Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-24
SENATE EXCITED.
Mr.. Aliens Cuban Resolution
Stirred Up Sharp Discussion.
Mr.. HoAR'S REMARKS.
Such Debate, He Said, Was All
Out of Place.
The Massachusetts Senator in Favor of
Supporting the President if the Time
for Action Comes Resolution
Defeated.

ate today had under consideration the
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill, a sharp debate on the Cuban situa-
tion was precipitated by Mr. Allen of Ne
braska, who offered as an amendment
the resolution passed by the senate a
year ago, recognizing the belligerent
rights of the Cuban insurgents. The de-
bate became general and occupied near
ly four hours
In the course of a reply to the pre-
liminary statement by Mr.. Allen. Mr.
Morgan of Alabama said that this coun-
try S relation with Spain at the present
time were seriously strained, and that
Intervention by the United States
which year ago would have been in
offensive, would be now almost a cause
for war. He expressed the opinion that
the Cuban affair would eventually be
submitted to the arbitrament of the
sword between the United States and
Spain, but he did not wish to have war
precipitated by rash acts of legislation.
Mr.. Foraker Ohio thought the day
not far distant when the time for action
by this country would arrive, and that
the chief magistrate of the nation ought
TO rejoice that the executive branch of
the government was prepared to sup
port him in asserting American rights.
Mr.. Thurston (Neb) counseled calm
ness and prudence, for he believed that
the country was rapidly drifting into a
war with Spain.
Mr. Hoar (Mass) maintained that the
floor of the senate was not proper
place for angry discussions on inter
national affairs, and that no senator
ought to utter anything that might not
well be uttered by the president of the
United States. He expressed his Wiling
ness, however, to give his support to the
executive should the time for action ar
rive. providing the proposed action was
based upon clear and unmistakable
facts
Mr.. Aliens amendment was ruled out
of order and the appeal from the ruling
taken by the Nebraska senator was laid
on the table by a vote of 81 to 5.
Early in the day Mr.. Allen offered a
resolution providing for committee of
five senators who should go to Cuba and
ascertain the precise situation on the
island.
Under the rules it went over until to-
morrow. Both the military academy and
the diplomatic and consular appropria-
ton bills were passed.
The diplomatic and consular approprl-
alton bill appropriates $1,746,40S, that
amount being an increase over the sum
carried by the bill as it passed tie
house. Russia is placed among the ma
tions at whose capitals the United
states is represented by ambassadors,
France, Great Britain and Germany be-
ing the other countries.
At the conclusion of the reading of the
bill, Mr. Allen (Neb.) offered his amend
ment
Respecting the amendment, Mr.. Allen
said that it was practically the
copy of two resolutions which had
already passed the senate.
Mr.. Morgan (Alabama) said the sem
ate had twice passed the Cuban bellig-
erency resolution substantially as it was
now offered, but each time it had been
done openly and frankly
Mr. Morgan said that such resolu-
ton might almost al any time previous
to this have been regarded as a peace
measure The situation now, however
was entirely different. Nearly 100000
persons had been starved to death on
the island.
This awful condition of affairs said
Mr.. Morgan, "makes our position in the
Cuban matter extremely delicate. An
intervention on the part of this govern
nent in the, present critical condition of
affairs, would almost certainly be re-
garded by Spain as a caSus belli. [ al
most dread to refer to the conditions
and circumstances which have been
brought about by the events of the past
ten days"
In the present circumstances, it
would not be consistent with the feel
ings or characteristic of the sentiments
of the American people, to do anything
that would in any way aggravate the
situation brought about by the events
leading up to the inquiry now in prog
ress in Havana.
IF, however, any senator believes in
a declaration of war and will draw such
a declaration with sufficient and proper
grounds upon which to base it, 1 will
vote for it,"
Mr.. Allen disclaimed any intention of
making a declaration of war against
Spain.
If we should put this amendment on
the appropriation bill replied Mr. Nor
gan. Spain will be fully justified in in
terpreting our meaning to be that we
were extensively interfering in her af-
fairs The Spanish are a great and
powerful ard proud people, and they
believe that their course is right / do
not wish to provoke them to a declara-
ton of war l have always believed
that d1pe war in Cuba could not be ter
minatab without involving the United
states in hostilities. The whole world
recognizes Spain's inability to conquer
the Cubans, and sooner or later we shall
become, in my opinion, involved in the
armed controversy. The pending
amendment is little else than a declara-
tion of war in disguise. If we man to
declare war, let US do so like men, and
not endeaVor to conceal ourselves be-
hind so transparent a cloak
Mr.. Lodge of Massa chusetts said he
did not believe in general legislation on
appropriation Ellis for the purpose Of
forcing the house.
Mr. Thurston, in discussing the reso-
luton said II believe we are drifting
into a war with Spain, and that the
time is coming when we shall either
have to back down from our position
or intervene in the Cuban affair with
the probability of war. There is enough
being said all over this country concern
ing the inquiry now proceeding in Hava-
ma, into the Maine catastrophe, to in
yoIve us in war. Our people in the
present delicate situation might well be
praying for peace"
Mr{Hale, yielded to Mr.. Hoar, (Mass.)
who said he desired, in justice to him
selfia1d to those who believed with
him, t6 refute the charges of cowardice
which had been hurled by Mr.. Allen at
those who differed with him. He dis
cussed the situation from the stand
point of an international lawyer, main
tanning that the recognition OF belliger-
ency in ordinary circumstances was not
a cause of war 1t was not necessarily
an unfriendly act.
Mr.. Hoar maintained, however, that,
before taking any action OF that kind,