The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-01
626 18th Street n. w.

certainly be ready to report to Congress
by Monday.
Mr. Hopkins replied that he was not
authorized to make that promise.
He said the President did not mention
Monday, in speaking of his forthcoming
message to Congress. He said he would
be ready to report to Congress early
next week"
This indefinite report of the committee
created no little excitement in the eau
Gus. At least twenty members were on
their feet at the same time clamoring
for definite information.
Mr.. Joy undertook to calm the tumult.
He told the caucus that it's committee
assured the President that nothing short
of the absolute independence of Cuba
would be accepted by the House and
also that the Republicans demanded i'm
mediate Intervention and the cessation
of hostilities in Cuba.
No Day Set.
Messrs. Cooper and Lorimer of the
committee, also addressed the caucus,
but they could not be persuaded to prom
Use definite action from the President by
Monday.
The caucus finally adjourned until
p. m. next Monday, but as members filed
out threats were openly uttered that
unless the President reported something
definite by the morning Of that day the
House would take control OF the subject.
The committee was composed Of Repre-
sentatives Hopkins, chairman: Mercer,
FarriS, Cooper of Wisconsin, Sulloway,
Knox, Joy, Hager. Lorimer Pritchard,
William Alden Smith and Hepburn, who
was added yesterday making the COM
mittee twelve instead of eleven members
as was originally provided. They drove
! from the Capitol in carriages and reach
/ ed the White House at 2:30 p. m. the
H. tal
| were received in the library by President
! Mckinley, and remained in conference
| with him for more than an hour. After
/ their interview with the President Chair
/ man Hopkins gave the following state
ment to a Times reporter:
| Mr.. Hopkins Talks.
I'VE have had a long talk with the
President, and by agreement are unable
TO give out any details OF the conference
| or tell you exactly what he said. We
are confident. however, that he Is doing
all any patriotic American citizen could
do under the circumstances and are well
satisfied that his policy is wise and for
the best interests of the country. 1t is
/ perfectly in accord with the views Of the
Republican members of the House, and
he will be given ample time to carry 1t
out"
Another member of the committee said
that the President had asked until Mon
day to complete his negotiations with
Spain, and that he had told them of the
ultimatum and the demands made upon
| the Spanish government. Although no
| specific agreement was made at the time
the members of the committee agreed to
wait until Monday for action by the
| President, and at a later meeting of the
committee at the Capitol this agreement
I vii he n6
to the caucus.
1t is understood that the committee
was appointed by the Republican mem
bers on account of pressure from their
constituents, and for political reasons
thew wish to stand by the President as
long as possible, but thought they must
indulge in some visible activity to satisfy
their constituents. The call created
some little excitement, and dozens of
newspaper men gathered to learn the
result.
The Republicans of the House are, 1t is
easy to see, in a state of mental and
moral revolt against the President of the
United States and the Speaker OF the
House.
Cuba is the factor Of disturbance.
They are restrained from physical re-
bellion only by the assurance that the
President is now preparing to comply
with the demand of the patriotic senti-
ment Of the country and proclaim the
independence of Cuba.
They are fearful that the President will
not be ready TO meet the Cuban issue
| squarely next Monday
They know that procrastination is the
trump card of Spanish diplomacy. and be
, lieve that every device will be employed
: to persuade or cajole the President intt
granting further delay.
With almost one accord, the Republi
cans openly declare that they will mo-
for moment entertain even a sugges
ton of delay beyond next Monday. They
declare that no hating. halfway meas
ure will be tolerated; that any plan Il
meet their approval must provide To-
the absolute independence Of Cuba from
3 Spanish rule.
On the Democratic side some doubts
are expressed as to the Republicans thu
e boldly taking control OF the subject, un
t less the President shall show them tn
Y way.
SO far as the Democrats are concerned
D they do not intend to further embaras
the Republicans during consideration Q
the naval appropriation bill.
Mr. Bailey said 10 The Times represent
I alive yesterday that he would not max
n another motion relating TO Cuba until af
s ter the passage of the naval bill, an
q that then when absolutely assured O
: the immediate and patriotic action b
[ the Republicans, he will move to dis
q charge the Committee on Foreign Al