The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-15
Leaders In Both Houses Opposed to
Any Action That May Involve This
Country i'm War with Spain.
CALL TO THE FRONT AGAIN
WITH THREE RESOLUTIONS BASED
ON RUMORS AS TO MACEO.
Senator Morgan After Information
Concerning Various Matters Con-
nected with the Cuban War.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WARRINGTON, Dec. H-Congressmen
are at sea as TO the real facts surrounding
the assassination of Maceo. There is di-
rect conflict between the stories told by
the Spanish representatives here and those
sent out by authority of the Cuban news
bureaus In this city, New York and at
Florida points. Even the warmest friends
OF the Cuban cause are afraid to take too
much for granted being apprehensive that
an investigation into the details of the oc-
currence may show that the Junto agen-
cies were drawing largely from their imag-
nations in their accounts of Maceos be-
trayal and brutal murder. IL Ii should
turn out to be true, the Spanish au-
thorities claim, Maceo walked into a trap
accidentally and met his death in a man.
ner considered legitimate in civilized war
fare. then the patriots will have very lit
tie to stand on. and any excitement man.
ufactured on a false theory or mistaken
presentment of facts will have a boomer
ang effect. The Wall-street alliances of
everything emanating from that quarter
In news way. The cause of Cuba is not
helped by the championship of jingoes like
-
Howard. of Alabama. who thus far have
been most active in flooding Congress with
resolutions on the slightest excuse and
trying to foment trouble without inquiry
into the truthfulness of their assertions.
The conservative leaders in both houses
are opposed to precipitate action which
may involve this country in war with
Spain over Cuba. Not all Of them openly
oppose action. but they stand ready at all
times to promote parliamentary delay, and
their influence is felt repressbly every time
the hotheads attempt to force action. The
two committees on foreign affairs are con-
trolled by conservatives. There is no way
to stop talk, and indeed there is no dispo-
sition to choke off oratory, especially in
the Senate. In the House the rules are
built expressly to restrain individual out
bursts, and members who have Cuban fire.
works to explode find it impossible to Sc
cure recognition to the displacement of
business. Mr. Barrett, Of Massachusetts.
is the only man who has recently invented
an instantaneously explosive gun. He got
a hearing and chance to speak last ses-
sion by proposing to impeach Embassador
Bayard, put there appears to be no way
of getting at the Cuban question except
through the regular channels.
In the Senate to-day Mr. Call presented
three separate resolutions. One denounced
the killing of Gen. Antonio Maceo as fol-
lows:
tonic Maceo, a renowned general in the
service of the Republic of Cuba, if true
while under flag of truce and with an
assurance of safety from the Spanish can
tain general, was violation of the rules
of civilized war. an outrage of base treach-
cry, murder. cowardly and disgraceful
government and of all the people of the
world. whether civilized or savage: that
the government which authorizes, permits
or fails to punish the assassins who are
connected in any way with the guilt of this
crime with the extreme penalty of the
law is an outcast from the family of. ma
and public law; that the COMMITTEES on
foreign relations be directed to make in
guiry as to the facts and report to the
Senate at an early day"
Another resolution by Mr. Call requested
the President to demand the release of all
United States citizens imprisoned in the
Spanish penal colony on the Island of
Centa, OFF the coast of Africa. The third
resolution asked the secretary of state for
list of all United States citizens imprs-
oned i'm Spanish settlements. etc.. with the
tion, etc. The three resolutions were re-
ferred without comment to the COMMITTEES
on foreign relation.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, introduced
resolution calling upon the President to
send TO the Senate copies of the papers
relating to Cuban affairs; also statement
OF the claims of citizens of the United
States against Spain growing out of the
Cuban ir1surrection. and also all the cor
respondence with the Spanish government
relating to the Competitor case. The reso-
luton asks for especial information in
regard to the trial of persons captured
on the Competitor. the character of their
treatment while In prison and whether
they have had the benefit of counsel of
their own selection.
The reported assassination of Maceo and
it's effect on the attitude of this country
toward the revolutionists was almost the
sole topic of conversation on the floor be-
fore the House met to-day and there was
a general expectation that some radically
sensational resolutions would beintroduced
but only one bobbed to the front. 1t was
offered by Representative NJ. w. Howard,
of Alabama, and 1T proposed the reccgni-
tion of the Republic of Cuba as free and
independent government. Several other
joint resolutions calling for the recognition
OF the independence and of the belligerency
of the revolutionists have been referred TO
the House committee on foreign affairs.
Chairman Hit, of that committee. says
that a meeting will be called this week TO
take up the diplomatic appropriation bill
and to consider general business. 1t is
probable that the Cuban partisans on the
committee will endeavor to bring up their
projects for recognition and there will be
a discussion, If nothing more. of the ques-
ton. The House leaders believe with PreSi-
dent Cleveland that there should be no in
tervention by this Congress. This is under
stood to be the position held by Speaker
Reed and Chairman Hit.
A
tute the standing subcommittee on Cuba
OF the foreign affairs committee. General
Draper said to-day that the conflicting re-
ports left him in doubt whether Maceo had
been assassinated or whether he was really
dead. He thought IL quite probable that
President Cleveland's assertion that the
conflict had been become one of wanton
saw no possible outcome of the revolution
but the final victory of Spain or interven-
tion by the United States. General Draper
is still opposed 10 Intervention, as he was
in the last Congress.
Representative McCreary, of Kentucky
formerly chairman of the committee. said
that the killing of Maceo was a great out
Such violation Of faith had never oc-
CURED in civil war he said.
There was much talk about the House
that there should be an investigation of the
circumstance of Maceo's death. but Con
gress could hardly conduct satisfactory
inquiry even If II had the authority fol-
such proceeding under international law. II
will be called on to furnish all the informa.
ton IL has concerning the affair. Without
the action OF the foreign affairs committee