The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-15

Troops Moving Toward the South
Don Carlos Issues d Manifesto.
London Press Comments.
Washington April 12-The burden of
responsibility for the next move i'm the
SrJanish crisis having been Shifted by
the presidents message upon the
shoulders of congress, the capitol today
became the storm center, with the for-
eign affairs committees of the uWo
houses as the fOci. The struggle IN
each committee was long and Ibitter,
with this marked difference between
that ait the senate wing and that at
the house end of the calpitol-in the
senate committee, the democrats aS
Well as the republicans participated,
while at the house end the task was
tolsecure harmonious action among the
republicans SO as to present, If pos
sfbIe, a solid front when the democrats
weret finally called in for action. Pres
sure from every quarter was brought
to bear. Radicals and conservatives
strained every nerve. The vital point
of the contest hinged upon whether the
resolutions should go further than the
president had gone and declare for
the Independence off Cuba from Span
ish domination.
THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE COM
MTTTEElS
Tonight a compromise prOpCsitItrn
If n
ends Of the capitol. The senate COM
mittee's resolution will be the more
radical of the two. i will surely be
reported tomorrow and will declare for
immediate intervention, a general re-
cognlition of the rights of the Cuban
people to freedom and independence
and will demand the withdrawal of
THE Spanish forces from the island.
The republicans of the house COM
mittee, as a result of their labors, prac-
tcally united upon "a resolution which
also directs Immediate intervention Gin
that respect going beyond the presi-
dents recommendation and for the es-
Establishment of "a firm and stable gov
eminent in Cuba. Mr.. Smith, of Mich
igan, stood out StubbOrnly for a recOg-
milton of independence, but the commit
tee did NOT yield. When the resolutions
were submitted to the republican steer
the words "and independent before
government" were inserted 50 as to
read firm, stable and independent
government they would decline to ac-
cept it. F'inally assurances that this
would be conceded were given, and if
those words go in, plain sailing and
harmonious action seems probable to-
morrow. The democrats of the commit
tee have agreed to antagOnize the ma
n
independence and Immediate interven-
tion The ultimate independence of the
island, without 1.-THE recognition of the
I'm dependence of THE existing govern
ment is the step. which both commit
tees are to take beyond THE president s
recommendations.
"A significant feature of the day in
this connec tiOn was the declaration of
General GrOsvenor of Ohio, the ad-
minstratiOn's spokesman, made during
the debate in the house, that the preSi-
dents recommendations must be in
terpreted as a declaration for 1he inde-
pendence of the island from Spanish
domination.
THE SITUATION MORE CRITICAL
THAN EVER.
There is a Strong impression tonight
that the debate in the house will be
made short, ito prevent undue criticism
OF the administration. Many of the
republicans are in favor of no debate
at all, Contending THAT THE passage of
a resolution without debate would
strengthen our position before the
world. In THE senate it is impossible
ITO predict how long the debate will
run. There is a general feeling in
Washington tonight among public men
that the action of congress as fore
Swallowed i'm the resolutions, renders
the situation extremely critical and
conservative leaders of both parties
consider war inevitable as a result of
their adoption unless Spain makes "a
final and complete surrender, by giving
up the island OF Cuba. The situation
is regarded as so critical that THE re-
publicans of the ways and means COM
mittee as q result of private confer
erces, have reached an agreement as
to a method of raising 800, 600 900 addi-
tiOnal revenue annually and the pros
ecution of the war by increasing the
tax on beer and tobacco and placing
a tax on tea. and coffee They also
agreed to authorize the issue of a pop
ular loan of $500 600 900 and the issue of
certificates of Indebtedness to meet
emergencies.
THE CABINET NIDETTNG.
Outside of congress and the Lee dem
onstration the complete calm which
prevailed in all official quarters WAS in
striking contrast with the intense ex-
cltement, and the rapidity of action
during the last two weeks. The regu-
lar Tuesday cabinet meeting was held
at IL O'Clock, but the deliberations
proved to be void of Significance lAt
the conclusion of the meeting oabinet
members summed UP what had occur
red by stating THAT the meeting Was the
most uneVentful in MANY weeks. The
situation, Vt was explained, was aIbso-
1ultely unchanged from THAT of yester-
day. No word came from Minister