The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-14
MIR. LINDSAY's ARGUMENT.
Thinks Intervention Will Make This
Country Liable for Bonds.

Mr.. Lindsay followed Mr.. Lodge in d stir
ring speech The resolution reported to-day
would be. in his opinion a declara ton of
war so soon it should be finally enacted
into law If Spain should be driven from the
island. what. asked Mr. Lindsay is to be-
come of the Cuban people. He maintained
that if the United States should intervene
in this way the island when conquered
should be under our domination and the
Cuban people could only form a new gov
eminent by our consent Who has the right
to say that we shall not make war against
Spain in concert with the insurgent forces
on the island? Who has the right to say
that we shall not recognize the Cuban re-
public authorities to the end that the repub-
lie shall be made free and independent He
thought it merely a representative OBJ
lection that had been raised against the
recognition of Cuban independence Mr.
Lindsay held that unless the independence
of the Cuban republic were recognized the
United States, by intervening, would make
itself liable for all the debts for which the
revenues of the island were pledged.
Mr.. Hoar inquired whether -1r. Lindsay
knew of any person of influence who pro-
posed to place the Cuban people under re-
straint by our armies.
In reply Mr.. Lindsay read from the Presi-
dents message that paragraph which spoke
of placing restraint upon both parties to
the conflict in Cuba.
Mr.. Hoar said he did not believe ten men
in this country held the opinion which Mr.
Lindsay had tried to put into the Presidents
mouth. He said that the United States could
no more be held responsible for the debts of
Cuba on account of interfering than could
ErafY ha hold IL
gage on house in which he had endeavored
to extingush fire.
Mr.. Lindsay continuing, held that in pro-
ceeding along the lines of Intervention we
would not be conquering individuals or par
ties, but country; and when the United
States had conquered the recognized gov
eminent in Cuba it would have of necessity
to set up a government of it's own at least
temporarily.
Spain had the right Mr.. Lindsay main
tanned, to mortgage the revenues of Cuba
and as a consequence any nation conquering
Spain in Cuba would be responsible for
these bonds. The obligations of Spain are
direct. In conquering the island the United
States would be apparently responsible to
the creditors of Spain.
Mr.. Carter inquired If the Cuban republic
should conquer its own independence and
freedom whether it would be responsible for
the Cuban bonds.
Mr. Lindsay maintained that the case of
the United States and that of the Cuban re-
public differed from each other materially
in that the very funds derived from the
sale of the bonds had been employed to
hold the Cubans in subsection. He thought
however that that question in which
we were not in the slightest way inter-
ested.
Mr.. Carter then inquired whether Mr.
Lindsay would have this government shrk
the ephemeral responsibility of Cuban bonds
by falling in behind the Gomez government
to escape the legitimate consequences of
war.
Mr.. Lindsay said in reply, that he was
not afflicted with the delicate sensibilties
of the senator from Montana and if the
United States should in waging a war
against Spain find another government
engaged in the same kind of war
he felt that there would be iustifi-
cation in union of forces He
maintained that it was the duty of the
United States to treat with the insurgent
government IN Cuba so that no man should
be unjustly dealt with and no mans props