Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-04-21

upon this body the attention of the
civilized world was focused. as upon it's
action IL was evident that the moment
GUS question of war between the United
States and Spain was pending. So
many Senators expressed a desire To
speak on the resolutions that IT was
soon seen that at least three days
would be thus consumed. The first
day the speakers were Mr.. Turner,
(Wash.), Mr.. Hoar, Mass, Mr.. Turpie,
und), Mr.. Gray, (Del.), and Mr.. Fair
banks, Qnd.)
They were accorded the most pro-
found attention, both by senators and
by the throngs in the galleries. The
speeches delivered upon the various
phases of the situation, eloquent, spir-
tied and vehement as all of them were,
disclosed no irreconclable differences
among those who spoke. All were in
favor of action in some form by the
government of the United States. The
most radical difference was as to
whether the resolutions finally adopted
should recognize the independence of
the Cuban republic or simply declare
for armed intervention with a view to
the ultimate freedom and independence
of the Cuban people. The speeches
were interspersed with sharp and spir-
tied colloquies, some of which caused
intense excitement in the galleries.
Many times the applause both on the
floor and in the galleries was tumultu-
Gus and the vice-president was obliged
more than once to warn the spectators
that no demonstrations were, under
the rules, to be permitted.
The second day of the debate in the
Senate began at the unusually early
hour of 10 a. m, continued until far
into the night and yet the throngs re-
manned in the galleries as il held under
some spell During the day speeches
were delivered by Mr.. Cullom Qll.),
Mr.. Berry Ark, Mr. Daniel (Va.), Mr..
Tillman Is. CO., Mr.. Wolcott Col, Mr..
Spooner wis.,, Mr.. Chiffon (Tex.). Mr..
Teller Coli and Mr.. Stewart New,
and fully 20 other names of Senators
who desired to make speeches were
still on the vice-president's list.
The last day of the Senate debate on
the Cuban resolutions saw the adoption
of resolutions for the independence of
the Cuban republic, by vote of 81 To
21. as a substitute for the House reso-
lutions which were merely for inter
vention to stop the war of Spain on
Cuba.
All day long the contest waged with
an earnestness. energy, ability and elo-
quence seldom equaled even in the Sen
ate of the United States. From 10
o'clock in the morning until the mo-
mcnt of the final vote, at 9:10 o'clock
in the evening, the intensity of the in
terest did not abate for an instant.
Under an agreement limiting the dur
alton of the speeches, except in speci-
fed instances to Is minutes, every SEN
ator who so desired had an opportunity
to express his views. No less than 20
Senators addressed themselves to the
momentous question under considera-
ton during the day and while. under
the rule, elaborate arguments were inn
possible, the speeches were character
lied by an imprisoned force and elo-
quence rarely heard in or out of the
halls of the American congress. The
resolutions as adopted are as follows:
Joint resolution for the recognition
of the independence of the people and
republic of Cuba, demanding that the
government of Spain relinquish its
authority and government in the island
of Cuba and to withdraw its land and
naval forces from Cuba and Cuban
waters. and directing the President OF
the United States to use the land and
naval forces of the United States TO
carry these resolutions into effect.
Whereas. The abhorrent conditions
which have existed for more than three
years in the island of Cuba. SO near our
own borders, have shocked the moral
sense of the people of the United
States, have been a disgrace to Christ
ian civilization, eliminating, as they
have, in the destruction of a United
States battleship with 266 of its officers
and crew, while on friendly visit in
the harbor of Havana, and cannot
longer be endured. as has been set
forth by the President of the United
States, in his message to congress OF
April IL, 1898, upon which the action
of congress was invited: Therefore,
Resolved, BY the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States
of America, in congress assembled,
/. That the people of the island OF
Cuba are and of right ought to be free
and independent and that the govern
ment of the United States hereby rec
ognizes the republic of Cuba as the true
and lawful government of that island
.. That it is the duty of the United
States to demand, and the govern
ment of the United States hereby does
demand the government of Spain al
once to relinquish its authority and
government in the island of Cuba and
withdraw its land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters.
3. That the President of the United
States be, and he hereby is, directed
and empowered to use the entire land
and naval forces of the United States
and to call into actual service of the
United States the militia of the several
states, to such an extent as may be nee
essary to carry these resolutions into
effect.
4. That the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or intention
to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction
or control over the island, except
for the modification thereof and assert,