Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-21

Congress Declares for War.
After spirited uouteat between the
Senate and tho House OF Representa-
tives over the matter of the recognition
of Cuban independence, the popular
branch of Congress won decisive VIC
tory, and tho Senate conierees con-
Dented that tho recognition clause
should he stricken from the resolutions
Afterwards, the compromise was accept
ed by both housed. The fight was stub
morn one, as the senate, under tina lead
OF the fiery Foraker, Ind insisted most
s'irenuously on recognition, while the
l.opublioaa majority of the House.
through the skilful generalship OF
Speaker Reed, held out with equal
tirmnees against recognition. At an
vurly hour on Tuesday the confereea
TN the part of the Senate surrendered,
and the House conferses also gave 10 to
slight extent. The latter had in
sisted that the fret resolution should
read that tho people of Cuba OF right
ought to bs free ana independent. -
while the Senators insisted that it
should read 'that the people OF Cuba
are, and uf right ought to be, free and
independent. These two little words.
"are. and" caused prolonged differ
ence, but the House conferees feeling
that they hal gained a substantial vic
tory in defeating recognition, allowed
the proud Senators littls salve for
their wounded vanity. and an agree
ment was reached.
AS a roault of the conference. the
Cuban resolutions go to tho President
in the following shape:
First That the people Of the Island
of Cuba are, and of right ought TO be,
free and independent.
Seuond-Thut il is tho duty OF the
United States to demand, anil the
government OF tho United States docs
hereby demand, that tho government
Of Spain at once relinquish its authority
and government in the Island of Cuba,
and Withdraw its land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters.
Third-Thnt the President OF tho
United States be, and he hereby ia,
directed and empowered to use the
entire land and naval furces Of the
United States, and 10 call into the
actual service Of the United States the
militia of the several States, to such
extsnt as may be necessary to carry
these resolutions intn effect.
Fourth-Thut the United States here
by disclaims any disposition or inten-
tion to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction
or control over said island excent for
the pacification thereof and ASSERTS its
determination when that is accom-
plishell to leave the government and
control OF tine island to its people.
While President Mckinley undoubt-
eddy would have vetoed resolutions pro-
viding for formal recognition of this
Cuban government, it is believed that
no will accept and at once approys of
the resolutions above quoted, This
VIII make it his duty to carry the reso
buttons into effect, and if the English
language means anything. the wording
OF the third resolution is a positive de-
claration Of war against Spain.
just what form of procedure will be
adopted it ia impossible to state, but
the command upon the President is en-
phatic. ito use tho entire land and
naval forces Of the United States. and
to call into the actual sefyice of thu
United States the militia of the several
States, to such an extent as may be
necessary to carry these resolutions into
effect" In other words, 10 send armod
ships and armed men to the island of
Cuba, for the purpose of compellipp
the government of Spain to sat once
relinquish its authority and govern
ment" in that island. aud to with
draw its land and naval forces from
Cuba aud Cuban waters -
Unless Spain shall accede to this i'm.
perious domund and surrender Cuba
without striking a blow. this means
war, OF duration and extent at present
problematical. Tho outlook for tina
future is, indeed, dark. The only hone
is that the armed conflict, If il does
come, will be brief and conclusive. in
! order that it may be attended with as
little loss of treasure and az little de.
struction of human life as possible.
There is also consolation in the
declaration of the final resolution,
which disclaims any idea of exercising
sovereignty Or jurisdiction over the
island, except for this qualification
thereof, but "to leave the government
and control Of the island to it's people. I"
Enough Of trouble and suffering will
be involved in war for the freedom OF
Cuba from the rule of Spain. without
incurring further trouble by making
the island sovereign State, or even a
territorial dependency of the United
States.
The PeopIe and the Ioct.,a,,.