The herald., 1898-04-18
"A Difficult TASK
For the Senate and House
to Perform
RECOGNITION OF CUBA
IS THE SNAG WHICH PREVENTS
PROGRESS
OPPOSITION TO THE PRESIDENT
GIVES THE CONSERVATIVES A
RALLYING CRY
All Anxious for Conclusion But No
One Willing to Yield so Much
as a Hairs Breadth
Either Way
GIVES THE CONSERVATIVE A
RALLYING CRY
Press Special Wire

ASSOCldteu freSS OpeCldl WlTo
| WASHINGTON, April 17-Tomorrow the
difficult task OF adjusting the differences
between the senate and house on the Gu
ban resolutions begins. The rock o0
which the two houses split is the recogni-
ton of the independence of the Cuban re-
public which was incorporated In the SEN
ate resolution. Were that clause eEminat-
ed nothing would have prevented imm edi-
ate Concurrence by The house, as the great
majority of the Republicans OF the lower
branch of congress are eager for a conclu-
sion. But the action of the senate in de-
claring for the recognition of Cuban inde
pendence against the direct and specific
recommendation Of the president has given
the conservatives a rallying cry from the
standpoint of party loyalty, which proved
very effective today. One of the most
prominent Republican leaders on the floor
of the house denominated that portion of
the senate resolution as "direct assault"
upon the president. which no loyal Repub-
licau could indorse, and upon this theory
Speaker Reed and his lieutenants have
been proceeding today in their campaign
against concurrence in the senate resolu-
tons. All day long the speakers rooms a
the Shoreham have been like he headquar-
He has consulted with his lieutenants,
Dingley of Maine, Dalzell of Pennsylvania.
Cannon of Illinois, Grosvenor of Ohio and
Payne of New York. He has seen joy of
Missouri, Lorimer of Illinois. Heatwole of
Minnesota, and other leaders of the Re-
publican opposition, and through other
agencies has had thorough canvass made
of the Republican side of the house. To-
night he is confident. the Republicans of
the house can be marshaled against yield
Ing to the senate on the main issue.
Some of the arguments of men like Coop
er of Wisconsin, Mann of Illinois and
Bromweil of Ohio. who are disposed to take
the shortest cut out of the woods and by
agreeing to end the matter. have such eff
feet as TO shake the convictions of these
gentlemen. The chief complaint of those
who want to concur is that non-concur-
reence means delay. complications, posi-
bly, a reopening Of diplomatic negotiations
and possibly further concessions by Spain
which will embarrass .he United States
when the time for action arrives.
Members have been labored with separ-
ately, arguments against recognition have
been reiterated and reinforced. especially
the arguments advanced by Senators A,li-
son and Morgan, that If we recognize the
independence of the existing government
Gomez might at any time negotiate a
peace with Spain which would leave the
United States in the lurch. When France
allied herself with US in the revolutionary
war it was for the purpose of gaining in
Dependence: but we were held to the COM
pact by the stipula ton that no peace with
Great Britain should be negotiated with
out Frances consent More than this It
is claimed that there are evidences that the
senate will yield THE recognition of inde-
'pendence If the house stands firm. Not
withstanding the large majority for the
resolution, Senator Hoar of Massa chusetts
today urgently counseled the house lead
ers to reject tenaciously the senate's prop
osition. He assured them that the senate
would not hold out. But possibly tht,I
strongest argument brought to bear is
that the president himself could not ap-
prove any resolution which contained such
an invasion of his preroga tive and which
plainly violates every precedent of inter-
national law. This strong intimation Of
presidential veto would involve an entirely
new start and the possibility of delay Incl
dent to 1t had powerful influence, although
in certain quarters it was asserted that
presidential veto would be over-ridden
The suggestion that the president might
sign the resolution and send message to
congress saying the clause recognizing the
independence of Cuba was ultra vires be-
yond the Jurisdiction of congress, was
frowned upon by the presidents friends.
Those who were in favor of the concur
renee In the senate resolution were not par
ticularly active today, but some of them
are showing determination. At one time
today it was said that thirty-three Repub-
licans had agreed to vote for concurrence.
but this could not be confirmed, and fhe
cons ervatives are confident that not half
that number will break over the traces.
They realize, however, that the chief
danger lies in possible stampede. If
twenty-five Republicans join the Demo-
Gratis and Populists in voting for concur
renee. the resolutions go to the president
as passed by the senate. Should the little
band of Republicans who will vote to con-
cur make the result doubtful 1t IS feared
that many will go over in a body Some of
them have made their acquiescence in the.
program mapped out dependent upon the
ability of the Republicans to carry it out.
If the resolutions are to be concurred in
they say they cannot afford to be out at the
death. They say they could not Justify
such a course with their constituents. 1t
is said many Of the western Republicans
have been besieged by their constituents
today to vote for the senate resolutions.
The whole program for tomorrow has not
been absolutely decided upon. Something
will depend upon the situation as 1t APP