Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-15
WAITING Now Tor the Senate.

The Senate Is HucH SHidiiei po"S
than the House, but it is also much
slower to act. Tradition says that this
is because the Senate is a more DELHI
erative and dignified assemblage of
statesmen than the House, but the
with the traditions in the case. There
is no way of shutting off debate in the
Senate as in the House. and when a
spring of eloquenCe is tapped there is
no prophet who knows when it will run
dry. Thus while the House in one
stormy session disposed of the Cuban
Wednesday afternoon. and
passed the majority resolutions by the
overwhelming vote of 800 to 10, tn
senate debated the matter Wednesday
and Thursday and is not sure Of definite
action, today.
These are exciting days in Washing
ton and only one outcome seems pos
sble There has been much waiting
and there is much talk but now the
time for action has arrived Though
there are two reports from the Senate
committee, the action already taken by
the House points to prompt and
effective declaration by Congress en-
tirey in accord with the recommenda-
tons of the Presidents message as to
Spain and Cuba. The authority To en-
Will be granted him, and in the present
temper of Congress authorization Will
With Spain inevitable. But, it may be
assumed. war is probable. in any case.
whatever may be the exact language of
the resolutions adopted by the Senate
and House. This government cannot
swerve from the purpose so distinctly
announced by the President, Of pacity-
ing Cuba. That implies armed inter-
vention and the election of Spanish
rule from the island. The Spanish gov
eminent obviously does not wish war
with the United States. but its hand is
forced by the ignorant and passionate
populace, still further angered by the
discovery that the Sagasta ministry
has uttered falsehoods at home as we'll
as abroad
There seems to be no division of
opinion in Congress at this juncture
except upon the recognition Of the pres
ent government of Cuba as an indie
pendent power. It was this point that
caused the turmoil in the House, ana
makes up the difference in the two
Senate reports, now being debated,
Even this division of opinion is disap-
tearing. The case which President Nc
Kinley so forclbly and clearly argued
against that step is OPPORTUNITY
STRENGTHENED by the confirmatory testi-
mony of Gen. Lee. He brings the force
Of his recent observation and intirnat e
acquaintance with Cuban conditions to
strengthen the policy OF intervention
first and the establishment of new
government afterward The right OF
the people of Cuba to be free and in
dependent will be declared. Ultimate
recognition of whatever Republican
government they may firmly establish
will follow the expulsion from the
island of the Spanish troops.
If now we face war, we may con-
graduate ourselves that every moment
of time that the President has secured
has been utilized in vigorous prepare
ton. We are far more ready for action
today than we We're six weeks ago, anl
every day sees some addition to thai
force with which, when the moment
comes. the land and naval forces of tbs
United States will strike in the cause 81
humanity and with the approval of al
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