The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-13
SN|RN|SR linz IS OUI
Preliminary to the Battle TO
be in the House.
INDEPENDENCE is MEAN
This is GroSvenor's Interpre-
tation of the Message,

A0liOli VI wv tftOSCSAS0St
Washington, April 12-Genersl Grosven-
or of Ohio, now generally regarded as the
spokesman Of the president on the floor
of the house, late this afternoon, in reply
10 an attack upon the policy of the admin
sstration, interpreted the recommendation
in the presidents message TO mean a re-
quest for authority 10 use the army and
navy of the United States TO establish on
the island of Cuba a government indie
pendent OF Spain. 1t was regarded as an
exceedingly important ana significant an
,louncement In the brief debate today
the opening guns Of the contest that be-
gins tomorrow were fired. Broadsides
were exchanged, and then the house ad-
1ourned. Mr. Lentz, an Ohio Democrat
who drew the fire of General Grosvenor
last Thursday. returned the assault again
today. attacking what he termed the
"vaciNaung'' policy Of the president, the
F'midnieht conferences at the White
House wzth Senator EIkins and John j.
McCook. and asserting that the presi-
dents recommendation really meant that
the United States should coerce the Cuban
Insurgents into an acceptance of SPANS
scheme of autonomy. Mr.. Hepburn CRep.,
Iowa. made a spirited and indignant re-
ply deuocucing the intimation Of such
policy IS little short Of scoundrelism.
Then came General Grosvenor's important
announcement, upon which Mr.. Bailey,
1he Democratic leader. countered, taking
the position that if the president had
meant u declare for the independence Of
Cuba he would have said so in specific
words. The message was clear and lucid,
he said, except as to the recommenda-
lions and it had required all the ingenu-
fly Of General Grosvenor to torture such
an Interpretation from them. In conclu-
sion he declared that the president who
would coerce the Cuban patriots would
not live TO survive the odium of the Amer
lean people.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal the speaker recognized Mr.. Hill
born Rep., CALI to call up on behalf of
the naval committee, the senate bill for
the organization Of a naval battalion in
the District of Columbui.
BAILEY ROASTS THE MESSAGE.
Mr.. Bailey indicated his purpose to OBJ
5ect unless an amendment were offered to
organize this battalion under existing
laws.
At suggest the bill be withheld until
we see what the report Of the committee
on foreign affairs is to contain. We can
determine exactly what the condition in
the country is" said Mr.. Bailey. "If the
fear he entertains has no more founda-
tion than the report that the presidents
message last Wednesday might have Gre
ated a riot in Havana, the gentleman need
not be exercised. The presidents message
might have created a riot in Cuba, but it
would not have been among the Spaniards
IN Havana. 1t would have been among
the insurgents in the interior" daughter
and applause on the Democratic side)
81 rise to a parliamentary inquiry"
shouted Mr.. Terry Dem. Ark) What
need have we for an army and navy, any,
way?" OaughteD.
THAT is not a parliamentary inquiry"
replied the speaker, smiling blandly, amid
renewed laughter.
KANSAS MEMBERS HEARD FROM.
Mr.. Ridgely pop, Kan) then objected.
The house then went into committee of
the whole on a bill relating to the Dis
frict of Columbia.
During the debate Mr.. Botkin Pop,
Kan.) and Mr.. Greene pop, Neb) took
occasion TO discuss the Cuban question.
hut their utterances were not innamma-
tory.
After some discussion of the financial
nv
and Mr.. Lacey (Rep, Iowa. Mr. Lewis
got the floor. In a vigorous speech he
declared that in the dust and clouds which
had been kicked up by diplomacy, CON
gress was losing sight of the vital ques-
Tion before the people. The country, he
said, favored the freedom of Cuba, bat
that was only a sentiment. The avenging
of the Maine, he said, was the real duty
of the government.
JERRY HAS THE BEST OF IT.
Later. while Mr.. Hill (Conn) was dis
GUESSING the question of reforming the cur
rency, Mr.. Simpson pop. KanD became
so obstreperous that Mr.. Hopkins Rep., !
1l), who was in the chair, ordered him to
take his seat. and when the Kansan de- |
clined he instructed the sergeant-at-arms !
TO use the silver mace, the emblem Of the /
houses authority. to compel him to take /
his seat. one Of the assistants took the /
mace out of its place and marched up the /
aisle toward Mr.. Simpson. The latter /
laughed at him. Take that thing back" /
he said.
As the mace can not be employed under /
the rules. in committee. the chair did |
not press ;he command. and the Incl |
dent closed with a round Of laughter.
MR.. LENTZ'S ASSAULT
Shortly before the adjournment. Mr.. /
Lentz Dem.. % made q vicious assault /
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