Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-16


he must do so. He has seen some Of his
old friends fall away from him. and has
heard the tongue Of SANDER; but he has
been applauded for his dignity. firmness
and discretion by thoughtful men through
out this country. and in every capital of
Europe. except the Spanish. We owe much
to him for that"
Referring to the criticisms upon the pres
ident's message, Mr.. spooner said that.
| in conducting a case which might lead to
war. the president had. perforce. to be
calm and passionless. Following the Maine
disaster. the president could have sent a
message to congress that would have
plunged the country into war. but it was
his duty to delay, even to procrastinate, in
order that the country might first be pre-
pared to meet war. Mr.. Spooner said he
had been panied at some Of the comments
made Upon the message. It had been said
that the army Of the United States would
be sent to Cuba to plant its flag on the
grave Of Maceo. and train its guns on Co
mez. This was impossible. The president
had never done an act or uttered a word
that could be tortured into any such
meaning.
Our Duty In Cuba.
He maintained that it was the purpose OF
this country to drive the spaniards from
Cuba. but if. afterward. Gomez should be
unable to guard the women and protect the
property of the island from his followers.
1t would be not only the right but the duty
of the United States to lay its repressve
hand upon them to prevent such acts. He
held that the committees resolutions were
Illogical and inconsistent. and regretted
that he could not give them his cordial in
dorsement. He made this statement, he
said. with the full knowledge that We were
about to so to war. and to go to war, too.
to make Cuba free.
Mr.. Spooners statement that, IL Gomez
and his insurgents were free and independ-
interruption from MIR. Foraker, who said
that from the moment of the blowing I'D
of the Maine the flag Of the Cuban republic
had been half-masted. and that it was In
that position to-day.
Mr.. Foraker asked Mr.. Spooner II he had
any doubt that Cuba would be free and in
Independent when the United States inter-
yened. to which AIr. Spooner instantly re-
piled: Il have no doubt that when We in
tervene Cuba will be free and independent,
hut that is just the reason why 1 do not
believe they are free and independent now.
Independence said he, lis fact, not
an expression OF sympathy. Whether the
dependent is n matter OF international law.
Recognition is an executive function.
Why We Intervene.
I'VE intervene" he said. Ito put an end
to savagery. We intervene because. as a
Christian nation at the end of the nine
teenth century. we cannot allow the afro
cities now devastating the island Of Cuba
to go on any longer"
Attention was called by Mr.. Tillman to
the fact that France had recognized the
colonies OF this country.
Mr.. Spooner replied that France had rec
ognized the American colonies rather from
hate OF England than for love of America.
DO you Think interjected Mr.. Mason.
of Illinois. that France hated England
more than the American people hate Spain
today
With deep feeling Mr.. Spooner responded:
I'VE are not going to war with Spain for
hate-not for hate. We are going to war
with Spain because We cannot longer listen
to the cries of starving. suffering women
and children. We are going over there to
abate nuisance
In the course Of thorough and analyti-
cnl discussion Of the Maine disaster, Mr..
spooner, with impressiveness. called atten-
ton to a striking and significant fact. He