The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-11
THE MESSAGE UNCHANGED.
President Mckinley stands by His
Original Position.
Associated Press Dispatch.

announced that the Presidents message UNI
doubtedly would go to Congress at noon to-
morrow. On the best authority obtainable,
it was stated that the meeting was devoted
wholly to the consideration of the addi-
tions to the message necessitated by the re-
ceipt of the latest note from Spain advising
this government of the declaration of an un-
conditional armistice The suffx to the
Presidents message merely recited TINS
latest event in the developments OF the
Spanish question, giving the substance Oh
the Spanish note and recommending 1T TO
the earnest attention of Congress Other
wise the message stands unchanged
After the meeting one member of the Cab
met said that the Spanish note had not al
tered either the message or the situation.
"It is merely" said he. what Spain mas
been asking for all along-more time. 1t
does not touch the situation, and the Presi-
dents message is left precisely as it was
before. merely stating the fact of this last
development
Another member of the Cabinet said atter
the meeting: Our meeting tonight was
for the final reading of the message which
will be sent to Congress tomorrow. 1t is a
strong state paper, and will contain review
of the conditions existing in Cuba for years
past There is no change in the tone OF the
message differing from that indicated in
the newspapers. The President will ask
that he be given authority to use the army
and the navy to bring about peace In the
Island of Cuba and TO insure there stable
government. An argument is made against
the recognition of independence of the in
surgents for the reason that there is lack
ing the essential features of an independent
people. There is a quotation from one OF
the former Presidents, who argued against
the recognition of the Texans when IN re-
bellion against the Mexican government,
and from the opinions expressed by Presl-
dent Cleveland and Secretary Olney during
the last administration in opposition to a
recognition of independence
There was but one addition made to the
message, and that was in relation TO the
dispatch presented to the State Department
by Minister Polo Barnabe, and contain
ing the informa ton that the Queen Regent
had granted authority to Captain General
Blanco TO issue an armistice the terms ana
conditions of which would be Jeff to his
judgment. This was the first communica-
ton the State Department has had with the
Spanish minister since a week from last
Friday. So far as l am aware, there mas
been no suggestion made to the insurgents
by his government with view to their con-
sidering the proposition for an armistice au-
thorized by the Spanish government. This
government has never had anything to do
with the gentlemen composing the Cuban
Junto in New York 1 do not think the
armistice idea will have the least effect on
any action that may be contemplated in
Congress"
1t is said some members of the Cabinet
recommended further delay simply to OBJ
serve the practical effect of the armistice
but they were outvoted by the majority, who
thought the President had waited long
enough.
The Presidents message will go to Con-
gress at noon tomorrow. Whether it will
make a recommendation on the situation as
presented by Spain's latest move and, If So
what form this recommendation will take
is matter on which war or peace may
rest If the President should take the posi-
ton that Spains armistice comes too late
or that it does not meet the requirements
of the Nation, Congress probably would
act with a belligerent resolution calling on
the President to use the army and navy
of the United States to bring to an end
the condition of affairs in Cuba, which he
declared to the six ambassadors of the pow
ers who called on him Thursday as being
"insufferable."
Should the message take the ground that
SPAIN .endeavors seem tending in the prop
er direction and that justice should permit
her an opportunity to a trial of her stated
desire to end the insurrection, or should the
President simply refer the whole subject to
Congress without recommendation, con-
dition would arise of which no one tonight
could positively see the outcome. SO few
congressman knew the exact status of af-
fairs that no prediction could be made as to
what action Congress would take
Easter Sunday brought little rest to those
who are dealing with the Spanish situation
With the Presidents message ready to go
to Congress tomorrow. Spain's grant OF
an armistice had brought about a new
condition which compelled the President
and his advisers to meet and consider how
far the situation was affected by Spain
concession. AS a result, the unusual II
not unprecedented condition arose for two
Cabinet meetings on Sunday one about
noon time lasting an hour and a half and
another at 8 O'Clock tonight. While the
streets were thronged with people going
TO their Easter services early in the day
the carriages of Cabinet officers were CEN
tering at the White House TO take up the
latest phases of the Spanish situation. Inc
Cabinet meetings led to no change in the
determination that the Presidents message
would go to Congress tomorrow. IT seemed
evident however, from the new conditions
presented by the grant of an armistice that
the message should deal with these condi-
tions i'm order that Congress might be fully
advised on the latest phases of the subject
Cabiret officers were extremely reticent
over the changes in the message. although
it seemed to be understood that the facts
relating to the armistice would at least be
Incorporated even though the general poll
cy Of the message underwent no change.
xxEEsI,