The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-13

Washington ID. c., April 12-For
nearly three hours to-day the Senate
had the Cuban question in its several
phases under discussion. Three resolu-
| tons bearing upon the question were
introduced. one by Mr.. Lindsay tKy),
directing that the contemplated opera
tions against the Spanish army in Cuba
| he in concert with General Gomez, the
supreme command to be vested in, the
| Commander of the United States forces;
| to the end that the independence of the
Cubans be secured: the second by Mr..
Wilson Washington, directing the Pres
ident at once to take such steps as will
secure the Cuban people an independent,
| Republican form of government; aud
the third by Mr. Allen (Neb). declaring
the existence of war in Cuba and direct
ing the President to take steps to stop
it and secure to the people of the island
| a stable and Independent government.
Following the introduction OF the reso-
| lutions speeches were delivered by Mr..
| Pettus (Ala.). Mr.. Mason Qll). and Mr..
| Butler (N. Co. Judge Pettus presented
an argument that the Congress could not
delegate to the President the power to
make war either in a general or i'll a
| special sense and declared that the max
| ing of any war without an express decla-
ration by Congress would be q disgrace
| to the nation. Mr. Mason's speech was
| largely a legal argument in favor Of the
recognition of the independence of the
| Cuban republic and was delivered with
characteristic fire and vehemencc
He declared that he was for war only
as means of securing an honorable
| peace.
| II have no DESIRE" he continued. ''tn
| destroy the Spanish nation but her fla .
must be dishonOred by surrendering her
sovereignty over Cuban territory as an
atonemcnt for lowering our flag, sinking
our ship and numbering our men.
| Intervention by force of arms, rs re-
commended by the President. is war. To
| declare for intervention without declar-
/ ing directly, openly, for war. seems 10
4 lack frankness and savors too much of
| Spanish diplomacy"
SIR. Mason then went into the history
of what had been done by this country
IN the past regarding recognition and de-
clared that the Cubans had formed and
maintained civil government.
10 we wish, he said, ''to relieve
some American investors who have
bought Spanish bonds and who wish to
trade them for the bonds of the rennb-
llcF De we. worse still. wish to leave
the door open to compel those bravo men
ana women to accept some terms of am.
tonomy or to pay blood money to the
Spanlard or the shylocks of our own
land?' oui y"
Mr. Butler. North Carolina). follow.
cd Mr.. Mason. He said that no ba
lohged to what was popularity termed
the oDopsition on the floor of tho senate
but ne maintained that this onnositior
mad thus far upheld the hands of the
administration rs Loyalty as had the
pest friends of the President. and were
ready to continue so to do. so long rs
they could, and preserve their seIf-re
spect. Mr.. Butler expressed the hone
that the Foreign Relations Committee
might be able to bring i'm n resolution
; mat the Senate may support unanimous
~ as it voted for the $4,000. 600 emer
gehcy appropriation. In the present cir
cumstances we would, in the oninion nj
Mr.. Butler be justified in driving everI
Spanish vessel from the seas and r.
lay waste every city and town Of Sna;n
; inns because of the destruction of tb.
Malne-one of the foulest crimes il
history. tie maintained that the Unite,
: States had even moro exalted reoson,
Tor the establishment of Cuban indie