The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-04-15
CUBAN RESOLUTIONS
Three Introduced in the Senate and
Their Subjects Discussed.
STATEMENT OF GEN. CROSVENOR.
The Presidents Message Means a Request
for Authority to Use the Army and Navy
to Establish a Cuban Government
Independent OF Spain.

Independent of Spain.
WASHINGTON, April IL. For nearly
three hours yesterday the senate had
the Cuban question in its several
phases under discussion. Three reso-
lutiops bearing upon the question were
introduced, one by Senator Lindsay,
of Kentucky. directing that the con-
templated operations against the Span.
ish army in Cuba be in concert with
Gen. Gomez, the supreme command to
be vested In the compander Of the
United States forces, TO the end that
the independence of the Cubans be Sc
cured; the second by Senator WILSON,
of Washington, directing the presi-
dent at once to take such steps as will
secure to the Cuban people an indie.
pendent, republican form of govern.
ment, and the third by Senator
Allen, of Nebraska, declaring the
existence of war in Cuba, and
directing the president to take steps
to stop it and secure 10 the people
of the island a stable and independent
government. Following the introduce
ton of the resolutions, speeches were
delivered by Senator Pettus, of Ala
bama; Senator Mason, of Illinois, and
Senator Butler, of North Carolina.
Senator Pettus presented an argu-
ment that the congress could not dele
gate to the president the power to
make war, either in "a general or in
special sense, and declared that the
making of any war without an express
Il ,1ar Ton !, 10,
disgrace to the nation. Senator Ma
sons speech was largely legal argu-
ment in favor of the recognition of the
independence of the Cuban republic,
and was delivered with charact eristic
fire and vehemence.
senator Butler spoke for the "oppo-
sition" on the floor of the senate.
maintaining that it had thus far up
held the hands of the administration,
and would continue to do so for de-
finite and vigorous policy. He re-
GREETED that the president had not
presented such IA policy To congress.
and held that intervention without
the recognition ofindependence would
simply mean the crushing of the Cuban
patriots.
Consideration of the sundry civil bill
was resumed, but no progress was
made. senator Hale, of Maine. report
ed the naval appropriation bill and
gave notice he would call it up as soon
as the Nundry civil bill was disposed
OF.
THE HOUSE.
WAsuINGToN, April 13-Gen. Gros-
venor, of Ohio, now generally regarded
as the spokesman of the president on
the floor of the house, late yesterday
afternoon, in reply to an attack upon
the policy of the administration, inter-
preted the recommendation in the
presidents message to mean "a request
for authority to use the army and navy
of the United States to establish on
the island of Cuba "a government indie
pendent of Spain 1t was regarded as
an exceedingly Important and signih-
cant announcement In the brief de-
bate yesterday, the opening guns Of
the contest that begins to-day were
fired. Broadsides were exchanged and
then the house adjourned Mr. Lentz,
an Ohio democrat, attacked what he
termed the "vaci llating" policy of the
president, the midnight conference
ut the white house with senator
Elkins and Johp j. McCook." and
asserted that the presidents rec
concentrations really meant that
the United States should coerce the Gu.
ban insurgents into an acceptance of
SPANS scheme of autonomy. Mr.. Hep
burn, republican, OF Iowa, made spir-
tied and indignant reply, denouncing
the intimation of such policy rs lit
tie short of scoundreliSm Then came
Gen. Grosvenor's important announce
ment upon which Mr.. Bailey, the dem
ocratic leader, countered, taking the
position that If the president had
meant to declare for the indepe ndence
of Cuba he would have said so in
specific words. In conclusion. he de-
clared that the president who should
coerce the Cuban patriots would not
live to survive the odium Of the Ameri-
can people.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal, the speaker recognized Mr..
iilborn, republican, of California, to
call up, on behalf of the naval commit.
tee, the senate bill for the organiza.
ton of naval battalion i'm the Dis
trict of Columbia. Mr.. Bailey indi-
Gated his purpose to object, unless an
amendment were offered to organize
this battalion under existing law. Mr..
Ridgley, populist, of Kansas, then OBJ
jected and the house went into com
mittee of the whole on bill relating
to the District of Columbia. During
the debate Mr.. Botlsin, populist, OF
Kansas, and MIR. Greene, populist, of
Nebraska, took occasion to discuss the
Cuban question, but their utterances
were not infiammatory.
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