The record-union., 1898-02-10


] He was a Republican, and he was
proud of the patriotism of the Execu-
tive. But Mason said he spoke his
| personal convictions on the cause OF
Cuba. The Senator from Maine (Hale)
declared that no American names could
be cited in connection with the Cuban
cause. but at least two names could be
given from passing memory-Funston
of Kansas and Raby, son of a we'll
known citizen of Missouri. Supplies
and relief had been flowing to Cuba, and
with them the arms and powder with
which the Spaniards were to kill the
women and children of Cuba.
Il am charged with seeking war"
| exclaimed the Senator but my reso-
! luton is for peace. One word from
| this Administration would bring peace
| to this continent, and under the prov
idence of God, we believe, it would
| bring independence to Cuba
| Mason proceeded to read the state
ments of correspondents as to the TAM
inc and distress in Cuba. He called
attention to the fact that Mr.. Peppers
| startling statements had been written
since the mild-mannered Blanco had
assumed control in Cuba and attempt
ed to bribe the insurgents into peace,
| the insurgents whom he was afraid TO
| fight He referred to the statement
of Hale that Grant had not interferred
! in the ten years war, but he urged that
| the situation both in this country and
| in Europe had materially changed
since that time. Our own country, he
| said, was in the throes of reconstruc-
tion at that time, and was in no posi-
ton to intervene in that war. Now
! our position was different. and back
of it all was the demand of our people
that we take definite cogniZance of the
war in Cuba. This he discussed from
the point of view of an international
| lawyer.
Referring to the duty of the United
| States ne said This Government
| ought to maintain that the horrible
| massacres which are now common in
| the island, and conducted under the
| guise of warfare, must be stopped. We
| have no right, as a neutral nation, full
of regard for the rights of all, to look
upon such a war as within any reason
| able construction of international law.
| The flag of truce has been abandoned
prisoners Of war are being shot, and it
| is evident that no rule of civilized war
| fare is being observed. The conflict
| has developed into a mere matter Of
murder on both sides-prisoners of war
being shot and macheted without trial"
| Mason described the recent killing Of
| the Cuban General Aranguren, brilliant
| ly and with much effect giving the
shocking details Of that act. He declared
| that this was not civilized warfare, and
he held that the Government of the
| United States had ample authority to
interfere and to demand that the rules
of warfare recognized by civilized ma
tions be respected.
| He referred briefly to the trip made
| by Captain General Blanco through
the island, riding. as he can ride, in an
armored car, under heavy escort of
Spanish troops. Thus he went" de-
| clared 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 pacificos were being used to appeal
as bribes to the Cuban leaders with
itching palms.
Now, that the Spanish forces have
refused open battle" continued Mason,
the only hope of Spain is to overcome
| the Cuban leaders by bribes."
Reverting again to the discussion OF
the conflict, Mason contended that I'm
Gle Sam was in effect policeman,
whose duty it was to exercise his pow
er to prevent further boodshed upon
| this fair island Should the President
take such action" declared Mason, "he
would as has been the case in every
other crisis of our country, have behind
him the army and navy and above all,
the people.
These stock jobbers tell us that war
is hell. All right. in Cuba it is worse
than hell" Dante, he said, pictured
| with unrivaled pen the horrors of hell,
but was incapable of depicting the ter
rors of life in one of the concentrates
camps.
| Continuing, Mason said that when the
bucl1etshops write the explanation for
the country, the evil day is upon us.
The Republican party had promised to
put a stop to this condition of affairs
and no man had a right to interdict this
resolution, lei him sit in the White
| House or elsewhere.
| At this point the applause was vocif-
erous. and it required vigorous efforts
| to secure order.
| Mason declared that Notwithstanding
| the declaration of the ST. Louis plat
| form, nothing had been moth
| ing" he said, except to pass a bel
! ligerency resolution in the Senate, and"
/ he added, amid general laughter, re-
| ferring evidently to Speaker Reed, sit
is not certain whether he will pass it on
| the ether side.
| I'VE do not want the island, but if
necessary to save the women and chill
dren OF the island, let US, for Gods
sake, buy it, said Mason.
He declared that the autonomy which
| Spain mad offered to Cuba was a gold
| brick which Spain was trying to work
| off on the President. He said the Presi-
dent had seen only the telegraphic sum-
mary furnished by the Spanish Minis
try when he wrote his message, and
| that this summary was the result of
| a mere confidence game on the part OF
| the Spanish Ministry. 1t was evident
he said. that the President had been
deceived as the real scheme was with
| held until after the message was writ
| ten.
And yet" said Mason. Eve are told
| to be patient. Oh, Lord, how long?
How long are we to wait the termina-
tion of this dreadful struggle? Are
there rot now enough graves in Cuba?"
! Mason said that he calculated that
certainly not less than 100000 persons
had fallen victims of Spanish brutality,
and lie felt that the number was not
! less than 100000. shall we wait" he
t inquired. until the rest of them have
/ been annihilated?"
BY the resolution he had offered Ma
/ baf e. IN, 10