The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1898-04-07
PUBLIC MEN
Believe That the Crisis Will Reach a
Climax in a Few Days.
This Delay VIII BE Welcomed BY Those In
Charge of the War Preparations-Can
Congress BE Restrained Until
the Message Is Issued?

WASHINGTON, April 4-The opinion
almost universally held in Washington
Sunday night by leading public men
and diplomats is that the crisis will
reach its climax this week, and that
the question of war or peace will be
determined within the next seven days.
Senator's and representatives met and
conferred all day about the gravity OF
the situation, and az the white house
the president consulted with several
members of his cabinet and other
confidential advisers regarding the
message which he is preparing
to send 10 congress- At the state,
war and navy building active work
was going on, and altogether it has
been day of suppressed feeling Nc
absolute day yet announced when the
message is to be sent to congress, and
all that seemed to be absolutely GER
tain Sunday night was that it would
not 90 in Monday-Tuesday possibly,
but more probably Wednesday or per-
haps Thursday. In addition to the
physical work of preparing the
comprehensive document upon which
the president expects to rest Amer
icas case with the world, there
are other reasons why those in charge
of the war preparations will welcome
every hours delay. War material, which
we have ordered abroad, is not yet
shipped, and the factories in this coun'
try, which are running day and night
making powder and rTojectiles, are
anxious for delay. Some of the fac
tories in Connecticut with contracts
have telegraphcd Representative Hill
urging all the delay possible. They
say every day now is precious.
There is still divergence OF opinion
as TO what the president will recon-
mend in his message; indeed there
seems to be still a question as to
whether the president will make any
specific recommendations Some OF
his most intimate friends, however, as
sert emphatically that his recommend
ations will be specific and vigorous and
such that his party and country could
willingly follow when he points the
wav. One of these said that the pres
ident, in his strong desire for peace
and his earnest hope that war might
possibly be avoided was yielding some
what TO the sentiment of the leaders
OF his party and the country. He has
not given up hope yet that hostilities
NAV be averted. 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 consular
reports and the diplomatic corres'
pondence is to be transmitted with the
message.
The suspense caused by the necessa'
rv delay in the preparation OF the NEE
sage is very trying upon members OF
both houses, and the most universally
discussed question in Washington Sun
dav night was whether congress can
be restrained until the message is
transmitted All realize the difficult
and arduous task of preparing
our case for the worlds in
spection and the care which must
he exercised and there seems to be
no disposition to ''unduly" hasten the
president. The party leaders are ex'
tremely anxious to avoid a breach
with the executive, such as would oc'
cur if congress were to take the initia'
tive. After careful canvas of the
situation Sunday they believe the rad
ical republicans can be held in line
few days longer, until Wednesday al
least. The con ference of republicans
of the house who have been insisting
upon prompt action hold another
meeting Monday night While
many of them are now in favor
of giving the president more
leeway than they were last week, 1t Il
realized that 25 republican votes II
the house would. with the democratic
and populist votes, be sufficient to act
1t can be pretty confidently asserted
that all the epublicans Of the house
with possibly exceptions which coult
be counted on the fingers OF one hand
can be controlled until "Wednesday
After that what might happen If th'
president asks for further delay II
problematical. Mr.. Bromwell, OF Ohio
for instance, who says he hopes he vii
not be obliged TO part company witt
the president, says he will vote VIII
the democrats if necessary to over
rule the speaker after Wednesday. Mr.
Cooper. of Wisconsin, has made sim
liar statement. The republicans o
the house committee on foreign affair
have held informal meetings Sunda
and have practically agreed to repor
a resolution of tenor similar to tina
agreed upon 10y the foreign relation
committee of the senate Saturday
The house resolutions will probabl
follow the Language of those of tn
senate regarding the blowing upof tn
Maine.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-The full ser
ate committee on foreign relations ha
practically agreed to accept the recon
mendation of the subcommittee for
resolution recognizing the indepen6
ence of Cuba and recommending arme
intervention If necessary to secure Il
This conclusion was reached afte
a session Saturday that did not col
,, tinue for more than an hour, and
far as can be learned there was no d
vision of opinion expressed in IN
committee as to the propriety OF tn
course.
NJ Zola Free.
PARIS, April 4.-The court of Cass'
tinn has nnashed the sentence of or