The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-04-12
CONGRESS- AWAITS
The Report of the Foreign Relations
Committees.

Washington, April 12.-The future of
the relations of the United States with
Spain and to Cuba now rests with con-
gress, the representative body of the
American people. What course the
elected men composing it will pursue
cannot just now be foretold. The for
eign affairs committees of both houses
now have the subject in their control,
and after due deliberatiOn 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
mittees is expected, but exactly when
it may be looked for is not now deter
mined. The full responsibility of the
subject was placed upon congress
when President Mckinley yesterday
transmitted to it a carefully prepared
and anXiously awaited message relat-
ing to our negotiations with Spain with
regard to the warfare in Cuba, and
drawing therefrom his personal conclu-
sions and recommendations.
No message in recent years, not even
that of President Cleveland on Ven
ezuela nor President Harrison on Chile
caused such widespread and intense in
to with more close attention by both
galleries and members at both ends Of
the Capitol. That it did not create pro-
found enthusiasm may have been due
to the fact that it's main features had
been accurately foTecasted or to a dis
appointment among those who wanted
Cuban independence and immediate re-
prisal upon Spain for the destruction of
lap
majority in both houses have favored
recognition of the independence of Gu
ba; 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 mes
sage did not accord with the majority
sentiment
The message left congress very much
at sea because of the disparagement in
views between it and the executive, an
obstacle hard to surmOunt unless, as
now seems probable, congress sees its
course to lie in accord with the presi-
dents recommendation. 1t is general
ly believed that the president would
have been authorized to intervene with
y
the concluding paragraphs Of the doc
ument, which announced the latest
phase of diplomatic negotiations.
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, and what was said
regarding it, the inference was drawn
that some strong measure was neces-
sary in order to 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 authorize.
| ton to the president to bring this about
! by armed Intervention, was suggested
1t is well known that any proposition
advanced will be met in the senate
with an amendment declaring the in.
! dependence of the present Cuban gov.
| ernment, and to so frame a resolution
| as to carry a majority of the senate
| and at the same time meet the recon-
! mendations of the president is the re.
! suit which the foreign relations com
| mittee is trying to secure. The con
| serVative senators also met in the af.
| ternoon and determined to oppose any
! radical measure if 1t should be reported
by the foreign relations committee
They will oppose by debate any rec
| ognition Of independence of the pres
ent government and declaration of war
and will consent to action only alonl
the lines of the recommendations o
the president as to Intervention at hi.
! die.ratipp