The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-03-30
THE SITUATION.
President Anxious to Prevent Action on
the Part of Congress.

President Anxious to Prevent Action on
the Part of Congress.
Special to EVENING HERALD
Washington, March 30.--The real crisis in
the controversy with Spain over the question
of Cuban freedom may come at any hour.
That expresses the situation at the Capitol
to day.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
to which was referred tho resolutions relat-
ing to Cuba introduced yesterday by Senators
Allen, Rawlings, Foraker and Frye. held
session to consider thom this morning but
failed to come to an agreement to report any
of them. The whole matter was referred to
a subcommittee for consideration and ad-
iournment taken until o'clock this after
noon.
A message has been received from Minister
Woodford reporting progress of the negotia-
tions toward an armistict ,ut saying that a
definite settlement had not bsen reached.
The President has decided to make an effort
by Congress, and will shortly make IN an
nouncement of his policy. His advisers have
told him it is too late for an armistics.
conference took place at the White
House late last night between the President
and some of the most influential men in
Congress. 1t was called to arrange plan of
executive and legislative action to be put
into operation Immediately with the hope of
heading off the war party in Congress.
The cabinet meeting yesterday de-
veloped nothing new. The President
90 In vito
as to what is his duty, and adverse
criticism, which it is asserted is mainly
due to misinformation as TO the sit
uation or ignorance of the presidents
purposes, will not be permitted to
swerve him in the least degree from the
course he has planned. AS he has al
ready stated, the president some days
ago made a peremptory demand upon
Spain to put an end Immediately tc
hostilties in Cuba, to release the con-
| centrados and to permit them to, re-
turn to their homes and resume theil
several occupations unmolested. This
statement is made by unquestionablt
authority, and since that demand was
communicated to Spain the president
has not taken a step backward or al
| lowed himself to be persuaded intC
modifying It in the least particular.
Spains final reply to this demand, 4
is known, is now receiving the earnes
consideration of the Spanish authori
ties at Madrid, and their final reply
may be reasonably expected within thu
next few days. Should these demands
be rejected there is the highest au
thority for stating that the presiden
would not hesitate a moment as to hi
future course, but would immediatel!
lay the whole record before congress
and be guided by its instructions. A
a preliminary step toward peace
has been proposed to Spain, thougl
this last proposition has not yet takel
the shape of a demand, that the Span
ish government withdraw its troop
from the island, and that the Cuban
be given their independence on basi
of Indemnity that would be regarde
as lust in amount by the United State
and other nations of the world an
fair to both contending parties.
The question of an armistice has no
5 been agreed to by either this countr
4 or Spain, though there is no doubt tina
Spain suggested an armistice. Wha
terms of peace will be acceptable (
the president cannot be stated, but 1t
j asserted that no proposition win b
i considered that does not involve th
practical, If not the actual independ
ence of the Cubans. Under these ciI
cumstances members of the admins
= tration think 1t only fair to the pres
/ dent that the people should wait wit
patience the result of the pending nj
gotiations.
There is little doubt that the Frenc
G government is ready to tender its goo