The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-05
WAR SPEECHES IN SENATE
THE MAINE DISASTER OPENLY
CHARGED TO SPAIN
Matter Handled by Mr.. Perkins, of
California, With No Mincing of
WOrds-The President Eifmi-
mated as u Factor by RawIins, Of
Utah, Who Held That Congress
Should Now Declare War.

Should Now Declare War.
WASHINGTON, April At was
frankly and openly charged in the SEN
ate today by Mr.. Perkins, of California,
that Spain was responsible for the
Maine disaster, as it had been brought
about by Spanish Vaccinations and
Spanish treachery.
The speech Of Mr.. Perkins was only
one Of four prepared addresses upon
the Cuban question delivered today.
Mr.. Clay. of Georgia, while hoping for
peaceful solution of the problem
which the country is now facing, de-
clared strongly in favor of the indie
pendence Of the Cubans, and pledged
to the administration the loyal support
of the South, which. in the event of
war, would have to bear the brunt Of
the conflict. Mr.. Perkins took sub
stantially the same ground, and his
vigorous treatment of the Maine dis
aster aroused the crowded galleries to
enthusiastic applause. Mr.. Mantle, of
Montana, while expressing confidence
in the administration, maintained that
the time had now arrived, and action
must be taken to the end that Cuba
should be free. Mr.. Rawlins, Of Utah,
entirely eliminated the president from
consideration in his speech, holding
that the case against Spain was al
ready made UP and that with congress
rested the responsibility of declaring
war. For congress to wait longer was
only to invite criticism. He declared
for the most vigorous action immedi-
ately.
After the Cuban speeches had been
delivered the senate resumed consid-
Grafton of the sundry civil bill and
finished thirty three pages before adj
journment
Perkins Speaks Out.
Despite the specific statement that
the presidents message would not be
sent to congress today and the inferen-
tial understanding that the subject Of
Cuba might not be even referred to,
the people came to the capitol by the
thousands.
1t was a great audience that looked
down on the chamber where the senate
convened. Every seat in the gallery
except the diplomatic was filed, and
even in the diplomatic gallery there
were several members Of foreign lega-
tons.
Senator Pettigrew Is. d. presented a
telegram signed by more than 100 of
his continents, reading: All parties
here want Spanish torpedo f1otilla turn
GU UStCh VI OeSliOyeuI patience GAudus5t-
ed.
Quite unexpectedly the discussion Of
the Cuban question was precipitated
and set speeches were delivered upon
it.
In opening his remarks Mr.. Perkins
said that he felt it his duty to speak
not only for himself, but in behalf Of
the people whom he represented.
MIR. Perkins, who has had life-t time
of experience in the handling of great
vessels, discussed the destruction Of
the Maine from the view of an expert
He declared that our sailors and off,
GERS had been beguiled by the deception
of the Spaniards to a place in a friend
ly 1larbor and there, without a minutes
warning, been blown into eternity
1t would have been impossible, Mr.
Perkins said. for amy man or set Of
men to place in the harbor Of Havana
mines or torpedoes with out the knowl-
edge Of the government authorities. No
impartial judge would fail, after con-
sidering all the facts presented, to
place the responsibility for the crime
upon the Spanish government through
its authorized officials.
This most hideous crime of the nine
teenth century declared Mr.. Perkins
vehemently, was an act of war and