The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-02-24

ner Neither such interference nor the
declaration of belligerency would be
an act unfriendly to Spain. Stlil, II the
matter rested with him exclusively ne
would recognize the belligerence or the
Cubans if he knew it would bring war
tomorrow, for he was sure such inter-
vention at such a time and in sucn
cause would secure for us in such
struggle the sympathy of all civilized
nations.
Mr.. Foraker announced his intention
to vote against the amendment, eX-
planning his reason to be the fact that
it was sought to make it a rider on an
appropriation bill He said he had
voted for the belligerency resolution,
couched in precisely the same terms as
this, which was adopted a year ago.
and he had always been glad he had
done So He had always believed a
mistake had been made in not recog-
nizing the belligerent rights of the con-
tending Cubans. A declaration of bel
ligerency would not be an act of hos
tility.
In conclusion, Mr.. Foraker said: 81
expect at no very distant day there will
be an appropriate occasion for further
remarks upon this question. l think
the time is coming for action. When
it comes the time for discussion will be
here, and the problem may be appro-
priately discussed"
Mr.. Thurston said he had voted to
accord belligerent rights to the Cuban
insurgents both times it had come be-
fore the Senate. 81 have never ceased
to regret said he, that the United
States did not afford to the Cubans bel
ligerent rights at the time when the
cruelties and barbarities of Weyler
would have won for us the sympathy
of the civilized world. Had we recog
nized the belligerency of those strug-
Cling people then, l believe that ere
this they would have been in posses
sion of the island, and we would be in
no danger Of war.
"I believe now that we are drift
ing into a war with Spain.
when the President delivered to US
his message he set time to running,
and that time has ever since been run
ming. Spain has not been able to
quell the rebellion, and the possibility
of peace is growing more and more re-
mote. The time is coming, God knows
how soon it will be here, when action
in accordance with the Presidents
message must be taken-when we shall
sition or intervene in the Cuban af-
fair, with the probability of war.
There is enough being said all over
this country concerning the inquiry
now proceeding in Havana into the
Maine catastrophe to involve us in war
Our people in the present delicate
situation might well be at their affairs
praying for calmness and peace.
hope that the inquiry now proceeding
in Havana will develop nothing that
may involve US in hostilities, but while
that inquiry is proceeding we in the
Senate should maintain a NOSE cir
cumspect attitude and be calm and
quiet"
Mr.. Allen made an extended reply to
the arguments advanced against his
position. He maintained this was the
first time the belligerency proposition
had been presented to the Senate when
there was any chance of it's being eff
fective The House would be brought
face to face with it, and it would be
brought to a vote in that body. 1t
could not be buried in committee.
Mr.. Hale, in charge of the bill, yield
ed to Mr. Hoar, who said he desired, in
Justice to himself and to those who be-
lieved with him, to refute the charges
of cowardice which had been hurled at
those who differed from him by the
Senator from Nebraska (Allen. He
QlSCuSSeu the SlIudtIoll lioiH 'ic oedhu-
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.. Hale made the point of order
against the amendment that it was
general legislation and had, under the
rules, no place in the bill The Vice
President sustained the point and Mr..
Allen took an appeal from the ruling.
Mr.. Hale moved to lay the appeal on
the table and Mr.. Allen demanded the
ayes and noes. Mr.. Hale's motion was
carried-51 to 5-those voting against
the motion being Messrs. Allen of Ne
braska, Cannon of Utah, Heitfeld of
Idaho. Mason of Illinois and Teller of
Colorado.