New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-10
DISCUSS CUBA'S STATUS.
ARMY BILL IN SENATE.
Free Transportation and Pay Of
officers Also ConSidered

Washington Feb. 9.-The Army Appropriation
bin and exercises in memory of Representative
Marsh. Of Illinois. occupied practically the en-
tire day in the Senate. Discussion of the Army
bill was unusually interesting, for the reason
that il branched off on American occupation Of
Cuba, the plans for the equipment Of state mi
ntia with regulation arms. and the proposed au-
thorization to the War Department to accept
reduced fare or free transportation for troops
and supplies.
Questions We're asked by Mr.. Bacon concern
ing the amount the appropriations for the army
have been swelled by reason Of the occupation
OF Cuba, and AIr. Warren said there had been
no estimate from the department for additional
expenses on account Of Cuban occupation, as
the bill under consideration provided appropria-
lions for 1908. The inquiry led to a general dis
cussion OF the status OF Cuban affairs,
Senator Bacon said ne had not been satisfied
with the part Congress had played in shaping
the governments policy I'm Cuba. He expressed
the opinion that It was for the lawmaking and
not for the executive department TO say what
the course OF the United States should be in
Cuba, but he felt delicacv in raising the issue.
He said he could not let the session Of Congress
close without saying that he not unmindful
Of the fact that Congress was not exercising the.
role 81 should exercise. He thought II would
have been fatal error for the session 10 enq
without some expression raising the question OF
the Executives power to set up governments on
foreign soil, 10 dismiss parliaments or to set up
parIiaments 10 dismiss or raise foreign armies,
and that any acts of this character should be
performed by Congress and not by the Presi-
dent. He added that under the present condi-
tons he should not pursue the subject
Senator TiIman said that as the chairman Of
the Committee on Military Affairs did not seem
70 be in the confidence Of the War Department
concerning tho occupation o. cuba, he wanted
20 address a question to the chairman Of the
Committee on Foreign Relations
Has the chairman Of that committee any in
formation as To when we are going 10 get out OF
Cuba p" ne asked
None whatever" replied Mr. Cullom.
can the chairman give us any information
concerning the present status Of our affairs IN
Cuba D" pursued AR Tlllman and Mr.. Cuom re-
piled that he could give none whatever.
1T seems n little odd that the Committee
Foreign Relations does not take steps TO get in
formation the anomalous condition OF affairs
there" said Mr. Tlllman. He then described the
situatin there as he understood II from pub
lished reports. He told of one man. Ameri-
can. having stallion stolen by a Negro patriot
or rebel, and Of an act Of Secretary Taft con-
fru1ing the title OF the Negro to the animal
He said the owner Of the horse could see the
Negro riding IT every day. but could not recover
f.
Now, since Secretary Taft ran Palma's gov
eminent Up a tree and licensed horse stealing
and has army engineers surveying the island, 1t
seems that we might have q little information
about what IS going on" persisted Mr.. Tillman.
'Tt seems little odd that Congress. the Senate
or nobody sees fit TO inquire into the eXtraor-
binary transactions that are being carried on"
Senator Cuilom replied that at the beginning
OF the session President Roosevelt had sent to
Congress a message telling Just what the condl-
tons were I'm Cuba and expressed the opinion
that there had probably been little change. II
an sorry that things do not seem to have quiet
ed down in any way" ne said.
'I have seen nothing about any recent out
breaks or any bloodshed or anything" said Mr.
TilIman. What I want TO know IS when an
election is going 10 be held and when we are
going 10 get out2"
wei, guess the Senator VIII find out In due
time" said Senator Cullom.
Eyes, when the noble lord at the White House
chooses TO tell me- some one else may tell
me instead, that It is Of my business" re-
piled Mr.. Timan. he laughingy added: We'll
If I can't get any information TO why the
Niger stole the horse, 1 suppose 1 will have 10
subsde."
He Joined in a general laugh from the Re-
publicans at his expense
AN ECHO OF THE RATE DEBATE,
The Senate returned TO consideration of the
transportation amendment.
Senator Clapp suggested that the amendment
should be framed as to give the government
the benefit of a reduction in rates. He said that
as the provision now stands it favors certain