The herald., 1898-04-05
MAINE DISASTER
IS FRANKLY AND OPENLY
CHARGED TO SPAIN
III IS NOW Time TO ACT
AND CooL-HEADED SENATORS
DEMAND ACTION
CONGRESS Is RESPONSIBLE
It's PRESSING nutv Ts Mot Moro rvoad
CONGRESS IS RESPONSIBLE
Its Pressing Duty Is Not Mere Armed
Intervention but Plain Decla-
ration of Was 81,
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON. April At was frankly
and openly charged in the senate today by
Mr.. Perkins of California, in a set speech,
that Spain was responsible for the Maine
disaster, as 1t had been brought about by
Spanish machnations and Spanish treacfi-
cry. The speech of Mr.. Perkins was only
one of four prepared addresses on the Gu
ban question delivered in the senate today.
Mr.. Clay of Georgia, while hoping for a
peaceful solution of the problem the coun-
try Is now facing, declared strongly In IA
Vor 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
grounds, and his vigorous treatment Of the
Maine disaster aroused the crowded gall
leries to enthusiastic applause.
Mr.. Mantle of Montana, while expressing
confidence in the administration, maintain
ed that the time for action had now ar
rived, and that action must be to the end
that Cuba should be free. Mr.. Rawlins
of Utah entirely eliminated 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 declaring war. Forcing
us to wait was only to invite criticism He
declared for the most vigorous action i'm
mediately
After the Cuban speeches had been de-
livered, the senate resumed consideration
of the sundry civil bill, and finished thirty
three pages before adjourning.
Despite the specific statement that the
presidents message would mot be sent to
congress toady, and the inferential un-
Outstanding that the subject of Cuba might
not be even referred to. people came to the
capitol by the thousands.
| 1t was great audience that looked down
upon the chamber when the senate con-
vened. Every seat in the gallery except
4 the diplomatic was filled, and even in the
diplomatic gallery there were several
members of foreign legatio
Mr. Pettigrew of South Dakota pre-
sented telegram signed by more than q
hundred of his constituents, which said:
"All PARTIES here want Spanish torpedo
fiotilla turned bEk or destroyed. Pa
tience exhausted"
Mr.. Gear of Iowa presented resolution
of the legislature endorsing the action Of
|
ban question, and pledging it's support to
the administration.
Mr. Turner of Washington introduced a
resolution which he asked should go over
until Monday, if, I'm the meantime nothing
has been done in the matter. The resolu-
tton requires the committee on foreign re-
lations to report at the earliest moment,
without waiting for the concurrence or ad-
vice of any department of the government,
which action, If any, in view of the disas-
ter to the Maine and deplorable contii-
tion of Cuban affairs should be taken to
preserve the honor and dignity Of this
country.
Quite unexpectedly discussion Of the Cu-
ban question was precipMated. and two set
speeches We're delivered upon 1T.
Mr.. Clay of Georgia made a strong plea
for the independence of Cuba bastng his
remarks upon the Foraker resolution. He
maintained, however that the president
ought to be offered every opportunity to
bring about a diplomatic solution Of the
difficulty. Though he was for the recogni-
tion of independence of Cuba, he said he
would wait upon the presidents recon-
mendatons. 81 believe, he said, 'in the
independence of Cuba, and if Spain will
not agree to that. the United States must
enforce it with al the power in her hand
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 a set speech upon the Cuban
question, Perkins of California said that
he felt it his duty to speak not only for him.
self, but in behalf of the people whom he
represented. He eulogized the conduct Of
4lx,
conservative manner in which he had hand
led the grave problem presented for his So
luton. Those who were in power fully rea-
lized the necessity for the preservation, IL
possible, of peace. President Mckinley,
General Woodford, our minister to Madrid,
, and Consul-General Lee had won distinc-
ton in battle and he believed that their
Judgment and discretion could be depended
upon to guide the country safely.
Mr.. Perkins referred briefly to the scheme
instituted by Weyler to starve more than
, a million of Spanish subjects into subjec-
ton, and declared that nothing in all his
tory compared with the atrocity and bru.
tality 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 history. The pa
. tience of great nation has its limits, and
in this case the limit had been reached.
The time for the horrors in Cuba to cease
has come and cease they must. Right,
justice and humanity demand that this
government should intervene to stop the
:, . cruel warfare being waged by Spain against
the Cuban insurgents-a people who were
:, struggling for their freedom within ninety
miles Of our own Shores"
Mr. Perkins. who has had a lifetime ex-
perience in the handling of great vessels,
discussed the destruction Of the Main@