The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-14
SPEAKER REEDS ATTITUDE.
Authorized = Statement Giving His
Views on Cuban Question.

Views on Cuban Question.
Mr.. Reed is decidedly averse to for
NAL newspaper interview but will. when
the occasion demands, give mis- views on
important questions to some close per
sonal and political friend and authorize
, their publication.
The Speakers obstructive methods IN
the present national crisis have provoked
so much unfavorable criticism and honest
Indignation that he evidently deemed it
wise to make an attempt at self-justiii-
cation. To this end he unbosoms himself
through this convenient friend. who in
the New York World quotes the Speaker
as saying:
The United States does not want war
if it can be avoided in any way OF
course, this would not hold in the event
that our national honor was at stake.
War is a relic of barbarism and in this
day there should be some other method
of settling disputes and adjusting griev-
ances.
What we want is peace, but if it is
necessary to have war for the protection
of our national honor we will have it,
and there is no nation that can or will
defend it, should the occasion arise, like
the people of the United States"
Continuing, this friend of Speaker
Reed said:
The Speaker was not opposed to the
addition of two regiments of artillery TO
the force of the army. but when the
subject was first preached he hesitatsd
for some time on account of the addi-
tional expense. AS soon as the present
emergency arose the Speaker suggested
to several of his friends that the bill
might be taken up in the House on last
Friday (March D. This was private bill
day. and the matter went over until Mon
day.
The Speaker hesitated about the i'm
meiiate consideration of the additional
regiments of artillery. for the reason that
a plan for the complete reorganization of
the army was being discussed, and he
thought that a reorganization bill might
be gotten through a this season and in
it the two regiments of artillery could
be provided for. The Speaker knew full
well that the call for the additional regi-
ments was FASTENED by the present emer-
gency but the matter had been under
consideration for some time having been
recommended by the Secretary of War
who stated that the additional men We're
made necessary. owing to the large num-
which were being turned over to the
Government.
with reference to the $50 600 900 apprn-
priation for defense Mr.. Reed was per-
fectly willing that it should be acted upon
at once, and so informed those with
whom he talked. He was opposed to any
discussion of it on the floor of the House
and requested that the money be appro-
priated without a word being said. He
thought this would be more effective than
to have discussion concerning the appro-
priation. Representative Savers, of
Texas, however, wanted a short time
allotted for debate 1t was agreed TO. He
was as anxious as any to have the APP
preparation agreed to without dissent
ing vote.
Mr.. Reed is very conservative and is
endeavorfng to keep down any undue ex-
element. He thought the passage of tbs
resolution making the appropriation in
silence would be best, and so stated TO
all of his friends. He thinks over these
matters calmly and deliberately. and |
know that he approved of both
THE people at large who are advocat-
ing war do not understand the whole sit
uation. If they did they would realize
that Mr. Reed and the President are act
ing with the utmost wisdom. Mr. Reed
is oftentimes misunderstood He studies
situation carefully and even when his
mind is made up regarding a matter. he
Is always open to argument by the
other side He has the courage of his
convictions If he discovers that he i;
wrong he is willing to change his mind
Just now he feels that we do not want
to engage in war over Cuba. He looks
upon the Cubans and Spaniards as an in
ferior race to that of the United States.
and knows that if war should arise over.
them great part of their undesirable
population will eventually find its way to
these shores.
He honestly believes this. and. in con-
sequence, does not think that existing
conditions warrant hurried action He is
onposed to annexation of any kind, as
much so. in fact as he is to war