Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-24

I'VE ought to have patience said he. land
wait as a great and powerful people, not
in fear. but in hope that some satisfactory
conclusion to the present difficulty may
be reached"
Mr. Allen made an extended reply to the
arguments advanced against his position.
He maintained that this was the first
time the belligerency proposition had
been presented to the senate when
there was any chance of its being
effective. The house would be brought face
to face with it. and it would be brought
to a vote in that body. 1. could not be
buried in committee.
Mr.. Hale in charge of the bill, yielded
to Mr.. Hoar. who said he desired. in JUS
tice TO himself and to those who believed
with him. to refute the charges Of coward
ice which had been hurled at those who
differed from him by the senator from Ne
braska CAIlen). He discussed the situation
from the standpoint Of an international law
yer. maintaining that the recognition Of
belligerency in ordinary circumstances was
not a cause for war. 1t was not necessarily
an unfriendly act
Mr.. Hoar maintained, however, that, be-
fore taking any action of that kind, the
United States ought to have clear and
unquestioned statement Of the facts in the
case. He expressed the opinion that, the
enactment of belIigerency resolution at
the present time would be productive Of
war because of the friction that would be
created by Spain exercising the right OF
search of United States vessels on the high
seas. Mr.. Hoar said that severe partisan
and angry discussions. particularly on such
a question as that pending. have no part
in the proceedings of the senate-no more
part than they have in the supreme court.
Spain. he thought, would have just cause
of complaint on account Of these violent
discussions.
II have always" said Mr.. Hoar, favored
a resolution proposing mediation. but If
that fails i am in favor of supporting the
executive department when the time shall
come and when the case is so clear and
fragrant that all the constitutional repre-
sentatives of the American people sub
stantially agree to the facts"
Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada, made speech
in favor of granting belligerent rights to
the Cubans at once.
Mr. Hale made the point Of order against
the amendment that 1t was general legis-
lation and had. under the rules. no place
in the bill. The vice president sustained
the point, and Mr.. Allen took an appeal
from the ruling.
Upon this Mr.. Turpie, of Indiana, de-
| livered an extended speech in support OF
the ruling of the chair, although he was
personally in favor of the proposition con-
tained in the amendment
Mr.. Clay of Georgia. also supported the
ruling of the chair. although he said he
| would vote for any Independent PROPOSE
! tion for the relief of the Cubans.
Mr.. Mason, of Illinois. said he could not
| be deferred either from sustaining or op.
| posing the ruling of the chair by any over
| grown reverence he had for the rules Of
| the senate or of any other alleged deliber
| ative body but he said he desired to appea
| to Mr.. Hale 10 let the bill go over for {
| few days, in order that senators might ex
anime into the rules and authorities bear
| ing upon them.
| Mr.. Bacon. of Georgia, speaking in sup
port of the ruling of the chair, drew from
| the galleries an enthusiastic round of ap
| plause. which was quickly suppressed, how
| ever, by the vice president. He said tina
one of the greatest causes ever tried be
| fore the nations of the world was now be
ing tried In Havana. Let us do nothing.
| said he, that will in the least way en-
! barrass those who are conducting that in
! vestigation. The wreck of the Maine nov
| lies on the bottom OF the Havana harbor
The facts relating TO the explosion are be
! ing sought earnestly and intelligently by
competent court Of inquiry, and We ough
| to do nothing that WILL in the slightes
| manner. interfere with the progress of tina
| work. What We desire is to know tn
facts. If it should be found that the ex
| ploson was due to accident We mus
know that. II, however, it should be dis
| closed that it was due to treachery, tn
whole world will applaud the action o
| this country in holding to strict accoun
the country in whose friendly harbor tha
| uf M Sfe
Mr.. Bacon pointed out that any un
friendly action on the part of the Unite,
States toward Spain might cause that ma
ton to interfere with the conduct of TIL
investigation. He suggested that now wa
the time for congress and the American
people to remain quiet and not to agitat
an already critical situation by discussion
offensive TO a friendly nation.
Mr.. Hale then moved TO lay the appea
on the table. and Mr.. Allen demanded tn
yeas and nays.
Mr.. Hale's motion was carried-51 TO 5
those voting against the motion bein
Messrs. Allen. Nebraska: Cannon, Utah
Heitfeld. Idaho: Mason. Illinois. and Teller
Colorado.
The senate then. at Sis p. m, went int
executive session. and ten minutes after
| ward adjourned