The San Francisco call., 1898-04-12
STATESMEN ON
 THE MESSAGE A Majority of Congress Favor Cuban Inde-
 pendence. So the Recommendation of the President Is Severely
 Criticized.
Some Republicans, Including For aker, Join the Democrats in
 Differing From Mckinley.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


 WASHINGTON, April 1.-The Pres ident's message did not, on the first reading, receive the indorsement of a majority of the Senators, and many excused themselves from speaking about it until they could have time for careful perusal. In general way the objections were based on the ground that it did not go far enough in recog- nizing the rights of the Cubans. The Senators who have been especially noted for their conservatism were pleased. but they were the exception to the rule, and many of those Senators who had in the past few days shown a disposition to slacken their opposition to a conservative course appeared to be disposed to return to their original positions.
 A large number of the Democratic Senators refused to express them selves at all, as did several Republi- cans. on the ground that, as they could not speak in complimentary terms, they would say nothing at all The most significant utterance on the sub ject of the message was that of Sena- tor Foraker (R.). from the President s
 
 mittee on Foreign Relations. He said: T have no patience with the message, and you can say so." He refused to go into details.
 Senator Mills (D.) of the same com mittee said: Without referring to the message specifically, you can say that I am for the dependence of Cuba and for war on account of the Maine" Senator Cullom (R.), also of the For eign Relations Committee, commended the document. He said: Tt is a strong paper, well prepared, and careful re- view. The Senate may go farther than the President recommends, but 1t will have a strong influence in shaping the course of events"
 Senator White D) of California, who opposes any interference in the Cuban question by this country, would only say that the Administration ap- pears to be getting all balled up.' Senator Tillman (D) thought 1t was illogical, and that the Presidents rec concentrations of means was made quate to accomplish what he wants tC do.
 Senator Pettigrew said: Tt is the weakest yet. It sums up the situation by saying we must recognize neither belligerency nor independence, but in tervene to stop the war. Spain has al ready accomplished this result by granting a cessation of hostilities, thus 1 leaving us nothing to do but to con- tinue to make appropriations to feed | the Cuban people.
 Senator Chandler said the message was "a graphic and powerful descrip' tion of the horrible condition of affairs | in Cuba
 Senator Hawley, chairman of thi Committee on Military Affairs, also pro nounced it an able paper, and said tha he thought it --ould meet with genera approval.
 lican, said: Tt states the case admir- ably, and it will be sustained by thu people and Congress"
 Senator Allison, chairman of tn, Committee on Appropriations, would only say: Tt is a very good message.
 Senator Hale, conservative Republi lican, and chairman of the Com mittee on Naval Affairs, went fur ther in his commendation, saying: "Th message is admirable in all respects and especially so in that it points ou | the way whereby Cuba can get a goo( Government and be free, and withou bringing us into awkward interest com | pli ations."
 Henderson (R) of Iowa, one of tn, Republican leaders, said: "The messag, shows that the neople made no mistak, in electing William Mckinley Presi dent We should uphold and sustain tn, President and give him the power h, asks"
 Grosvenor of Ohio said: "The mes sage, when the hot blood, which ha been so properly melted by the cours of events. Las had time to cool, will b. recognized as an able. patriotic ant wise state paper. The message will b approved by all the civilized world Armed intervention to the great masse of the people means war with Spail and free Cuba-but free Cuba does no necessarily involve the recognition O any special existing Government. Cub will be free"