The times., 1898-02-09
FORGING THE ISSUE
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Mr. Mason These two Senator's Will
easily be able 10 consume the time OF
the Senate until . O'Clock, when the
morning hour expires, and the unfin-
isked business will be, under the rule,
laid before the Senate. Then, unless the
present program is changed, will come
the test of strength. The friends of
Cuba believe they have the votes with
which to lay aside the present unfin-
ished business, and keep the resolu-
tions before the Senate. If they stick
to this program, and if they succeed in
keeping the resolutions before the Sen
ate as the pending business, a hot Gu
ban debate of some duration viii be
precipitated.
Tie reported intention of the Presi-
dent TO send to the Senate a message
relating to Spanish affairs it is not be-
lieved viii have any effect upon the
Senate if il is in the mood to pass the
resolutions. The President has been
given ample time to communicate TO
the Senate or to Congress on this sub
Ject. but he has failed to take Con-
gress. into his confidence. Anything
that he might now send viii be looked
upon as an effort on his part to post
pone action, and nothing else. Senators
refuse to say what they might or
might not do in the face of a message
from the President. Much, under such
ChtuItISldHGcS. Noulu Gtlelll UPON l1e
contents Of the message. There are
many Senators who believe the Presi-
dent can say nothing that will put
SpainS side of the case in q favorable
light. and unless the communication,
which the President is said to be pre-
pairing, contains some positive assur-
ances from Spain it will not be able
To stem the Cuban feeling that is
sweeping over the Senate and the
country.
Every member Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations interviewed on the
subject yesterday afternoon denied the
knowledge Of any information leading
to the belief that the President would
send in any message. Inasmuch, how
ever, as the President has not been
taking the members of this committee
into his confidence, this lack OF inform
alton is not significant. Mr.. Mckinley
is beeoming somewhat like the late
President Cleveland. who believed that
he alone was the State, and that Con-
gress had no powers further than those
which related to the passage Of appro-
priation bills. and the right to do
even this, in some cases, was denied.
Proceedings in Detail.
The first developments of yesterday
came through the notice Of Mr Allen.
VI -Nt't rANAASt. llldl ilG llttlleU 10 ofGg
an amendment to the consular and
diplomatic bill. wl:ch should grant bel
hserent rights to the Cuban insurgents.
Before offering his amendment he pref
aced his action with a short state
ment in which he reviewed the situa-
ion in Cuba which made his amend
ment as he believed, absolutely inn
perative.
My attention has been called to the
fact said Senator Allen. that since
the opening of hostilities between
the Republic of Cuba and the Spanish
forces in that island, 30000 pacfficos
have died of starvation and diseases
generated and directly traceable to the
lack Of sufficient food and unsanitary
conditions 1 had d conversation a few
days ago with a gentleman who is
very familiar with the island and the
conditions existing there; his word
cannot be doubted and his position
warrants him in speaking with au-
thority, in which he Informed me that
ii was the custom of the Spanish gov
ernment To herd hundreds Of families
together in sheds and exposed positions
without any sanitary conditions what
ever. starving them until disease as Il
result Of their starvation intervenes,
and that over 500, 600 OF them had died
in consequence of that treatment
Il propose this amendment to the
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill. and if / can have the attention Of
the chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations, / desire To say to
him and to that committee hat | trust
the proposed amendment VIII be taken
up and considered without delay and
reported back To the Senate so as to
avoid the point of order usually raised
against such amendments under the
rules. In other words. I do not want
the proposed amendment to go to the
committee and be suffered to die in
consequence Of inactiun. | want TO see
the committee take il up and report il
50 that / can have an opportunity to
offer ii as an amendment to that bill
i want the committee 10 report il
favoTably If they Will: adversely. if
they see fit to do SO. that we may have
an opportunity in the Senate to vote
on it and determine whether the policy
we have proclaimed in the last few
months is TO be followed out. namely.
the recognition Of the beligerent rights
Of the Cubans. | now offer and ask to
have read the proposed amendment to
the diplomatic and consular appTopria-
tion bill"
Mr. Aliens amendment, which is
erency resolution which was passed
by the Senate at the extra session of
Congress. reads as follows:
That condition of public war exists be-
tween the government OF Spain and the
government proclaimed and for some time
ma intalned b. folCe OF arms by the people
of Cuba, and that the government of the
United Sta ies shall maintain a strict
neutrality between the contendnE powers,
and accord each all the rights of bellger-
"utS in the ports and territory OF the
United States.
Mr.. Chandler suggested to Mr. Allen
that In the resolution there was a
clause directing the President to use
his good offices to secure the independ-
ence Of Cuba.
Mr.. Allen replied that while such
resolution was introduced it was never
passed A resolution in the language OF
his amendment was passed, and was
now. he said pending in the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Then the object of the Senator" re-
piled Mr. Chandler. lis again to pass
these beligerency resolutions as part
of the diplomatic and consular appro-
priation bill.
Yes" said Mr. Allen, Il want to put
it on the diplomatic and consular ap-
preparation bill in the Senate so that
the members of the House of Repre- |
sentatives may have an opportunity to
vote upon il when il goes there. and not
be stifed by the failure of their Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs to act"
And what" asked Mr. Chandler,
does the Senator ask to have done
with his amendment now?"
SEVEN d
L have asked now that the pro-
ha a,,7