The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-08
A WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE.
The Program of Congressional Ac-
tion Prepared in the Executive
Mansion.

The most important of the numerous
events Of yesterday was by all odds the
conference held at the White House be-
tween the President and Messrs. Allison
and Cannon. chairmen of the respective
committees OF the two Houses on ap-
preparations, and Messrs. Hale and Bou-
telle, chairmen of the Committees on Ma
val Affairs At the conference were also
present Acting Secretary of State Day
and Secretary OF the Navy Long.
When these members OF Congress re-
turned TO the Capitol it soon become
known that they had agreed to take such
action az would promptly notify Spain
and the world AT large that the United
States intended 10 be prepared for war if
war came, although seeking by every
means To avoid it. Members of Congress
have at last been informed that the Presi-
dent is straining every nerve TO put the
national defenses into proper condition
and that he is ready to meet any blow
that Spain may seek to give US. The sub
ject matter discussed at this conference
is one about which those who were pres
eut are naturally averse 10 talking. 1t
can be stated, however. that the Presi-
dent went over the whole situation show
ing these members exactly what had been
dol-. what he purposed doing and the
necessities which demanded prompt and
energetic action In the first place the
action Of the President in refusing to re-
cali Gen. Lee was a notice TO Spain that
n she intended 10 make this an excuse
for precipitating riots in Havana in the
hope that riots would lead TO war the
Government OF the United States was
ready 10 accept that condition and was
prepared 10 meet IL.
Il was denied yesterday afternoon thai
Spain had officially requested the with
drawal Of Gen. Lee, but one member Of
this conference IS authority for the state
mem that the President admitted that
this request had been made and that be
TOLD members present the nature Of his
reply. The president in replying 70 the
request told Spain that under the pres
ent condition Of affairs in this country
and in Havana the recall Of Lee was i'm
practicable that il wOulc lead 10 trouble
IN Havana and apprehension in the
United States. II would be for the hest
Interests OF both countries at this critical
JuHcture 10 have General Lee remain as
the diplomatic representative of the
nited States Government in Cuba. This
statement Of the United States was ac-
companied by "a polite but firm notice TO
Spain that under no circumstances would
Gen. Lee be recalled and that Spain must
accept any consequences resulting from
his dismissal al her hands
what Has Been Done.
After informing members of the confer
ence Of his position the President went
somewhat into details concerning the ac-
tion thus far taken by him with respect
10 national defenses He told the mem
beIs Of the very large purchases Of war
materials that had been made, the enlist
ment Of men in the navy Of the United
States 10 equip the vessels which had has
tly been put into commission and various
other items of expenditure which The
emergency demanded but which were not
authorized by existing law. As one mem
Der Of the conference stated 10 The
Times The President expressed the hope
that De would be able 10 avert war but
admitted the gravity Of the situation and
the possible commencement of hOstlities
az almost any moment. He declared that
ne dia not believe il 10 be q part Of Dru-
--deuce 10 depend altogether upon the hope
~ peace but rather upon the preparations
for war. Acting upon this theory he had
done many things calculated 10 strength
en- our iortltcations by lane and our abili-
~ to attack by sea.
The members Of the conference ex-
pressed iAe highest qualification at the
Information given them and assured the
President that whatever he might do
would receive the sanction OF Congress
whenever that sanction might be asked
The President then stated 10 members the
details Of the proposition to sell TO this
Government certain war ships which
were now being built abroad and which
he could by the payment Of reasonable
sum Of money put into the possession Of
the United States. He laid much stress
on the fact thar such negotiations ought
10 be considered secretly and that the
sooner these vessels were secured the bet
ter ii would be FOR the country
IL conclusion the President urged that
a bill be passed carrying an appropriation
FOR the national defense to be expended
at the discretion Of the Executive for in
this way the Administration could pro-
coed with lis appropriations without I'M
masking itself and with the knowledge
that there was ample authority for any
expenditures the occasion might require
After some further discussion il was
agreed that such a bill should be pre-
pared and put through Congress at the
earliest possible moment All OF the SEN
HtOrs and members present gave the
President their personal assurance that
the proposed legislation would be enact