Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-16
Senator Sewall Thinks the President
Has Pressed It Too Far.
TALK ON The CUBAN QUESTION
Senator Hale Talks on the Hawaii
an Cable Subvention.
MATTERS IN THE HOUSE

his bill prohibiting American citizens from
receiving foreign titles, decorations, etc. 1t
occurred through an oversight of his and
he asked that the measure go to the cal
endar for consideration, as the people did
not believe in this undemocratic practice
and wanted it stopped. The request was
agreed to.
Mr.. Frye CMe), from the committee on
commerce, reported favorably the resolu-
tion reconvening the International marine
congress of 1882
To Distribute Seeds.
Mr.. Hansbrough IN. d.. from the commit
tee on agriculture, reported favorably the
resolution directing the Secretary of Agri-
culture to carry out the provisions of the
law relative to the distribution of seeds and
of government publications.
The Cuban Question.
The Cuban question came up briefly. when
Mr.. Call F'la.) offered resolution directing
the Secretary of State to send to Congress
all dispatches from United States consuls
in Cuba concerning the present war.
Mr.. Frye pointed out that the resolution
directed the Secretary, without the usual
proviso that the information was to be
given If In accordance with. public inter-
est.
Mr. Call insisted that it should be for
the Senate to determine what it wanted.
Mr.. Sherman said such requests should
not be made at a time when the uprising
extended all through the island OF Cuba.
1t might prove serious embarrassment to
our consuls to have their official advices
made public. 1t might possibly subject
them to prosecution by the Spanish the
insurgents in the locality of the consuls.
Mr.. Call gave notice that he would move
at an early day for the discharge of the
committee on foreign relations from fur
ther consideration of the resolution for the
recognition of the Cubans as helligerents
He would do this, he said, in order to bring
the Senate to a direct vote on the question
without further delay.
Mr.. Platt (ConE.) said he had heard much
talk as to recognizing the Cuban insur-
gents But he pointed out that this Was
a question primarily within the jurisdic-
tion of the President. Moreover. the recog
milton of the insurgents was not to be
viewed as an act due them but a ques-
ton affecting the United States. II such
recognition was accorded only for it's moral
effect and for. sympathetic reasons, then
it would be considered under international
law, and justly considered, as an offense
against the parent country. No one doubt
ed, Mr.. Platt said, the feeling Of sympathy
of our people tow ard those engaged in
struggle for liberty but in shaping the
official course of the government there
should be no haste, and every move should
proceed according to the recognized rules
of international law.
Mr.. Call consented that his resolution
calling for information go over for the
present.
Americans in Turkey.
Mr. Cullom Qll.) presented resolution,
which was agreed to, requesting the State
Department for information as to whether
naturalized United States citizens of Ar
menian birth were allowed to visit Turkey
whether their families living in Turkey were
allowed to depart for the United States, and
uh n Tnrk ho n
the same rights as were accorded to citizens
of Great Britain, Germany, France or Rus
Sia.
The Monroe Doctrine.
Mr. Sewell On. j. offered resolution
declaratory of the policy of the United
States on the Monroe doctrine, as follows
Resolved, That the Monroe doctrine, as
originally propounded, was directed to the
special prevention of the threatened action
of the allied powers in reference to the re-
volted colonies of Spain and the occupa ton
by way of colonization of any supposed
derelict territory on this hemisphere.
2. That the question of resisting any ac-
qEisition of territory by conquest was linn
tied, as stated by Mr.. Webster, to cases in
which by reason of proximity such acqui-
sition would be dangerous to our safety
and the integrity of our institutions.
3. That the true ground upon which the
Monroe announcement was based, and upon
which any similar position has been taken,
rests for it's justification upon what may
be interests, and our interests only;
and that neither by the Monroe doctrine
nor any official declaration have we ever
come under any pledge to any power or
estate on this continent that binds us to
act merely for their protection against in
vssion or encroachment by any other
power.
European power proposes to acquire ter
ritory by invasion or conquest it is then
for us to determine whether our safety and
integrity demands that we shall resist such
action by armed force If necessary.
That the executive has pressed .he
Monroe doctrine beyond what was contem-
plated at the time of it's announcement,
and that the resultant sequence of the DO
sition thus taken seems to be committal
of this government to a protectorate over
Mexico and the Central and South Ameri-
can states; that this would be most unwise
and dangerous, and would violate the sound
and well-established policy; that we should
avoid all entangling alliances with foreign
powers, whether they be European or
American.
6. That this action was premature, look
ing to the history of the controversy, and
inopportune In view of the business and
financial condition of the country.
Z. That neither Congress nor the country
can be; or has been, committed by the
action or position of the executive depart
ment in reference to the Venezuelan boun-
dairy controversy as to the course to be
pursued Wnen the time snail have arrived
for final determination. 1t will then be
our province to adopt such line of policy
and to take such action as may be then
demanded by our sense of duty to the
country and by due regard for its honor
and dignity, the welfare and safety of our
people and the integrity ofrour Institutions.
The Hawaiian Cable.
Mr.. Hale then addressed the Senate on his
bill authorizing the Postmaster General to
contract with the Pacific Cable Company
for transmission Of government messages
between the United States and Hawaii. Mr..
Hale stated that, in round numbers the bill
commits the United States to a subvention
of about $2500OO. 1t was a plain business
enterprise, bringing Hawaii close to our
doors. The sentiment of the islands is es-
sentially American, ard we have been re-
garded as the mother country. Other ma
tions have sought to establish an influence
with the Hawaiian government, which, if
successful, would involve nothing but detri-
ment to us. The Senator detailed the efforts
of Great Britain to secure Neckar Island, of
the Hawaiian group as a landing point for
a cable.
This effort doubtless would have sue
ceeded, as the British cruiser Champion
started for the island, had not the Hawaiian
government sentSa fast merchant steamer