The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-01-29

Friends Of Struggling Cubans.

time of Congress during the Who'll,
of last week. Such distressing 70
ports had been received from Ha
vana that it was generally believed
that Speaker Reed would not b.
able to restrain the members of hi,
party from voting for the Demo
cratic resolutions granting to the
Cuban insurgents the rights of bel
ligerents. The Democrats, the trut
and intrepid friends Of the strug
Cling Cubans, made tho halls Of
Congress ring with eloquence plead
ing for the United States. Govern.
ment to intervene and prevent the
slaughter and starvation of the
struggling patriots and their wives
and little ones.
The Democratic speakers declared
that the possibility of war following
the recognition of Cuban indepen.
Gence by the United States should
not deter our Government from
doing its duty.
Richard P. Bland of Missouri
in the course of an eloquent plea
said:
Our duty to Cuba is to recognize
the belligerent rights of that people.
If war should ensue on account of
this, it will not be our fault. We
but perform tho duty of patriotism
and humanity. We should raise
the standard Of justice, humanity
and. freedom and defy all corners.
There need to be no war. Itwould
end the inhuman war now going on
in Cuba. Europe now has all the
troubles on her hands that she can
settle; probably more than she can
manage without a disastrous war
there. The fact that Europe is now
threatened with internal wars is
constantly cited as q reason why
We should seize upon the Sandwich
Island and annex Hawaii. Instead
of plundering the people of Hawaii
of their native country we should
turn our attention to Cuba and, by
giving them just recognition of the
rights of war enable them to win
Senator Mills, of Texas, said:
Il am in favor now, as l have
been all the time since the war in
Cuba began, of the United States
taking possession of the island with
our military and naval force and
holding it against Spain, and, if
other European monarchies inter-
vene, holding it against the world,
till the people of Cuba can organ
ize a Government of their choice
and such forces as may be necessary
to defend it. We have kept the
Cubans in the power of Spain. We
have prohibited all other people
from relieving them, and Spain is
and starving them to
death, and within two years Of the
war we are told that one-half of the
has persisted by starva-
ton aud other cruelties of their
Spanish oppressors. We are as
guilty as the Spaniards of Cuban
blood, and we owe it to. ourselves
as we'll as to the Cubans to extri-
cate them.
II would willingly vote for q dec
laration of war against Spain today.
Our honor as people is involved,
and, if necessary to vindicate it, I
would not hesitate a moment to
call the nation to arms. We should |
sither disclaim all interest in Cuba,
renounce the Monroe doctrine
which is merely the assertion of the |
principle of self-preservation-or,
ike honorable men, take upon our
selves the duties which our posi-
ion imposes. The Cubans have the |
strongest possible right to demand
protection by US against Spain and
very other Power that should op-
press Them"
Mr.. Berry, of Kentucky, said:
II do not fear war. There are
lines and conditions which would
mako war more desirable than
'eace. The sympathy of the world
,oes out to suffering Cuba. We
hould say to Spain, You have
demonstrated your inability to gov
I'm Cuba. We shall accord belIig-
rent rights to the Cubans, and they
hall have an opportunity to become
rec and independent As to what
Vill become Of our interests in the
vent of a war with Spain, We need
lot be alarmed about that. We
1ill be amply able to take care Of
hat question if it arises"
Few speeches were made on the
republican side, and they were
,ostly apologize for the course Of
heir party and without enthusiasm.
hey squirmed in their seats az
hey recorded their votes against the
truggling Cubans, but the power
t Boss Reed and Mckinley was
npreme and the members were
hipped into line and voted against
ae dictates of conscience and the
nown desires of their constituents.
It tn, shsaps
Alderman w. s. Hopson. of Po-