The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-20
CUBA A BONE OF CONTENTION.
(Continued from First Page)

ency would in fact weigh most heavily
Oh Cubans, and this fact disclosed the
spirit animating the executive. With the
declaration of belllgerency, the Spanish
cruisers We're free beyond the three-mile
limit of Cuba to harass on the seas those
shlps carrying supplies to Cuba. The
CuDans themselves recognized that bellig-
erency meant the cutting off of their sup
plies from this country, but they hoped
and had so expressed themselves to Mr..
HIT that it would bring a stray shot
from Spanish cruiser on the high seas
directed against an American ship which
would infame the American people and
sweep the United States into war with
Spain.
Mr.. Hit referred to the critical condi-
ton IN Havana and the readiness of our
Warships for emergencies What the next
step would be he could not foreten. but
ne appealed to all to uphold the hands of
the President just as all voices united in
uphoiding the President in the Nenezue-
Iap Crisis at a mOmenC when his action
was fraught with profound responsibility.
The reading of the bill went on, inter
rupted every few minutes by five-minute
speeches from the Democratic side on
Cuba
Mr. Sulzer, Dem, of New York. offered
an amendment directing the President to
notify Spain that unless the war ceases in
thirty days he would recognize the indie
pehdence of Cuba and enforce our posi-
ton by force of arms. 1t went the way of
ats predecesso rs. but Mr. Sulzer managed
TO get five minutes on pro forma amend
ment, in the course of which he asked Mr..
HIT whether the committee on foreign af-
fairs intended to suppress all resolutions
and bills recognizing the frightful state
of affairs in Cuba.
Mr.. Hit paid no heed to the question.
The gentleman, like his party, fails to
answer" exclaimed Mr.. Sulzer. 81 refer
MIN to the St Louis platform" (Democ-
cratic laughter and Republican jeers).
Mr.. Wilson, Dem, of South Carolina, pre-
scented the Cuban question in sull a new
form, in the hope to engraft it in the bill.
1t provided for a change in the salary of
the United States Consul General at Ha-
Fana pending the termination of the pres
ent war. Mr.. Wilson declared that it would
be blot on the name of the House of Rep
resentatives if it prevented a vote on the
question of the war in Cuba.
Mr.. Hits point of order disposed of this
last amendment. Mr.. Hit thought that
the spirit of yesterdays agreement had
been violated and that the general debate
should be curtailed somewhat. He asked
that the debate be closed at / o'clock to-
morrow, but finally agreed to 4 o'clock
MIR. Williams Dem, of Mississippi gave
notice that motion would be made at
the conclusion of the general debate to
recommit the bill
Mr.. Hit then opened the debate with a
brief, but important statement with refer
ence to our relations with Spain and Gu
ba, and the policy of the administration
He stated that the President had come
into power a year ago. His sentiments
We're well known. On this floor and in
his public utterances he had shown his
sympathy with any people struggling TO
better their condition. Hastily he sketch
ed the course of affairs since Mr. Nc
Kinley's advent TO power. Mr.. Hit said
that the President had demanded that the
abuse of Americans should cease in Gu
ba. In many cases his demands were
complied with, but not in all.
When liberal ministry came into pow
er in Spain they passed measures grant
ing the release of American prisoners
The ministry yielded at last and all had
been given their freedom But the Presi
dent had gone farther. He had protested
with such emphasis and energy against
the barbarities of the war and the policy
of concentration that Gen. Weyler had
been recalled in disgrace and the policy
of concentration had been abandoned
Further, even than this the President had
gone. He notified the Sagasta ministry
that the war must cease ard proposals
Of settlement be made within a reason
able time. The interVentions had been
made owing TO the great Interest
all over the country in the
struggle the Cubans were making
rhe Presidents representations bau pe.n
listened to by SPAIN said Mr. Hit, and
a scheme of self-government, modelled on
that of India, had been authorized. Wheth-
er it was successful, said he, whether il
was practical and sincere MANY might
doubt Perhaps it would be good iude
ment now to say that it had failed. But
that sincere efforts had been made was
clear. Those who understood Spain and
her Vaccinations better than we had
passed judgment and had already attempt
ed to destroy the autonomy scheme. and
attempted to pull down the Sagasta GOV
eminent which proposed H. The com.
mercial class in Havana, Cubans of Span-
ish birth, had vented their rage in riot
and turbulence. They had threatened the
very existence of Havana
Every act of the President. continued
Mr.. Hit had shown the spirit which ami
mated him IN his public utterances In
the past He had achieved much within
a few months. but he said he thought II
was unwise for the United States at This
time to recognize the belligerency of tn.
insurgents. Mr.. Hit admonished the
members that national action must he
indicated before the world, and we INNS,
prove that in what we do we are not act
uated by vulgar greed to rob a neighbor
or 10 seize the property of others.
A declaration of belligerency. he ex
planned, would allow Spain's war vessels
to search our vessels on the high seas In
the existing situation good men svmna-
thizing with Cuba's cause were constant.
ly making their way to the island SIM
plies, guns and ammunition were eoine
from the United States
1t was said that every pound of rouydor
fired in the cause Of Cuba's freedom had
come from this country Members he
said, might ask why, with all these ad-
Vantages in store for them, the agents ~
the republic of Cuba in this CITY desire
belligerent rights.
Il could explain it," said Mr.. Hit. 'ebut
l prefer to do so in the words of one of
these agents to me. We know said This
gentleman, that we have much to lose
in the matter of supplies but we also
know that If Spanish cruisers begin 10
stop American ships, it will not be long
before a hasty shot is fired. With thai
shot, public opinion in Spain and the
United States will plunge these countries
into war: then our battle will be over
THAT, perhaps, is a very just argu-
ment for the Cubans," continued MIR. Hit
''but not for an American. If we are to
have war let us face 1t directly, not be
forced into it by a chance"
Mr.. Hit spoke of the Spanish author
itv in Havana as tottering between arm
Cd forces without any tumultuous riot