Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-17
Mr.. COCHRAN INTRODUCES 1T.
SAYS STOCK JOBBERs CONTROL THE
CUBAN POLICY.
MIR. GrosvenOr Denies That the Pres
fdent Is in a Hurry to Get Com
Eresa Out of the Way
Hawaiian Question
Debated.

yesterday, numerous topics were discussed,
but to-day for the first time the Cuban
Spanish question, which had been kept in
the background heretofore. forged to the
front. Mr.. Cochran, Democrat, of Mis-
souri,. brought the question into the arena.
and in the course of the debate that fol-
lowed. Mr.. Grosvenor, of Ohio. took oc-
casion to deny emphatically the stories
afioat to the effect that the president de-
sired an early adjournment of congress in
order that he might effect a settlement
without congressional Interference. The
subject of Hawaiian annexation also came
in for more attention to-day. Mr.. Will
Jams, Democrat, of Mississippi; Mr..
Adams. Republican, of Pennsylvania, and
Mr.. Berry, Democrat, of kentucky, all
members of the foreign affairs committee,
made speeches on the subject, the former
in opposition and the two latter in favor
of the proposition.
Mr.. Williams. in a speech of forty min
utes. replied to the speech made by Mr..
Tawney yesterday in favor of Hawaiian
annexation. Mr.. Williams. is a member of
the foreign affairs committee and his re-
marks received close attention. He di-
rected his attack particularly against the
contention of Mr.. Tawney that the ira
ditional policy of this government was not
opposed to annexation. He thought there
was no occasion for alarm, even IL 1t were
true that, if We should not take the ISL
ands, some other country would. The idea
of the foreign ownership of group of ISL
ands 1000 miles from our shores had no
terrors for him. He said the Hawaiian
Islands were now in the control of car
petbag oligarchy. The states of the South
had undergone a bitter experience with
carpetbag government and did not desire
to indorse it anywhere.
The Hawaiian islands would be a men,
ace instead OF a safeguard to the United
played in the international chess match
against the British parliamentary team
what what Il they would would think Of accepting a
adversaries on condition that they should
defend It throughout the game. Great Brit
sbane mad Eyen for in the
our already strong position? This country
already had a race problem. To take the
Hawaiian islands would be to annex an
other race problem and pay 81 600 600 for
Mr.. Adams. Republican. of Pennsylvania,
replied S5 d Ms pTfEn %ams aaFn
much the same line of argument advanced
by Mr. Tawney yesterday:
Mr.. Lewis. Democrat. OF Washington de-
clared that Hawaii would not be annexed
at this session, nor would We go to war
with Spain.
THE administration" said he. .is try
ing to see how close it can go to the line
of war without crossing. in the hope that
under the cry OF patriotism the people at
the approaching congressional elections
may forget their wrongs and rally. to its
| support"
Mr.. Cochran. Democrat. of Missouri, in
commenting on the existing situation. de-
clared that those who stood close to the
stock tickers in London and New York
seemed TO be more powerful than the
united and solemn voice of the American
people, which for months had been crying
out for the recognition of the Cuban bellig-
srents: Stock tobbing on two continents
| intervention in Cuban affairs.
DO you not believe We should recognize
the Independence of Cuba?" asked Mr..
Sulzer. Democrat. of New York.
recognition of belligerency would clothe
gotiate honorable peace. If we should in
tervene. our troubles would have just be-
gun. fear II the administration should
interfere it would be as the attorney of the
bondholders, rather than as the friend OF
] the insurgents
In conclusion. Mr.. Cochran referred to
| the current rumor that the president de-
sired an immediate adjournment in order
| that he might be able to settle the Spanish
affair without Interference from congress.
Mr.. Grosvenor. Republican. of Ohio. re-
Piled to this statement Immediately. At
| flrst he spoke in semi-humorous vein.
| He desired he said. to make brief state
! ment in reply to this story which was
| floating around to the effect that the pres
| ident was about to take the house of rep
resentatives by the throat. abolish the
United States senate and proceed to the
| settlement of all our foreign complications
! without the aid of the representatives of
the people. 1t should be remembered he
continued, in weighing SUCH reports. that
| congress was an independent power. the
| existence of which could not be ended un-
| der the constitution. 1t would probably
| continue longer than the Cuban question.
| Within the last thirty days the sensational
| press of the country, he said had put forth
propositions ten times more absurd and
| stupendous than this. yet they had not
| attracted the attention this had. Mr.. Gros-
| venor said he spoke of this matter with
| some hesitation because. after reading the
| newspapers. he sometimes doubted his in
himself. they insisted he spoke for some
| body else. He did not pretend to know
more than the humblest citizen. yet. he
| said. he took the responsibility of stating
| that the suggestion that the president had
| fixed a date for the adjournment of con-
| gress, or desired to fix date. or had
journ by a certain time. was absolutely
] without foundation and ridiculous into the
| bargain. Congress could not adjourn ex-
cept by majority vote of its members.
| and he had no doubt that every member
responsible to his conscience and his coun-
| try would do his duty. as he saw It, in
the matter of adjournment as in everything
! else.
Mr.. Norton. Democrat. of Ohio. who fol.
| lowed Mr. Grosvenor. expressed his amaze
| ment that the Republican side of the house
| had been so long silent I'm the face of tho
| outrages and indignitieS heaped upon this
| government and upon the flag by Spain. He
could not understand why the Maine ha6
been sent 10 Havana harbor. 1t was sait
| to have been the act of one friendly natior
| toward another.
| Mr. Chairman" he continued mo foot
| of water or land over which the Spanish
| flag ever floated has been for one houl
, friendly to the American government Gap
| plause.b From the hour of the birth of th'
| nation Spain has been hostile to us. The rec
| objections that should come to Us shoult
| bring the blush of shame. aye. humility
| modification. remorse. anger. to the cheel
| of every American upon this floor. Thinl
has any idea of being friendly to this gov
ernment. Her line is crimson thread run
ming through the centuries. a line of decei
and treachery to this government and ever.
other she could deceive or rob. In 1873
when she attempted to murder ffty-thre
Americans. but only succeeded in killini
twelve. Grant God bless his name and al
honor TO his courage and manhood, hi
bravery and his Americanism) was read!
to intervene. Hamilton Fish said that th
to go unpublished was not fit TO live. Ye
sixteen months elapsed and then this gov
ernment made compromise that will b.
Il stain and blot upon its escutcheon for
thousand years. and accepted $4,000 to pa,
for the insult TO its honor! Why? For TIL
same reasons that prevail now. love tn
president of the United States. He is
son of Ohio. and I know. if left to himself
he would exercise his Judgment. his hon
esty and his patriotism as perhaps no othe
is. with trocha drawn about him tina
| would require the strength, the courag
| and the genius of a god to surmount, he
too. will take the position of Grant an
"A few days ago We surrendered tn