Evening star., 1898-03-05
War Preparations Will Not Be Fought
in Congress.
LEADERS REALIZE THE CIRCUMSTANCES
Bill for More ArtiIIerymen to Go
Through the House.
CAUTION TO BE OBSERVED

The leaders Of Congress are sufficiently
informed of the gravity of the situation be-
tween this country and Spain to remove all
opposition to preparations that have to be
made for the contingency of war What
might be regarded as opposition by those
rot familiar with the facts is merely a diff
ference of opinion as to the adyisabiiity of
public action which will amount practically
TO an announcement to the world that war
is regarded as inevitable.
Ine artillery bill is to be passed by the
House next week, and it will not be on
posed by the democrats. AS a matter Of
policy, the republican managers responsi-
nle FOR the measure will not, in asking for
Its passage represent that it is required On
account of present emergency. Such
public acknowledgment of an emergency
would be simply to increase the diffic ulties
OF the situation. The minority party, how
ever, being opposed to any increase of the
standing army, except in preparation for
threatened war, will withhold all opposi-
tion 10 this measure on the grounds that
II Is an emergency measure. 1t is not eX-
pected that they will discuss this phase of
the matter any further than NAV he nac-
essary to let 1t be known that they do not
reinquish their opposition to increasing
the army in time of peace, end that their
passive support is given in this case he
cause they have become convinced that
the measure has been rendered necessary
by present existing conditions of an ex-
traordinary character. 1t is expected that
the bill will be taken UP toward the middle
of the week and will be passed without
any demonstration.
Beyond the action on this measure which
having already passed the Senate as an
emergency measure, could not be kent A
secret matter. 1t is not intended that there
snail be anything done in Congress to at
tract attention to the situation as to the
gravity of which the leaders are already
sufficiently Informed. Other steps neces-
sary to be taken are expected to be taken
by the administration without coming to
Congress, but relying on Congress to ap-
prove afterward of what has been done
under circumstances which warrant an
unusual course to be followed by the Presi-
dent. Leaders of both parties will prob
ably be Informed of the necessity of fol-
lowing such course, but the details of
what is being done will be kept a secret
from all but very few. A conference con-
cerning the naval situation was held in
the naval committee room OF the House,
since yesterday morning. at which the
Speaker was present.
1t is thought that the administration will
De 1uiiy warranted in taking such steps
may be necessary in preparation for the
equipment of the auxiliary cruisers # they
need to be called into service, and for the
purchase of naval vessels wherever they
may be had before neutrality laws shall
intervene to render such purchases impos-
siDIe II congress were asked 10 autnOrIZe
the purchase of war vessels that would be
equivalent to an announcement to Spain
and the rest of the world that we were
going to war. Therefore such course will
not be adopted. 1t is we'll understood that
Spain is preparing to the full extent of her
power for and is seeking to purchase
ships of war, If she has not already made
such purchases The President and Secre-
tary of the Navy can proceed with the
same sort of preparations without the ne
cessity of coming to Congress and compli-
eating and adding danger to the situation
by publicity in advance of the time when
publicity will be necessary.