The times., 1898-05-07
SYMPATHY FOR CHRISTINA.
a Pro-SPaDish Resolution offered
i'm the Mothers Congress.


A bomb exploded in the Mothers Con-
gress yesterday at the opera house. If
any United States secret service agent
had been present he would have realized
that a Spanish sympathizer was within
hearing and seeing distance.
II was an occasion long to be remem-
bered by certain unmarried lady from
the State Of New Hampshire. Miss Hill
dreth will not forget in a lifetime her
attempt TO have the Congress of Mothers
express sympathy with the sorrowing
mothers Of Spain and Queen Christina.
The session had not been convened long
before Miss Hildreth arose and striking
a pathetic attitude began 10 read res
olution which she proposed 10 offer. She
had not proceeded through the preamble
when there was an interruption. Some
mother who thought of the boys who
perished on the Maine was on her feet
protesting against Miss Hildreth's prop
osition. The young lady from Ports
mouth continued her reading, however,
and would not be silenced. Her resolu-
tion extended to Queen Christina and the
sofrowing mothers of Spain the sYmpa-
thy Of the Congress Of Mothers over the
sad news from the Philippine Islands.
For awhile many ladies present We're
una bic 10 reply TO the unpatriotic express
sion. Then Kate Waller Barrett arose
and with unmixed and uncOncealed sar-
casn. suggested that an amendment be
offered that the congress first extend its
svmpathy to the SDrrOwing mothers
whose boys perished in Havana harbor
and TO the suffering people in Cuba. IF
there is any sympathy left over, you
might let Senor de Lone, Senor Polo.
Queen Christina. and the sorrowing
Spanish have it." concluded Mrs. Bar
rett
No one seemed 10 know just what 10 do
with the resolution and its amendment
Finally some one suggested that Il might
( 20 TO the resolutions committee. Miss
Hildreth then vigorously defended her
/ Spanish expressions. She believed it
should be AT once adopted, and commu-
nicated by cable 10 Spain.
Her demands created an uProar, and
( the women threatened TO leave the place
should such action De taken Finally il
/ was sent TO the committee. Then these
I ladies cast about for some means 10 con-
( ceal the evidences Of their discussion. II
was decided that the debate should be
! stricken from the record, and no men
I tion be made OF the proposed resolution.
This was expected 10 keep the matter
( from the press, but ii leaked out last
night.
/ Then 1t was learned that Miss Hildreth
was not the only one concerned in the
I resolution. The mother of the PROPOSE
: ton is Mrs. Deborah Leeds. of Philadel-
phia- Mrs. Leeds was seen by a Times
/ reporter last night and explained her res
olution.
u am the mother Of IT," she said.
proudly and / am glad that the press
want 10 know about IL. / was not pres
4 1 cd
away, and after 2 talk with Miss Hi
( dreth. she consented 10 offer 1t for me
and defend IT, ! am opposed TO war, and
( ! think that the Congress Of Mothers
feel that the Spanish queen was opposed
10 war. Such questions should be settled
by arbitration and not by cruel war
/ fare"
The reporter suggested that cruelty in
Cuba had TO be stopped "Oh. yes" re-
piled Mrs Leeds. but / think the United
States has no right 10 talk OF cruelty.
II should remember the treatment of The
Indians. ] am a talker and my husband
a. a great writer and thinker. and | am
sure II you could read some Of his tracts
you would realize the correctness Of our
position in this matter" declared the
peace advocate.
Mrs Leeds was asked for a copy OF her
resolution and assured the reporter that
she did not have 81 with her. AS near as
she could remember. IL expressed tC
Queen Christina and the sorrowing
mothers OF Spain the sympathy Of tn
mothers. because OF the cruelty Of war
She had not heard OF the unpopular re
cep,ion which the resolution was accord
ed. but was sure that 10 get the views OF
all the ladies, Il would have TO be amend
ed several times.
IL developed last night that the resolu.
ton was amended many times and In
many ways. The committee on resolu
tions was in session all last evening. anC
until late last night. before IL came K
| any understanding about the proposltion