Evening star., 1898-04-08
CALMLY WAITING
Less Excitement Today Than Since
War Talk Began.
PUBLIC OPINION CRYSfALLIZEp
Belligerency May Be Recognized
Instead of independence.
TIL E REIGN wERS'

There is less manifestation of excitement
in Washington this morning than at any
| ether time since the war talk began. This
lack of excitement is due to the fact that
Congress and the public believe that they
know substantially what the President will
say in his message Monday. are satisfied
that the message will go i'm Monday, and
ttat there will he war, unless Spain imme-
oiately yields at every point A belief In
war brings calm. a suggestion of peace
| without the liberty of Cuba causes excite
| ment The periods of great excitement
nave all been brought about by intimations
that the administration might lot stand
| firmly to the position which the country
| demands. and that Spain might be per.
mitted to retain her sovereignty in Cuba.
Today opinion is crystallized, and in no
| quarter is doubt expressed that the Span-
ish are to be compelled to evacuate Cuba.
This conviction brings contentment to
Congress and to the public here. This is
| shown not less in administration circles
than at the Capitol. In the departments
active preparations for war are being
made as heretofore but IT is understood in
Congress that the government ir ready
| even now for the opening of hosti,ities.
Nothing is expected to happen here until
| the Presidents message is received There
Is perfect understanding that nothing
can happen to change the situation unless
1t happens at Madrid. II Spain pulls down
her flag at Havana 1t will not be fired on.
II not, war will come. probably before the
| csose OF next week There ie some talk of
debating the resolutions in Congress which
| ere to follow the receipt Of the Presidents
| message, but the chances are that the
debate Will be brief. compromise Of the
question OF the recognition Of the Cuban
republic is suggested, and, II Is believed,
| stands q good chance OF being adopted
1t Is that which was mentioned by Mr..
Quesada in his statement to the foreign
affairs committee yesterday-the recogni.
ton Of belligerency before Intervention. Il
| Is believed that those who are insisting
upon the recognition OF the Cuban republic
as now organized will be willing to accept
this suggestion, and It will probably be
acceptable to those who do not think the
time has arrived for the recognition OF the
republic. The strongest plea for the rec.
ognition OF the republic in advance Of in
tervention Is that of the desirability Of re.
moving the insurgents from the category
| Of Spanish subjects.
Unity Necessary.
A recognition of their belligerency and Of
| the independence of the Island from Span
ish sovereignty will accomplish this as ef-
\ fectually as would the recognition OF the
| republic. Above all things, It is regarded
as desirable that Congress and the admir-
istration should present a solid front at
| this crisis, without party or factional d.
visions. And It is felt to be the duty Of
both sides to avoid a conflict over this one
noinf Of snf op
| three members of the House and Senate
went to the White House today, the cab
met being I'm session and IL being under.
stood that there was nothing In the situa-
tion which required further discussion to.
1 day between the President and the congress
| sional leaders. Confidence in the firmness
| of the President has relieved the anxiety
which before has sent congressman throng-
| ing to the White House. 1t is said that the
| plan will be to report the resolution in
| Congress Immediately after the receipt Of
| the Presidents message and to hold a night
session Monday night and dispose of the
whole matter before the close of the day on
| Tuesday. Prominent men WHO have been
| most active in efforts to secure peace, even
| at some sacrifice. now state that they
would not he surprised to see our fleet in
motion by Tuesday or Wednesday.
/ FOreARn fOWerb.
| The visit of the representatives of the
| foreign powers TO the President yesterday
| has excited a great deal Of discussion. A
| few persons expressed doubt and suspicion
| as to the effect of 1t, but the general and
| almost universal opinion is, as stated yes
terday, th4t there is possible entangie-
| ment to result from the Presidents receive
| ing such note he did from their hands,
| ard that the Presidents reply fixed In the
| minds of the world the calm, firm and in
dependent attitude of this government. The
| incident involves no recognition by this
| government Of the concert of powers" as
| it is understood abroad. IL any precedent
| is established II is one which expands the
| sphere of American influence but does
not impair the Independent attitude of this
government among the nations of the
earth. II may open the way to the United
States participating in concert" with re-
| spect to other questions, but that is a thing
Of the remote future, not in contemplation
except perhaps in the mind OF the British
foreign cffice. The conference has resulted
in perfect understanding by the powers
that whatever Is to be done by them to
preserve peace must be done in Madrid and
not in Washington.
1t is suggested that there shall be some
legislation to permit our coastwise trade
to be carried on during the period OF war
In British bottoms under the protection OF
the British flag.