The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-02
DANISH WEST INDIES
Senator Lodges Purchase
Resolution Withdrawn
FOR THE SENATE'S UNITY
In Supporting the Executive
Against Spain.
FOR THE SENATE'S UNITY

Washington, April 1.-The senate spent
almost the entire day in the discussion of
the resolution reported yesterday from
the senate committee on foreign relations
for the acquisition of the West India
islands owned by Denmark, and the ses-
sion was closed by the practical with
drawal of the resolution by Senator
Lodge. its author. He stated that the
debate had developed such a wide differ
ence Of poiniOn in the senate, where there
had heretofore been such unanimity, that
h would not further press the matter at
time when the president needed the sup
port Of ali senators Of all parties. He
moved that the senate proceed TO the con-
sideration Of executive business, thus vol
UNFAIRLY, for the time, abandoning the
resolution.
This action on the part Of Senator Lodge
was preceded by an animated debate in
which many sharp words were exchanged
over the policy Of bringing in PROPOSE
ton liable 10 divide the senate at time
when unanimity was especially desirable
and when all parties had shown a dispo-
sition to give their uttermost support to
the administration in preparation for the
war which almost all the speakers con-
sidered probable. Many speeches were
made on this line, and some went so far
as to intimate that an advantage had
been taken Of the situation to press a
proposition which they considered ques-
tionable. with the hope that the senate in
its patriotic desire to support the presi-
dent at a critical time would consider the
matter favorably now, whereas it would
not do so in times of quiet. Senator'S Cor
man and Pettigrew were among those
who took this position.
The reason for considering the matter
behind closed doors was the belief that
our relations with Spain would necessar-
fly be discussed and that information
might he divuleed that would be Of an
advantage TO that country.
Senator Lodge opened the proceedings
with a general statement concerning the
advantage of controlling the Danish is
lands. He argued that this country should
own them because Of contiguity to our
shores and for strategic purposes. going
over much of the ground covered in his
report Of yesterday.
Senator Gray replied inopposition TO this
policy. basing his antagOnism on the
ground that it was contrary to the policy
of the United States to acquire terri
tory outside of its continental lines and
saying that the possession of the islands
would inevitably involve us in inter-
national ENGAGEMENTS which would be
troublesome and might lead to complica-
at NH 011rl1 no cd
If we did not have the islands. Further
more. if there was an idea of utilizing
them in case of war witt Spain over
Cuba it should not be forgotten that We
had in our own possession at Key West
territory nearer Havana than either of
the Danish islands.
Senators Frye and Lodge both replied
to this latter point. They stated that it
was evident from the developments so far
made that Porto Rico. rather than Ha-
vana. would be the center of our war with
Spain and that in that event, the Danish
group would be of inestimable advantage
to us. Indeed they considered it almost
essential to an early ending of the war.
They asserted that SPANS coal supply at
Porto Rico was extremely limited and
InaJ II COulu ne pIdcuCdllN COnIFOlcu Dy
US if we should own the Danish possess
sions in that quarter. They also stated it
70 be the earnest desireof the administra-
ton to control the islands.
Senator Cockrell also opposed the reso-
luton. Mr.. Cockrell contended that il
would be a great mistake from a naval
point of view to acquire the island. SEN
ator Cockrell said that in case of war
with Spain, Porto Rico could be taken
more cheaply than the Danish islands
could be defended.
ALL LOOKED FOR WAR.
All the senators who spoke. including
members of the committee on foreign re-
lations, looked on war as inevitable, bas-
ing all their arguments for and against
acquisition upon this theory.
Senator Morgan favored the resolution
and in doing so dwelt more or less upon
the outlook for war He detailed the
destruction of the Maine. exp ressing the
opinion that it was due to Spanish treach-
cry.
81 ~ Is