The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-02
GOMEZ'S LETTERS DEMANDED
INQUIRY TO BE MADE INTO UNCLE
SANS OBLIGATIONS To CUBANS.
Protest from Senator HOar against
nlunmat observation-disclosures
on the Arbitration Treaty.

senator Morgan, OF Alabama. 1t declares
that a state of war exists in Cuba and an
nounces the policy OF the United States 10
accord both parties TO the conflict fun rec
o~gnition as belliserents. Mr.. Morgan gave
notice tha he would call up the resolution
at the next meeting of the Senate, with the
expectation of securing final action. OF
the other resolutions two were agreed to.
One of these. by Mr.. Morgan. calls on the
President for the letters of General Gomez
to himself and Mr.. Cleveland. and for other
information OF Cuban affairs. The other,
by Mr.. Mills. of Texas. instructs the COM
mittee on foreign relations to report what
obligations the United States has assumed
by compelling Cuba to remain subject TO
Spain. Both resolutions were passed with
out opposition. Still another resolution
came from Mr.. Allen. of Nebraska. and
proposed a protest, against the reported
purpose of the Spanish authorities TO try
Gen. Ruis Rivera. the Cuban officer. by mil
itary drumhead court-martial This led to
an animated controversy between Mr.. Allen
and Mr.. Hoar. The latter criticised in
flammatory resolutions and declared that
the freedom of Cuba had been retarded
mainly by the ''prodding'' and .goading''
resolutions directed against Spain. The
resolution went over 20 come up with the
resolution for the recognition of Cuban bel
ligerency at the next meeting.
The tariff bill passed by the House of
Representatives yesterday was received by
the Senate as soon as the session opened
to-day. There were no formalities as TO its
reference and. without motion or comment,
the presiding officer. MIR. Hobart. referred
the bill to the on finance. Mr..
Hale secured immediate consideration for a
Joint resolution directing the secretary OF
the navy to use a government vessel or
charter a private vessel for the transporta-
ton of contributions of grain. ETC., 10 the
famine-stricken people of India.
Mr.. Stewart took occasion to speak briefly
on the Recommendation of. silver in India
brought about by England, as one of the
chief causes OF the present lamentable con-
dition of affairs in India.
MORGAN SLIGHTLY SARCASTIC.
This led to a somewhat unexpected state
ment by Mr.. Morgan. which caused a tenn
porary furry. Mr.. Morgan said he fully
recognized the nobility of these benefac-
tons. He had approved sending corn to
Ireland and to Russia. These humane move
ments brought the world together in senti-
ments of good will. But continued Mr..
Morgan, Il shall hope to secure the support
of the senator from Maine CHale) when 1
INTRODUCE a resolution to send supplies to
the suffering people Of Cuba. who are
penned up in that island through the harsh
policies of General Weyler." Mr.. Morgan
expressed the further hope that Mr.. Hale
would be found among the supporters of
a resolution for sending supplies to the peo-
pie penned up in Crete through the tyran-
meal action of the European powers.
Mr.. Hale responded that these questions
would be met as they arose. There was no
politics in this resolution. 1t voiced the
general sentiment of godspeed for the re-
then agreed TO without division.
A spirited debate ollowed on several new
phases of the Cuban question. MI. Allen
asked for immediate consideration of his
resolution. Mr.. Hoar said il did not COM
port with the dignity of this body to rush
forward on these subjects. The question
of life and death in Cuba was not I'm keep
ing of the Senate There should be deco
rous and orderly procedure on these inter-
national questions, and he would object to
the resolution unless ii was allowed 10 go
to the committee.
Although debate was not in order. Mr..
Allen continued to urge the critical char
acter of the Rivera case. Mr.. Allen said he
did not want this resolution stified by being
committed to the "caverns of the foreign
relations committee"
Mr.. Hoar made a spirited reply. He had
not intended to offer advice to the Nebras-
ka 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 ii would be a clear affront
TO any nation with which we were at peace
TO recite in a resolution by the American
Congress that. whereas, such nation was
about to commit an atrocity. Congress pro-
tested. Such a resolution by one of the
European nations towards the United
States would set our people afiame. He
believed that President Grant would nave
brought about the freedom of Cuba If his
plan had not been overcome by Incorporate
resolutions and demonstrations. Mr.. Hoar
closed with a decisive objection to the
present consideration of the resolution, and
it went over. Other Cuban resolutions fol-
lowed in rapid succession.
TEXT OF THE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Morgan's resolution requesting the
President for letters OF General Gomez to
himself and Mr.. Cleveland was presented
and adopted without division. 1t follows:
Resolved, That the President is re-
quested to inform the Senate, if in his opin-
ion il is not inconsistent with the public
interests, whether letters have been re-
ceived by the President or the former chief
executive of the United States from Max
insurrectionary forces in Cuba. of the fol-
lowing tenor and effect: Uetters
are recited). And the President is
in like iReorm manner iee fg sans requested %pssber
there is any and what evidence i'm the
executive departments which shows that
United States have suffered such abuses as
are stated in the foregoing letters. which
are alleged in the public prints to have been
written by Maxine Gomez, or any other
either of the belligerent parties in Cuba
that could have been avoided by a due con-
SlUerdtlOn Tor our treaty IlS0tS ufuef Inc
laws of nations or the respect due TO hui
manity. And. also. the President in like
manner is requested to inform the Senate
whether the Spanish authorities in Cuba
have refused to permit the consul of the
United States at Sagua lie Grande to COM
municate with our consul general at Ha-
vana by the use of cipher dispatches over
the telegraph lines. and whether any pro-
test has been made against such inter-
ruptions."
The resolution of Mr.. Mills was next pre-
scented and agreed 10 without division. 1t
follows:
Resolved. That the committee on for
eign relations is instructed to inquire what.
If any. obligations the United States have
assumed toward the people of Cuba by AS
sorting and maintaining the right to pre-
vent the acquisition of that island by any
European power and compelling it's peo-
pie 10 remain subject TO the dominion of
Spain. and to report by bill or otherwise"
Mr.. Morgan came forward with a sort of
climax to the Cuban resolutions. He pre-
existence OF a state of war I'm Cuba. as
follows:
Resolved. by the Senate and House of
Representatives. That a condition Of public
war exists between the government of
Spain and the government proclaimed
and for some time maintained by
force OF arms by the people of Cuba; and
that the United States OF America will
maintain a strict neutrality between the
contending powers. according TO each all
rights of belligerents In the ports and ter
ritory of the United States"
The resolution was read several times at
the request OF senator's, who appeared to be
greatly Interested in IL. The resolution re-
manned on the table at Mr.. Morgan's re-