Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-02-16
THE PRESIDENT AND CUBA.
Last Wednesday was Cuban Day in
u. =. Senate,

The resolution introduced in the Senate
the subject of Il spirited debate OF the
Cuban question in the Senate Wednesday.
| The resolution in effect urges the Presi-
dent to offer an ultimatum to Spain, that
unless the army is Withdrawn from Cuba
and Cuban independence recognized by
Spain before March next, this govern
ment will on that date recognize the bel
| ligerency Of the insurgents, and III ninety
days thereafter will assert the indie
pendence OF Cuba.
The resolution was opposed by those
mem bers who support the conservative
policy OF the administration in the Gu ban
matter. The leader of this opposition
was Senator Hale, who spoke at length.
He said in part:
Both resolutions Trefcrring to the Cannon
resolution and one of the same nature intro.
duced by Senator Mason, of Illinois are In the
direction of determined purpose to put the
administration Into leading strings In reference
to It's policy upon Cuba. They are based upon
the assumption that the country can not afford
to wait the processes by which the executive
department will arrive at one conclusion or
another upon this subject, but are intended to
drive the administrator, into n co,rs. wh,cn !
believe is fraupht with danger TO the country
and may involve us at n near dav In an armed
conflict with now friendly nation
The President In his first message to Con-
gress, a most carefully considered document
presented the whole situation in Cuba. the ~
lations of this government and this country to
It, and the attitude that he assumed as the head
OF the administration in a most clear co.ent
and conclusive fashion. In the messa &c which
have before me he discu ssed the situation at
length, page after page, none of Il surplusase.
but all of 1t throwing light upon the subject.
He quoted from the great messages.of Grant In
the years past that are a fundamental doctrine
upon the subject and also referred svmpathtz
ingIy, In instances to the su Yering In Cuba and
to wrongs committed and excuses endured
there.
lie summed up his conclusions as follows
For these reasons / regard the recognition of
neilgerehcy OF the CUBAN Insurgents a. now
tbat s,en here. f,er he J.,mad 49,. 'mou a.
ure OF right and duty the executive will take H.
lie there iaiu down tue chart OF the course his
IN 'ne future the conditions should be such as to
justify recognition of Cuban bclligerency the |
- |
executive would act In accordance with such |
conditions.
Now. since then the President and his admin
istrahoh nave acted time and again The sena
tor from Utah has declared that many Amcri |
can cilzehs have been Imprisoned abused. /
matreatea' Killed. 1t may he. In Spanish
prisons In CUBA since that message
written In the plan which the President had In
his mind OF considering this subject carefully
anu acting from time TO time as wisdom might
direct. he has taken such a course that to-day
not one citizen of the United st.ttes Is found in
prison upon the island Of Cuba one OF the
Things that was demanded OF this adminstra.
lion has been most signally answered by the
course of the President. To-day there IS not an
American citizen In duranee In Cuba
Moreover, the President. recognizing the
upon the Island. whoever may be
responsible for them. and in that do not
wholly agree with the senator from Utah. has
not only made an appeal To the country for
help. for benefactions from the American PEG.
pie, hut has so conducted negotiations with the
representatives Of the spanish government and
5uba have been thrnvn a,,a.,