Omaha daily bee., 1898-02-24

could suffer to see the Cubans eNtermludted
by starvation in violation Of i,S platform
and the Christian sentiment Of the country
republican senators ought to be willing TO
face the question on yea a"d ray vote.
Mr.. Morgan said the senate had twice
passed the Cahan beligerenCy resolution pre-
cisely as now offered but both times it had
been done openly and frankly.
We hal no right sail lie, ITO mako
declaration Of war against Spain undet
cover, and that is precisely what this resc!u-
tion would mean. If the amendment were
attached to the appropriation bill Spain might
well regard it as a cause for war. As
have before indicated, the situation was en-
trely different in Cuba when this resolution
was first offered"
INTERVENTION MEANS WAR.
He said that between 100000 and 100000
people had starved to death in Cuba. This
awful condition of affairs" said Mr. Morgan,
"mates our position in the Cuban matter eN-
tremely delicate. Intervention now of the
kind proposed year ago means war. 1t
could mean nothing else. Intervention on
the part of this government at the present
time would almost certainly be regarded by
Spain as a cause for war. | almost dread
to refer to the conditions and circumstances
which have been brought about Uy events
of the past ten days In the present cir
cumsances 1t would not be consistent with
ments of the American people to do anything
that would aggravate the situation that has
been brought about by the conditions lead
ing up to the inquiry now in progress at
Havana. If, however, any senator believes
in a declaration of war and will draw up
such a declaration, with sufficient and proper
grounds on which to base it, 1 will vote
for it."
At this point Mr.. Allen Interrupted Mr.
Morgan to d,sclaim any intention of making
a declaration of war against Spain. He eN-
pressed the opinion that his amendment
could in no way be construed into such
declaration.
"If we should put this amendment on the
pending appropriation bill" said Mr.. Nor
gan, Spain would be justified in interpreting
our action to be that we are extensively in
terferng with it. However, l do not be-
licvo the senator has in mind a declaration
of war. It would not overtaX the ability
of any man to prepare such declaration
with proper and sufficient grounds on
which to base it. l will not however, vote
for any declaration of war in disguise
"The Spanish are a great and powerful
and proud people and they believe their
course is right. l do not wish to provoke
them to declaration of war. l have al
ways believed and believe now, that the
war in Cuba could not be terminated with
out involving the United States in hosLili-
ties. | believe that the matter will be sub
mitted 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 my opinion, involved in
an armed controversy.
DECLARATION IN DISGUISE.
"The pending amendment is little less
than q declaration Of war in disguise. If
we mean to declare war let us do it like
men and not endeavOr to secure ourselves
behind transparent a cloak. Those who
are constantly seeking to benefit the cause
of Cuban liberty, particularly at such times
as these, cannot accomplish their purposes
with such rash acts Of legislation as is this
amendment"
Mr. Morgan declared the Cubans had al
ready fought and won their revolution and
nothing remained but for them to continue
their attitude until Spain should recognize
the republic.
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 conclu-
sion with regret, but still he thought ii
correct. In this view congress could do no
more than announce it's opinion True, this
opinion should receive some attention at the
hands OF the executive, but the last admin
stratiOn had given no weight to such an eX-
preston of opinion, and he CTeller) was con-
yaced that the present one would follow the
example of its predecessor.
In the matter of intervention Mr. Teller
said he had never gone bevond tha noint
of saving that the United States had a right
uDdcr International law. tn interfere TO the
extent of compellinp SpaIn to treat its sinh
iarts re-, onr border in a humane manner
Tpitber sIIch NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. mr. the decIara.
lion of heIlicerencv would ha an act nm
f,iendIv to Snain SIN If tha matter res-nd
Win him cxcInsiveIv he wonId racognize
tho heIIigerencv of the Cuhans If he knew If
yynuId hring war tomnrrow for he was snre
that snrh intervention wc,,Id secure for us
in such struggle the symnathv of ali civ
iiizod Tations
,r,,r, rc co,,,>,c NOV, ,crro>,
li-N" 10 CoAllN" rCII ArilON'
Mr. Foraker announced his intention to
vote against the amendment explaining his
reason to be the fact that 1t was sought to
make 1t rider on an appropriation bill.
He said he had voted for the belligerency
resolution, couched in the same terms as
this, which was adopted year ago, and he
had always been glad he had done so. He
had always believed that Il mistake had
been made in not recognizing the belligerent
rights OF the contendlng Cubans; A declara:
non or beIilserehcy Would not pe an act OF
hostlllty' IN cohcluson Mr. foraker sald'
II expect at no very distant day that there
VIII De an appropriate occasion Tor lurther
remarks ON this question think the time
is coming for action. When 1t comes the de-
cision VIII be here, and the problem VIII
be aDprODriately discuss ed.