The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-01
M'KINLEY CHECKMATED
IN CUBAN MATTERS BY A REVOLT
IN HIS OWN PARTY.

tion of n Compromise-The Presidents
Position Now Said to be Firm-Waiting
for spafn's Answer-war Preparations
Continued
Washington, March 29.-Congress and
the cabinet divided attention today,
on the Spanish situation. In congress
the feeling w1hich began to take form
after h presidents conservative and
pacific message on the Maine report
was submitted yesterday, found open
expression today in resolutions pro-
posing a declaration Of war, recognition
of the Independence Of Cuba, armed in
Prevention and other decisive and war
like steps against Spain, n in con-
~ferences of republicans having for their
object the overruling of the speaker II
necessary to get prompt action. Both
on the floor, in the cloak rooms, in the
Hobbies and in the corridors, there was
little else discussed than the Cuban sit
nation and the Maine disaster. Every
senator n member was furnished
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 sena-
tors in the cloak rooms talked of Cuba.
Constant and continual conferences
were held, and all recognized the se-s
robustness of the situation.
On the house side it was apparenk.
that the republican majority could no.
longer he controlled by what is known
as the conservative element, lead by
the speaker. Groups OF members in a
state OF excitement were to he seen on
every hand. In each cloak room there
were members 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.
THE CRISIS NOT AVERTED.
Tit was generally acknowledge that
a serious condition had arisen; that a
crisis was near. 1t was the opinion of
some of the conservative members that
I'm a day or two the feeling would sub
side. Much depends upon the next few
days. That congress will not long re
main inactive if decided action is not
taken by the administration is certain.
1t lis also true that the talk of an arm
istice caused a great deal of ill feeling.
TIhe house today proceeded to do 'busi-
ness without outbreak or without dra-
matte incident, but no such quiet can
UDe u L IN LIN
bill is being considered. The day clos
ed with a prospect that THE committees
ito whom were referred the Maine cor
r~espondence will ac[soon.
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.
THE cabinet meeting today developed
nothing new. The president remains
s~teadfast in his convictions as to what
us his duty, and adverse CRITICISM,
which it is asserted is mainly due to
INSTRUMENTATION as to the situation, or 1g
norance of the presidents rpo Will
not Ibe permitted to SWerVe him from
the course he has planned. AS already
stated in the Associated Press, the
president some days g made a per-
emptory demand upon Spain to put an
end Immediately to hostilIties in Cuba,
to release the r~ecOncentradO and to
permit them to return to their homes
and resume their several occupations
unmolested. This statement is made
by unquestionable authority, and since
that demand 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 final reply to this
demand, it is known, is now receiving
the earnest consideration of the Span
ish authorities at Madrid and may he
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 a moment as to his future
course, but would Immediately lay the
whole record before congress and be
guided 10y it's instructions.
las a preliminary step toward peace.
it has been proposed to Spain, though
this last proposition has not taken the
shape of a demand as yet, at least, that
the Spanish government withdraw it's
troops from the island and that the
Cubans he given their independence on
a basis OF indemnity that would be re-
garded as just in amount by the Unit
ed States and other nations of the
world and fair to both contending par
ties.
The question of an armistice has not
been agreed to by either this country
or Spain, though there is no doubt that
Spain suggested an armiStice. What
terms of peace will he acceptable to
THE president cannot be stated, but it
is asserted that no proposition Will be ,
considered that does NOT involve the
practical, if not the actual lndepen-
dence OF the CubanS.
There is little doubt that the Frenc
government is ready to tender it's good
offices as mediator between the United
States and Spain if any intimation is
conveyed by this country that such
offices would be acceptable. Without
such intimation it is doubtful whether
France will take the initiative.
WAR PREPARATIONS STILL IN
PROGRESS.
The army and navy departments con-
tinue to show many evidences of activ-
ity, but there was not that extreme
energy of preparations apparent last
week. Captain Sigsbee had several
talks with secretary Long during the
day, and at the close of office hours the
secretary accompanied Captain Sigs-
bee to the White house and presented
him to the president. MIR. Long says
that no determination has been reached
thus far as to Captain Sigsbee's next
assignment. "A board is considering
what should he done with the wreck of
the Maine. At first it seemed possible
to save some part of the ship, n GER
tainly the big guns and currents. But
this has been about abandoned, and the
board now sitting is expected to repor
to Secretary Long i'm a day or two on