The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-05
SPEECHES BY SENATOR'S.
Addresses on Cuban Question by Per-
kins, Clay, Mantle and Rawlins.


kins, Clay, Mantle and Rawifns.
WASHINGTON, April At was frankly
and openly charged in the Senate to-day by
Mr.. Perkins, of California, in a set speech
that Spain was responsible for the Maine
disaster as it had been brought about by
Spanish Vaccinations and Spanish treach-
cry. The speech of Mr.. Perkins was only
one of four prepared addresses upon the
Cuban question delivered in the Senate TO-
day. Mr. Clay, of Georgia. while hoping
for a peaceful solution of the problem the
country is now facing, declared strongly
in favor of independence of the Cubans,
and pledged to the administration the loyal
support of the South, which, in the event
of war would have to bear the brunt of the
conflict Mr. Perkins took substantially the
same ground, and his vigorous treatment of
the Maine disaster aroused the crowded
galleries to enthusiastic applause. Mr.. Man
tie, of Montana, while expressing confidence
in the administration, maintained that the
time for action had now arrived and that ac-
ton must be to the end that Cuba should be
free. Mr.. Rawlins, of Utah. entirely elm
mated the President from consideration in
his speech. holding that the case against
Spain was already made up and that with
Congress rested the responsibility of de-
clanng war. For Congress to wait longer
was only to invite criticism. He declared
for the most vigorous action Immediately.
After the Cuban speeches had been deliV-
cred the Senate resumed consideration of
three pages before adjourning.
Despite the specific statement that the
Presidents message would not be sent to
Congress to-day, and the inferential under
standing that the subject of Cuba might
not be even referred to, the people came to
the Capitol by the thousands, and it was
great audience that looked down nDOn the
chamber when the Senate convened Every
seat in the gallery, except the diplomatic
section was filled, and even in the diplomat
ic gallery there were several members of
foreign legations.
Mr. Pettigrew presented telegram signed
by more than hundred OF his constituents,
reading: '.All parties here want Spanish
torpedo f1otilla turned back or destroyed.
Patience exhausted"
Mr.. Gear presented resolution of the
Iowa Legislature Endorsing the action of the
President and Congress" upon the Cuban
question, and pledging its support to the ad-
ministration.
Mr.. Turner introduced resolution which
he asked should go over until tomorrow,
IF in the meantime nothing has been done
in the matter The resolution directs the
committee on foreign relations to report at
the earliest moment, without waiting for
of the government, what action, If any, in
view of the Maine disaster, and in the de-
plorable condition of Cuban affairs, should
be taken to preserve the honor and dignity
of this country.
MR.. CLAY'S REMARKS
Quite Unexpectedly the discussion of the
Cuban question was precipitated and set
speeches were delivered upon it. Mr.. Clay
based his remarks, he said, upon the reso-
luton submitted by Mr.. Foraker resolu-
ton in favor of independence and, if neces-
sary, of armed Intervention. While he was
fully prepared to support the administration
in action upon the Cuban matter, he was
DESTROYS that war should be averted If it
could be, by any possibility. Mr.. Clay felt
that the administration ought to be afforded
every opportunity to bring about a diplo-
matte solution of the pending trouble, and
he felt certain that so long as the legisla-
tive branch of the government was assured
ment and patriotism it would wait upon
his recommendations. Mr.. Clay said he was
satisfied that no permanent peace could be
had in Cuba that did not include the inde-
pendence of the Cubans. With them it Is
liberty or death. The remedy to be applied
to the situation in Cuba was In Mr.. Clay's
opinion, absolute independence, as it was
evident that the island could no longer be
held under Spanish sovereignty.
Mr. Clay fully realized he said, that in
the event of war the South would be a
greater sufferer than any other part of the
country. Her seacoast cities would be open
to attack by the enemy her people would be
first called upon to defend their homes from
invasion, and her commerce would be most
seriously crippled. If the matter could not
Dc S6Itl6Q u1piOIUdLlcdlly In COnSOndncG with
the honor and dignity of the country he
would favor drastic action. II believe he
said, In the independence of Cuba and if
Spain will not agree to that peacefully, the
United States must enforce It with ali the
power of her land and naval forces The
people of the South believe in the peaceful
solution OF the question If possible, but are
willing to employ force if necessary"
In opening set speech upon the Cuban
question, Mr.: Perkins (Cal.) said that he
felt 1t his duty to speak, not only for him.
SELF but in behalf of the people whom he
represented. lie eulogized the conduct of
the President for the calm, dignified and
conservative manner in which he handled
the grave problem presented for his solu-
ton. Those who were in power fully real
possible OF peace. President Mckinley. Gen.
Woodford, our minister to Madrid and Con-
sui General Lee had all won distinction in
battle. and he believed that their Judgment
and discretion could be depended upon ia
guide the country safely and truly
Mr.. Perkins referred briefly to the scheme
instituted by Weyler to starve more than
a million of Spanish subjects into submis-
sion and declared that nothing in all his
tory compared with the atrocity and brutal
ity that Weyler had exercised against the
Cubans. The time for action had in his
opinion, arrived. "A little more delay" said
he. "a little more waiting and the United
States would become an accessory to the
greatest, the most appalling crime in mis-
tory. The patience of a great nation has
its limits and In this case the limit has been
reached. The time for the horrors in Cl1ba
to cease has come and cease they must .
Right, justice and humanity demanded that
this government should intervene to sion
the cruel warfare being ragged by Spain
against the Cuban insurgents-a people who
Were struggling for their freedom within
ninety miles of our own shores.
BLOWN UP BY SPANIARDs.
Mr.. Perkins, who has had a lifetime Of
experience in the handling of great vessels
discussed the destruction of the Maine from
the view point of an expert. He declared
that our sailors and officers had been be-
guiled by the deception of the Spaniartls to
place in a friendly harbor and there, with
out minutes warning. been blown into
eternity. Captain Sigsbee, in communieat-
ing with this government the first brief Of
the awful disaster. had made himself ia
nous in the eyes Of the civilized world ~
the diplomacy and calmneSs of his laus1faocs
There was no proof Of the trea1herv ~ ne e
Spariards: but while the people Of the Ma
ton neiiGved. and still helleve that the
EataS4FJEAR ~