Omaha daily bee., 1897-05-20


necessary had come. The question waAnot
whether the United States should recognize
beligerency, but whether d should not go
further to prevent the utter devastation OF
tho island.
TINE RIPE FOR ACTION.
'I have no desire to force this adminstra-
tion to act before its time" Mr.. Lindsay
said, but 1t is time that the administration
should know that the time has come when
Cuba and the monarchy of Spain must be
separated. II could not be said that this
nation was at peace with Spain when it was
said on the floor of the senate that Ameri
can consnls In Cuba could not AFFORD to have
1t known that they told the truth about the
state Of affairs there for fear OF violence"
In conclusion, he sGid: IL say II General
Leo would be in danger from having the re-
ports which he makes of his own knowl-
edge given TO the public, or any consul how
ever humble, IL is time that the United
States sent war SHIPS to protect those Of
fcials or that they be called home and all
diplomatic relations with Spain be severed"
FORAKER SPEAKS.
There was much interest manifested when
Mr. Foraker OF Ohio rose to speak
IL want 20 say at The outset" he an
nounced, that | will vote for this resou
tion, or some resolution like II. In adopt
ing the resolution the senate would act
strictly In accordance with international law.
There could be no question OF recognizing
tho Independence of Cuba, because no one
claimed that independence existed. Inter
ven,ion was also out of the question:" Mr..
Foraker also declared, for reasons which he
proceeded to explain. The explanation being
the announcement Of a fact hitherto un-
known, created sensation. He said: I'm
spite of the limitations placed on me- feel
that ] can state that mediation has been
rendered by this government and has been
rejected by Spain"
Mr.. Foraker then gave the facts concern
ing the Olney letter. He read a sentence
from Spafns reply, to the effect that there
L. no effectua way to pacify the Cubans
except on condition that they first submit
to their mother country" That, said Mr..
Foraker, was the end of this country's ef
fort at mediation. The record shows, he
continued, that the purpose of our govern
ment in her intervention was to secure peace
within the limits of the honor, integrity and
continued sovereignty of the Spanish govern
ment in Cuba.
Having rejected this proposition Mr..
Foraker asked, "is it reasonable to suppose
that she would entertain a proposition to
abdicate entirely?"
This question was addressed especially to
Mr.. Hoar, who said he did consider such a
change possible a year and four months after
the first effort.
After discussing the Morgan resolution on
its merits, Mr.. Foraker said that direct in
tervention was a better, shorter and more
Nui way tHe adoption OF tne
resolution. He would say to Spain: "In the
name of civilization and humanity, as well
as In the interest of our commerce, you must
come to stop and you must do so imme
diately."
This declaration brought out burst of
applause from the galleries, which was
promptly checked by the chair.
The resolution under consideration did not
go so far as this, he said. 1t was a mistake
to suppose that its adoption meant war be-
tween the United States and Spain. Cuba
has no right to ask the United States for
this Intervention and Spain no right to OBJ
ject
READS THE oLNEY LETTER.
Mr.. Foraker then read the Olney letter. as
well as a consular report. Mr.. Foraker re-
ferred to the condition of 600 or 700 Amer-
cans in Cuba.
Mr.. Elkins interrupted sharply: "How do
you know that?"
II know it from the State department" +"
said Mr.. Foraker.
But how does the senate know of it Of
ficially? We are asked to vote away our
judgments on the private information of
senator's who slip away into the State de-
partment and go into executive session."
Mr.. Foraker answered jOcularly that the
West Virginia senator should not become ir-
rtated when he enjoyed the same privilege
Of slipping away to the State department.
Mr.. Foraker admitted that if Cuba was a
country with which the United States had no
transactions there would be no cause for ii
to take notice of the insurrection, but all
authorities agreed that IL was our right and
duty to act "eeasonably' under the circum-
stances.
The whole country, Mr.. Foraker said, was
united as to the inexpediency of recognition
Ela argued that recognition would give Spain
the right to search ships of the United States
for goods contraband of war, and relieve
Spain of liability of damages for destruction
to American property. OF the latter result
he said: II would not regard it as seri-
GUS loss have found in the State depart
ment claims piled up there amounting Ia
many millions for destruction of property in
this rebellion and ia each and every case
the presentation to the Spanish government
of such a claim has been followed up with
a long correspondence, winding up with the
fiat direct refusal to recognize such claim
And II Is notorious fact that If Spain did
recognize them she would be unable to pay
them. In all seriousness / had rather hold
the obligations of the insurgents than these
of Spain"
1t was time Mr.. Foraker said In con-
clusion, that the United States ceased
policing her shores in the interest of Spain.
1t was time to end the quasi copartnership in
a brutal and hellish war, and for his part
no vote or act would continue this unholy
action
There was demonstration in the galleries
as MI. FORAKER closed, Dut this was quickly
checked by the presiding officer.
HOAR REPLIES.
Mr.. Hoar replied to Mr.. Foraker, contend
ing that the senate should have authoritative
facts set forth. like a judicial finding of a
court in an official report. He complained
that Mr.. Foraker wanted the senate to act
on information which he was not at liberty
to disclose. The practical thing was to pro-
pose mediation, and If that was rejected then
TO have the facts presented, the senate then
to take action as the facts merited What
Spain had declined was what any self
respecting nation would decline, that while
retained Cuba she should make her
laws for that part OF her kingdom under the
dictation of the United States, That was not
declination of mediation. Twenty years
stance under which she might accept media
tion. And If the facts claimed by the sena-
tor from Ohio were true 1t must seem to
him that the golden hour had arrived. Mr..
Hoar called attention u a statement in
Secretary Olney's letter which Mr. Foraker
had not read, that the war was conducted
by, the insurgents, not by pitched battles,
but by applying the torch to plantations and
striving TO starve out the Spanish soldiers
by destroying the plantations and business.
II 1t was true that insurgents were thus
destroying the property of American citi-
zens was II violation of the rules of war
that they were banished or punished by
| death, he asked. and added: Il would like
report from the committee on foreign re-
| lations on that point"
He did not know whether II Cuban or