The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-25
CUBA'S GUARDIAN.
Z
Senator Mills Thus Charaeterizes
United States.
URGES FORCIBLE INTERVENTION
IN ISLANDS BEHALF.

The Right to Interfere is the Right of
Self-Preservation He Says-Those Who
Oppose Do So For Commercial Reasons
Mr.. BouteIIe in the House Opposes
Restoration of Confederate Generals.
Washington, March 24.-In the Senate
today the joint resolution offered yester-
day by Mr.. Mills, Democrat of Texas,
looking to the seizure of the island of
Cuba by the United Statss in case the
Spanish government shall refuse to grant
self government to the Cubans, was taken
up and Mr.. Mills addressed the Senate
in advocacy Of it.
He said the United States never as
serted that it had any rights in Ireland,
Hungary, Poland or elsewhere in Europe,
but it asserted its rights in every solitary
acre of land on the western hemisphere.
1t had there, the highest right-the right
of self-preservation.
The Monroe doctrine, he said, was as
old as hum antiy. God Almighty was it's
author, for when he made man he placed
In him the right to preserve his life and
liberty.
Mr.. Mills reviewed the declaration of
President Jefferson in relation to the
Louisiana purchase, when the American
minister to France was instructed to not
ify Napoleon that if he would not sell that
territory to the United States, the Unit.
ed States would ally itself to Great Brit
ain and sweep the French fleets off the
ocean, to maintain the right of the Unit
ed States to the mouth Of the Mississippi
Notwithstanding France had a per-
feet title to it.
"We have said," Mr.. Mills continued,
''that we will resist with all the power
of this government the
TRANSFER OF CUBA
to any European power. 1t has been the
unchallenged American doctrine that
Cuba shall remain with Spain unless it
there are corresponding duties. The peo-
ple of the United States owe to that op-
pressed and down trodden people of Cuba
to say to Spain the hour has come when
you must stop your iniquities.
We are responsible for the slavery of
that people, for every drop of blood you
have shed, for every dollar you have
stolen. Cuba has right to appeal to u.s.
We intend you shall give her free govern
ment.n
Mr.. Mills read letter detailing the
atrocities said to have been perpetrated
by Gen. Weyler In the last Cuban war.
He characterized him as "an atrocious
scoundrel'' who would not be in Cuba
| today If the United States had drawn
her sword, as it was her duty to do, and
esta abllshed a governments that would
protect helpless females in their homes.
Me Mills compared the protection
which Spain gives to Cuba to that which
the hawk gives to the dove, and said all
these atrocities were committed while the
United States was acting as jailer and
guardian. 1t was the duty of the United
States. Mr. Mills declared, either to pro-
tect the people of Cuba or say to France,
England and other European powers, eff
you want the island, take it.'
The United States should say to Spain /:
"You shall give that island self go vern-
ment or we will. " 1--WE are able to do
| 1t too, !" Mr.. Mills added He said the opposi-
tion to interference into Cubanaffairs came
from those who thought they had a right
| to receive cargo from Cuba and make
500, 600 on 1t, and the right to send q
cargo to Cuba and make 500, 600 on it.
These were things that were poking their
heads up all over the country and plead
in against Jingoes." He had received
letter from New York today, speaking
of him as another fool that had turned
jingo like Sherman and Lodge, and
signed GA Disguised Democrat, -
Mr.. Mills spoke of Cuba as a cripple
| lying at the gates OF a fortress that
commands the liberties of the American
people. He said that the American peo-
pie would after while lift her to her feet
and enable her to stand and walk.
Mr. Morgan, Democrat of Alabama.