The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-28
HAND UPRAISED
In Cuba's Behalf in the Senate
Today.
The Threatened AnnihilatiOn of
the CubanS
BY GENERAL WEYLER
Brings Action on the Cuban Res
OlutionS to Climax.
John Sherman Advocates the
Annexation of Cuba to Mexico. 4

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. - The senate
galleries were we'll flied at the opening
of the session today in anticipation of
the elimination of the Cuban debate and
the final vote was set for o'clock.
Shortly after the session opened Rep
resenia ative Hit, chairman of the house
committee on foreign affairs, joined Mr.
Sherman chairman of the senate com
mittee on foreign relations, in d
whispered conference at Mr.
Sherman'S desk. The Ohio
senator announced that the Cuban ques-
tion would be taken up without waiting
for the usual expiration of the morning
hour at o'clock.
Mr. Allen Pop. Neb) asked to with
draw the resolution for the appointment
of Mr.. Lloyd as a senate official. This
brought on another discussion as to add
ing Populist official to the rolls. MIR.
Allen finally withdrew the resolution.
Mr. Sherman then moved that the
Cuban resolutions be taken up, and this
prevailed without objection.
Chairman Hit remained alongside
= Dir. Sherman as the debate proceeded.
= Baron Won Kettler, of the German
Nembassy, occupied a seat in the diplom-
attic gallery. By this time the public
galleries were filed to their full limit,
aud there was a promise of a crush. The
. floor was yielded for the adoption of the
conference on the pension appropriation
bill; also for the passage of the bill relat-
ing to the anchorage and movement of
vessels in St. Marys river.
Mr.. Lindsay dem. Ky.) then address
ed the senate on the Cuban resolution.
He said the conflict in Cuba was at our
very doors aud was bsing waged with
such desperation that only one
of two results could come, either the
L.. -
hand, or the utter annihilation of the
Cuban people on the other. The SEN
ator said he approached the subject
from the standpoint of humanity rather
than law.
Declarations of sympathy would avail
nothing TO the Cubans. Declarations
that they had progressed to the stage of
belligerents would avail nothing.
"If the United States intends taking
any step that will avail these struggling
Cubans, that step should be in the di-
rection of the ultimate inde pendence of
Cuba" declared MIR. Lindsay in stentor-
ian tones. In the past he continued, the
United States had not hesitated to tax g
the position of recognizing independence
under circumstaE ces similar to those
now existing in Cuba. Quoting from
International authorities the sena-
tor maintained that condition
now existed in Cuba justifying the United
States in considering a proposition for
active intervention to restore public order
and in behalf of humanity.
But said Mr. Lindsay, the resolution
which he urged did not contemplate
active Intervention. It extended our
good Offices to Spain with a view to se-
curing the ultimate independence of
Cuba.
And such independence" added Mr.
Lindsay, sis the only basis which will
hiring lasting n6aca In Cuba ind UPd from
the experience of seventy years The
United States could not relieve itself
from the responsibility of seeing that
Spain showed this island some kind of
Justice. Could we say to the world
that unless Cuba secured her independ-
ence by her own unaided efforts she
must remain under the abject sub
lection of Spain? Should we not say to
Spain that some sort of protection, some
sort of justice and liberty consistent with
an enlightened age must be sho wn from
these people?
Spain now contemplated the annihilia-
tion of all the able bodied men of Cuba
in order to crush this uprising. Spain
owed to Cuba as much as Turkey owes
TO Armenia, or as the UDiled States to
Venezuela, duty OF protection and if
this protection was not given, then
the point has been reached when the
United States should move for the sever
anc6 OF CuDa from SPAN.
At 1:15 p. m. Mr.. Sherman began his
speech, closing the debate. He spoke
of the keen sensitiveness of the SPANS h
people, and their tendency to quickly
resent any act they regarded as injuri-
GUS to them. But, said Mr. Sherman, he
felt that the time had come when the
United States mustintervene toPut an end
to crime almost beyond description. The
senator said he would not re-enter on the
legal arguments so fully covered by MIR.
Morgan, but he referred to several
pamphlets presented by Mr. E5trada
Palma, the agent and representative of
the Cubans in this country.
Mr. Sherman said the statement boTs
the evidence of authenticity. He said
it overcame the misapprehension that the
Cubans were scattered, unorganized
bands. It showed the organization of a
legislature, of the army, of the president
the latter a man of high character.
Il WAS as complete an organization as
the United States had during the reyolu-
tionary war
Sherman in the course of his speech
declared he did not favor Cuba's annexa-
tion to ths United States, but strongly
favored its annexation to Mexico, q
kindred people.
Sherman declared Weyler's talk of
DISCRIMINATING the Cubans" showed him
to be "a demon rather than general"
plause as the senator added: I'll
can prevent the people of the
United Stats from going to that island
sweeping over it from end to end and
drivinO ont 3haaa bmrbmrianaU Mr.. Gal.