The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-02

the president with reference TO The pur-
chase CT the islands. and that not only
he but the naval officials. had eoncurred
in the opinion that tnsir possession would
be Of inestimablc value In case of HOSTILE
ties in, the West indies.
Perkins and Elkins. both Republicans,
attacked the purchase proposition as un-
wise. in that 1t was Liable to involve us
In extra expense and unnecessary entan-
clement.
Teller stated that ordinarily he would
favor annexation, and that he had done
SO for many years, but that he would not
advise an effort to secure action at a
critical time like the present, when It
was unwise 10 bring In any proposition
calculated TO create discord and division.
He therefore criticised the action of the
committee in reporting the resolution at
this time
Bacon OF Georgia spoke against the res
olut.on, saying that for present or i'm
mediate war purposes the islands would
be useless and that they could be &C.
quired. IL wanted, at some future time.
The acquisition of the territory, in his
opinion should be by treaty, and not by
legislative act. He sad it would take a
year TO fortify either of the West Indies
SO as to make them available for any pur-
pose. At present we have not the guns
nor the time to complete the work Of for
| tifying any portion of the islands.
Mason was among the supporters OF the
resolution. He put his support On the
ground that he was willing to a.d the adj
minfstration in any way deemed necessary
for the successful prosecution Of a war
with Spain.
At 1880 o'clock the senate went into
secret session. Lodge opened the pro-
ceed.ngs with a general statement con
corning the advantages of controlling the
Danish islands He argued that this
country should own them. because of con-
tiguity to our shores and for strategic pur-
poses. going over much of the ground
covered in his report Of yesterday.
Gray replied in opposition to the policy
basing his antagoniSm on the ground that
it was contrary to the policy of the Unit
ed States TO acquire territory outside of its
continental lines. and saying that the pos
session OF the islands would inevitably in
yolve us in international entanglements
which would be troublesome and might
lead to complications at any time, which
could be avoided IL we did not have the
islands. Furthermore. IL there was an
idea OF utilizing them In case OF war with
Spain over Cuba. 1t should not be forgot
ten that we had in our possession at Key
West territory nearer Havana than either
of the Danish islands.
Frye and Lodge both replied to this lat
ter point. They stated that it was evident
from the developments so far advanced
that Porto Rico. rather than Havana,
would be the center of our war with Spain,
and In that event. the Danish group would
be OF ;nestimable advantage to us. Indeed
they considered them almost essential to
an early ending OF the war. They asserted
that Spain's coal supply at Porto Rico was
extremely limited. and that II could be
practically controlled by us should We own
the Danish possessions in that quarter. 1t
was the earnest desire of the adrninistra-
ton. II was said to control these islands.
Cockreli and Pettigrew also opposed the
resolution. Cockrell commended that 1t
would be a great mistake from a naval
point of view to acquire the islands, and
Pettigrew said that the islands would only
make additional territory TO protect in
case of war with Spain. Cockrell said that
in case of war with Spain Porto Rico could
be taken more easily than the Danish Isle
ands could be defended.
All the senator's who spoke. including
members OF the committee on foreign re-
lations. looked on war as inevitable. bas-
ing all their arguments for and against ac-
QUESTION upon this theory.
Pettus supported and Caffery opposed the
resolution.
At 42i p. m. the senate went from secret
executive into executive session. and soon
| afterward adjourned until Monday
In the open session OF the senate Chand-
| Ter of New Hampshire called up the reso-
| luton he introduced yesterday requesting
[ the president 10 send the Cuban consular
! correspondence 20 the senate. and at his
/ suggestion ii was referred to the commit
! tee on foreign relations. Immediately
| as,erward, however, he introduced an
| ether resolution. which went over. calling
/ upon the secretary of state fer the same
| information.
/ Mitchell OF Wisconsin presented a tele-
gram signed by score or more of promi-
| nent citizens of Milwaukee. saying that
the business and conservative elements of
/ the country were in favor Of peace. unless
| war should be demanded TO preserve the
| honor and dignity OF the country. II was
| referred 70 the committee on foreign re-
/ iations:
1 These bills were passed: To authorize
| the secretary of the interior 20 issue q
| hermit 10 the American Invalid Society
% Boston 10 occupy 100 acres Of land on
the abandoned Fort Stanton. in New Mex
| leo for national sauit1rium for the treat
rnent or pulmonary diseases. to extend the
right OF Communication to certain home
stead settlers on lands In Oklahoma opened
| 10 settlement under the provisions OF the
| Law; and to extend 81. 60 10 the University
| Of Kansas as relief.
!
I yGTER CAV SERVE.