The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-02-24

g WASHINGTON, Feb. % g
s2 While the Senate had under con- 9.
s2 sideration the diplomatic and g
g consular appropriation bill to- g
g day a sharp debate on the Gu %
g ban situation was precipitated g
g by Allen of Nebraska, who Of g
g fered as an amendment the reso- es
g luton passed by the Senate a %
g year ago recognizing the bellig- q
g erent rights of the Cuban insur- %
s3 gents. The debate became gen. g
e eral and occupied nearly four %
g hours. In the course of a reply g
g to the preliminary statement by g
&c Allen Morgan of Alabama said 9.
g this country's relations with 90
20 Spain at the present time were 60
80 seriously strained and interven- g
60 ton by the United States which g
g a year ago would have been in %
g offensive would now be almost g
g cause for war. He expressed %
g the opinion that the Cuban af- q
g fair would eventually be submit &c
g ted to the arbitrament of the Sc
90 sword between the United States 60
90 and Spain, but he did not want g
e war precipitated by rash acts of g
g legislation. Foraker of Ohio q
60 thought the day not far distant 3.
g when the time for action by this 8.
g country would arrive. %
Thurston of Nebraska counseled
calmness and prudence, for he believed
that the country was rapidly drifting
into a war with Spain. Hoar of Mas
sachusetts maintained that the floor
of the Senate was no proper place for
angry discussions of international af-
fairs. No Senator ought to utter any
thing that might not well be uttered
by the President of the United States.
Aliens amendment was finally ruled
out of order and the appeal taken by
the Nebraska Senator was laid on the
table by a vote of 81 to 5. Early in the
day Allen offered a resolution provid-
ing for a committee of five Senators
who shall go to Cuba and ascertain the
precise situation on the island. Under
the rules it went over until tomorrow.
The resolution follows:
Whereas, 1t is the established doctrine
of the United States that the Western
Hemisphere shall be dedicated to re-
publican form of government, recogn1z-
ing the political equality of human be-
ings; and whereas, the principles of the
Monroe doctrine or the doctrine of ma
tional self-preservauon is as applicable
in wrestling any portion of this continent
from the grasp of foreign countries as in
preventing them from gaining additional
territory; and whereas, the island OF
Cuba, by reason of its location and close
proximity to the United States, should of
right be dedicated to republican form
of government; and whereas, a republi-
can form of government is and has been
for nearly three years maintained in said
island by force of arms; and whereas, it
is alleged that 500 600 persons on said
island have died of starvation by reason
Of having been concentrated by the Span
ish authorities at various points without
being afforded an opportunity to provide
food for themselves, while hundreds are
daily dying; and whereas, the dictates OF
humanity require the intervention of the
United States in such case; therefore
be it
Resolved, That a select committee of
five Senators shall be appointed whose
duty ii shall be to forthwith make a
thorough investigation and inquire into
and report on the following subjects:
FirSt-To what extent the work of con-
centrating the inhabitants of Cuba has
been carried on by the Spanish Govern
island have in the last year died as a re-
suit of starvation or for lack of sufficient
food and diseases incident thereto, and to
what extent concentration is now being
practiced there by Spanish authorities,
and the condition of the people concen-
trated.
Second-Whether the concentrated Gu
hans have been adequately sheltered
clothed and fed by the Spanish Govern
ment or by others, or have been per-
mitted to obtain food and clothing for
themselves.
necessary and can be taken by the United
States to bring the war in Cuba to a
speedy termination on grounds alike hon
orable to Spain and Cuba, and which will
result in the kingdom of Spain relinquish-
tablishment of a republican form of gov
eminent there.
Fourth-To determine to what extent
Spanish barbarity and cruelty have, dur
ing the war now in progress liz Cuba,
been practiced toward the inhabitants of
Cuba, and what can be lawfully done by
the United States, if anything, to anchor
ate the conditions.
said committee may sit at such times and
places as they may see proper during the
sessions of Congress and in vacation, and
shall have the right to visit and take
testimony in Cuba, if deemed proper to do
so. All testimony taken shall be pre-
served, and the finding of said Senatorial
committee, together with all testimony
shall be reduced to writing and reported
~ the OSldlc dl DIS early d QdlS DIS prdc-
ticable.
Both the military academy and the
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bills were passed. Hansbrough at
tempted to secure action on the bill to
regulate the laws of Alaska, but on OBJ
lection from Tuner of Washington it
went over.
Respecting the belligerency amend
ment Allen thought a statement was
due to the country. The amendment
he said, was practically copy of two
resolutions which had already passed
the Senate. Referring to the unfavor-
able report presented on the amend
ment by the Foreign Relations Com
mittee Mr.. Allen said it was a confess
sion and avoidance, and meant simply
that the committee did not desire to
act upon it. The truth was, he said
Congress was merely finding some ex-
cuse under which 1T could continue
huRfppSa and aSoaDa panSIIra His de-