The herald., 1896-02-21
THE F!FTYF0U2TH congress
Cuban Recognition Discussed in
the Senate
THE GREAT CROWD CHEERS
As Cuba's Cause Is Presented in
Dramatic Words
The GREAT CROWD CHEERS
The Proposition to Request Spain to Recognize
Cuban 8eiiigerency Liksly to Be
Radically Amended
Associated Press Special Wire.

definite and final action, and it is expect
ed that votes will be taken at an early
day on the several pending propositions,
requesting Spain to recognize the belliger-
oncy of Cuba. and requesting recogni-
ton of Cuban independence.
There is every indica ton also that the
debate will lead to more radical and de-
cisive resolutions. The opening of the de-
bate today drew large crowds to the gall
leries, and there were demonstrations of
approval at the dramatic utterances of
several of the speakers.
Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts, and Mr..
Morgan of Alabama were particularly for
cible and direct in their language, Mr..
Morgan expressing the belief that war be-
tween the United States aud Spain would
result from recognizing the Cubans as bel
ligerents. In graphically picturing the
rise and spread of the rebellion, Mr.. Lodge
said:
"A year ago another revolution began.
1t began in the eastern part OF the island
with small band of 800 men. With the
vast wilderness of lying bulletins that
come from Spanish sources. il is very diff
cult 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 are no MISLEADING. These men
who started so feebly a year ago in the
eastern part of the island have crept over
that island from one end to the other. The
500 have grown until today the hostile ac-
counts represent them at $4,000 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 statements OF a fresh insurgent ad-
vance. We know, as matter of fact,
that the whole of that island today, except
where the Spanish fleets ride at anchor,
and where the Spanish armies are en-
camped, is in the hands of the insurgents.
We know they have formed government,
that they have held two elections, that
every officer in the army holds his com.
mission from the government which they
have established. We know the terms of
that provisional government and in the
presence of these facts and of the fighting
that these men have done, think it not
unreasonable of them to ask some recog-
milton at the hands of the United States"
Comparing the former commander, Gen.
Campos, with the present one, Mr.. Lodge
said:
"Martinez Campos, the ablest general in
Spain, has been recalled because he failed
to put down this rebellion-when the in
surgent troops had been actually in the
suburbs of Havana, and in his place has
been sent man whose only reputation
known to the world is his cold-blooded bru.
tality in the last war in that island"
Again the senator said, referring to the
desperate fighting of the insurgents:
"Cubans are lighting, every one of them,
with price on their heads and with a rope
around their necks. They have shown that
they can fight we'll. They are fighting the
battle of despair"
There was hearty applause as Mr.. Lodge
closed with the following peroration:
''If that war goes on in Cuba with the
added horrors which this new general
brings with him; if it continues. the re-
sponsibility is on the United States. We
cannot escape it. We should exert every
influence of the United States, standing as
believe they do, for humanity and civili-
xation; we should exercise every influence
of our great country to put stop to that
great war which is raging there and try to
give to that island once more peace and
liberty, 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 he also said that Spain would
welcome war with this country which
would affarl her a legitimate excuse to get
nd of Cuba in way not to wound her
pride. The galleries broke into loud APP
plause when, in response to question by
Mr.. Frye, MIR. Morgan said: "My opinion
Is that congress has the perfect, independ-
ent, absolute, right to make recognition of
belhgerency or declaration of independ-
ence and. If II is necessary, to enforce it by
any military movement at sea or on land;
It has the right to command the COM
mander-in-chief of the army and navy to
60 into the field, if it is necessary, and ex-
pose his person in the execution of that
order. That is my opinion"
Mr.. Cameron of Pennsylvania and Mr..
Call of Florida also spoke. Mr.. Cameron
gave notice that if the resolution was
adopted asking Spain to act and she did
not, he would then move for the immediate
and complete recognition of Cuban inde-
pendence.
hours. Senior Pastor, of the Spanish lega-
ton, sat in the diplomatic gallery.
The first thing OF importance in the sem
ate today was the reading OF a letter from
the secretary of the treasury as to coinage
and other money in circ llation, which was
ordered printed for the use of the senate.
The senate spent some time discussing the
question of official procedure. Hill of
New York called attention to the numerous
resolutions passed by the house and SEN
ote, some joint, some concurrent and some
the individual act of the houses. There
was no authoritative decision.as to which
of the resolutions required the signature of
the president IN order to make it operative.
At the suggestion of Frye, who urged the
desirabiiity of an authoritative statement,
Hill onered a resolution, which was agreed
70. directing The judiciary committee to re-
port on the subject. This action is re-
garded as having an important bearing on
the pending resolution relating to foreign
affairs.
Squire of Washington reported favorably
. bill requiring marine engineers to be
American citizens. Frye called attention to
some recent remarks by Squire criticieing
the un-American course of the Interna-
tional steamship line. Frye declared the
senator had unintentionaily misstated the
facts, having been "crammed with msin-
formation
Mr.. Squire responded. showing that his
statements had been made on what he
considered reliable authority.
On motion of Mr.. Chandler the reso, u
ton of Mr.. Lodge, concerning a bond in
vestigation. went over until Monday.
Minor bills blocked the way for some
time, but Mr.. Call finally had the Cuban
resolutions called up. The resolution as
reported by the committee on foreign
affairs is as follows:
Resolved. By the senate (the house of
representatives coRcurrng) that in the
opinion of congress a condition of war ex-
lists between the government of Spain and
the government proclaimed and for some
time maintained by force of arms by the
people of Cuba, and that the United States
of America should maintain a strict neu-
trality between these contending powers.
according to each all the rights OF belIiger-
ents in the ports and territory of the
United States.
Mr.. Cameron CRepublican of Pennsyl-