The Portland daily press., 1898-02-24

authorities, and the conditions of the
people concentrated.
Second-Whethor the concentrated
Cubans have been adequately sheltered,
clothed and fed by the Spanish govern
ment, or by others or have been permitted
to obtain food and clothing for them
selves
Third-What lawful steps, il any, are
necessary and can be taken by the United
States 70 bring the war in Cuba to speedy
termination, on grounds honorable alike
to Spain and Cuba, and which will result
in the kingdom Of Spain relinquishing it's
hold on the island and in the establish
ment of a Republican form of govern
ment there.
Fourth-To what extent Spanish bar
barity and cruelty have during the war
now in progress on the Island OF Cupa,
been practised toward the inhabitants OIL
Cuba, and what can be lawfully done by
the United States, il anything, TO amel-
lorate the conditions of the Cubans.
And to these ends and for 5hose pur,
NOSES. said committee may sit at such
times and places as they may see proper
during the session of Congress and in
vacation and shall have the right to visit
and take testimony in Cuba, If deemed
proper to do so. All testl mony taken
shall be preserved and the finding Of said
special committee, together with all testi-
mony shall be reduced to writing and re-
ported to the Senate at as early date as
practicable.
On objection to immediate considera-
ton by Mr. Platt of Connecticut the reso-
luton under the rules went over until to-
morrow. 4a
priation called up the military academy
appropriation bill. The bill with the
amendment by the committee was passed
without division. It carried 1854 ,240.
On motion of Mr. Hale of Maine, the
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill was taken mp. 1t appropriates ST.
TAG, 43S, that amount being an increase
over the sum carried by the bill as it
passed the House of $f7, 400. Russia is
placed among the nations at whosefcapitals
the United States Is represented by am
bassadors.
At the conclusion of the reading of the
bill, Mr.. Allan of Nebraska offered as an
amendment the resolution recognizing the
belligerency of the Cuban insurgents,
which was unfavorably reported few
days ago by the committee on foreig On re-
lations. Mr.. Allen said that the amend
resolutions which had already passed the
Senate. He read the unfayorable report
presented one~the amendment by the
f2rsign EslaSions committee, comment
ing upon it as remarkable document.
He said it admitted the truth of the
charge that the conditions had grown
worse since the adoption of a similar
declaration as an independent measure
and yet took an adverse view of the
propriety of incorporating such anamend-
ment in the bill He denied that this was
through any desire to ooerce the House.
Congress was, he said, merely finding
some excuse under which it could con-
tinue business and escape eensure. His
desire was toSfind whether Congress could
| in any way be indu ,ed, cajoled or kicked
into putting the country in a. digniied
attitude on the Cuban question. MT.
Allen asserted that he had reliable infor-
nation that thirty three per cent of the
Cuban population or 100000 persons had
persisted in Cuba within the past three
years as a result of Spanish cruelty.
"And Fget,'' hea said, "lest the
Senate offend the House, a point OF order
Is to be made against this amendment
aud it will go the way of very much
| valuable legislation.
He referred to the speech made by Sen
ator FRYE on the massacre of the Ar
menians by Turks, and said he thought
it indicated that the further away the
trouble was the deeper the interest OF
some Senators seemed to be.
If the Republican party could bear to
see Cubans exterminated by starvation IL
| plain violation of its platform and OF the
Christian sentiment of the country, the
Republican Senators ought to be willing
| to face the question on a yea and nay
vote.
| MIR. Morgan of Alabama, said the Sen.
ate had passed the Cuban belligerency
resolution We have no right, said he, te
make declaration of war against SpaiI
under cover, and this is especially what
this resolution would mean. If thii
amendment were attached TO the appro
priation bill, Spain might as well regare
| it as cause OF war. The conditions anc
situation in Cnba were entirely differen
when this resolution was passed by thu
Senate. Mr.. Morgan said that 1T NIGH
almost at any time previous to this have
| been regarded as peace measure ano
| Spain would have had no right to take
Ioffense ats the United States by ou1
making a declaration of belligerency. Th'
situation now, however, was entirely
different. Between 100000 and 6OO, 0O'
people had been starved to death on the
| island.
| s'This awful condition of affairs" said
Mr.. Morgan, ''makes our position in thu
Cuban matter extremely delicate. An IN
tervention on thu part of this government
! in the present critical condition of affair
| would almost certainly be regarded b.
Spain ss oasus belli. I almost dread tt
refer to the conditions and circumstance!
| which have been brought about by tn
events of the last ten days. In the Presen
circumstances 1t would not be conslsten
with the feelings or character OF the sen
| timents of the American people TO IL
anything that would in any way aggra
waite the situation brought about by tn
events leading up to the inquiry now il
progress in Havana. 'If, however, an,
Senator believes in declaration of wa
and will draw such a declaration will
proper grounds upon which to base 1t,
will vote for it,"
Mr.. Allen disolaimed any intention o
making a declaration of war agains
Spain, Elf we should put this amendment
on the appropriation bill. replied Mr.
Morgan, stSpain would be fully justified
in Interpreting our meaning to be tina
| we were extensively interfering in he
affairs. The Spanish are great ant
| powerful and proud people and they be
| lieve that their cause is right. do no
wish to provoke them to declaration o
war. have always believed that the wa
! in Cuba could not he terminated withou
involving the United States in hostilities
n 49,.