Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-29

e-ANs AAS "a liz hNSiNSA ~
gether with its mechanical reception by
both houses and the administration repre-
sentatives in the senate. was no surprise to
any one who knows what influences dictate
the actions of both the Spanish and Ameri-
can governments. The message simply con-
firms what everyone knows, that the preSi-
dent in his every act Is responsive to the
wishes of the Spanish bondholders and the
so-called business interests of the country,
which, being interpreted. means the monied
interests and gold gamblers of the world.
If the people of the United States will only
keep in mind this supreme power as con-
trolling the destinies of both Spain and the
United States there will be no fear of war.
Whenever this power can demonstrate to
itself that war is to its financial advantage,
war will come. Until that time peace will
prevail at any price"
Mr.. Lands, Republican, Of Indiana: Il
am in favor of that proposition that looks
to absolute independence and liberty in
Cuba. 1 am opposed to any proposition
that does not look to absolute independence
and liberty in Cuba. 1 am in favor of
ordering Spain out of the Western hemi-
sphere. and if she does not go I am in favor
of putting her out. The people demand
action. They indorse the presidents
course to date and think the time has now
come for business. and it is my judgment
that the president and congress will meas
ure equal to the emergency"
Mr.. Mcguire, Democrat. of California;:
THE message really conveys no new infor-
nation. but simply confirms what has been
generally published. apparently on semi
official authority. The evident purpose of
the presidents message is to relegate the
Maine incident to a subordinate place and
to diplomatic adjustment"
Thomas NJ. Jet, of Illinois. said: THE
message of the president was along the
lines he has thus far been following; that
he is apparently wanting more time and it
will give the Spanish government a further
opportunity to annihilate the Cubans and
prepare for war. The findings of the naval
board of examiners show that the Maine
was destroyed by a submarine mine, and
whilst it does not hold Spain responsible.
the American people will believe it was
Spanish treachery. Intervention is wanted
b. the people and nothing short of it will
be satisfactory to them"
Mr.. Brcmwell, Republican, of Ohio-"The
finding of the naval board fixes conclusive
ly the responsibility for the accident upon
the Spanish authorities. The private indi-
vidual could not have procured or used
such a mine as the report refers to without
the knowledge, at least. and probably the
~connivance, of the Spanish officials at Ha-
vana. 1 believe in holding Spain strictly
accountable for the loss of our vessel and
the murder of our men. The former she
can settle in money. but the only recon-
pense she can make for the latter is imme-
date cessation of her barbarous warfare in
Cuba and the recognition of the independ-
ence of the island. 1 believe we should act
at once, and not delay until the arrival OF
the Spanish torpedo flotilla and its combi-
nation with her battleships shall make us
run the risk of losing hundreds of other
lives and the best vessels of our navy. I
nave been willing to wait and trust the
executive until we should have absolute
knowledge of the situation. That we now
have, and, as a member Of the house, rep
resenting the sentiments Of a patriotic. mer-
ciful and just constituency. l feel that the
time has come for Intervention. even II
that means immediate war"
Mr.. Hopkins. Republican. OF Illinois-"1
think the next step should be armed inter-
vention. The death of 42O. 600 people under
the military order of Spain calls for prompt
and aggressive action"
Representative Bell. Populist. of Colorado
THE synopsis in the presidents message
establishes the fact that the Maine was
blown up by a submarine mine, but locates
no responsibility. As no power except the
SDdIlSl IIlS Id " iiebN W pihSS "
control such mines in the harbor. the nat
ural inference is that Spain blew up the
ship. The people should demand that Spain
negative all responsibility or neglect at
once"
Mr.. Cooper, Democrat, of Texas-"We
ought not to make a miSstep nor a back
step. To dodge the issue now is doing
both. I think the proposition to feed the
Cubans weak and ineffective. if not wrong
in principle. If we feed them at all. we
ought to feed them as a free people or at
our table. We cannot afford TO accept
blood money for dead patriotic sailors. The
decision of the court is our judgment and
we don't intend other nations shall say
what we shall do
Mr.. Berry. Democrat, Of Kentucky. and
a member of the foreign affairs commit
tee-"The message gives no advice nor
any conclusions except those of the naval
board. 1 I'M more impressed than ever
that someone closely allied with the Span
ish government exploded the mine which
destroyed the Maine and sacrificed the
lives of our brave sailors"
Representative Lacey. Republican, Of
Iowa-"The explosion Of a mine or tor
pedo in such a skillful manner under the
Maine could only have been accomplished
by experts. The Spanish soldiers and Off
SViS III Ia DC Va tAiNSS "AS NhS
most likely c%ulprits. OF course it was
greatly against the interest of Spain to
have such an occurrence, and it is hard to
believe the Spanish authorities shouid have
planned such a crime. But the hotheaded
Weylerites in the army would be guided
by no such prudence and a conspiracy
among them is the most probable explana-
ton. This successful work was not direct
ed by any green and inexperienced hands,"
Representative Dolliver. Republican. of
Iowa-'The report shows that the eXplo-
sion was the result of a we'll planned con-
spiracy involving many persons expert In
the use of Internal weapons and having
access to the military stores of the Iia-
vana government. 1t was an act of bar
barism, and if it were not overshadowed
by the larger national duty In respect to
Cuba would lead at once to a declaration
OF war. As the whole case now stands.
our duty to end the misery in Cuba. by
whatever means are necessary, is plain. 1
hope that there will be no hesitation and
little delay"
Representative Hull. Republican. of
Iowa. chairman of the military affairs
committee. said: There is no question
Spanish mine: that the ship was anchored
over "A mine placed there by the Spanish.
and the control exercised over the Spanish
officers by its government Is all the con-
troll which any government could have. I
favor immediate Intervention in Cuba by
this country"
Representative Curtis. of Kansas, Re
publican-"The message does not 20 as far
the findings of the court are not as COM
plete as l had hoped. l think the time has
come to recognize the independence of
Cuba, to notify Spain that its inhuman
policy must cease at once, or this govern
ment will intervene. We should follow
the splendid example that the people Of