Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-12

mendations of the president is the result
which the foreign relations committee is
trying to secure:
The conservative senators also met in the
afternoon and determined to oppose any
radical measure If it should be reported by
the senate committee on foreign relations.
They will oppose by debate recognition of
independence of the present government
and declaration Of war, and will consent
TO action only along the lines Of the recon-
mendations of the president as to interven-
ton at his discretion.
Temper of the House.
The temper of the house could not be
accurately determined, but there. as in the
senate. the proposition for Cuban independ-
ence has to be met. Any report from the
committee on foreign AFFAIRS that does not
carry with it this feature will be antago-
nized by an amendment, and the prospects
are that nearly all the Democrats and many
Republicans would favor it. Efforts have
been directed all day toward action which
will secure the solid support of the Repub-
lican organization and Republican majority
of the house. To this end. the Republican
members of the house foreign affairs COM
mittee to which the message was referred
were in conference during the day and
night.
Outside of the capitol, the same intense
interest was everywhere manifested in the
Presidents message The embassies and
legations were practically empty by IL
o'clock, the foreign representatives and
their staffs going to the capitol to hear the
message. Cabinet officers busted them
selves with their departmental affairs. feel
ing that the message now transferred the
scene of action and of responsibility to the
capitol.
Even at the White House there was lull
| in the excitement which has centered there
for the last fortnight. The president saw
several Of the cabinet advisers early in the
day and there was no cabinet meeting. The
message left the White House shortly be-
| fore noon. in order to reach congress
promptly on its assembling. and. this done.
| the president Joined his family at lunch.
| with evident satisfaction at having the tre-
| mendous strain and burden of recent days
| in a measure removed. There was an as
|
| White House. as Easter Monday was OBJ
| served as usual by the egg rolling gather
| ing of thousands of children on the grounds
in the rear of the executive mansion. The
Marine band furnished music for the
youngsters.
Eject of MessaEe Was QuietinE.
The effect Of the message downtown was
/ u-bo
| Of course. expressed their complete and
most hearty approval of the message. This
view was reflected throughout administra-
| ton circles.
The Spanish minister. Senor Polo. re-
mained at the legation during the day.
| sending and receiving many dispatches
| and comforting with his advisers. He ca
bled the presidents message entire to Mad
| rid. except only the historical reference to
| General Grants message, Texas, etc. The
| minister said he must decline to make the
slightest public allusion to the president s
| message. any remark from him would
be inconsistent with his position. 1t is
known. however, that Senor Polo is keenly
| sensitive to the language of the message.
| What its effect will be upon his service
here is not known. for no word has yet
come as to the effect Of the message upon
the authorities at Madrid. Up to tonight
Senor Polo had received no instructions to
withdraw. nor was there any intimation OF
his Instructions
At the other embassies and legations. the
1 message aroused the greatest interest. But
it cannot be said that it was received with
satisfaction. At one Of the most important
and most interested foreign establishments
general feeling was expressed by the state
ment that the president had. through his
message. washed his hands Of the subject
and imposed the responsibility upon the
shoulders Of congress.
Support of the Powers.
In other high diplomatic quarters soms
question was expressed as to that por-
tion of the presidents message in which
he speaks, in the name of civilization. of
the duty of stopping the war in Cuba. and
the intimation was made that the great
powers Of Europe. SO far as they repre-
sented civilization, did not support this
view expressed by the president. There
has been no further general conference be-
tween the ambassadors and ministers OF
the powers, nor is there any present in
| d:cation of further action from that quar-
ter.
No new diplomatic phases of the ques-
| tons developed to-day at the state de-
partment. Secretary Sherman said he
would not be surprised if the Madrid cable
report proved true that Minister Wood
ford was about to leave Madrid. At the
| same time, the state department was with
out advices that this step actually had
been taken. General Lee is en- route here
and 1t is expected that his arrival will
be the signal for a notable demonstration
The war and navy departments contin-
ued their active preparations to-day
While eventualities are being prepared
for. the sentiment in army and navy cir
cles is that war Is not so imminent as Il
seemed to be a few days ago. 1t can be
stated on authority that no considerat ton
has yet been given to the withdrawal OF
the United States fleet at Key West, az
the administration holds that the situa-
tion has undergone no change which makes
this withdrawal necessary or advisable.
PRESIDENT LOSES SUPPORT
More Senators for Recognizing Cuba'a
Independence Than Before the