The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-01
FRYE VERSUS CHANDLER.
Interesting Passage at Arms In the
Senate.
CALL FOR THE CONSULAR REPORTS
CAUSES THE TROUBLE

MIR. Chandler Says He Has Confidence in
President But VIII Thank God When
He Reaches a ConcIusion-Fiery
Speech by Mr.. Alien.
Washington, March 3I.-An apparently
eimple request made of the Senate today
by Mr. Frye of Maine on behalf of the
foreign affairs committee unexpectedly
precipitated discussion on the Cuban
question. 1t finally led to passage at
arms between Mr.. Chandler and Mr.. Frye
in which the former made some sarcastic
references to the conduct OF the foreign
affairs committe on the attitude of the
President. Concerning the latter Mr..
Chandler said:
"I have onfidence that the President
intends to pursue patriotic and righteous
course in the present emergency and 1
shall thank God when he reaches con-
clusion of soma sort or other. Therefore
am not in rebellion as yet against the
powers that be.
| Mr.. Allen of Nebraska made the request
Of Mr.. Frye the occasion of speech upon
the Cuban question in the course OF which
he reviewed his own record on the sub
iect and declared til It he stood now just
where he had always stood, in favor of
absolute independence of the people of
Cuba from that "hideous monster among
| natious," Spain. Upon the conclusion of
| the Cuban discussion the sundry civil
appropriauion bill was taken up and S5
pages of it were disposed of before ad-
| tournament.
Washington, March 91.-The galleries
of the Senate were filed when that body
convened today but there was ample room
| for all. The fact that there was no pros
pect for consideration Of the Cuban ques
ton coupled with the understanding that
the Senate would take no further action
upon the question until the first of next
week, probably served to detract from the
general public's interest in the Senate's
proceedings.
| Mr.. Frye of Maine who reported yester-
day from the committee on foreign rela-
lions resolution calling upon the Presi-
dent for the Cuban consular report, re-
uuested that the resolution lie on the
table until such time as the committee
| desired to call it up.
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire OBJ
jected to the making of any such con-
tract as suggested.
Mr.. Frye then moved that the resolution
be recommiuted to the foreign affairs com.
mittee.
| On that motion Mr.. Allen of Nebraska
expressed his desire to be heard. In open
ing his discussion of the resolution MIR.
Allen reviewed his record upon the Cuban
question, saying that he and former
Senator Gall were the first members of
the Senate to take a strong stand in favor
of the independence Of Cuba.
| Mr. Allen said that If he could have his
way he would support the erection of q
republic in Cuba with all the land and
naval forces of the United States and
force the construction OF an independent
nation over the ashes of Spain's sover-
! eighty on the island. Twice in 40 years
had the Cubans struggled for their free
dom, Mr.. Allen declared, and now they
stood in sight of that goal guided by the
master Gomez who would In history be
regardedlas one OF the greatest commanders
and revolutionists Of this century. Mr..
Allen compared the career OF Weyler In
Cuba to the conduct Of the revolution ~
the Netherlands. There was universal
destruction. devastation and death. He
declared that Weyler's rule in Cuba had
been tempered with murder and modf-
fed with assas ,inations.
Referring to the catastrophe Of the
Maine Mr.. Allen said that Spain must
pay for the wholesale murder of Arfleri-
| al
Allen, "compensate for that murder at
least by freeing Cuba. and leaving this
continent never to return. am lingo
of the jingoes; I have always felt that the
Cubans would ultimately be able to wrest
their freedom from Spain Whatever
may be done about the Maine disaster
said he, one thing ought to be distinctly
understood, it should not be submitted
to the arbitrament of foreign nation.
Mr.. Allen said that this country had no
greed for Spanish territory or for Spanish
gold, nor was it the desire of the United
States to establish a protectorate over
Cuba, but the torch which had lighted
Cuba must be extinguished. Further
along Mr.. Allen said:
stantly recall our minister to Madrid and
hand to the Spanish minister his pass
ports.
He said he was opposed to the general
policy of the President of the United
States. but as one of the representatives
in the Senate of great state, ne was
willing to give him his support to a
proper solution of the Cuban problem,
for he felt that all political considera.
tions at time like this ought to be laid
aside and men of all parties should stand
together. Hs believed that in few more
days he should witness the Cuban flag,
loonsecrated by hundreds of thousands of
lives waving in triumph over the island.
Scarcely had Mr.. Allen concluded when
Mr. Chandler of New Hampshire precipi-
tated lively scene. He thought the
action of the committee on foreign re-
lations indicated some doubt and In
decision. Yesterday the committee
thought new call for the consular re-
ports ought to be made; today it thought
the call ought to be wi thdrawn.
"The first call.'' said Mr.. Chandler,
"was made in q resolution presented by
the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Morgan)
on February A. On the following day at
9. 40 p. m. an answer to that call for in
formation came from Spain-a significant
reference to the Maine disaster"