Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-02
ALL SORTS OF RESOLUTIONS.
ONE RECOGNIZES arHE INSURGENTS
AS BELLIGERENTS. -
President Mckinley Called Upon for
the Letters Written TO Him and
to MIR. Cleveland by General
GOmez-Adjournmen
to Monday.

distinct Cuban resolutions were pIouShI
fordward in rapid succession The last
and most important one came from SEN
ator Morgan, of Alabama. 1t declares that
a state of war exists in Cuba and an
nounces it as the policy of the United
States TO accord TO both parties TO the con-
fiict full recognition as belligerents. Mr.
Morgan gave notice that he would call up
the resolution at the next meeting OF the
senate, with the expectation of securing
final action. OF the other resolutions, two
were agreed to. One of these, by Mr. Nor
gan, calls on the president for the letters
of General Gomez TO himself and MI
Cleveland. and for other Information on
Cuban affairs. The other, By Mr.. Mills, OF
Texas instructs the committee. on foreign
relations to report what obligations the
United States has assumed by compelling
Cuba to remain subject to Spain. Both res
olutions were passed without opposition.
Still another resolution came from Mr..
Allen. of Nebraska. and proposed a PRO-
test against the reported purpose of the
Spanish authorities toltry General Ruiz
I Rivera, the Cuban officer, by military
drumhead court-martial. This led to an
animated controversy between Mr.. Allen
and M. Hoar. The resolution went over
TO come up with the resolution for the
recognition of Cuban belligerency at the
next meeting.
Tariff Bill Referred.
The tariff bill passed by the house yes
terday was received by the senate as soon
as the session opened to-day. There were
no formalIties as to its reference ana,
without motion or comment, the presiding
officer Mr. Hobart, referred the Dill TO the
committee on finance.
Mr. Hoar secured immediate considera-
ton of a joint resolution directing the
secretary of the navy TO use a government
vessel or charter a private vessel for the
TRANSPORTATION of contributions of grain,
etc, to the famine stricken people of In
dia. Mr. Stewart, Populist, of Nevada,
took occasion to speak briefly on the de-
monetization of silver in India, brought
about by England, as one of the chief
causes of the present lamentabie condiuon
of affairs in India.
This led to a somewhat unexpected state
ment by Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama, which
caused a temporary furry. Mr.. Morgan
said he fully recognized the nobility of
these benefactions. He had approved send
ing corn to ireland and to Russia But"
continued Mr.. Morgan, II shall hope to Sc
acure the support of the senator from Maine
QIale) when / introduce a resolution to
send supplies to the suffering people of
Cuba, who are penned up in that island
through the harsh policies of General Wey-
ler" Mr.. Morgan expressed the further
hope that Mr.. Hale would be among the
supporters of resolution for sending sup
plies TO the people penned up IN Srete,
through the tyrannical action OF the Euro
pean powers.
Mr. Hale represented that these questions
would be met as they arose. There was no
politics in this resolution. 1t voiced the
general sentiment of gcdspeed to the relief
for these people. The resolution was then
agreed TO without division.
The Case of Rivera.
A spirited debate followed several new
phases of the Cuban question. Mr.. Allen,
PopuIist. of Nebraska, presented a resolu-
ton reciting that General Rivera, of the
Cuban forces, had been captured by the
Spanish and was about to be tried by drum
head court-martial and shot, and protesting
against such trial as contrary to the rules
of civilized warfare. Mr.. Allen asked for
Immediate consideration of the resolution.
Mr. Hoar said il did not comport with the
dignity of this body to rush forward on
these subjects. The question Of life and
death in Cuba was not in the keeping of
the senate. There should be decorous and
orderly procedure on these international
questions. and he would object to the reso-
luton unless il were allowed to go to the
committee. Although debate was not in
order. Mr.. Allen continued to urge the crit
ical character of the Rivera case. Mr.. AL
len said he did nat want this resolution
stified by being committed to the 'caverns
of the foreign relations committee"
Mr.. Hoar made L spirited reply. He had
not intended to offer advice to the Ne
braska senator. he said. If he had advice
10 give he would not throw it away"
Then, turning to the general Cuban ques-
ton. Mr.. Hoar said that it would be i
clear affront TO any nation with which We
were at peace to recite in a resolution by
the American congress that, whereas, such
nation was about to commit an atrocity,
congress protested. Such resolution by
one of the European nations towards the
United States would set our people aflame.
He believed that President Grant would
have brought about the freedom of Cuba
nj nv IN
temperate resolutions and demonstrations
Mr.. Hoar closed with n decisive objection
ton. and IL went over. Other Cuban resp
lutions followed in quick succession.
Letters Asked For.
Mr. Morgans resolution requesting the
president for the letters of General Gomez
10 himself and Mr.. Cleveland was presented
and adopted without division. 1t is as fol-
lows:
ed to inform the senate, II, in his opinion,
II is not inconsistent with the public In
terests, whether letters have been received
by the present or the former chief execu-
tive of the United States from Maxine Co
mez, the commanding general of the in
surrectionary forces in Cuba. of the fol-
lowing tenor and effect Qetters are re-
cited). And the president is in like manner
further requested to inform the senate
whether there is any. and. what, evidence
that the persons or property of citizens of
the United States have suffered such abuses
are alleged in the public prints to have
been written by Maxine Gomez or any
other wrongs and abuses inflicted upon
them by either OF the belligerent parties in
Cuba that could have been avoided by a
due consideration for our treaty rights un-
der the laws Of nations or the respect due
to humanity.
And also. the president. in like manner.
is requested 10 inform the senate whether
the Spanish authorities in Cuba have re-
fused TO permit the consul of the United
States at Sagua lie Grande to communi-
cate with our consul general at Havana
telegraph lines, and whether any protest
has been made against such interruptions.
Mills and Morgan Resolutions.
The resolution of Mr.. Mills. of Texas.
was next presented and agreed TO with
out division. IL follows:
Resolved. That the committee on for
eign relations is instructed to inquire what
if any, obligations the United States has
assumed toward the. people of Cuba
prevent the acquisition of that island by
any European power and compelling its
people to remain subject to the dominion
of Spain, and to report by bill or other
wise
Mr. Morgan came forward with a sort of
climax 10 the Cuban resolutions. He pre-
sented Joint resolution recognizing the
existence of a state OF war in Cuba, as
follows:
Resolved. BY the senate and house of
representatives. that a condition OF public
war exists between the government of
Spain and the government proclaimed and
for some time maintained by force of
arms. by the people of Cuba; and that
tain a strict neutrality between he con-
tending powers. according TO each all the
rights OF bclligerents in the ports and ter
riIory Of the United States