The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-24

ever, l do not believe that any senator has
in mind a declarat ton of war. II will NOT
overtax the ability % any man to preDare
such declaration with proper and sur
1clent grounds upon which 70 base il.
VIII not, however. vote for any declaro ZION
of war in disguise The Spanish are n ersat
and powerful ana proud people. and that
they believe their course is right / do not
wish to provoke them to a declaration of
war have always believed and believe
now that the war in Cuba could moi he
terminated without involving the United
States in hostihties.
Il believe that the matter viii eventually
be submitted to the arbitrament of the
sword The whole world recognizes
Spain's inability to conquer the Cubans.
and sooner or later we shall become. in nv
opinion, involved in the armed contr1
versy. The pending amendment is little
else than declaration of war in disguise
If we mean to declare war. let us do So
like men and not endeavor to conceal our
selves behind so transparent a cloak.
Those who are seeking to benefit the sa-
cred cause of Cuban liberty particularly
at such time as this, cannot accomplish
their purposes by such rash acts Of legis-
lation as is this amendment"
Mr.. Morgan declared the Cubans had
already fought and won their revolution
and 1t remained but for them to continue
their belligerent attitude until Spain
should recognize their independence.
Mr.. Teller did not accept Mr. Morgan's
position that the adoption of this amend
ment would be declaration of war He
had, he said, reached the conclusion that
the recognition of belligerency rested with
the executive. He had reached this con-
ciusion with regret, but still he thought
it correct. In this view Congress could
do than
True, this opinion should receive some at
tention at the hands of the executive, as
the administration had given no weight
to such an expression of such opinion ana
he (Mr. Teller was convinced that the
President would follow the examDle of
his predecessor In the matter of inter
vention, Mr.. Teller said, he had never
gone beyond the point of saying that the
United States had a right, under fnterna-
tional law, to interfere to the extent of
compelling Spain to treat her subjects on
our border in humane manner. Neither
such interference, nor the declaration of
belligerency would be an act unfriendly to
Spain. Still, if the matter rested with him
exclusively, he would recognize the bellg-
erency of the Cubans if he knew Ut would
bring war tomorrow, for he was sure
such intervention at such a time and in
such cause would secure for us In such
a struggle the sympathy of all civilized
nations.
Mr.. Foraker announced his intention m
vote against the amendment explaining his
reason to be the fact that 1t was sought
TO make It rider on an appropriation bill
he said he had voted for the belligerency
resolution couched in precisely the same
terms as this which was adopted a year
ago, and he had always been glad that he
had done so. He had always believed
mistake had been made in not recognizing
the belligerent rights of the contending
Cubans. declaration of belligerency
would not be an act of hostility
In conclusion, Mr.. Foraker said: Il
expect at a not very distant day there will
be an appropriate occasion for further re-
marks on this question. / think the time
is coming for action. Until 1t comes the
time for discussion will be here. and the
problem may be appropriately discussed.
Mr.. Thurston of Nebraska said that he
had voted to accord bellieerent rights to
the Cuban insurgents both times when il
had been before the Senate Il have never
ceased to regret" said he, that the Unit
ed States did not afford to the Cubans bel
ligerent rights at a time when the cruel
ties and barbarities OF WeyNr would have
won for us the sympathy Of the civilized
world.
Had we recognized the belligerency of
these struggling people / believe that ere
now they would be I'm possession of the is
land and we would be in no danger of war
/ believe now that we are drifting into a
war with Spain. When the President deliv-
cred to US his message he set the time to
running and that time has ever since been
running Spain has not been able to quell
the rebellion and all possibility of peace is
growing more and more remote. The time
is coming-God knows how soon it will be
here-when action In accordance with the
Presidents message must be taken-when
we shall either have to back down from
our position or intervene in the Cuban af-
fair, with the probability of war There is
enough being said all over this
country concerning the Investigation now
proceeding at Havana into the Maine ca
tastrophe, to involve us in war The peo-
pie in this delicate situation might well be
at their affairs praying for calmness and
peace ] hope that the investigation now
proceeding at Havana may develop moth
ing that will involve us in war, but while
that investigation is proceeding the Senate
must retain a circumspect attitude and be
quiet"
Mr.. Allen made an extended reply to
the arguments advanced against his posi-
ton. He maintained that this was the first
time the belligerency proposition had ever
was any chance Of its being effective. The
House would be brought face to face with
ii and it would be brought to a vote in
that body. 1t could not be buried In a
committee.
Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts discussed the
situation from the standpoint Of an inter-
national lawyer, maintaining that the re-
cogniton Of belligerency in ordinary CIR
cumstances was not a cause for war. 1t
was not necessarily an unfrlendly act
Mr. Hoar maintained, however, that before
taking any action of that kind the United
States ought to have a clear and unques-
toned statement Of the facts in the case
He expressed The opinion that the pass
age of a bellgerency resolution at the
present time would be productive Of war
Mr.. Hoar said severe, partisan and an
CRY discussions, particularly of such a
question as that pending, have no part in
the proceedings of the Senate-no more
part than they would have in the Supreme
Court. Spain, he thought, would have just
cause of complaint on account Of these
violent discussions
II have always" said Mr.. Hoar "fay-
ored a resolution proposing mediation. II
that fails, am in favor OF supporting the
executive department when The time shall
come, and when the case is so clear and
naQrant that when all the constitutional