Evening star., 1898-02-18


Il had hoped" said Mr.. Hale, that this
without debate. 1t seems to me that in the
circumstances and the light Of this most
melancholy affair 1t is now inopportune to
indulge in debate upon it, f.
Mr.. Hale said he was willing to withdraw
his objections to the resolution of Mr..
Allen. but the substitute suggested by Mr..
Mason was even more Objectionable in it's
form.
Mr.. Mason followed Mr.. Hale in speech
Ieplete with sensational utterances.
MASON CHARGES CONCEALMENT.
Says the Truth In Not Being Told
About the Maine.
Senator Mason offered an amendment to
the Allen resolution today for an investi-
cation Of the Maine disaster providing for
a special committee to make the investi-
cation.
Mr.. Hale asked that the matter not be
pushed.
Mr.. Mason in reply said it was evident
that the facts in regard to Cuba were be-
ing concealed from the people of the couil
try and from Congress.
Mr.. Mason said the policy of the gov
ernment was delay and nothing was stop
ping the murder of people in Cuba.
The De LONE letter had not stopped the
murders. The Maine disaster had not
stopped them. 1t was time for the Sem
ate to act. Mr.. Mason said he did not want
the facts regarding the Maine locked up
in the executive departments.
Mr.. Mason said we had waited while the
diplomats have deceived us. They had
sat at our table and misreDresented the
situation. Mr.. Mason said that while the
diplomats delayed $50 of our brave seamen
were lying in the harbor at Havana.
Mr.. Hale said he hoped there would be
no exasperating debate while this matter
was being investigated by the Senate. He
deplored the reflections which were made
upon the Navy Department.
He said the whole world deplored the
great tragedy. He hoped the Senator (Mr.
Mason) would see the improperly of the
position he was taking.
Mr.. Mason said that he meant no relec-
tioa on Secretary Long. but an investiga-
tion by Congress could not interfere with
the Navy Department. He said the Amer
ican people were tired Of investigation be-
hind closed doors, and that with two hun
dred and fifty seamen lying at the bottom OF
Havana harhor the people Of the United
blown up by her enemies or from sponta-
eous combustion.
He declared that If it was found that the
Maine disaster was a result of accident
the people would be better satisfied If
Committee of Congress should find 1t SO,
and no harm would be done.
Referring to the De LONE letter, he said
he thought every one would commend the
President for the manner in which he
hardled the matter, which was in part so
PERSONAL to himself. He thought that those
vho are so anxious to go slow in the mat
ter of the Maine were the defenders of De
LONE and had praised his wise statesman
ship.
He also said the President said in his
message that one reason why he had hesi-
tated to interfere was because of the prom
ise of autonomy, and yet at the same time
the Spaniards were denouncing the gov
ernment. 49,.
Mr.. Mason said there should be American
divers for the Maine, SO that the truth
could be told. He would not act upon an
investigating committee. he said, because
he would not sit at table with Span
lard unless he had a stiletto in his pocket.
This caused litter in the Senate.
"Mr. President" said Mr.. Mason. II un-
deStand the great necessity OF proceeding
deliberately and carefully in this matter.
have no disposition to arouse excite
a situation already so exciting as to cause
the attention of the people OF this coun-
try. l will state my reasons for offering
the amendment to the resolution submitted
by the senator from Nebraska. l UNDER
stand that the Navy Department will
make the investigation, but 1 also un-
derstand that an investigation could be
made by this branch of the government
that would not In any way interfere with
the naval investigation. / also understand
that the people of this country are fast
coming to the conclusion that the real
situation is not only being concealed from
the people, but from the members Of Con-
gress and senators. The people have
right ID know something about the situa-
ton.
II say that the people do lack conf
dence in some of the departments of the
government. and they sometimes perhaps
do in this department. What possible
harm can 1t be to a fair and full fnvestiga-
ton that two departments are investigat-
ing the same thing at the same time2 Is 1t
not true that this great and terrible ca
lamity came to the Navy Department? Is
it not possible that you are willing to ad-
saik that men are human and WhatAxax the