The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-11
DEBATE IN DETAIL.
Senator Lodges Protest Against the
Sna.,isI, Mauister,s Craffcfsm


Spanish Minister'S Criticism.
AS soon as the journal had been read Mr..
Lodge rose to question of personal privi-
lege. He said he had read on Sunday an in
terview attributed to Senior Dupuy De LONE,
Of Spain. There was nothing singular in
this fact, as the Spanish minister communi-
Gated largely through the newspapers But
in this case the minister called in question
the accuracy of the statement made by him
Qodge.) The Senator sent to the desk and
had read the minister's reference to Mr..
Lodges utterance calling in question the
translation of statement attributed to Gen.
eral Weyler, in which the latter declared
that he would ''exterininate. the insurgents:
Mr. Lodge commented the exactness of
the translation and said that literal render
ing of General Weyler's language would be
that ne would cean out the t large insurg
Mr. Lodge said that he did not wonder at
the extreme sensitiveness 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 a historian. but in truth he
was the exparte representative of Spain and
what he had disclosed from time TO time
subtracted from the general sum of informa-
ton on the Cuban subject: 1t was pretty
we'll established that the debates In the Sem
ate and House were purely domestic matters,
and il was not proper for representative of
a foreign country to communicate, except
through the State Department. If an Amer
lean minister in Europe discussed the politi-
cal affairs there he would be sent home.
Mr.. Lodge read from the letter of Daniel
Webster, when Secretary of State. protest.
ing against statement by the Austrian
minister as to a domestic matter. The Sem
ator added that 1t was a most emphatic pro-
test against public comment by any diplo-
matte representative on the debates In Con-
gress- The Constitution protected Senator's
for language used in the debate. 1t was
one of the safeguards of free speech. Mr.
Lodge said he knew what any foreign gov
ernment would do with a minister taking
under like circumstances. He knew what
Daniel Webster would have done in such a
case.
Mr. Gray said the course of the United
States should proceed according to the judg-
ment of a self-respecting nation. unmoved
by the emeutes at Valencia or Madrid. and
without being turned aside to discuss a
question OF the translation between Senator
and a minister. Mr.. Gray said ne would be
quick to resent an attack on the. privileges
OF Senator. But in all fairness he thought
it hardly worth while to stretch senatorial
prerogatves and privileges in order to ques-
ply on behalf of Spain. Our feeling will
be better expressed If we do not take ad-
vantage of every criticism which differs
from our own views. There should be some
concession to the stress of the situation.
This was a most vital time for Spain and
for the Spanish minister. With this stress
of circumstances we should not be over
nice in insisting on diplomatic proDrieties
and in finding fault with the minister, in
view or Wnat nad Deen SalQ IN the Senate.
AN INVARIABLE RULE.
| Mr.. Teller said the rule was unvarying
| against a communication by foreign min
| lister. except through the State Depart
ment. There should be no comment by a
| foreign minister. He should not be heard
| at ALL except in the regular channels. Twice
| had foreign ministers been sent home for
statements of less importance than this.
| "But, considering the circumstances" added
| Mr. Teller, had been in authority / would
| have had the Secretary OF State. in most
| kindly way, suggest that repetition OF the
| offense would lead TO his going home" Mr.
1 Teller then turned to the conditions In
| Spain. He did not think tee outbreak OF
| students should give offense. The Spanish
| authorities were doing all in their power 70
| stop the trouble. There was no probability
that Spain would dissent in an offensive
| way 10 the passage OF the pending resoiu-
tions. Spain knew we had right TO recoy-
4 nize the beiligerents. Spain would natura liz
| show some feeling, but she would not go tc
| war
There was a ripple of applause. which the
Vice President checked. then MIR. Teller re-
| ferred TO his sympathy with the Cubans
II would be delighted" said he. ITO hear
that Havana had passed into the hands ol
the insurgents would have been delighted
to hear that the insurgents bad run thu
Spanish soldiers into the sea- But the Sen