The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-08
SENATORS INDIGNANT.
y Fear Is Expressed That General
Lee VIII BE AssaSSinated.

Lee VIII tie ASS6SSInateu.
The demand of Spain that General Lee
he recalled caused much Indignation at
the Capitol. 1t was recognized as mat
ter of international law that Spain had
the right to do this, but, at the same
time, the fact could not be overlooked
that it was intended as an affront The
lightning-like rapidity With which the
President denied the demand and the sub
sequent yielding of Spain from her posi-
ton were sources of conSr2tulation
among the members for this is the first
evidence of frmness and decisiveness this
Administration has yet given.
Il should promptly have recalled Lee
after receiving this note from Gen. Wood
ford" said Senator Wilson of Washing
ton. II should promptly have recalled
Lee, and as fast as a cable and the teie-
graph could work | should have recalled
Minister Woodford and any other con-
sular agent we have in Spain or Spanish
provinces. l should have broken off all
diplomatic relations instanter. and then
have told that government that We were
sick and tired OF endeavoring to negotiate
with her
This would bring things to a head
/ quickly enough. Spain can send Gen
Lee home if she wants to. but if she
! does, not another American official should
be permitted to remain on Spanish soil.
This incident can only be accepted
/ by this Government as a declaration from
/ Spain that she intends to force the issue
and drag us into a fight. That interpre-
IA, I. Id
and we have too long delayed the com
/ pletion of those things necessary to ena-
! BILE us to successfully attack an enemy or
defend our sea coast cities.
However, we are not so defenseless
! as the people have been led to believe.
/ Our Notifications have been rushed re-
/ Gently and we are, all things considered,
in good shape for the conflict which seems
inevitable.
For one [ am in favor, if it be needed.
of the immediate passage of a bill or
joint resolution appropriating millions OF
dollars for the equipment of our Army
and Navy. There need be no fear as to
what the people will say.
''They will stand taxation when *
comes to a question of defending the ma
| tional honor. | do not look upon war
lightly nor do | underestimate the seri-
| BUSINESS of war with Spain. 1t would
be essentially naval conflict.
Such must, in fact, be the nature OF
any war between us and n foreign pow
er, and we should be prepared for it. II
| could have my own way about this
thing, | would increase the tax on beer
to 81 a barrel today. and spend every
dollar of the millions it would bring in
in the increase of the Navy and the
fertilization of our posts. 1t looks as i:
we were fast drifting into war"
THE whole people" said Senator Bacon
of Georgia, will uphold the President if
he maintains a vigorous policy in this
matter. Unfortunately, there is some
thing of politics in 1t in both countries.
| Spain must have war in order to
strengthen the party in power and to pre-
vent Carlst uprising. The contest then
between the Liberals now in power and
the Conservatives who want to get back
is very bitter, and a war with America is
counted upon to be of great advantage
to the Liberals.
I'm the United States pretty much the
same conditions exist. There are prom
inent Republicans who hold that only a
war with Spain can save that party this
fall. 1t is to be deplored that we are
drifting into war for these reasons, but
beneath them is a far weightier reason.
nized the belligerency of the Cubans or
had Mr.. Mckinley done so promptly
had the House passed the Senate reso-
luton granting belligerent rights, the
100000 dead reconcentrados would now
be alive; the battleship Maine. with her
American seamen. would not now be al
the bottom of Havana harbor. and Gu
ba would by this time have won her in
dependence"
There was some talk at the Capitol
yesterday morning about the proposition
that Cuba buy her freedom through the
guaranteeing of the bonds by the Amer
lean Government. Several senators
with whom a Times reporter talked yes
terday said that it was too late for such
n plan to be successful.
Every statesman who discussed the
subject yesterday said that Congress
would never give its consent to such
proposition. 1t would appropriate all the
money necessary for a fight, but not on,
dollar with which to purchase a freedom
now almost within Cuba's grasp.
There was no public discussion in tn.
Senate. Neither Cuba nor the general sit
uation was mentioned save in the cloal
room talk, and there the general bitter
ness of the discussion of the past tive
weeks was softened by the knowledge o
the fact that the President apparently
has donned his fighting clothes.
There is some talk of introducing a res
olution in the Senate extending vote o
thanks of Congress to Gen. Lee for thu
admirable way in which he has conducted
affairs in Cuba.
Such resolution would emphasize tn
displeaSure of Congress ut the act o
Spain in calling for Lees withdrawal o.
would re-enforce the stand taker by tn,
President on the same subject.
Senator Mason is quite dubious over tn,
outlook. THE one great fear now have
said he last evening, lis that the Span
iards will assassinate Lee. They know
he is persona non grata to the home gov
eminent on account of his zeal in the
cause of humanity and they know yer,
well that if they put a stiletto into hi.
back the Spanish government would
shield them for the good they had don,
the cause. The difference between tn,
Spaniard and the American is that tn,
one viii fight openly like a man. whit
the other follows the tactics of the ven
detti
Il want to see something done for Gu
ba and | begin to hope that something
will soon be done. If ii had not been 70
this Lee episode intended to have Gale,
up my resolution introduced more than ;
month ago, directing the President to de
clare and maintain peace on the ISlanC
of Cuba. even If it took force to do ii
/ That resolution was introduced before TIL
De LONE incident and before the destruc
ton of the Maine. / still stand upon it
and later on | intend to call * up in SOM
way. If the committee will not take &c
ton | shall reintroduce it and endeavo
to force the Senate to vote on it, / d,
not care at this moment, however. to dt
anything to interfere with rhe plans o
the President, for he seems to be abou
to do something.