Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-09
CONGRESS- OPINION
Must Be Peace in Cuba or War With
Spain.
INTERVENTION THOUGHT NECESSARY
Independence of the Island Should
Be Recognized.
SUSTAINING THE PRESIDENT

Peace in Cuba or war with Spain. This
Is believed in Congress to be the alterna-
tive. Peace in Cuba means the indeDend-
ence of Cuba SPAIN 1t is commended has
permitted the time to pass when anything
short of independence would suffice. This
Is practically the universal opinion about
Congress. and 1t is more than mere spec
ulation. No doubt is felt that the indie
pendence OF Cuba is to be recognized by
depends upon SPAIN
The loss of the Maine is said to be known
not to have been the result of accident. If
it is no. shown to have been the act of
Spanish officials or by their connivance it
viii demonstrate the deficiency of Spanish
control in Havana. The necessity of as
sistance by this government to prevent the
deropulation of the island by starvation,
confessed by the acceptance of the as
sistance, evidences the helplessness of the
spanish government to maintain in Cuba
the conditions of government. The bar
barineS, proven and confessed. show in
ability to preserve the forms of civilization.
In all. incapacity and loss of control on
the island are shown.
Intervention the First Step.
Intervention by this government to save
the population from starvation Is consider
. I'd to he the first step toward a broader
Intervention to preserve life and property
and to save the island from becoming a
barren waste. The conditions in Cuba have
compelled Spain to acknowledge the need
and propriety of this government inter
Vening to check devastation by starvation
The right of further intervention, II neces-
sary. naturally follows.
This is d view of the situation held in
Congress. and Intervention is expected. 1t
is believed that the President intends to
close no nj
disaster and other injuries and limitations
inflicted upon this government have been
the outcome of the condition in Cuba. 1t
is held that as long that condition con-
tinues we shall not be free from this dis
turbance and injury 1t is regarded as es-
sential that we go to the root of the mat
ter. and is felt that we have full warrant
in insisting that the cause of the trouble
be removed.
The opinion of the best informed men in
Congress is that whatever is to happen
will come within thirty days.
A Sense of Relief.
The passage of the $5O.0O0,OO0 measure
through Congress has brought a general
sense of relief Heretofore there has been
apprehension that evil would result from
the administration not being prepared for
an emergency, and, at the same time, it
was feared that the public steps necessary
to preparation would aggravate the situa-
lest there should be some break or evidence
of lack of harmony when the time came
for action.
Al these apprehensions have been ere
ieved by the becoming conduct and unani-
nous vote in both houses, and the knowl-
edge that the President is in condition to
make all necessary preparation, without
the delays of coming TO Congress for every
little thing. Further contentment is found
IN the belief that policy has been inaugu-
rated which will result in the speedy final
settlement of the irritating Cuban question.
Fear of the Sagasta Government.
While the hope is entertained that the
unprecedented action of Congress and the
display of power by this government will
impress The Spanish government, yet there
is not much faith in the ability of Sagasta
TO control or resist Spanish public senti-
ment. II IS realized that we cannot con-
slider the difficulties which surround the
Sagasta ministry. but must follow out a
policy of our own to definite end.
IL Is expected that Spain will be given
the choice between settling the Cuban
question peaceably herself. the basis Of
independence, or having this government
recognize the independence of Cuba, with
cut considering the course Spain may see
Mt 10 follow The steps that will be taken
by this government will not be of char
acter such as would be recognized as a
provocation OF Spain to war. though. it is
effect and certain TO lead speedily to the
IL de pendence Of Cuba
All support the President.
Ar evidence of the spirit with which the
question OF supporting the President was
approached was furnished yesterday by
Speaker Reed, Mr.. Cannon. Gen. Henderson
and Mr.. Dalzell. the republican members of
the rules committee and chairman of APP
preparations committee. specifically leaving
IT TO MIR. Sayers. the democratic leader on
the appropriations committee. TO fix the
program for the consideration of the de-
ferse bill to the satisfaction of the demo-
Gratis
The same spirit was shown by the course
of Mr.. Bailey. the democratic leader. sup
ported by every democrat In the House,
and the popuiists Wed with the republic
cans and democrats N their display of
patriotism The greater significance of
II is is that 1t was not the result of a mo-
nentary impulse, hut was the formal en-
trance upon a policy of support of the
President and submergence Of party pol
itics in this crisis. and is to continue until
the close. All danger of hysterical action
is regarded past. and steady and firm
policy is 10 be pursued.