The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-30
CONGRESS AT WAR
Against the Dilatory Tactics Of
the Administration.
70 DEMAND SPEEDY ACTION.
Radical Resolutions Introduced in
the Senate.
MEMBERS UNITING FOR ACTION.

ssai$
MEMBERS UNITING FOR ACTION.
Meantime the President Is Awaiting
the Reply of spaiu to the Demand OF
This Country For an Immediate Cess
sation of fHostiiities In Cuba, and the
President Has the Unanimous Sup
port Of His Cablnet-France Would
Cheerfully Act rs Mediator-Prep- M
arations For War ProceedIng Rap-
idly - Food Rotting at Key West
While Cubans Starvc.
Washington. March 30.--Congress and
the cabinet divided attention yesterday
in the Spanish situation. In congress
the feeling which began to. take form
after the presidents conservative and
pacific message on the Maine report
was submitted on Monday found ex-
preston yesteray in resolutions propos-
ing declaration Of war, recognition of
the Independence of Cuba. armed inter-
yention and other decisive and warlika
steps against Spain. and in conferences
Of Republicans having for their object
the overruling of the speaker if neces-
sary to get prompt action. Both on the
Hoor, in the cloak rooms in the Hobbies
and In the corridors there was little else
discussed than the Cuban situation and
the Maine disaster. Every group of sem
ators In the cloak room talked Of Cuba.
Constant and continual references were
held. and all recognized the seriousness
Of the situation.
Within five minutes after the senate
Cenyened Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska, intro
duced a resolution recognizing the in
dependence of the Cuban republic. This
was followed by a resolution from Mr..
Rawlings, of Utah. declaring war
against the kingdom of Spain. Mr.. For
aker, Of Ohio. then introduced a resolu-
tion declaring for such intervention in
the Cuban war as would bring cbout
the independence of the Cubans. Fol-
lowing this came resolution by Mr..
Frye. Of Maine, demanding that Cuba
be made free. The resolutions followed
one another 80 rapidly as to stun the
auditors, both senators and spectators.
The galleries were IN connection and
the people were prepared for anything
! This was the condition when Vice
President Hobart recognized Mr Ma
son. of Illinois, for his announced speech
on the presidents messaga transmitting
the report of the Maine court ofinquiry.
Mr.. Mason read his speech from manu-
script, but 1t was delivered with ali the
yigor and fire of which he Ia capable
The intensity of tha feeling Of those in
the galleries was evidenced byth storm
Of applause which was eiicited by is
declaration that he was for war.
On the house side it was apparent
that the Republican majority could be
no longer controlled by what is known
rs the conservative element led by the
speaker. Groups of members in state
OF excitement were to be seen on every y
hand. In each cloak room lnere were
members listening eagerly while por-
tIons of the Maine testimony were read.
Members of the foreign affairs commit
lee grouped together and discussed
plans and possible future proceedings.
1t was generally acknowledged that a
oci iouD SoAOitlOI Iau uilocl, that u Cll-
sIs was near at hand. 1t was the opin-
len of some of the conservative mem
bers that in a day or two the feeling
would subside and members would not
be so agitated. Much depends upon the
next few days That congress will not
long remain inactive IL some decNed
action is not taken by the adminisNa-
ton is certain. 1t Is also true that the
talk Of an armistice caused Il great deal
Of i'll feeling. The house yesterday pro-
ceeded to business without outbreak
or without dramatic incident. but no
such quiet can be promised during the
consideration Of the naval appropria-
consideration of the naval bill.
The revolt in the house against fur
ther DELAY Of action on the Cuban is
sue eliminated yesterday In d con-
ference of Republican members whose
ideas are in accordance with a posi-
tive early course. About so representa-
lives attended, representing all sec
tons. Representative Hopkins of
Illinois. a amemberof the ways and means
committee. presided. Representative |
Joy of Missouri, was secretary The |
meeting was called TO take steps to |
secure immediate intervention in some |
form and the recognition of Cuban in
dependence. 1t was the first definite
step following discussions in the cloak
rooms and Iobbics since the presidents
message vas submitted by many mem
bers who favor immediate and aggress-
I've action. Up to yesterday afternoon
the sentiment was half concealed but
strong feeling against voting money
for Cuban relief unless accompanied
by action to stop the war.
The meeting was called with view |
Of accomplishing the unqualified re-
moval of Spanish troops from Cuba
and the prompt armed intervention in
the affairs of that island. It was de-
cided to call a melting Immediately
hfter adjournment. The word was
quickly passed around, but many who
are enthusiastically in favor of inter-
vention failed of notification, though
The number present would be sufficient
ly large, by consolidation with the
Democratic forces, to carry out q pro-
gram. After vigorous speeches de-
of Spain it was decided to
defer action until o'clock this af,er-
noon. The present program Is to pre-
sent to Speaker Reed evidence that a
majority follows this step and the Gu
ban sympathizers believe that, only
convinced OF the number enlisted in
It's support, he will yield to them. It
8 also proposed to communicate their
sentiment to President Mckinley. The
step is expected to bear fruit in i'm
,ortant action in the house tomorrow.
The day closed with prospect that |
he committees to which were referred
he Maine correspondence will act soon,
possibly before the end of the week.
The cabinet meeting yesterday de-
'eloped nothing new. The president
MA n R m BA RB EN