The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-24
the country in Il dignifed attitude OF
the Cuban question.
MORGAN CALLS A HALT.

''eililtG had twice passed the CuDdH DSlll-
gerency resolution substantially as 1t
was now offered, but both times it had
been done openly and frankly. I'VE
have no right" said he 'to make Il dec
larati0n Of war against Spain under coy
er, and that is precisely what this reso-
luton would mean. If this amendment
were attached to the Appropriation bill
Spain might well regard it as cause Of
war. AS | have before indicated the
conditions and situation in Cuba, were
entirely different when this resolution
was passed by the Senate"
Mr. Morgan said that it might almost
at any time previous to This have been
regarded as q peace measure, and Spain
would have had no right to take oifense
at the United States on the ground
of our declaration of belligerency. The
situation now, however, he thought, was
entirely different. Between 100000 and
6O0,000 people have been starved to
death on the island. Fortunately, on
account of relief measures instituted by
this country, few, if any Americans had
been included in that number.
This awful condition of affairs, said
Mr.. Morgan, makes our position in the
Cuban matter extremely delicate. In
tervention now of the kind proposed Il
year ago means war. 1t could mean
nothing else. An intervention on the
part of this government in the present
critical condition of affairs would al
most certainly be regarded by Spain as
a casus bclli.
In the present circumstances it would
not Ike consistent with the feelings or
characteristic of the sentiments Of the
American people to do anything that
would in any way aggavate the situa-
tion which has been brought about by
the events leading up to the inquiry
now in progress ut Havana.
IF. however, any Senator believes i'll
a declaration of war and will draw up
such declaration with sufficient and prop
er grounds upon which To base it | will
vote for it,
Il will n0t. however. vote for any dec
laration of war in disguise. The Spanish
are a great and powerful and proud
people and they ll'licvc that their
course is right. | do not wish to pro-
yoke them to a declaration Of war.
have always lived and believe now that
the war in Cuba could not be terminated
without Involving the United States in
win eventually ne submitted 10 the arbi-
tl7tmeH Of tho sword. The whole world
recognizes Spain's inability to conquer
thes Cubans an sooner or later we shall
bt4oine. in my 0pin:on. involved in the
armed controversy. If we mean to de-
clare war let us DO 50 like men and
u0i cndeaFor 80 conceal ourselves be-
Itind 80 transparent a cloak"
\ fs "a
bans had themselves by force of their
army forced the proposition for autono-
my-an autonomy 80 liberal th1t if Il ma1
had proposed it in Cuba four years ago he
wonld lnva been hanged. He declared
that the. Cubank had already fought
and won their revolution and nothing
remained hut for them 10 continue their
gbclligerent attitude until Spain should
lrecognize the republic
FORAKER AGAINST IT.
Mr.. Teller did not accept Mr.. Moigan's
position that the adoption of this amend
mcnt would he a declaration of war.
He had. ne said, reached the conclusion
tnat the recognition of belligerency
rested with the executive
Mr. Foraker announced his intention
to vote against the amendment. as it was
sought to make it Il rider on an appro-
priation BILL He said he had voted
for the bclligerency resolution. c0uched
in precisely the same terms as this.
which was adopted year ago and he
had always been glad that he had done
so. In conclusion, Mr.. FOrker said:
Il expect at no very distant day that
there will be an appropriate occasion for
further remarks upon this question. l
think tine me is coming for action"
Mr.. Thurston (Neb.), said THAT he had
voted to accord belligerent rights to the
Cuban insurgents both times it had come
before the Senate. Il have never
ceased to regret" said he, that the
United States did not afford to the Gu
bans belligerent rights at the time when
the cruelties and barbarities of Weyler
would have won for us the sympathy
Of the civilized wOrlG. Had we recogni-
zed tine belligercncy Of those struggling
peOlale tnen | believe that era this
they would have been in possession of
the island and we would be i'll no dam
ger of war. ] believe now that we are
drifting INTO n war wTth Spain. When
the President delivered to MS his mes
sage he set time to running, and that
time has ever since Ueen running. The
time is cOming-GOd knows how soon it
will be here-when action in accordance
with the Presidents message must he
taken-when we shall either have to
back down from our position or inter
vene in the Cuban affair with the proba.
bilfty of war. There is enough being
said all over this country concerning
the inquiry now proceeding in Havana
into the Maine catastrophe to involve
us i'm war. Our people in the present
delicate situation might we'll be at their
affairs praying for calmness and peace.
| hope that the inquiry now proceeding
in Havana will develop nothing that
NAV involve us in hostilities but while
that inquiry is proceeding we in the
Senate should maintain most circum-
srect attitude and be calm and quiet"
MIR. ALIENS REPLY.
Mr. Allen made an extended reply to
the arguments advanced against his pO-
sition He maintained this was the
FIRST time the belligerency proposition
had been presented to the Senate when
there was any chance of IT'S being ef
fnct;ve The House would be brought
face TO face with it and it would be
brought to a vote in that body. 1t could
MT be buried IN committee.