Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1898 — SENATE IS DIVIDED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SENATE IS DIVIDED.

Indication of Prolonged Discussion Over Ccmmittee’s Report. BODY COMPOSED OF TWO ELEMENTS. One Favora Independence with Inter-* vention, the Other Intervention Alone—A Vigorous Debate la in Prospect. Washington, April 6.—A debate which occurred in the executive session of the senate late Tuesday afternoou would indicate that no matter what was the character of the resolution to come from the committee on foreign relations the resolutloh would cause a serious and perhaps prolonged discussion. It emphasized the fact that there are two elements in the senate —one for independence with intervention, another for intervention alone—and these two factions will fight vigorously for their Ideas. Cause o< the Activity. The relations of the United States with Spain was the uppermost topic in the executive session and constituted the subject of many conferences among senators. The activity was due to the announcement that the president’s message would recommend the adoption of a policy looking to intervention in Cuba on the part of the executive branch of the government rather than the recognition of Independence, and to an effort to make smooth the way for the reception of such a report. Opposition to President's Policy. The executive session was devoted to a general discussion of the policy to be pursued towards Spain, and developed the fact that much opposition would be made to the acceptance of a policy in line with the president’s desires. The question was raised by Senator Allen, who made a long speech predicting much dissatisfaction in the country at large with a policy on the part of the executive that did not go to the extent of giving the Cuban’s their entire independence of the mother country. Senator Allen was followed by other speakers in the same line, and the fact was made very evident that if the committee on foreign affairs should bring in a resolution merely complying with the president’s request and stopping short of a declaration for independence there would be an effort in the senate to amend It so as to accomplish this end. Indeed the announcement was made by more than one senator that he

would offer such an amendment and by many more that they would support an effort In the direction of adding the independence declaration to a resolution providing s reply for intervention. The committee was therefore urged not to yield to the wishes of the president, but to stand out strongly for complete action. The policy of the president for executive intervention only was criticised as one which would place the entire question in the hands of the president, and thus leave the matter where it now is, except that it would be a voluntary relinquishment of the right of congress in the premises—the right among others to declare war. The greater part of the speechmaking was fn opposition to the executive, and no one attempted to outline the probable action of the committee. There was also a recurrence to the intention of the president to withhold the Cuban consular correspondence, and a suggestion was made that if this matter was of a character too Inflammable to permit of its being made public that it be given to the senate in secret session. A resolution was offered that the entire Cuban question should be considered behind closed doors on account of the probability of utterances which would afford Information to the enemy. This proposi- ■ tion was debated, but without reaching a conclusion. A*»l£»t Independence. While the senate was in executive session a formidable element in the senate was considering what should be done in case a resolution should bo reported providing for the recognition of Independence. This faction was composed of what is known as the conservative element on the republican side of the senate. The conference was held in Senator Aldrich's committee room, and among those present were Senators Hanna, Piatt (Conn.), Spooner Hale, Fairbanks and Aldrich. Senator Allison was also there for a brief time. A general purpose was expressed to oppose the adoption of any report that should recommend a recognition of Cuban indeftendence and which did not indeed confine tself to the support of the president’s recommendation Of intervention only. This position was taken because of the generally expressed conviction among the senators present that in case of war with Spain and the triumph of the Armies of the United States, this country should be left free to dispose of Cuba as she might deem proper. Many of them expressed dissatisfaction With the present Cuban administration, and the opinion was given that the recognition of Independence at this time would bind the United States to the support of Che present Cuban administration, and to guaranteeing its bonds, giving to the Cuban Junta a position of Influence and power to which it was not, in their opinion, entitled. Hence, a decision was reached to labor wKh the committee on foreign relations not to report a resolution with a double purpose, and the intention was expressed on the part of some to oppose its adoption If reported. In accordance with the action of this committee Senators Allison and Aldrich had a prolonged conference later with Senators Davis, Frye and Ix>dge, of the committee on foreign relations. These members of the foreign relations committee were able to assure the other senators that po effort would be made to report the resolution to-day or the same day on which ghe message should be received; but they

could not give the same assurance as to the character of the resolutions. They did not conceal from their visitors the fact that the committee already had agreed upon a resolution providing both for independence and intervention, and that it might be difficult to change the recommendation. But on this point no one could speak definitely until the committee eould confer, and the visiting senators were compelled to withdraw without receiving any very satisfactory assurances. Mny Recede from Its Position. The prevailing opinion among senators is that the committee will recede from Its position for both independence and intervention and report a resolution in accordance with the president’s recommendation for intervention alone, but this is not certain. Of three members of the committee seen, all classed as pro-Cubans, Senator Frye announced himself satisfied with intervention; another, Senator Foraker, announced that he would not favor the change; a third. Senator Davis, refused to commit himself. Senator Lodge had previously said that he would support the president’s position. War Talk tn the Senate. Washington, April 6.—Senator Turner (Wash.) in the senate Tuesday made a vigorous speech In favor of Cuban freedom. He said the administration had not acted as it should or it would have freed Cuba before thia. He laid great etrees upop the destruction of the Maine, saying that Spain was responsible. He would cheerfully vote for a declaration of war. He said that Spain was a nation of cruelty, deceit and blood. The galleries were crowded despite a snow and sleet storm. Senator Kenney (Del.) said his state was united in favor of Cuban independence and the people of Cuba deserved the sympathy of the civilized world. Senator Chandler (N. H.) followed Senator Kenney and was listened to with great interest. Senator Chandler said: "The United States ougnt to immediately declare war against Spain and to maintain that war until the people of Cuba are made free from Spanish starvation and cruelty and the government of the island finally established as an independent republic. The reasons for declaring war are apparent to the world. Spain has justly forfeited all title to all representations in the western hemisphere by her prolonged misgovernment thereof. Unjust taxation caused the French revolution, the American revolution and the Cuban revolution. As France helped the Americans, so the United States should help the Cubans. Spain has lost all right to suppress the Cuban rebellion by resorting to inhuman methods of warfare, continuous military murders of persons In open arms or suspected of disloyalty and both the (jellberate and wholesale starvation of non-com-batant men, women and children. Spain has surrendered all claims to the forbearance of the United States by disregarding all friendly remonstrances, by practicing deceit through false promises of local government for Cuba, by Insulting the president of the United States and by destroying

thiough the explosion of a mine the battleship Maine and the lives of 260 American sailors while the ship was undea the protection of Spain on a peaceful visit to the harbor of Havana. War Begun by Spain. "Spain having thus begun the war the United States ought to accept the issue without waiting for the enemy to concentrate all her fleet in American waters. We have an army and navy equal to the emergency. For no juster cause, with no better motives did any nation ever take up arms. We may vote for the coming declaration with clear consciences and hopeful anticipations of success, having performed a high duty to humanity, civilization and liberty; to the United States and to the Cuban republic.” ) Duty of Congress. / Senator Turple (Ind.), member of the foreign relations committee, followed Sery* ator Chandler. He said It was the duty of the American congress to intervene for the Cuban republic. The United States had maintained a blockade for Spain at a great cost. The government of Cuba ought to be recognized, maintained and supported. Senator Turple said It had cost us millions to shut off the supply of ammunition which would have enabled the Cuban government to secure its freedom. Senator Turple said the cause of the war was Spanish sovereignty and dominion in Cuba, and until this was removed there could be no peace. Senator Turple concluded at 1:30 p. m. and the senate took up the sundry civil appropriation bill. At 6:10 the senate adjourned. The executive session was devoted to the consideration of the question whether the report of the foreign relations committee should be considered in open session or in executive session. No conclusion was reached. House. Washington, April 6.—The crowds which thronged the galleries of the house Tuesday were disappointed. There were no outbreaks of any kind on the floor on the Cuban question* The whole day was spent on the private calendar, with the result that several bills were passed, among them one to pay the heirs of John Roach, the ship builder, 1330,000 on a claim which has been pending a dozen years, and another to pay O. C. Bosbyshell, superintendent of the Philadelphia mint, 117,000 extracted from the gold vaults by a weigh clerk. At five o’clock the house recessed till eight p. in., the evening session being devoted to private pension bills. Twenty-three bills of this character were favorably acted upon.

MAP SHOWING RELATIVE POSITION OF SPANISH FLOTILLA AND THE FLYING SQUADRON.