The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-02-24


ate had under consideration the diplo
matte and consular appropriation bill
today, a sharp debate on the Cuban
situation was precipitated by Mr.. Allel
of Nebraska, who offered, as an amend
ment, the resolution passed by the sen
ate a year ago, recognizing the bellig
erent rights of the Cuban insurgents
The debate engrossed nearly four hours
Mr.. Aliens amendment was finally
ruled out of order, and appeal from the
ruling taken by the Nebraska senator
was laid on the table by vote OF o
to 5. Early in the day, Nj. Allen OF
fered a resolution providing for a COM
mittee of five senators, who should &c
to Cuba and ascertain the precise sit
ustion on the island. Under the rules
It went over until tomorrow.
ALIENS RESOLUTION.
Whereas, It is the established doc
:rine OF the United States that the
western hemisphere shall be dedicated
to republican form of government. rec
ognizing the political equality OF hui
man beings; and
Whereas, The principles of the Mon
roe doctrine, or the doctrine of national
self-preservation, is as applicable in
wrestling any portion of this continent
lEGIn the grasp Oh lOItISn COu4lI4SS d.
in preventing them from obtaining ad-
oitional territory; and
Whereas, The island of Cuba, by rea-
sen of its location and close proximity
to the United States, should of right
be dedicated 10 a republican form of
government: and
Whereas, A republican form of gov
eminent is and has been for nearly
three years, maintained in said island
by force of arms; and
Whereas, 1t is alleged that 100000
persons on said islands have died of
starvation by reason of having been
concentrated by the Spanish authori
ties at various points without being f
forded an opportunity to provide food
for themselves, and hundreds are daily
dying; and
Whereas, The dictates of humanity
require the intervention Of the United
States in such cases; therefore,
COMMITTEE OF FIVE.
Resolved, That a select committee of
five senators shall be appointed, whose
duty il shall be to forthwith make a
thorough investigation and inquire into
and report on the following subjects:
First, to what extent the work of
concentrating the inhabitants of Cuba
has been carried on by the Spanish
government, and how many persons on
said island have in the last year died
as a result of starvation, or for lack of
sufficient food and diseases incident
thereto, and to what extent concentra-
ton is now being practiced there by
Spanish authorities and the condition
of the people concentrated
Second, whether the concentrated Gu
bans have been adequately sheltered,
clothed and fed by the Spanish govern
ment, or by others, or have been per
r97irtpd IN obfnir1 fond md clofhi0o for
themselves.
Third, what lawful steps. if any, are
necessary and can be taken by the
United States to bring the war in Cuba
TO a speedy termination, on grounds
alike honorable to Spain and Cuba, and
which viii result in the kingdom of
Spain relinquishing its hold on the 1
island. and in the establishment of a
republican form of government there.
Fourth, to determine to what extent I
Spanish barbarity and cruelty have, /
during the war now in progress in /
Cuba, been practiced toward the /
inhabitants of Cuba, and what can be
lawfully done by the United States, if (
anything, to ameliorate the conditions. |
To these ends and for these purposes /
said committee may sit at such times /
and places as they may see proper I
during the sessions of congress and in
and shall have the right to
visit and take testimony in Cuba, if [
deemed proper to do so. All testimony
taken shall be preserved, and the find
ing of said senatorial committee, to-
gether with all testimony, shall be re-
3uced to writing and reported to the
senate at as early a date as practical
BILE.
WANTED TO FIND OUT.
Respecting the belligerency amend
4hancrhf -fo
was due to the country. The amend
nent. he said. was practically a copy
IF two resolutions which had already
passed the senate. Referring to the un-
favorable report Of the amendment by
he foreign relations committee, Mr..
Allen said that it was a confession and
avoidance and meant simply that the
committee did not desire to act upon
t. The truth was, he said, that con-
yress was merely finding some excuse
lnder which Ii could continue bust
less and escape censure His desire
vas to find whether congress could in
my way be induced. cajoled or kicked
nto putting the country in a dignified
-ttitude on the Cuban question
Taking up the main issue involved.
te asserted that he had reliable infor-
nation that no less than SO per cent {
Z the Cuban population, or 500 900 peo-
lie, had perished in Cuba within the !
asst three years as result of Spanish
rJselty. And yet" said Mr.. Allen.
lest we. the senate, a body of SO men,
nend the house OF representatives I
onsisting of 357 men, a point of order {
to be made against this amendment {
nd it will so the way of very much q
a&uable legislation" Mr. Allen said G
she Republican party could suffer to f
ae the C-bans eXterminated by starva-
on. in plain violation of its platform /
nd of the Christian sentiment of the t
oUntry, the Republicans ought to be q
-iiling to face the question on a yea f
nd nay vote. O
NO RIGHT UNDER COVER. 1 !
M. Morgan said the senate had o
vice passed the Cuban belligerency b
solution, substantially as it was now 0
fered, but both times il had been s
)ne openly and frankly. I'VE have Z
D right" said he. ito make a declara- I:
on OF war against Spain under cover. il
I'D that is precisely what this resolu- c
on would mean. If this amendment Il
ere attached to the appropriation c
II, Spain might well regard it as a il
luse Of war. AS have before indi- Il
tied, the conditions and situation in
1ba were entirely different when this V
solution was passed by the senate" Ii
e asserted that between 1000 and Of
0 600 people had starved to death in "
lba. This awful condition of af- Il
irs. said Mr. Morgan. makes our a
,sition in the Cuban matter extremely Il
icate. Intervention now OF the kind