The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-31


Mr.. Hull, chairman OF the military
committee. went SO far as TO endorse
the resolution under the impression, that
II provided for declaration of war. but
most Of the radicals who were in favor
OF any sort OF revolutionary measure
had been won over to the policy of slick
ing to the party organization and re-
fusing to do anything unless the in
itiative came from their side. They
were rallied by two OF the leading I'd
vocates of armed Intervention. and the
speaker himself from the chair made an
indirect appeal to his party associates
to stand firm. at the same time intmat-
ing that If their impatience was curbed
a little longer they would have the op-
portunity they coveted.
When the vote was taken only two
Republicans. Messrs Acheson and Rob-
bins of Pennsylvania, broke from the
party lines. About a dozen more. sat
silent in their seats and refused TO vote.
The scene throughout was most dram
attic, and the members and the spectators
in the galleries were wrought up to
q high pitch OF excitement.
From time to time during the remain
der OF the session the Cuban question
was brought forward and aroused in
tense feeling. Mr.. Wheeler said that
In the morning the country had been
stirred by the announcement that the
Republicans OF the house had at last
revolted and action was 10 be taken.
Twenty-four hours later the American
people would be Inundated when they
found that the Republicans of the house
had Joined the temporizing policy
which was betraying the American peo-
pie and the American name.
Mr.. Cummings asked: How much
time would 1t require, considering the
prospective alliance between the gov
ernments of Spain and the United States
to put down the patriots of Cuba?"
(Great applause in the gaIleries)
With my head bowed in humiliation"
replied Mr.. Wheeler, II have watched
how matters have gone. but / do not
believe the administration will go so
FAR as to extend a friendly hand 10 the
murderers OF the sailors of the Maine
and of the patriots of Cuba"
After an amendment had been adopted
to appropriate $4,000 for a steam en-
gineering shop at the Port Royal naval
station, Mr. Cummings aroused the
galleries TO high pitch of enthusiasm
THE Port Royal dock" said he. 'is
the nearest TO Key West 1t is the
nearest dock where you can have a
man-of-war repaired In case she Is dis
abled. The gentleman from South Car
DINA tells US that this work can be
done within three months You will
need 1t before three months are over
Mr.. Chairman. That there will be war
between this country and Spain is in
dicated by every pulsation of the pop
ular heart today. have received from
my own constituents this batch OF letters
in one mail. asking me why my voice is
silent at this time; asking me why, after
i have visited Cuba and know the facts
why remain silent wish to saw.
Mr.. Chairman, / remain silent because
under the rules of a former house adopted
under the false plea by this house my lips
ore sealed; my mouth is padlocked by
the majority Of the house through the
rules. l will say further to the con-
stituents who are writing me every hour
that today l besought the speaker of
the house to give me an opportunity TO
tell what saw and not what heard. and
was told that at the proper time the op-
portunity would be given me-"
Mr.. Wheeler OF Alabama-"Next year"
Mr.. Cummings-"The representative
from the first district OF Maine decided
what should be the proper time. Now.
Mr.. Chairman. ] shall not vote for any
100000 appropriation to feed the re-
concentrates OF Cuba until this govern
ment explicitly says to Blanco and TO
Sagasta. Repeal your Weyler order
which Is starving these people There
is the place to take the initiative. make
them repeal that murderous order of
Weyler's. From even a Spanish stand
point or Weyler standpoint IL is no
longer necessary that the order should
continue In force. Weyler said he made
the order for the purpose OF destroying
the basis OF supplies OF the Cuban pa
triots In the west in Havana, in Matan-
zas, In Santa Clara and in Puerto Prin-
cipe. Well, they are already destroyed.
There are no provisions raised there.
There are not 10 acres in all these prov
inces planted with provisions. The
country is devastated and ruined. II
n an utter impossibility. unless they
bring their provisions with them, for
Gomez and Garcia to march into the
western provinces OF Cuba. There
fore I say that the inftiatfvs should be
premptory demand by this government
for the repeal of the Weyler order.
When that is cone. feed the reconcen-
trados n you please. First give them
homes. give them ploughs. give them
oxen. and In Gods name send them