The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-06

today by unanimous vote adopted a res
oiatiou recittng the reports that Gen Ruis
Rivera. the Cuban commander. Is about
10 be tried by drumhead court-martial and
shot. and expressing the Judgment Of the
senate that II these reports are true. the
president of the United States should pro-
test TO the Spanish government against
such a violation OF the rules OF civilized
warfare. This resolution does not so TO
the house of representatives. and becomes
effective as "a measure of advice 10 The
president by its adoption today.
Although opposition was Withdrawn on
the final vote. there was spirited oppo-
sition in the early stages OF the debate
and a test vote on the comparative
strength Of the Cuban and anti-Cuban
sentiment in the senate. The test oc-
cured on a motion to refer the resolution
10 the committee on foreign relations
High Time for Action.
When the Cuban debate was precipi-
tated Allen emphaticaIly dissented. he
said. from the proposition that the Amer
lean congress sit idly by while this saw
agery and bsrbarous contest proceeds at
our very threshold. Within 100 miles of
our shore women and children were being
butchered and the methods OF civilized
warfare set at defiance, Murder. rape,
rapine and devastation were playing their
part III the QNSNE0AAkutt Oh the lSAdIAA anu
was Christian people. he asked. willing
TO sit by and not raise voice in defense
OF these people? Allen declared that
SPANS course had been one OF bloodshed
and cruelty. This was SO notably true as
to recent events in the Philippine islands
and in Cuba that Spain had been made an
outlaw nation" not entitled to recog-
milton by civilized nations.
1T Is time for us to act" declared the
senator. IF the president viii send our
navy to Cuba and warn Spain that she
must observe the methods OF civilized war
fare or that every Spanish seaport Will be
razed TO it's foundation. fostiiities would
cease and Cuba would be free within threa
months
An AHront to Spain.
Hoar of Massachusetts, responded in a
calm and impressive manner. lie spoke OF
the aspirations Of the founders Of the gov
eminent In establishing thu senate as the
stay and resisting power against those
passionate and dtful gusts OF sentiment
that had wrecked every republic on earth.
He believed In the dignity and greatness
OF the senate In spite of ignorant criticism
and of the scurrility OF the London Times.
But there were some gentlemen who SEEM
cd TO think that the function OF the SEN
ate was to edit a daily newspaper and
peddie IL out al or cents a copy, gather
ing up all current reports and current
events and prophesying what was 10 oc-
cur. In the pending resolution congress
was asked TO give an affront 10 power
ful and friendly nation. The symbol OF
the senate was more properly the sturdy
and slow maturing oak rather than the
mushroom. whicn rosted in an hour. This
resolution was based on mere prophecy.
surmise. prediction
"It is based on fact" asserted Allen from
across the aisle. Does the senator tHoarl
confess himself TO be in such ignoranceg"
Hoar declined to yield. but Allen insisted
on repeating that the danger 10 Gen.
Rivera was an authenticated fact known
TO all people.
Hoar, continuing. asked the Nebraska
senator to possess his beautiful soul In
patience" He denied that there was any
thing but report and prophecy as the basis
OF this resolution. Prophecy was far from
being an exact science. Hoar rejected with
Indignation any assertions that he was
guided on these great questions Of human
itv by the interests or opinions Of the bust
ness elements, as had been suggested. Tho
senator shared none Of this animoslfy TO
so-called business interests. for the prosper
t,v Of this class meant hope and happiness
TO every workingman. while a blow 10 that
interest meant poverty and despair to mill
lions of American homes. When the time
came for any well considered movement in
behalf Of humane warfare In Cuba or else
where II would have his support. but the
question now was whether the United
States should act on guess and prophecy in
giving an affront TO Spain.
II was evident that considerahi. personal
feeling was being aroused by the debate
Allen again took the floor. addressing Fim-
self frequently 20 Hoar IN person. II was
surprising. said Atlea. ironically. that the
Massachusetts, senator compared himsei. 10
the sturdy oak while ne tAilea) was char
acterlzed as a mere mushroom. TIE dan
ger 20 Gen. Rivera was not rumore1. anf
by so characterizing Il the Massachusetts,
senator showed his weakness AM Tueril-
ity." The American people knew ;hs facts
and the Massachusetts, senator knew thers
that this meant that Rivera was about
be tried and shot
II wish I had The power 70 land United
States soldiers on the island Of Cuba ard
70 send our feet there said Alien. and
the Spanish forces would be ground 70 in
fnitesimsliy small pieces. or their bar
barsty would end"
The senator closed with further sarcas-
tic references 20 Hoar. saying that the
Massachusetts senstos migat be mistaken
n his belief that the care OF the senate
was In his keeping
Hale Of Maine said that ne would he
willing 20 pas. a resolution inGuirinx Of
the stats department what information IL
had on the mater He moved the refer
enc@ of the resolution 70 the committee on
foreign relations
stewart and GaiIinEer for Cuba
Stewart CT Nevada spoke az the war a.
sgr7FtaI and disTracef5li 70 the civilization
o the sze
sAIlfnge- % New Hampshire referred
sarcagfcally % Hear a. having habit
of settling great questions with a wave os
hls hand.
1T fs tine 70 terminate a state oS bar
fz-tfy On that island such cgrsiies ths
blood OF every American heart" c0nr8 in
tls-5 ffalMngsT 1T Is f1Te that SPAN
snouI5 - gwen 20 understand thA; 1hls -
the ninessenth century, Every Etseranca
cone from the commercial Interests.
which were opposed 20 aewtcn by the
rated States / have received n letter
@~rra ere cf me n lney changers. a yoecis-
Easar ~ New England. tal % deruncia-
~lor. ard charging gfaL Ire nan who
speaks Tor Clo4 = s5sesS4nE Tor the ap-
rsSzusa q tire senate galleries. gzt BE-
fieve fhere vii SET - republic On the
fslzm6 q cuba"
uaar n a bret reply sad that the
friends of tne resolution seemed 20 - tn
tolerant % cppo~ftsy- ard g1vea 20 uisin-
-sr-7resiEg and rnlsrepreseat1ng ths utter
ar.~s.x rsf gre oppos5 tfon. Hzgt hat ae would
rat follow rh~8r exannp3e.
Tvra notion 20 refer ere resolution 90 the
eo-r-zsstee vas lost q 70 2. as follow.
Ners.
Fate he@r
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