The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-01

An Unexpected Discussion of the Gu
ban Question.


WASHINGTON, March 31-An apparent
~ simple request made of the Senate to-day
by Mr.. Frye on behalf of the foreign rela-
tons committee Unexpectedly precipitated
discussion on the Cuban question. 1t
finally led to passage at arms between Mr..
Chandler and Mr. Frye, in which the form
er made some sarcastic references to the
conduct of the foreign relations committee
and to the attitude of the President. Con-
corning the latter Mr.. Chandler said: II
have confidence that the President intends
to pursue patriotic and righteous course
in the present emergency and I shall thank
God when he reaches a conclusion of some
sort or another. Therefore / am not in re-
bellion as yet against the powers that be-
Mr.. Allen made the request of Mr. Frye
the occasion of speech upon the general
Cuban question, in the course of which he
reviewed his own record on the subject and
declared that he stood now just where he
had always stood-in favor of the absolute
independence of the Cuban people from that
"hdeous monster among nations Spain.
Upon the conclusion of the Cuban discussion
the sundry civil appropriation bill was
taken up and thirty-five pages of it were
disposed of before adjournment.
At the opening of the session Mr.. Frye,
who reported yesterday from the committee
on foreign relations a resolution calling on
the President for the Cuban consular re-
ports requested that the resolution lie on
the table until such time as the committee
desired to call it up. He added that the
committee was constantly engaged in work,
and there were reasons why the resolution
should not be considered in the absence of
the committee.
A. III, Of
any such contract as suggested
Mr.. Frye then moved that the resolution
be recommitted to the foreign relations COM
mittee.
On that motion Mr.. Allen expressed his
desire TO be heard. In opening his dis
cussion of the resolution Mr. Allen reviewed
his record on the Cuban question, saying
that he and former Senator Call, of Florida,
were the first members of the Senate TO take
strong stand in favor Of the independents e.;
his way he would support the erection of a
republic in Cuba with all the land and naval
forces of the United States, and force the
construction of an independent zion over
the ashes of SPANS sovereignty on the ISL
and. He maintained that the United States
stood as an elder brother to Cuba, and
unless we did our full duty towards her we
would be guilty of base cowardice. The in
dependence of Cuba must be wreSted from
Spain-"that hideous monster among ma
should have the right to breathe the air of
freedom He held that the right of self
government was inalienable, and was as
much the right of Cubans as of the people of
said have the Cubans struggled for their
freedom, and now they stand in sight of
that goal, guided by the master, Gomez,
who will in history be regarded as one of
the greatest commanders and revolutionists
of this century. He will live in the minds of
patriotic people so long as freedom shall
have an abiding place with good people,
wEYLER'S CAREER IN CUBA
Mr. Allen compared the career of WeyIer
in Cuba with the conduct of the revolution
in the Netherlands. There was universal
destruction, devastation and death. This
picture, vivid more than imagination could
paint it, had been drawn for this Senate
by Senators Proctor Gallinger, Thurston
and Money. Weyler's policy was strongly
presented and his ''brutalities and atroci-
ties" were sharply portrayed. He declared
that Weyler's rule in Cuba had been ITEM
pered with murder and modified by assas-
Sina tion-
Referring to the catastrophe to the Maine
Mr. Allen said that Spain must be made
to pay for the wholesale murder of Amer
lean seamen She must said Mr. Allen,
compensate for that murder at least by
freeing Cuba, by turling her dirty flag and
leaving this continent never to return
am a lingo of jingoes. / have always felt
that the Cubans would ultimately be able
TO wrest their freedom from Spain" What
ever may be done about the Maine disaster
SAID he, one lnlnB ought TO De distinctly
understood 1t should not be submitted TO
the arbitrament of a foreign power. Mr..
Allen said that this country had no greed
for Spanish territory or for Spanish gold,
nor was ii the desire of the United States
TO establish protectorate over Cuba but
the torch which has lighted Cuba must be
eXtinguished Further along Mr. Allen said
If could have my way / would instant
~ recall our minister to Madrid and hand
to the Spanish minister here his passports .
He said that he was opposed to the general
policy of the President OF the United States
but as one of the representatives in the
Senate of a great State he was willing to
give him his support in a proper solution
OF the CUBAN problem, for he felt that all
political considerations at a time like this
ought to be laid aside and men of all par
ties should stand together. He believed
that in a few more days we should wit
ness Cuba's flag, ccnsecrated by hundreds
of thousands OF lives, waving in triumph
over the ,sla@d.
CHANDLER TO THE FRONT.
Scarcely had Mr.. Allen concluded when
Mr. Chandler precipitated a lively scene.
He thought the action of the committee on
foreign relations indicated some doubt and
INDIGESTION. Yesterday the committee thought