The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-02


immediate war purposes they would be use-
less. and that they could be acquired II
wanted at some future time. The acquisi-
ton of territory, in his opinion. should be
oy treaty and not by legislative act lie
said il would take year to fortfy either
or the West indies so as to make them
ayailabse for any purpose At present we
nave not the guns nor the time TO COM
plete the work for fortifying any portion
of the islands.
SUPPORTED by MASON
Senator Mason was among the supporters
Of the resolution. He put his support on the
ground that he was willing to aid the adj
ministration in any way deemed necessary
for the successful prosecution OF a war
with Spain
Senator Gray spoke in opposition to the
resolution. basing his antagonism on the
ground that it was contrary to the policy
of the United States to acquire territory
outside of its continental lines and saying
that the possession of the islands would in
evitably involve us in international en-
Engagements which would be troublesome
end might lead to complications at any
Tune which could be avoided If we did not
have the islands. If we should acquire the
islands for strategic purposes, their fortifi-
Gi s,.n1 would be a necessity and that would
involve great expense. Then, furthermore,
II there was an idea of utilizing them in
case of war with Spain over Cuba, it
should not be forgotten that we had In our
owu possession at Key West territory near
Islands. ~ ~
Senators Frye and Lodge both replied to
this latter point. They stated that ii was
evident from the developments so far made
would be the center of our war with Spain
and that in that event the Danish group
would be of inestimable value to us. In
deed, they considered it almost essential to
an early ending of the war They asserted
that SPANS coal supply at Porto Rico was
extremely limited and that it could be prac-
tCallV cd Inv ua own
the Danish possessions in that quarter
They also stated il to be the earnest de-
i ISLANDS '"e aO'''i'''s 'f''' 'oN - 'o"''o' 's'o
Senator Cockrell opposed the resolution.
He contended that it would be great mis-
take from naval point of view to acquire
the island In case of war with Spain, he
said. Porto Rico could be taken more
cheaply than the Danish islands could lie
All the senators who spoke, including
members of the committee on foreign rela-
all their arguments for and against acqui-
slton upon this theory Senator Morgan
favored the resolution and IN dong ,lg $50 SO
war. He detailed the destruction of fhe
Maine, expressing the opinion that 1t was
due to Spanish treachery.
Senator Glllman interrupted at this juno
ture to say that any child would know the
vessel was blown up from the outside.
who did it. If the committee knew, the Sem
ate should, he said, be informed and the
committee should not pursue It's usual
course of keeping important developments
from the Senate. This intimation was made
in a brief speech in Senator Morgan's
time and created 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 proceeding in the
same general lines when Mr.. Morgan, who
had grown very impatient, asserted his
right to the floor, commanding Mr. Tillman
20 take his seat. This he did, and the Incl
dent was ended for the time being, allow
ing the debate to proceed. Senator PettuS
supported and Senator Caffery opposed the
resolution.