Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-21
Washington, May 2O.-Thc Cuban bel.
liyerency resolution has passed the Sen
ate by large majority, the vote stand
ing Al TO II.

Washington. May 20.-In the Senate
today, Hale, Rep, of Me, called atten-
ton to the delays in shipping relief
supplies to India. He submitted a joint
resolution reciting that 5000 tons of
grain are now stored in New York
awaiting shipment and that no Ameri-
can ship is available for the voyage.
The resolution provides for the Ameri-
can registry of two foreign built steam
ships. Massapequa and Menantic,
owned by Americans as the special of
the relief supplies in these ships uade
the flag of the United States.
Chandler of New Hampshire. said
the simplest remedy was to send the
supplies in foreign ships without natu-
ralizing them. The resolution went
over.
At 1890 p. NJ, the Senate was about
to take up the calendar. when Morgan
unexpectedly asked that the Cuban
resolution be taken up without waiting
for its formal presentation at O'Clock.
Hale said there would be no objection
to the plan. The resolution was then
taken up and Thurston of Nebraska,
addressed the Senate
He spoke of the bloody contest which
had ragged during the last two years.
There was ample information as to its
extent from Americans who had writ
ten their dispatches on the field of bat
tie, from the reports which were fled
with the Senate, and in the archives of
the state department. Every man in
the United States ought to be ready for
action on this question at this time,
and if any senator was not sufficiently
informed, Thurston commended him t ,
any of his constituents.
The senator referred to the st. Louis
convention over which he presided ana
pictured the scene when with a
mighty shout that seemed to lift the
roof above our heads" the Cuban reso-
luton was passed by the convention.
Referring to the right of search
which would follow recognition of
bellgerency. Thurston said there could
he no proVocation to war if the search
was conducted in accordance with in
ternational law, but if the search was
conducted by Spain or any other power
without respect to international law,
there ought to be war by the United
States of America and war shall come
to maintain the honor of the nation.
Thurston insisted that it was time
this government by its action gave the
Cuban cause proper position before
the world, the right to carry their flag
on land and sea, the right to stand be
side Spain in the money markets of the
world. the right to struggle in an
honorable way. Then the senator closed
as follows:
These things the United States of
America can consttutionally AMI law
fully do: let us do them now. Let US
dispatch the mightiest battle ship of
the United States to Cuba. Let us sta
ton her in the harbor Of Havana.
There her frowning guns may then dis
turb the spirit of tyranny by night,
and by day her shining stars may cheer
the hearts Of those who are struggling
to be free"
The gallery broke into applause at
the closing reference to a battleship
but the presiding officer quickly
checked the demonstration.
Elkins of West Virginia. followed in
a speech urging that the Senate should
not act preciptately but should avail.
the inquiries now being made by the
officials of the government. He derided
the statements of Mason, that Cuban
babies were taxed at birth and Cuban
brides taxed at the altar
What becomes of the grown people?'
he asked, sarcastically.
Very few of them grow up" an
,wered Mason, amid laughter.
Elkins went on to say that the pos |
:iblities of war were being treated |
cry lightly. He added. Spain can de-
lare war and not fire a gun and it will |
ost this nation $500, 600.
White Of California, opposed the res
luton and was led into several lively
xchanges with Chandler.
White, quoting the law said the rec
gnition of the Cubans as belligerents
fould in no way relieve them from the
bligations of the neutrality laws. He
ayiewed the case of the Three Friends
nd the Itata to elucidate the neutral
" laws. The senator said the real CO.
act Of this resolution was to bring
bout a war with Spain. Senators who
dvccated it's aid carried no offence to
pain, and in the next breath they |
ere grossly offensive to Spain. 1t was
asy, he said, to kindle the enthusiasm $
the American people, but is should be
amembered that true liberty was not :
be found on the battlefield.
Hawley, Rep, Connecticut, spoke {
richly on the desirability of ccnserva-
We and cautious action at a time CT {
arious emergency. He closed at 80
NJ. and the voting began at once {
The pending question was on the Hale I
otion to refer the Cuban resolution to &
lie committee on foreign relations. {
he vote was followed with intense in c
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