Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-04-09
MORE TIME FOR THE MESSAGE
PRESIDENT HARD AT WORK
Republican Leaders In Congress De-
clare They Cannot Answer for
Their Followers Much Longer
Points in the Latest Develop
ments.

Points in the Latest Develop
ments.
Washington, April 3.-The opinion al
most universally held in Washington to-
night by leading public men ana diplo-
mats is that the crisis will reach its eli
max this week and that the question OF
war or peace will be determined within
the next seven days. Senators and rep
resentatives met and conferred all day
about the gravity of the situation and at
the White house the president consulted
with several members of his cabinet and
other confidential advisors regarding the
message which he is preparing to send to
congress. At the state, war and navy
buildings active work was going on and
altogether it was day of suppressed
feeling. No definite announcement is made
as to the day the message will be sent
to congress, but it is net believed it will
90 in tomorrow. 1t is Rlieyed that more
probably Wednesday or Thursday will be
the day selected. Besides the physical
work of preparing the comprehensive doc
uDltlll, upon NillNu liIC PAIHlNNhI IN pttto
to rest his case with the world, there are
other reasons why those in charge of the
war preparations will welcome every
hours delay. War material which we
have ordered abroad is not yet shipped
and the factories in this country work
day and night making powder and pro
iectiles and are anxious for delay. Some
of the factories in Connecticut with con
tracts have telegraphed Representative
Hit, urging all delay possible. They say
every day now is precious.
There is still divergence Of opinion as
to what the president viii recommend in
his message, indeed, there seems to be
still a question as to whether the presi-
=, dent will make any specific recommended
tons Some Of his most intimate friends
however, assert emphatically that the
presidents recommendations will be Wig
orous and such that his party and the
country could willingly follow when he
points the way. One OF these said tonight
that the president, in his strong desire
for peace and earnest hope that wan
might possibly be averted, was yielding
somewhat to the sentiment Of the leaders
of his party and the country, He has
not given up hope yet that hostilities may
be ayerted. There are those who believe
the president has not yet made up his
mind as to the exact course he will pur.
sue and there seems TO be question as
to whether the consular reports and the
diplomatic correspondence are to be trans
mitted with the message
Can Congress lie Restrained:
The suspense caused by the necessary
delay in the preparation Of the message
is very trying on the members of the
house and the most universally discussed
question in Washington tonight is wheth.
er congress can be restrained until the
message is transmitted. All recognize
the task of preparing our case for the
worlds inspection and the care which
must be exercised and there seems to be
no disposition to unduIy hasten the pres
ident. The party leaders are extremely
anxious to avoid a breach with the eX-
ecutiVe, such as would occur if congress
were to take the initiative. After care
ful canvass of the situation today they
believe the radical republicans can be
held in line few days longer, until
Wednesday at least The conference of
the republicans of the house, who have
been insisting on prompt action, hold an
other meeting tomorrow night. While
many of them are I'M favor of giving the
president more leeway than they were
last week, it is realized that % republican
votes in the house would, with the dem
ocratic and populist votes, be sufficient to
act 1t can be pretty confidently assert
ed that all the republicans of the house,
with possibly the exceptions which could
be counted ON the fingers of one hand,
can be controlled until Wednesday. After
that, what might happen if the president
asks for further delay, is problematical,
Mr.. Bromwell of Ohio for instance, who
says he hopes he will not be obliged to
part company with the president, says he
will vote with the democrats if necessary
to overule thes peaker after Wednesday,
Mr.. Cooper of Wisconsin has made SIM
liar statement.
House Resolutions.
/ The republicans of the house committee
on foreign affairs have held informal
meetings today and have practically
agreed to report resolution of a tenor
similar to that agreed upon by the for
eien relations committee Of the senate.
I These resolutions will be practically
agreed upon by the committee tomorrow,
but will not be reported until the presi-
dent sends his message to congress, al
though there is at least one Of the re-
publicans of the committee who is in