The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-10

o mat teaT ine HeSn from
human bones have contributed to the
carnival of cruelty. Three hundred
thousand people starved! Three hun
ared thousand more marching to the
grave! And yet the cry was raised
That war was being sought. when the
one and only cry was for peace and an
END TO this atrocity."
Referring to the duty of the United
states, Senator Mason said: This
government ought to maintain that
the horrible massacres which are now
100 common in the Island of Cuba and
conducted under the guise of warfare
must be stopped. We have no right
as neutral nation. fully regardful of
the rights of ALL to look upon such
warfare as within any reasonable con-
structfon of international law. The
nag OF truce has been abandoned, pris-
oners of war are being shot and 1t is
evident that no rule Of civilized war
rare is being observed The conflict
has developed into a mere matter OF
murder on both sides-prisoners of war
being shot or macheted without trial"
lie referred to the trip made by
Captain-General Blanco through the
island. riding as he did ride, in an
armored car under a heavy escort Of
Spanish troops. ''Thus he went" de-
clared Mr.. Mason, "leaving men, women
and children to starve while the funds
which were placed in his hands to re-
lieve the distress OF the reconcentrados
and paciticos were being used to ap-
peal as bribes to the Cuban leaders
with Itching palms
Nov that the Spanish forces have
refused open BATTLE" said Mr.. Mason,
the only hope of Spain is TO over
come the Cuban leaders by bribes."
Mr.. Mason read a letter from an
American woman who is n mother su-
friend in this country, picturing the
condition of affais there. THE war"
she said, has destroyed the country,
Dut while 1t has made many poor, It has
made others rich" Continuing. she
said Weyler had succeeded in killing
hundreds Of thousands by his policy OF
concentration.
While these men and women were
starving. the Senator said, the bucket
shops send Us price lists. These stock
Jobbers tell us war is hell. All right
In Cuba it is worse than hell" Dante,
he said, pictured with unrivalicd pen
the horrors Of hell, but was incapable
or depicting the terrorS Of life in one
OF the concentrates. The Republican
party had promised to put a stop to
this condition of affairs, and no one
man had right TO interdict This reso-
luton. let him sit in the White House
or elsewhere.
Mr. Mason declared that notwith-
standing the declaration OF the ST
Louis platform nothing had been done
nothing" he slid. except to pass
. belligerency resolution in the Senate,
and. he added amidst general laugh
ter, referring evidently to Speaker
Reed, lit Is not so certain whether he
Will pass it on the other side"
Mr. Mason declared Spain was Jealous
or our nearncSs TO Cuba and expressed
lhe opinion that there was an effort in
Spain TO force this country TO buy Cuba.
Spain was without honor, without cash
and without credit. I'VE do not want
the island, but if necessary to save the
women and children of the Island, let
us for Gods sake buy them" said Mr.
Mason. He declared that the autonomy
which Spain had offered to Cuba was a
gold brick which Spain was trying 10
work off on the President.
He declared that President Mckinley
was being imposed upon until the Span
ish authorities had time to murder and
brihe yet a few more of those to whom
loSal self-governmcnt had been prom
iSed. And yet" said Mr.. Mason, I'VE
are told to he patient. Oh. Lord! how
long; How long are we to await the
termination of this dreadful struggle :?
Are there not enough graves i'm Cuba p"
In conclusion Mr.. Mason said: "Mr.
President, If there is to be n war let
1t be war not of our seeking, not a
war in which our soldiers shall carry
torches in their hands, but let 1t be a
war either in defense of our country.
or In defense OF the imperishable jew
els-iewels of humanity jewels more
sacred than life. a war OF glory and Of
honor"
On motion of Mr.. Hale the resolution
was referred 70 the Committee on For
e!sn Relations.
Mr.. Morgan introduced n resolution
requesting the President to send 10 the
Senate copies of reports made by the
consul general of the United States at
Havana and other consuls of the
United States in Cuba, relating TO the
war, which have been received since the
fourth of March last and also REQUEST
ing the President to inform the Senate
whether any agent OF q government
III Cuba has been accredited to the
government or to the President of the
United States with authority TO nego-
tiate treaty OF reciprocity with the
United States, or any other diplomatic
or commercial agreement with the
United States, and whether such has
been recognized and received as the
representative OF the government in
Cuba"
The resolution was allowed to lie on
he table.
AT p. m. the Senate adjourned
HOUSE.
The Republican majority was in
creased to-day from 40 to So when the
House by vote of 1912 unseatcd Mr..
Plowman Ocm., of Alabamal and gave
the seat 10 Mr.. Aldrich (Rep). This
was the first contested election case de-
cidcd by the present House against the
sittins member Those who spoke on
the case to-day were MeSsrs Settle
lllnnl Of lSnn tiinlxs:A L,