The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-14
WAR BETWEEN NATIONS.
That the Serious Topic Which Occupied
the Senatorial Mind.

That the Serious Topic Which Occupied
the Senatorial Mind.
Washington, April 14.-War between
two nations was the sole topic OF dis
cussion In the senate yesterday. Such
excitement. suppressed though 1t was;
such q feeling that the country was on
the verge OF events that would make
history for all time TO come; such ora
tory and such repartee have not been
known In the body since the exciting days
when the country was convulsed by the
greatest war OF modern times.
Notwithstanding the throng in the
galleries. the great semi-circular cham
ber was almost as silent as IL II were de-
serted. Conversation was conducted in
low whispers, all seeming to feel that
events historic and momentous We're
about to occur. Scarcely five minutes
had elapsed after the session convened
before the vice president recognized Mr..
Davis. who presented the resolution and
report from his committee and requested
that they be read. The report was
terrific arraignment OF Spain and her
policies. yet so eager were all to hear
every word that not the slightest dem
onstration occurred throughout the
reading. The resolution was to the ef-
feet that "the people Of the island Of
Cuba are. and of right ought to be. free
and independent" and that "the gov
ernment OF the United States does hereby
demand that the government OF Spain at
once relinquish its authority and her
government in the island of Cuba, and
withdraw its land and naval forces from
Cuba and Cuban waters"
Following the presentation of the re-
port and after Mr.. Hoar had insisted that
consideration OF the resolution go over
on point OF order, came two OF the most
remarkable speeches yet delivered on
the Cuban question. Mr.. Foraker and
Mr.. Lodge presented different phases of
the Cuban situation. Mr.. Foraker ad-
vocated the direct recognition of the in
dependence of the Cuban republic, and
with an eloquence and yehemence sell
dom heard in the senate splendidly
maintained his position. A sharp coli
loquy between him and Mr.. Elkins caused
excitement.
Senator Lodge said that whatever
might be his opinion with regard to
recognition of independence. il was suf-
ficient for him that the president did
not believe IL wise. He would stand
by the president In everything. but he
desired to add that General Lee, TO
whom he paid high compliment, had
also advised against II. Forms OF words
were of little moment in a crisis such as
confronted the country today. The main
fact was that whether the language OF
the message was used. or the words of
the house or senate resolutions. a state
OF war was created. The president has
asked congress to mall his hand, and his
request would be granted. When he
asks US to invest him with the great war
power under the constitution. we are
brought face to face with great re-
sponsibilty. Let us look ii in the eye
like men," he exclaimed. "and not at
tempt TO shrink from what 1t means.
We are told that we must not go TO war
on the narrow ground OF revenge. No,
not revenge, but we must have repara-
tion for the Maine. We cannot as a
nation belittle that case or refuse to de-
mand great and shining reparation for
our dead sailors. If we allow that to
drop aside, 20 pass away into an end
less tangle of negotiation and law and
discussion. we are lost to all sense of
oiothciHoVu, We dre ioSt 10 all lONe OF
kit and kin; our uniform will no longer
be an honor and protection 1t will be a
disgrace and danger to wear
Mr.. Lindsay concluded the discussion
for the day with a powerful speech in
which he advocated the recognition of
the Cubans and a concert of action be-
tween the insurgent army and the United
States troops in driving the Spanish
forces from Cuba.