The Irish standard., 1898-02-12
CHAMPIONS OF CUBA.
Csnators Cannon and Mason Plead
Her Cause.
GALLERIES PACKED WITH AUDITORS.
.ioquent and Fiery Appeals for ln-
reference Arc Greeted with
Applause from the
People.

Washington, Feb. 1O.--In anticipa-
ON of speeches to be delivered on the
!. .ations CT the United States and Spain
,ncerning the Cuban war--a subject Of
tense interest to a majority of Ameri-
,ns-thc galleries of the senate were
.sowded ut an early hour Wednesday.
indeed the public galleries were filled
:,afore the senate convened at IL o'clock
id the reserved galleries filled rapidly
SON after noon.
Senator Cannon's Speech.
The resolution offered by Senator
'-annon (UtaD Tuesday urging the
resident to notify Spain that if it fails
+, recognize the independence of Cuba
tfore March next, this government
ould then recognize the helligerent
lights of the Cubans and 90 days there
; Fter assert the independence of the
uban republic was then laid before
he senate and Senator Cannon was
,cognized to speak upon the resolu-
on.
Senator Cannon. IN opening his speech.
ad from New York newspaper state
(, ent In effect that the speeches to he de-
rered Wednesday would be mere talk.
I'd that nothing more harmless than
':k would result: from the present agi-
..tion of the Cuban question In the sem
re. Senator Cannon said that It was
I OF his purpose--not the purpose OF those
no believed with him-to disturb In any
way the peace ard welfare of the people
=: the United States. He did not. he said.
sire to reflect unnecessarily upon the
: ,icy of the president: but there was
: phase of the question. In the opinion OF
nv
.r article To which he had referred. which
ight to be considered. by what au-
,ority. he asked. did amy public jour
il assert that nothing more than talk
would result from the discussion of the
Iuban question III congress?
"Ha. some concerted plan been ar
ranged?" he asked. by the carrying into
fleet OF which the will of the people OF
,ais country is to he outdone?
Il want to say" said Senator Cannon.
that something more harmful than talk
will result from the discussion OF the Gu
uan question by congress-"
In conclusion, Senator Cannon main
tanned that the present policy OF the ad
Illustration was to hold the Cubnns While
pain outraged and ptllaged the island.
Il believe that one strong. brave wcrd
spoken In time will absolutely free Cuba,
and l am firmly OF the belief that the
result OF such a word would not be wsr
Lstween Spain and the United States"
senator Hale Replies.
Senator Hale. following Senator Cannon.
declared that the various Cuban resolu-
lions were all for the purpose OF driving
lc administration into position different
from Its policy ard involving the country
VI serious difficulties.
Senator Hale said that the administra-
zion had already done much, and had Sc
cured the release OF every American cit
izen from prison in Cuba. The president
had also taken steps which had secured
relief to the starving people OF Cuba and
had also secured the removal OF Weyler
End his replacement by more humane
commander. The autonomy OF Cuba had
also been secured under a charter, he
said. broader and more beneficial than
was given any colonial government to-
day.
Senator Hale denied that the people
wanted war. 1t would have manifested
self In some way different than inf1am-
iaatory speeches on the floor OF the sem
ale. There WAS l.0t0.0O0 OF unemployed In
the United States. but they were not go
ing to Cuba. The senator from Utah had
no relatives or friends there. No Amer
lean citizen with an English name was
lighting In the ranks OF the Insurgents
No member OF the junta In this country
had ever get foot In Cuba.
senator mason Urges Interference.
Senator Mason Nll) was then recog-
n!zed. and the expectancy OF the great
crowd which swelled the galleries WINS at
the keenest pitch. He had awaited this
opportunity smiling, and taking occasional
notes Of Senator FIalc's speech. He stood
IN front OF the republican side Of the
chamber. occasionally stepping into the
front area. There was a buzz of comment
as ne arose and his resolution was read
from the desk tle began to speak In an
easy, conversational way. but gradually
warmed to the subject.
He denied the assertion OF Senator Hale
shat this was an attempt to put the al
mins,ration In leading strings. Senator
Mason declared that many people had
gone from this country to Cuba, but add
&C that the message of the administration
mao shown that millions and millions had
been spent by this government to prevent
me;: ard munitions going to tho patriots.
while not dollar had been spent to pre-
vent the shipment OF unlimited arms to
the Spnniards to murder innocent women
ana ch'loren. This was greeted with
cheers in the galleries.
Sc nator Mason insisted that the United
states had right to interfere. and went
l'so an ars"mrn. upon the International
law In the case. The damage TO American
property rights was sufficient. he said, to
invoke the Monroe doctrine In this case.
senator Mason declared that If the
United states should say to Spain to stop
the murder and starvation in Cuba, there
told England. the strongest nation In
the world. to arbitrate the Venezuelan
question. she did so. and yet 1t was said
that Spain would not obey similar In
junction. 1t WAS absurd and II the United
States said there should be peace. peace
would follow.
senator Mason read some letters show
Ing the condition Of the starving women
and children In Cuba. and said that while
he was talking the bucketshops and stock
brokers were sending him insulting tele-
Grams. telling him to consider the effect
Of his course upon the price Of pork and
other products OF his own state while
women and children are starving" he
cried. II Will not be governed by the
price Of pork In Illinois" Continuing his
description OF Cuban conditions Senator
Mason said: This is war, Spanish war.
the war which the republican party prom
!sed 10 STOP and deny that any man is a
better republican than 1. whether he sits
IN the white house or not"
At this point the applause WAS vocifer-
GUS, and 1t required vigorous efforts to Sc
Senator Mason Cheercd
cure order. Senator Mason declared that
Notwithstanding the declaration OF the St.
Louis platform. nothing had been done
Nothing" he said. except to pass a bel
i,gerency resolution In the senate and"
lie added, amidst general laughter. refer
certain whether he will pass It on the
other side" Senator Mason declared
Spain was Jealous of our nearness to
cuba. and expressed the opinion that there
was an effort In Spain to force this coun-
try to buy Cuba. IIe said the Spaniu rds
had always been hostile TO republican in-
stitutions of this country. Indeed. from
THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK.