The record-union., 1898-02-10


Cannon thought it peculiarly signifi-
cant that every Spaniard and every
Spaniard sympathizer was opposed to
the recognition of the belligerency OF
the Cuban patriots, while every Cuban
had maintained from the first that such
recognition would be of such advantage
as to enable them to wrest victory from
what otherwise might possibly be de-
feat. If the Chief Executive OF this
country had dreamed when he entered
upon his duties of the power that was
to be conferred by his oath upon him.
it would scarcely have been possible
for him to conceive of a greater oppor-
tunity to set a people free than was
then presented to him. His signature
to document would now set that peo-
pie free. What is it that stays the
hand of Mckinley? We have waited
long, but our waiting has been in vain,
our cup of waiting is now full"
A sensational interruption of Cannon
occurred. There was a buzz of con-
versation among the spectators-mem-
bers of the House of Representatives
who lined the inner walls of the Senate
chamber-When Hale of Maine ad-
dressed the Vice-President. He ex-
pressed the hope that order might
be preserved. and the rules Of the Sen
ate strictly observed. Just as the in
terruption occurred Cannon had made
the statement that every rifle in the
hands of the Cuban patriots had cost
them 5000.
After quiet had been restored, Cam
non, whose face was white as paper,
and who was evidently painfully af-
fected by his emotion. said: Il do not
ordinarily object to remarks of denial
concerning statements which l make
on this floor. However, to a statement
which l just made the audible comment
was added that it was lie. care less,
Mr. President, for the remark than for
the spirit which actuated it. l reassert
it as a solemn truth that the Cuban
patriots have paid 5000 for every rifle
they have in use in their army. These
arms have come from the United States.
Every railroad and every express COM
pany and every flibustering expedition
which has landed munitions of war
upon the island of Cuba has taken its
deadly toll
The remark to which Cannon referred
came from a member of the House who
was talking to another MEMBER lust
behind the Senator's chan. Cannon said
the present policy was to hold the Gu
bans, While Spain outraged and pillaged
the island.
Il believe that one strong, brave word
spoken in time Will absolutely free Gu
ba, and / am firmly of the belief that
the result of such a word would not
be war between the United States and
Spain'
Hale followed Cannon with a motion
to refer the Cannon resolution to the
Committee on Foreign Relations, and
with a speech deprecatory of the policy
of a Congressional declaration on the
Cuban question and in support of the
course of the administration on that
question. The Cannon and Mason res
olutions We're intended to put the ad
ministration in leading strings in its
policy as to Cuba They assume that
the country cannot wait upon the Ex-
ecutive but are intended to drive the
administration into a course fraught
with danger, and one which may in
vOlve the country in a conflict with
now friendly Power.
Hale also discussed the policy in
volved in the amendment TO the diplo-
matte appropriation bill which had been
offered by Allen. This amendment pro-
vides for the recognition of Cuban
belligerency. Taking up the policy of
the administration, Hale said that it
had been clearly outlined in the Presf-
dents first message. The statement of
policy was then made, he said, most
clear and conclusive. The President
had in his document laid down the
chart of his conduct as to belligerency
and had said that he would act if occa-
sion should demand action on his part.
AS a matter of fact, the administration
had acted. and most effectively, and one
of its acts had been in refutation of
Cannon's assertion that there were
many American citizens imprisoned liz
Cuba. Since the writing of the message
the President had taken such a course
as to secure the release of all Amer
lean citizens from Cuban jails. and
there We're none now left in durance in
that country
But this was only one of the accom-
plishments of the administration in this
field. The President had made an ar
peal for benefactions, and had secured
the opening of the doors for the intro
duction of the aid our people have so
freely sent. Furthermore. the com
manding General whose barbarous
treatment had rendered him unpopular
had been removed at the Presidents
instance. Still another result was the
establishment of autonomy. which was
charter of human liberties. broader
and deeper than is maintained any
xIsh ba tnl f,,
an Anglo-S Saxon government. All this
had been done. but the result of these
efforts We're still in the balance. Hence,
in the face of these facts. infiammatory
resolutions We're out of place
The Senate was not All infiammatorv
body, and would not be carried off its
feet Nor did he agree with Cannon
that the people at large wanted war.
If our people really wanted to fight,
they could have gone to Cuba to do it.
He asked, and paused for a reply. for
the name of an American citizen with
an English name who had gone to fight
in Cuba. Had the Utah Senator in his
mind the name of such a person? OF
the 100000 old soldiers living, none had
gone across the narrow strip of water
that separates Cuba from the United
States 10 fight for the freedom of tina
island. 1t was clear to the Maine SEN
ator that the fight was to be made in
the United States Senate, and there
only.
Hale controverted the idea that the
Administration had been cowardly in
its treatment of the Cuban question.
saying the resolution had showed the
contrary TO be true. He closed with a
motion to refer the resolution to the
Committee on Foreign Relations, which
was done without division.