The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-05


anxious to hear from the President. They
have, to a measurable degree softened
their stand-and-deliver tone and have
stopped the issuance of ultfmatums They
have heard from the President in response
to some of their time-limit propositions and
they have been brought to a sharp realiza-
tions that they may have gone too far in
attempting to Dragon the President. He
has given some of them to understand that
he resented that sort of treatment and that
he would insist upon being believed when
he gave assurances that he was making all
possible haste in the consideration of the
subject and in the preparation Of a mes
sage. He has given them to understand.
further, that if Congress would not accord
him the necessary time they might go
ahead and take independent action. He is
showing considerable irritation, but will,
nevertheless, endeavor to have his message
in, as above stated. on Wednesday.
There has been no weakening on the part
Of the war element in Congress, and this
disposition to yield the President time must
not be given that construction. 1t is no
overstatement of the facts to say that the
judgment Of Congress has been already
made up on the facts in Its possession. The
President must have facts and arguments
in addition to and at variance with the pres
emit understanding to effect a change in the
results which seem to have been determined
upon.
WHAT HE MAY RECOMMEND.
Widely conflicting stories. having SEEM
ingly the best of authority are in circula-
ton as to what the Presidents message
will contain in the way of color, suggestion
and recommendation. Persons who have
talked with the President within the last
twenty-four hours, and who would not in
tentionally deceive themselves or their
friends. come away from the White House
with entirely different views as to what the
President is going to do This discrepancy
is easily explainable. The President is one
Of the best listeners in public life. He
listens to what everybody has to say, and
his manner is SC kindly and attentive that
1t is quite the customary thing for visitors
to go away from his presence under the
impression that the views and arguments
they themselves had advanced were enter
tanned by the President, and had been
adopted and subscribed by him as
his own. when, in fact. he had
not given the slightest authority
for such conclusion. In the
ordinary humdrum routine this popularity
or mannerism of the President does not ex-
cite remark or attract attention, but In
these days when nearly everybody who calls
upon the President conf1des to a few per-
sonal friends and the world in general what
the President said and how he acted, con-
fusion and contradictory statements result.
AS matter Of fact, the President is ex-
tremely cautious about giving expression to
construed as foreshadowing his exact pur-
pose. A member of his Cabinet, who is
very close to him, and who is in daily con-
sultation with him, says that he had never
known a man in his long experience in bust
ness and politics who had such a gift for
keeping his own counsel as Mr.. Mckinley.
There is, nevertheless, good grounds for be-
lieving that the message will lead UP to, If
not directly recommend, congressional &C
ton along the lines Of a declaration Of Gu
ban independence with armed Intervention.
Independence without armed backing would
be hollow and Intellectual. It might enable
the greedy holders of Cuban bonds to make
a profit of twenty or thirty points on their
large holdings of these speculative
securities, but would not benefit
the people on the island. The only
way that declaration for the inde-
pendence of Cuba by the United States can
be made effectual is by armed interview
ton, and this is the practically unanimous
sentiment of the Republicans of Congress
and those among the Democrats who want
to see results.
THE PEACE PARTY
The peace party is strongly impressed
with the conviction that the President is
going to send peace message, backed up
and supported by invincible arguments go
ing to show that the United States has no
valid excuse for mixing in. and that a war
would be unjustihable. In this case the
hope is probably father of the belief. Peace
messages began TO pour in upon congress
men this afternoon and evening. They bear
such striking similarity in phraseology as
to justify the claim of common inspira-
ticn." Those sent from several Western
States urge upon congressmen to stand by
the President in 'his wise policy" From
Vermont and other New England States the
senders of these kilograms ask their sena-
tors and representatives to give loyal and
patriotic support to the President in His
peace with honor policy" Members of Con-
gress are always glad to hear from their
constituents when matters OF great public
interest are pending, but it irritates them