The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-30
Conservative Element Apt to Lose
Control.
PLANS OF THE PRESIDENT.
Will Act Quickly II Spain Rejects
His Suggestions.

Washington March 29.-Congress and
the cabinet divided attention to-day on
the Spanish situation.
In Congress the feeling which began to
take form after the Presidents conserva-
tive and pacific message on the Maine re-
port was submitted yesterday, found open
expression to-day in resolutions proposing
a declaration of war, recognition of the
independence of Cuba, armed Intervention,
and other decisive and warlike steps
against Spain, and in conferences of Re
publicans having for their object the over
ruling of the speaker, if necessary, to get
prompt action.
Both on the floor, In the cloak rooms,
in the lobbies and in the corridors there
was little else discussed than the Cuban
situation and the Maine disaster.
Every senator and member was furnish
ed with a copy of the testimony sent to
Congress yesterday, and every person who
could procure a copy read the printed
pages.
Every group of senator's In the cloak
room talked of Cuba.
Constant and continual conferences were
held and all recognized the seriousness of
the situation.
On the House side 1t was apparent that
the majority could no longer be controlled
by what is known as the conservative ele-
ment, led by the speaker.
Groups of members in state of excite
ment were to be seen on every hand.
In each cloak room there were men,
bers listening eagerly while portions of
the Maine testimony were read.
Members of the committee on foreign
affairs grouped together and discussed
plans and possible future proceedings.
1t was generally acknowledged that a
serious condition had arisen; that a crisis
was near.
1t was the opinion of some of the con-
servative members that in a day or two
the feeling will subside.
Much depends upon the next few days.
That Congress will not long remain in
active if decided action is not taken by
the administration is almost certain. 1t
is also true that the talk of an armistice
caused a great deal of i'll feeling.
The House to-day proceeded to do bus
mess without outbreak or without dra-
matte incident, but no such quiet can be
promised tomorrow, when the naval bill
is being considered.
The day closed with a prospect that the
committees to whom were referred the
Maine correspondence will act soon, pos
sibly before the end of the week.
The cabinet meeting to-day developed
nothing new. The President remains
steadfast in his convictions as to what
&c 1Y,Ev- ..-l.s. -,
II is asserted, is mainly due to misnfor-
nation to the situation, or ignorance
or the Presidents purpose will not be per-
mltted to swerve him from the course
he has planned
As already stated in the Associated
Press, the President some days ago made
a peremptory demand upon Spain to put
an end Immediately to hostilities in Cuba,
TO release the reconcentradoes and to per-
init them to return TO their homes and
resume their several occupations unmo-
lested This statement Is made by un-
questionable authority, and since the Ge-
mand was communicated to Spain the
President has not taken a step backward
or allowed himself to be persuaded into
modifying it in the least particular.
Spain's reply to this demand, it is known,
is now receiving the earnest consideration
OF the Spanish authorities at Madrid, end
may be reasonably expected within the
next few days.
Should these demands be rejected, there
IS the highest authority for stating that
the President would not hesitate mo-
ment as to his future course, but would
Immediately lay the whole record before
Congress and be guided by its instruc-
tons.
AS a preliminary step toward peace, 1t
has been proposed to Spain, though this
last proposition has not taken the shape CT
a demand as yet at least, that the Span
ish government withdraw its troops from
the island, and that the Cubans be given
their independence on a basis of Indemnity
that would be regarded as just in amount
by the United States and other nations q
the world, and fair to both contendins
parties
The question of an armistice has NOT
been agreed to by either this country OF
Spain, though there is no doubt that Spain
suggested an armistice. What terms OF
peace will be acceptable to the President
cannot be stated, but II is asserted that nc
proposition Will be considered that does
not consider the practical IL not the actual
independence Of the Cubans
There is little doubt that the French
government Is ready TO tender its good
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