The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-29
CUBAN FREEDOM
Statesmen Express Their Sentiments
IN No Uncertain Terms.
BUT SIX DISSENTING VOICES
To Resolutions, Favoring Bel
ligerent Rights.

WASHINGTON, Feb 20.-By the over.
whelming vote Of 64 to the senate adopted
concurrent resolution favorable to Cuban
belligerency and independence. The reso-
luton adopted was as follows:
Resolved. BY the senate (the house Of repre-
sentatives concurring) that in the opinion OF
congress condition OF public war exists be-
tween the government Of Spain and the gov
ernment proclaimed and for some time main
tanned by force OF arms by the people Of Cuba.
and that tho United States OF America should
maintain strict neutrality between the con-
tending powers, according each all the rights
of belligerents in the ports and territory or
the United States.
Resolved. That the friendly offices Of the
United States should be offered by the presi-
dent TO the spanish government for the recog-
milton of the independence of Cuba.
When the result was announced, the
densely packed galleries broke into long
continued applause, which the vice presi-
dent checked with difficulty. The result
was reached after a day of fervid speeches,
which at times aroused the crowd of spec
tators to enthusiastic demonstrations.
The keen public interest In the subject
was evinced by the presence OF the largest
crowd since congress assembled.
The representatives OF foreign powers
were numerously in attendance, the oc-
cupants OF the diplomatic gallery includ-
ing Ministers Menionca of Brazil, Hatch
of Hawaii. Lazzod Arriaga of Guatemala,
Rengifo of Colombia and Won Kettler of
the German embassy. Dupuy de Lone
was not present, but two OF the attaches
Of the Spanish legation occupied seats
with the other diplomats.
The main feature OF the debate was the
speech of Senator Sherman, chairman of
the committee on foreign relations. As a
rule, the veteran senator from Ohio speaks
with reserve and conservatism, so that it
was the more surprising when he ar
raigned Spain and her governor general
Weyler-in the most merciless and scath-
ing language. Mr.. sherman read specific
instances in which Weyler was pictured as
stripping young girl captives and max
ing them dance before the Spanish troops.
Other speeches were made by Mr.. Lind
say (Ky.), Lodge (Mass.), Gallery QAa)
and Allen (Neb.).
The vote began at o'clock. according
to agreement. 1t was simplifled by the
withdrawal of conflicting amendments,
so that only three votes were necessary.
The first disposed Of the resolution of Mr..
White (Cal.), limiting the action OF con-
gress to request on the president TO
grant belligerency Thiswas tabled-57 to
~. The amendment Of Mr.. Allen. direct
ing the president to recognize the Cuban
republic as independent, met like defeat
62tol7 Then came the final vote rs above
recorded.
The detailed vote on the final passage OF
che resolutions is as follows:
YEAS: llison, Baker,
Brown, Burrows, Cameron, Cannon, Car
ter, Chandler. Clark. Culiom, Davis, Du-
bois, Elkins, Frye. Gallinger, Gear, Haw-
ley, Lodge, Mcbride, Mcmillan, Mantle,
Mitchell (Of.), Nelson, Perkins, Pritchard,
Proctor, Quay, Sherman, Shoup. Squire,
Teller, Thurston, Warren and Wilson.
Democrats--Bacon, Bate, Berry, Call,
Cockrell, Daniel, Faulkner Gibson, Cor
man, Gray, Hill, Irby. Jones (Ark. }, Lind
say, Martin, Mills, Morgan, Pasco, Roach,
Smith, Turpie, Vest, Walthall, White.
Populists-Allen Butler, Jones New,
Kyle, PETER, Stewart.
NAYS: Republicans-Hale, Morrill, and
Wetmore.
Democrats-Ca Caffery, Chiffon, George.
Populists-None. Total; Yeas, 81;
nays,6
Senator'S Significant Utterances.
Considerable significance is rightfully
attached TO the speeches OF Lindsay and
Sherman in the senate The former was
closeted with the president for long
time Thursday night, and, although he
declines TO voice the chief executive at
titude, 1t is inferred that so good an ad-
ministration man rs the Kentucky SEN
ator would not willingly antagonize the
president. Sherman's experience in deal
ing with foreign relations and generally
conservative course naturally strengthens
the position of the Cuban sympathizers.
Mr.. Lindsay did not think that in the
present emergency the subject ought to be
controlled in any way by the past conduct
OF Spain to the United States. II was, In
one sense, a question of humanity. War
was being carried on at tho very doors of
the United States between the people of
Cuba and the Spanish government, and it
would result either In the independence of
Cuba or In the utter destruction OF her
people.
Expressions OF sympathy would avail
nothing TO the Cuban insurrectionists.
II the United States intended 20 take any
step to bring about n condition of affairs
IL Cuba different from that which had
existed during the last 20 years, that step
should be in the direction Of the ultimate
Independence Of Cuba.
Mr.. sherman sent to the clerks desk
and had read extracts from Spanish
book, printed in a New York newspaper,
rcciting horrible crueltes charged against
Weyler-some of tho incidents being so
bad that he directed the clerk to omit
them. He spoke OF these deeds rs barbar-
Gus atrocities aud ne inhuman cruelties,
and said that Wcyler was demon rather
than general
He denounced the idea Of putting such
man in command OF 100, 600 troops to ride
rough-shod, Kill and slaughter feeble
body of people, and he declared lin the
most solemn terms) that IL this kind Of
policy Is pursued by Spain in Cuba, and il
the people of the United States be in
formed OF it, there Is no earthly power
that will prevent the people Of the United
States from soing over to that island, rum
ming all over its length and breadth, and
driving out from IL those robbers and i'm
itators OF the worst men that ever lived
in the world. [Applause from crowds in
the gallery "If," Mr.. Sherman con-
u. l..