Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-29


some sort OF protection, some sort OF Justice
and liberty. consistent with an enlightened
age must be shown from these peopleY
"spain now contemplates the annihilatlor
OF ali the able-bodied men OF Cuba In order
10 crush this uprising Spain owed to Cuba
as much as Turkey owes to Armenia, or as
the United ststes to Venezuela, duty oi
protection, and II this protection is not giyer
then the point has been reached when the
Urited states should move for the severance
OF Cuba from Spain."
A. 115 Mr.. sherman began his speech
closing the debate. He spoke OF The Keen
sersltiveness Of the Spanish people ana then
tendency TO quickly resent any act they re-
garied as injurious to them. But MT
sherman said he felt that the time had come
when the United States must intervene to
nut an end to crime almost beyond descript-
ion The senator said he would not te-entel
on the legal arguments so fully covered by
Mr. Morgan. but he referred TO several
pamphlets presented by Mr.. Estrada Palma
the agent and representative OF the Cuoans
In this country
Mr.. sherman said the statement bore the
STAMP of authenticity. He said 1t over
were scattered. unorganized bands. 1t
showed the organization OF legislature
of the army, Of the president-the latter q
man OF high character. II was as complete
an organization as the United states mad
during the revolutionary war.
The rules of war observed by the Cuoens
were humane and honorable, showing none
OF the barbarous ferocity OF the Spanish
troops The senator read from the order
of General Maxine Gomez showing the hu-
name treatment ordered Tor prisoners
IL was in striking contrast with the MUIR
derous course pursued by General Weyler,
the Spanish commander. The entire Span
ish force now In Cuba was distinctly Span
ish No trust was placed In any man OF
Cuban birth. This Spanish force today was
rft tt~h
TO the United States to combat our strug-
gle for Independence.
While Mr.. Sherman was speaking OF the
character OF the Cubans Mr.. Morgan askei
to read letter Just received from an OIL
cial of the National Capital bank of this
city, who with the president of the bank,
had Travelled through Cuba. The letter de-
scribed the Cubans as an honorable, cbiv-
alrous, high-minded people. brave to an ex-
treme, ready to risk their lives for patriot
ism.
BAD FAITH OF SPAIN.
Mr.. Sherman went on to speak OF the
bad faith OF Spain in putting down the
former rebellion, when reforms were prom
ised and never executed. The rule OF Spain
has always been one Of iron. Of oppression
and of atrocities. The senator paid glow
ing tribute to General Gomez, commander OF
the Cubans, who had been pictured as a
brgand
"Gomez is a man OF standing, Of char
rcter." said Mr.. Sherman. HE is probably
an idealist. Born in San Domingo, he went
to Cuba to fight this cause of liberty. He
ought to be, and will be, considered a pa
triot at some speedy day."
Turning to the material interests OF the
United States in Cuba, he showed that the
trade of the island with the United States
was s32 900. 900 annually, and the trade of
the United States with the island was $l9,-
900, 900. but mark it, said Mr.. Sherman
81 do not favor the annexation of Cuba to
the United States. In my judgment the
island should become part of Mexico, being
Of the same people, and l would be glad to
see that accomplished"
Mr. Sherman said he would now turn his
attention to "the saddest phase Of this
whole subject" He referred to the recall
of General Campos. humane soldier, and
the substitution of General Weyler, who
has been well christened "the butcher" "The
events of the last thirty days in connect
tion with this appointment had changed his
whole feeling" he said. "This man Weyler
Is one Of the worst men who could be sent
to pacify a people. His warfare is massa-
ere. He openly avows 1t. He is a brute,
with the blood OF defenseless men and
women
In support of this statement Mr.. Sher-
man sent to the desk and had read eX
tracts which were most startling and SEN
sational. They recited atrocities of Weyler's
former command in Cuba. which sent a
noticeable murmur of horror through the
crowded galleries. One OF the statements
was that General Weyler had captured pa
rents and their several daughters, pretty
senoritas. He had ordered the young girls
stripped naked and then compelled them
to dance thus naked before the Spanish
troops, while the parents. driven to the
point of insanity, stood by. But this was
not all. Mr.. Sherman was interrupted at
this point and asked that the recital be
suspended. The senator went on to give
extracts from recent interviews with Wey-
Ter. In which he spoke OF extermnating
the Cubans. These showed him to be, said
Mr.. Sherman. demon rather than gem
eial.
WARNED THE GALLERIES.
Then the senator added: 'If this con-
tinues, no earthly power can prevent the
people Of the United States from going to
that island, sweeping over 1T from end
to end ana driving out these barbarans."
At this fervid sentence the galleries broke
into loud and continued applause, while the
vice president loudly gave warning that
under their rules II the demonstration was
repeated, the galleries would be cleared.
Mr.. Sherman said every Christian heart re-
volted at this rule of oppression. We did
not want any Armenia at our doors. We
could not shield ourselves, like Great Brit
ain by saying Armenia was too far away.
Cuba was right beside us. The rules of
civilized society, the spirit OF the age. de-
InuUueu tUdt Dpdlil DS cOIHpelleu 10
stop these cruelties. Not only the United
States, but the countries of the world would
unite In this demand and II Spain failed
to heed it, and Weyler carried out his pro-
jected plans. there was not a point on the
American hemisphere which would not take
up arms to put an end to the infamy. /
stand responsible for the course we must
take" said Mr.. Sherman In closing, land
confident in the justice Of this course, con-
fident In the justice of the Almighty Ruler
Of the universe, l feel we should aid in
securing Cuba the same liberty We now
enjoy"
Mr.. Sherman was again warmly applauded
as he closed, and Mr. Gallinger took the
door, He graphically portrayed the woes
which Spain inflicted on the Cubans, quoting
many newspaper articles. and declared that
General Weyler was beginning to live up
to his name. In conclusion he said: God
speed the day when Cuba shall be free"
Mr.. Lodge asked to have placed in the
Record the outline Of Weyler's forthcoming
proclamation sent by the correspondent of
the Associated press and said this alone
would justify any action the senate would
take. General Weyler's policy of shooting
down defenseless people was begun, said
Mr.. Lodge.
''There was people struggling against
wrongs beside which the grievances which
led the American colonies to rebel against
Great Britain were nothing. The insurgents