The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-12
GAUSI|C N CRITICISM.
Comments Of Congressman
on Message Severe.
SATISFIES NEITHER SIDE.
Republican Leaders as Irdte as
the Rest.
FORAKER APPEARS FURIOUS
Elklns BraveIy Appears as the
Presidents Defender.

Washington, April 11.-When the Senate
adjourned to-day Immediately after the
reading of the Presidents message the
comments of Republican and Democratic
senator's We're generally uncomplimentary
to the President.
The concensus of opinion is to the effect
that the message is plain and straight
forward in its statements of the conditions
existing in Cuba, but the recommendations
and the suggestions made by the Presi-
dent are contrary to what was generally
expected and disappointing In the highest
degree.
Some of the most steadfast and earnest
supporters of the President boldly assert
that he has missed the opportunity of his
life to demonstrate to the country the
high order of craftsmanship which the
opportunity afforded. AS one senator ex-
pressed 1t, ''The message would have been
much stronger and impressive had the
President refrained from qualifying and
softening every recommendation or sug-
gestion bearing on the vital points at IS
sue. Instead of making a declaration that
would be open to but one construction,
he has succeeded in clothing his recon.
mendations with vague and elastic verb-
age, so that his utterances are open to
several constructions, and confusion as to
what he really intends must necessarily
follow. 1t looks very much like a case
of too much careful editing"
Republican and Democratic leaders agree
that the message is weak and unsatlsfac-
tory, viewed from any standpoint
1t would be injudicious and violation
of confidence to repeat some of the ex-
pressions of Indignation and disgust made
upon the floor Of the Senate chamber i'm
naediately after adjournment. Senators
Foraker, Mason, Aldrich. Pettus, Cannon
and others gave vent to expressions or
disappointment which might be consid-
cred severe. if reproduced in cold type.
Senator Foraker declared that he was
so incensed at the tone and character of
the message that he would not trust him
self to be quoted on the spur of the mo.
ment.
Senator Elkins was one of the few men,
bers Of the Senate who had the courage to
defend the President, and less calm, but
fearless man would have retreated in the
face Of the bitter denunclations leveled at
the President through the senator from
West Virginia.
Without attempting to justify the mes
sage in its entirety, Senator Eklns had
the courage to tell those of his associates
who swarmed around him that the Presi-
dent had simply transferred the RESPONSE
bility for definite action from the White
House TO the capitol. He went on to say:
You, gentlemen, who are so severe in
your censure of the President now have
the matter in your own hands And you
can dispose of it as you deem wise and
proper. For myself, would have prefer
red to see the President exercise his execu-
tive authority and make a definite recon-
mendation to Congress. In view OF the
fact that Congress has been insisting that
1t should have absolute power TO make
and direct the policy of the government
in dealing with this serious business propo-
sition. l am willing to assume my share
of the responsibility which the President
has imposed upon us and give my vote
as my conscience dictates"
On the Democratic side Of the chamber
a similar feeling Of disappointment at the
Presidents indeeision was freely express
ed, although senator's declined to be quoted
in direct criticism upon the President.
The Morning News correspondent con-
versed with at least twenty Democratic
senators after the Senate adjourned, and
not one of them either directly or Indirect
ly, uttered one word of approval of the
message.
The sentiment OF the Democratic sena-
tors was unanimous on the general promo
sition that the message failed to meet the
expectations Of those who had been led to
believe that the President had after many
delays finally arrived at fixed foreign
policy While the Democrats are not dis
posed to make party question OF the Gu
ban situation, and they have demonstrated
their loyalty and patriotism by votes tney
have heretofore given TO prepare the coun-
try for any emergency which may arise. 1t
CONTINUED on Seventh paRel