Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-10

once ahated.
Hale said he did not intend to speak at
length upon the subject and would be
content TO cite quotations from President
Grant 5 message which. although sent to
Congress during the previous instruction,
was as applicable to the present day as If
it were freshly laid on the desk Of the
presiding officer of the Senate.
Hale sent to the clerks desk and had
read extracts from the message Of Presi-
dent Grant. II any dispassionatc man, be
said. Were, today, 70 make review of the
conditions in Cuba, no language could
better portray the present situation there
than the language of Gen. Grant 1t was
characterized by good sense, patriotism and
clear discernment His doctrine Of bel
ligerency should, Hale said. be accepted
today. as the doctrine of this country.
The insurgents in Cuba, today, he as
serted, had no government except on
paper; they hold no courts; their power is
seated in struggling bands, in Struggling
camps. 1t not only had not won battle,
but had not fought what can be called a
battle. 1t is clear case Of pure gue rilla
warfare
There was no comparison between the
conditions In Cuba and in the Southern
states during our rebellion, when foreign
governments recognized their rights as
belligerents. The Southern states held at
that time undisputed possession of q vast
territory; states had set up their own gov
eminent, organized courts OF Justice mobi.
Lied armies and sustained navy
Not one Of these details had been secured
IN Cuba by the insurgents. Recognition
granted them by foreign governments was
done in courteous language. and not
through the passage 81 insulting resolu-
tionf
Hale wanted to know why Il was that
such considerable proportion 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 large vote in the Senate, in view Of
the actual conditions as they exist in
Cuba.
Hale said it was because Congress and
the people had been informed falsely Of the
situation in Cuba and told OF things that
did not exist Debate in the Senate showed
an ingenious attempt 10 connect the
Spanish government ard Spanish military
officials With the bsrbarities and outrages
alleged 10 have taken place IN Cuba dur
ing the previous rebellion.
The policy % the insurgents was, Hale
said, was not war 1t was incendiarism,
outrage, barbarism ard saysgery. He
would give no vote to aid men in such
murderous business as that TIE ours
ton how long should this sort Of thing be
permitted 10 continue before the United
states interfered was the vgrr auction
asked over ard over again during cur
rebellion.
We were always confronted with the
danger that foreign government would
Intervene and recognize the independence
Of the South If we did mt suppress the
rebellion ourselves. Whenever the Union
troops met with defeat that question
was asked us
Sherman, interrupting Pale. said that
before single battle was fought the gov
trnments CT Spain, France and England
recognized the beliigerency Of the Con
federstes in language identical With the
first clause Of the resolution submitted in
the conference report
We're they acting rightly asked Hoar
No. think not " Sherman answt red,
but we have waited long time. have
seen these atrocinus acts committed at our
very door, and have never raised single
friendly hand, nor sent d single friendly
word =
Continued on page 2