The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-07
EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION.
Views of Senators Davis, CuIIom,
Morgan, Fairbanks and Others.


WASHINGTON, March 6.-Speaking of
the Madrid dispatch demanding General
Lees recall and the statement made by AS
sistant Secretary Day to-day, Senator
Davis, chairman of the foreign relations
committee, said: 1T is a circumstance
which. added to the present strained condi-
tions. makes things more vexatious. ap-
prove the Presidents action in every par
ticular''
Senator Pettigrew said: 'I certainly ap-
prove the Presidents course in the matter.
l should judge the request to recall our con-
sui general is somewhat unusual and un-
der other circumstances would be complied
with, but the conditions precedent to this
case take it out of the usual rule and JUS
tify the Presidents action. l think that
in view OF the fact it is conceded the Maine
was blown up, the President would be JUS
titled in sending battle ships loaded with
combustibles as well as food and filled with
armed men. 1t seems to me we cannot ac-
cept any settlement short of the independ-
ence of Cuba"
Senator Frye: IF Spain has requested
that relief supplies be sent in merchant ves-
sells and not in armed war ships and we
continue those supplies in war ships I think
it might be regarded as an intervention in
the affairs of Cuba, and therefore an I'M
friendly act. ] have confidence in General
Lee" added Senator Frye. "As far as 1
have been acquainted with his official con-
duct in Cuba, entirely approve of 1t. The
reports have not been published, and, CT
course, all the facts are not before US but
approve of the course of the President
in retaining General Lee at Havana as we'll
as in sending the relief in war vessels. If
Spain gives General Lee his passports and
insists on the termination of his official
career at Havana, what course will be left
open for us? AS far see, we could only
accept the situation. l do not think that
would be casus belli."
II cannot comprehend the reason for such
a request as General Lees recall" said
Senator Foirbanks, "and the President
should refuse to comply. I have no infor-
nation Oil the subject, but am very anxious
to learn the facts 1 am opposed to war,
except when the rights of our citizens and
national honor are involved. The hour de-
mands sober judgment and conservatism of
high order.'
Senator Cullom said: II regard the course
pursued by the President in answer to the
Spanish government is right, justified by.
all the conditions, and the American people
en-. 1 have believed for some days that we
We're nearing crisis or elimination of
troubles, from day to day, and it has
seemed to me that the Spanish government
was endeavoring to bring on conflict be-
tween that government and ours. Whether
this government desires it or not, on this
account 1t would be almost forced into war
with Spain. 1 do not well understand, in
view of the interest or manifestation of in
terest this country has taken in the con-
flict which has been going on between Spain
and the Cubans, how withdrawal of any
kind could be thought of, either from the
point Of view of national interest or of COM
mon humanity Our people do not want
war, neither does the President, but neither
the President nor the people will submit to
any humiliation at the hands of the Span
ards. 1 think it is another step on their
part into forcing an issue between that gov
ernment and our own"
Senator Morgan said: ST heartily applaud
the Presidents action in the dispatch
brought to my attention. do not think the
Spanish government will insist on Lees re-
call; nor do think it will refuse a bounty
to those poor, starving creatures, the recon-
entrados, though 1t may be dished out to
them with a mailed hand. We of the South
are very proud of General Lee and his con-
duct in Cuba. 1t only proves what we have
always known about him--that he is a
brave, patriotic man, fearless to do his
duty under all circumstances. The recall of
General Lee, in my opinion, was in defer
ence to the mob sentiment in Madrid. After
all the forbearance we have shown Spain
in making our country a base for her sup
plies, she turns upon us and makes every
f1,+1
After awhile we will be sufficiently in
formed as to the intentions Of the Spanish
government towards US to meet them half
way"
Representative Grosvenor, of Ohio. said
Spain has the undoubted right to make
peremptory demand for the withdrawal Of
| General Lee. Under ordinary circumstances
| this government would be bound to grant
this concession upon demand, but under ex-
| listing circumstances, where the withdraw
| al of Lee would be an implied censure of
| his course the President should refuse just
| as peremptoriiy. The concession Of the
| withdrawal Of Lee would leave an infer
| ence of censure on the part of this gov
ernment and that the President could not
| afford to do, inasmuch as General Lee, in
all his acts, has met the entire approval
Of the President. If Spain has requested
the withdrawal and the President refused,
| Spain will probably dismiss Lee immediate
ly and send him nome. If the President
feels offended in the spirit of Spain's ac-
ton, he need not send any one in Lees
place This comes pretty near being an
open rupture between two governments. So
far as the sending of the ships with sup
plies for the starving subjects OF Spain is
concerned a change of plans is not to be
considered for moment. Spain having con-
sented, that she should now in a sort of
| hysterical effort to please her own subjects
seek to withdraw that consent and try to
dictate the means of transportation by
which supplies should be sent, is not to
be accepted. If Spain has done what is al
legged it looks as though she was seeking
a quarrel and that she was seeking it at
a time when she might possibly cover up
the disclosures of the report Of our commits
sion now investigating the cause of the de-
struction Of the Maine. Nations have been
great deal nearer blows than we are with
Spain and war has been averted. In one of
our earlier experiences, when Adams was
President, the country was nearer to war
with France than we are now with SPAIN
Even in that early and imperfect develop
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