The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-24


III we mean TO declare war let us do so like
men and not endeavor to conceal ourselves
are constantly seeking to benefit the sacred
cause of Cuban liberty. particularly at such
times as this, cannot accomplish their pur-
poses by such rash acts of legislation as is
this amendment" Mr. Morgan declared
that the Cubans had already fought and
won their revolution and nothing remained
but for them TO continue their belligerent
attitude until Spain should recognize the
republic
Mr.. Teller did not accept Mr. Morgan's
position that the adoption of this amend
ment would be q declaration of war. He
had, he said, reached the conclusion that
the recognition of belligerency rested with
the executive. He had reached this con-
clusion with regret, but still he thought it
correct In this view Congress could do no
more than announce its opinion. True this
opinion should receive some attention at the
hands of the executive; but the last admin
istration had given no weight 70 such an
expression of opinion, and he (Teller) was
convinced that the present would follow the
example of its predecessor. In the matter
OF intervention, Mr.. Teller said he never
the United States had a right under inter-
national law to interfere to the extent of
compelling Spain to treat her subjects on
our border in a humane manner. Neither
such interference nor the declaration of bel
Igerency would be an act unfriendly to
Spain. Still, if the matter rested with him
exclusively, he would recognize the bellig-
erency of the Cubans If he knew 1t would
bring war tomorrow, for he was that
such intervention at such time and in such
a cause would secure for US in such strug-
gle the sympathy of all civilized nations.
Mr.. FORAKER'S REASONS
Mr.. Foraker announced his intention to
vote against the amendment, texplaining his
reason to be the fact that it was sought to
make it a rider appropriation BILL
He said he had voted for the belligerency
resolution, couched in precisely the same
terms as this, which was adopted a year
ago, and he had always been glad that he
had done so. He had always believed that
a mistake had been made in not recognizing
the belligerent rights of the contending
Cubans A declaration of belligerency
would not be an act OF hostility. In conclu-
sion Mr.. Foraker said Il expect at no very
distant day that there will be an appro-
pirate occasion for further remarks on this
question. | think the time is coming for
action. When it comes the time for discus
sion will be here, and the problem may be
appropriately discussed.
Mr. Thurston said that he had voted to
accord belligerent rights to the Cuban in
surgents both times 1t had come before the
Senate. II have Eever ceased to regret, y
said he, that the United States did not af-
ford to the Cubans belligerent rights at the
time when the crueltieS and barbaritieS of
Weyler would have won for us the Sympa-
thy of the civilized world Had we recog-
nized the belligerency of those struggling
people then / believe that ere this they
would have been in possession of the island
and we would be in no danger of war. be-
lieve now that we are drifting into war
with Spain. When the President delivered
to us his message he set time to running,
and that time has ever since been running
Spain has not been able to queH the re-
bellion, and the possibility of peace is grow
ing more and more remote The time is
coming-God knows how soon it will be
here.when action In accordance with the
Presidents message must be taken, when
we shall either have to back down from
our position or intervene in the Cuban af-
fair, with the probability of war There Is
enough being said all over this country
concerning the inquiry now proceeding in
Havana into the Names catastrophe to in
delicate situation might We'll be at their al
tars praying for calmness and peace. L
hope that the inquiry now proceeding IN
volve us in hostilities, but while that in
quiry is proceeding we in the Senate should
maintain a most circumspect attitude ana
be calm and quiet.
inquiry ought not to in any manner be
hampered by any friction or trouble here
I'VE ought to have patience, said he, land
wait as a great and powerful people, not
in fear but in hope that some satisfactory
conclusion of the present difficulty may be
reached"
Mr.. Allen made an extended reply to the
arguments advanced against his position.
He maintained this was the nrSt time the
belligerency proposition mad peen presenter loa
of its bling effective. The House would pc
brought face to face with it and it would
be brought to vote in that BODY. IL coulu
not be buried in a commute.
HOAR FAVORS MEDIATION.
Mr.. Hale. in charge of the bill, yielded
to Mr. Hoar (Mass.). who said he desired,
in justice to himself and to those who be-
lieved with him, TO refute the charges of
cowardice which had been hurled at those
who differed from him by the senator from
Gle \ 10 l.
ton from the standpoint of an international
lawyer, maintaining that the reception of
belligerecy in ordinary circumstances was
not a cause of war. 1t was not necessarily
an unfriendly act. Mr.. Hoar maintained.
however that before taking any action or
that kind the United States ought TO nave
a clear and unquestioned statement OF the
facts In the cause. He expressed the opln-
ion that the enactment or pelllgerency
resolution at the present time would De pro-
ductiVe of war because of the friction that
would be created by Spain exercising the
right of search of United States vessels on
the high seas Mr.. doar sac nnat SSsT rIt
of such question as that pending. nave no
part in the proceedings of the Senate-no
more part than they would nave an the ou-
preme Court Spain, he thought would have
Just cause of complaint on account or these
violent discussions. Il have always, sald
Mr.. Hoar, favored a resolution PROPOSING
mediation. If that fails i am in favor of
supporting the executive department when
the time shall come and when the case is SO
clear and fragrant that all the conSutu-
tional representatives or the AmeF rl peo-
pie substantially agree as to the factS.
Mr. Stewart made q speech IN IaVor OIL
granting belligerent rights to the Cubans
Mr.. Hale made the point of order against
the amendment that 1t was general leglsla-
ton, and had, under the rules, no place
The Vice President sustained the point
and Mr. Allen took an appeal from the rul-
ing. ,,., - 80
tended speech in. support or the ruling OF
the chair although he was personally IN
favor of the proposition contained IN the
amendment. ~.
chair, although he said he would vote Ior
any independent proposition Tor the rehel
Mr.. Mason said he could not be deferred
either from sustaining or opposing the rul-
ing of the chair by any overgroWn rever-
ence he had for the rules of the Senate OF
of any other alleged deliberative body, but
he said he desired to appeal to Mr.. Hale 10
let the bill go over for Few Gays IN or9 ie
that senators might examine into the rules
and authorities bearing upon them.
BACON WINS APPLAUSE.
Mr.. Bacon, speaking in support of the rul-
ing of the chair, drew from the galleries an
enthusiastic round of applause, which was
quickly suppressed however, by the Vice
President He said that one of the great
est causes ever tried before the nations of
the world was now being tried in Havana.
LET us do nothing" said he, that will in
the least way embaTass those who are
conducting that investigation. The wreck
of the Maine now lies on the bottom of the
Havana harbor The facts relating to the
r.ln cts hAff0 "a a mr.