The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-29

XatiOn OF legislature OF Jne army, "
the President-the latter man OF
high character. 1t was as complete an
organization as the United States had
during the Revolutionary war.
The rules of war observed by the
Cubans were humane and honorable,
showing none of the barbarous forocity
of the Spanish troops, The Senator
read from the orders of General Maxi
mo Gomez, showing the humane treat
ment ordered for prisoners. 1t was
in striking contrast with the murder
Gus course of General Weyler, the
Spanish commander. The entire Span
ish force now in Cuba was distinctly
Spanish. No trust was placed in any
man of Cuban birth. This Spanish
force to-day was greater than the en-
tire British force sent to the URited
States to combat our struggles for in
dependence.
Mr.. Sherman went on to speak Of
the bad faith of Spain in putting down
the former rebellion, when reforms
were promised and never executed.
The rule of Spain had always been one
of iron, of oppression and of atrocities.
Pizzaro murdered a whole race of men.
The Duke of Alya will be remembered
for all time as a man of cruelty. The
Senator paid glowing tribute to Max
imo Gomez, commander of the Cubans,
who had been pictured as a brigand.
Gomez is a man of standing, of
character" said Mr. Sherman. ''He is
probably an idealist. Born in San
Domingo he goes to Cuba to fight this
cause of liberty. He ought to be, and
will be, considered a patriot at some
speedy day."
Mr.. Sherman reviewed the course of
the United States during the former
Cuban rebellion when he introduced n
resolution for the relief of Cuba. At
that time General Grant was most
earnest in believing that this country
should bring the conflict to a close.
But the pursuasion of Secretary Fish,
who was moved by the sentiment in
New York, yielding as General Grant
sometimes did, the views of Mr.. Fish
against steps by the United States
prevailed, and he (Sherman) did not
further urge the resolution he had in
troduced.
Turning to the material interests be-
tween the United States and Cuba, he
showed that the trade from the island
to this country was $50, 100000 annual
~ and the trade from the United States
to Cuba was S19,000,000. This was
vastly greater as shown by tables than
the trade between Cuba and any other
country, showing the intimate COM
mercial ties between us.
"But mark it, said Mr.. Sherman,
Il do not favor the annexation of Cuba,
to the United States. nj nfy 3udg-
ment the island should become q part
of Mexico, being Of the same people,
and / would be glad to see that end
accomplished"
Mr.. Sherman said he would now
turn his attention to the ''saddest phase
Of this whole subject" He referred to
the recall of Gen. Campos, a humane
soldier, and his succession by Gen.
Weyler, who has been well christined
''the butcher" The events of the last
thirty days i'm connection with this
appointment had changed the Sena-
tors whole feeling, he said. "This
man, Weyler is one of the worst men
who could be sent to pacify people,
said Mr.. Sherman. His warfare is
massacre. He openly ayows it. He is
brute, pure and simple, his hands
are stained with the blood Of defense
less men and women
In support Of this statement Mr..
| Sherman sent TO the desk and had read
extracts which were most startling
and sensational
They recited atrocities Of Weyler's
| former command in Cuba, which sent
d noticeable murmur of horror
| through the crowded galleries. One
| Of the statements was that Gen. Wey-
| Ter had captured parents and their sew
eral daughters, pretty senoritas. He
| had ordered these young girls stripped
naked and then compelled them to
| dance thus naked before the Spanish
| troops, while the parents, driven to the
| point of insanity, stood by. But this
| was not ALL
| Mr. Sherman was interrupted at this
point and asked that the recital be sus-
| pended The Senator went on to give ex-
| tracts from interviews from Weyler in
which he spoke Of "exteIminating the
| Cubans." These showed him to be
said Mr.. Sherman, "a demon rather
| than Il general" Then the Senator
added. IF this continues no earthly
/ power can prevent the people of the
4 IBibtd Jldl1S JIDAl BbAnS W blitLb ~
land, sweeping over it from end to end
and driving out these barbarians.
| At this feryid sentence the galleries
broke into long and loud applause
while the Nice-President loudly gave
warning that under the rules ii the
| demonstration was repeated the gal.
| leries would be cleared.
Mr.. Sherman said every Christian
heart, every American heart revolted
against this rule of oppression. We
did not want any Armenia at oui
doors. Cuba was right beside us. The
spirit of the age demanded that Spain
should be compelled to stop these
cruelties.
Not only the United States, but the
| countries of the world would unite il
this demand. And if Spain failed to
| heed it, and Weyler carried out his
projected plans, there was not point
on the American hemisphere which
would not send its people to put an
end to the infamy
II share in the responsibility Of the