The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-03-30
SPAIN AND UNITED STATES
ANOTHER CRISIS BELIEVED no BE
AT HAND.

House Side of Congress it Seems Appar-
ent That the Republican Majority Can
No Longer be Controlled by the Con-
servative Element Led by the Speaker
Misinformation Concerning the Situ-
alton or Ignorance of the Presidents
Purpose Will Not be Permitted to swerve
Him In the Least-An Armistice Not
Likely.
Washington, March 29.-Congress
and the cabinet divided attention to-
day in the Spanish situation. In con-
gress the feeling which began to take
form after the presidents pacific mes
sage on the Maine report was submit
ted yesterday found open expression
to-day In resolutions proposing declar
ations of war, recognition of the inde-
pendence of Cuba, armed intervention
and other decisive and warlike steps
against Spain and in conferences of
republicans having for their object the
overruling of the speaker if necessary,
the cloak rooms, in the lobbies and in
the corridors there was little else dis
cussed than the Cuban situation and
the Maine disaster. Constant and con-
tinual conferences were held and all
recognized the seriousness of the stu
alton. On the house side it was appar-
ent that the republican majority could
no longer be controlled by the conserv-
ative element led by the speaker.
Groups of members in a state of ex-
citemnet were to be seen on every
hand. Members Of the committee on
foreign affairs discussed plans and
possible future doings.
A Crisis Again.
1t was generally acknowledged that a
crisis was at hand although some con-
servative members thought that in a
day or two the feeling would subside.
Much depends upon the next few days.
That congress will not long remain in
active If some decided action is not
taken by the administration is certain.
1t is also true that the talk Of an ar
mistice caused great deal of i'll feel
ing. The house to-day transacted bus
mess without dramatic incident, but no
such quiet can be promised tomorrow
when the naval bill is being consid-
cred. The day closed with g prospect
that the committees to whom was re-
ferred the Maine correspondence will
act soon.
Mckinley VIII Not be swerved.
The cabinet meeting to-day devel-
oped nothing new. The president re-
mains steadfast in his convictions as:
to what is his duty and adverse criti-
cism, which it is asserted is mainly
due to misinformation as to the situa-
tion or ignorance of the presidents s
purpose will not be permitted to swerve
him in the least. The president some
days ago made a peremptory demand
upon Spain to put an end Immediately
to hostilities in Cuba, to release the
reconcentrados and to permit them to
return to their homes. Since that de-
mand was communicated to Spain the
president has not taken a step back
ward or modified it in the least Spain's
final reply to this demand it is known
! is now receiving the earnest consid-,
GRAFTON of the Spanish authorities at
Madrid and the reply may be expected
demand be rejected there is the high
est authority for stating that the presi-
dent would immediately lay the whole
record before congress and be guided
{ by it's instructions.
Question of an Armistice.
The question of an armistice has not
\ been agreed to by either this country
or Spain, though there is no doubt that
Spain suggested an armistice. What
terms of peace will be acceptable to
\ the president cannot be stated, but it
is asserted that no proposition will be
4 considered that does not involve the
4 practical, If not the actual independ-
4 ence of the Cubans. Under these cir
\ cumstances the administration thinks
!. it only fair that the people should
await the result of pending negotia-
4 tions. There is little doubt that the
4 French government is ready to tender
Il its good offices as mediator between the
4 United States and Spain, If any intim-
4 alton is conveyed by this country that
4 such offices would be acceptable With
4 out such intimation it is doubtful
whether France will take the initiative.
+ In diplomatic circles it is pointed out
I that the interests of France, both ma
VI terial and sentimental, favor an avoid
Y ance of war. One material reason is
1 that France is preparing for the inter-
national exposition, when the world S
4 strave1 will be turned toward the French
II capital It is said that war at this
time would be serious to this project.
& Moreover, French citizens own many
4 Spanish securities, so that any decline
Il resulting from war would fall largely
y on French capitalists. While these are
I important for France, yet the trend
/. of good offices would be solely on senti-
Il mental grounds.
Sigsbee and Long.
III Captain Sigsbee had a talk with Sec
gsretary Long during the day. The sec
h retary says that no determination has
been reached thus far as to Captain
l Sigsbee's next assignment. But as one
4 of the high officials of the department
i remarked, the commander of the
wrecked battleship can have about
anything he wants. A board is consid-
ering what should be done with the
wreck of the Maine At first it seemed
possible to save some part of the ship
hut this idea has been given up. 1t is
probable that what remains of the
wreck will be abandoned. The navy
I Il,