The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-01

~
Declaration of War Also introduced in
the ~House-Senator Mason De clares for
Wharf.-The House Refuses to Pay Claims
of Heirs of Mrs. r. f.. Lee
SENATE.
Washington, March 29.-Initerest in
'the Cuban situation-the interest
might also be termed excitement so in
tense was it-reached a climax in the
proceedings of the senate today.
AS on previous days of discussion of
the Cuban question, thousands Of p-J-
pie fiocked to the capitol, only a few If
whom, comparatively, could get adTnis-
sion to the galleries.
Within five minutes after the senate
convened Senator Allen, of Nebraska,
introduced a resolution recognizing the
independence of the Cuban republic.
This was followed by a resolution pro-
posed by Senator Rawlins, of Utah,
declaring war against the Kingdom Of
Spain. Senator Foraker, of Ohio, then
introduced a resolution declaring for
such intervention in the Cuban war as
would bring about the independence
of the Cubans. Following this came a
resolution by Senator Frye, of Maine,
demanding that Cuba be made free.
The resolutions followed one nother
so rapidly as almost to stun the audi
TORS, both senators and spectators.
This was the condition when the vice
president recognized Senator Mason, of
Illinois, for his speech ON the
presidents message transmitting to
OLOpIOraCh. tha hm1inpc pf tba NJoina
court of inquiry.
Senator Mason read his speech from
manuscript, but it was delivered with
all the vigOr and fire of which he Is
capable. THE intensity of the feeling of
Those in the galleries was evidenced
10y the storm of applause which was
elected by his declaration THAI he was
for war. Vice President Hobart had
difficulty in suppresging the demonstra-
tion.
After Senator Mason's speech, tine
senate PASSED seventy-four private
pension bills and followed his order
with eulOgies on the Latte Senator Earle,
of out Carolina, one of the most re
markable of which was pronounced by
Senator Tillman, a longtime political
opponent of General Earle.
Senator Morrill,, of Vermont, from the
finance committee, reported a joint res
OlutiCn providing for the Importation,
free of duty, of military supplies SIC
cured abroad into the United States
and asked for it's immediate consider
ation. 1t was passed.
The resolution of Senator Rawlin is
as follows:
Whereas, The war waged by the
Kingdom of Spain against the people of
Cuba has destroyed the be
tween them and the people of THE Uni
fhl Ctnfn- n rI nt, -nruj,rn rryiJ1 INC E1
possible so long as such wan may con-
tinue, and,
Whereas, By THE authority Of that
Kingdom, i'm the course of such war
much American property has Deer de
StrOyed and many American citizens,
without just cause, have been impris-
Oned and some asSasSinated in their
prison cells; and,
Whereas, While our ship Maine was
at anchOr in the harbor of Havana
within the dominion and under the con-
trol of the Kingdom of Spain alt "a, place
designated by her authority that ship
and most of the men on board in the ser
vice of their country, by the explosion
>Of a submarine mine. were Willfully,
wickedly and jtreacherouSly mangled
and destroyed; and,
rWhereas, The Kingdom OF Spain has
proven herself incompetent to tranquil
ize the island Of Cuba, either by the
methods of peace of by means of civ
ilized warfare; and, accordingly, has
proceeded to make desolate the homes
of it's peaceful inhabitants, driving
men, women and children into guarded
camps, OBTAINING them there without
1nalIing provision to shelter, clOthe or
feed them, thus W1Illfully causing their
determination to the number of hun
dreds of th~ousands-by the slow and
torturous process of starvation; and,
Whereas, Against these wrongs,
against these revolving acts of inhu-
manity this government has time and
again made peaceful protest to the
kingdom of Spain, at the same time
~endeavoring by a helpful charity ito
relieve those whom h has thus
Drought to such dire distress and Our
repeated protests having been disre-
garded and our efforts of philanthropy
having proved unavailing, and,
Whereas. Firmly convinced that fur
ther peaceful protest will prove equally
lin vain and that the recognition of the
independence of the republic of Cuba
and armed intervention in its behalf
by this government will alone be eff
fective for the redress of past and the
prevention of future wrongs, and,
Whereas, While regretting the neces-
sity-now imperious-for UGH action
but mindful of our duty to "a neighbOr.
ing people and to humanity, and with {
clear consciousness as to the justnes!
of cur cause and that our action will
meet with the approving Judgment O
all civilized peoples, Now, Therefore, 10
ct,
Resolved by the senate and hous'
of representatives of the United State:
of America in congress assembled
That the independence of the repub
dies of Cuba be and the same is hereb.
recognized and that war against tn,
Kingdom of Spain be and the same i
hereby declared, and the president i
hereby authorized and directed to EN-
ploy the land and naval forces Of tn
United States of America to wage Sucl
war to success.
Senator Mason first spoke of the con
dition of affairs in Cub and the pic
lures painted by those who had VISITS
the island
Speaking Of the destruction Of tn
Maine. Senator Mason said:
THE battleship Maine, our gallau