Evening star., 1897-05-17
THE CAUSE OF CUBA
Enthusiastic Mass Meeting in This
City Yesterday.
INSTRUCTIONS TO OUR C0NSULS
Earnest and Eloquent Talks by
Prominent Men.
ON TH E PL A T F o r M

| If there is any one who doubts the deep
| and earnest sympathy of the citizens of
the national capital Of this Union for the
| devoted patriots of Cuba and the cause
| they are fighting for, or questions their
| hot Indignation over the barbarous warfare
/ that Spain Is waging in the island a glance
| at the gathering in the Columbia Theater
| yesterday afternoon would have been suf-
| ficient to wholly eradicate such ideas. The
| occasion was mass meeting called to ex-
| press the sentiment of the people of the
| capital city at the outrages being perpe-
| trated almost within cannon sound of the
! United States. and to voice the national de-
| mand for national interference with the
barbarism on the broad ground of common
| humanity. The crowd which came in an
Swer to this noble summons was repre-
sentative one in every particular. Sena-
| tors of the United States and distinguished
6ivines were on the stage and the 5000
persons who occupied every seat on the
| floor and in the galleries and stood scores
deep behind the chairs in all three places
comprised hundreds of the best known and
most substantial citizens of Washington.
The day was bright and beautiful-just
such one to invite all to enjoy their Sab
bath rest in the open air. but the incentive
at the Columbia was too great and came
too near to the hearts of the people to be
overcome by any other consideration, and
SO the throngs came until those who were
tardy could find no standing place and
turned away disappointed.
The enthusiasm of the audience was as
noticeable as it's size was suggestive.
Every American sentiment that was ut
tered was cheered and applauded to the
echo: every arraignment of the Spanish
monsters which is devouring the helpless
and the innocent. and every keen criticism
of the officials of this country who have
permitted and aided in the continuance and
1f -
and his lieutenants. was accompanied by
sibilant chorus of Kisses from a thousand
mouths. And every observer present knew
that the scene before him would have been
repeated in every community OF the entire
country the opportunity presented,
and heartily wished that 1t would be. 1t
was an impressive NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
SO. glance over the concourse from the
stage discovered no mobile face: no coun-
tenance that was not lighted with the fire
of feeling, no eye that did not flash re-
sponsve to the thoughts the speakers In
spired. From the address of Senator Gal
linger to the closing remarks of Rev. How
ard Wilbur Ennis there was instantaneous
response to every telling period. The plain
yet intense oratory of Senator Allen was
interrupted by constant SalvoS of cheers,
and his sturdy Americanism reused the en-
tire gathering to enthusiasm unrestrained
The eloquent indignation of Rev. Alexan-
der Kent was greeted no less approVingiy.
Every sentence in the resolutions pre-
ssnted by Ex-senator Butler of South Car
olina was received with cheers, and when
the question was put upon them by rls-
ing vote not A seat retained an occupant
The accurate picture OF conditions IN CUBA
drawn by Correspondent Karl Decker and
his equally accurate description of the
character of the Spanish were eagerly
listened to and warmly appreciated.
Especially significant the Indignation
when AIR. Ronner read a letter from a
United States consul in Cuba. revealing the
policy of the State Department during
- ,;,o;.-
fluencing the reports OF the consuls III
Cuba, describing how Assistant Secre.ary
Rockhill had instructed consuls not to
make reports favorable to the insurgents,
and also to mark their mmunica tions
"confidential, in order that they might be
withheld from the Senate should that
body call for papers relating to the condl-
tion IL Cuba.
The Scene in the Theater.
The theater presented very attractive
appearance. The boxes were draped in
American and Cuban flags and the stage
was profusely decorated with foliage plants
The gathering contained large proportion
of ladies, whose bright toilets added great
ly to the picturesque effect. Seated on the
stage we're Gen. William Henry Browne,
president of the Cuban League, under
whose auspices the meeting was held Sen
ator Gallinger Senator Allen, ex-senator
Butler of South Carolina, ex-District Com
missioner l.. G. Hine, Mr.. Frank Hume
treasurer of the Cuban League; Chaplain
Cowden of the House of Representatives
ex-Representative Livingston. Admiral
Crosby. General Titus Rev Dr. Chalmers
Easton, Rev. Alexander Kent. Rev. How
ard Wilbur Ennis, Rev. DR.. Hugh Johnston
DR.. Lincoln, DR.. Allen, Mrs. Clara Bell
Brown. Mrs. NJ D. Lincoln. Miss Clayton
Miss Alice Lee Moque. Mrs. Isabelle W.
Ball and Mrs. ]. Ellen Foster. Among the
well-known people in the audience were the
wives OF Secretary Sherman. Senators Gal
!inger, Burrows and Frye and their par
ties. Richard Hinton, Mr.. and Mrs r. LIE
Grand Johnston, Senior Castellanos
The object of the meeting was stated by
General Browne. who. after Rev. DR.. John
sion had pronounced an eloquent invoca-
ton and the singing of America" under
the direction of Choirmaster Arthur Rose OF
fIamline Church, introduced Senator Cal
Hnger as chairman of the meeting.
Senator Gnllinser's Remarks.
Senator Gallinger was greeted with
cheers. He said it was an inspiration for
him to stand before such a magnificent
audience to say a word in behalf of a suf-
fering, sorrowing people, whose only sin is
that they aspire to the God-gi right Of
human liberty. He knew that the warm
and sympathetic heart of the American
people would respond to the sentiments
expressed there. He did not intend In
make speech, but desired to saw word
IN reference TO the question of the right
anu duty OF the government to extend to
the Cutan patriots the rights of belIiger-
entS.
Some Telling Points.
Those" he continued. who oppose the
extension of this right to the Cuban pa
triots have, after ransacking the musty
tornbs of International law discovered one
authority. who says that a nation has no
right to extend belligerency to a rebellious
people, unless the rebels have a seaport
whlch they control absolutely. Well IL
that De so, want to ask you how the peo-
pie or Switzerland. whatever their bravery
may be. could ever rise successfully against
those who oppress them? (Applause). But
the weight Of authority Is against such a
position, such doctrine; and I shall de-
tain you but moment while quote what
writer's on international law have said on
| the subject.
Manning, the great English authority on
| international law. says:
| The concession of belligerent rights
| may, at a certain epoch in the strife be
| claimed both In the interests Of humanity
| and of neutral states
| There plant my contention today.
| Il would ask you to read also Stephen
BonsaPs article in the Review of Reviews,
| and also his article that appears this morn
| ing in the New York Herald. Read also
Il ANN .ls..- -l1