Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-24
HOPES TO AVERT WAR
Emphatic Statement of the President
Today.
Impressions Obtained by Congress.
siOnal Callers at the White House.
Result of the Conferences.

The President, in conferences with some
Of the House congressional leaders today,
stated emphatically that he would avert
war, if possible, and expressed the ncpe
that he could do so.
Some Of the congressman VINO visited the
President today and yesterday gathered
the Impression, from his carefully guarded
talks with them, that the President would
not Immediately make any important
recommendation TOT Congress, but that he
wanted time in which to conduct negotia-
lions with Spain with the hope of securing
peace by diplomatic means.
Some reached the conclusion that he is
hopeful of securing Spains assent to the
independence Of the islands, at least of
a condition approaching Independence, by
other means. He suggested to them that
neither the recognition of their belliger-
ency nor Independence would be sufficient
to bring relief to the starving Cubans. and
that either act would fail, at least in its
immediate effect. He also suggested that
there are some difficulties in the way of
sending supplies to the island, one of the
principal Of which was the fact that such
course is practical assistance to Spain
to sustain herself in the conflict.
He urged upon them the especial impor-
lance of doing all they could to suppress
excitement and prevent action by Congress
in connection with the receipt of the re-
port on the Maine disaster.
The visitors think the Presidents espe-
cial desire at this time is to eliminate the
Maine incident entirely from the discussion
Of the situation, and some of them consider
1t possible that he may send the report to
Congress without making any recommended
ton of especial moment.
The President said to senators that he
would like to see the Cubans obtain their
independence by purchase, and he init
mated that he would even be willing that
they should agree to pay a stated annuity
to Spain, recognizing to this slight degree
the suzerainty Of the mother country; but
he said at the same time that ne recognized
the difficulties in the way Of THIS procedure
because of the Discrimination of the Spanish
authorities to consider It..
Still the visitors obtained the impression
that he had concluded to at least make an
effort in that direction. They are of opinion
that If this negotiation should fail the
President would resort to Intervention
rather than to recognition Of either bel
ligerent rights or the independence of the
island. They do not consider that the
President would hesitate at recognizing
either belligerency or independence except
for the reason that he believes neither
would accomplish the result of relieving
the suffering which is the first end he has
in view.
The democratic senators talked frankly
with the President in regard to the political
aspect of the situation. They told him
of the report current about Congress TO
the effect that the Cuban situation was
being manipulated with the view of i'm
proving Ino fortunes OF Ine republican
party, saying to him that If such was the
cese and IL war was provoked for this
reason the reaction would be against the
party.
To this the President replied that he
fully realized this fact. and that he did not
intend to be swerved one hairs breadth in
his purpose by political considerations.
To Move With Gre.
The conservative senator's say that the
President is to be given an opportunity to
carry OUT his plans, and that 1t Is now GER
tain that no hasty action without the wish
OF the President will be taken by the Sen.
ate. There has been considerable work
done among senators, and the result of a
general canvass leads the conservatives to
believe that the sentiment in favor of NOV
ing with care and refraining from urging
tho President to act in advance of his own
judgment is growing.
Any attempt to bring a bout congressional
action contrary to the wish of the Presi-
dent will be most thoroughly debated.
There will be no hasty action" said one
of the conservative senators, land while
the President will be supported when he
makes request, attempts to force any,
thing through the Senate will be resisted
The Senate will not be swept of It's feet
but is ready to act In any emergency"
1t was said that the vote in thu Senate
today showed THAR conservatism will pre-
vail. One of 1.-The senators. who is known
for his Cuban sympathy, said there was no
reason why the Senate should not adjourn
over and await the report on the Maine,
and attached no significance to the vote.