Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-30
Mr.. MASON DECLARES FOR WAR.
McKinIey'S Message Stirs Up Adverse Criticism in
Some Quarters.
Treasures for Freeing Cuba Came So Fast That the
Galleries Were ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
tives Fretting and Funling.

Washington, March 29-The senate's
interest in the Cuban situation might be
termed extreme, so intense was it when
its climax was reached today.
AS on previous days of discussion of
the Cuban question, thousands of per-
sons fiocked to the capitol only few
of whom, comparatively, could gain ad-
mission to the galleries.
Within five minutes after the senate
convened, Mr.. Allen of Nebraska intro
duced a resolution recognizing the indie
pendence of the Cuban republic. This
was followed by a resolution proposed
by Mr.. Rawlins of Utah declaring war
against Spain. Mr.. Foraker of Ohio then
introduced a resolution declaring for
such intervention in the Cuban war as
would bring about independence of the
Cubans. Following this came resolu-
ton by Mr.. Frye of Maine, demanding
that Cuba be made free.
The resolutions followed one another
so rapidly as almost to stun the audi
tors both senators and spectators. The
galleries were in a commotion and the
people were prepared for anything
This was the condition when the vice
president recognized Mr.. Mason of IL
hnois, for his announced speech on the
presidents message transmitting to con-
gress the findings of the Maine court of
inquiry. Mr.. Mason read his speech from
manuscript, but it was delivered with
all the vigor and fire of which he is cap
able.
The intensity of the feeling of those in
the galleries was evinced by the storm of
applause which was elected by his dec
laration that he was for war. Vice Presi-
dent Hobart had real difficulty in sup
pressing the demonstration.
Mr. Mason said he believed it was due
the country to know the general express
sion and intention Of the members of the
senate While he would not apologize for
discussing the Cuban question at, this
time, he did not intend by so doing any
disrespect either to the administration
or the committee on foreign relations,
when he said that he was tired of the
dilatory tactics that had been employed
for three years to prevent any assist
ance from the United States to the
starving Cubans He continued:
'More than two years ago the plan of
the Spanish government to starve the
women and children and non-combat-
ants was begun. 1t received practically
no attention from this government until
some of the members of this body visit
ed the scene of death
.Then the gentlemen and newspapers
who had pretended, at least, to discredlt
those statements in this body, began to
talk about it as though it was new
discovery; when within ninety miles of
our shores for two years the Spaniards
had continued to murder women and
children. When nearly a year ago, cal
led attention to the situation as given at
that time and since corroborated by four
of our colleagues, upon this floor, from
personal observation, the statement was
received with sneers by many of my col
leagues, and ] had the pleasure of being
insulted over the wire by stock brokers
and scalpers in the markets.
when the order of concentration
came they cooped at least eight hun
dred American citizens with the recon-
centrados. and refused to allow them to
go ont and earn a legitimate and honest
living. 1t amounted to imprisonment.
We claimed so at the time, yet many
nrofessed to not believe 1t until the hon
orable senator from Vermont described
the deadline and the gun of the Spanish
soldier that kept the concentrates to-
gether Any other self-reSpecting ma
tion in the world would have ordered
hot fpno ofrr1nn or
they would have opened the gates of hell
on Morro Castle. This government, how
ever. upon the suggestion of the presf-
dent. took $4,000 of the peoples money
out OF the treasury of the United States
and begged permission of Spain the poor
privilege Of feeding our citizens Ameri-
can bread on Spanish soil. l am not
complaining, am not criticising, There
is no other such record in all the his
tory of the world l only repeat this
humiliating statement to call attention
n the fact that every effort that has
heen made by the president has been
construed by Spain to be an act of cow
ardice and absolute and conclusive evil
dence that we are afraid of that mighty
power, and every such act of careful con-
sideration on our part has made Spain
more cruel to her own people ana more
insulting to us"
Mr.. Mason then turned his attention
to the destruction Of the Maine. THE
battleship Maine. our gallant ship, went
down and two hundred and sixty-six of
our gallant citizen sailors with her. At
thettime every citizen Of the United
staTAe familiar with the Spanish char
adtAH felt confident it was Spanish
treAchery Our ship was there by right
az custom, OF rendered hospitality, and
also by treaty contract she had an alb
solilte right to be there. The day closed
and she rode the harbor messenger OF
peace. No message had been sent by
our executive inconsistent with the ma
tIonal honor of Spain.
scrhe men OF the Maine were not
whipped in honorable battle. but chok-