Evening star., 1898-04-01
Pacific Appeals Heard With Impa-
tience.
An UNUSUALLY EXCITING OCCASION
Hot Speeches on the Spanish
American Situation.
DEFENDING THE PRESIDENT

terday that the House Of Representatives
got up steam on the Cuban situation. About
O'Clock the debate began to grow exciting
and hot speeches followed rapidly.
Mr.. Johnson of Indiana made some hui
morous remarks about Mr.. Lewis of Wash
lngton, saying, sarcastical1y, that If he
was turned loose in Cuba the Spaniards
would depart. Turning to the more serious
part Of the question, he said:
Now, in all seriousness, in discussing
this cry of war that we have heard on that
side OF the chamber, do gentlemen stop and
reject a moment upon wnat 1t means If
we should enter upon hostillties? If the
hotheadedness OF men in public life should
force the President to put Spain into an
embarrassing position. which her proud
spirit will not permit her to accede to; il
the public men in Congress would simply
restrain their zeal and keep their hands off
the President would be able to accomplish
in very short space of time by the arts
OF diplomacy the independence of Cuba
Spain started out with the idea of the alb
solute subsection Of Cuba This govern
ment stood firm and made representations
to Spain until she withdrew Weyler and
CHered system Of autonomy, and she has
continued to yield to the representations of
thfs country until she has absolutely given
Up everything except the independence of
the island. And the very last proposition
shows you that she would give what would
be absolute independence with the sole
reservation that her flag shall fly over that
island Now. on the other hand the Cuban
insurgents started in with the cry of indie
pendeDce or death. Nobody Is more anxious
10 see the Cubans Independent of the Span
iaro tnan L, but would regret If we should
lmper1l American lives in order to carry it
cut: NOW, we hear that the Cuban junta
IN New York say that they are willing to
na,rs ranse and can raise s1oo0oo.ooO in order to
purchase their Independence. Now, you
see. we have brought these two antaRoniz-
ing Iorces together by the success of juig-
ment, OF diplomacy and exalted patriotism
vi tne statesman in the White House Zap
piause), and L believe II we will give him
1air opportunity to carry out his purposes
ne Win bring us to a triumphant conclu-
SION without shedding an ounce of Ameri-
can blood Great applause)
MI Lewis accused Mr. Johnson of hein9
muzzied by the Speaker and afraid to
snake on his shacklas, quailing when the
speaker looked at him. Mr.. Lewis closed
by saying
4 40 NOT know. Mr. Chairman. whether
the PRESIDENT Of the United States has Sc
Iected the gentleman as his Fidus Achates
as his good friend and defender on this
moor. but certainly, if such is the case
then as humble adviser of the President
would suggest that he join in the PRAYER
OF Caesar to be delivered from his friends.
IL IL snouid come to pass that the President
Shoulo receive, as some people in certain
qua-te's hope. and others fear his politi-
cal death. then those who may write his
obituary, if the gentleman from InGian,.
continues in the course he has been pur-
suing, may content themselves with the
elegy TOO Much Johnsonr' cloud con-
tlnued laughter and applause.)
MT Johnson rose as soon as Mr.. Lewis
took his seat, and made a speech whick,
while 1t met much disapproval from the
galleries. was listened to intentIy II have
realized from the start" said he that the
danger to the country was the hot-headed-
ness or those men who never stop to reflect
Into what they would precipitate the coun-
try. My voice has been and still is for
peace.
Had Patience Prevailed.
IF this House had been as patient as it
had heretofore been and il the Senate had
been as farseeing as heretofore, and if
they had given to the President time to
press all diplomatic and moral suasion that
will not interfere unduly with Spain that
within thirty days from this time would
not have elapsed until Cuba would be all
Independent state. Spain knows she can
not conquer the insurgents and that If
with this nation"
Further on he said:
Il say again II the President has sent
an ultimatum to Spain it means war. If
you tell her to get out you will make war.
fcu excite the Spanish pride. You leave
Sagasta in q condition that he Is not able
to complete negotiations. You will shed
American blood. You will expend millions
OF treasure in achieving Cuban independ-
ence. At what d cost? Stop and reflect a
M.inute.''
Mr.. Johnson said he had been accused of
speaking for the President and this he
denied and continued: He has by his per-
sCnal acts and by his exalted patriotism
won the respect Of the people north, south
east and west without regard to party
ties. Shame on the man on the other side
ia fn 1x rfx,
capital out of this matter"
Mr.. johnson said this government had
better allow the Cubans to pay 10000, ,OOC
to acquire their independence than that
one drop of American blood should be un-
necessarily shed. applause on the repub-
lioan side and Kisses in the gallery)
1T does not make any difference to me
whether l am hissed or not. / believe we
ere standing on the verge of a volcano
ard l hope to God that the ultimatum OF
the President will not strike so suddenly
that it will reach such a resentment as to
provoke war. But If it comes every
beat OF my heart. every effort of which
1 am capable will be thrown into the scale
In behalf of a speedy. victorious conclusion
of that war"
The Democratic Attitude.
Mr.. Bailey. the democratic leader re.
piled to Mr.. johnson.
Il know" said he, "the standing of the
gentleman from Indiana in the counsels
OF MS own party and before the country
well enough to know that what he has
spoken has been spoken with deliberatior
| and that 1t is entitled 10 be considered al.
rost as authoritative. 1 owe the republi
can party no kindly Offices. But 1 will
venture to warn it that IL its leaders agree
| ard the republican party sanctions the
| agreement to compel any people unde,
Gods sun to buy that liberty which Goo
| has given to them that party will neve,
| survive long enough to escape the odiu.r
which will be fastened upon 1t by the
i srad saptiuaaxat o& &bo