The San Francisco call., 1898-02-10
SENATORS SCATHINGLY
 DENOUNCE SPAIN.
Cannon and Mason Speak in Support of Their Cuban Resolu-
 tionS.

 on the relations of the United States and Spain concerning the Cuban war "a subject of intense interest to a ma jority of Americans-the galleries were crowded at an early hour to-day. In deed. the public galleries were packed before the Senate convened at lz o'clock.
 The resolution offered by Cannon of Utah yesterday, urging the President to notify Spain that, if she falls to recognize the independence of Cuoa before March 4 next, this Government would then recognize the belligerent rights of the Cubans and would ninety days thereafter assert the 1ndepend- ence of the Cuban Republic, was then laid before the Senate and Cannon was recognized to speak on the sub ject.
 Cannon, in opening his speech, read from a New York newspaper a state ment in effect that the speeches to be delivered to-day would amount to mere talk, and that nothing more harm ful than talk would result from the present agitation of the Cuban ques- tion in the Senate.
 T want to say'' said Cannon, that something more harmful than talk Will result from the discussion of the Gu ban question by Congress. These re- suits will strike men in Congress and in high place in the administration.
 War" continued Cannon, 'is ended in Cuba. The war that there existed has developed into a brutal contest of hunger"
 After some discussion of general features of the Cuban question, Can non said:
 I charge now that the purpose of the ad- minfstration is in consonance with the
 ,s-h 1N 1I,nl1 ,l before peace is secured in Cuba security of the payment of that tremendous debt must be given by the blood-stained island. That, l say, appears to De the Wls2 Spain.
 A sensational interruption of Can non occurred Cannon had made the statement that every rife in the hands of the Cuban patriots had cost them S200 There was a buzz of conversa- tion among the spectators, and af- ter quiet had been restored Can non, whose face was white as paper, and who was evidently painfully af- fected by his emotion, said:
 do not ordinarily object to remarks of denial concerning statements which make on this floor; however, to a state ment which 1 just made the audible comment was added that it was a lie I care less, MT. President, for the remark than for the spirit which actuated it. I reassert it as a solemn truth that the Cuban patriots have paid $200 for every rife they have in use in their army. These arms have come from the United States. Every railroad and every express com panY, and every filibustering expedition which has landed munitions of war upon the island of Cuba has taken its deadly toll.
 The remark to which Cannon re- ferred came from member of the House who was talking to another member behind the Senator's chair. Cannon said the present policy was to hold the Cubans while Spain outraged and pillaged the island.
 Hale followed Cannon with a motion to refer the Cannon resolution to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
 At his close the resolution was re- ferred to the Foreign Relations Com mittee.
 Cannon again took the floor for a brief personal explanation bearing up- on the scene in which he had partici- pated toward the close of his remarks. He said the gentleman to whose utter ances he had taken exception had eX- plained to him that they had reference to another subject. He was willing to accept the explanation.
 Mason of Illinois was then recognized and there was a buzz of comment as he arose, and his resolution was read
 
 he said, and he was proud of the patriotism of the executive. But, Ma son said, he spoke his personal con- victiCns on the cause of Cuba. Said he:
 I am charged with seeking war, but my resolution is for peace. One word from this administration would bring peace to this continent, and under the providence of God, we believe, it would bHng independence to Cuba Three hun dred thousand people starved! Three hun dred thousand marching to the gravel And yet the cry is raised that war is being sought, when the one and only cry is for peace and an end to this atrocity.
 This Government ought to maintain that the horrible massacres which are now common In the island and conducted under the guise of warfare must be stopped. The flag of truce has been aban- doned, prisoners of war are being shot. and it is evident that no rule of civilized warfare is being observed. The conflict has developed into mere matter of mur- der on both sides-prisoners of war being shot and macheted without trial
 Mason then read letter, purporting to be the answer of General Gomez to General Blanco's offer of vessel to enable him (Gomez) to leave the isl- and of Cuba in safety.
 Think of this grand old soldier, brave as he Is, fighting for a country he loves, fighting in storm and sunshine-fghting too, with the knowledge that his own son had been sacrificed to the cause Think of him being approached by that military prostitute, Blanco, with a pitiful bribe for his honorl Now that the Spanish forces have refused open battle, the only hope of Spain is to overcome the Cuban leaders by bribes
 Mason contended that Uncle Sam was in effect a policeman whose duty 1t was to exercise his power to prevent further bloodshed upon this fair island. He read a letter from an. American woman who is a mother superior in a convent in Havana. deploring the con- dition of affairs there.
 ''The war" she said, "has destroyed the country, but while it has made many poor, it has made others rich" Continuing Mason said:
 Weyler succeeded in killing hundreds of thousands by his policy of concentra- tion. There can be no vicarious atone ments for a nations crime and the law of compensation will demand the punish ment of crimes here inflicted. While 1 these men and women were starving the l bucket-shops sent up price lists. As for me, 1 cannot give attention to pork prices in Illinois so long as this condition of affairs continues in Cuba These stock jobbers tell us that war is he'll All