The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-10
SENATOR HALE ON CUBA.
Maine Man Discusses the Senate
Resolutions.
OPPOSES THEIR ADOPTION In AN
EARNEST SPEECH.

Says Condition of Affairs On the island
Has Been Misrepresented-If There
Are Cruelties Both Sides Practice
Them-Not United States Place to Rem
ton Matters.
Washington, March 9-There were
large crowds in the Senate galleries at
the opening of the session this morning.
A bill for the punishment Of offences
| on the high seas was reported from the
| judiciary committee and was after some
opposition. passed.
| At Ito, Mr.. Sherman called up the
| conference report OH the Cuban resolu-
tions. Thereupon Mr.. Hoar offered
resolution which went over under the
rules that the consideration of the con-
ference report relating to Cuba be post
poned till April, and that the commit
tee on foreign relations be directed to
report the facts which in its opinions
justify the adoption of such resolutions
Mr.. Hoar also offered q resolution which
was agreed to requesting the President
1
not Incompatible with the public inter
ests, all the facts in his possession relat-
ing to the existing conflict on the island
OF Cuba..and especially such as affect the
interests aud duty of the United States
in the premises.
The conference report on the Cuban
concurrent resolution having been laid
before the Senate, Mr.. Hale of Maine,
spoke in opposition to it. The conditions
existing did not, he believed, justify
recognition OF those in rebellion against
a friendly government. The infiamma-
tory appeals of the Senators based upon
statements that were not corrobOrated,
were not sufficient to pursuade him to
act other than he had acted. Subsequent
events and later information only proved,
Mr. Hale said, the business of the posit-
lon he had assumed
1 Mr. Hale reviewed the history Of the
previous insurrection in Cuba and the
action Of the House then. which was al
most identical with what it was at this
time. Fortunately for the country and
| its peace. President Grant refused to take
the action urged by the House. Gen.
Grant was as great lover of liberty,
| committee on foreign relations and knew
probably, great deal more about the state
! as belligarent rights. The message he
sent to Congress was such clear ex-
position OF the law that the resolutions
OF the House went for naught and all
excitement was at once abated. Mr..
Hale said b G did not intend to speak at
length upon the subject, but would
be content to cite quotations from Presi-
dent GRANTS message, although sent to
| Congress during the previous insurrec-
tion, was as applicable to the present day
as II it was freshly laid on the desk OF
the presiding officer of the Senate.
Mr.. Hale sent to the clerks desk and
had read extracts from the message of
President Grant. IT any dispassionate
men. he said were today to make a re-
view Of the conditions in Cuba. no Ian
guage could better portray the present
situation there than the language of
Gen: Grant. 1t was characterized by
good sense, patriotism and clear discern
should, Mr. Hale said, be accepted today
as the doctrine of this country.
The insurgents in Cuba today, he as
serted, had no govern ment except on
paper, they hold no courts, their power
is seated In struggling bands in strag-
Cling camps. 1t not only has not won
battle, but 1t has not fought what has
been called battle. 1t Els clear case
OF pure guerrilla warfare.
There was no comparison between the
conditions in Cuba and the Southern
States during our rebellion, when for
eign governments recognized their rights
as belligerents. The Southern States held
at that time disputed possession of vast
territory, mad set up their own govern
ment, organized courts of justice, mobi-
II zed armies and sustained navy, Not
one OF these details had been secured in
Cuba by the insurgents. Recognition
due them by foreign governments was
cone IN courteous language and not
through the passage of insulting reso-
lutions
Mr.. Hale wanted to know why 1t was
that such considerable proporti on of
the press was seeking to drive Congress
TO take some action; why such strong
sentiment on the part of the American
people; why such a large vote in the
senate in view of the actual conditions
as they exist In Cuba.
MIR. Hale said it was because Congress
and the people had been Informed false
ly OF the condition of Cuba, and told of
things that did not exist. The debate
In the Senate showed an ingenius at
tack on the Spanish government and
spanish officers, charging them with
barberous outrages during the previous
rebellion. Mr.. Hale referred to the books
from which Mr.. Sherman read the other
aAy, and, after asserting his confidence
In ME- Sherman's belief in the honesty
u tho PUDlc1blon, stated that it had
now turned out that the book was an
anonymous publication, translated by
a newspaper and published as a pretend
ed statement Of fact 1t was in reality
an absolute and mendacious falsehooi
Had he voted for the resolutions before
In the Light of subsequent information. be
would gladly change his vote and record
hi naseH against the resolutions.
Mr.. Hale sent to the clerks desk to he
read, statement of Minister Deloms
OF Spain, published in the newspaners
relative TO tine statements made in da1
bate by United States Senators.
Mr.. Davis, Republican of Minnisota
objected on the ground that it was nof
permissible for q communication from
any foreign minister to be received by or
read before the senate unless it came to
the Senate through the regular chan
nels.
Mr.. Hale expressed surprise at the OBJ
jection.
Mr.. Frye said he hoped that the point
of order would be would be withdrawn
and when the communication was
printed in the records, it should be &C.
companied by reply printed in local
paper this morning.
Mr.. Davis withdrew his point of order.
MI -t- A- A-r~- 4