The herald., 1898-02-10

| by the price or pork IN liiinois.
Continuing his description of Cuban
conditions, Mr.. Mason said: This is
war-spanish war; the war which the
Republican party promised to stop-and
deny that any man is better Repub-
lican than I, whether he lives in the
White House or not.
Mr.. Mason proceeded to read the state
ments of correspondents as to the fam
inc and distress in Cuba. He called at
ltention to the fact that Mr.. Peppers
startling statements had been written
since the mild hammered Blanco had
assumed control in Cuba and attempted
to bribe the insurgents into peace, the
insurgents whom he was afraid to fight
| He referred to the statement of Mr.. Hale
that Grant had not interfered in the
/ ten years war, but he urged that the
situation both in this country and In
Europe had materially changed since
that time. Our own country. he said,
was in the throes of reconstruction at
that time and was in no position to in
tervene in that war. Now our position
was different, and back of it all was the
demand of our people that we take def
| mite cognizance of the war in Cuba. rms
| he discussed from the point of view OF
an international lawyer. Referring to
the duty of the United States, he said
''This government ought to maintain
that the horrible massacres which are
now common in the island and conduct
ed under the guise of warfare must be
stopped. We have no right, as neutral
nation with full regards for the rights of
all, to look upon such a war as within
any reasonable construction of interna-
tional law. The flag of truce has been
abandoned, prisoners of war are being
shot. and it is evident that no rule of civ
ilized warfare is being observed. The
conflict has developed into mere mat
ter of murder on both sides-prisoners OF
war being shot and macheted without
trial."
! Mr.. Mason described the recent kill
| ing of the Cuban general, Arangueren,
giving with brilliancy and much erect
the shocking details of the act. He de-
clared that this was not civilized war
fare. and he held that the government
| of the United States had ample author
ity to interfere and to demand that the
rules of warfare recognized by civilized
| nations be respected. He referred prieny
to the trip made by Capt.-Gen. Blanco
through the island, riding, as he did ride,
in an armored car, under heavy es-
cort of Spanish troops.
"Thus he went" declared Mr.. Mason,
'leaving men, women and children TO
| starve while the funds which were
placed in his hands to relieve the dis
tress of the reconcentrados and pacifi-
cos were being used to appeal as bribes
| to Cuban leaders with itching palms
L. C,1a ,tc1, n a a %
fused open battle" continued Mr.. Mason.
"the only hope of Spain is to overcome
the Cuban leaders by bribes."
Revertng to the discussion of the bear
ing of international law upon the con-
hict. Mr.. Mason contended that Uncle
Sam was in effect a policeman. whose
duty it was to exercise his power to pre-
vent further bloodshed upon this fair
island.
"Should the president take such ac-
tion," declared Mr.. Mason, "he would,
as has been the case in every other
crisis of our country, have behind him
the army and the navy, and, above all,
the people.
"These stock jobbers tell us that war
is hell. All right; in Cuba 1t is worse
than hell"
Dante, he said pictured with unrivalled
pen the horrors of hell, but was inca
pable of depicting the terrors of life in
one of the concentrates camps. Con-
tinung Mr.. Mason said that when the
bucket shops shape the policy of
the country the evil days is upon us. The
Republican party had promised to put
a stop to this condition of affairs, and no
man had a right to interdict this reso-
luton, let him sit in the White house
or elsewhere.
At this point the applause was vocif-
erous, and it required vigorous efforts
to secure order
Mr.. Mason declared that notwith-
standing the declarations of the st. Louis
platform, nothing had been done
nothing" he said, except to pass a
| belligerency resolution in the senate,
| and,'' he added, amid general laughter,
referring evidently to Speaker Reed,
| ut is not certain whether he will pass
| it on the side.
1--WE do not want the island; but If
| necessary to save the women and child
| rem of the island, let us, for Gods sake,
| buy it," said Mr.. Mason.
He declared that the autonomy which
Spain had offered to Cuba was a gold
brick which Spain was trying to work
| O ffon the president. He said the presi-
dent had seen only the telegraphic sum-
mary furnished by the Spanish ministry
| when he wrote his message, and that
this summary was the result of a mere
confidence game on the part of the
| Spanish ministry. 1t was evident. he
said, that the president had been de-
ceived, as the real scheme was with
| held until after the message was written.
"And yet," said Mr.. Mason, 1--WE are
told to be patient. Oh Lord, how long
how long are we to wait the termina-
tion of this dreadful struggle? Are there
not now enough graves in Cuba?"
Mr.. Mason said that he calculated
certainly not less than 100000 persons
had fallen victims of Spanish brutality
and he felt that the number was not less
than 100000.
"Shall we wait" he inquired, until
the rest of them have been annihlated p"
| By the resolution he had offered Mr.
Mason said that this country in effect
declared to Spain that she must go from
the island of Cuba. and any differences
between the United States and the Mad
rid government arising out OF the dec
laration would be settled before the
courts of the world.
1--WE have fed the starving women
and children" said he. I'VE will settle
with Spain on land and sea- In the clos