Evening star., 1898-04-01
The Senate Discusses Purchase of
West India Islands.
VEEDED FOR STRATEGIC PURPOSES
War Regarded by All Who Spoke
as Inevitable.
TILLMAN CAUSES A SCENE

shortly after meeting today on motion of
Senator Lodge, member of the committee
on foreign relations.
The purpose of the secret session is the
consideration of the resolution yesterday
reported from the committee on foreign
relations for the acquisition of the Danish
West India Islands.
The reason for consideration Of the mat
ter behind closed doors was the belief that
our relations with Spain would necessarily
be discussed and that information might
be divulged that would -be of advantage to
that country
The session is not strictly an executive
session, but is a secret legislative session.
Senator Lodge opened the proceedings in
the secret session with a general statement
concerning the advantage of controlling the
Danish Islands. He argued that this coun-
try should own them because of contingui-
ty to our own shores and for strategic
purposes. going over much of the ground
covered in his report Of yesterday.
Senator Gray replied, in opposition to this
policy, basing his antagonism on the ground
that it was contrary to the policy of the
United States to acquire territory outside
of it's continental lines, and saying that the
possession Of the islands would inevitably
involve US in international entangements
which would be troublesome and might
lead to complications at any time. which
could be avoided If we did not have the
islands. If we should acquire the islands
for strategic purposes their fortifcation
would be necessity and that would in
volve a great expense. Furthermore, If
there was an idea of utilizing them in case
of war with Spain over Cuba it should not
he Wo had in
session at Key West territory nearer Ha-
vana than either of the Danish Islands.
The Center of the War.
Senators Frye and Lodge both replied to
this latter point. They stated that it was
evident from the developments so far made
that Porto Rico rather than Havana would
be the center of our war with Spain, amt
that in that event the Danish group would
be of inestimable> advantage to U.S. Indeed,
they considered it almost essential to an
early ending of the war. They asserted
that Spain's coal supply at Porto Rico was
extremely limited, and that it could be
practically controlled by us If we should
own the Danish possessions in that quarter
They also stated it to be the earnest desire
of the administration to control the islands.
senators Cockrell and Pettigrew also op-
posed the resolution. Mr.. Cockrell con-
tended that it would be great mistake,
fro m naval point Of view, to acquire that
island. and Mr.. Pettigrew claimed that the
Islands would only make additional terri
tory to protect in case of war with Spain
over the Cuban question.
Senator CockreIl said that in case of war
with Spain Porto Rico could be taken more
cheaply than the Danish Islands could be
defended.
War Inevitable.
All the senators who spoke, including
members of the committee on foreign re-
lations,- spoke Of war as Inevitable basing
all their arguments for and against acqui-
sition upon this theory.
Senator Morgan favored the resolution,
and in doing so dwelt more or less upon
the outlook for war. He deplored the
destruction Of the Maine, expressing the
opinion that it was due to Spanish treach-
cry.
senator Tiilman interrupted at this juno
ture to say that any child would know that
the vessel was blown up from the outside.
What he wanted to know, he said was
who did it?' If the committee knew the
Senate should, he said, be informed and the
committee should not pursue its usual
course of keeping important DEVELOPMENTS
from the Senate.
This intimauon was made in brief
speech in Senator Morgan's time and Gre
ated quite a scene
Senator Gray, member Of the commit
tee, demanded that Mr.. Tillman should give
names when he made charges
The South Carolina senator was proceed
ing in the same general lines when Mr..
Morgan, who had grown very impatient,
asserted his right to the floor, commanding
Mr.. Tillman to take his seat.
This he did, and the incident was ended
for the time, allowing the general debate
to proceed. Senator Pettus supported and
Senator Caffery opposed the resolution.
SAILORS FOR sCHLEY's FLEET.
Great Activity Manifested In Getting
Ready to Sail.
FORT MONROE, Va, April 1.-The
steamer Yorktown Of the Old Dominion line
landed forty-ive seamen here today, thirty
OF whom were assigned to the cruiser CO.
lumbia and fifteen to the Minneapolis.
which is expected here this evening.
Lieut.. Brainard of the Brooklyn has been
relieved and assigned to command one of
the mosquito fleet tugs
The Columbia bagan painting this morn
ing, and, while her excess of free board
over the other members of the squadron
will necessitate longer time to complete
the work. her officers expect to have 1t
done by morning, when she will run up to
Newport News for full complement of
coal.
The first move Of the flying squadron un-
der Commodore Schley's orders was made
shortly after noon today. when the Massa-
chusetts and the Brooklyn came down
Hampton Roads and anchored on Fortress
Monroe. The Columbia. after coaiing. WIN
join them. The addition of the Minneapeifs
will make a formidable array of fast fight
ing vessels, exclusive Of the Massachusetts.
which Is rather slower than the others. ana
for which Commodore Schley, IL very rapid
action is required. viii not wait
Both Commodore Echley and Captain
Cook, his chief OF star. are very reticent
and refuse to ,discuss not only events that
have taken place. but also refuse to fie-
orize upon any situation that might occur.
The Montgomery, which Is expected here
today. Is believed to be coming In for the
purpose Of having improvements made to
some OF her gun mounts. and not to Join