In the mean while, there is a joint resolution before the Senate, offered by Senator Morgan, of Alabama. It is "that a state of war exists in Cuba, and that the United States shall accord belligerent rights in its ports and lands to both parties engaged in the struggle."
Senator Morgan has laid a great mass of evidence before the House, which shows that the Cubans have a government which is in thorough working order, making laws, administering justice, carrying on a postal service, and maintaining a fine and well-organized army.
Under these circumstances, he claims that Cuba is not engaged in mere rioting and disturbance, but in an earnest warfare, a struggle for liberty, in which she should have the sympathy of other free nations, and be given by them the privileges of a nation at war.
If this resolution is passed, Cuba will be free to fit out a navy to help her in the struggle, and to buy in this country and ship all the arms she needs to carry on the war.
As we have said before, the Cubans believe that the passage of such a resolution would almost put an end to the war, for they could then land arms and men enough to crush the Spaniards without any difficulty.
There was a good deal of excitement over the report
that Gen. Julio Sanguily was preparing to return to Cuba. This is the General who, as stated in No. 20 of The Great Round World, was released from a Cuban prison early in March.
When he was released by the Spaniards, General Sanguily was made to promise that he would not again take up arms against Spain, and therefore every one was much shocked to learn that he was preparing to join a filibustering expedition and return to Cuba, to place himself at the head of one branch of the army.
It was learned that the General had gone to Jacksonville, Fla., and sensational stories were spread about that there were two parties of Cubans staying in different hotels in that city, in each of which was a man who looked like Sanguily. It was said that this was done to prevent the Spanish spies from finding out the movements of the true Sanguily.
Finally, the Spanish consul got so excited about it, that he swore out a warrant for the arrest of the General, on the charge of fitting out a filibustering expedition. The General was accordingly arrested.