Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-15

out making SQe TecOEDlllOn OF Ine SuDdh
republic paramount to every other consd-
Grafton. Try as the senate might TO sur
round the question with involved PROPOSE
tions, one bald fact remained. and that was
| that the Cuban republic is the underlying
| fact in the whole transaction. He said he
! looked upon Cuban nationality as the one
| desideratum, because nationality dealt with
| debt. He then discussed the Spanish bond
question very extensively. finding in the
| presidents message some suggestions as
TO international obligations which he con-
strued to mean Spanish bonds. He recited
how Gomez had refused to accept the offer
of the syndicate to purchase the island of
| Cuba, or to allow the United States to
guarantee the payment of any indemnity
to Spain for the withdrawal of the Spanish
flag from the island.
| Speaking OF the right to recisniZe the
present Cuban republic. Senator Turpie
said: I'VE recognized the government of
Texas when it had only 500 men under
arms, and when 1t had only 10000 popula-
ton. We recognized the government of
Hawaii twenty-four hours after the flag
had been raised over the capitol building at
Honolulu. but in the case Of Cuba we re-
fuse to recognize a republic which has
back Of it upwards of a million people
who have pledged their lives. their for
tunes and their sacred honors to main
tain it,
A Conservative Democrat.
Mr. Gray, Of Delaware. member of the
committee on foreign relations. said he
| a l,;s- 1s IN,
this crisis upon anything so inexpressibly
low as to who may or may not own Span
ish or Cuban bonds. Politics ended at the
shore line. We were here as Americans TO
support an American president. While he
supported the committee resolutions. he
| favored the resolution offered by Mr.. Frye,
which is also favored by four other men,
bers Of the committee.
The circumstances and close proximity Of
Cuba made it necessary to intervene now
to put an end to the existing conditions in
that island.
We have waited until the situation has
become intolerable." said Mr.. Gray. 'and
We can wait no longer. l believe the pres
ident did everything in his power to secure
an honorable peace, but he has now turned
the question over to congress. and We must
take the momentous steps which We are
now about to take. These are the reasons
which actuate US in taking this drastic
step. The nations of the world will ap-
plaud our action. but. if they should not.
God help them and the civilization which
! they represent. Outraged nature cannot
longer stand that which We have been call
ed upon to endure. God would hold us to
responsibility if we continued to hold our
peace
Mr.. Gray maintained that the recogni-
ton of independence would at this time
be improper.
Mr.. Gray concluded with brilliant
tribute TO the American manhood which
would rally to the cry of humanity and
to preserve the honor and dignity Of the
United States.
Effort to Limit Debate.
Mr.. Davis, chairman of the foreign rcla-
tions committee. in a statement. said he
thought the time had now come for him
to ask the senate, owing to the exigencies
of the situation, to limit the debate in prog
ress.. He asked therefore, unanimous con-
sent that the debate close at o'clock to-
morrow. and at that time a vote be taken
upon pending resolutions.
Objection was made by Mr.. Daniel. of
Virginia.
Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska, said that he was
ready TO vote now. and inquired of Mr..
Davis if he were also willing to vote.
Il should be delighted" replied Mr.. Da-
Wis. and he then asked unanimous consent
that the vote be taken at once.
Il object" shouted Mr.. White. of Cali
fornia Mr.. White explained that he.
among others, desired yet to speak upon
the momentous issues before the senate.
and expressed the opinion that haste would
be inadvisable.
Mr.. Teller suggested that the debate.
from now on, be limited to speeches of ff-
teen minutes duration.
Il object" again shouted Mr.. Daniel.
Mr.. Davis then made the request that a
vote be taken at o'clock tomorrow night.
Mr.. Allison, of Iowa, said that was agree
able to him and suggested that the last
four hours be devoted to speeches not ex-
ceeding fifteen minutes.
No End to Objection.
Again Mr.. Daniel objected.
Returning with another proposition, Mr..
Davis asked that vote be taken to-mor-
row before the adjournment of the senate.
To this objection was also made.
On this objection, Mr.. Chandler, OF New
Hampshire inquired of Mr.. Davis IL it
were not his intention 10 ask for a contin-
uous session of the senate if no agreement
to limit debate coulS be reached.
Undoubtedly it is" replied Mr.. Davis.
Mr. Caffery said that no good interests
could be subserved by hasty action. There
could be no relief that would be substantial
given 10 the reconcentrados, who were the
worst sufferers by the Cuban struggle.
Those poor people" interjected Mr.. Nor
gan, of Alabama. are now dying at the
rate of 1900 a day, while We inactive" ="
Mr.. Frye, of Maine, gaining a recogn-
tior of the president, said: Il will answer
the senator from Louisiana CMr. Caferyl
and will tell him what relief can be given
to the reconcentrados.
The pathways from the United States to
the island of Cuba will be made by our
ships of war, and following in those path
ways will go the vessels of peace. loaded
with food and provisions for the starving