The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-19
CLOSING SESSION OF
THE CONFERENCE
Appointments for the Year Read by
Bishop Fowler.
FIRM STAND ON CUBAN QUESTION

Conservative Policy of President Me-
Kinicy Endorsed--If War Comes
the Clergymen win Pray That the
Conflict May Bo sharp and Decisive.
Officers and Committees Appointed,
The General Resolutions Adopted
Expressed the Thanks OF Mem
bers of the Conference TO Bishop
Fowler.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Norwich, n. Y. April 1S.-The last
session of the Methodist Episcopal
conference began at s o'clock this
morning with prayer. The bishop
opened the business session, then left
the chair to H. VI, Crydenwise. Re-
ports were called and approved. The
most interesting one submitted was the
following by f.. B. Olmstead:
We are IN the midst of critical times
There are many problems of social and
civil importance looming large on the
horizon of public interest. But just now
the question Of the strained relations be-
tween this country and Spain, growing
cut of Spanish msIue on the island of
Cuba, has assumed proportions so vast
and portcntiuuS as to ovcrshadow and for
the time being obscure all other uues-
tiOns of national moment. There are
many who assert that war is inevitable.
Certain 1t is that we seem to be nearer
the verge of war, with all its horrors and
far reaching consequences, than we haze
been before in a third of a century. Our
national house of representatives. has al
ready passed resolution authorizing
armed intervention, and the senate a res
olutiOn declaring Cuba free and inde-
pendent" An agreement between the
two houses, which may amount to a dec
laration of war, or some overt act on the
part of Spain, which may preCipitate a
clash of arms, are among the not inn
probable events of the next few hours
The causes which have led TO this de-
plorabe but, so far as we are concerned,
unavoidable condition of affairs, have
been concisely stated as follows.
CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE.
The government OF Span FOR three
years past has been wagiug war on the
island Of cuba, against Il revolution Of
the inhabitants thereof, without making
any substantial progress towards the
suppression of said revolution, and has
conducted the warfare in a manner con-
trary to the laws of nations, by methods
inhuman and unCivilized, causing the
death by starvation of more than 2OO,VOQ
innocent non-COmbatantS, the victims ne
ing for the most part helpless women and
children; mi.lctnE iutUlcrdblc injury 10
the commercial interests of the United
States, involving the destruction OF. the
lives and property Of many of our citi-
ZcnS, entailinS the expenditure Ot millions
Of money in patrOling our coasts and pO-
icing the high seas III order to maintain
our neutrality; and this long series Of
losses, injuries and burdens, for which
Spain is responsible, mas eliminated in
the destruction of the United States bat
tleship Maine in the harbor of Havana
and in the death of 2CG of our scamen."
Preamble to house resolution for armed
interVentiOn).
In view of such facts we most heartily
and strongly endorse the position taken
by the president of the United States in
mis- recent message to congress wherein
he says: "ln the name of humanity, in
the name of civilization, in behalf Of en-
dGngcred American interests which give
us the right and the duty to speak and to
act, the war in Cuba must stop"
We CanOnt remain Indifferent to the pite-
Gus outCrieS and appeals of our oppressed,
dOwn-troddcn, suffering, starving Cuban
ne!ghbors. All the dictates OF justice
and humanity demand a cessation of the
abhorrent conditions that have too long
existed on that unfortunate island.
We are convinced, however, that no sat
isfactory and abiding peace for cuba can
be reasonably expected short Of the a0so-
lute and permanent withdrawal of Spain
as a governing power from that island.
We believe this result should be attained
by peaCeablc measures if possible but il
not, by the exercise OF force as a last ru-
sort,
SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITIES
We recognize the fact that these grave
conditions impose upon the chief eNeCu-
tive of the nation the most serious re-
sponSibilitieS and we take occasion to en-
dOrse the wise. mainly, careful conser-
Vative policy of President Mckinley,
who, in spite of the loud ClamOrS and
hostile criticisms Of the turbulent and
hot-headed, has persisted in his cndeaV-
Ors to settle the pending difficulties in
some peaCeahle way consistent with the
honor dignity and conscience OF the La
ton. If war comes, We believe matters
have so shaped themselves that We can
enter upon this truggle, as an able and
conservative ser rator has saId with the
sanction of international law, with the
sympathy of all humane and liberty lov,
ing nations, with the approval of Oul
applauding Judgment of history in lht
event of war we believe the outcome vii
again VindiCatc the truth of the old adage
Thrice armed is he who hath his uuarrc
Just"
If war comes we will pray that the con
nict may be short and decisive, that soor
the nations concerned may again engag,
in the blOOdless rivalries Of commerce
and that the results may be in harmony
with the best principles of our nineteenth
century civilization, ana the sublime pre-
cepts Of the Gospel of Christ
y. +. Chaffee President.
Edwin g. Olmstead, Secretary
The nomination of officers for confer
ence societies was as follows:
Committee on ENamnauons-Chai
q. 4. Place; register, Justus +. Warner
W. Al. Alger u. r. ID. Briggs, a. T.. chat
fee, G. A. Cure w. Frisby. j. =. Johnson
G. II. Prentice, w. H. Hitler, NJ d. Ful
Ter, j. IL. Littell, Justs +. Warner t. h
Olmstead, ]. IL. Race, II. l.. Ellsworth
l.. f. Sanford, II. a. Greene, j. Il, Clark
b, +. Ripley.
Board of Church Location-I r. ship
man, g. II. Newing, w, H. Stillwcll, JOIN
Wentz, w. IL. Alger, J, H. littell :. T.
Johns, Il, A. Thompson, j. d. Rove, j
II. Thorpe, c. H. Sackett, ". J. Hill l.
+. Sanford, 5. Guy Snowdcn, Pierce But