The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-13
HILL TAKES A HAND
The New York Senator Is in Sympa-
thy With the Cubans.
HE SAYS LET'S ACT, NOT TALK
Sherman Pays Cleveland a Tribute,
and. Asks eff War Does Not Ex-
ist In Cuba Where Outside of
He'll Does 1t Exist?"

ist In Cuba Where Outside OF
He'll Does 1t Exist?"
washington, March 12.-After an
hour consumed In clearing away rou-
tine matters, the Cuban resolutions
were laid before the senate, and Hill of
New York was recognized. He pointed
out that. this being a conference report,
the resolutions could not be amended.
He would therefore vote against the
report. in order that at a subsequent
time amendments might be made. The
senator particularly objected to the
third clause of the resolutions, stating
the United States had not intervened
in the struggles between any European
governments and their colonies but that
owing to the proximity of Cuba, the
United States government should be
prepared to intervene. This he de-
clared ambiguous and unmeaning. We
had intervened and recognized coun-
tries which had been colonies OF Spain.
What the resolution sought to convey
was a threat to intervene. To this ex-
tent the resolution was unnecessary.
1t was subject to doubtful construction
and was a mischief breeder liable to
compromise us.
The phrase The United States
should be prepared to protect the leg
itimate interests of our citizens by in
tervention" sounded like a threat, or 1t
was buncombe. "If this resolution
means that we should increase our
navy, let us say so frankly and frame
a bill for that purpose" said Hill. IF
it means we should increase our navy,
let us state 1t frankly and fearlessly
and frame bill to that end. Let us
not indulge in idle boasts and threats
and doubtful phrases as to being pre-
pared to protect the legitimate inter-
ests by Intervention"
Hill asked what the Legitimate in
terests" referred to were. Were there
any 'illegitimate interests?" This was
not a proposition to intervene in the
cause of humanity, or to aid in the
cause of freedom or to stop bloodshed.
but to protect our legitimate inter-
ests." This is placing our interven-
tion on very low grounds" said he. IF
we are to intervene at ALL then at least
let us put 1T on some higher ground
than the urgency of protecting our
business interests. Do not put 1t on
n
few dollars by this contest between
Spain and Cuba" Hill held up a
bunch of telegrams which he said he
had received from New York. One of
the kilograms read substantially as fol-
lows:
THE present attitude of the United
States towards Cuba is seriously affect
ing commerce with that island. Mer-
chants there are preparing to boycott
American merchants and to cancel
their orders here"
Hill paused for a moment after read
ing the dispatch and then shaking 1t in
his hand, he said with disdain: And
they expect me Ito have my course here
placed on the ground that Spanish
merchants threaten to boycott some of
our merchants. With all due respect to
these gentlemen. I think our action
should be on higher grounds. II we
wish to act let us do so, without this
boasting, without these idle declara-
tons, without this buncombe." Hill
said he favored the other portions of
the resolutions declaring that a state
OF war existed. Does not was actually
exist in Cuba to-day? Senators asked
for facts. Cuba was to-day full of re-
liable correspondents. and they are
daily detailing the progress of this con-
fiict. To-day 1t is reported that one
Cuban general is within a stones
throw of Havana. 1t is idle to shut
our eyes to these conditions.
TT Is said" proceeded Hill, that
the administration will be embarrassed
by the resolutions. / deny It. II the
administration had felt in that way,
then some one on this side of the
chamber would know IT, II the presi-
dent should sign the resolutions, Amer
tcan citizens could sell arms 10 the
Cubans," said Hill.
Certainly" replied Hoar.
They can do so now" interposed
Morgan and Vest
IT think not" returned Hoar.
Most assuredly they can," insisted
Morgan.
You maintain that the passage of
these resolutions would not change ehe
law of the land one particle?" asked
Hill
II do" replied Hoar.
And /, then" continued Hill. ''agree
with you that the resolutions would
have no legal effect. 1t is from that
that / now desire to argue
the propriety of their passage. l
should have hesitated. Mr.. President"
said Hill, Ito have voted for a Joint
resolution which would have required
the presidents action within 10 DAYS.
But these resolutions are safe because
they merely express our opinion. They
are in accordance with precedent. and
In my opinion congress should go thus 4
far but no farther"
Hill expressed the opinion that Eu- /
ropean countries had very properly 4
the confederacy as a bellig- I
erent The Cubans now held three 4
fourths of the island. Prisoners of war 1
should be exchanged. Were we to stand ,
by and see the guillotined. garroted.