The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
HE FAVORS INTERFERENCE
FOR THE PROTECTION OF AMER
ICANS In THE OPPRESSED ISLAND,
And Even War with Spain, if Neces-
ALA of BlOodshed and Fire."

Senate and well-flled galleries for an
hour to-day by his earnest advocacy of
strong and decisive policy in dealing with
the Cuban question The prominence of
Mr.. Morgan in the Cuban debate of last
session. when he had charge of the Cuban
resolutions. reported from the committee
on foreign relations, gave special interest
to his speech to-day. He spoke in dispas-
sionate STYLE although. his words had
directness and severity in picturng the hor-
rors existing in Cuba such is seldom
heard in the Senate. Mr.. Morgan spoke
freely of the possibilities of war, welcoming
it if necessary to guarantee the protect
ing cf American citizens. He asserted that
Spain's bankruptcy would prevent the col
lecting of any indemnity for wrongs. The
senator questioned the wisdom of the Pres
| ident's position that the granting of bellig-
erent rights would be "untimely.'f Mr..
Morgans views on the line of action which
should be adopted was summed up in the
following: Although believe that bellig-
erent rights should be accorded the Cubans.
inasmuch as the President prefers a more
coercive policy and warns Spain that the
time is near at hand for decisive action, m !
Will save our people on that
island from further outrage; will
of propriety, but will follow the colors
when planted by the President on the ad-
vance ground that the concession of belig-
erent rights has become untimely. and
that our duty demands active Intervention.
If that crumbles away. l will again fall
back to the position that just care for
our own people requires us 10 declare an
armed neutrality ready to assail either bel
ligerent that infiicts wrongs on our own
people. If the President should say, The
time has arrived. the hour has struck,
would any American be so base as not to
hold up his hands while the battle is rag
ing?" 3.3c..
Mr.. Morgan's resolution. which was
agreed to, follows:
Resolved. That the President is re-
patibIe with the publfco Service. to send to
the Senate copies of the papers relating to
Cuba which are referred to in the report of
the secretary of state that accompanies
in l' the ss' annual ' volume % @ entitled Foreign
relations of the United States. And also
a statement of the several amounts of the
claims lodged in the Department of State
| by citizens of the United States against
| Spain growing out of the alleged insurrec-
ton now existing in the Island of Cuba.
| And also all correspondence with the
! Spanish government relating to the vessel
| called the Competitor and the persons cap
tured with or near that vessel with
| statement of the charges pending in any
| court in Spain or cabas ssagainst said per-
| sons and the proceedings of such court in
those cases; and the place of their inn
| while in prison and the condition OF their
| health; whether said prisoners have had
| the privilege of counsel of their own Selec-
ton on any trial that has taken place. on
| such charges were represented by any
| consul or attorney or agent of the United
States
The Senator began'h his speech soon after
| the opening of the session. He said, in
part:
on the facts stated in the recent annual
| message of the President and the report OF
| the secretary of state. am not able TO
| discover that the President has made any
! specific tionss or indication as
| to any action he deems ii proper or ex-
| pedient for Congress to take with reference
| To Spain or Cuba; nor that he has indicated
| any course, except q still patient waiting.
| Congress. thus left TO its own initiative.
| must assume it's own responsibility In a
matter of the most serious gravity Con
gress must give to the statements of the
President unhesitating acceptance as to
matters that were committed by the Con-
stitution to his especial charge. When he
undertakes to state the facts that affect
our relations with other powers we must
accept those facts. unless the disproof of
them is overpowerng. This message Is.
therefore. of the most impressive inn
portance as a statement of the leading
facts and conclusions that bear on our
duties in respect to the conflict of arms
which has ragged for over two years in the
Island of Cuba. and il has the support of
nearly all American belief 1 have not
heard that Spain controverts any statement
of the President in his message. The evil
relative to the condition of Cuba and the
horrors of persecution, rapine and exterm-
mits of no doubt as to it's credibility Yet
it presents picture SO incredibly inhuman
and so disgraceful TO the civilization of
this age that it stuns the mind into dis
belief that such things can be true"
INNOCENT PEOPLE IN DANGER.
AS Mr.. Morgan spoke the galleries filled
and his words were followed with close at
tention by the senators and the large num-
ber of spectators. Mr.. Morgan went on TO
speak of the trying situation, which re-
quired prompt action to save thousands of
innocent people from cruel and deliberate
butchery. The wholesale massacreS were
no surprise to the senator, who had an
ticipated them.
IF war with the United States is neces-
sary to reconcile the Spanish people to the
loss of Cuba by foreign conquest" said
Mr.. Morgan. 1--WE shall be compelled to
meet that emergency. If the destruction
of Cuba is enough to satisfy the popular
sentiment of revenge, we can avoid a
war with Spain by remaining inactive,
while our own people are being ruined or
slaughtered along with the Cubans. III we
mean to take any action towards stopping
this war of annihilation ard determination
we have no time 10 lose
Mr.. Morgan spoke of the resolution OF
Congress at the last session which. he said.
left to the president the cnOlce OF concur
ring with the policy of Congress or delay
ing. The President chose delay. THE war
has continued. said Mr., Morgan; until
it has reao he'd the final and desperate stage
of a war OF devastation and determination
with the people. of Cuba as prey to those
who have set aside the usual honorable
usages of warfare and have become rob-
berS. cut-thrOatS, aSSaSSinS, raviSherS and
pirates"
All of these crimes. Mr.. Morgan declared.
would be found 10 have been automatically
stated to our government when the seals
of secrecy are broken and they are brought
to the knowledge Of the world FOR the
10 war to put end 70 this saturnalia of
blood and fire.. Congress had reason 10
regret the inaction of the President. A
firm declaration that the conflict in Cuba
had reached the stage of open, public
war would have aGmonished Spain that the
| countable for the observance of the rules
| of civilized warfare. The senator spoke
bitterly of the interference of supposed
business interests TO prevent the govern
ment from ending the 'horrid and brutal
purpose Of infuriated men,
WRONGS DONE OUR PEOPLE.
Mr.. Morgan spoke of the necessity for
protecting our citizens abroad. Referring
| to Turkey. he expressed the hope that the
| policy of this government should not be re-
| taxed and that we would not much longer
hear of these Turkish offenses against hu-
manity. The senator asserted that our
| people in Cuba have rights under the laws
| will enforce despite the opposition. even.
| of the President of the United States IL he
| should oppose them. He would give these
| laws full force and effect. Our people were