Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-04-14


over to another day, but this did not
prevent a most exciting and vigorous
debate upon the resolution and the
Cuban situation. All day long the SEN
ate listened, with the galleries, while
vigorous speeches were made for and
against the proposition. The minority
report, which was presented by four
members of the foreign relations COM
mittee-Senator Foraker, of Ohio, join
ing with three Democratic members
was in favor of the recognition of the
independence of the present govern
ment of Cuba at once, and it is an in
teresting fact that there seems to be
quite general feeling that the minor
fly report of the committee may, when
the vote is taken, be the action of the
senate. Debate and discussion may
alter the condition which seems to exist
now, but the temper of senators on
both sides seems inclined in that direc-
ton.
The following is the majority resolu-
ton reported to the senate:
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 Chris
tan civilization, eliminating, as they
have, in the destruction of a United
States battleship, with 266 of its of
ficers and crew, while on q friendly
visit In the harbor of Havana, and can
not longer be endured, as has been set
forth by the president of the United
States in his message Of April II, 1898,
and upon which the action of congress
was invited, therefore
Resolved, First-That the people of
the Island of Cuba are and of right
ought to be free and independent
Second-That it is the duty of the
United States to demand and the gov
eminent of the United States does
hereby demand that the government of
Spain at once relinquish it's authority
and government in the Island of Cuba
and withdraw its land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters.
Third-That the president of the Uni
ted 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 the actual service of
the several states the militia of the
several states to such extent as may
be necessary to carry these resolutions
into effect.
Although the senate was first to pre-
sent its resolution, the house was first
to act. For more than five hours efforts
were made in the committee on foreign
affairs to secure unanimous action, but
in the end the division of the commit
tee on party lines prevailed, and the
resolution of the majority was passed
after one of the most exciting episodes
that has been witnessed In the house
since the Fifty-first congress. Party
feeling ran high, and, as foreshadowed
by the action of the committee, party
lines were sharply drawn, resulting in
scene which became personal and dis
graceful. The members of the commit
Tee were inclined to support an unanf-
nous report, even if it did not wholly
meet their views, but after a long con-
ference with the leaders of the minor
ity, who counseled standing on the
ground which the Democratic party
had assumed during this congress, it
was decided to favor a direct recogni-
ton of the insurgents as the govern
ment of Cuba.
The majority resolution was intro
duced in the house by Mr.. Adams, of
Pennsylvania, and passed by vote of
322 to 10. 1t is as follows:
Whereas, the government of Spain
for three years past has been waging
war on the Island OF Cuba against
revolution by the inhabitants thereof
without making any substantial prog
ress towards the suppression of said
revolution, and has conducted the war
fare in manner contrary to the laws
of nations by methods inhuman and
uncivilized. causing the death by
starvation of more than 100000 inno-
cent non-combatants, the victims being
for the most part helpless women and
children, infiicting intolerable injury to
the commercial interests Of the United
States, involving the destruction Of the
lives and property Of many Of our citi-
zens, entailing the expenditure of mill
lions of money in patrolling our coasts
and policing the high seas in order to
maintain our neutrality; and,
Whereas, this long series of losses,
injuries and burdens for which Spain
is responsible has eliminated In the de-
struction of the United States battle
ship Maine in the harbor of Havana
and in the death of 266 Of our seamen.
Resolved, that the president is hereby
authorized and directed to intervene
at once to stop the war in Cuba to the
end and with the purpose Of securing
permanent peace and order there and
establishing by the free action Of the
people thereof a stable and independent
government of their own In the Island
Of Cuba, and the president is hereby
authorized and empowered to use the
land and naval forces OF the United
States to execute the purpose Of this
resolution.