Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1898 — THINK SPAIN GUILTY, [ARTICLE]

THINK SPAIN GUILTY,

Members of Congress Say the Verdict Is a Moral Indictment. The const nsus of opinion in the lower house of Congress is that Spain is under moral indictment for responsibility, in greater or lesser degree, in the Maine disaster. The report of the naval court of inquiry and the President’s message have evoked many public declarations in favor of prompt and vigoronsNntervention in Cuba, and the majority in the House shows impatience for further steps by President McKinley. Neither Speaker Reed, Mr. Dingley. the floor leader of the majority, nor Mr. Bailey, the Democratic leader of the House, would make any comment on the Presidrat’s message. Other members, however, were no't so reticent.. Their views follow: Marner (111.) —We should now act. Livingston (Go.)—The message reads like an apology. Hopkins (lII.i-I think the next step should be armed Intervention. Iluil (Iowa) I favor immediate intervention in Cuba by this country. Babcock (Wis.)—The President has been very conservative in his action. Dockery (Mo.) I confess to a deep sense of disappointment at its tenor. Cooper (Texas)-We caunnot afford to accept blood money for dead patriotic sailors. McCleary (Minn.) —The reportMs not full enough to warrant one In stating a final onlnion.

Bell (Colo.)—The people should demand that Spain negative all responsibility or neglect at once. Jett (lll.)—lntervention is wanted by the people, and nothing short of it will be satisfactory to them. Qtiigg (X. Y.)—War is hideous and should be resorted to only when no other Course Is possible in justice and self-respect. Landis (Ind.)—l am in favor of ordering Spain out of the western hemisphere, and If she does not go I am in favor of putting her out. McMillin (Tenn;) —The message is thoroughly noncommittal, and does not acquaint Congress with the policy of the administration. Sayers (Texas)—l will not vote for an appropriation to furnish food for the suffering Cubans unless it be accompanied bv armed intervention. CA.nimlngs (N. I.) —I have no comment to make. The American people will make their own comment, and make it so loud that even the deaf will hear them. Dolliver (lowa)—Out- duty to end the misery in Cuba by whatever means necessary is plain. I hope that there will he no hesitation and little delay. Foss (Ill.)—The report fails to fix the responsibility, but it will be difficult to make the American people believe that Spain did not have some,thing to do with-it. Curtis (Kan.)—l think the time lias come to recognize the independence of Cuba, to n'qtify Spain that its inhuman policy must cease at once or this government win inter--vene. Bussell (Conn.)—Congress and the country ought to receive this message of the President and the report as the forerunner of some decisive action, delayed only for two' reasons—first, to exhaust every effort to pre-, serve peace with honor to ourselves and justice to Cuba, and. second, to prepare most •Ssetively for war.