The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-05


frankly and openly charged Gil the Sen
ate to-day by Mr.. Perkins, of Calfor-
mia, in a set speech that Spain was
responsible for the Maine disaster, as il
had been brought about by Spanish ma
chinations and Spanish treachery. The
speech of Mr. Perkins was only one
of four prepared addresses upon the
Cuban question delivered in the Senate
to-day.
After the Cuban speeches had been
delivered, the Senate resumed consid-
Grafton of the sundry civil bill and
finished 33 pages before adjournment.
Mr.. Pettigrew, of South Dakota, pre-
sented Il telegram signed by more than
u hundred of his constituents reading:
'All parties here want Spanish torpc-
do fiot:lla turned back or destroyed. Pa.
tience exhausted
Mr.. Turner, of Washington. introduc.
ed resolution which he asked should
90 over until tomorrow. ''if, in the
meantime. nothing had been done in the
matter" The resolution directs the
committee on foreign relations to report
ut the earliest moment without wait
ing for the concurrence or advice OF
any department of the government, what
disaster, and Of the deplorable condi-
zion of Cuban affairs should be taken
TO preserve the honor and dignity of
this country"
When the resolution offered last Fri
day by Mr.. Chandler. of New Hamp-
shire. requesting the Secretary of State
to send to the Senate the Cuban con
sular correspondence. was laid before
.I,. Al,
foreign relations committee. asked that
the resolution go over until Wednesday
To this Mr.. Chandler assented
Quite unexpectedly q discussion of
the Cuban question was precipitated.
Mr.. Clay, Of Georgia, based his re-
marks, he said, upon the resolution sub
United by Mr.. Foraker, of Ohio, Il res
olut:on in favor of independence and,
if necessary. armed intervention. While
he was fully prepared to support th,,
administration in action upon the Gu
ban matter, he was desirOus that war
should be averted. il it could be, by any
possibility Mr. Clay felt that the ad-
ministratiOn ought to be afforded every
opportunity to bring about diplomatic
solution of the impending trouble. ana
he felt certain that so long as the leg
islat;ve branch of the government was
assured that the President wls act
ing with Judgment and patriotism. it
would await upon his recommendations
Mr.. Clay said he was satisfied that no
permanent peace could he had in Cuba
that did not include the independence
of tire 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.
BY herself recognizing the independ-
encc of Cuba and Withdrawing her troop
from the island, Spain has afforded the
one opportunity to make Cuba her
friend. Unless she embraced this op-
portunity Spain would not support her
rule upon the island for five times as
much as the island was worth to her.
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. He would not vote for war
peaceful solution of the present diff
cuty was first exhausted.
If. however, the matter could not he
settled automatically in consonance with
the honor and dignity of the country
he would favor drastic action. Il be-
lieve," he said. Tin the independence
of Cuba, and if Spain will not agree
to that peacefully the United States
must enforce it with all the power of
her land and naval forces. The peo-
pie of the South believe in the peaceful
solution of the question il possible, but
are willing TO employ force. if neces-
sary.' This fact ought. in the opinion
of Mr.. Clay. to be distinctly communi-
Gated to Spain. She ought to be told
that the American people absolutely
demand the freedom of the Cubans.
Then if she does not accede to the de-
mand the results would be of her own
making. In the accomplishments of
Cuha's independence, Georgia, the En-
pire State of the South, Mr.. Clay said.
in conclusion, would do its full share
In opening a set speech upon the Cur
ban question, Mr.. Perkins. california;.
eulogized the conduct of the President