Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-12
Mr.. HILL ON CUBA
Portions of the Resolutions That He
Objects To.
4 SLIGHT TILT WITH Mr.. boar
Thinks There is No Doubt That
War Exists There.
M ALTERS IN THE HOUSE

evidenced by the large crowds which con-
tinue to fill the galleries to their full ca
pacity. Before the session opened today
every seat in the public galleries was occu-
pied. and the reserved galleries gave prom
Use of a large attendance when the Cuban
subject was reached.
Mr.. Hill On. W was among those ex-
pected to speak today.
Among the petitions was one presented
by Mr.. Gallinger (N. H.) from the white
R1bbon women, a branch of the w. g. II.
u, advocating the settlement of differences
between the United States and the mother
country by arbitration.
number of the ladies of the diplomatic
corps were in the diplomatic gallery, and
scme OF them occupying front seats were
supplied with opera glasses with which
they surveyed the Senators.
There was much delay over routine busi-
ness, and Mr.. Sherman finally rose to state
that he would after the disposal of the
pending minor bill insist on going on with
the Cuban resolutions on which, he under
stood, the Senator from New York (HiID
had a merito, ions claim to the floor. Mr.
Sherman added that he would endeavor to
secure vote at the earliest possible mo-
meHt.
Mr.. Hill ON the Cuban ResOlutiOns.
At o'clock the routine was cleared away
and after the Cuban resolutions were laid
before the Senate Mr.. Hill was recognized.
was given marked attention. He said he
would vote against the conference report
On the resolutions. and he would confine
his remarks mainly to an explanation of
the reasons for this vote.
He pointed out that this being a con-
ference report, the resolutions could not
be amended He would, therefore, vote
against the report. in order that at q SUBJ
Sequent time amendments might be made.
The Senator particularly objected to the
third clause of the resolutions stating that
the United States has not intervened in
the struggles between any European gov
ernments and their colonies. but that owing
TO the proximity of Cuba the United States
should be prepared TO intervene This he
declared to be ambiguous and unmeaning
We mad lrtervened in such controversies.
We had intervened and recognized the
countries which had been colonies of
Spain.
What the resolution sought to convey
was a threat TO intervene. To this extent
the resolution was unnecessary and the
threat an unnecessary Cne. This resolu-
ticn will breed mischief 1t is subject to
doubtful construction. 1t was liable to
compromise US. The phrase that the |
United States should be prepared to pro-
tect the legitimate interests of our citizens !
by Intervention sounded like threat or |
II was buncombe. |
As to Increasing the Army
IF this resolution means that we should
ircrease our army let US say SO frankly |
and fame a bill for that purpose" said Mr.
Hill IF it means we should ir crease our
navy let US state 1t frankly and fearlessly
and frame a bill to that end. Let us not
indulge in idle boasts and threats and
doubtful phrases as to our being prepared
TO protect legitimate interests by interven-
tion.'"
Mr.. Fill asked what these '.legitimate'
interests referred to. Were there any lille
g1timate intereStS?' This was not a prop
Csition to intervene in the cause Of human
ity. or to aid in the cause of freedom, or to
stop bloodsbed, but to protect our legit-
innate interests" Mr.. Hill uttered the words
with great scorn.
''Tnis is placing our Intervention on very
low grounds" said he. IF we are to inter-
vene at all. then at least let US put it on
some higher ground than the urgency of
protecting our business interests. Do not
Put it on the low ground that we are losing
Il few dollars by this contest between Spain
and Cuba.
Affecting business interests.
Mr. Hill held up a bunch of kilograms
which, he said. ne had received from New
York. They had evidently been brought
out by observing the low ground these
resolutions took. The senders of these tele-
grams seemed to think this was a matter
of dollars and cents. They seemed to con-
strue 1t as a matter of our business and
trade with Cuba. Mr.. Hill read one of the
dispatches, without giving the name, but
saying it was that of an eminently respect
able business man. The telegram read SUBJ
Stantially as follows:
Present attitude of the United States to-
ward Cuba seriously affecting commerce
with that island. Merchants there are pre-
pairing to boycott American merchants and
to cancel their orders here
Mr.. Hill paused for moment after read
ing the dispatch and then, shaking it in
his hand. he added with disdain: ''And
they expect me to have my course here
placed on the ground that Spanish mer-
chants threaten to boycott some of our mer-
chants. With all due respect to these gentle
men think our action should be on higher
grounds
brought out their mercenary elements He
read from the life of Patrick Henry, show
Ing that at the crisis of the revolutionary
the pleas Of the beef contractors was
an issue forced to the attention, and the
cry of Beef, beef, beef went up through
put the continental army. And now, said
MIR. Hill. in this great crisis the American
Congress is asked to adopt a resolution
which will go down to history as express
ing our purpose to intervene on account OF
money losses. In other words we again
hear the cry of Beef, beef beef"
If We wish to act, let us do SO, without
the boasting. without these idle declara-
tions, without this buncombe
What He Favored.
Mr.. Hill said he favored the other portions
Of the resolution declaring that a state of
war existed. Does not war actually exist in
Cuba today? Senators asked for facts. Cuba
was today full OF reliable CORRESPONDENTS
there Is once in while a reliable corre-
spondent-and they are daily detailing the
progress of this conflict. Today it is re-
ported that one Cuban general is within
stones throw of Havana. 1t is idle to shut
our eyes to these conditions. From the best
information, the insurgents have three
fourths of the island
1T is said." proceeded Mr.. Hill, that the
administration will be harassed by these
resolutions. I deny 1t; IL the administration
had felt in that way. then some one ON this
side of the chamber would know II. do
not believe that the officers of the admins
tration would keep their feelings on such a
subject so close that no one would know it.
Tilt With MP. Hoar.
my friend from Massachusetts, Hoar),"
continued Mr.. Hfll ''said yesterday that
this was a Pickwick resolution; that 1t was
meaningless because it did not require the
signature Of the President. thought that
was the question which the judiciary COM
mittee was now considering"
Mr.. Hoar protested that the question upon
CONTINUED on Second Pasel