Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-12
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, April II.
SENATE,

Great cr0RQ6 were again tO-uay az
tracted to he Capitol by an expected
discussion of the Cuban situation. Es-
peciallv was this true OF the Senate side
as the announcement given yesterday
by MIR. Mason that he would address
the Senate to-day on the subject OF the
recognition of Cuban independence
served to assure those who gained ad-
mission to the Senate galleries that
they would be repaid for their coming:
In consequence the galleries were filled
an hour before the Senate convened,
although the crowd about the corridors
was by no means so large as that of
yesterday.
Mr.. Hale reported from the commit
tee on appropriations the naval appro.
priation bill and gave notice that he
would call it up for consideration as
soon as the sundry civil bill was dis
posed of.
Mr.. Lindsay offered the following
Joint resolution and asked that it be
laid on the table:
! First. That the contemplated mill
tary operations against the Spanish ar
mics on the island OF Cuba should be
carried on in concert with the military
forces under the command of Gen. Max
| limo Gomez, such concert to be secured
through arrangements between this
government and the Cuban revolution
airy authorities recognized by said Go
mez, and that any offer looking to such
arrangements that may be made by
those authorities should be favorably
considered provided it shall concede to
the commanding officer of the United
States the right to control and direct all
military operations.
Second. That all such military oper-
atoms should be carried on to the end
that the independence of the Cuban
people may be secured.
Mr.. Wilson introduced the following
joint resolution
"Wbereas, the conditions which for
three years past have prevailed and
are now prevailing in the island of
Cuba have become intoleruble 10 the
people of The United States therefore
| be it,
Resolved, that the President of the
United States is empowered and d.
| lOClCd W tohO az OINC foOSa CtSPo az
may be necessary to put an end to hos
tiliiies in the island Of Cuba and to Sc
cure to the inhabitants of that island a
stable and independent republican
form of government and the President
of the United States is empowered and
directed to use if necessary the land and
naval forces of the United States to
make this Joint resolution effective"
AT Mr. Wilson's request the resolu-
ton was referred to the foreign rela-
lions committee.
Following this came resolution from
Mr.. Allen declaring that q state of war
exists between the United States and
Spain. 1t was as follows:
THAT state of war exists between
the United States of America and the
kingdom of Spain and that the political
existence and national independence of
the republic of Cuba now, and for some
time maintained by force ofarms, is here
by recognized. That the President is
empowered and directed to take at once
such edectual steps as may be necessary
to secure an immediate termination Of
hostilities in Cuba, and an independent
and stable government by the people
thereof, and to enable him to carry out
the purposes of this resolution he is
hereby empowered and directed to use
the land and naval forces of the United
States" The resolution went over un-
der the rules.
Mr., Pasco presented a joint resolu-
ton directed the President to use not
to exceed $1,000 of the fund appropria
ted by Congress to relieve American
citizens in Cuba for the relief of Ameri
can citizens and others who have re-
Gently landed in Florida from Cuba.
Mr.. Pettus presented legal docu
ment upon the authority Of Congress
and the President, under the cons,itu
ton, in declaring and prosecuting war.
He said as Congress alone has power
to declare war it also has power to
limit. But it has no authority to dele |
gate that power to the President or
any other officer If war is to be
waged, the President must carry it on
as directed by Congress. 1t would not
be within its limitations for Congress
to confer upon the President authority
to wage war at his discretion. yet,
what we ale advised to do?" inquired |
Mr.. Pettu5. "If you boil the words |
down to their true meaning it is evil |
dent that we are advised to delegate to
the President the power to intervene
and make war if he gees fit, without |
auy declaration of war at all. War
made in such manner-without de- |
caration OF Coagress-would be a dis.
grace to the nation"
When Mr.. Pettus had concluded Mr..
Allen endeavored to secure the passage
OF bill just received from the House.
To this Mr.. Mason, who had announced
his speech on the Cuban situation, OBJ
iected.
81 had hoped" suggested Mr.. Allen,
that the Senator would yield. Hoslili-
ties will not begin to-day"
II am not so sure of that reported
Mr.. Mason" as the Senator from Ne
braska seems to be-"
Mr.. Lindsay gave notice that he
would tomorrow address the Senate
upon his resolution.
MIR. Mason then proceeded with bis
speech. He had prepared it carefully
and confined himself closely to his
manuscript His speech was q legal
argument in favor of the recognition by
l i',.. ,'"vsrnment of the independence of
the Cuban republic.
Mr.. Butler followed Mr.. Mason. He
said that he belonged to what was
80 hn