The San Francisco call., 1898-04-19
TOCSIN. OF WAR
 IS NOW SOUNDED
In Doing So the Senate Makes a Con- Gession to the House by Omittin9
 Recognition of Cuban Republic.
Call Office, Riggs House,
 Washington, April 19.

by the American Congress. At 1:15 o'clock this morning the Senate re- ceived the report of the conference committee of the two Houses of Con- gress and fifteen minutes afterward adopted it. There was a fight to the last minute, the advocates of the recognition of the independence of the island republic standing their ground until they were fairly knocked down by a vote of 42 to 35. The minority vote was cast by those who wanted radical action and insisted that the resolution should carry with it recognition of the independence of the Cuban republic.
 The adoption of the conference re- port brought to a close one of the most interesting and tumultuous ses- sions of the Senate held Tn years. Such senes of confusion and excitement have rarely been witnessed in the ordinarily staid and dignified body as character iZed it's proceedings from noon yester- day until nearly o'clock in the morn ing. Interest in all other questions was dwarfed into insignificance by the one overwhelming question of war war which all now regard to be abso- lutely inevitable. Efforts were made to transact the regular business of the Senate, but it was with the utmost diff tidence that Senators performed the work. Among those who remained up on the floor while the sundry civil bill was under consideration the confusion was so great that the business could scarcely proceed.
 A feeling of bitterness grew up be- tween the Senate and House during the late afternoon and evening that at one time seemed likely to delay action Cooler COunsels prevailed, however. and determination of the momentous question was finally reached.
 Those who were fighting for recog- milton of the island republic early de- Cided that the Senate should not take the initiative in requesting a confer ence between the two houses. They further resolved that when the Sen ate ccnferees were finally appointed at least two of them should represent the majority sentiment of the body. The radical advocates of independence slowly. bat none the less surely. lost ground, however. being swept back by the powerful and compact minority op- posed to them. They yielded only after the bitterest contest in the Senate They capitulated, but did not surren- der. Hundreds of brilliantly attired women and men in evening dress filled the galleries until the close of the pro- ceedings. When finally the verdict came from the Conference Committee there was hush in the great chamber, which a few seconds before had been thrilling with animation. When the verdict had been rendered and ac- cepted by the Senate the great audi ence dispersed. quietly-almost solemn ly. All realized that the verdict meant war, and the action was too mOmentous to inspire anything less than awe
 AG lFh became known in the Senate the Senate chamber became the scene of many ami mated conferences. The leaders of the Democrats, Popuists and Silver Repub- hcans got together and immediately the word was passed around to nOn-concur in the House amendment and not to agree to a conference thus throwing the responsibility for delay on the House
 At 1:55 D. m. the Republican Senators. with the exception of Wilson, who voted originally to insert the Turpie resolution, went into conference to decide upon line of action, in Senator Quays room. Ten were present, as follows: Baker Chandler, FOraker, Gallinger, Mason, Nelson. Penr0se. Perkins, Quay and Thurston All decided to toll against
 At 2:53 ?, m. the message clerk of the House of Representatives appeared in the main entrance of the Senate with package of the bills and resolutions in hand. Almost immediately Vice-Presi- dent Hobart, interrupting the debate, recognized the clerk. He presented to the Senate several bills and resolutions which had been passed by the House, including that relating to the interven- tion of the United States in the Cuban rebellion.
 The last was the resolution adopted by the Senate on Saturday night and agreed to to-day by the House, with certain amendments. Scores of members of the House were on the floor awaiting the ac- tion of the Senate upon the House amendments, and although every Sena- tor at the Capitol was present Chandler of New Hampshire noted the absence of a quorum and demanded a call of the roll.
 The rollcan indicated the presence of seventy-lve Senators. Davis, the distin- guished chairman of the Foreign Rela- tiOns Committee, requested that the mes sage from the House concerning the Cuban resolution be laid before the Sen ate. After the reading of the message Davis addressed the Senate The still ness as he began to speak was profound. He spoke clearly. but rapidly.
 Tn my great anxiety to secure speedy action upon this question: he said, "ac- ton which I think ought to Tbe taken i'm mediately, l have refrained from taking part in the discussion up to this time. The resolutions as they come to us, with the exceptions which l shall note, prac- tcally are the same as those which were reported 10 the Senate by the Foreign Relations Committee
 The exceptions noted by Davis were the strlKlnB out of the words "and are" and the provision in the Senate resolution pro- Nldlng Tor the recognition of the present cuban republic. Davis then said that the whole subject had been thoroughly de- bated Meantime while the debate was YroceedlnE the destruction of the Maine had remained unchastised: many of the reconcentrados in Cuba had died and dliterences and dissension had arisen here as 10 the dcuon which should be adoDt- ed: he Sald We had now arrived at a point where by thoughtful tempera te and reasonable action the entire matter could be settled within twenty nninures He maintained further that no man l,ouid or would have the right to doubt that inc passage of the resolutions as sent to the Senate would bring about the freedom Cf Cuba as well as the independence of i1s Inhabitants. which so many desired Tn order that the President might settle =ba question and. settle 1t now he moved .bat the Senate concur in the resolution of inc House. VI e4o
 The motion had scarcely been enta.ed when rtewart addressed the Senate
 Tt is true" said he. that this olIestion can be settled immediately. but ii is ne cessary that it should be settled riphtiv and it cannot be so settled until the free, dom and independence of the Cuban re- public are recognized"
 Stewart yielded to Teller who .aid there was a very general desire for vote upon the message from the House and appealed to the Senate to forego further debate in order that vote might be taken.
 Cries of a'Vo+a vo+a were heard 1ro,.