The news & observer., 1898-04-12

left Congress very much at sea, because
Of the dispara cement in views between
it and the Executive, an obstacle hard
to surmOunt unless, as now seems posi-
bile. Congress sees it's course to lie in ac-
cord with the Presidents recommenda-
ton 1t is generally believed that thv
President would have been authorized
to intervene with the Army and Navy,
had it not been for the concluding para
graphs of the document which announced
the latest phase of diplomatic negotia-
tions.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Re
latiOns Immediately went into session,
hut reached no definite conclusion. From
the fact that the Republican members
held consultation after the meeting
adjourned and what was said regarding
lit. the inference was drawn that some
strong measure was necessary in or
der to carry any action by the commit
tee through the Senate.
OPPOSITION IN CONGRESS.
\ declaration of war was talked of
and Il declaration that the people of
Cuba should be free coupled with au
thorization to the President to bring
this about by armed intervention, was
suggested. Tt is we'll known that any
proposition advanced will be met in the
Senate with an amendment declaring
the independence of the present Cuban
government and to 50 frame Il resolution
as to carry a majority OF the Senate
nd at the same time meet the rccomman-
dations of the President is the result
which the Foreign Relations Committee
IS trying to secure.
The conservative Senators also met
in the afternoon and determined to op-
pose any radical measure, if it should be
reported by the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations.
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 re-
port from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs that does not carry with it this
feature will be antagonizCd by an
amendment and the prospects are that
nearly all dhe Democrats and many
Republicans would favor it. Efforts.
have been directed all day toward ac-
ton which will secure the solid support
Of the Republican organization and Re-
publican majority of The House TO
this end the Republican members of
the House Committee, to whom the mes
sage was referred, were in conference
during the day and night
Outside of the capitol the same in
tense interest was everywhere mani
tested in the Presidents message.
Even at the White House there was
a lull in the excitement which has CEN
tered there for the last fortnight.
The President saw several of his Cab
met advisers early in the day, but there
was no Cabinet meeting. The message
left the White House shortly befOrv
noon in order to reach Congress promptly
on it's assemblage and, this done, the
President Joined this family at lunch
with evident satisfaction at having the
tremendous strain and burden of recent
days in a measure removed. There was
an aspect of holiday gaiety surrounding
the White House as Easter Monday
was observed as usual by the egg-rolling
gathering of thousands of children in
the grounds in the rear of the Executive
Mansion The Marine Band furnished
music for the Youngsters.
The Spanish Minister, SenOr Polo, re-
maned at the Legation during the day,
sending and receiving many dispatches
and comforting with his advisers. He
cabled the entire Presidents message to
Madrid, except TIE historical references
to General Grants message. Texas. etc.
The Minister said he must decline to
make the slightest public alluSion to the
tIhTsident's message, laS amy remark
from him would he inconsistent with
his position. 1t IS known, however, that
Senior Polo is keenly sensitive to the
language of the message What its eff
feet will be upon his service here IS not
known, for no word has yet come as to
the effect of the message upon the au-
thorities at Madrid. Up to tonight
Senior Polo had received no instructions
to withdraw, NOT was there any inti-
nation of such instructions.
At the other embassies and legations
the message aroused the greatest inter
est, but it cannot be said that it was re-
ceived with satisfaction.
In other high diplomatic quarters
some question was expressed as to that
portion of the Presidents message Ill
which he speaks,in the name Of civiliza-
tion, of the duty Of stopping the war in
Cuba and the intimati0n was made |
that the great powers of Europe so far
as they represented civilization did not
support this view expressed by the Pres
ident. There has been no further gene
raj conference between the ambassadors /
and ministers of the powers, nor is there |
any present Indication of further action |
from that quarter.
No new diplomatic phases of the ques- |
tions developed to-day at the State De- I
partment. Secretary Sherman said he |
would not he surprised if the Madrid |
cable report proved true that Minister !
Woodf0rd was about to leave Madrid !
AT the same time the State Department I
was without advices that this step ac-
tually had been taken. General Lee !
is en- route here and it is expected that !
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