The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-19
TOCS|N OF WAR
HAS BEEN SOUNDED
Senate Adopted Report of Con-
ference Committee.
WAS A FIGHT TO A FINISH
Advocates Of Independence Reld Their
Ground NObly.
YIELDED AFTER A BITTER CONTEST
Interest in All Other Questions Dwarf
ed Into Insignificance.
SCENE OF CONFUSION AND EXCITEMENT
The Advocates of Radical Action Swept by
the Powerful and Compact Minority
Opposed to Them-Capitulated
But Did Not Surrender.
Interest in All Other Questions Dwarf
ed Into Insignificance.
SCENE OF CONFUSION AND EXCITEMENT

Washington, April 19.-The tocsin of war
has been sounded by the American con-
gress.
At 1:15 this morning the senate received
the report of the conference committees of
the two branches of congress and twelve
minutes after 1t was adopted. 1t was a
fight to the last minute( however. the ad-
vocates of recognition of the independence
of the island republic standing their ground
until they were fairly knocked down by
vote of "a to So.
The minority vote was cast by those who
wanted radical action and insisted that
the resolution should carry with it recog-
milton of the independence of the Cuban
republic. Upon this a split developed
which very nearly proved fatal to any ac-
tion at all. The reception of the conference
report brought to close one Of the most
interesting and tumultous sessions of the
senate held in years. Scenes of confusion
and excitement have rarely been witnessed
in the ordinarily staid and dignifid body
as characterized its proceedings from noon
yesterday until nearly 2 o'clock this morn
ing.
Interest in All Other Questions Dwarfed
Interest in all other questions was dwarf
eQ INTO lnSlBn1ucdnce Dy the one over
whelming question of War-war, which all
nations regarded as absolutely inevitable,
Efforts were made to transact the regular
business of the senate, but it was with the
utmost diffdence that senators performed
the work. Among those who remained up
on the floor while the sundry bill was un-
der consideration the confusion was so
great that business could hardly proceed.
Notwithstanding the very earnest and
constant effort to preserve order by the
vice-presdent, the members gathered in
groups about the chamber and excitedly
discussed the various phases of the ques-
tion of the hour.
A feeling of bitterness grew up between
the senate and the house during the late
aftrnoon and vening that at one time SEEM
=. ed likely to delay action until tomorrow.
Cooler counsels prevailed, however, and
determination of the momentous question
was finally reached.
Those who were fighting for recognition
of the island republic early decided that
the senate should not take the initiative
in requesting a conference between the
houses. They further resolved that when
tn senate conferees were appointd at least
two of them should represent the majority
sentiment of the body.
The radical advocates Of independence
slowly but none the less gurely, lost
ground, however, being swept by the pow
erful and compact minority opposed to
them They yielded only after one of the
interest contests in the history of the sem
ate They capitulated but did not surren-
der.
Senators Gathered About the Chamber
Before the senate convened yesterday,
groups of senators were gathered about
the chamber discussing the probable action
of the house upon the Cuban resolutions
and preparing for such action as might
be deemed best by the senate when the
resolution came back of their coming should
be the result of the houses action.
Comparatively few people were In the
galleries The amendment by the house
to a senate bill approving compromise
and settlement between the United States
and the state of Arkansas were concurred
in by the senate.
Mr.. Rawlns, of Utah, presented a legal
argument upon the question whether the
authority to recognize a foreign nation
rested exclusively with the president
Mr.. Rawlins was given only slight at
tention, as within minute after he began
to speak the action on the Cuban resolu-
tions was whispered about the chamber
and that Immediately became the sole
topic of conversation. Representatives
gathered here and there and intimately dis
cussed the situation. Everybody was more
or less excited as a message from the
house officially conveying to the senate
information of Its action was momentarily
expected.
Reached Senate at 1853 PM.
The Cuban resolution as amended by the
house was received in the senate at 1858
p. m.
On receipt of the resolution Mr.. Chandler
suggested the absence of a quorum in or
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