The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-04-23
OUGHT TO Be INDEPENDENT
AGREE ON CUBAN QUESTION.
Congress Demands That Spain at
Once ReIinquisb Its Authority I'm
Cuba and Withdraw It's Lnnd and
Naval Forces From Cuba and Gu
ban Waters.

houses known in many years, congress
at an early hour this morning came TO
an agreement upon the most momentous
question it has dealt with in third of a
century.
The Cuban resolution was passed and
will be sent to the president this morn
ing.
It's provisions mean the expulsion of
Spain from the island of Cuba by the
armed forces of the United States.
There were roll calls in both houses and
each body held tenaciously to its own
resolution. The conferees had great diff
fculty in agreeing. The first conference
showed determination on the part of
the house not to yield a single point, and
it was only after long consultations with
the house leaders that they agreed to al
low the little words care and" in the first
section of the senate resolution which de-
clares that the people of Cuba 'are and
of right ought to be free and indepen-
dent"
The resolution as finally adopted was
that reported from the senate committee
on foreign relations with the addition of
the fourth section, known as the Teller
amendment, disclaiming any intention on
the part of the United States to acquire
Cuba. The resolution can not be sent to
the president until after it is signed by
the presiding officers today.
The Nations Policy.
The resolution as agreed to is as fol-
lows:
Joint resolution for the recognition of
the independence of the people of Cuba:
demanding that the government of Spain
relinquish its authority and government
in the island of Cuba and to withdraw
its land and naval forces from Cuba and
Cuban waters and directing the president
of the United States to use the land and
naval forces of the United States to carry
these resolutions into effect
Whereas, The abhoIrent conditions
which have existed for more than three
years in the island of Cuba so near our
own borders, have shocked the moral
sense of the people of the United States,
have been a disgrace to Christian civiliza-
ton, eliminating as they have in the
destruction of United States battle
ship and 266 of its officers and crew while
on friendly visit in the harbor of Hav-
ana, and can not be longer endured as has
been set by the president of the United
States in his message to congress of April
IL, 1898, upon which the action of con
gress was invited; therefore
Resolved by the senate and house of
representatives of the United States OF
America in congress assembled:
"First-That the people of the island of
Cuba are and of right ought to be free
and Independent.
"Second-That it is the duty of the
United States to demand and the gov
eminent of the United States does hereby
demand, that the government of Spain at
once relinquish its authority and govern
ment in the island of Cuba, and withdraw
Cuban waters.
"Third-That the president of the
United States be and he hereby is direct
ed and empowered TO use the entire land
and naval forces of the United States, and
to call into the actual service of the Unit
ed States the militia of the several states
TO the extent as may be necessary tC
carry these resolutions into effect.
'Fourth-That the United States here
by disclaims any disposition or intention
to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction OIL
control over the said island, except for tn,
pacifcation thereof, and asserts its de
termination, when that is accomplished
TO leave the government and control o
the island to its people"
In the SENATE.
Senator Mason stated what he conceiv
ed to be the parliamentary status of tn,
pending question. He said the hope hac
been that if the senate would yield tn,
substance of independence the shadow o
freedom would be left to us. He had, h,
declared, made the fight for independence
He had been forced to yield his convic
tions this afternoon and now he was pre-
pared to yield still further.
I'VE gave mp our IDEAS he cried al
most Historically, but l say to you nov
that l capitulate, but | do not surrender
You have conquered me. but if God let
me live, | give you notice that tomorrow
] shall fight for Cuban independence anC
gain it before | quit this sphere of &c
ton"
A strong appeal was then entered by
Senator White for action of some kline
that would end the suspense and end it a
once
The first part of the Davis motion t.
insist on the senate's amendment wa
carried without division The secon,
part, that requesting further conference
was disagreed to, 80 to 40.