Evening star., 1898-01-20
CHAIRMAN HITTSSTATEMENT
What the Administration Has Done for the
Cubans.
Points Out the Individuality of Rec
OEnizing the Bclligerency of the
Insurgents Mt This Time.

was argued In the House yesterday but, as
the day before, the minority hurled itself
against stone wall. During the general
debate Chairman Hit of the foreign affairs
committee made an impressive speech of
less than an hour, explaining at length the
situation which made action by Congress
inadvisable. He spoke with impassioned
words of the Presidents sympathy with the
struggle for Cuba independence and the
achievements of the present administration.
The release of American prisoners in Cuba,
the recall of Weyler, the abandonment of
the policy of concentration and the autono-
my scheme he contributed to the firm at
titude of the President and contrasted
these results with the inaction of the last
administration.
He averred that belligerent rights could
not aid the fnsurgent cause, and perhaps
the most dramatic portion of his speech
came when he declared that the insurgents
only wished for bellgerent rights in the
hope and belief that this country would be
embroiled in a war with Spain, which would
give them their freedom with our triumph
he asserted that the President must as
sumo the responsibility of any action which
might eventuate in war and appealed to
both sides of the chamber to patriotically
support the executive if crisis shall come.
Every act of the President, said Mr.. Hit
had shown the spirit which animated him
in his public utterances in the past He
had achieved much in q few months. He
said that he thought it unwise for the
United States at this time to recognize the
belligerency of the insurgents.
Mr.. Hit admoniShcd the members that a
national action must be vindicated before
the world, and that We must prove in what
we do that we are actuated by no vulgar
greed TO rob neiShbOr or to seize property
OF others. Proceeding, he dwelt upon the
effect Of the extension of belligerent rights
give Spanish cruisers the right of search
and impose a great hardship the Gu
bans. who were without navy. A three
mile line about Cuba was now the limit
of the Spanish cruisers right of search
declaration of belligerency would al
low Spain's warships to hunt our vessels
on the high seas. In the existing Stua-
ton good men sympathizing with Cuba's
to the islands. Supplies, guns and am
nunition were going from the United
States. 1t was said that every pound OF
powder fired in the cause of Cuba's free
dom had come from this country. No
Spanish cruiser could now molest our YES
sells the high seas Members, he said,
might ask why with all these disadvan-
tages in store for them the agents of the
Cuban republic in this city desired bel
Egerent rights. II could explain It," said
Mr.. Hit, but I prefer to do so in the
words of one of these agents to me.
I'VE know" said this gentleman, that
supplies, but we also know that II Span
ish cruisers begin to stop American skip
pers it will not be long before a hasty
shot is fired. With that shot public opin-
ion in Spain and the United States will
plunge those countries into war; then our
battle will be over"
THAT perhaps is a very just argument
for the Cuban" continued Mr.. Hit, but
not for an American. If We are 10 have
war let us face it directly, not be forced
into it by a chance 1 do not blame the
Cuban. however, any more than 1 blame
the confederate, who, during the rebellion.
hoped to precipitate war between the
United States and Great Britain, knowing
that once war came the contract for free
ing the confederacy would be taken Off
his hands"
Mr.. Hit spoke of the Spanish authority
in Havana as tOttering between armed
forces without and tumultuous riot within.
but with impressive words warned the
members that the vast responsibility of ac-
tion with the mOmentous consequences that
might ensue rested on the shoulders of the
executive, not on members of Congress
who might be making speeches for popular
approval
Let us remember" said he. that We
have faithful pilot at the helm and that
if the ship of state is near the rapids
we should be patient and ready to support
MIN if he takes the step which the honor
and the interests of our country may de-
mand." He referred to General Lee as an
officer Of ability and experience who could
be relied upon to guard jealousy our
honor at Havana, and concluded with an
eloquent appeal to the members OF the
House. though they might have had diff
ferences to drown all other voices as they
did III the Venezuelan crisis, and stand by
the President and the country. While ne
could not propheSy as to the future, ne
solemnly assured the House that the Presi-
dent would not disappoint the expecta-
tons of his countrymen. Throughout Mr..
Hits speech he was listened to with the
closest attention. Members crowded about
him and the thronged galleries leaned over
to catch his words. AS he concluded a
roar of approval swept the floor and the
galleries.
MIR. DlnsmOre Replies.
Mr. Dinsmore (Ark.), a democratic mem
ber of the foreign affairs committee, de-
clared that the time had come for giving
the Cubans the recognition they had SO
long sought. He arraigned Mr.. Hit and
the republican side for alleged tnconsist-
ency, citing their Cuban speeches under
the Cleveland administration, and then
branched off to tariff, civil service. bimet-
allism and various other topics. Returning
to Cuba, he declared that no act by this
government could bring war with Spain,
for a bankrupt monarchy which could not
put down $4,000 ragged Cuban soldiers
would not enter upon contest with the
United States.
Mr. Adams (Pa.), a member of the for
eign affairs committee and chairman OF the
subcommittee on Cuba, followed Mr.. Dins-
more, and contrasted the inaction and
apathy of the last administration toward
Cuba with the achievements of this. dwell
ing particularly upon the release Of all
American prisoners in Cuba, the change in
the Spanish war methods and the aban-
dorment of the policy of concentration. He
maintained that the recognition of bellig-
erency was purely an executive function.
''Did you not vote for belligerency in the
last Congress?' asked Mr.. Sulzer.
Il did," responded Mr.. Adams, but then
we were seeking to protect American prop
erty; that property is now destroyed. We
were seeking to free American prisoners;
they are now all free. This whole question
is nearing a solution of its own weight.
Spain Is bankrupt. She cannot send an
other man to Cuba. There are riots in Ha-
vana. The handwriting has appeared on
the wall"
Mr.. Berry Ry) elcquently pleaded Gu
ba's cause. After 100000 Cubans had gone
down to their death during the last four
years. he said. 1t was absurd for members
to stand on the floor of the House and deny
that a state Of war exists on the island
today.
II don't fear war;" said Mr. Berry. II
think little blood-lettinE would be good
for us. Let Spain fire on the American flag