortthed no squadron would attempt to
tAke them; presented tables comparing
The cost of land and floating batteries,
showing the great excess of cost when bat
1eries are placed in ships, and cited events
In the China-Japan war to show that the
Japanese land forces were an essential
factor in the capture of Port Arthur and
Wei Hal Wei.
In the course of his further remarks he
said:
"1t would be much better to provide the
land Notifications at a cost SO many times
less than the expense of making our navy
anything like equal to that of Great Brit
ain. inasmuch as it is universally admitted
that the land Notifications will render our
coasts impregnable.
"The needs of the country appeal to con-
gress for action in this direction: the
Doundless capital represented in property
shat could be destroyed by bombardment
appeals to US; the material interests of the
whole nation that would be affected by
that destructi On appeal to US; our common
sense appeals to us. We can effect our
purpose more cheapiy now than hereafter.
Lot us provide suitable Notifications and
render our harbors impregnable. What
ever works are made will be such that ad-
ditions can from time to time be made to
make them equal to Withstand the advance
of science. If we do this we will receive
the commentator of the whole country
A breeze was caused by the introduction
OF q resolution authorizing the committee
on coast defenses to visit places requiring
coast defenses, to send for papers, per-
sons, etc. Cockrell of Missouri thought the
resolution was very broad, allowing the
committee to take tour around The coun-
try. Squire, chairman of the committee.
said the only visit contemplated was to
Sandy Hook. He consented to a modifica-
tion OF q resolution that the committee's
"Trip be limited to the defenses of New
York city. 1t was adopted in this form.
There was a stir over printing So 900
copies of the report by Rev. Sheldon Jack
son, relative to introducing reindeers in
Alaska. Vest demonstrated against this
eenseless "fad.' Tale, who introduced the
resolution, admitted there was no consid-
cradle force in the plan. Tho resolution
was adopted after the number books was
materially reduced.
bill was passed pensioning Christopher
ecnmidt. private citizen of ST. Paul.
Ainn., at $40 month, because of blind
meas resulting from a shot striking him
while he chanced to pass before a life
range at Fort Smelling, MINI.
On the conclusion of Mr.. Proctor's
speech, the bill was passed for the con-
struction OF two steam revenue cutters, 10
cost not to exceed $250,0UO each, for use
on th0 Pacific coast. The army appropria-
ticn. ecarrEihete SIS, ,279, 900, was then
pAeeed The Cuban resolution was then
teken,HAAQd Mr.. Morgan asked unani-
nt6t6; coafsnt that q fiYial'vote on the res
ciut5ch a}y sna sH amendments be taken at
This led to Scqpsiderable discussion. but
a aereement Was finally reached for
Mr.. Sherman stated that he would speak