The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-03-12
CUBAN DEBATE NAXED WARM.
ANOTHER PROLONGED DISCUS
SION OF THE QUESTION IN
THE SENATE.
BILL aimed At OKLAHOMA TERRITORY
A Bill Passed the House Making "A
Years Continuous Residence in
Territory Prerequisite to
Obtaining n Divorce.

Washington, March 10.-The crowds
which filled the senate gallery today in
anticipation of an exciting Cuban debate
were not disappointed. Today two new
phases of the subject made their ap-
pearance and each afforded a debate
which aroused senator's and spectators to
high stage of interest and excitement.
Mr.. Lodge Rep) of Massachusetts
arose to Il question of personal privilege
and in vigorous words rcbukcd the Span
ish minister. Senior Depuy de lone, for
his recent criticisms of senator's.
Senator Teller added his opinion that II
repetition of the minister's action should
be followed by his dismissal.
Senators Gray and Hale maintained
that senatorial privileges and prerogatives
should not be strained to close the mouth
Of the Spanish minister.
Mr.. Lodge did not press for any definite
action.
The incident was hardly closed when
the subject came up in another form.
Mr.. Hoar had asked that his resolution
postponng the entire Cuban subject
until April q go over until tomorrow.
This aroused Mr.. Sherman to an encr-
getic and feeling protest. He declared
that Mr.. Hoars resolution was Il reilcc-
ton on the committee on foreign rela-
tons and was an effort TO shelvc the
Cuban resolutions after weeks of discus
sion and overwhelming votes in both
houses. The two venerable senator's,
Sherman and HOar. engaged in vigor-
Gus colloquy.
Mr.. Morgan and other senators were
drawn into the personal conflict, and for
half an hour it ragged, sometimes with
deep carncstncss, but more often with
amusement, caused by the energy CT the
white-haired participants.
Mr.. Sherman finally withdrew his OBJ
lection and Mr.. Hoar's resolution went
over until tomorrow, but not before Mr..
Hoar had made brief but telling speech
against what he termed the mcddling
policy of congress in foreign questions.
The latter part of the day was given to
n continuance Of Mr.. Turpcs speech in
opposition to the claim of Mr. Dupont.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, March 1O.-The Cuban
question continues to be Il drawing card
in the senate. attracting large crowds.
Az suCn as the journal had been read,
Mr.. Lodge ,hsn) of Massachusetts rose
to a question Of personal privilege. He
said he had read on Sunday an interview,
attributed to Senior Dupuy de Lone OF
Spain. There was nothing singular i'll
this fact, as the Spanish minister COM
municated largely through the news
papers. But in this ease the minister had
called in question the accuracy Of Il state
ment made by him Godge). The sena-
tor sent to the desk and had read the
minister's reference to Mr.. Lodges ut
terances calling in question the transla-
ton of Il statement attributed to Cen
cral Weylcr, in which the latter declared
that he would "cXtcrminatc' the insur-
gents.
Mr.. Lodge commented upon the exact
ness of the translation and said that II
literal rendering of General Wcyler's
language would he that he would "clean
out" the large insurgent bands and "cX-
terminate" the small ones.
Mr.. Lodge said he did not wonder ut
the extreme senstivcncss of the Spanish
people, but he did not think this offered
any excuse for the Spanish minister in
adopting the course he had. He Ode
Lome) had been referred to as Il his
Iorian, but in truth he was the OK parte
of Spain and what he dis
closed from time to time subtracted from
ne lunu VI ScutIul lnlol Ilitloi VII 'ht
Cuban question. 1t was pretty well es-
Iablished that the business in the senate
md house were purely domestic matters
and that it was not proper for foreign
to communicate except
through the state department. If an
American minister in Europe discussed
the political affairs there he would be
sent home.
Mr.. Lodge read from the letter of
Daniel Webster. when secretary of state,
against the statement of an
minister as to Il domestic mat
ter. The senator added Il most en-
phatic protest against public comment by
any diplomatic representative on the
debates in congress. The constitution
protected senators for language used in
debate. 1t was one of the safeguards
of free speech.
Mr.. Lodge said he knew what any for
cign government would do with minis
ter taking such a course. He knew
what had been done under like circum-
stances. He knew what Daniel Web
stcr would have done in such Il case
Mr.. Gray Dcm.) of Delaware said the
to the Judgment of sclf-respecting Ma
ton. unmovcd by the demonstrations ut
Valencia or Madrid, and without being
turned aside to discuss n question of
between a senator and
Mr.. Gray said he would he quick to
resent an attack on the privileges of Il
senator; but, in all fairness, he thought
it hardly worth while to stretch sena-
torial prcrogativcs and privileges in or
der to question q gentleman who had no
power to reply on behalf of Spain. Our
feeling will he better expressed if we do
not take advantage of every criticism
which differs from our own views. There
should be some concession to the stress
of the situation. This was most vital
time for Spain'nnd for the Spanish min
ister With this stress of circumstances
we should not be over-nicc in insisting
on diplomatic prospects and in finding
fault with the minister, in view of what
had been said in the senate.
Mr.. Teller said the rules were unvary-.
ing against communication by foreign
except through the state de-
partment. There should be no comment
by foreign minister. He should not be
heard ut all except in the regular chan
nels. Twice had foreign ministers been
sent home for statements of less impor
lance than this.
"But, considering the circumstances,
added Mr.. Teller, had | been in au-
thority | would not have sent him home
for this offense, but | would have the
secretary of state. in most kindly way,
suggest that Il repetition of the offensc
would lead to his going home
Mr.. Teller then turned to the conditions
in Spain. He did not think the outbreak
Of students should have given offense.
IL I -.Ils