The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-04

most universally held In Washington
by leading men and diplomats is that
the crisis will reach It's climax this week,
and that the question OF war or peace
VIII be determined within the next seven
days. Senators and representatives met
and conferred Sunday about the gravity
of the situation. and at the White House
the president counselled with several
members Of his cabinet and other ad-
visers regarding the message which he
is preparing to send to congress. At
the state war and navy departments
active work went on. and altogether 1t
was day OF suppressed feeling
No day has been announced when the
message Is to be sent to congress. 1t
may be delivered tomorrow, but Wed
nesday is more likely. or perhaps Thurs
day. In addition 10 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 preparations would
welcome every hours delay. Material
which we have ordered abroad is not
set shipped. and the owners OF factories
In this country which are at work day
and night making powder and projectiles
ure anxious for delay. Some of the
people In Connecticut have telegraphed
Representative Hull urging all the delay
possible. They say every day now Is
precious.
There is still divergence Of opinion
as to what the president will recommend
N hIQ mas Ind eaA hAr a.
be still question as TO whether Mr.. Nc
kinney will make specific recommenda-
tions. Some of his most intimate
friends. however. assert emphatically
that his recommendation will be spe-
cific and vigorous, and such that his
party and the country will willingly
follow where he points the way One
or these said that the president. In his
strong desire for peace and in his earnest
hope that war might be averted, was
yielding somewhat to the sentiment OF
the leaders Of his party and the country.
He had not given up hope yet that hos
t.lities may be avoided. There are
those who believe the president has not
yet made up his mind as TO the exact
course he will pursue, and there seems
TO be a question as to whether the con-
eular reports and the diplomatic corre-
spondence are to be transmitted with the
message.
The suspense caused by the necessary
delay In the preparation of the message
Is very trying upon members Of both
houses, and the most discussed question
in Washington is whether congress can
be restrained until the message is trans
mtted. 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 no disposition unduly to
hasten the president. The party lead
ers are extremely anxious to avoid a
breech with the executive such as would
occur IL congress were to take the initi-
alive. After a careful canvass Of the
sltuation they believe the radical Re-
publicans can be held in line few days
longer-until Wednesday at least.
The Republicans of the house who
have been insisting upon prompt action
will hold another meeting While many
Sf them are now in favor OF giving the
president more leeway than they were
last week, 1t is realized that 25 Repub-
lican votes in the house. with the Demo-
cratic and Populist votes. would be suf-
ficient to act. 1t may be pretty con-
licans with possible exceptions which
could be counted on the fingers of the
hand can be controlled until wednes-
day. After that what might happen IL
the president asks for further delay is
problematical. Mr.. Bromwell of Ohio,
Tor instance. who says he hopes he will
not be Obliged to part company with the
president, will vote with the Democrats
Unnecessary to overruie the speaker after
"Wednesday. Mr.. Grout (Rep., Vt.)
said that while some OF the members OF
the house were very impatient, he
thought they would restrain themselves
n the president desired few days ad
dtional. Mr. Grout has prepared a
resolution appropriating $l.oo0.0o0 to
raise the hull OF the Maine. ''If she
was blown up" sal dhe, I'VE can well
afford to spend 81. .o0o. 900 to demonstrate
that fact. Her hull could be raised by
building cofferdams. II she was blown
up the truth will be known. Murder
will out"
Representative Bishop ORep.. Mich.)
says that the members Of his delegation,
although strongly for action. are will
ing to give the president a reasonable
time. There may be influences MAX
ing for peace OF which we know nothing"
said he. 'and we ought to defer n few
days IL Mr.. Mckinley desires. Besides
every day adds to our war preparations"
The prospect OF European mediation
has aroused the keenest interest
throughout diplomatic circles here. and
Nthough inquiry at the leading embas-
sizes and legations failed TO disclose that
.,any actual move had been made. yet
such a move rs anticipated st any time,
and when taken II is felt that ii will he
an important factor In the situation
II has been expected that France would
be the first to act by a tender OF her sood
offices. There is the same anticipation
but lack o: definite action, I'm British.
German and other diplomatic quarters.
1t is probable that mediation would take
definite form II the foreign representa-
tsves were Convinced that war was about
TO he declared. While they look upon
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