The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-12

Washington, April 1.-THE future OF
the relations of the United States with
Spain as to Cuba rests with congress,
the representative body of the Ameri-
can people. What course congress will
pursue cannot be fcretold tonight The
foreign committee of both houses now
have the subject in their control, and
after due deliberate will report to
| their respective branches what they
consider should be the attitude of the
United States on the grave question
presented. Early action by the COM
mittee is expected, but exactly when
it may be looked for is not now deter
minable. The full responsibility of the
subject was placed upon congress
when President McKinle today trans
mitted to it a carefully prepared and
| anxioUsiy awaited message relating to
our negotiations with Spain as to its
warfare in Cuba, and drawing there
| from his personal conclusions and rec
concentrations. He placed the trust
with these words:
The issue is now with congress. 1t
is a solemn responsibility. I have ex-
hausted every effort to relieve the in
tolerable condition of affairs which is
at our doors. Prepared to execute
every obligation imposed upon me, by
the constitution and the law. 1 await
your action"
MOMENTOUS MESSAGE.
No message in recent years. not even
OF President Cleveland on Venezuela,
nor President Harrison on Chile, caused
such widespread and intense interest.
No message was ever listened to with
more close attention by both galleries
er nd f,-e Hi
itol. That ii did not create profound
enthusiasm may be due to the fact that
its main features had been accurately
forecasted in the Associated Press dis
patches, or TO a disappointment among
those who wanted Cuban independence
and immediate reprisal upon Spain for
the destruction of the Maine. For a
long time a large majority in both
houses favored recognition of the in
dependence of Cuba; for more than
two years, as voiced in resolutions
passed by congress. the recognition of
belligerency has been sought. Both Of
these propositions were antagonized in
the message, and consequently, in this
regard, the message lid not accord
with the majority sentiment.
CONGRESS AT SEA.
The message left congress very much
at sea, because of the dispara cement
in views between it and the executive
are obstacles hard to surmount. unless
as now seems possible. congress sees
its course 10 lie in accord with the
presidents recommendation. It is gen.
orally believed that the president would
have been authorized to intervene with
the army and navy had it no; been for
the concluding paragraph Of the docu-
ment, which announced the latest
phase of the diplomatic negotiations.
SENATE COMMITTEES.
The senate committee on foreign re-
latiOns Immediately went into session.
but reached no definite conclusion
From the fact that the Republican
members held a consultation after the
meeting adjourned, the inference was
drawn that some strong measure was
necessary in order 10 carry any action
by the committee through the senate.
A declaration OF war was talked Of.
and a declaration that the people of
Cuba should be free. coupled with
authorization to the president to bring
this about by armed Intervention. was
suggested. 1t is well known that any
proposition advanced will re met in
the senate with an amendment declar-
ing the independence of the present
Cuban government: and TO frame a
of the senate, and at the same time
meet the recommendations OF the presi-
dent. is the result which the foreign
relations committee is trying TO Sc
cure.
CONSERVATIVE SENATORS.
The conservative senator's met in the
afternoon and determined to oppose
any radical measure If it should be re-
ported by the senate committee on
foreign relations. They will oppose by
debate a recognition of independence
of the present government and a
declaration of war. and will consent to
action only along the lines Of the re-
concentrations of the president as TO
Intervention at his discretion.
TEMPER OF THE HOUSE.
The temper of the house could not
be accurately determined: but there.
as in the senate, the proposition for
Cuban independence has to be met.
Any report from the committee on
foreign affairs that does not carry with
it this feature will be antaSonized by
an amendment. and the prospects are
that nearly all the Democrats and
many Republicans would favor it.
Efforts have been directed all day
toward action which viii secure the
solid support Of the Republican
organization and the Republican ma
jority of the house. To this end the
Republican members of the house to
whom the message was referred were
in conference during the day and
night.
OUTSIDE INTEREST.
Outside of the capitol the same in
tense interest was everywhere mani
tested in the presidents message The
embassies and legations were Dracti-
cally empty by II o'clock, the foreign
representatives and their STATS going
10 the capitol to hear the message
Cabinet officers busted themselves
with their departmental affairs, feel
ing that the message now transferred
the scene of action and Of RESPONSE
bility to the capitol
Even at the White House there was a
llal in the excitement which has cen