Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-16
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, April Is.
SENATE.


upon the pending resolution lent an
added interest to the Senate proceed
ings. This was the fourth day of the
debate upon the war resolutions. Thus
far the only radical differences of
opinion developed among the majority
are upon the ACCESSIBILITY of the recog-
milton by the United States of the indie
pendence of the Cuban republic.
In accordance with the agreement
reached last night the Senate convened
promptly at ten o'clock and after the
transaction of some routine business the
resolution of the foreign relations COM
mittee was laid before the Senate.
Few Senators were on the floor at
the time Mr.. Teller suggested the lack
of quorum, say ing it was due to Sena-
tors who were to speak that a quorum
be present.
After about fifteen minutes quorum
appeared. Mr.. Cannon was then re-
cognized and spoke in favor of immedi-
ate decisive action and Tor the recogni-
ton of the independence of the Cuban
republic.
Mr.. Allen said he wanted 70 call at
tention to the remarkable scene that
had occurred at the White House on
April 7. He referred to the call OF the
representatives OF six great powers upon
the President and to the exchange of
notes on the Hispano-American situa-
J ton. He declared that no similar
scene had ever been witnessed in this
| country. II want to register my pro.
test" said Mr.. Allen, "against the re-
| representatives. of the so-called powers OF
Europe entering the White House and
telling this country what it shall do.
cannot understand why the President
did not inform them that this country
would not tolerate any interference
from them; yet here is the first step to-
wards the breaking down of the Monroe
doctrine and the destruction of the ma
ton. And it is understood that these
same so-called powers are to go further
and make another assault upon the
White House with more pressing de.
mands, Within six months these same
powers will be urging the United States
to agree to arbitration in orOer that our
liability for Spanish Cuban bonds may
be determined.
Mr.. Burrows supported the position
I assumed in this crisis by the President
and argued against the recognition oil
the present republic of Cuba.
Mr.. Platt, who in accordance with
the agreement reached last night was
accorded half hours time, devoted it
to a strong and eloquent expression OF
his hope for peace and in defense Of the
President. He thought the time for
oratory's impassioned utterance had
passed. Oratory would not lombard
Moro castle; singing, angry words, said
he, may wound the President but they
cannot pierce the armor of Spanish
battleships. Mr.. Platt believed that
peace might have been preserved had
it not been for the Incorporate utter
ances and impassioned actions of those
who seemed bent upon plunging the
country into war. He hoped, he said,
that even yet some way might be found
of averting war and, at the same time,
secure peace in Cuba. He said, how
ever, that if our determined purpose to
intervene to put an end TO conditions
in the island of Cuba should result in
war it must be so. The Senate was
called upon to place the question Oh
low ground-on untenab.e grounds that
would not be approved by the nations
of the earth. 81 deplore tit is un-
pardonable,n declared Mr.. Patt. He
thought to recognize the present Cuban
republic, which Gen. Lee had test fled
existed only in skeleton, would
bs little short of folly. Mr.. Plat con
cluded with an appeal for calm and
deliberate action-srch as would be
approved by all future generations.
An appeal for recognition Of the indie
pendence of the present Cuban republic
was then made by Mr.. Bacon. In be-
ginning he gaid it was unfair TO charge
that all Senators who differed from the
President upon this question were hos
tile to him. He did not approve of the
Presidents message in is entirety be-
cause it was impossible for him to grant
such power to President as Mr.. Nc
Kinley evidently desired.
Mr.. Wellington followed MIR. Bacon,
and as he arose to speak there was &
stir in the galleries, the episode of the
night before showing plainly that the
audience was thoroughly acquainted
with the sensational features connected
with that occasion. The speaker said
be was thoroughly satisfied that there
was no good reason for the United States
going to war with Spain. No war
could be justified at any time by any
nation unless all diplomatic agencies
had been exhausted, and he could not
see that result in the message of the
President. ~ will vote for peace; /
will stand for peace as long as peace is
possible. We have nothing to do with
the rebellion now going on in the ISL
and. Spain is not wholly responsible
Tor the present condition of Cuba for
the reason that the guerilla warfare
waged by the insurgents was enough to
drive proud people to put down such
warfare even at the cost Of life and
property"
Mr.. Wellington argued that the mes
sage of the President instead of an ap-
peal to Congress to sanction war was
exactly the reverse, but the war frenzy
was abroad and Congress was rushing
hopelessly into hostilities. "The Pre5i=
dent, | believe in his heart feels, that
war is not necessary"
He said the United States would be
held responsible should the Carlists