The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1898-04-23

Plan of Action. ".
Washington, April 13.-The future of
the relations of the United States with
Spain and to Cuba now rests with
congress-, the representative body Of
the American people. What course the
elected men composing it will pur:
sue cannot now be foretold. The for
eign committees Of both houses now
have the subject in their control, and
after due deliberation will report to
their respective branches what they
consider should be the attitude of the
United States on the grave question
presented. Early action by the COM
mittees is expected, but exactly when
it may be looked for is not now de-
terminable. The full responsibility of
the subject was placed upon congress
when President Mckinley transmitted
to it a carefully prepared and anxious
ly awaited message relating to our ne
gotiations VITA Spain as to it's warfare
in Cuba and drawing therefrom his
personal conclusions and recommended
tons. He placed the trust with these
words:
''',INhe issue is now with congress 1t
is a solemn responsibility. I have eX-
hausted every effort to relieve the in
tolerable condition of affairs which is
at our doors. Prepared to execute
every obligation imposed upon me by
the constitution and the law, 1 await
your action"
Some Disappointment.
No message was ever listened to
with more close attention by both gal
leries and members at both ends of
the capitol. That it did not create
profound enthusiasm may have been
due to the fact that it's main features
had been accurately fo%recasted in the
Associated Press dispatches, or to a
disappointment among those who
wanted Cuban independence and i'm
mediate reprisal upon Spain for the
destruction of the Maine. For a long
time a large majority in both houses
have favored recognition of the indie
pendence of Cuba; for more than two
years as voiced in resolutions passed
by congress the recognition of bellig-
erency has been sought. Both of these
propositions were antagentzed in the
message, anG, consequently, in this re-
gard. the message did no. accord with
the majority sentiment. The message
left congress very much at sea be-
cause of the disparagement in views
between it and the executive are OBJ
stacles hard to surmount unless, as
now seems possible, congress sees its
course to lie in accord with the presi-
dents Recommendation. 1t is general
ly believed that the president would
have been ordered to intervene with
the army and navy had it not been for
the concluding paragraphs of the doc
ument which announced the latest
phase of diplomatic negotiations.
Considered by the Committee.
The senate committee on foreign re-
latiens Immediately went into ses.
sion, but reached nc definite conclu-
sion. From the fact that the Repub-
lican members held a consultation af-
ter the meeting adjourned and what
was said regarding it, the inference
was drawn that some strong measure
was necessary in order to carry any
action by the committee through the
senate. A declaration of war was
talked of and a declaration that the
people of Cuba should be free, coupled
with authorization to the president to
bring this about by armed Intervention
was suggested. 1t is well known that
any proposition advanced will be met
in the senate with an amendment de-
claring the independence Of the pres
ent Cuban government, and to so
frame q resolution as to carry a ma.
iority Of the senate and at the same
time meet the recommendations of the
president is the result which the FOR
eign relations committee Is trying to
secure. i.
The conservative senators also met
in the afternoon and determined to op.
pose any radical measure, If 1t would
be reported by the senate committee
on foreign relations. They Will OPP
pose by debate a recognition OF q
pendence of the present government
and a declaration of war, and Will
consent to action only along the lines
Of the recommendations Of the pres
idents as to intervention at his dis
erection.
The Temper OF the House
could not be accurately determined,
but there, as in the senate, the PROPOSE
tion for Cuban independence has to be
met. ANY report from the committee
on foreign affairs that does not carry
with it this feature will be a~ntagonized
by an amendment, and the prospects
are that nearly all the Democrats and
many Republicans would favor 1t.
Efforts were directed all day toward
action which will secure the solid
support Of the Republican organtza-
ton and Republican majority Of the
house. 10 this end the Republican
members of the house committee, to
whom the message was referred,
were in conference during the day and
night. Outsideiof the capitol the same
intense interest was everywhere mani a
tested in the presidents message. The
gymnastics and legations were practi-
caiiv empty BY III o'clock, the foreign
representatives and their stars going
to the capitol to hear the message.
cabinet officers busted themselves
III thair departmental a6airs, feel