Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-26
PULSE OF CONGRESS.
Confiaaed From, First Pdhe.

iovously welcome an opportunity to do so,
and there are Southerners who are ANXIOUS
to show their LOYALTY TO their country; but
if it comes to q question OF national honor,
our constituents will find that we represen-
tatives in Congress are Americans, nrst, last
and all the time.
Senator Stewart said:
1t is a strong presentation of the case and
although every American citizen must de-
precate war it seems impossible to avoid it
unless Chile will recede from her hostile po-
rition and give such satisfaction as the
honor of our Government and the Justice of
the case will make it possible for to ac-
cept.
ills Strong but Not Firebrand.
Senator Squire thought the message was
Observation-Disclosures bv sufficient
spirit and good presentation of the con-
troversy. He thought the details suf-
fciently elaborate for Congress and the
people to thoroughly comprehend the situ-
alton. 1t is Just right. and a plain, fair
statement of the case, and there is nothing
in ii of the character of a frebrard. Con-
gress had received it liz the right spirit.
Senator Carey said:
1t is like all messages of President Har-
fIson. 1t is terse and to the point. 1t sig
ni1les that he doesn't want war, but that it
is his duty to maintain the honor and dig
nifty of our country, even if it requires war
TO secure this His views will be heartily in
dorsed by the American people.
Senator Gibson, of Maryland. thought it
non-political question, and said he would
stand by the President in the matter
Senator Platt said:
The Presidents message presents a case
in which, unless the correspondence sub
mitted will allow some other construction
of the conduct of Chile land have no idea
that it will), the United States must main
tain its dignity and rights and must stand
for the protection of its sailors. l think the
sentiment of the whole country ought to
4DI 1ns saslh In Sc
timatum and give him power to enforce it.
Many Senators Are Nom -Committal
Senators Aldrich, Davis, Cockrell, Berry,
Faulkner, Palmer, German, Gordon and
Proctor were also asked to give their views
on the message, but declined principally for
the reason that they desired to peruse the
document thoroughly before advancing any
expression of opinion on it. Nearly all
Senators interviewed, however, regardless
of politics, agreed that the message is an
able document Mr. Blount Chairman of
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said
] prefer not to make any comments at
present i think it important that the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs should express no
opinion on a question which has been re-
feTred to them and which they have had no
chance TO examine
Nh. Blount said he is thinking of calling
special meeting of the committee to
speedily consider the case Asked what
were the precedents for Congressional
action, Mr.. Blount said:
There is verv little usage on tie subject
In 1Sl2 Mr.. Calhoun made a report from the
Committee on Foreign Affairs reciting the
grievances to which we had been subjected
by Great Britain. A resolution making a
declaration of war was reported and passed
the House. and then there was another bill
passed relating to privateering. In the
Mexican war there was no formal declara-
t1on. Provision was made for troops, etc.,to
resist the invasion, the assumption being
that war had been inaugurated by the Mexi-
can Government in invading our territory,
and that this was simply to meet the invas-
ion.
Congressional Applause Means Much.
Representative McCrearv, of Kentucky,
second member of the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee, said:
think the Presidents message wasa very
full and a very strong presentation OF the
Chile. The applause of Democrats and Re
publlcans after the message was read indi- |
Gated very strongly that both parties in the |
House Will be ready to support the Presi- |
dent.
Mr.. Andrew, of Massachusetts, of the |
same committee said: 1.-The message is a |
very able argument and summary from that |
side of The case. Whether or not a thor |
odgh examination of the correspondence |
would bear out the statements made he |
could not say.
Mr.. Hooker, of Mississippi, also a men,
Der of the Foreign Affairs Committee said
many things in the message met with his
hearty approval, but he would EXPRESS no
opinion on the situation until he had thor
oughly examined the evidence
Mr.. Ravner, of Maryland, a member of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the
situation was far more serious than had been
anticipated. 1t certainly required that
something should be done The United |
States could not let the matter rest
Specializing on War Probabilities.
Whether it would result in a declaration
OF war and reprisal on Chilean commerce
and vessels, or in a simple withdrawal of
diplomatic relations with Chile, remained
to be seen. One thing is sure-we can't
afford to LET the controversy remain in its
present condition.
Mr.. HIT, of Illinois, the leader of the
Republican minority on the Foreign Affairs
Committee said:
hope the House will stand by every part
OF the mesSsa@e. The House should eyDress |
Its concurrence by resolution, or, il other
action were necessary, to supplement the |
military or naval force that should be taken. .
think the trouble will be settled without
war, but patience can be exhausted.
He called attention to the lateness of
the request for Egan's recall as
showing the spirit of delay which Chile had
manifested. No additional facts existed
since October on which to base the request.
The exchange of Ministers would take a
long time, and it looked to him as if the
only object was DELAY
Mr.. O'Donnell, of Michigan, a member of
the Foreign Affairs Committee, said: 'rThe
message is very patriotic. Its positions are
well TAKEN
A Pennsylvanian's Views
'T am in favor said Representative
Harmer. of PENNSYLVANIA, another member
of the Foreign Affairs Committee. s'of re-
oulring under every condition due respect |
for the flag and the rights of American citi-
zens under that flag IF we can receive |
reparation without the awful consequences ]
OF war L would avoid it, but not at the {
sacrifice of the flag and the rights of our ]
citizens" ,
A great number of members OF the House
not on the Foreign Affairs Committee were {
seen. Mr. Mcmillan, of Tennessee, thinks
We shall be able without dishonor to settle .
the matter without war Delegate Caipe
OF Utah, thought that the message was a
statesmanllke document Our sailors should
De projected everywhere. He did not be-
heve war would result.
Mr.. Simpson, of Kansas. was opposed to :
war unless this country were invaded bv a
foreign 1oe He thought it ridiculous and
disgrace for this couatry to go to war on
the pretext given in the evidence, as he un-
oerstood 1t. All the trouble could be
settled by arbitration. The message sounded