The San Francisco call., 1896-02-21
Spain Declared to Be Awaiting
a Chance to Fight the
United States.
OPPRESSION OF THE NATIVES.
Islanders Whose Struggle for Free.
dom Demands the Sympathy
of This Country.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 2o.-For
three hours and half to-day the Senate
was engaged in debate on the resolution
for the recognition of the belllgerent rights
of the Cuban insurgents and the alterna-
tive resolution for the recognition of Cuban
independence. There was a very large
attendance of Senators and the galleries
were filed by an interested and sometimes
excited assemblage of men and women.
The debate was opened by Senator Call
(D) of Florida, and continued oy Cameron
(R.) of Pennsylvania. in warm speech
Cameron declared that the question was
no longer one of belligerency, but one OF
independence. He wanted the Govern
ment to act The policy which he advo-
Gated was. he asserted, the policy of the
Republican party and of the American
people.
He was followed by Senators Lodge (R.)
of Massachusetts, and Morgan CD of Ala
bama. Morgan was the author of the con-
current resolution reported from the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations Each speech
in succession seemed to outstr1p the other
in patriotic fervor and in devotion to the
Cuban cause, and some of the speeches at
tracted applause from the galleries.
Morgan opened on very conservative
lines, but as he progressed and as he was
drawn out by the inquiries of other Sena-
tors he seemed to give full scope to his real
convictions and desires and expressed him
self in no doubtful or hesitating language
in favor of taking the most advanced posi-
ton. He declared his belief that Spain
would not release her hold upon the throat
H,,ha laF che
the island as the result of war with the
United States than yield it for a price or
lose it through the success of the insur-
gents. At one point in his speech he ex-
claimed passIonately that in a certain
event it was ''our duty to draw the sword,
lay it on the table and say to Spain, If
you want TO take it up, take it up
This exclamation drew applause from
the galleries. Morgan was not able to fin
ish his speech. but will continue at the ses-
sion of Monday next, the Senate adjourn
ing at 5 80 until Saturday, when the Presi-
dent pro tenn. (FrYe) is to read Washing
tons farewell address.
A Joint resolution on the subject of i'm
provements in the harbor of Manitowoc,
Wis, was agreed to and also joint reso-
luton in reference to the Sacramento
River.
Squire (R.) os Washington reported from
the Committee on Commerce, with am end
ments, bill introduced by himself re-
quiring officers and engineers on Ameri-
can merchant ships to be American citi-
zens.
A memorial of the Manufacturers and
Producers Association of California and
of the Chamber of Commerce of San
Francisco, on the subject of manufac-
lures in Japan, was presented by Morgan
and was referred to the Committee on
Manufactures.
Hill tD.) of New York offered a resolu
ton, which was agreed to, instructing the
Judiciary Committee to inquire and report
whether in certain cases resolutions
ought 20 be joint resolutions and whether
concurrent resolutions generally are re-
quired to be submitted to the President oi
the United States.
A bill regulating marriage in the Dis
trict of Columbia was taken up, amended
and passed.
On motion of Chandler (R.) of New
day by Lodge (R.) of Massachusetts, in re.
ldtlOll lO Lie IeCGut ISSUE Ol DOnQS Wenl
over until Monday next.
A bill authorizing the Secretary of War
and the Secretary of the Navy to loan OF
give condemned ordnance, guns and can
non balls to soldiers monument associa.
tions and Grand Army posts was taken
from the calendar and passed.
At 2:10 the Senate took up Morgan's
concurrent resolution declaring that in
the opinion of Congress a condition oil
public war exists between the Government
of Spain and the Government proclaimed
and for some time maintained by force oi
arms by the people of Cuba, and that the
United States of America should maintain
strict neutrality between the contendine
powers. according to each all the rights oi
belligerents in the ports and territory oil
the United Sattes.
Cameron (R.) of Pennsylvania offered a
substitute for the concurrent resolution in
these words:
THAT the President is hereby requested
to interpose his friendly offices with the
Spanish Government for the recognition oi
the independence of CUBA"
Call CD of Florida addressed the Senate
Cameron followed Call in a written
speech, in which he declared that the
question was no longer one of belligerency
but one OF independence. He wanted the
Government to act. The policy which he
advocated was the policy of the Republican
party and of the American people,
Lodge (R.) of Massachusetts spoke fol
twenty minutes in advocacy of Cuban
independence. His speech closed with
these words: "The United States, stand.
ing as they do for humanity and civiliza.
ton, should exercise every influence tc
put stop to this war now raging in Cuba
and to give to that island once more peace
liberty and security"
At the conclusion of Lodges remark
Morgan 3D. of Alabama, who had re.
| ported the resolution from the Committee
on Foreign Relations, addressed the
| Senate.
The occasion, he said, was one that re.
quired the utmost degree of circumspec
ton. Great events might depend upon
the action of the Senate. The Senate
could not avoid. or evade, or run away
from the duties incumbent upon 1t. He
hoped 1t would be perfectly understood
| that the Committe on Foreign Relation.