The record-union., 1898-04-12
ThnV Shnl1ll o.

get out of Cuba They should go at
once. For these purposes they believe
the army and navy of the United States
should be utilized until Cuba is free and
the Maine avenged. Believing that
the President is, in his ultimate pur-
poses, with the people, 1 have the
pleasure in assuring the Trades
League of Philadelphia that l Will COM
ply with their request
Even when Quay was speaking, Ma
jor Pruden, the Executive Secretary TO
the President, entered the chamber
bearing the long-eXpected message He
was recognized as soon as Quay had
concluded, and when he had presented
the message the Vice President imme-
diately laid it before the Senate.
In a stiffness that was almost breath
less, the message was read, the reading
occupying fortytwo minutes. At the
conclusion of the reading there was d
hum Of whispered conversation in .he
galleries, but no demonstration
Davis of Minnesota, Chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee, at once
moved that it be referred to his com
mittee, and Stewart, taking advantage
the Senate in favor of recognizing the
independence of the Cuban insurgents.
Without further debate the message
was referred as read.
Stewart of Nevada said that while he
did not care at this time to discuss the
general question, he desired to submit
some remarks bearing upon the mes
sage. He sharply criticised the posi-
ton taken by the President saying
it seemed evident to him (SteWarO that
the proposed intervention would pre-
cipitate what would prove to be a war
of conquest. He hoped there would
be no Intervention that did not recOg-
nize the rights of the Cubans, who had
been struggling for years for their in
dependence. He believed we ought not
go to Cuba with an armed force, unless
we went with the intention of recog-
niZing the rights and authority Of the
Cuban Republic officials, and of join
ing with the insurgents to assist them
in winning their freedom and inde-
pendence
Stewart declared that under the cir
cumstances war with Spain would be
war with which the European Powers
would have nothing to do. The Maine
disaster alone was in itself an act of
war, and this country would be fully
justified in proceeding to extreme meas
ures on that subject. The people, said
Stewart, had put the crime against
the Maine ahead in point of consider
alton of every other feature of the Gu
ban question, and they would most
heartily approve of a war with Spain
to wipe out the stain upon this country
produced by that foul plot.
He insisted that no war ought, how
ever, to be precipitated that did not
include the Cuban insurgents as allies
to our arms. If this country recog-
nizes the independence of Cuba. the
people would applaud the action from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, because it
would mean the freedom of an op-
pressed and down trodden people.
Mr. Butler of North Carolina. in ris-
ing to offer a resolution, said that it
was perfectly evident that the message
just read did not mean the independ-
ence for Cuba for which the patriots
of the island had been so long strug
Cling. The President said he, merely
asks us to authorize him to stop the
war in Cuba That could not be done
until the Spanish flag was hauled down
from the island forever
Butler then presented his resolution,
which is as follows:
Whereas. The destruction of the
United States battleship Maine and the
numbering Of 2t6 of our sailors in Ha-
vana harbor by the Spanish Govern
ment is an act of war on the part of
Spain against the United States; there
fore be it
Resolved. First, that to avenge this
most foul and unparalleled crime which
our national honor demands, and to
put a stop to Spain's most cruel, bar
barOus and inhuman warfare now be-
ing waged against Cuba, which is de-
manded in the interest of liberty and
humanity, that the Government of the
United States hereby recognizes the
Cuban Republic as q separate and in
dependent nation: second that the Gov
ernment of the United States hereby
demands that Spain at once withdraw
her land and naval forces from Cuba;
third, that the President of the United
States be, and he is hereby authorized,
empowered and directed to use, if nee
essary. the entire land and naval force
of the United States to carry these res
olutions into effect.
The resolution went over under the
rules.
Another message from the President
transmitting the Cuban Consular re-
ports was laid before the Senate. and
after being read was referred with the
accompanying papers to the Committee
on Foreign Relations
The Senate, at 5:15 on motion Of
Allison, adjourned.