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


cajoled or kicked into putting the country
in a dignifed attitude on the Cuban ques-
tion.
Taking up the main issue involved. he
asserted that he had reliable information
that no less than 33 per cent of the Cuban
population. or 10000 people had perished in
Cuba within the past three years. as a
result Of Spanish cruelty.
And. yet" said Mr.. Allen. lest We the
Senate. Il body of eighty-uine men, offend
the house OF representatives. consisting oi
:57 men. point of order is to be made
against this amendment. and it will go
the way of very much vaiuaiIle legislation
Mr.. Allen said that If the Republican
party could suffer TO see the CuDans eX-
terminated by starvation in plain violation
OF its platform and of the Christian senti-
ment OF the country, the Republican SEN
stors ought to be willing TO face the
question a yea and nay vote.
Mr.. Morgan said the senate had twice
passed the Cuban beiligerency resolution
substantially as it was now offered, but
both times it had been done openly and
frankly. We have no right" said he TO
make a declaration OF war against Spain
under cover, and that is precisely what this
resolution would mean. II this amendment
were attached TO the appropriation bill,
Spain might well regard il as cause OF
war. As / have before indicated. the con-
dtions and situation in Cuba were entirely
different when this resolution was passed
by the senate"
He asserted that between 3y0.cJ0 and CO.
o. people had starved 10 death in Cuba.
This awful condition Of affairs" said
: Mir. Morgan. makes our position in the
Cuban matter extremely delicate. Inter
vent;on now of the kind proposed a year
"
else. An intervention on the part of this
government in the present critical condi-
tion of affairs would almost certainly be
regarded by Spain as cause for war. L
almost dread to refer TO the conditions
and circumstances which have been brought
about by the events of the past ten days.
in the present circumstances, II would not
be consistent with the feelings or charac-
teristic of the sentiments of the American
people TO do anything that would in any
way aggravate the situation which has been
brought about by the events leading up to
the inquiry, now in progress at Havana.
IF. however, any senator believes in a
declaration OF war. and will draw UP such
a declaration, with sufficient and proper
grounds upon which to base it, l will vote
for it,
A. this point Mr.. Allen interrupted Mr..
Morgan to disclaim any intention OF max
ing declaration Of war against Spain.
lie expressed the opinion that his amend
ment could. IN no way, be construed into
such a declaration.
III We should put this amendment on
the pending appropriation bill replied
Mr.. Morgan. Spain would be fully justi-
fled in interpreting our meaning to be that
We were Extensively interfering in her af-
fairs. However, 1 do not believe that any
has In mir dac1a rati nf
il would not overtax the ability Of any
man TO prepare such a declaration with
proper and sufficient grounds upon which
10 base H.. I will not, however. vote for
any declaration Of war in disguise. The
Spanish are a great and powerful and
proud people, and they believe that their
course Is right. do not wish to provoke
them TO a declaration of war. l have al
ways believed, and believe now, that the
war in Cuba could not be terminated with
out involving the United States In hostil-
tiles. l believe that the matter will event.
uaIly be submitted TO the arbitration of
the sword. The whole world recognizes
Spain.s inability to conquer the Cubans.
and, sooner or later, We shall become. In
my opinion, involved in the armed contro-
yesy The pending amendment is little else
than a declaration Of war in disguise. II
We mean to declare war, let us do so
like men, and not endeavor to conceal our
reives behind so transparent a cloak. Those
who are constantly seeking to benefit the
sacred cause Of Cuban liberty, particularly
at such times as this, cannot accomplish
their purposes by such rash acts of legis-
lation as is this amendment"
Mr.. Morgan declared that the Cubans
had already fought and won their revolu-
tion. and nothing remained but for them
10 continue their. belligerent attitude until
Spain should recognize the republic.
Mr.. Teller did not accept Mr.. Morgan's
position that the adoption of this amend
ment would be declaration of war. He
had, he said, reached the conclusion that
the recognition of belligerency rested with
the executive. He had reached this conclu-
sion with regret but still he thought II
correct. In this view, congress could dc
no more than announce its opinion. True
this opinion would receive some attention
at the hands OF the executive, but the last
administration had given no weight to such
expression of opinion and he tTellerI
was convinced that the present would fol.
low the example of its predecessor. In the
matter of intervention. Mr.. Teller said he
never had gone beyond the point of saying
that the United States had a right under
international law to interfere to the ex.
tent OF compelling SPAN 10 treat Der SUD
jects on our border in humane manner
Neither such interference nor the declara
tion of belligerency woud he an act un
friendly TO Spain. Still, if the matter rest
ed with him exclusively, he would recognize
the beliigerency of the Cubans II he knew
IL would bring war Tomorrow, for he wa:
sure that such Intervention at such tim,
and in such Il cause would secure for IL!
in such n struggle the sympathy of all civ
iliZed nations.
Mr. Foraker announced his intention Il
Vote against the amendment. explaining hi
reason 10 be the fact that II was sough
10 make it a rider appropriation bill
He said he had voted for the beligerenc.
terms as this. which was adopted a yea
had done so. He had always believed tina
a mistake had been made in not recogniZ
ing the bellgerent rights of the contend
ing Cubans. A declaration of belligerenc.
would not be an act OF hostility. In con
clusion. Mr.. Foraker said:
II expect at no very distant day tina
there will be an appropriate occasion fo
further remarks upon this question. ] thin
the time is coming for action When
comes the time for discussion will be her
and the problem may be appropriately dis
Cussed.'
Mr.. Thurston said he had voted 20 ac
cord belligerent rights TO the Cuban in
surgents both times # had come before tn
senate. Il have never ceased TO regret.
said he. that the United States did no
afford to the Cubans belligerent rights a