The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-04-02
could be avoided If we did not have the


Islands.
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 possession at Key West ter.
ritory nearer Havana than either Of the
Danish islands.
Senators Frye and Lodge both replied
to this latter point. They statedit was evil
dent from the developments so far made
that Porto Rico, rather than Havana,
would be the center OF our war with Spain,
and that in that event the Danish group
would be Of inestimable advantage to US.
Indeed, they considered It almost essen
tial to an early ending Of the war. They
asserted that Spains coal supply at Porto
Rico was extremely limited and that II
could be practically controlled by us If we
should own the Danish possessions in that
quarter. It was the earnest desire Of the
administration, It was said, to control these
islands.
Senators Cockrell and Pettigrew also op-
posed the resolution. Cockrell commended
that It would be great mistake from a
naval point Of view to acquire the islands,
and Pettigrew said that the islands would
only make additional territory to protect
In case of war with Spain.
Senator Cockrell said that in case Of war
with Spain Porto Rico could be taken more
easily than the Danish islands could be de-
Tended.
All the senators who spoke. including
members OF the committee on foreign rela-
tons, looked on war as Inevitable, basiug
all their arguments for and against acqui-
sition upon this view.
Senator Morgan favored the resolution.
and in doing so dwelt more or less upon the
outlook for war. He detailed the destruc-
tton Of the Maine and expressed the opin-
ion that It was due to Spanish treachery.
Senator Tillman interrupted at this juno
ture to say that any child would know that
the vessel was blown up from the outside.
What he wanted to know, he said, was WIG
did It. II the committee knew, the senate
should be informed he said, and the com.
mittee should not pursue Its usual course
Of keeping important developments from
the senate. This intimation was made In q
brief speech in Senator Inorganic time and
created quite scene. Senator Gray, 9
member Of the committee, demanded that
Tillman should give the names when he
made charges. The South Carolina sen.
ator was proceeding IN the same genera.
lines when Morgan. who had grown very
impatient, asserted his right to the floor
commanding Tillman to take his seat
This he did. and the incident was ended for
the time being, allowing the debate to pro-
coed.
Senator Pettus supported and Senator
Caffery opposed the discussion.
THE CABINET MEETING
The cabinet members were unusually
prompt in arriving Before they had as
sembled, some who had not been acquaint-
ed with the nature of the latest note from
Madrid, save through the press dispatches,
received their first original information
upon the beginning of the deliberations Of
one Of the most important cabinet meet
ings held for long period. Secretary Bliss
was the first conner. arriving quarter Of
an hour earlier than Is customary. AS
sistant Secretary Day followed him. Sec
retaries Alger and Wilson came next. and
before II o'clock every member of the cabi-
net was in his place in the cabinet room.
Captain Crowinshield, chief of the
Navigation Bureau, whose duty It is to
order movements Of all naval vessels and
to keep track Of all matters bearing on
our comparative naval strength, was sum-
moned to the Cabinet meeting during its
deliberations.
| Assistant Secretary Day. Captain Glover
Chief of the Naval Intelligence Bureau
and Captain Barker, naval aide and mem
Der Of the Strategy Board, also were called
into consultation.