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

people of Cuba are, they and they alone
have power to establish their govern.
ment. Independence and sovereignty
go hand in hand, and any people who
have independence have the capacity
and the right to exercise sovereignty. y
Mr.. Foraker declared that an attempt
on the part of the United States to es-
tablish government in Cuba would be
an act hostile to the Cuban republic.
He said that intervention by the United
States meant war with Spain and that
we should recognize the Cuban republic
and go hand in hand with Gen. Gomez
and the $4,000 men he now has in the
field and the 35, 900 to 10000 more who
would be with him if we would but
furnish them with arms and ammuni-
ton. Gomez force could speedily evict
the Spanish battalions from the island
of Cuba. If we will only with our
navy blockade the harbors so that they
can take no boats nor provisions in the
Cubans will speedily put an end to the
war and there will be no necessity for
this government to expose our troops
to the ravages of yellow fever and to
other difficulties and disadvantages
that would attend a campaign in that
island in the rainy season."
4Mr. Foraker showed by international
authorities that if we should intervene
without recognizing the Cuban repub-
lie the United States would become re-
sponsible for the $500, 00O, 900 Spanish
Cuban per cent bonds held in France,
Germany and the United States. Mr..
Elkins, of West Virginia disputed this
point. Mr.. Foraker referred to the
Maine disaster briefly but with telling
effect. AS he closed he was heartily
congratulated by the Democratic SEN
ators, but the Republicans glumly kept
their seats.
Mr.. Lodge followed with an appeal
for action in preservation of the ma
TONS honor and in wiping out the stain
of the "atrocious murder" in Havana
harbor. His words SO reached the
heart that the galleries were swept
with a tremendous wave of applause.
He declared that the destruction of our
ship, according to Gen. Lees testimony,
was celebrated with banquets and
champagne by the Spanish officers in
Cuba. Senator Lodge said that Gen.
Lee had advised the foreign relations
committee against recognizing the in
surgent government.
House Passes the Resolutions.
During the dignified discussion in
the Senate much different scenes were
being enacted in the House, which,
after one of the most exciting and
memorable days in its history, by a
vote of 81 to 10, adopted resolution
which nine-tenths of its members be-
lieve makes war with Spain inevitable.
The resolutions submitted by the ma
jority of the committee on foreign re-
lations, and which were adopted, are
as follows:
Whereas, The government of Spain
for three years past has been waging
war on the island of Cuba against a
revolution by the inhabitants thereof
without making any substantial pro-
gress 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 star
walton of more than 200, 900 innocent
non-combatants, the victims icing for
the most part helpless women and chill
dren, inflicting 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
ions 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
destruction of the United States bat
tleship Maine in the harbor of Havana
and in the death of 266 of our seamen;
therefore,
Resolved, That the President is
hereby authorized and directed to in
tervene at once to stop the war in Cuba
to the end and with the propose of Sc
curing permanent peace and order
there and establishing by the free action
of the people thereof "a stable and indie
pendent 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.
Although only 10 members dissented
upon the final vote the proceedings
were married by bitter and acrimoni-
Gus display of partisan feeling. Dur
ing the height of the excitement the
lie was passed between Mr.. Brum rep,
Pa and Mr.. Bartlett Dem, Ca and a
disgraceful scene followed that almost
descended to the level of a free fight.
Mr.. Bartlett hurled a book at his adj
versary and in a minute half hun
dreo members were fighting like fiends.
Order was finally restored and later the
two members found that the alterca-
ton had arisen out of a misunderstood
ing whereupon there were mutual apol.
ogies. Later when Mr.. johnson, of
Indiana, created a disturbance the
speaker ordered the sergeant-at-arms
to seat Linn.
Only 20 minutes side were given for
debate, and special rule was required
to get the resolution before the House.
The first contest came on the resolu.
tions of the minority of the foreign af.
Il