The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-11
Congress May Not Only "AuthOrize,''
but Also sDirect,v in which Case
War Would Follow.
SUNDAY CABINET MEETINGS
At WHICH SPANS LATEST DIPLO-
MATIC MOVE WAS DISCUSSED.
The Message to BE Referred to Conn
mittee without Debate-A Cuban
Resolution Coming Tuesday.
peclaI to the indianapolis Journal.

| Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, April 10.--The President
and his Cabinet gave long and serious con-
| sideration to-day to the Queen Regents ar
mistice proposition. The conclusion reached
| was that while it might be IL step in the
right direction, it did not go far enough and
was in many respects unsatisfactory and
inadequate as bearing on the present situa-
ton. 1t was held to be evasive as to the
paramount issue, and to fail in not giving
tangible promise of ultimate results which
would satisfy the American people.
Running through the decree, proclamation
or order, or whatever definition best fits the
document, was the assumption that Cuba is
| already an independent local government
over which Spain has only latent sovereign
authority. The order to Blanco directs him
to grant an armistice to the insurgents on
such terms and conditions as he may think
| best, but does not at any point suggest a
further weakening of the already assuredly
almost intangible Spanish sovereignty an
authority of such feathery, fairy lightness
as to bo surely not oppressive, repellant or
Objectionable to truly good Cubans.
After the day meeting at the White House
| a member of the Cabinet said that the
| Madrid announcement had made no change
| in the Washington situation, and that the
| Presidents message would go to Congress
| tomorrow with no change in tone or spirit,
and with only an additional paragraph or
chapter bringing the case historically down
to date in order that Congress may be fully
informed as to the very latest developments.
This historical paragraph or chapter will be
colorless, being merely a recital of what
has actually occurred since Wednesday.
From another source, as trustworthy as
| the one just quoted, it can be said that the
message may be changed from its original
| text by making the suggestion rather more
| bluntly than had appeared in the first draft
| that Congress give the President authority
| to forcibly intervene, but to omit explicit
directions; in other words, that he be given
discretion as to time. This change may be
said to be the direct and immediate result
of the latest Madrid overtures. 1t was de-
| termined upon to-day and Is a revival of
| move contemplated a week ago and then
| abandoned.
The discretion proposition was put out
| as ''feeler, and met with such violent
opposition that prompt disclaimer was en-
tered and a semi-official statement was sent
| out that the President had no wish to carry
the undivided responsibility further, and
| would be only too glad to share it with
Congress. This explanation was interpreted
as meaning that he intended to pass the
whole question up to Congress without
reservation. If such was his intention. he
has changed his mind, and it can be stated
plainly that Mr.. Mckinley would be inn
measurably gratified if Congress should sup
plement the 600 vote of confidence in
him with another vote of confidence Iodg-
| ing discretion as to the best time and
method for forcibly intervening.
IF the American people could only be
brought to believe it," said one of his clos
est friends this evening, 1--WE were in a fair
way to accomplish by peaceful agencies a
| complete restoration of peace in Cuba and
the establishing of a permanent form of
| government satisfactory to the people of
| the island--a government that would be
practically equivalent to independence. L
believe that if he were given a little more
time and Congress would stop pointing guns
at Spain, the President might still effect a
settlement of the problem peaceably and
satisfactorily"
The message. which will surely go i'm to-
morrow, will have to produce wonderful
effect on Congress to induce it to indorse
a policy winking at further delay. Con-
gress does not view with patience any sug-
| gestion looking to prolongation of the
eAISuhS reign Oh uncertainty. Congress
wants to bite off something right away
| and begin chewing on it. This spirit is re-
| fiected in the remark of an Indiana repre-
sentative this evening. the most conserva-
tive member of the delegation. He said:
When L go to the Capitol tomorrow am
| going to burn the bridges behind me. If
the way is not opened by congressional ac-
| ton, swift and decisive action | am going
to declare myself Further delay would be
| national humiliation, and / am not going
| to stand it,
An adjourned Cabinet meeting this even
ing was held in accordance with "A sugges-
| tion by the President at the close of the
day session. THAT there might possibly he
| further news, and anyway / would like To
60 over the message with you once more
! before 1t goes in." 1t is understood that no
| fresh news developments were reported ana
| that the final consideration of the message
monopolized the time of the President and
his advisers al the evening session.
Intervention Ray mean one of two things:
| If Congress authorizes and directs" the
! President TO forciby intervene it will mean
! immediate war. the expulsion of Spanish
troops from Cuba and the creation Of an
| independent. stable government on the ISL
ana for the whole people of the island the
! United States supervising the process to
| the extent of seeing justice done to all in
! terests and classes Annexation is remote
| ly in peoples minds mot in the administra-
| ton mind. howeyer), but If that should
| come it will have to be on motion of The
! Cuban people, and not Of this country.
| II Congress authorizes" but fails to 'dl-
| rect the President. there is certain TO be a
prolongation of the agony, with hazy pos