Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-12
department of the Lakes. Preparations are
being made to receive the troops when they
arrive there at the rendezvous.
LOWER HOUSE OPINIONS.
Republicans Generally Approve the
Message and Democrats
Criticize IT.

Washington. April 11.-tSpecial) Repre-
sentative Curtis. of Kansas, commenting
on the presidents message, said:
I'm my opinion the message is a strong
one. especially that portion of 1t showing
why Intervention is necessary. II sets out
the facts fully. and holds what every true
American believes. that the war in Cuba
should cease at once. The president leaves
the manner of settlement to congress. In
my judgment. congress should recognize
the independence Of Cuba and authorize
the president 10 intervene by force, il the
var does not cease at once In the same
connection. we should vote aid TO the starv-
ing Cubans. The people of this country
have sustained the president in all his
acts. and they will sustain congress in any
action ii may take TO assist the executive
in bringing TO an end. the outrages being
perpetrated by Spain in Cuba. The people
of this country would avert war II ii can
be avoided with honor, but no true Ameri-
can fears the result OF war wased TO
maintain the integrity. the dignity. the
honor and the humanity of this nation
The Republican party is perfectly able and
ready TO settle this question. The commit
tee on foreign affairs will no doubt report
a resolution which will meet the approval
of a majority OF the Republicans. While
have personal opinions as TO what shouid
he done and have previously expressed
them. | am willing to trust the majority
OF my party TO adopt Il policy for the settle
ment of this important question
Mr.. Henderson. of Iowa. one OF the re
nubIicar leaders: The message shows
that the people made no mistake in electinS
SI,L ;pI.
for an instant taken his eye from the n
terests of the country and of humanity. we
should stand up. sustain the president ana
| give him the power he asks.
Mr. Do!liver, Republican. Of Iowa:
consider it strong and patriotic utterance.
| fully covering the whole question and Jusu-
| flying the confidence the people OF the Cnit-
| ed States everywhere have in the executive
Congress action should be in accordance
with the recommendations
Il think it is a very strong statement OF
| the situation" said Mr.. Hull, of Iowa.
chairman of the military affairs committee
The president now places the responsibility
upon congress and congress will proceed to
discharge its duty. I believe in harmony
| with the president
Mr.. Berry, Democrat, of Kentucky.
member of the foreign affairs committee:
THE details of the events leading up to
|
! cited, much after the style of those sena-
| tors and members who lately visited the
| unfortunate island, but the sequences from
| those facts do not approve. As one. am
| unwilling to place discretionary power in
| the hands of the executive which belongs
| to the legislative branch of the govern
| ment. There should he a recognition of the
Cuban government and armed Intervention
| 10 prevent further sacrifice of innocent
| lives. The message will not satisfy the in
telligence of the country. The disappoint-
| ment of his party is apparent on every
| hand
| Representative Sayers, of Texas. ranking
| Democratic member of the house appro-
| priations committee: The message of the
| president is disappointing in its conclu-
| sions- Congress. in my opinion, should not
! give him unlimited power for neutral in
| tervention and appropriate money to feed
| the starving Cubans, not knowing whether
| the Intervention is to result in Cuban in
| dependence or in the retention Of Spanish
| SOY ereignty."
| Representative Dockery, Of Missouri, mi
nority member of the house appropriations
committee: This message is a companion
| piece to the presidents former message
! transmitting the findings Of the naval court
| Of inquiry, and this one merely supple
l
suggestive only Of vague, uncertain and
hesitating policies. The temporizing indie
| cision that has heretofore characterized our
diplomatic negotiations does not seem 10
! warrant congress in thus taking leap in
| the dark. The people have indicated their
| wishes in unmistakable terms. They will
favor no armistice except as 1t will be
promptly followed by the complete inde-
pendence Of the Cubans and the utter ex-
tingushment Of Spanish sovereignty on the
island. The great overshadowing tragedy
of the Maine is still left In the air. but
the American people will never consent to
the arbitration Of that question The time
for compromise has passed. The hour for
decisive results cannot longer be deferred >
Mr. Joy, Republican, of Missouri: II shall
be satisfied with nothing less than armed
Intervention looking to the independence of
the Cuban people and the expulsion Of the
| Spanish flag from Cuban soil.'
Representative Dingley. Of Maine, chair
| man of the ways and means committee de-
| cined to discuss the message further than
to say that he considered it an able pre-
| sentation of the case.
Representative Cannon. of Illinois. chair
man Of the committee on appropriations:
1T is a strong, well delivered paper. The
| responsibility is now with congress. Such
| steps will be vigorously taken as will re-
lieve the United States as well as the isl
| and of Cuba from the embarrassments
which have hitherto existed
Mr.. Grosvenor. of Ohio: "The message
| when the hot blood. which has so properly
been melted by the course Of events. has had
| time to cool, will be recognized as an able
patriotic and wise state paper The mes
sage will be approved by all the civilized
| world. Armed Intervention, to the great
| masses of the people. means war with
Spain and free Cuba-but free Cuba does
not necessarily involve the recognition OF
any special existing government. Cuba
| will be free"
Mr.. Richardson, Democrat Of Tennessee
"The message is dispassionate statement
of our case. The situation is well reviewed
but the president is not happy nor strong
in his conclusions and recommendations.
am not in favor Of giving him any more
power than the constitution gives him. lie
does not need it and should not ask it. His
message will be disappointing to the coun-
1 try, and will not take place in history like
| those of Jackson, from whom he quotes so
| literally"
Mr.. Cummings. Democrat, of New York
1t invites the American eagle to leave
| the country and give place to the buzz
| Zard."
Simpson, Populist. Kansas-"The essaee
is a reflection of the man-weak and vac
| Hating. 1t says the insurgents have main
tained themselves against Spain for three
| years, and in the next breath says there is
| no government to recognize. 1t concludes
| by asking for more money ard more time
| The message will go down 10 history as
one that puts this great republic in a most
humiliating attitude, that OF having lost