The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-02

Intersst OF Harmony He Practically
withdravs tho Resolution Looking to
Their Purchase = Senator Eikin, OPP
posed to ths scheme as unwlso at tho
Present Time.
WASHINGTON. April 1.-The senate
spent almost the entire day in the dis
cussion OF the resolution reported yes
terday from the senate committee on
foreign relations for. the acquisition Of
the West India islands, owned by Dem
mark, and the session Was closed by the
practical withdrawal OF the resolution
by Senator Lodge, It's author. He
stated that the debate had developed
such a wide difference OF opinion In the
senate where there had heretofore been
such unanimity that he would not fur
ther press the matter at time when
the President needed the support OF all
senator's Of all parties. He moved that
the senate proceed to the consideration
OF executive business, THUS Voluntarily
for the time. abandoning the Restitution.
This action on the part OF Senator
Lodge was preceded by, an animated de-
bate In which many sharp words were
| exchanged over the policy OF bringing In
proposition liable to divide the senate
at time when unanimhty was especial-
! ly desirable and when all parties had
shown disposition to give their utter
most support to the administration in
preparation for the war which almost
all the speakers considered probable
Many speeches were made on this line
and some went so far as TO intimate
that an advantage had been taken of the
situation TO press q proposition which
they considered questionable, with the
hope that the senate IN It's patriotic, de-
sire to, support the President at critical
time would consider the matter favor
ably how whereas st would not do SO in
times OF quiet.
Opposition to the Measure.
Senators German and Pettigrew were
among those who took this position. Mr..
German referred 10 the recent unani-
nous action OF Congress In entrustings
the vast sum OF $4,000, 900 10 tIie Presi-
dent for his expenditure in maintaining
the dignity OF the country, and said that
since the days OF Washington no such
confidence had been reposed in Il chief
| executive or n nation, but that while
this was great trust It carried with It
vast responsibility. SO far the legis-
latlre branch OF the government had
been united in support of the executive.
Ii was evidently impossible to preserve
this cohesion on the present proposition
and he counseled that It be not pressed.
Senator Pettlgrew took a similar posi-
tion. He said he was willing to support
the administration In all reasonable and
just measures In preparation for what
appeared an inevitable war, but that he
did not intend because Of his loyalty In
this respect TO be induced to give his ad-
herence TO measure that did not appeal
to his own judgment. The islands were,
he said. fully $500 miles from our own
coast and to attempt TO acquire them
now would be in violation of our policy
Of not annexlnS territory which IS not
contnGuous.. He said there was no as
surance beyond the word OF senator's
that the President really desired the
purchase Of the islands and intimated
that the committee on foreign relations
had taken advantage Of the present ap-
parently friendly spiri. Of Congress to
spring a question OF policy which at
least had had only very brief considern-
tion from the executive. He said Senn-
tor Lodge had a report in favor OF the
policy now undertaken in his desk for n
year and that the friends OF the measure
sought to get 1t through now under the
stress of war pressure. He called atten-
ton to the fact that Senator Lodge had
said that the Islands could not be annex
ed In time Of war and IL this was true
and With war 80 imminent as tits, It was
evident that there would not be time to
complete the purchase in time to make
them available. II there was going TO
be war. the United States, ne thought,
could secure all the cnallng stations nee
essary on the island OF Cuba and that if
there was no war, none would be needed.
or Strategic Value.
Senator Lodge replied briefly 10 this,
admitting his long advocacy OF the ac-
QUESTION Of the Danish possessions and
explaining ile efforts to secure action at
the present time. He said he has called
upon the President With reference to the
purchase OF the Islands and that not
only he, but the naval officials had con.
CURED In The opinion that their position
would be OF inestima5lc value In case
OF hostllities in the West Indies.
Senators Perkins and Elkins, both Re.
pubHcans. attacked the purchase proDo-
Sition as unwise In that It was liable To
involve us in extra expense and unneces-.
sary cntanglemcnt Senator Teller
stated that ordinarily he would favor
annexation and that hr had dhp1 . = -
many years, but he would not advise an
eiioTt to secure action at II critical time
IKE the present, when 1t was unwise TO
prlnE IN any proposition calculated 10
create discolu and division. He there
lore criticised the action of the commit
zee IN reporting the resolution at this
time. 'H'. go
Senator Bacon, OF Georgia, spoke
hgaiEs. the resolution saying iha. for the
present or immediate war purposes they
Wouid ne useless, and that they could be
acquired II wanted at some future time,
me acquisition of territory. In his opln
ION, should be by treaty and not by ler-
!slative act. He said II would take n
year 10 fortify either OF the West Indies,
20 as TO make them available FOR an,
purpose. At prcsen. We have not The
Shns nor the time to complete the works
for terrifying any portion OF the islands.
senator Mason was among the sup-
porierS OF the resolution. Hc put his
support on the ground that he was will.
inG 10 aid the administration In any way
deemed necessary Tor the successtul
prosecution OF a war with Spaln, i
'.s.Ha..tlr.r ----- rsrT 5E.EiEa- ~
AFTER A TURBULENT SESSION
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