The herald., 1897-05-20
STIRRING
SPEECHES
On the Question of Cuban
Recognition
CONSULS FEARED MASSACRE
IF AUTHORS OF REPORTS WE'RE
KNOWN
The Motion to Refer to Committee
Expected to Come to Vote
Today
IF AUTHORS OF REPORTS WE'RE
KNOWN

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, May 1s.-Another
stirring debate on Cuba occurred in the
senate today. 1t was Of the give and take
order, with sharp parliamentary fenc-
ing. The main speeches of the day were
made by Senators Foraker of Ohio, Can
non of Utah, Lindsay of Kentucky and
Hoar of Massachusetts,. 1t was the first
speech of any length made by Mr.. For
aker since he entered the senate, and ir
addition to this the Ohio senator is one
OF the Cuban subcommittee Of the COM
mittee on foreign relations. He spoke
in favor of a reference of the resolution
to the committee, but on direct question
declared his intention of supporting the
resolution in favor of Cuban belliger-
ency when it should be reported by the
committee. Mr.. Cannon was bitter in
his denunciation of Spanish atrocity,
characterizing the captain-general Of
Cuba as that mad dog Weyler." Mr..
Lindsay declared that If the information
furnished by the United States consuls
was SO shocking as to subject them to
danger of assassination IL their names
were disclosed, it was time to send war
ships to Cuba and to terminate all Dip
lomatic relations with that country.
1t was developed in the course of a
colloQuy between Senators Foraker,
Morgan and West that the state de-
partment had withheld the names of
United States consuls reporting on the
serious condition Of affairs in Cuba be-
cause it might lead to their massacre.
Mr.. West declared that this presented
the most serious phase of the subject,
as that was the time to protect our Off
cials with warships If their personal
liberty was threatened for making re-
ports to their government.
No action on the resolution was taken
but Mr.. Morgan said he hoped to secure
a vote tomorrow on Mr.. Hale's motion
He desired to do this, he said, in order
that the Cuban resolution might not an
tagonize the tariff bill on Monday
When the Cuban resolution came up
Chandler of New Hampshire moved that
the adjournment today be until Monday,
disclaiming at the same time any inten-
tion on the part of the opponents Of the
resolution to delay action. The debate
proceeded on Mr.. Chandler's motion and
branched off into unexpected channels.
Vest of Missouri said he had seen
statements to the effect that three men,
bers of the committee on foreign rela-
tions had visited the state department,
and had had access to the evidence fur
nished by the United States consuls.
Why was it that three senators had this
information and the senate did not have
it?
Morgan answered that three senators
on the committee had been sent as a
subcommittee to the president and Sec
retary Of state to confer on the Cuban
subject. They had received certain in
formation, and the injunction was laid
upon them that the name of General
Lee was not to be used in connection
with the information.
"The reason given for THE" said Nor
gan, was the fear that the officials who
gave the information would be massa-
cred Another reason was that we had
no war vessels ready to meet the out
breaks of vicious people, ready to mas
acre"
w as tHiS otd tCAAlCHl OlllCldl LHdI mas
sacre might ensue?" asked White of
Eyes, official" replied Morgan.
Vest, by further questioning, brought
out the fact that the president and the
secretary of state had requested that the
names of consuls sending the informa-
ton should not be disclosed.
Foraker had been one of the sub
or,,tt tfAo tOx r;esS L
So far ae he was concerned, he said, no
restrictions had been placed upon him
except as to the use Of names of con-
suls and places.
Vest. addressing Foraker. said: 81
call attention to the statement Of the
from Alabama that the presi-
dent and secretary of state desired that
names of consuls should not be given. as
It would involve their assassination.
Is that it?"
Not in that language" replied For
aker, but 1t was suggested that the dis
closure of names might do more harm
than good. and possibly lead to yio-
ence."
And now we come to the serious oues-
tion," continued Vest, impressiyely
Has the government sent gunboats to
zee that our consular officials are pro-
ected? Muet We be told that they may
be assasslnated If their names are given?
That is serious question"
Mr.. Morgan explained in detail how
the injunction of secrecy had been
placed upon the committee.
Mr.. ForakcS> said that the president |
'elt that there should be a reserve ir
giving the sources of its information. IT
was quite usual course.
Mr.. Hoar pointed out that 1t was usual
o withhold the names of consuls when
he disclosure might result in a demand
'or their recall.
II am one of those senators who want
IN early vote on this resolution" Mr..
Hoar went on. II am especially desir-
JUS of getting 1t out Of the way because
here is other important business ready
'or which this special session OF con-
sress was called, and for which the
BUSINESS and the labor Of the country
Ire anxiously waiting"
Ir Galinger spoke OF the probable