New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-01
PEACE HIS ERNEST PRAYER.
THE PRESIDENT TALKS FRANKLY TO
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN
HE OUTLINES THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH sPAr,;
AND ASKS THAT NO ACTION BE TAKEN
BEFORE NEXT wEEK-HIs WISHES

COMPLIED WITH.
rnY rrLrGRArH ro Tnr rR1RrNr. |


Washington. March 3l.--The caucus OF Re-
publican Representatives who desire speedy and
definite action in regard to Cuban affairs which
adjourned last night after vigorous discussion
and the appointmen, OF committee to wait
on and consul, with President Mckinley. met
again this afternoon after the adjournment Of
the House. and received and accepted the report
OF the committee
The committee reported that the President
made a frank declaration as to what was TAX
Ing place between the two Governments. and
concluded with these words: Il pray God that
we may be able to keep peace" The impress
sion left with the delegation, however. was that
he did not expect peaccable adjustment. In
the strictest confidence Mr.. Mckinley outlined
the course OF communications between Wash
ington and Madrid. He said that all now de-
pended on dispatches to be communicated and
received probably within forty-e.ght hours. The
response Of Spain to n message cabled by this
Government was expected hourly. and surely
would be received within twenty-four hours
After It arrived It would be necessary to send
another cable note reply to Madrid. All
this might be accomplished in less than forty
eight hours. He. therefore ntimated that It
would be gratifying II Congress deferred taking
action until next week.
Mr.. HOPKINS. or 1INnOlS. VINO MADE the report
for the committee. SAID he felt Il would be best
10 abide by the Presidents wishes. Others who
spoke the meeting. including Mr. Lorimer and
Mr.. Joy. advised postponement. The President,
they said. suggested that what was told to them
regarding the diplomatic negotiations should not
be repeated until those negotiations We're closed :
that II these secret and significant messages
were revealed at this time. and should become
public property and be cabled back 10 Madrid.
the publicity might hurt the cause and defeat
the ends sougat. Representative Hicks. OF Penn
sylvania, thought that in View Of the Dupuy de
LONE letter no further parey should be allowed.
and that Premier Sagasta was acting In accord
with the policy that the letter had revealed.
Others followed in the same line. but Il was
finally concluded 10 defer action unit! after the
adjournment cf the House Monday.
Among the eleven members of the committee
who called the President were several men
who have been counted among the Republican
members who have been most impatient for
action. and have privately criticised the Presi-
dent in the severest terms for what they as
sumed TO regard as his uncertain. vague and
wavering II not unpatriotic. policy. II is note
worthy and reassurng fact that these very men
left the White House to-day as completely sat
shed their more conservative asso-
ciates tha. the Presidents course throughout
has been both wise and patriotic. and that he
deserves the unanimous and hearty support and
unreserved commentator OF mis- countrymen.
The committee did not experience great dfi-
Guilty IN impress!ng the caucus with their scnti-
rnents and belief. and the session was short
end ha~rronic''s ore. the result '-lC r. unani-
nous agreement patiently to await develop
ments with the expectation that on or before
Monday Spain would have accedcd 20 the de-
mands OF the Administration or matters would
have reached crisis which would impel the
President TO lay them before Congress FOR It's
consideration and action. 1t was understood
also that ~ a crisis should arise tomorrow or
Saturday. seemed to be not improbable the
facts would be promptly communicated 20 Con-
grcss.