The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-05-17
Morgan Addresses the Senate
on Cuban Affairs
INFORMATION REQUESTED
Regarding the Recent Diplomatic Cor.
respondence With Spain
Every Day ls Dsv Of National Humiliation
Until the Fillbusters' Sentences
Are Set Aside
Associated Press Special wire.

WASHlNGTON, May 16.-The Cuban
question was revived in the senate to.
day when Mr.. Morgan, who introduced
the original resolution, spoke in favor
OF further and more decisive action to-
ward recognition of the Cubans as bel
ltgerents. The senator declared it to be
the duty of congress to adopt joint reso-
lutions on belligerency which, unlike the
previous concurrent resolutions, would re-
cuire the approval of the president and
thus fix responsibility. At the close of
Mr.. Morgan's speech the senate adopted
without division the resolutions intro-
duced by him directing the committee
on foreign relations to inquire into and
report on the treaty relations between
the United States and Spain relating
to the Americans now under condemna-
t1on at Havana: also requesting the
president for the recent diplomatic cor
respondence with Spain on the subject.
The resolutions have no reference to
the recognition of belligerency. although
they served Mr.. Morgan as text for his
speech on that line.
Eulogies were delivered on the late
w. H. Grain of Texas, after which, as
q further mark Of respect to the de-
ceased. the senate adjourned.
Bills were passed giving compensation
for bridge building in the Yellowstone
national park; granting a right of way
to the Denver. Cripple Creek and South
west railroad through the South park
and Plum creek forest reservation, Col
orado; appropriating $1,000 for apub-
lie building and site at McKeesport,
Pa.
Mr.: Morgan. In his speech. said the
proximity Of the island to our shores,
our commercial relations with the Gu
bans. the American ownership of much
property there, the actual residence of
many Americans, ETC., all combine to
compel US to examine into the conditions
existing In Cuba and to determine for
ourselves whether a state Of war or
state Of peace existed. A great civil
conflict had waged in Cuba since the
fall OF '94. he said, and had increased
with startling magnitude until 100000
Spanish troops were in the field Yet
upon denial of these self-evident facts
rests the position of Spain that the
United States must not recognize con-
dition Of war as existing.
Mr. Morgan said the fragrant condi-
tion existing might escape the attention
Of those in authority. yet it must shock
the world that diplomatic fallacy per-
mits the assertion that no war exists.
The senator declared the offenses COM
mitted by those Americans now held at
Havana were no more serious than
smuggling. 1t was the first duty of this
government to demand that the military
trial OF the prisoners be set aside Until
this was done no other or further nego-
tldliOh, chOoiti NC SCOuoluSIGu. OHlll SET
aside, declared Mr.. Morgan, every day
Is a day of national humiliation to us
as people.
Mr.. Morgan said in conclusions:
1T is therefore the proper course for
congress to observe, to send Joint reso-
luton to the president declaring that
state Of public war exists in Cuba and
that the parties engaged in that war are
belligerents. to each of whom the laws
Of nations equally apply, If such is the
opinion Of congress, II the president.
acting on the assumption that declara-
tion of the existence of war in Cuba and
a recognition of the rights Of the parties
engaged In that war as belligerents falls
within his exclusive constitutional power
in conducting diplomatic intercourse
with foreign governments should choose
to ignore the existence of such war, con-
gress, after the almost unanimous ex-
preston ofOpinion on that subject, owes
it to the honor of the body to devolve
the responsibility upon the president.
Under existing circumstances some de-
partment Of the government must be-
come responsible to our own people and
to the Judgment of mankind for contin-
uing to permit the falsehoOd to remain
unrebuked that peace prevails in Cuba
and that war does not exist there Wheth-
er 1t is congress or the president that de-
nies the facts and repudiates the appeal
to the sentiment of our people, and the
honorable duty of our people, and the
honorable duty Of our government. there