Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-24


long as the people of the old world wish.
God grant that before another Christmas
morning the last vestige of Spanish tyran-
ny and oppression Will have vanished from
the western hemisphere"
Discussing the remedy which should be
applied to the evils he found, Mr.. Thurston
said:
Time for Action Here.
81 counseled silence and moderation from
this floor when the passion of the nation
seemed at white heat over the destruction
of the Maine: but it seems to me the time
for action has now come. Not action in
the Maine case. 1 hope and trust that this
government will take action on the Cuban
situation entirely outside of the Maine
case. When the, Maine report is received
If it be found that our ship and sailors
were blown up by some outside explosive.
we Will have ample PREPARATION without
bubble or delay; and If the explosion can
be traced to Spanish official sources there
will be such swift and terrible punishment
adJudged as will remain a warning to the
world forever.
what shall the United States do, Mr.
PRESIDENT
For answer Mr. Thurston, as a repub-
ican. turned to the last national platform
of his party, which declared that 1.-THE
United States should actively use it's in
huence and good offices to restore peace
and give independence to the island" In
accepting the nomination rendered him by
ban plank with mighty shout" William
Mckinley had said: 1.-The platform adopt
ed by the republican convention has re-
ceived my careful consideration and has
my unqualified approval"
Twice within the past two years, Mr.
Thurston says, he had voted for a resolu-
ton recognizing the belligerency of the
Cuban insurgents, but he was satisfied it
was now too late to accord them belligerent
rights. or even merely to recognize the in
dependence of the Cuban republic. .'Our
PLATFORM" said he, demands that the
United States shall actively use it's infiu-
ence for the independence of the island. /
am not here to criticise the present admin
1Stration, yield to no man living in my
respect, my admiration for, and my con-
fdence in the judgment, the wisdom. the
patriotism, the Americanism Of William
Mckinley. When he entered upon his adj
minfstration he, faced a difficult situation.
1t was his duty to proceed with care and
caution"
Mr. Thurston then recounted the steps
which the President has taken upon the
Cuban question during the past year. and
pronounced his course wise, statesmanlike
and in accordance with the diplomatic US
ages of the world.
1T was the plain duty of the President
Of the United States to give to the liberal
ministry of Spain reasonable time I'm
which TO test its proposed autonomy. That
time has been given. Autonomy is con-
ceded the wide world over to be conspic-
Lous failure. The situation in Cuba has
only changed for the worse Sagasta is
powerless; Blanco is powerless to put an
end to the conflict, to rehabilitate the is
land or to relieve the suffering. starvation
and distress.
''The time for action has then come. No
greater reason for 1t can exist tomorrow
than exists today. Every hours delay
only adds another CHAPTER to the awful
story of misery and death. Only one power
can intervene-the United States of Amer
lea Ours is the one great nation OF the
world, the mother of American republics.
She holds position of trust and response
bility toward the people and the affairs of
the whole western hemisphere.
1T was her glorious example which in
spired the Cubans of Cuba to raise their
flag of liberty in her eternal hills. We can
not refuse to accept this responsibility
which the God of the universe has placed
upon us as the one great power in the new
world. We must act! What shall our
ton be?"
Mr.. Thurston briefly adverted to the pro-
positions of recognizing the belligerency or
the independence of the Cubans only to say
that it was too late for either. As to an
neXation, he said:
Intervention for Independence.
God forbid! I would oppose annexa-
ton with my latest breath. The people of
Cuba are not our people; they cannot as
simulate with us; and. beyond all that, ]
am utterly and unaltcrably opposed to any
departure from the declared policy of the
idtHeTs WHICH WOULD start TINS republic Tor
the first time upon a career of conquest
and dominion utterly at variance with
the declared purposes and the manifest
destiny of popular government Let the
world understand that the United States
Goes not propose to annex Cuba, that it is
not seeking. foot of Cuban soil or a dol
lar OF Spanish treasure"
He said the Cubans themselves would
never listen to the proposition to secure
peace by broad autonomy. ANY attempt
to enforce such plan would simply
transfer the subjugation of the Cuban pa
triots to the armies Of the United States"
AS to the plan for the United States to
guarantee Cuban purchase bonds Mr.
Thurston declared: THE American people
will never consent to the payment of one
dollar to the guaranteeing of one bond as
the price Paid to Spain for her relinquish-
mert of the island she has so wantonIv
outraged ard devastated.
Mr. President, there IL only one action
possible, IL any is taken; that is, interyen-
lion for the independence of the island:
intervention that means the landing of
American army on Cuban soil. the depioy-
ing of an American fee off the harbor of
H&bana; Intervention which says to Spain
leave the island, withdraw your soldiers
leave the Cubans. these brothers of ours in
the new world, to form and carry on gov
eminent for themselves Such intervention
on our part would not of itself be war 1t
would undoubte ily lead to war. But If war
came it would come by act Of Spain in re-
siStance of the liberty and the iniepen-
dence Of the Cuban people"
He maintained that of all people on the
island the native Cubans were the best
qualified and fitted for government-and
any government would be better than the
tyranny Of Spain.
The American people have waited and
waited and waited in patience; yea in pa
uence and confiience-confidence in the be-
lief that decisive action would be taken
in due season and in proper way. Today
all over this land the appeal comes up to
US; it reaches us from every section and
from every class. That appeal is now for
action
Mr.. Thurston paid high tribute to the
government for the work it has accom-
r.ishei in preparing for any emergency
He expressed the opinion that Congress, as
coordinate branch of the government
had periodically performed its part of the
work thus far and would remain in session
to assume its full share of the duties yet to
be performed, Of the responsibilities yet to
come. I'VE are not in session." said he
Ito hamper or cripple the President; We
are here to advise and assist him. Con-
gress can alone levy taxes; and to this
Congress. the United people of this broad
land, from sea to sea, from lake to gulf
look to voice their wishes and execute their
will.
Opposition 10 Intervention.