The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-20
FOR GORE.
Kentucky Congressman Thinks
Little Blood Letting
Would Be a Good Thing For
the Country.
WARM CUBAN DEBATE.
Mr.. Hit Says Let Matters Rest
as They Are.
We Are Already Furnishing
Men, Arms and Ammunition.

Washington. Jan. 20.-Al1 day long
the question of granting belligerent
rights to the Cuban insurgents was ar
gued in the House yesterday, but the
minority hurled itself agaist a stone
wall
On the only vote taken-a motion de-
signed to overruIe the decision of the
speaker and direct the committee on
foreign affairs to report without fur
Their delay the Cuban resolution passed
by the Senate at the last session-the
Republicans stood solid and voted to
sustain the chair.
During the debate, Chairman Hit,
of the foreign affairs committee, made
an expressive speech of less than an
hour, explaining at length the situation
which made action by congress inadVis-
able He spoke with impassioned words
of the Presidents sympathy with the
struggle for Cuban independence and
the achievements of the present admin
iStFatiOn.- The release of American priS-
oners in Cuba, the recall of Weyler, the
abandonment of the policy of cOncen-
tration and the autonomy scheme he at
tributed to the firm attitude of the
President and cOntrasted these results
with the inaction of the last admins
tratiOn. He averred that belligerent
rights could not aid the insurgents
cause and perhaps the most dramatic
portion of his speech came when he
declared that the insurgents only wish
belief that this country wCWld be en-
brOiled in a war with Spain, which
would give them their freedom with our
triumph. He asserted that the Pres
ident must assume the responsibility
of any action which might eventuate
in war and appealed to both sides of the
chamber to periodically support the
executive if a crisis should come.
The debate will close to-day at 4
o'clock under the arrangements made
and a final test will be made on a mo-
tion of which Mr.. Williams (Dem.
Miss.) gave notice, to recommit the bill
with instructions to report back the
Cuban resolution as a rider.
Mr. Hit admonished the members
that a national action must be vindi-
Gated before the world, and that we
must prove in what we do that we are
actuated by no vulgar greed to rob
neighbor or to seize the property of
others.
A declaration of belligerency, he ex-
planned, would allow SPANS warships
to hunt our vessels on the high seas
In the existing situation good men SYM
pathizing with Cuba's cause, were con-
stantIy making their way to the ISL
ands. Supplies, guns and ammunition
were going from the United states
It is said that every pound of powder
fred for the cause of Cuba'S freedom
had come from this country. Members,
he said. might ask why, with all these
disadvantages in store for them, agents
of the Cuban republic in this city de-
sired belligerent rights.
While he could not propheSy as to the
future he solemnly assured the House
that the president would not disappoint
the expectations of his countrymen-
throughout Mr.. Hits speech he was
listened to with the closest attention
Members crowded about him and the
thronged galleries leaned over to eaten
his words. AS he concluded a roar of
approval swept the floor and the gal
leries.
pleaded Cuba's cause. After 100000
Cubans had gone down to their death
during the last four years, he said II
was absurd for members to sand on
the floor of the House and deny that
state of war exists on the island to-
day. n. DEW,
ct think a little blood running would
he good for US. Let Spain fire on the
American flag just once, and the flame
will be kindled that will free Cuba
but what will happen to us?' asked
Mr. Mahaney. ,, ,,
"Oh! we can take care of ourselves
replied Mr.. Berry.
After some further remarks by MT
wheeler CDem. Ky.) in favor of grant
ing belligerent rights to the insurgents
the committee rose and the House au-
iOurned.