The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-05
AANE CASE NENAC|NG.
Senator Perkins Charges Ex-
pIOSiOn TO SpanlardS.
TURNER GETTING TIRED.
Urges Congress to Take the Bull
by the Horns.
CLAY GIVES GOOD COUNSEL.
Wants Cuba Freed and War
AVerted If Possible.

Washington, April At was frankly
and openly charged in the Senate to-day
by Mr. Perkins of California in a set
speech that Spain was responsible for the
Maine disaster. as it had been brought
about by Spanish Vaccinations and Span
ish treachery
The speech of Mr.. Perkins
was only one of four prepared addresses
upon the Cuban question delivered in the
Senate to-day.
After the Cuban speeches had been deliv-
cred the Senate resumed consideration of
the sundry civil bill and finished 13 pages
before adjournment.
Mr.. Pettgrew of South Dakota present
ed telegram signed by more than hun
dred of his constituents, reading: "All par
ties here want Spanish torpedo hotilla
turned back or destroyed. Patience ex-
hausted."
Mr.. Turner of Washington introduced a
resolution which he asked should go over
until tomorrow, ''if in the meantime moth
ing has been done in the matter"
The resolution directs the committee on
foreign relations to report at the earliest
moment without waiting for the concur
renee or @adYice of any department of the
government what action, if any, in view
of the Maine disaster, and of the deplora-
BILE condition of Cuban affairs should be
taken to preserve the honor and dignity
of this country
When the resolution offered last Friday
by Mr.. Chandler Of New Hampshire re-
questing the Secretary of State to send
to the Senate the Cuban consular corre-
spondence was laid before the Senate, Mr..
Davis, chairman of the foreign relations
committee, asked that the resolution go
over until Wednesday. To this Mr.. Chand-
Ter assented.
Quite unexpectedly a discussion of the
Cuban question was precipita ted.
Mr.. Clay of Georgia based his remarks,
he said upon the resolution submitted by
Mr.. Foraker of Ohio. resolution in favor
of independence, and If necessary of armed
intervention. While he was fully prepared
TO support the administration in action
upon the Cuban matter he was desirous
that war should be averted if it could be-
by any possibility.
Mr.. Clay felt that the administration
ought to be afforded every opportunity
to bring about diplomatic solution of the
pending trouble and he felt certain that
so long as the executive branch of the
government was assured that the Press-
dent was acting with judgment and pa
triotism, 1t would await upon his recon-
mendations.
Mr.. Clay said he was satisfied that no
permanent peace could be had in Cuba
that did not include the independence of
the Cubans. With them it is liberty or
DEATH The remedy to be applied to the
situation in Cuba was, in Mr. Clays opin-
ion, absolute independence, as it was evil
dent that the island could no longer be
held under Spanish sovereignty.
By herself recognizing the independence
of Cuba and Withdrawing her troops from
the island Spain was afforded the one
opportunity to make Cuba her friend. I'm
less she embraced this opportunity, Spain
could not support her rule upon the ISL
and for five times as much as the island
was worth to her.
Mr. Clay fully realized he said. that In
the event of war the South will be a
greater sufferer than any other part of
the country. Her sea coast cities would
be open to attack by the enemy her peo-
pie would be first called upon to defend
her homes from invasion and her COM
merce would be most seriously crippled.
He would not vote for war unless every
effort to bring about a peaceful solution
of the present difficulty was first ex-
hausted.
If, however, the matter could not be
settled automatically in consonance with
the honor and dignity of the country. he
would favor drastic action.
Il believe" he said, "in the independ-
ence of Cuba, and if Spain will not agree
to that peacefully, the United States must
enforce il with all the power of her land
and naval forces. The people of the South
believe in the peaceful solution of tho
question, if possible. but are willing TO en-
ploy force If necessary"
This fact ought, in the opinion of Mr.
Clay, to be distinctly communicated 10
Spain. She ought to be told that tho
American people absolutely demand Free
dom Of the Cubans. Then If she docs NOT
aocede the demand the results would be az
her own making In the accomplishments
of Cuba's independence, Georgia. the I'm
pire state of the South Mr.. Clay said In
conclusion, would do its full share.
In opening a set speech upon the Cuban
question Mr.. Perkins OF California eulo-
gized the conduct of the President for tha
calm, dignified and conservative manner
in which he had handled the grave prop
lem presented for his solution
Mr.. Perkins referred briefly to the
(Confin,tad IN, TTiffh Toarn \