The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-13

Washington. April f2.-General Gros-
venor Of Ohio, now generally regarded
as the spokesman of the present ad-
ministration in the house. late this aft
ernoon. in reply to an attack upon the
policy of the administration, interpreted
the recommendation in the presidents
message to mean a request for author
ity to use the army and navy of the
United States to establish on the island
Of Cuba a government independent OF
Spain. 1t was regarded as an exceed
ingiy important and significant an
nouncement. In the brief debate to-
day the opening guns of the contest
that begins tomorrow were fired.
Broadsides were exchanged and then
the house adjourned.
Mr. Lentz. dem-, Ohie, who drew tho
hre OF General Grosvenor last Thursday
returned to the assault again to-day at
tacking what he termed the "vacillat-
ing" policy OF the president. the mid
night conferences" at the white house
with Senator Elkins and John J. Nc
Cook. and asserting that the presidents
recommendations really meant that the
United States should coerce the Cuban
insurgents into an acceptance Of Spain's
scheme OF autonomy.
Mr.. Hepburn. rep. Iowa. made a spir-
tied and indignant reply. denouncing
the intimation of such a policy as little
short of scoundrelism. Then came Gen.
eral Grosvenor's important announce
ment. upon which Mr. Bailey. the demo-
cratic leader. countered. taking the po-
sition that IL the president had meant
to declare for the independence of Cuba
he would have said so In specific words.
The message was clear and lucid. he
said, except as to the recommendations,
and 1t had required all the ingenuity
Of General Grosvenor to torture such an
sion he declared that the president who
would coerce the Cuban insurgents
would not live to survive the odium OF
the American people.
Immediately after the reading Of the
journal. the speaker recognized Mr.. Hill
born. rep. Cal. to call up. on behalf Of
the naval committee. the senate bill for
the organization of a national battalion
in the District OF Columbia
Mr.. Bailey indicated his purpose To
object unless an amendment was offered
to organize this battalion under the ex-
listing laws.
Mr.. BAiiey's sareasn.
, II suggest that the bill be withheld
mittee on foreign affairs Is to be. so we
can determine exactly what the condi-
ton in the country is" said Mr.. Bailey.
IF the fear he entertains has no more
foundation than the report that the
presidents message last Wednesday
might have created a riot in Havana.
the gentleman need not be exercised
created a riot in Cuba. but IL would not
have been among the Spaniards in Ha-
vana. IL would have been among the
insurgents in the Interior" daughter
and applause.)
Il rise TO a parliamentary inquiry"
shouted Mr. Berry. DEM. Ark. What
need have we for an army and navy.
anyway" Gaughter.)
That is not parliamentary in
quiry." replied the speaker. smiling
amid renewed laughter
Mr.. Ridgeley. pop. Kan. then OBJ
jected. The house then went into COM
mittee of the whole on a bill relating To
the District of Columbia During the
debate Mr. Botkin. pop. Kan. and Mr..
Greene. pop, Neb.. took occasion to
discuss the Cuban question. but their
utterances were not infiammatory.
After some discussion of the financial
question by Mr.. Hartman. sill rep.
Mont. and Mr.. Lacey. rep. Iowa Mr..
Lewis got the floor and in a vigorous
speech declared that in the dus; clouds
which had been kicked up by diplomacy
congress was losing sight OF the vital
question before the people. The coun-
ry. he said. favored the freedom OF
Cuba. but that was only a sentiment.
rhe avenging OF the Maine. he said.
vas the real duty Of the government.
simpson and the Mace.
Later. while Mr.. Hit OF Connecticut
vas discussing the question Of REFORM
ng the currency, Mr.. Simpson. pop.
Kan. became SO obstreperous that Mr..
hopkins. rep. Ill. who was in the
hair. ordered him to take his seat. and
vhen the kansan declined. he instruct
d the sergeant alarms to use the all
er mace. the emblem OF the house au-
hority to compel him to take his seat
me OF the assistants took the mace
ut OF its place and marched up the
isle toward Mr.. simpson The latter