The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-24
SENATOR HARRIS, WAY.
For the Settling of the Trouble With
Spain.

Washington. March 24-'The Cuban
question is fast developing a situation
wherein patience Will cease to be a vir-
tue, said Senator Harris of Kansas to-
day.
If there is anything OF truth in this
talk of the administrati ton drawing
away its ships on account of Spanish
protests and an agreement that there
shall be cessation of warlike prepara-
tons the American people will speak in
such thunder tones that the president
give heed
1t would be an act of folly for this
administration to now show the white
feather and yield to the demands of
spain Too much consideration has al
ready been given that people. and
Americans can not possibly look with
unconcern upon this latest story. which.
unfortunately, comes to Us with some
of the earmarks of truth. There is but
one thing that the United States can
do in this matter. and the quicker we do
IT the better il will be for the United
states and for humanity in general
Money cannot repay the families of
the brave American Seamen who lost
their lives on the Maine. The settle
ment Of that score must be based on
something more than a pecuniary con-
sidera ton. and the demands of this
government must be promptly made
and promptly enforced. There must be
no arbitration and no further diplomatic
delay.
Three things must be required of
Spain, and the compliance with those
demands should be insisted upon within
the shortest possible space of time.
CUBA must be evacuated at once,
Tor by that means will peace ensue. This
IS the first great consideration, for so
long as a Spaniard loyal to Blanco
Weyler or any Of the rest of the Span
ism leaders remains on the island there
viii be dissensiOns and unrest Then
spain must give to the United States
battleship the equal in every respect
- -E-
Havana harbor, and, finally. an indem-
nifty must be paid to the family Of
each brave lad who met his death
through Spanish perhdy. The cOmpli-
ance with this demand must not be put
of through useless delays and proctrsti-
mating promises.
1t must come quickly. or the United
States must act and enforce its de-
mands. If that means war. then let
war come and let the United States
show the whole world how vigorously
II VIII revenge great national wrong
and drive from our vicinity the people
who keep its subjects under the yoke of
bondage"
Senator Harris, like every other SEN
ator, is adverse to the notion of sub
hitting the subject to arbitration
ITO talk Of arbitration" said he, lis
to talk of the submission of the national
honor to a court That is question
that cannot be settled by any court ex-
cept the court of last resort among ma
tons To submit this matter to arbi-
tration after the long and painstaking
investigation our naval officers have
made. would be equivalent to cornprO-
missing our national integrity and the
nation would not hear to il. I do not
care who might suggest it nor how high
might be the motives that aCtuated the
suggestion. That the investigation of
cur own court is TO be put up by way
Of comparison with the superficial in
vestigation made by the Spanish OH
Gals. is not TO be thought Of We might
q well reliuquish our rights as a ma
ton among the people Of the earth. and
If we attempt it the people of the Uni
ted States viii not tolerate it. 1t would
end in revolution, and revolution would
be preferable to such a cowardly mode
of yielding our rights and privileges.
For one, I am tired of the delay that
has been practiced since this war be-
gan I want to see Cuba freed from
the bondage in which she has been held
for all these years, and expect to see
some decisive action during the next
few days. If such action is not taken,
the people win hold the administration
to a strict accOunta bility for its con-
duct of this affair There is but one
way, to my mind, to deal with the sub
ject, and that is to make our demands
insist upon their compliance, and if
they are not complied with. then to en-
force them with the full force and pow
er Of the government"