Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-21
TALK ABOUT CUBA.
Senators Discuss the Question
Of 6elIigerent Rights.
UNCLE SAN AS A BUCK FAHsHAw

Proposes % Have Peace According to Nor.
gan sad Lodge. n He Has 70 Go to War
with Spain Himsels which War the
Lee.asoa Attachs Listens to the Debate
from the Diplomatic Gallery.
WASHINGTON, Feb. e1-The Cuban cues
zion came before the senate yesterday for
definite and final action, and 1t is expected
that votes will be taken at an carly day
on the pending propositions-requesting
Spain to recognize the Independence Of
Cuba. and requesting recognition OF
Cuban belligerency by the United States
There is every indication, also. that the
debate will lead to more radical and decis-
i've resolutions. The opening Of the de-
bate drew large crowds to the galleries,
and there were frequent demonstrations
Of approval at the stirring and dramatic
utterances Of several Of the speakers.
Lodge and Morgan were particularly fore.
ible and direct in their language, Morgan
expressing the belief that war between the
United States and Spain would result
from recognizing the Cubans rs belliger-
cnts.
Rise and Progress Of the Rebellion.
In graphically picturing tho rise and
spread Of the rebellion Lodge said: "Just
. year ago another revolution began. 1t
began in tho eastern part Of the island
with n small band Of 500 men. With the
vast wilderness OF lying bulletins that
come from Spanish sources it is very diff
cult-and it is not worth while perhaps
to try-to trace the battles which have
been fought. But there are certain great
facts which there is no installing. Those
men who started so fcebly a year ago in
the eastern part of the island have crept
over that island from one end to theother.
The 500 have grown until even today the
hostile accounts represent them at a, 900
in the field. We know that the railroad
lines are cut, that the telegraph lines are
down, that every report of q Spanish vic
tory that comes to us in the newspapers is
followed by the statement of a fresh in
surgent advance"
Compares Campos and Weyler.
Comparing the former commander, Mar
tinez Campos with the present one, Cen
eral Weyler, Lodge said: Martinez Cam
pos, the ablest general in Spain, has been
recalled because he failed to put down this
instruction, recalled when the insurgent
troops had been actually in the suburbs of
Havana, and in his place has been sent a
man whose only reputation known to the
world is that of the most cold FLOODED
brutality in the last war for liberty in
that island .. Cuba is fighting not
only for independence. These men are
fighting-every one of them-with a price
on their heads and q rope around their
necks."
Pleads for a Stop to the War.
There was hearty applause as Lodge
closed with the following peroration: IF
that war goes on in Cuba with the added
horrors which this new general brings
with him; il it continues the responsible
ity is on us. We cannot escape it. Wo
should exert every influence of theCnited
States, standing as I believe they do for
humanity and civilization. We should
exercise every influence of our great coun-
try to put a stop to that great war
which is now raging there, and try to
give to that island once moro peace and
liberty and security"
Congress Supreme in the Matter.
Morgan, who reported the resolution,
expressed the opinion that ''any action
that this country might take looking to
Cuban recognition would result in war
with Spain" The galleries broke into loud
applause when, in response to n question
by Frye, Morgan said: ''My opinion is
that congress has the perfect. independent.
absolute right to make this recognition of
belligerency, or declaration Of indepen.
dcncc; and IL it is necessary to enforce ii
by any military movement at sea or on
| land. 1t has the right to command the
COMMANDMENTS chicf of the army and nayv
to go on the field If it is necessary, and e1-
pose his person to the execution Of that or.
der. Tha. is my opinion"