The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-17
Minister De Lome's Etateme' {
Made Public.
1T is READ IN THE SENATE
And is Sharply Criticised by
Senator Morgan.
AN EFFORT TO DELAY ACTION
A Resolution offered Directing a Re-
port on the Status of the War
in Cuba Before a Vote
is Taken.

is Taken.
Washington, March 16,-The Senate
had an hour of spirited Cuban debate
late to-day, after the early part of the
day had been given to set speeches by
Mr.. Lodge, on immigration, and Mr..
Pugh, on silver
The Cuban discussion was mainly
important in bringing out the full read
ing of the statement of the Spanish
side of the case by Senor Depuy de
LONE, the Spanish Minister. This had
been referred to some days ago, but
could not be made public To-day. how
ever, Mr.. Morgan read letter from
Secretary Olney saying the Spanish
Munster gave 2lis permission for the
public use of the statement. 1t claim
ed to detail the insurgent methods of
guerrilla warfare, the burning of cane
helds, and the disorganized character
OF the insurgent bands Mr. Morgan
commented severely on the Minister'S
statement. The Senator had several
sharp controversies with Mr.. Hale over
various phases of the Cuban question.
During the day, Mr.. Elkins offered a
resolution directing the committee on
Foreign Affairs to report as to the
status of the war in Cuba, before a
vote was taken in the Senate.
Mr.. Morgan went on to say that the
Spanish Minister'S statement had been
drawn out by Spain's desire to delay
action in Congress.
Spain feared the United States would
get IN a tantrum. The Spanish Mimis-
ter therefore sent memorandum to
Secretary Olney and the latter sent it
TO the Senate committee. He tMorganl
had Sent to the Secretary requesting
authority to make public the Minister'S
statement. Mr.. Olney answered that
ne had conferred with the Spanish
Minister and the latter had no objection
to its use.
MIR. Morgan commented on the popu-
lar situation by which Secretary Olney
could not use paper submitted to him
until he had received the permission
OF the Spanish Minister.
Mr.. Morgan proceeded to read from
the Spanish Minister'S statement and
commented on it as he went on. The
statement said the insurgents had no
fixed place of organization, being
driven from place to place. The Sena.
tor asked what permanent place our
Continental Congress held during the
Revolution. 1t was driven about and
when the British burned Washington
in 1914 the members of our Congress
were refugees in Virginia, and yet this
Spanish Minister raised the point that
struggling people must have a perma-
nent capital. AS a matter of fact the
Senator insisted the insurgents had a
capital, as was shown by reports from
newspaper correspondents.
Mr.. Hale interrupted to ask if Mr..
Morgan credited the periginations of
the correspondent who claimed TO
have located this nebulous insurgent
capital.
Il supposed" responded Mr.. Morgan
warmly, that l was to address the
Senate, but l find / am here as a sort
Of school in kindergarten to submit
to the questioning of the Senator from
Maine" (Hale.)
1T is not my fault" proceeded Mr..
Hale, that the Senator is put in the
position of a school child in a kinder
garten."
Here Mr.. Morgan appealed to the
Chair and declared that if Mr.. Hale
continued his Interruptions he Nor
gam would call him to order.
Mr. Chandler added to what Mr.. Nor
gan had said as to the insurgent capi-
tai, that it had an actual existence and
the Spanish troops had not been able
to take it.
No." said Mr.. Morgan, Gomez and
Maceo have come nearer taking
Havana than the Spanish have to tax
ing the insurgent capital"
Mr.. Morgan went on to read from
the Spanish Minister'S statement de-
failing the Cuban methods of fighting,
their failure to come out for an open
fight and the theatrical effect of their
movements.
Mr.. Morgan referred to the grim
tragedy beneath the theatrical eff
feet" mentioned by the Minister. When
the Senator read the Minister'S criti-
cism of the insurgent methods of burn
ing cane fields, he added, that it was a
recognized right of war to destroy
and burn property in order to cripple
the enemy.
After completing the Spanish Min
ister's statement which was largely
comment and argument on past devel-
opments, Mr.. Morgan pointed out that
Mr.. Hale's recent speech in defense of
Spain was based on a statement of
Premier Castillo, of Spain, which
statement, Mr.. Morgan alleged, had
now been repudiated by the Spanish
Premier. The Senator added that it
was clear Mr.. Hale had no sympathy
for the Cuban negroes and doubtless he
would not care to see the negroes of
the United States free il they did not
vote the Republican ticket.
At this point Mr.. Morgan yielded, not
having completed his remarks, and at
4:30 the Senate adjourned.