The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-06

Washington. April 5.-The debate
which occurred in the executive session
of the senate late this afternoon would
indicate that the character of the reso-
luton to come from the committee on
foreign relations would cause a serious
and perhaps prolonged discussion. IL
emphasized the fact that there are two
elements in the senate-one for inde-
pendence with Intervention, another for
Intervention alone. and these two fac
tions will fight vigorously for their
ideas.
The relation of the United States with
Spain was the uppermost topic in the
executive session and constituted the
subject of many conferences among
senators. The activity was due to the
announcement that the presidents mes
sage would recommend the adoption OF
policy looking to Intervention in Cuba
on the part OF the executive branch Of
the government rather than the rec
ognition of independence. and to an ef-
fort to make smooth the way for the
reception of such a report.
The executive session developed the
fact that much opposition would be
made to the acceptance of a policy in
line with the presidents desires. The
question was raised by Senator Allen.
who made a long speech predicting
much dissatisfaction in the country at
large with a policy on the part Of the
executive that did not go to the extenc
of giving the Cubans their entire inde-
pendence of the mother country.
Senator Allen was followed by other
speakers in the same line. and the fact
was made evident that IL the commit
90 m Lot oh H<w{w t.
a resolution merely complying with the
presidents request and stopping short
OF declaration for independence. there
would be an effort in the senate to
amend 1t so as to accomplish this end.
Indeed. the announcement was made
by more than one senator that he would
offer such an amendment and by many
more that they would support an effort
in the direction of adding the independ-
ence declaration TO a resolution pr0vid-
ing simply for Intervention. The COM
mittee was therefore urged not to yield
TO the wishes Of the president. but to
stard out strongly for complete action.
The policy OF the president for execu-
tive Intervention only was criticised ~
one which would place the entire ques-
tion in the hands of the president and
thus leave the matter where 1t now is.
except that II would be a voluntary re-
linquishment Of the rights Of congress
in the premises-the right. among 9TH
ers. to declare war.
The greater part of the speechmaking
was in opposition to the executive. and
no one attempted to outline the prob
able action OF the committee There
was also a recurrence to the intention
of the president TO withhold the Cuban
consular correspondence. and a sugges-
ton was made that IL this matter was
OF character too infiammable to per-
init OF its being made public. that It be
given to the senate in secret session
resolution was offered that the en-
tire Cuban question should be consid-
cred behind closed doors on account Of
the probability Of utterances which
would afford information to the enemy.
This proposition was debated but with
out reaching a conclusion.
While the senate was In executive
session formidable element in the
senate was considering what would be
done in case resolutions should be re-
ported providing for recognition OF in
dependence. This faction was COM
posed of what Is known as the conserv-
ative element on the republican side of
The senate. The conference was held in
Aldrich's committee room and
among those present We're Senators
Hanna, Platt OF Connecticut. Spooner.
Hale, Fairbanks and Aldrich. senator
Allison was also there for brief time.
the adoption of any report that should
a recognition OF Cuban In
dependence and that did not indeed
ronfine itself TO the support of the prea-
dents recommendation for interven-
lion only. This position was taken BE-
,ause OF the generally expressed con-
riction among the senator's present thar
n case of war with Spain and the tri-
lmph of the army OF the United States
his country should be left free to DIS
bose OF Cuba as she might deem proper.
Most of them expressed dissatfsfaction
With the present Cuban administrator,
md the opinion was given that the rec
ignition of Independence at this time
would bind the United States to the
support OF the present Cuban admlnis-
ration and to guaranteeing its bondo.
giving TO the Cuban junts . position u
influence and power which u Was no<.
n their opinion. entitled to. Hence.