Evening star., 1898-04-16
The President Would Sign a War
Resolution at Once.
NOT EXPECTED BEFORE MONDAY
A Cabinet Official Defends the
Policy of Delay.
COUNTRY WAS UNPREPARED

lutions in Congress. and will sign 1t as soon
as IL reaches him.
Debate on the Cuban question was resum-
ed in the Senate today.
The House took recess until 10 ock
Monday morning.
Senator Teller introduced a resolution
recognizing the republic of Cuba and au-
thorizing the President to end the Cuban
war in a way to secure independence to the
Cubans.
General Lee left for Richmond for
short visit to his family.
General Corbin says that no call for vol
unteers will be made. either for militiamen
or others. unless such step is authorized
by Congress and approved by the President.
the navy is ready for any service.
There is great activity in all the bureaus
Of the War Department in arranging to
transport the troops.
All arrangements are made for the
transfer to the field of the headquarters of
the general commanding the army
The steamer Juniata, $500 tons, has been
purchased and will be used as a repair ship
Republican members of the ways and
means committee, have practically COM
pleted a measure to raise revenue sufficient
to carry on the war.
A conference was held at the War De-
partment this afternoon regarding the part
to be taken by the National Guard in the
coming conflict.
An allotment was made for an army hos
pital at Key West.
The movement of troops south will not
begin before Monday.
President Mckinley is ready and even
anxious, for action, says one of his closest
advisers today. The President would be
glad If Congress could reach an agreement
this afternoon tonight. 1t would not
find him in hesitating frame of mind. He
would at once take steps to carry out the
will of Congress.
If 1t were possible for a resolution to pass
both houses of Congress and go to the
President tonight it is believed he would
sign 1t at once and Immediately notify
Spain OF the intentions of this government
But as the matter stands the President
does not expect to have an opportunity to
approve a resolution before Monday after
noon or night
senator Hoar, who was at the White
House today. expressed the opinion that the
Senate would not reach a vote before mid
night Representatives who called at the
White House did not think that BODY wouId
remain in session tonight to await the ac-
tion of the Senate.
Wisdom of the President.
"A cabinet official said today that when
the iuil story of the Presidents conduct
~ anairs is made public, the entire coun-
ry VIII sustain every move. Nobody"
ne said, has the remotest idea how unpre-
pared we were when Congress made the
appropriation of $J0cOOOOO AS q matter
OF fact. there were not five rounds of am
munition In a fortified place in the conn
try, and the ships did not have ammunition
enough to fight anything. We were simnlv
ready in an amateurish manner The Pres
1dent was shocked when he learned the full
1acts- A knowledge of these facts had as
much TO do with making him cautious as
desire to avoid war. Had this country
peeh iorced into war three weeks ago, We
might nave gotten the worst of things for
a"Liie- think we are now about ready
and can give an account of ourselves"
Inc statement recently made that nearly
all OF the $50OO0.oOO appropriated by Con-
gress mas been expended is not correct. 1t
Is positively known that between SIS 900 900
and $2OOOOOOO remains and are at the die
position of the President The greater mart
Of this will be spent in battle sbips and
cruisers II they can be bought, 1t ia
thought the government would pay a good
bonus to secure the O'Higgins and other
like vessels.
Ihere Is general qualification that 50
large an amount Of the defense appropria-
tlon Is still left, as there will be no en-
barrassment to the efforts of the govern
ment to secure the O'Higgins and one of
the ships of the Argentine Republic. 1t is
admitted that the strongest pressure is he
Ing brought on Chile to sell the O'Hixeins
The negotiations will have to be concluded
within the next few days, or the country
cannot profit by them.
Funds for the Wnr
Chairman Cannon OF the House appropri
aticns committee talked with the President
To-Day about funds to prosecute a war; The
general opinion is that the first move will
be to authorize the President and secre-
tary Gage to issue S1OOOOOOOO in bonds
The money from this issue will carry the
country through the first stages of the war.
The Note Issued by spain.
President Mckinley received notification
today that the Spanish ministry had issued
note saying that peace reigns through
cut Cuba as result Of the suspension of
hostilities-" This will have no effect ON
the program Of the President, who has his
own ideas as to whether there Is peace
Those aware Of this note of the Snan
iards see in II more Misrepresentation for
the purpose of gaining further sympathy
from the European powers. II they can
be made to believe what the Spanish min
= istry say about peace II Is natural that
they should have Incorrect ideas of the
right ef this country to drive Spain out
Of Cuba 1t Is believed In all quarters that
the whole time Of Spain between now and
the delivery Of an ultimatum by President
Mckinley viii be devoted to seeking aid
and sympathy from Europe. This govern
ment will do nothing to counteract this
effort. 1t is taken for granted that Eu-