The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-05
Mr.. PERKINS CHARGE,
He Says Spanish Treachery and Mach
nations Caused the Maine Disaster.

| day by Mr.. Perkins. of California. In
set speech. that Spain was responsible Tor
| the Maine disaster, as It had been brought
| about by Spanish Vaccinations and Span
ish treachery. The speech OF Mr.. Per
klns was only one Of four prepared ad-
dresses upon the Cuban question deliV-
cred ~ the Senate to-day
SUNDRY CIVIL BILL
After the Cuban speeches had been de-
livercd. the Senate resumed consideration
Of the sundry civil bill and finished thir-
ty-three pages before adjournment
Mr. Pettgrow OF South Dakota, pre-
sented a telegram signed by more than
hundred Of his constituents reading:
"Au parties here want Spanish torpedo
notlIa turned back or destroyed. Pa
tience exhausted"
Mir. Turner. Of Washington (state) in
troduced a resolution, which he asked
should 20 over until tomorrow, II In the
meantime nothing had been done IN the
matter"
The resolution directs the Committee
on Foreign Relations 10 report at the ear
Hest moment without waiting for the
concurrence or advice Of any department
Of the government what action, If any, IN
view of the Maine disaster and the dc-
plorable condition Of cuban AFFAIRS, should
be taken to preserve the honor ana Dig
nifty Of this country
When the resolution offered last Fri
day by Mr.. Chandler. OF New Hampshire.
requiring the Secretary Of state TO SEND
to the Senate the Cuban consular cores
pondence was laid before the Senate. Mr..
Davis. chairman Of the Foreign Relations
Committee. asked that the resolution so
over until Wednesday. To this Mr.
Chandler assented.
DTpI IOATACY IL POSSIBLE.
Quite Unexpectedly a discussion Of the
Cuban question was precipitated. MI
Clay, Of Georgia, based his remarks, he
said, upon the resolution submitted by
Mr. Foraker. Of Ohio. "A resolution In Ia
vOr Of independence and II necessary OF
armed Intervention. While he was fully
prepared 10 support the administration In
acting upon the Cuban matter he was
desirious that war should be averted II
it could be, by any possible means.
Mr. Clay felt that the administration
ought TO be afforded every opportunity
to bring about a diplomatic solution Of
the pending troubles. He felt certain
that so long as the executive branch OF
the Government was assured that the
President was acting with judgment ana
patriotism, II would await upon his re-
concentrations.
Mr. Clay said he was satisfied that no
permanent peace could be had in Cuba
that did not include the independence or
the Cubans. With them II is liberty or
death. The remedy TO be applied 20 the
situation in Cuba was, In Mr. Clay's
opinion, absolute independence. as the
island could no longer be held under
Spanish sovereignty. BY herself recog-
niMng the independence OF Cuba and
Withdrawing her troops from the island,
Spain was afforded the one opportunity
10 make Cuba her friend. Unless
she embraced this opportunity
Spain could not support her rule upon
the island for five times as much as the
island was worth to her.
SOUTH WOULD SUFFER
Mr. Clay fully realized. he said. that
I'm the event Of war the South would be
a greater sufferer than any other part
of the country. Her sea coast cities
would be open to attack by the enemy
Her people would be first called upon 10
defend their homes from Invasion, and
her commerce would be most seriously
crippled. He would note vote for war
unless every effort 20 bring about
peaceful solution Of the present diff
Guilty was first exhausted. IT, however,
the matter could not be settled diplo-
matically in consonance with the honor
and dignity Of the country, he would
favor drastic action.
Il believe" he said, sin the inde-
pendence Of Cuba, and if Spain will not
agree 10 that peacefully the United
states must enforce it with all the power
OF her land and naval forces. The people
OF the South believe in the peaceful solu-
tion OF the question II possible, but are
willing 10 employ force N necessary
This fact ought in the opinion OF Mr.
Clay. 60 be distinctly communicated TO
SPAIN She ought 10 be told that the
American people absolutely demand the
freedom OF the Cubans. Then II she does
not accede 10 the demand the results
would be OF her own making In tho
accomplishments Of Cuba's independence,
Georgia. the empire state of the South,
Mr.. Clay said IN conclusion, would do
its fun share.
A SHIP BUILDER.
IN opening a set speech upon the Cuban
question Mr.. Perkins California euloglz-
ed the conduct of the President for the
calm. dimihed and conservative manner
in which he had handled the grave pro-
blem presented for his solution
Mr.. Perkins referred briefly to the
scheme Instituted by Weyler 10 starve
more than a million OF Spanish subjects
into submission. and declared that moth
ing in all history compared with the
atrocity and brutality that Weyler had
exercised against lne NuDdh~
for action had in his opinion. arrived.
Mr. Perkins. who has had a life time
Of experience in the handling OF great
vessels. described the destruction OF Co.
Marine from the view point OF an ex-
pert He declared that our sailors and
officers had been beguiled by the lecep-
ton of the Spaniards 10 "A place in a
friendly harbor. and there without a
minutes warning, been blown into eter-
nity
For forty days and nights the people
had suspended judgment but now that
the facts have been laid before them the
verdict. he said is unanimous that the
great battleshp was blown up. not only
from the outside. but with the cognizance
OF Spanish officials for whose acts the
Spanish government was fully RESPONSE
BILE The explosives, whether they were in
a mine or in a torpedo, were placed un-
der the Maine by officials OF the Spanish
Government. The people believe that they
were exploded by design, and ne was one
who held 20 that belief. II would have
been impossible. Mr. Perkins said, for
any man or set OF men to place in the
harbor OF Havana, mines or torpedoes
without the knowledge OF the government
authorities. No impartial judge would
fail after considering all the facts pre-
scented 20 place the responsibility for the