The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-11
CULLoM SPEAKS FOR CUBA.
WANTS sPANIARDs DRIVEN FROM
THE GATEWAY OF THE GULF.


PIE of Those Islands and the Uni-
ted states-senntor CaII Speaks ON
Ilis joint Revolution and Cites the
Ccspedes Case.
Washington, Dec. 10.-The independence
of Cuba and the recognition of the in
surgents as regularly organized gov
ernment had two advocates in the Senate
to-day in the persons of Senators Cullom,
rep, of Illinois and Call. dem. Of Florida.
Mr.. Cullom delivered a carefully pre-
pared speech in support of his views,
while Mr.. Cali contented himself with a
brief discoursive statement
Mr.. Cullom prefaced his speech with the
introduction OF a joint resolution declaring
that "the extinction of Spanish title and
the termination of Spanish control in the
islands at the gateway of the Gulf of
Mexico are necessary to the welfare of
those islands and of the people OF tho
United States"
Mr.. Cullom, speaking to his resolution,
ana after a brief reference to the Presi-
dents message in regard to the Island Of
Cuba, said: eve are already placed in
such position that some certain course OF
course may be, it must be such as shall
give proper recognition to the rights un-
der existing conditions, belonging respec-
lively to Spain and Cuba It must also rec
ognize the rights aud prerogatives OF the
world at large-of the nations and people
who stand aloof and watch with deepest m
terest this struggle for independence and
for liberty against absolutism And not the
least Of the responsibilities imposed upon
us as a nation Is the conservation of our
own rights and interests. In fact, this lat
ter is the determining factor which must
control our course.
while ! am not disposed to criticise
President Cleveland, l may properly say
that had hoped he would find occasion to
give more positive or emphatic expression
Of the true American continental policy,
which ought to be invoked in all cases
where the liberty and independence Of any
Of the peoples of the American continent
are involved. And further, / think we
ought never to hesitate or delay when the
lines Of this policy run parallel and coin
cident with those Of common humanity.
Passing in rapid review the prominent
facts In Spanish history for the last four
or FIVE centuries, Mr.. Cullom continued:
Il protest that a people with such his
tory and such an education can have no
just claim to a participation In the con-
troll OF any territorial possession on this
hemisphere
There may be no warrant In interna-
tiona law for any interference between a
government and Its subjects, provided that
government belongs TO the family Of ma
tions or is recognized as one of the pow
ers of the earth. Still, does not the great
heart OF humanity beat in sympathy with
the poor souls apparently forgotten by
the Master and left to bear the burdens
Of cruel and relentless oppression. Is
there no way, no light no hope? Must
the brutality Of might alone de-
fine the offense and mete out
the penalty with no human power TO
whom intercession may be made?
"Oh, Spainl Oh, spain When shall thy
day be fulfilled? Was there no loyal Span
lard who would and could, amid all these
centuries, stay the hand Of death or raise
the sword Of justice while there was time
to saver"
Having sketched the career Of the form
er Spanish-American colonies. Mr.. Gull
lom went on: while all the provinces
which have rebelled and separated from
Spain have become prosperous and fairly
we'll conditioned independent countries,
the feeble old mother country has grad
ually fallen into q lower and lower estate,
depending and almost relying for exist
ence upon the stolen gold levied upon
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippine Is
lands. Spain continues to be what she al
ways has been-a robbef nation. ! speak
now Of the nation, and not of her people.
Some Of the best and noblest names Of the
ages come to us from Spain, where, un-
happily, too many of them mete their sad
and melancholy fates. And to-day as well
as In recent times there are many noble
men and women who owe allegiance to the
Spanish throne, who adhere to her cause.
hoping and striving to improve and make
better her present and future, but who
can never outlive or wipe out the tradi-
tions which have established her repu-
tation and fixed her status among the
kingdoms of the eastern hemisphere.
IF we wait for precedent we shall wait
forever. II a precedent Is needed we shall
make one.
1--WE violated every precedent by the
declaration Of our own Independence on
July A, l776. We had no precedent, nor did
we even ask for advice as to the change
ia 1889 from a confederation to a union Of
states When we announced the Monroe
doctrine in 1923 II was in defiance Of prece-
dent, and was the determination OF a rule
which has become a law, and will never
be gainsaid.
"Whon we announced not many months
ago that we should intervene in the matter
Of the Venezuelan boundary and see for
ourselves II our rights were to be conclud-
ed by foreign dlctation, we followed no
precedent but that Of good American COM
mon sense And common sense has won.
",rhese instances only show that up to
this time no assumption of authority in
regard to American affairs which this gov
ernment has made has never been success
fully contested.
I'VE now have reached the time to take
another step In advance. We have already
proclaimed that the United States will
have something TO say regarding matters
affecting the American continent, and we
should now announce that the speedy ter
minatlon OF Spanish control OF the islands
at the gateway Of the Mexican Gulf is
necessary alike to the welfare OF those
islands and to the people OF the United
States.
"The present situation cannot continue.
This war Of determination must stop. The
question TO be determined is not fully
clear, except that the war must cease.
Whatever may be said regarding our duty
as a nation toward a friendly power which
is striving to suppress an insurrection in
Cuba still no one, either in America or
Europe, misundcrstands the situation.
Every humane heart. American or foreign,
sympathizes deeply and sincerely. not with
the rapine and pillage by which the lnsur-
gents la Cuna seek to weaken their ene-
mies but with the spirit which leads them