Evening star., 1901-03-02
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL
OPINIONS DIFFER AS TO THE ULTI-
NATE FATE OF CUBA.
Annexation Predicted. While the Duty
of This Country Is Also
Pointed Out.

Tho House late Yesterday afternoon pass
ed the army appropriation bill, containing
the Senate provision for dealing with Cuba
and the Philippines. The bill has gone to
the President for his signature.
The debate in the closing hour was ami
mated. Mr. Hepburn of Iowa scored the
southern democrats for their pretended con-
Germ for 1.-The consent of the governed
while they were at the same time deprlving
citizens Of the United States of rights given
them by the Constitution.
Mr.. Lentz challenged Mr.. Hulrs right to
vote on the bill because of his interest In
the Philippine Lumber Company; but he
was overruled by the Speaker and Jeered by
the republicans of the House.
Mr. Moody of Massachusetts made brlef
speech which aroused enthusiasm on both
sides of the chamber. Mr.. Corliss OF Mich
igan had previously declared that anneXa-
ton of Cuba is ultimately to come.
Mr. Speaker" said Mr.. Moody, had the
gentleman from Michigan not addressed the
House l should have contented myself by
sitting in silence during this debate. But
l cannot agree to the view which he takes
of these resolutions. If l gave to them the
meaning and tendency which he attributes
to them, I should have no hesitation In
voting no. If 1 thought that there was
hidden in the language of the resolutions
the purpose to accomplish the results he
hesitation in voting no
II do not understand that the Senate
amendment Is in the nature of an ulti-
matum; rather in the nature of a proposal,
which we hope the people of Cuba, in the
interest of our country and theirs, may ac-
cept. 1t authorizes the President, under
the conditions named, to deliver the island,
now under our military rule, to the control
and government of It's people. 1t is not
necessarily the final word. We are dealing,
as the gentleman from Ohio well said, with
| the present-the duty of today.
II am one Of those who voted for the first
| time in the affirmative upon any of the
Cuban resolutions, for the resolutions as
they finally passed the House of Represen-
| tatives 1 had steadily voted against all
| declarations upon the subject Of Cuba up
! to the House resolutions which were finally
| adopted. 1 believe that the American Con-
| gress and the American people are bound
| in honor by that part Of the resolution
| which is commonly called the Teller resolu-
| ton. Whether it was wise or unwise, we
| gave our pledged word to the people Of
| Cuba. to the people Of the world and to
| cratic side)
II believe that 1t is the ultimate duty of
| this country to fulfill that pledge to the let
| ter. loud applause on the democratic
| side) I realize the embarrassment which
| surrounds the occasion l like not this
method of legislation. 1t is yes or mo-
| upon many propositions with qualih-
| cations. With no opportunity for amend
ment and little time for deliberation, how
| difficult 1t is to come to a proper conclusion
| which one may not regret in the end.
LAS the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
| Cochran) has well pointed out, there are
| many things in this amendment which are
| for the interest of this country and for the
| interest of Cuba alike. 1t may be that all
| the conditions prescribed are for her inter-
est as well as ours. 1 realize that free and
| independent nations cannot be built up in q
day out Of the ruins Of centuries Of despot.
| ism.
II persuade myself-and 1t is the only
| thing that induces me not to vote agains
the motion-I persuade myself that our &C
tion Is but one step forward, and that
long one, in the accomplishment of oul
promise. that the plighted- faith Of Con
gress. the declaration of the republican
party and the message Of the President O.
the United States in Gods good time will
be fulfilled" loud applause on the repub
| Ncan Sidel