The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-03-12
ANOTHER STIRRING DEBATE.
ON THE CUBAN BELLIGERENCY
QUESTION TAKES PLACE IN
THE SENATE.
Mr.. HALE 70 THE DEFENSE Of SPAIN
Vigorous Argument Put Up by the Sen
ator from Maine-Dupont Election
Case-House discussed District
of Columbia Business.

Washington, March 9.-Another stir
ring chapter in the Spanish Cuban con-
troversy was added by the senate today.
Many senators indicated desire to be
heard on the subject and the conference
report, accepting the lower house reso-
lutions, went over until tomorrow. In
anticipation that the last stage of the
Cuban question would be reached, the
senate galleries were beseged by the
greatest crowd since the session opened.
All of the public and reserved galleries
were filled to overflowing with long lines
of anxious people standing in the outer
corridors eager to gain admttance. The
diplomatic gallery was occupied by Am
bassador PatenOtre of France, Ministers
Mendoza of Brazil, Hatch of Hawaii,
Baron Won Kettler of Germany, Messrs.
Ho and Chung of the Chinese legation
and many of the secretaries, attaches and
members of the legation households.
Bright costumes of the ladies of the
diplomatic circle and the rich silken robes
of the Chinese diplomats gave touch
of bright color to the animated scene.
The speech of the day was made by
Senator Hale of Maine in vigorous oppo-
sition to the resolution and the offensive
interference of the United States in for
eign questions. The senator declared
that the spirit of miltarism was abroad
i'll the land; that our course involved the
possibility of war with all it's dreadful
consequences.
Mr.. Hale brought out the kindly action
OF Spain at the time of our civil war,
when British privateers were prevented
from remaining any length of time in
Spanish ports and when American pris-
Oners were aboard they were released by
Spanish orders.
A dramatic incident occurred when Mr..
Hale offered to read the statement of
Minister De LONE of Spain, calling in
question the accuracy of some of the
statements made by Senators Sherman,
Morgan and Lodge concerning Spanish
atrocities.
Mr.. Davis of Minnesota quickly object
cd to the reception of document from
n foreign minister not formally trans
mitted
Messrs. Mitchell of Oregon, Morgan
and Teller added their protests i'm the
same direction. For time there was
some confusion and a.prospect of Sc
rious conflict, but the serenity of the SEN
ate was restored by Mr.. Davis withdraw
ing his objection. 1t is expected the SEN
ate tomorrow will continue to have ami
mated phases.
Mr.. Hoar offered n resolution postpon-
ing all action on the Cuban question until
April 6. This will come up under the
rules tomorrow and may form the basis
of opposition to an adoption of the house
conference report. Another resolution
by MIR. Hoar was adopted calling on the
president for all available information on
the Cuban subject.
The latter part of the day was given
to the Dupont contest Mr.. Turpie of In
diana arguing against the claim of Mr..
Dupont.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, March 9.-The prospect
that the Cuban question would reach its
final legislative stage packed the senate
galleries today.
The bill was passed fixing stringent pen
alties for mutiny and other Offenses Oh
American vessels on the high seas, wheth-
er participated in by passengers or the
crew.
Before the main branch of the Cuban
question (the adoption of the conference
reporD came up, Mr.. Hoar Rep.) of
Massachusetts offered two resolutions
bearing on the subject. One, which went
over under the rules, postponed further
consideration of the Cuban question until
April 6 and directed the committee on
foreign relations in the meantime to Sc
cure and report any available facts This
went over
The other resolutions from Mr.. Hoar,
which was agreed to, calls on the presi-
dent for all available information as to
the status of affairs in Cuba, particularly
so far as they concern the interests of
the United States.
At 1:05 Mr.. Sheman moved the adop-
ton of the conference report accepting
the house Cuban resolutions. BY this
time the galleries were packed. In the
diplomatic gallery sat Mr. Ho and Mr..
Chung of the Chinese legation, Baron
Won Kettler of the German embassy,
Minister Mendonca of Brazil and other
members of the diplomatic corps.
Mr.. Hale (Rep) of Maine spoke ener-
getically against the resolutions. He did
not think the infammatory statements
made by senators in justifying their ends
were backed up by facts. In 1870 this
condition existed and an effort was made
to involve the United States in the con-
troversy. AT that time the house commit
tee on foreign affairs, presided over by
General Banks, reported resolution sim
liar to this one, but fortunately for the
cause of peace and progress there was
then, said Mr.. Hale, man in the presi-
dents chair, whose love of liberty and
patriotism was certainly equal to that of
any member of the committee on foreign
relations, man who knew the real mean
ing Of war-General Grant.