Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-02-24
TWO REGIMENTS
To Be Immediately Recruited for
the Artillery Service
For Manning Heavy Coast Defense
Batteries Purchased By Congress.
A Bill Passed in the Senate to That Effect
1t is Thought the Measure Will Pass
the House-Other News From the
National Capital of Interest.

hNtuI NSo VI W uoliilS boli wac SOlINlhNCtt
by Mr.. Lodge (Mass.) in the senate
Tuesday, Mr.. Hawley (Ct.), chairman
of the military affairs committee, call
ed up the bill providing for the en-
listment of two additional regiments of
artillery for service for manning the
heavy coast, defense batteries which
congress has provided during the past
two years
Mr.. Bate (Tenn.) objected to the bill
because it tended to an increase of the
army, to which he said he was unalter-
ably opposed. He thought that there
were enough troops already under en-
listment to man all the guns now be-
ing provided for by the government.
He argued that it would be better to
assign infantry regiments to the man
ming of these guns than to put them in
charge of raw recruits.
In reply Mr.. Hawley pointed out
that the strength of the army was
really decreasing in proportion to the
the inhabitants of the country.
In addition he said congress had
made large appropriations in recent
years for great guns for forts and
X
139 were of large caliber and delicate
mechanism. To these must be added
232 rihed steel mortars already placed
or soon to be placed in the coast de-
fense stations.
In order that these guns may be
properly handled body of trained ar.
tillerists is necessary. Each of these
great war engines requires to handle
it as much skill as it requires to run a
locomotive or an ordinary river
steamer. The war department esti-
mates that 1,600 men, which this bill
calls for will be necessary to man
these guns. Mr.. Cockrell (Mo.) said he
was opposed to an increase in the
infantry or cavalry arms of the
service, but in this case the country
was confronted by serious condition.
He regarded it as necessary that the
guns provided by the government
should be properly cared for and
manned. For that reason he had con-
sented as a member of the committee
to have the bill favorably reported.
The bill was then passed, 52-4 The
negative votes were cast by Messrs.
Bate (Tenn.), Clay (Ga.), Chiffon 'Tex.)
and Vest (Mo.)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S.-1t seems prob
able that the bill which passed the
senate Tuesday to create two addi-
tional regiments of artillery will pass
the house without much opposition if
it is reported while the house is in
its present temper. The military af-
fairs committee, not the appropria-
tions committee, has jurisdiction over
this bill and Chairman Hull is now
absent at his home in Iowa. No
opposition is likely to be encountered
from the appropriations committee.
Chairman Cannon is heartily in favor
of it, but he wants it distinctly under
stood that his support is in no wise
based upon sentiment produced by the
Maine disaster or any idea that the sit
uation is at all critical. II favor the
bill, 4" said he, Tuesday, because be-
lieve the guns in the Notifications we
are building should be manned"
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Allen
Wednesday introduced the following
resolutions:
Whereas, 1t is the established doctrine OF
the United States that the western hem
isphere shall be dedicated to republican forms
OF government, recognizing the political equal
ity Of human beings; and,
Whereas, The principles OF the Monroe doc
trine, or the doctrine OF national self-preserva-
tion, is as applicable in wrestling any portion
OF this continent from the grasp Of foreign
countries as in preventing them obtaining ad-
dtional territory; and,
Whereas, The island Of Cuba, by reason OF
its location and close proximity to the United
States. should by right be dedicated to re-
publican form OF government; and
Whereas, republican form OF government
is and has been for nearly three years, main
tanned in said island by force of arms and
Whereas, 1t Is alleged 500, 900 persons on said
island have died OF starvation by reason OF be-
ing concentrated by the Spanish government
at various points without being fed or afford
ed opportunity to provide food for themselves,
and hundreds are daily dying and
Whereas, The dictates OF humanity require
the intervention Of the United States in such
case, therefore,
Resolved, That select committee OF Ave
senators shall be appointed whose duty II shall
be to forthwith make thorough investigation
and inquire into and report on tho following
subjects:
First, TO what extent the work OF concen-
trating the inhabitants OF Cuba has been car
ried on by the Spanish government, and how
| many persons on said island have in the last
t0Tee years uleu Us JHt TeSulC OF bLarFuJlOn OF
| for lack OF sufficient food and diseases incident
| thereto, and to what extent concentration Is
| being practced there by Spanish authority and
| the condition OF the people concentrated,
| Second whether the concentrated Cubans
| have been adequately sheltered, clothed and
| fed by the Spanish government or by others,
| or have been permitted to obtain food and
| clothing for themselves.
Third, what lawful steps, II any, are neces-
! sary and can be taken by the United States
| TO bring the war In Cuba to a speedy termina-
tion on grounds honorable alike to Spain and
| Cuba and which will result In the kingdom OF
Spain relinquishing its hold on the island and
in the establishment OF republican form oi
| government there.
Fourth, To what extent Spanish barbarity
| and cruelty have during the war now In prog
| ress on the island OF Cuba, been practiced to-
| ward the ahabitants OF Cuba and what IN be
lawfully done by the United States. IL any,
| thing, TO ameliorate the condition OF the Gu
| bans.
And to these ends and for these purposes
said committee may sit at such times anC
places as they may see proper during the ses
| sions OF congress and in vacation and shal
have the right TO visit and take testimony II
Cuba, II deemed proper 70 do So All testi
mony taken shall be preserved, and the hndinI
OF said select committee together with all tes
timony. shall be reduced 70 writing and re
1 f,t hn afa daf