Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-20
54th CONGRESS.
Brains and Breath Being Used
On Cuban Resolution.
Gray Of Delaware, SEXES the 0ppor-
tunity to Air His Eloquence.
Good Natured Tit, With Hale Keeps the
Senate in Good Humor.

member Of the committee on foreign rcla
tions, said 1t would be vain to attempt to
disguise the feeling of sympathy that oc-
cupied the breast of every true American
in regard to the struggle In Cuba Yet
the government of the United States had
strictly enforced the neutrality laws and
had gone to the very verge of it's interna-
tional obligations in protecting Spain
from the effect of that Widespread sympa-
thy:
That feeling found proper, respectful
and courteous expression in she resolu-
tions expressed by the Senate. However
much Spain might be, irritated by that
action, she had no right in any interna-
tional point of view to find fault with or
call into account the government of the
United States for that expression Of
opinion of its people.
Gray argued that there was no reason
why the Senate should accept the House
resolutions after its own resolutions were
contcmptuously swept aside. He thought
there was grave objection to the language
OF the House resolution. 1t did not put
the attitude of Congress where It ought TO
be put. correctly rs the Senate resolution
did
Platt, Rep, OF Connecticut inquired
whether there was any proof before the
committee on foreign relations that Spian
had failed TO carry out her PROMISE at the
pacitication of the last revolt in Cuba
Hale observed that it was remarkable
that the committee on foreign relations
had not furnished any facts on that point.
The senator from Ohio, (Sherman) merely
stated that Spain had violated her
promises He (Hale) asserted the con
trary Spain, he said, had given home
ruls to Cuba. She had established a
council, made up half by election and half
by appointment. Representation i'll the
Cortes had been accorded TO Cuba and
Porto Rico. Just as Spain was charging
those concessions to home rule, the pres
ent revolt had broken out. Hale re-
marked that those We're facts that this
country had never baen permitted to
know.
Hoar Joined in criticising the recent
statement of Sherman that Spain had re
fused to carry Ont any Of the promises she
had made. He asked whether the com
mttes on foreign relations stood by or did
not stand by its chairman's statement.
Gray said he did not understand that
the committee had passed definitely on
that question. What it passed upon was,
whether such state Of public war existed
in Cuba as entitled it TO be recognized as
a belligerency.
Sherman said he had read a letter from
Gen. Campos, written a year after the
paciflcation of 1873, showing that all OF
the promises Of Spain had been violated
Plat asked in what respect Spain had
failed to keep her promises made in the
term of the equalization Of 1878.
Hale inquired whether anybody denied
that Cuba had represe ntaton in the
Spanish Cortes.
Sherman-She has one delegate.
Hale-I have a list h re showing that
Cuba and Porto Rico have in the Spanish
Cortes 45 members in the House of
Deputies, and II or Is members in the Sen
ate.
Gray-How many of them are appointed
by the governor general of Cuba:
Hale-Not one. Every essential thing
in that paciflcation has been given by
Spain.
After some further remarks, Hale ex-
claimed; Il speak with some feeling be-
cause l am laboring under a sense of in
tlSuobiOii OAi htCpuDu VI Nut SUPPRESSION VI
the real facts in this case. The committee
has kept facts from the Senate"
Gray proceeded with his speech, in
which he was SO frequently interrupted by
Hale, that Gray sarcastically apologized
for breaking so often into Hals's speech
and referred to him, as If by slip of the
tongue. rs the senator from Spain
{ Laughter).
Gray closed with an expression Of the
hope that Spain. without rupture of
friendly relations, shall sit down with |
us at the council board OF nations and
consider whether there may not be
some other issue OF this sorry contro-
versy than the determination oe q
whole people fighting for their lib
critics.
Chiffon Dem, of Texas, favored
joint resolution recognizing the belli- |
gerrncy of the Cubans. but not the con- |
current resolution. He did not think |
Congress alone had the right to declare |
war or give belligerent rights without |
the concurrence of the President. ex-
eept when Congress accorded these |
rights over the Presidents veto by a |
tW o-thi"ds vote
ne SdIQ taldl tic tune VI IlQDllC Dlblii~ |
ion, while mild in the beginning. was |
growing more and more aggressive |
The House resolutions were offered to |
cster to the warlike spirit now doni- |
nant in the United States Against |
this Wariike spirit he felt called upon |
to protest The United States had |
nothing to gain by such q war and |
much to lose.
The senator spoke Of barbarities be- |
ing practiced in Cuba. but there We're
no facts on which to base such asser-
tons If america was to go forth and |
purify the world, why did it not turn
its attention to Russia and Turkey |
He believed the intervention of the
United States in Cuban affairs meant |
the ultimate annexation of the island |
to the United states. with all the diff
,ultieS attendant upon such action. He |
drew dark picture of the miseries
already hanging over the United States
IN account OF the bitter racial feelings
and he deprecated the Introduction of
any fresh causes of bitterness.
Continued on page 2