Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-05

For forty days and nishtA the people 4
had s,ispended Judgment, nut now that |
the facts have been laiu oeiole mem, |
Tho verdict, he said, is unanimous that |
the trreat battlcship was blown up, not |
oniv from the outside, but with the !
,n.n,znnce of Spanish officials, for |
whose acts the Spanish government |
was fully responsible.
The explosives. whetner tney were |
in n mine or a torpedo, were placed |
under the Maine by officials Of the
SPANISH government. The people be-
iieve that they were exploded by de-
sign, and he was one who held to that
belief. -,,,
Perkins said, for any man or set OF
mon 10 place in the harbor OF Havana
mines or torpedoes without the knowl-
edge of the government authorities.
M impartial Judge would fail after
considering all the facts presented to
place the responsibility for the crime
upon the Spanish government through
It's authorized officials rms most
fury" declared Mr. Perkins vehement
ly. twas an act of war, and | believe
that IL Is so regarded by the nations
Of the world" No offer of reparation
could wipe out the feeling OF the peo-
Pile of this country upon the matter,
and Intensity had been added to that
feeling by the almost frivolous manner
in which the disaster had been treated
by Spain,
Mr. Perkins said that while he tav-
ored arbitration, individuals never at
tempted 10 arbtratc questions " h N
or. and nations could not AFFORD 10
submit such questions to arbitration,
Cold could not atone Tor the loss OF
those precious lives and the only hon
orable action for this county now 10
take was to- intervene and free cuba
from the yoke of Spain which she had
so long borne.
MANTLE OF MONTANA,
Mr.. Mantle of Montana followed
with an extended speech upon the alb
sorbing topic OF cuba, in which he de-
clared that he favored Independence Of
the Cuban people, who for years had
been struggling for their freedom. a
would" said he, give my unqualified
endorsement and vote in favor II di-
recting the President to use the armed
forces. both land and naval ia sup
press the savagery that Is now RAM
pant upon that fair island"
He had the highest regard for the
present occupant of the White House,
but It was perfectly evident to all that
the time for diplomatic negotiations
on the Cuban question had passed.
The time for action had arrived, and
the sooner 1t was taken the better II
would be for all concerned. Spain had
violated every principle Of civilized
warfare and had thrown humanity to
the wind.
Mr. Mantle said It was now time
that the cry OF humanity and the cry
for stern justice should be heard. 1t
was time TO he done with subterfugc.
We should not go to war without full
Justification, but must be assured be-
fore striking that we strike for God
and humanity. He thought this time
had come. He not only believed the
time had come for recognizing Cuban
independence, but that n declaration
of war would he fully justified by the
wilfnl destruction of the Maine. While
holding these sentiments, Mr.. Mantle
was willing to wait upon the action of
the committee of foreign relations
whose recommendations. he had no
doubt would he wise and Just and
cover the whole case.
RAWLINS OF UTAH.
Mr.. Rawlins OF Utah said the case
between Spain and the United States
/ was made up. 1t was no longer for
the executive 60 decide what course to
pursue. With Congress rested the re-
/ sponsibllity of declaring war. and this
/ was the pressing duty. The President
was no longer the party to he critl-
| clsed. Congress, II 1t wills. he said,
| could decide to have peace with Incl
dental outrage and clandestine muir
| der. AS for himself. he did not choose
/ to accept peace under such circum-
/ stances. Mr.. Rawlins opposed further
delay. He was Informed that the
committee on foreign relations had
| reached conclusion, and that, while
the President was advised OF the prob
| able action OF the committee, that
body had no such Information as to
the Presidents plans.
He was also Informed that the Presi-
dent wanted further delay. Mr. Raw
Inns did not consider this necessary.
| The destruction Of the Maine and the
! clandestine murder OF 2GG of our sailors
had occurred forty-eieht days since.
but this was not all, For three years
| the Spanish authorities had been i'm
| nrisoninE and numbering American cit
| liens. OF these facts, the executive
| doubtless had been fully advised by the
consular reports. but these reports had
been withheld on the plea that II would
endanger the safety OF our officials In
Cuba to give them out II this was
true, II revealed a wretched state Of
affairs.
Continuing. Mr.. Rnwllns said delay
Rad been sought last week by the
friends OF the President. on the plen
that message was soon to he sent In
from the President which would meet
/ all the demands Of the country. Al
the same time the private and confiden-
tial secretary Of the President was
sending n message to his friends urging
| them TO the utmost exertion to bring
| pressure to bear to secure peace.
We arc next told that an ultimatum
had been sent to Madrid demanding the
concession OF Cuban independence, now
comes an interview with Premier Sn-
gasta. in which he said no demand had
been made ly this government for the
Independence Of the Cubans. Which
representation was correct?
Mr.. Kawlins criticised our hating
Motley in strong language, saying that
1t WIS such as to justify Spain In hold
Ing the United States in contempt. He
added that the crime of the explosion
OF the Maine was due to our indeci-
sion and cowardlce, and that such an
act would never have been perpetrated
upon any other nation.
! In conclusion, he mad, an argument
! for an absolute declaration OF war. in
stead of a declaration for armed inter-
vention. To pursue the latter course
would be to throw the responsibility OF
declaring war upon the President. To
pass such resolution would be to af-
! ford opportunity for the peace at any
| price party to continue its efforts, as
tho resolution would be one which the
President could with propriety ignore.
| because the responsibility for definite
action rests with Congress,
MIR. Rnwlins expressed the opinion
1