The times., 1898-04-12
larly on the floor, where senator's fol-
lowed its reading intently
MIR. Foraker DjseusteH.

| gave it close attention, and occasionally
! jotted down points that attracted his at
tention. The message was so disappont-
ing to the Ohio senator that he was evi-
IDENTIFY preparing for a speech then and
there in reply to the Presidents position.
For some reason, however, Mr.. Foraker
did not take the floor but he will he
heard before this matter is finally set
! tied.
1t required just forty-two minutes to
/ read the message, and when it was con-
! cluded Chairman Davis moved that it be
/ referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations. Mir. Stewart of Nevada dis
| cussed this motion briefly. taking the
! ground thai the Presidents message. by
! ignoring the independence of Cuba meant
that if the United States fought anyone
! it must fight Gomez.
The last words of the Presidents mes
sage had scarcely ceased to vibrate
! through the Senate chamber yesterday
than it was put under the fire of criti-
cism, which was only checked on the
part of Administration upholders by re-
sorting to the extreme measure of ad-
| journing the Senate.
If such a course had not been pursued
| it is evident the message would have been
mercilessly oyerhauled and torn to pieces
/ by the honest friends of Cuban liberty,
/ as well as those who feel that Americans
have not yet lost all love and honor
! for their flag. and who are unwilling to
| see measures of retribution for its in
suits passed over and referred to as
mere incidents"
1t was evident from the first that the
message was failure so far inspiring
and filling the members of the American
/ Senate with just pride IN being factors
in the carrying out of a dignified policy,
netting out justice to all without fear
or favor and prescribing a fitting punish
ment for the preparation of cowardly
act. Sc gigantic and horrible in its grew
/ soneness as to shock the entire civil
lized world.
On the contrary, the message seemed
| to be a heartless, feelingless and unsym-
pathetic appeal for the privilege of gloss
ing over the surface of all existing diff
| clllties. making a semblance of securing
| peace. and leaving the fundamental prin-
| ciples of q true settlement as a matter
not to be disturbed left, if you please,
to the entire discretion of the Executive
10 be treated automatically. The people
left in darkness as to the real attitude
and condition of the country.
The message received not the slight
est applause in the Senate, but rather
| with a puzzled surprise as the enormity
of its weakness became apparent
Motion to Refer.
AT the conclusion of the reading of the
message Mr. Davis moved that it be
printed and referred TO the Committee on
I Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Stewart arose and said that he did
not propose to discuss this matter at this
time, But" said he, such new phase
has been presented by the message that
think some public discussion ought to be
had before it is finally determined.
THE intervention in Cuba, recommend
ed. without the invitation of either party
and without the recognition of the bel.
ugerent rights of the Cubans looks like
war of conquest.
The Intervention which attracted the
attention of the world the most was the
Intervention Of the powers TO protect the
struggling people of Greece. They had
mere form Of government; they were
unable to resist and were about to be ex-
terminated and the powers interviewed IN
behalf OF Greece. This action, when taken'
met with the appreciation of the nations
of the world.
"At the time of our revolution France
intervened in our behalf. She did not sug-
gest that her forces be used to end the
rebellion and then leave matters to take
care Of themselves.
The position OF Cuba IS such that it
seems 10 me that there is no excuse for
going on that island with an armed force
unless we recognize some rights of the
Cubans who have carried on this war.
on February IS. 1896, the Senate passed
by vote of Ga to c the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That in the opinion of Con-
gress a condition of public war exists
between the government of Spain and
the government proclaimed and for some
time maintained by force of arms in
Cuba, and accord TO each all the rights
of belHgerents by the courts and terri
tories of the United States.
Resolved further, That the friendly
officers Of the United States be offered to
the Spanish government for the independ-
ence Of Cuba
"On the 9Th Of April following the
| House passed the same resolution by a
vote of 2i6 10 "a Before the passage of
that resolution the whole matter was
very thoroughly and elaborately discussed
by the ablest lawyers in both houses of
| Congress, and the conclusion was very
lucid. There had been nearly year of
this discussion. What had occurred
since?
Republican Promises.
''The opinion was confirmed by the Re
publican party in its convention which
met in July following the passage of this
resolution. That convention declared that
from the hour of achieving their own in
dependence, that the people of the United
States have regarded with sympathy the
struggles of any people to free them
selves.
I'VE have watched with abiding inter-
est the heroic battles of the Cuban insur-
gents.
'"The government Of Spain having lost
control Of that island and being unable to
protect either the property or the lives
of the people there, We believe that the
| Government Of the United States should
actively use its influence, and grant in
dependence to the people OF that island.
This was the sentiment Of the country
at the time of this convention, and this is