The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-04-05

WAsuINGroN, April :. The opinion
almost universally held in Washing
ton by leading public men and diplo-
mats is that the crisis will reach its
climax this week, and that the ques-
ton OF war or peace will be deter
mined within the next seven days. No
absolute day has been yet announced
when the message is TO be sent TO
Congress and all that seems to be alb
solutely certain is that it will not 90
in to-day Tomorrow, possibly, but
more probably Wednesday or, per-
haps, Thursday.
In addition to the physical work Of
preparing the comprehensive docu-
ment upon which the President ex-
poets TO rest Americas case with the
world, there are other reasons why
those in charge Of the war prepara-
tions win welcome every hours delay.
War material which we have ordered
is not yet shipped, and the factories
in this country which are at work day
and night making powder and pro-
jectiles are anxious for delay.
There is still divergence of opinion
| Us W NllAh AAo ItoiAAthb VIA AN|OAA
mend in his message; indeed, there
seems to be still a question whether
the President Will make any specific
recommendations One of his inti-
mate friends said last night that the
President, in his strong desire for
peace, although yielding somewhat to
the sentiment of the leaders of his
party and the country, has not given
up nope yet that hostilities may be
! averted.
The suspense caused by the neces-
sary delay in the preparation of the
message is very trying upon members
of both houses and the most univers-
ally discussed question in Washington
Is whether congress can be restrained
un I'll the message is transmitted All
realize the difficult and arduous task
of preparing our case for the worlds
inspection and the care which must
be exercised, and there seems to be nc
disposition 'unduly" to hasten the
President The party leaders are ex.
tremely anxious to avoid a breach
with the executive, such as would oc
cur If Congress were TO take the in
itiative. After n careful canvass oi
the situation they believe the radica,
Republicans can be held in line few
days longer, until Wednesday a
least
The expectation in the senate Is
that the report Of the committee or
foreign relations on the Cuban situa
tion will be made to the senate mo-
later than Wednesday, and II the re
port should be made at that time the
probabilities are that It will engage
tho greater share of the senate's time
for the remainder Of the week.
There is a considerable element II
the Senate which is opposed to wal
except as last extremity, and ther,
arc several others who think ther,
ought to be delay of at least a weel
or ten days before action is taken II
Congress in order TO insure the saf'
landing Of ships and war supplies nov
on their way to this country from
Europe.
The committee on foreign relation
Is not impressed with this line o
reasoning, and the members urge tina
Spain is no better prepared for hos
tiiities than we are
While desirous of giving the Pres
ident all the time he may actually re
quire for the preparation of his mes
sage, they are very impatient of th'
outside influence which Is being ex
erted to hold them in check Thi
pressure is in the shape of letters an'
kilograms from people through
out the country who are opposed
to war policy, and with these tn
members OF the committee are beinl
flooded. THE writer's" a member o
the committee said to-day, general,
ask us 20 maintain an honorable
peace OF course, we all want al
honorable peace, but the time ha
gone by when that can be secured un
der existing conditions in Cuba W.
can not allow our conduct TO be con
| trolled bv such eNpressiOns