The times., 1898-04-04
IT WILL BE HISTORIC
The Current Week in the Re-
pub!ic'S Annals.
A DECLARATION OF WAR
Patriots Hope That IL VIII 8e Re
coraed Before Saturday Wight
Congress VIII Not Permit Pol
troon PoIicy-The President Cam
not Coerce the People.

The current week is burdened with mo-
mentous events in the history Of this
country 1t will determine the question
of peace or war with Spain. That il will
be war there is no room for serious doubt.
There is only one alternative-the com
plete backdown Of Spain. II the naughty
Don shall abandon his attitude OF brav-
ado, take counsel Of discretion and see
the situation as il really exists there will
be hope Of peace. But it would be like
expecting the Ethiopian to change his
skin, or the leopard his spots to expect
the Spaniard TO meet the issue with can
dor and common sense.
The Administration has screened its
real objects and purposes behind a veil
of secrecy so dense as TO leave the public
in doubt whether II counts on peace or
war; but there is no mistaking the tenn
per Of Congress. The senators and rep
resentatives. without regard TO political
affiliations, are determined that the var
in Cuba shall be terminated just as soon
as the power Of this great Government
can effect it and that it shall end wiki
the entire independence of Cuba from
Spanish rule.
The President day Delay 1t.
The President may succeed in delaying
this consummation for a very brief
period but he cannot change it or modify
the result in behalf Of Spain.
Public sentiment is pressing for
speedy solution of the question. and il
will not brook delay. The members of
Congress understand this. and they are
prepared TO act in the even, that the Elk
ecutiVe hesitates beyond the point he has
indicated.
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the
House and Foreign Relations Committee
Of the Senate have arranged TO take the
initiative if the President seeks further
pcstponement.
The House Committee will meet at 1890
this morning for the purpose Of consider
ing the latest phase Of the situation as
developed from the White House. If they
shall have assurance of message from
the President by Wednesday-not later
they win probably agree TO refrain from
making any recommendation 10 the
House today.
The senators of the Foreign Relations
Committee have gone further than the
members of the House. They have. by
unanimous vote. agreed TO a joint resolu-
ton recognizing the independence Of the
Cuban republic and providing for armed
intervention to the Cubans.
in the House there is some difference OF
opinion as TO the policy of proclaimine
armed intervention. There are member.
who contend that the recognition Of Gu
han independence is sufficient for the frs
step
Senor Palma, the chief of the Cubar
Junta in this country, says the Cubani
do not ask the United States 10 go |,
war with Spain in their behalf; that 4
this Government viii recognize the new
republic and thus enable it to float bond
the Cubans viii drive the Spanish fai
from the island in less than thre
months.
Those who maintain that armed inter
vention must accompany a declaration 0
the independence of Cuba hold that spail
win regard such a declaration as caus
for war.
Very well. then said a prominen
member Of the House yesterday. ''le
Spain declare war We viii respono
without delay"
But this difference Of opinion is, aftei
all, only OF minor consequence. II doe.
not divide the members on the materia
point Of the necessity for ending the bar
barous and inhuman warfare that ha.
too long desoIated Cuba.
Should the course Of the President con
vince the House that it was incumben
upon that body TO take action withou
waiting longer on the Executive, ther,
would be comparatively few votes agains
a formal declaration Of Cuban independ
ence.