The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-02-06

from any interference on the part of our
people or the government with the people
or the government of Cuba. The hospi-
tally which our treaties, laws of nations
and the laws of Christianity have extend
ed to Cuban refugees in the United States
has caused distrust on the part of the
Spanish government as to the fidelity of
our government to its obligations of neu-
trality in the frequent instructions Of
the people of Cuba against Spanish au-
thority. This distrust has often become
a source of serious annoyance to our peo-
pie and has led to spirit of retaliation
towards Spanish authority in Cuba, thus
giving rise to frequent controversies
Reference is made to the absence of
responsible government in Cuba as a
cause of delay, of protracted imprison-
ment and property considerations, also
to the fact that these Cuban instructions
have ever proved a temptation to filibus-
tiers from this country, causing trouble
and expense. 1t is asserted that the de-
yastation of Cuba in the present war,
that is being waged with fire and
sword" is cause of unrest among the
people of the United States, creating a
strong ground for protest against its con-
tinuance. This struggle, the report says,
is rapidly changing the issue to one of
existence on the part of great number
of the native population.
The report continues:
1t is neither just to the relations that
exist between Cuba and the United
States, nor IS it in keeping with the spirit
of the age nor the rights of humanity
that this struggle should be protracted
until one party or the other should be-
come exhausted in the resources of men
or money, thereby weakening both until
they may fall prey to some strong pow
er, or until the stress of human sympa-
thy or the fesentments engendered by
long and bloody conflict should draw in
to the strife unruly elements Of neigh
boring countries
| The civil war, though it is great in it's
proportions, and is conducted by armies
that are in complete organization and d.
rected and controlled by supreme mill
tary authority. has not a safeguard of
cartel for the treatment of wounded SOL
diers or prisoners of war.
| In this feature of the warfare it be-
comes a duty Of humanity that the civil
lied power should insist upon the appli-
cations of the law of war recognized
among civilized nations to both armies
AS our own people are drawn into the
struggle on both sides and enter either
army without the consent of our gov
eminent and in violation of our laws,
| their treatment when they may be
wounded or captured, although it Is not
reSuiuteu ny treaty anu cedSeS 10 De IL
positive care of our government, should
not be left to the revengeful retaliations
which expose them to the fate of pirates
or other felons. Attention is called to
the inability Of Spain to deal with the
| revolution as n misfortune which 1t is
unfair to visit upon the United States.
1t is due, the report continues. to the
situation of affairs in Cuba that Spain
should recognize the existence of state
lnf IN. fhn lola md nd CHI
tarily accord to the armies opposed to
her authority the rights of belligerents
under the laws of nations. .rf
Mr.. Cameron (Rep) of Pennsylvania
presented a minority report on the Cuban
question from the committee on foreign
relations. Following is the text:
Resolved, That the president Is here
by requested to interpose his friendly
Offices with the Spanish government for
the recognition of the independence Of
Cuba"
Mr.. Cameron presented long report
upon the substitute. reviewing the his
torical part of the Cuban affair and the
course Of President Grant during the
Cuban revolution when he was presi-
dent. He recites the striking contrast
between the action of Spain in recOg-
nizing the Confederate States during the
American civil war and the failure to
recognize the Cuban insurgents as bel
ligrents. The minority report also states
that shortly after Mr. Blaine became
secretary of state he sought to secure
the independence of Cuba but the effort
failed by the absolute refusal of Spain to
consider the release of her colony.
Coming down to the present condition
of affairs, the minority report declares
that a state of war now exists in Cuba.
The Southern Confederacy, it says, had
been recognized by Great Britain, France
and Spain before battle had been
fought. Belligerency is a question of
fact and should be recognized whenever
it in fact exists. Warfare implies bel
ligerency.. In July last the insurgents
had nearly captured Captain General
CampOs thus establishing their actual
belligerency. On December "a last they
had advanced westward until near Ha-
vana, having Overrun the entire island
and threatened the capital. Such action
established belligerency as question of
fact beyond n doubt.
In conclusion the report urges it to
be an imperative duty that belligerency
be accorded and that the president fur
ther. move toward the independence Of
the island.
Both rsolutions were placed on the cal
endar.
Mr.. Gray DEM from the committee
on foreign affairs, made favorable re-
port on the resolution calling on the sec
rotary of state for information as to
the arrest Of Mark Rodriguez on the
steamer Olivette, at Havana on the 18th
inst. and also the arrest of Louis Som
melein and his son in Havana at that
time. The committee strikes that part
of the resolution as introduced instruct
ing the secretary of state to demand the
release Of the prisoners named
The resolution went to the calendar.
Among the bills introduced was one
by Mr.. Gallinger of New Hampshire,
pensiOning the widow of General Thomas
Ewing, who died recently.
Mr.. Calls resolution directing the in
terstate commerce commission to inyes-
tigate and report on canal across the
State of Florida was agreed to.
The resolution as to Eugene V. Debs
was referred to the judiciary Committee
on the assurance of Mr.. Hoar. chairman
of the. committee, that early action
would be taken
At p. m. Mr.. Tillman took the floor
on the pending silver bond bill. The gal
leries filled quickly and the senator's ac-
corded close attention. He moved down
from his rear seat to one in the front row
Immediately in front of the presiding Of
hcer. Although provided with manu-
script, he began extemp0raneousy.
The senator said he would use plain
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