The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-21
The Cubans Not Only Fighting
Tor independence.
BUT FOR THEIR VERY LIVES
And Senator Lodge Asks That
They Be Recognized.
CUBAN QUESTION DISCUSSED
Senator Morgan Thinks That Recog-
ton of Them Would Cause War
Between United States
and Spain.

Washington, Feb. 20-Ihe Cuban
question came before the Senate to-
day for definite and final action and
it is expected that votes will be taken
at an emly date, on the several pend
ing propositions requesting Spain to
recognize the belligerency of Cuba,
anil requesting recognition Of Cuban
independence. There is every indica-
ton, also, that the debate viii lead to
more radical and decisive resolutions.
The opening of the debate to-day
drew large crowds to the galleries,
and there were frequent demonstra-
tions Of approval at the stirring and
dramatic utterances Of several of the
speakers. Mr.. Lodge. of Massachusetts,,
and MIR. Morgan, of Alabama, were
particularly direct in their language,
Mr. Morton expressing tire belief that
war between the United States and
Spain would result from recognizing
the Cubans as belligerents.
In graphically pictnring the rise and
spread of the rebellion Mr.. Lodge said:
ssJust a year ago another revolution
began. 1t began in the Eastern part of
the island with small band Of 500
men. With the vast wilderness of ly-
ing bulletins that come from Spanish
sources it is very difficult, 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 mistaking. Those men
who started so feebly a year ago, in the
Western part of the island have crept
over that island from one end to the
other The 500 have grown until even
to-day the hostile accounts represent
them at $4,000 in the field. We know
that the railroad lines are cut, that the
telegraph lines are down, that every
reports Of q Spanish victory that comes
to us in the newspapers is followed by
a statement of Il fresh insurgent adj
vance. We know as a matter of fact
that the whole of that island to-day,
except where the Spaish fleets ride at
anchor and where the Spanish armies
are encamped, is in the hands Of the
insurgents. We know they have fornl-
ed government, that they have held
two elections, that every officer IN the
army holds his commission frOu The
government which they have egfab-
lished We know the terms Of that
provisional government, and III the
presence Of these facts. and Of the
lighting that these mem base done,
think ii not unreasonable Of them 10
ask some recognition at the hands OF
the United States"
Comparing the former commander,
Gen. Martinez Calnpos, with the pre-
sent one. ten. We ieT Nf. Lodge said:
stMartinez Campos the ablest general
In Spain has been recalled because he
failed TO put down this insurl'ection
recalled when the insurgents had been
actually in the suburbs Of Havana,
and IN his place has been sent man
whose only reputation known to tie
world is that If the most cold biotpi-
ed brutality In the last war for liberty
in that island
Again the Senator said. referring to
The desperate fighting Of the iIisur-
gents: "Cuba is fighting not only for
Independence, these men are nght-
ing. every one of them, with q Price
Oh their heads and q rope around their
neclxs. They have shown that they
could fight well They are fighting the
battle Of despair"
There was hearty applause as Mr..
Lodge closed with the following pero-
ration:
"If that war goes on in Cuba with
the added horrors which this new
general brings with him; IL it IS con-
tinued. the responsibility is on US. We
cannot escape it. We should exert
every influence of the United States.
Standing, as / believe they do, for hu-
manity and civilization, we should ex-
ercise every influence of our great
country to put a stop to that great
| war which is raging there and gave
| to that island once more peace ana
/ liberty and security"
| Mr.. Morgan, who reported the reso-
| luton, expressed the opinion that any
action that this country might take
| looking to Cuban recognition would
result in war with Spain, and he also
said that Spain would welcome war
with this country, which would afford
her legitimate excuse TO get rld OF
/ Cuba in q way not to wound her pride.
The galleries broke into loud applause
H when, in response to question by Mr.
l Fry, Mr.. Morgan said:
''My opinion is that Congress has
+ the perfect, independent, absolute
right to make this recognition Of belli-
gerency or a declaration Of independ-
ence, and If il is necessary to enforce
it by any military movement, at sea
or on land, it has the right to COM
mand the commander-in-chief of the
army and navy to go on the field if it
III necessary, and expose his person to
the execution of that order That is
my opinion"
Mr.. Cameron (Pennsylyania) and
Mr. Call (Florida) also spoke. Mr..