The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-03

by the choice of the people OF CUBA, 1T
is the sense of Congress that the gov
ernment of the United States should
use its good offices and friendly infiu-
ence to that end.
"Resolyed, That the United States
has not interyened in struggles be-
tween any European governments and
their colonies on this continent; but
from the very close relations between
the people of the United States and
those of Cuba, in consequence of its
proximity and the extent of the com
merce between the two peoples, the
present war is entailing such losses
upon the people of the United States,
that Congress is of opinion that the
government of the United States
should be prepared to protect the
legitimate interests of Americans by
intervention if necessary"
These resolutions" said Mr.. Hit,
"have been considered with great care
by the Foreign Affairs committee. In
many meetings through several months
the question has been discussed. They
have been ripened and matured after
consultation with the most eminent
iurists. In the interest of right, OF
peace, of our own country and in the
interest of those who are making a
struggle with which we sympathize,
we believe these resolutions present
the more practical, conservative and
effective mode of action. These resolu-
tions ought not to cause any trouble
between us and any country not seek
ing to foment trouble with us. The
Spanish minister made a public state
ment February %, in which he said
that 1875, 900 troops have been sent to
the island by Spain. Is not that war?
Is that a police force putting down a
street disturbance?
Il will say to gentlemen who are
fearful Of the relations Of our country
with foreign countries that | do not
think this recognition can excite
ground Of complaint, for this war has
existed a year. with great bloodshed.
| Spain recognized the Southern Con-
federacy month before the battle Of
Bull Run"
Mr.. McCreary, (Dem.. Ky,), ex-chair-
| man of the Foreign Affairs committee
| followed Mr. Hit with hearty en-
dorsement Of the resolutions. The is
land ,he said, was confronted with ruin
| and the Cuban people with eXtermina-
tion. He was ready he said, to do all
| in his power, consistent with honor and
with the integrity Of our country to
| give Independence to Cuba. and free
the struggling patriots from a cruel
| and relentless despotism.
MIR. Adams, (Rep., Pa.). the member
| of the Foreign Affairs committee who
| drew the resolutions, made an eloquent
| appeal in behalf of the struggling
| Cubans.
Mr.. Sulzer Dem. n. ~, who was
| given three minutes contended that
| the belIigerency was a fact which the
United States could determine as well
as Spain could in 1861, when she re-
cognized the beIligerency Of the Com
| federacy, forty days after Sumter vas
| fred on The claim that recognition
of belligerency was tantamount TO a
declaration Of war, he characterized as
| absurd.
Mr. Turner, Dem, Gar made the
principal speech in opposition 10 the
adoption Of the resolutions HA ex-
| pressed at the outset surprise that the
| committee had furnished no inforna-
| tfon on which TO base resolution Of
| so much gravity. The correspondence
sent to Congress by the State depart
ment, he termed "a ''dreary record OF
| mutual incendiarism and assassina-
| tion' The precedents cited, he said
| were extremely unfortunate.
when recognition was accorded to
the Southern States" said he, ''the
| people of the South had possession of
! every port from the mouth of the
| Potomac to the Rio Grande, and an
army against which the combined
| legfons Of Caesar and the phalanxes of
| Alexander would have been utterly
unavailing. (Applause) | have been
/ amazed that an effort has been made
| to-day IN this country, by reason Of
| what was done in Barcelona on yester-
| day, to appeal to the war spirit of our
countrymen by arousing a torrent of
horror and indignation. (Applause.)
| No sooner than the incident had oc-
Cured on yesterday, Spain apologized
| for the outrage and promised repara-
| tion. They may be a hot-blooded peo-
/ pie, but there is i'm their nature the
spirit of ancient chiyalry. Who is the
| president of the Republic, so-called?
4 i understand that he is a citizen of the
/ United States, and that he is now in
| the United States instead of taking his
| fate along with the patriots of the is
land for freedom. Where is the capi-
tal?. How many have they in arms ?
| Who knows what great battles they
have fought? Can we" he concluded,
| afford to outrage the ethics and cour-
tesies which prevail between friendly
nations in a cause so momentous as
that Of peace?" Loud applause.)
Mr.. Smith REP. Mich a member of
the Foreign Affairs committee, in reply
10 Mr. Turner, said he had listened
with profound amazement to the de-
nia1 Of our right under the law Of ma
tionB 10 confer upon the insurgents
belligerent rights. ''The gentleman
from Georgia." said Mr.. Smith, Job
ieeta because the president Of the new
| Republic is foreigner Would Inc ask
you, Mr.. Speaker, to take down that
picture Of the patriot In Fayette lang
ing on the wall, man who came TO
this country, God inspired from the
land Of France, to lift the banner OF