The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-24


resolution was passed by the Senate
MT. Morgan said that 1t might almost
Ht any Time previous to this have been
regarded as q peace measure and Spain
would have no right 10 take ofrcnst at
the United States on the ground OF our
deciar"tion of belllgerency. The silua-
lion now. however, he 'thousht, was en-
tireiy different. Between 100000 and
o,o00 people had been STARVED to death
on the Island. Fortunately, on account
ol rciiet measures instituted In this
country few. if any, Americans had
been Included in tlrat number.
This awful condition OF affairs" said
MT; Morgan. makes our position In the
cuban matter extremely delicate. Inter
Vention now of the kind proposed Il year
ago means war. 1T could mean nothing
else An intervention on the part OF
Hhis government in 'the present cr.tl-
cal condition OF affairs would almost
certainly be regarded by Spain as q
casuS belli.
In the present circumstances Il
would not he consistent with the feel
ihgs or characteristic or the Scnt-
nientS of the American people to do
anything THAT would in any way avrra-
Natc the situation which has been
brought about by the events leading up
40 fhe inquiry now in progress ut Ilu-
vana.
IT. however, any Senator believes in
a declaration OF war, and will draw M
such declaration with :;ufiic!en; and
proper grounds upon which TO base II,
| Will vote for IT,
Il VIII not, however, vote for any
declaration of war In disguise The
spanish are Il great and powerful and
proud people. and they believe that
tnclr CSut?e is right. | do not wish to
provoke them TO declaration of war.
| have always believed, and believe now.
that the war In Cuba could not he ter
minated without involving the United
states IN hostilitcs. / believe that the
matter VIII eventually be submitted TO
the hrbstrament of the sword. The
whole world recognizes, Spain's Inability
TO conquer the Cuhans, ana sooner or
later We shall become. In my opinion,
involved in the armed controversy If
we mean to declare war. let us do 40
like men, and not cndenvor to conceal
ourselves behind SO transparent a
cloak"
Continuing, Mr.. Morgan said the Gu
bans had themselves. by force of their
arms, forced the proposition for au-
tonomy-an autonomy so liberal that If
man had proposed it in Cuba four
years ago he would have been hanged
He declared that the Cuhans had al
ready fought and won their revolution,
and nothing remained bit for them to
continue their belligcreut attitude until
Spain should recognize the republic.
Mr. Teller did not accept Mr. Norgan's
position that the adoption of this
amendment would be 4 declaration of
war. lie had, he said. reached the con-
clusion that the recognition of belliger-
ency rested with the Executive
Mr.. Foraker announced his intention
to vote against the amendment, as II
was sought 10 make il n rider on an
appropriation bill He said he had voted
FOR the beiligelcncy resolution, couched
in precisely the same terms as this,
which was adopted a year ago, and he
had always been glad that he had done
so. In conclusion, Mr.. Foraker said:
II expect ID no very distant day that
there VIII be an appropriate occasion
for further remarks upon this question.
! think the time is coming for action"
Mr.. Thurston (Nebraskm said that he
had voted to acco,d helliEcnrcnt rights
To the Cuban Insurgents both times II
had come before the Senate. 81 have
never ceased TO regret" said he. that
the United States did not afford to the
Cubans hclliGerent rights at the time
when the crueltics and barbarities of
Wcyler would have won for uis the sym
pathy Of the civilized world. Had we
recognized the brlligerency OF those
struggling people then | believe thai
ere this they would have been in pos
session of the island. and we would be
in no danger OF war. | believe now that
we atc drifting into war with Spain.
When the President delivered 10 us his
message he set time TO running. and
that time has ever since been running.
the time is comng-tiod knows how
soon II will be here--when action in ac-
cordancc with the PrtGidcnts message
must he taken; when we shall either
have 10 back down from our position or
intervene in the Cuban affair, with the
probability of war. There Is enough
said all over this country concerning
the inquiry now proceeding in Havana
into the Maine catastrophe to involve
Us in war. Our people, in the present
delicate situation, might well be at
their affairs praying FOR calmness and
peace. l hope that the inquiry now
proceeding in Havana will develop moth
Ing that may invoke us in hostilitias
but while that inquiry Is proceeding We
in the Senate should maintain a most
circumiapec, attitude, and be calm and
quiet"
Mr.. Allen made an extended reply TO
the arguments advanced against his
position. He maintained this was the
first time the belligerency proposition
had been presented TO the Senate when
there was any chance of its being effect
i've. The House would be brought face
TO face with 1t, and II would be brought
to a vote in that body. 1t could not be
buried in a committee
Mr.. Hale in charge of the bill. yielded
TO Mr.. HOar GMassa chusetts). who said
he desired, in justice to himself and to
those who believed with him. to refute
the charges OF cowardice which had been
hurled at those who differed from him