The record-union., 1897-04-02
The Most Important One. introduced
by Morgan Of Alabama.
Declares That a State of War Exists
in Cuba, and Announces the Policy
of the United States to Maintain
Strict Neutrality as Between botn
Parties to the Conflict, With Full
Recognition of the Insurgents as
Belligerents.

BelligerentS.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-The Cuban
question was revived in the Senate TO-
day after a long period Of comparative
calm. Four distinct Cuban resolutions
We're brought forward in rapid success
sion. The last and most important one
came from Senator Morgan of Alabama.
1t declares that a state OF war exists IN
Cuba and announces the policy OF the
United States to maintain strict neu-
trality as between both parties to the
conflict, with full recognition of the m
surgents as belligerents. Morgan gave
notice that he will call the resolution
notice that he will call up the resolution
the expectation of securing final action.
of the other resolutions two were
agreed to. One of these, by Morgan.
calls on the President for letters Of
General Gomez to himself and Mr..
Cleveland and for other information on
Cuban affairs. The other, by Mills of
Texas, instructs the Committee on For
eign Relations to report what obllga-
tionS the United States has assumed by
compelling Cuba to remain subject to
Spain. Both resolutions were passed
without opposition.
Still another resolution came from
Allen of Nebraska, and proposed pro-
test against the reported purpose of the
Spanish authorities to try General Ruis
Riviera, the Cuban officer, by military
drumhead court martial. This led to
an animated controversy between Allen
and Hoar. The discussion went over, to
come up with the resolution for the rec
ognition of Cuban belligerency at the
next meeting.
The tariff bill passed by the House
yesterday was received by the Senate as
soon as the session opened to-day. With
out motion or comment Presiding Off
Ger Hobart referred the bill to the
Committee on Finance.
Hoar secured immediate consideration
for a joint resolution directing the Sec
retary of the Navy to use a Govern
ment or charter private vessel for the
transportation of contributions of grain
etc, to the famine-stricken people of
India.
Stewart of Nevada took occasion to
speak briefly on the demonetiZation of
silver in India brought about by Eng
land as one of the chief causes of the
lamentable condition of affairs in In
dia.
Morgan of Alabama said he fully rec
ognized the nobility of these benfactors.
He approved sending corn to Ireland
and Russia But continued Morgan,
Il shall hope to secure the support of
the Senator from Maine (Hale) when l
introduce a resolution to send supplies
to the suffering people of Cuba, who are
penned up in the island through the
harsh policies of General Weyler.''
Morgan expressed the further hope
that Hale would be among the sup
porters of a resolution for sending sup
plies to the people penned up in Crete
through the tyrannical action of the Eu-
ropean Powers.
Hale represented that these questions
would be met as they arose. There was
no politics in this resolution. 1t voiced
the general sentiment of godspeed to
the relief of those people.
The resolution was then agreed to
without division.
A spirited debate followed several
new phases of the Cuban question being
presented.
resolution reciting that General Ri
viera of the Cuban forces had been cap
trued by the Spanish. and was about to
be tried by drumhead court martial and
shot, and protesting against such trial
as contrary TO the rules of civilized war
fare. Allen asked for the immediate
consideration of the case
Mr.. Hoar said it did not comport
with the dignity of this body to rush
forward on those subjects. The ques-
tions of life and death in Cuba were
not in the keeping of the Senate There
had been considerable procedure on
these international questions. and he
would object to the resolution unless
it was allowed to go to the commit
tee
Although debate was not in order.
Mr.. Allen continued to urge the critical
character the Riviera case. He said
that he did not want this resolution
stified by being committed to the cav
erns of the Foreign Relations Commit
tee"
Mr.. Hoar made a spirited reply. He
had not intended to offer advice to
the Nebraska Senator, he said. If he
had advice to give he would not
throw ii away" Then turning to the
general Cuban question. Mr.. Hoar said
that it would be a clear affront to any
nation with which we are at peace to
recite in a resolution by the American
Congress that whereas such nation
was about to commit an atr0city, Con-
gress protested. Such a resolution by
one of the European nations toward the
United States would set our people
ahame. He believed that President
Grant would have brought about the
freedom of Cuba if his plan had not
been overcome by Incorporate resolu-
tions and demonstrations.
Mr.. Hoar closed with decisive OBJ
lection TO the present consideration OF
the resolution. and it went over
Mr.. Morgan's resolution requesting OF
the President the letters Of General
Gomez to himself and Mr.. Cleveland
was presented and adopted without di-
vision. 1t is as follows:
Resolved. That the President is re-
uuested to inform the Senate IT, in his
opinion, it is consistent with the public
interests whether letters have been re-