The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21
He Reviews the Progress of the Insur-
rection and shows the Patriots Have
Earned Their Independence.
MR.. MORGAN PREDICTS WAR
AND THINKS SPAIN WOULD LIKE TO
TRY STRENGTH WITH Us.
He Believes Congress Has the Right
to Make a Declaration and Enforce
Ii, III Necessary, with Our Army.

WASHINGTON, Feb. @-The Cuban
question came before the Senate to-day for
definite and final action. and IL is expected
that votes will be taken at an early day
on the several pending propositions
questing Spain TO recognize the belliger-
ency Of Cuba and requesting a recognition
of Cuban independence. There is every in
dication also that the debate will lead 10
more radical and decisive resolutions. The
opening of the debate to-day drew large
crowds to the galleries, and there were fire.
quent demonstrations of approval at the
stirring and dramatic utterances OF sew
eral OF the speakers.
Mr.. Lodge. of Massachusetts,. and Mr..
Morgan, of Alabama, were particularly
forcible and direct in their language, Mr.
Morgan expressing the belief that war be-
tween the United States and Spain would
result from recognizing the Cubans as bel
ligerents. In graphically picturing the rise
and spread of the rebellion Mr.. Lodge said:
Just a year ago another revolution began
1t began in the eastern part OF the island
with small band of five hundred men,
With the vast wilderness OF lying bulletivs
that come from Spanish sources 1t is very
difficult, and it is not worth while. per-
haps, 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 yeal
ago in the eastern part of the island have
crept over that island from one end TO
the other The five hundred have grown
until even to-day the hostile accounts rep
resent them at 5000 in the field We know
that the railroad lines are cut, that the
telegraph lines are down. that every report
OF Spanish victory that comes TO US In
the newspapers Is followed by the state
ment of fresh insurgent advance We
know as matter of fact that the whole
OF that island to-day except where the
Spanish fleets ride at ancHor and where
the Spanish armies are encamped. is I'm the
hands OF the insurgents We know they
have formed a government: that they have
held two elections: that every oficer In the
army holds his commission from the gov
ernment, and, in the presence OF these
facts and of the lighting that these men
have done, think it not unreasonable of
them to ask some recognition at the hands
of the United States"
Comparing the former general. Martinez
Campos. with the present one. General wey-
ley, Mr.. Lodge said: Martinez Campos, the
ablest general in Spain. has been recalled
because he failed to put down the insurrec-
tion-recalIed when the insurgent troops had
been actually in the suburbs of Havana. and
in his place has been sent man whose only
reputation known 10 the world is that Of the
most cold-blooded brutality in the last war
for liberty on that island" Again the SEN
ator said. referring TO the desperate fight
ing of the insurgents: ''cuba is fighting not
only for independence. These men are fight
ing, every one of them. with price on their
heads and a rope around their necks. They
have shown that they could fight we'll They
are fighting the battle of despair.
There was hearty applause as Mr.. Lodge
closed with the following peroration: IF
war goes on In Cuba with the added horrors
which this new general brings with him; IL
IL continues. the responsibility Is on Us. We
cannot escape il. We should exert every in
fuence of the United States. Standing as
believe they do. for humanity and ciyiliza-
ton, we should exercise every influence OF
great war which Is now raging there, and
try TO give TO that island once more peace
and liberty and security"
Mr.. Morgan. who reported the resolution
expressed the opinion that ANY action that
this country might take looking to Cuban
recognition would result in war with SPAIN"
and ne also said that Spain would welcome a
war with this country, which would AFFORD
| her a legitimate excuse to get rid OF Cuba I'm
way. net to offend her pride. The gal
| ieries broke into loud applause when In re-
sponse to question by Mr.. Frye. Mr. Nor
gan said My opinion fs that Congress has
the perfect, independent. absolute right TO
make this recognition OF belligerency, or a
declaration of independence. and. IL IL IL
necessary, TO enforce IL By any military
movement on sea or land; IL has the right
to command the commander-in-chief Of the
army and navy to go on the field. II Il Is
necessary, and expose his person TO the ex-
ecution OF that order. That is my opinion"
Mr.. Cameron and Mr. Call also spoke. Mr.
| Cameron gave notice that IL the resolution
was adopted requesting Spain 10 act. and
| she did not. he would then move for the i'm
mediate and comRbfte recognition OF Cuban
| independence. Throughout the debate. last
| ing three hours. Senor Pastor of the Span
| ish legation, sat in the diplomatic gallery.