The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-08
WAR WITH SPAIN.
Is Nearly Certain to Follow the
Adoption
Of Any of Three Measures
Offered Today
IN THE U. S. SENATE
Senator Mason Wants the Pres
ident to Command Peace.
Senator Allen Urges Adoption
of BelIigerency Resolution.
Senator Cannon Would Assert
Cuban Independence.

Washington, Feb. S-Senator Mason
Of Illinois has presented the following
resolution:
Resolved That the president Of the
United States be, and he is hereby re
surgents of Cuba that the war $50
called must at once cease and be dis
continued and that the United STATES -t37
of America hereby declare ana VIII
maintain peace on the island of Cuba;
The resolution was preceded by the
following preamble:
Whereas, The war between Spain ana
the insurgents of Cuba has continued
until all ChristendOm is shocked by Its
barbarities Pretended autonomy has
been offered by Spain and refused by
the Cubans in arms. The Spanlards
as a war measure, burned the homes
and drove the women and children
(since known as concentradoes) INTO
fortified towns where some OF IneIn
have been starved, others have been
murdered and women and children
have been debauched and treated be
yond the power of language to describe
Daughters of insurgent soldiers nave
been sold into houses of infamy and
boys of tender years have been shOt as
spies, under the form of civilized war
American citizens have been driven in
to the towns and refused an OppOrtunl-
ty to work, and left to starve as part
of the Spanish war measure until we
were compelled to take, by apprOprlat-
ing funds of the people of the United
States, large sums of money to feed and
clOthe our citizens and to return them
to our country and now has the Spanish
war measure of concentrate continued
so far that the concentrates are unfed
and starving naked and filthy in so
much that disease and death IS among
them and has spread into our own
country. Hundreds of thousands have
persisted in this way and by this means.
The unhOly work of determination goes
on, the slaughter of innOcentS and non
PnT0hat9nfS the flag of truce
has been abandoned and determination
or independence of the insurgents must
be the final outcome. The people of
the United States are sending money,
food and clothing to aid the dying Gu
bans, which ought to be furnished by
Spain, for the reason that the cOncen-
tradoes are the legitimate wards Of
Spain and would be so regarded by ev-
cry civilized nation in the world. I'm
der the present charity seeking of the
administration, charitably disposed
citizens of the United States cannot
contribute money, medicine, food or
clothing to the insurgents in the field
or hospital and should any attempt be
made to do so, it would be captured and
prevented by orders Of the government
of the United States. All parties de-
cIared before the last election in favor
of the independence of Cuba and the
Republican party emphasized its opin-
ion.
The people do not seek to acquire Gu
ba, nor do they seek to gain advantage
in any way directly or indirectly of any
nation by reason of this barbarism
called war. DO not complain of our
loss of trade with Cuba and have pa
tiently borne the assault on the health
of the people by the filth of Spanish
rule in Cuba. They seek no redress for
loss of business, or health, or money.
They have patiently waited not wishing
to interfere with the affairs of other
nations, until the stencil on our very
borders has passed endurance and the
barbaTOus situation in Cuba has be-
come a blot upon our Christian civiliza-
ton. The people of the United States
demanding no personal profit, having
no fear and seeking no favor clear and
conscious as to the justice of our posi-
ton, do in the presence of the civilized
nations of the world and in the name of
justice and liberty demand that the so
called war in Cuba must cease.
Senator Allen of Nebraska offered as
an amendment to the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill the Morgan
resolution for the recognition of the
belligerency of Cuba. He said he hoped
it would be speedily acted upon by the
committee on foreign relations so that
it would not be defeated in the senate
by a point of order.
Mr. Hale said it would be subject to
such point and Mr.. Allen gave no.
tice that he would appeal to any de-
cision averse to the amendment.
Senator Cannon offered the following
resolution for the recognition of Cuban
independence;
whereas, The people of the republic
of Cuba are and of right ought to be
free and independent; and
Whereas, The continuance of the bar
barous warfare of Spain in her attempt
to subjUgate the patriots of that re-
public is in violation of the law of HUI
mainly, is a menace to the freedom and
progress of the people of the western
hemisphere and is full justification for
a demand by the government of the
United States that Spain withdraw her
land and naval forces from Cuba and
Cuban waters and shall leave the re-
public and her people to the enjoyment
of life liberty and pursuit of happiness
therefore be it
Resolved, BY the senate that the pres
ident of the United States is urged to
notify the kingdom of Spain that if
Spain shall fail to recognize the indie
pendence Of the republic of Cuba on or
before the fourth day of March, 1898
the government of the United States
will on that day recognize the beIIiger-
ency of the Cuban patriots and will
within ninety days thereafter, assert
the independence of the republic of Gu
ba.
Eolian Concert