The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-17
THE SENATE SPEAKS
Its Voice is War; The Davis Resolution for the Recognition OF
the independence Of Cuba Passes that Body by
Vote OF 81 to 21

grant him that power and consequently
cannot agree with him. The resolu-
tions passed by the House Of Represen-
tativcs, in my opinion, practically pro
pose TO confer upon him this power.
Therefore, under no circumstances could
|. in view of my constitutional Obliga-
tions. vote for those resolutions; but
that is not hostility to the presiden
in the same way l regard the rtcogni-
ton of the independence of the Cubans
as an essential in case of Intervention.
The President thinks ii should not be
accorded them. My colleague (Mr. Clay
has already spoken upon this subject,
and will probably not again have an
opportunity to address the Senate upon
it, Therefore, / take this3s .rz3s1 23I5G
it. Therefore, / take occasion to say
for him that as to these positions which
would make it impossible for me to
vote for the House resolutions he agrees
with me-"
Mr.. Wellington (Maryland) followed
Mr.. Bacon. He said he was thoroughly
san SIZED that there was no good reason
for the United States going to war with
Spain No war could be justified ut
any time ~ any nation unless all di-
plomatic agencies had been exhausted.
and he could not see that result in the
message of the President. Il will vote
for peace. | will stand for peace as long
as peace is possible"
Upon the question of responsibility
as to the destruction of the Maine. Mr.
Wellington passionately said that he
could not think that Spain blew up our
vessel. IF so then the responsibility
rested upon General Blanco. in COM
mand at Havana, and i cannot believe
that General BlancO would sanction
such an outrage. One touch of nature
makes the whole world kin, even though
the kinship is with Spaniard.''
Mr. Turpie Qndiana), in order to make
perfectly clear the resolution reported
by the minority OF the Foreign Rel,t-
tions committee, offered an amendment
TO insert the word independent" the
following:
And that the government of the
United States hereby recognizes the re-
public OF Cuba as the true and law
full government of that island"
Mr. Caffery argued against Congress
sional recognition of Cuba. That. he
said, was purely an Executive function.
He praised the Presidents course.
Mr.. Hawley Comm, supported the
President and the House resolutions.
Mr.. White California;. said he re-
garded the present resolution as the
most monstrous that had called for con-
sderation since he had entered the Sen
ate. He said it was disagreeabIe 10
dissent from the general view. but for
him there was nothing to do but to fol-
low his own convictions
Mr.. White asked to Senate to pause
and reflect upon the issues involved be-
fore casting the die. Spmain had been
our friend, and it was not becoming IN
the Committee on Foreign Relations TO
return to the days of the Duke Of Alya
and the inquisition.
Mr. White said there was no glory in
conqucring Spain and the United States
was sufficietly strong to do justice The
future must Judge us and we should
now act so as to be sure of its approval.
He expressed the opinion that if The
President were left alone Cuba would
be freed without the shedding of a drop
Of blood
Mr.. White did not think the tiIne had
come for war.and HE proceeded to assert
that neither the Maine incident nor the
cruclties in Cuba should DE sufficient
to invite to hostilities, unt:l other means
of adjustment had been tried and had
failed.
As for TIE Maine incident Mr.. White
said the responsibility had not been
fixed.
At the conclusion of Senator Whites
remarks, Senator IIawlcy offered n
joint resolution authorizing the Prcsi-
dent to step the export of coal. Mr..
German objected, and it went over un-
til Monday.
Mr.. Pasco (FlOridal spoke in favor of
the recognition of the Independence of
the Cuban republic. He maintained that
the Cuban republic had shown itself
strong enough TO stand by Itself if ONLY
the hand of war were removed from If
He believed that when our troops
| We're landed i'll Cuba they ought TO act
in concert with the forces under Cen
eral Gomez. with the understanding
that the supreme command should be
vested i'll the American General.
| The other Senator from Florida. Mr.
! Mallory, had, le said. refra:ned from
any criticism of the Executive becous,
| the entire question, until he referred
| it to Congress. had been in his control
None desired war if that calamity could
be ayerted and he regretted that fin.
President had suspended diplomatic ne
gotiations, for through them war might
have been averted.
Mr.. Pettus (Alabama) attacked the
House resolution as being unconstitn
.tiona.
Mr.. Gallinger (New York; read n
| number of autograph letters from Gu.
ban military commanders. showing the
| high patriotism which actuated them
i'll their struggle for liberty.
Mr.. Elkins, West Virgina). said if
was inevitable and could not be avoided
This feeling for war was so strong that
some could not wait over Sunday. His
reasons III opposition to recognition
briefly stated We're: The insurgents had
not won their Independence MS notions
seeking recognition always have: the
insurgent government is by it's constitl-