The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-10
Makes an Eloquent Plea
in Behalf of Cuba.
Declares That War of Exter-
minatiOn Must Cease.
Remarks Listened TO With Closs
Attention by Colleagues.

WASHINGTON, Dec. lO.-On the opening
OF the Senate today q motion, made by
Mr.. Aldrich (Rep., X. L,) wac adopted
that when the Senate adjourned today II
be until Monday next.
The vice president announced the
names OF j. &. Bancroft, David and Aims
worth Spofford as members OF the Memoir
ial Association of the District Of Colum-
bia. The popular interest on various
subjects of legislation was shown by the
armful of petitions received by the petit
tion clerk. The main subject OF the petit
tions was for the passage OF the Dinlgey
bill, the independence Of Cuba and the
restriction of immigration.
The coming inauguration of Mr.. Nc
Kinley was foreshadowed by resolution
offered by Mr.. Sherman, (Repu blicsn,
Obio), providing for committee OF three
Senators to be named by the presiding
officer. to make the necessary arrange
ment for the Inauguration Of the Presi-
dent-elect. The resolution was agreed
TO. Mr.. Cullom (Republicsn) was then
recognized for speech OF the Cuban
question of which he had given notice.
Tho public interest In the question was
evinced by q foil attendance in the pub
lie galleries. None of the foreign repre-
sentatives were in the gallery reserved for
them. Mr.. Sherman, Mr.. Hoar, Mr..
Mills and others who have been.promi-
nently identified with the Cuban matter
gave the speech close attention. Mr.. Gull
lom was in vigorous voice which added
emphasis to the plain words employed
in arrsignins Spain. The Senator prefaced
his speech with the following resolution:
Resolved oy the Senate and House OF
Representatives tnat the extinction OF
Spanish title and the termination of
Spanish control of the islands at the gate
way OF the Gulf of Mexico are necessary to
the welfare OF those islands and to the
people of the United States"
Senator COLON of Illinois addressed
the Senate today on the Gu ban question,
and was the frst extended discussion of
the question sinoe Congress reconvened.
1t was listened to with marked interest
and attention. After q reference to the
Presidents message concerning Cuba.
Mr.. Cullom said: "While / am not dis
posed to criticise President Cleveland,
l may properly say that l had hoped he
would find occasion to give more positive
or emphatic expression OF the true Ameri-
can policy which ought to be invoked
in oil cases where the liberty and indie
pendence of any of the people of the
American continent are involved And
further, think we ought never to hesi-
tate or delay when the line of this policy
runs parallel to and coincicent with
those OF common humanity. II this
question shall strike the mind 40 being
too much in advance Of the conditions
which have heretofore obtained in all
the schools of diplomacy It must oe re-
mem bered that advance is what the
world Is fighting for" Mr.. Cullom re-
ferred to certain phases OF Spanish his
tory showing the continued indul-
gence In cruelty and oppression.
Continuing, he said: "Jf we wait
for precedent we shall wait for
ever. IL a precedent is needed we shall
make one. We broke every precedent by
declaration of our independence. When
we announced the Monroe Doctrine II
was In def ance OF precedent and was tine
determination of a rule which has become
a law and will never be gainssid. When
we announced not many months ago that
we should intervene In the matter OF the
Venezuela boundary we followed no pre-
cedent but that OF good American com
mon sense. And common sense has won.
We now have reached the time to take
another step in advance. We have already
proclaimed the United States will have
sometning TO say regeroing matters
affecting the American continent ana we
now announce that the speedy termina-
tion of Spanish control OF the Island at
the gateway OF the Mexican gulf Is neces.
sary alike to the welfare OF that island,
and TO the people OF the United States.
The present situation cannot continue.
This war OF determination must ,top.
This Congress OF the United States has
already recognized by solemn resolution
the beligerent rights OF Cuba, but so long
as Il has not received approvs OF the
President 10 Is not In force. The ques-
tion to be determined Is not fully clear
except that the war must cease.
II other means fsii we may consider the
proposition OF fair purchase OF Cubs,
not that We want the territory, but
that the trouble snail meet just settle
u,ent and conclusion. I have little choice
or preference as TO the particular
method, hut | do want, and l know the
public expects a settlement on . humane
and just basis. The United States csn do
no less than - initiate this for humanity
and for li.erty."
In the House.
Tho House to-day resumed the consider
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