The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-30
CONGRESS WILL STAND
LITTLE MORE DELAY.
Members Are Wrought Up to . High
Pitch Of Excitement, and Eager
for Aggressive Action.

the cabinet divided attention today on the
Spanish situation. In congress the feeling
which began to take form after the presI-
dents message ON the Maine was presented
yesterday. found open expression today in
the resolutions presented proposing dec
laration of war. recognition OF the indepen-
dence OF Cuba, an armed intervention and
other decisive and warlike steps against
against Spain, and In conferences of Re-
publicans, having for their object the over
ruling OF the speaker. IL necessary to get
prompt action. Both on the floor. in the
cloak rooms. In the Hobbies and in the col :
ridors. there was little else discussed but
the Cuban situation and the Maine disas-
ter. Every senator and member was fur
nished with o copy OF the testimony SEN,
10 congress yesterday. and every person
who could procure copy read the printed
pages. Every group Of senators in the
cloak rooms talked Of Cuba. Constant and
continual conferences were held. and all
recognized the seriousness Of the situation.
On the house side 1t was apparent that
the R-publican majority could no longer be
controlled by what Is known as the con-
ser,Ntive element, led by the speaker.
Groups OF members In state Of excite
ment were to be seen on every hand. In
each cloakroom there were members U.s.
tening eagerly. while portions of the Maine
testimony were read. Members Of the
committee on foreign relations grouped to-
gether and discussed plans and possible
future proceedings. It was generally ac-
know.edged that a serious condition had
arisen; that a crisis was near al hand. 1t
was the opinion of some of the conserya-
tive members that Ia a day or two the
feeling would subside. and members would
rot be so agitated.
Much depends upon the next few days.
That congress will not long remain mac
tive If some decided action Is not taken by
the administration is certain. 1t Is also
true tina, the talk OF an armIstice caused
a great deal of ill-feeling The house to-
day proceeded 10 do business without out
break and without dramatic incident. but
no such quiet can be promised tomorrow,
when the naval bill is to be considered.
The day closed with a prospect that the
committees 20 whom were referred the
Maine correspondence Will ast soon. pos
s.piy before the end OF the week.
The cabinet meeting today developed
nothing new. The president remains stead
fast in his convictions as to what Is his
duty, and adverse criticism. which II Is
asserted is mainly due to misanform atinn
as TO the situation or ignorance Of the
presidents purpose, will not be permitted
10 swerve him In the least degree from the
course he had planned. AS already stated
in the Associated Press. the president
some days ago made a peremptory demand
upon Spain TO put an end Immediately TO
hostillties in Cuba, to release the recon-
centrados and 10 permit them 10 return TO
their homes and resume their several occu-
pstions unmolested. This statement is
made on good authority. and since that
demand was complunioatea TO Spain the
president has not taken a step backward
or allowed himself to be persuaded into
modifying 1t in the least particular Spasn's
final reply to this demand. It Is known, Is
now receiving the earnest consideration
Of the Spanish authorities a, Madrid and
their final reply may be reasonably expect
ed within the next few days. Should these
demands be rejected, there Is the highest
authority Tor stating that the president
would not hesitate moment az to bis fu
tare course. but would Immediately Law
the whole record before congress and he
guided by its instructions. A a martial
step toward peace. IL has been proposea to
spain though this last proposition has not
taken the shape OF a demand az yet at
least. that the Spanish governmen, with.
draw its troops from the Island and .ha,
TIE eahans ae given their Independence nm
basis % Indemnity that would be res,.,s-
81 as lust in amount t,y the ,-,t,sa e..s
ara other nations Of the world. and fair
10 both ccntsndBg parties.
The question CT an arrnistsea has no, ,..e,
agreed to by either this country or s,a,,
though there Is no doubt that Snail, s,,,..
Sessed an afmissice What farms NJ mcgee.
VIII be acceptable Ia the nress.sn. esv.o.
ne stated Immediately, but II e. as~c-,e.
'nai no practical proposition viii 20 ef.n-
sfasrea that does not involve the prac-
firsl II not ERE actual. snsepensenrs ~
the Casaas. Under these. c;rcu,ns,.rsss
TIE members Of the administration ,hios A..
onE fair 10 the presiden. that the reon,s
should ~a9i with patience the ress,l, n, tss
nehafng negotiations. ssnt-e there ~ no NOR.
sorai American than the president or on.
wao viii hesitate less than he when "a.
hour for action arrives
Tasre ss little doubt tha, the French gov
erHnaeni is ready % tender as COED Offices
as mediator between the United sss,e~ am,
snsia. tt any intinsasion IL conveyed nv
this country that such orieex would As ae-
oep'asls. w!taoss sach sstirnasion Il is
scussfai 1Aesher France will take the fn-
siatiss. In Diplomatic circles. 1t liz pointed
oas that the snts-eets OF France. both ma
ssslai sGa sentimental. favor an ayoidsncs