Evening journal., 1898-04-14


eloquent and impasaioned oratory and
such keen and brilliant repartee have
not been known In the senate since the
exciting days when the country was
convulsed by the greatest war OF mod
ern times.
Notwithstanding the throng in the
galleries, the great semicircular cham
ber was almost as silent as II it were
deserted. Conversation was conducted
In low whispers, all seeming to feel az
IL from the very air they breathed that
events historic and mementous were
about to occur.
A fun quarter OF an hour before the
senate was to convene Mr.. Davis, chair
man Of the foreign relations committee,
entered the chamber and quietly went
to his seat in the center Of the Repub-
lican side. He carefully placed on his
desk a bulky package. which all in
tuitlvely knew TO be the fateful reso-
luton and report from his committee
upon which peace or war might hinge.
The chamber filed rapidly, and when
the vice presidents gavel fell nearly ev-
cry senator was at his desk. Scarcely
five minutes had elapsed after the ses-
sion convened before the vice president
recognized Mr. Davis. An instant hush
sented TO the senate the resolution and
report from his committee and request
ed that they be read. The report was
a terrific arraignment Of Spain and her
policies, yet 40 eager were all to hear
every word that not the slightest DEM
onstration occurred throughout the
reading
The following is the majority resolu-
tion reported to the senate by Senator
Davis.
Whereas, The abhorrent conditions
which have existed for more than three
years In the island of Cuba, so near
our own borders, have shocked the NOR
al sense Of the people OF the United
States, have been a disgrace to Chris
tian civilization, eliminating as they
have In the destruction of a United
States battleshlp, with 266 of its officers
and crew. while on a friendly visit in
the harbor Of Havana, and cannot lon
ger be endured as has been set forth
by the president OF the United States
In his message to congress on April II,
1898, upon which the action OF congress
was invited; therefore
Resolved. first, That the people OF
the island of Cuba are and of right
ought TO be free and independent.
"Second.-That 1t is the duty of the
United States to demand and the gov
ernment OF the United States does here
by demand that the government Of
Spain at once rellnquish its authority
and government in the island of Cuba
and withdraw it's land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters.
"Third.-That the president of the
United States be and he hereby is di-
rected and empowered to use the en-
tire land and naval forces of the United
States and to call into the actual serv-
ice Of the United States the militia OF
the several states TO such extent as
may be necessary to carry these reso-
iutlons into effect"
Following the presentation of the re-
port and after Mr.. Hoar of Massachu-
setts had inserted that consideration of
the resolution go over until today on a
point Of order came two Of the most
remarkable speeches yet delivered on
the Cuban question. Mr.. Foraker OF
Ohio and Mr.. Lodge OF Massachusetts,
both brilliant and impassioned orators,
presented different phases Of the Gu
ban situation. Mr.. Foraker advocated
the direct recognition Of the independ-
ence Of the Cuban republic and with an
l tloQuence ana Nenemcnce seldom heard
in the senate splendidly maintained his
| position. A sharp colloquy between
him and Mr.. Elkins of West Virginia
caused excitement
Mr.. Lodge followed with an appeal
for action In preservation of the ma
tion's honor and in "wiping out the
stain OF the atrocious murder" in Ha-
| vana harbor. His words so reached the
heart that the galleries were swept
| With a tremendous wave Of applause.
Mr.. Lindsay Of Kentucky concluded
the discussion for the day with a pow
erful speech, in which he advocated the
recognition OF the Cubans and a con-
cert of action between the insurgent
army and the United States troops in
driving the Spanish forces from the is
land OF Cuba.
After passing a large number of pri-
vate pension bills the senate at 525 D.
m. adjourned.