The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-18
A MEMORABLE DEBATE.
How the Resolution Passed the Upper
House.

Washington, April 16-The United
States Senate has spoken. Its voice is for
war until the flag of Spain shall have
been furled in the western hemisphere
forever. It's voice too is for the indie
pendence of Cuba.
the island republic" was the shibboleth
of the Senate throughout the four days
of debate which ended tonight. While
the verdict returned was decisive it was
not final. Notes of discord-almost
foreboding in their tone-were sounded.
This foreboding was..not due to anxiety
about the result of the impending conflict.
1t was prompted by fear lest if the
action taken by the Senate should ulti-
mately be made final, this government
might become involved In complications
that in future years would prove serious.
At go tonight the Davis resolutions
those reported from the committee on
foreign relations-amended so as to in
clude the recognition OF the republic of
Cuba, were passed by vote of 81 to 81 as
substitute for the resolution adopted by
the House. All day long the contest
waged with an earnestness, energy, abil-
ity and eloquence seldom equalled even
in the Senate. Before the voting had
actually begun-after Z O. clock tonight
the great speech of the day had been made
by Mr.. White of California, who had con-
sistently opposed any action upon the
Cuban question. The speech was mas
terly oratorical effort.
No less than twenty five Senators ad
dressed themselves to the momentous
question under consideration, during the
day and the speeches were characterized
by an impassioned force and e1oquence
rarely heard in or out OF the halls of
Congress.
On the floor was every member elected
to the Senate save one, MIR. Walthall of
Mississippi, who was ill. So deep wa
his interest in the question, however, that
he had released Mr.. Spooner from his
pair.
1t is no detraction from the brilliance
of the debate of the day to note that the
great-the notable utterances of the clos
ing hours of the debate wore made to-
night.
MIR. Hale of Maine. Mr.. German of
Maryland, Mr.. Allison of Iowa, Mr.. AID
rich Of Rhode Island, Mr.. Jones of
Arkansas and Mr.. Hoar addressed the
Senate with an eloquence and solemnity
born only Of the most profound feeling
for their country's welfare
The test vote was quite naturally on
the amendment offered by Mr.. Turpie,
recognizing the independence of the
Cuban republic. It prevailed by a ma
jority Of IA, the vote being 81 to 81.
Warrington, April 16-In accordance
with the agreement reached last night,
the Senate convened promptly at 10
o'clock and after the transaction of some
routine business the resolution of the
foreign relations committee was laid
before the Senate.
Few Senators were on the floor at the
time and Mr.. Teller suggested the lack
of quorum, saying it was due to the
Senators who were to speak that
quorum be present. After about fifteen
minutes quorum appeared.
Mr.. Cannon was then recognized and
spoke in favor of immediate decisive
action and for the recognition of the in
dependence of the Cuban republic.
Mr.. Allen was recognized and said he
wanted to call attention to the remark
able scene that had occurred at the White
House on April z. He referred to the call
of the representatives of six great powers
upon the President and to the exchange
alton. He declared that no similar
scene had ever been witnessed in this
country. .eee
81 want to register my protest." said
MIR. Allen, against the representatives
of the so-called powers Of Europe enter
ing the White House and telling this
country what it shall do. cannot under
stand why the President did not inform
them that this country would rot tolerate
any interference, yet here is the first
step towards the breaking down OF the
Monroe doctrine and the destruction of
uuo udblOQ. Anu III is uuuorSUOOO UudD
these same so-called powers are to go
further and make another assault upon
the White House with more pressing de-
manda.''
Mr.. Burrows supported the position as
sumed In this crisis by the President and
argued against the recognition of the
present republic Of Cuba.
Mr.. Teller of Colorado here introduced
substitute for the pending Cuban reso-
lutions. 1t recognizes the Republic of
Cuba as the true and lawful government
Of that isIand,' provides for immediate
armed Intervention if Spain does not
withdraw from the island and expressly
disclaims any intention of conquest on
the part of the United States.
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut, who, in &C.
cordance with an agreement reached last
night was accorded a half hours time.
devoted it to strong and eloquent ex-
preston Of his hope for peace and
DEFENCE OF THE PRESIDENT.
He thought the time for oratory and
impassioned utterance had passed. Ora