The San Francisco call., 1898-04-01
Attitude of the Senate Foreign Relations
 Committee.
Prepared to Move at Once When the President Gives the
 Word.
Nothing but the Absolute Independ- ence of Cuba Will Be
 Considered.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office Riggs House,

Sdii OiiiCe INlSSS ilOuoC'
 Washington, March 31.
 The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations does not expect to attempt to make a report until Monday on the Cuban situation, as it will walt abso- lutely upon the Presidents wishes un- til that time. The committee, 1t is stated by it's members, is proceeding upon absolute information as to the character of the negotiations between this country and Spain, and this is to the effect that the independence of Cuba is made the one essential consid- eration of the negotiations. The Presi- dent has told Spain in so many words that it is useless to go farther upon any other understanding. Having this assurance, the committee is proceeding deliberately and with no desire unne- cessarily to press the question of the form of a resolution to be brought in until it is necessary to decide that point, which can be done in a few mo- ments. Indeed it is the expectation that the President himself by Monday will indicate the action he would like to have Congress take in case of the failure of his diplomacy, and the pres
 
 follow his leadership in this respect. This inclination is due to the fact, however, that the committee, in this event, will be prepared for armed inter- vention to procure the freedom of the | Cubans.
 The committee is not counting confi- dently upon being called upon to make a declaration to this end, but is prepar- ing for it, and it is stated will have the facts in it's possession if called upon to act. It is to this end that Captain Sigsbee, Commander Bradford and others were summoned before the com mittee to-day.
 Captain Sigsbee of the Maine, and Captain Barker Secretary Longs na- val aide, who went to Key West after the explosion on behalf of the depart ment, were before the committee for an hour at the afternoon session. Both were examined in detail in regard to the condition and strength of our navy in the vicinity of Havana. and Cap tain Sigsbee was questioned as to his opinion and knowledge of the Maine disaster. His story was not materi- ally different from that detailed to the Naval Court of Inquiry, but the fact that it was given personally to the members of the committee and includ- ed personal deductions made visible
  tain Sigsbee did not express convic- ton in so many words, that the dis | aster was the result of treachery on the part of the Spanish, but after the committee had concluded its hearings one of it's members expressed his be- lief that the explosion was due to that agency.
 The purpose in taking the testimony l of these naval officers is to incorpor- | a O c 1 1 the committee will make in case it | finds it necessary to report reSolu- tion for intervention. This report will l be in the nature of a statement to the country justifying the position taken and it is considered desirable to sup | port this with an array of the perti- nent facts which will go far to con- vince the American people and the civ ilized world of the justice of the course i taken.
 l When the report which was circu- | lated during the afternoon to the ef- feet that Spain had rejected the pro- | poSalS of the United States was brought | to the attention of the committee, Sen ator Davis went to the chamber anG asked that there should be no adjourn ment until Monday, as had been corr i templated. This led to the surmise that in case the report of Spains refusa should be verified the committee might l bring in it's report It was stated later, however, that the committee haC not changed its plans, and that 1t prob. ably would wait upon the Presiden' at least until Monday, if he should de- sire.
 There Is no doubt that the commit tee Is preparing to report very speed l fly in case it should feel called upor to do so. There has been no poll ot the committee and no formulation oi a resolution, but there has been yer. general expression of views. This ex pression has so far taken the shape ol a recognition of the independence or the Cubans. together with a declaration for intervention sufficient to guarante, this independence and the best opin. ion is that such resolution will bt the ultimate result of the committee. deliberations if Spain insists upon con. tinuing the Cuban war and holding the 1 island.
 HECIINIItC lC Al HgnCr