Richmond planet., 1898-04-02

bers that In a-day OF two the feeling
would subside and members would not
be so agitated. Much depends upon the
next few days. That congress viii not
long remain inactive If some decided
action is not taken by the administra-
tion is certain. 1t is also true that the
talk of an armistice caused great deal
OF i'll feeling. The house yesterday pro-
ceeded to business without outbreak
such quiet can be promised during the
consideration OF the naval appropria-
consideration of the naval bill.
The revolt in the house against fur
ther delav of action on the Cuban is
sue eliminated yesterday in a con-
ference of Republican members whose
ideas are in accordance with a posi- |
tive early course. About so representa-
tives attended. representing all sec
tions. Representative Hopkins, of l
Illinois, memberof Of the ways and means !
committee. presided. Representative |
JOY. of Missouri. was secretary. The I
meeting was called TO take steps to /
secure immediate Intervention in some |
form and the recognition OF Cuban in |
dependence. 1t was the first definite |
step following discussions In the cloak
rooms and Hobbies since the presidents |
message was submitted by many mem !
bers who favor immediate and aggress-
I've action Up to yesterday afternoon
the sentiment was a hair concealed but |
strong feeling againss voting money
for Cuban relief unless accompanied
by action to stop the war.
The meeting was called with a view
of accomplishing the unqualified re-
movaI of Spanish tsqoIS from Cuba
and the prompt armed Intervention in
the affairs of that island 1t was de-
cided to call a melting Immediately
after adjournment. The word was
quickly passed around. but many who
are enthusiastically In favor Of inter
vention failed of notification, though
the number present would be sufficient
ly large, by consolidation with the
| Democratic forces. TO carry out a pro-
gram. After vigorous speeches de-
mandatory of Spain it was decided to
| defer action until o'clock this after
noon.
The day closed with a prospect that
the committees 20 which were referred
the Maine correspondence Will act soon,
| possibly before the end of the week.
The cabinet meeting yesterday de-
veloped nothing new. The president
remains steadfast in his convictions
as TO what is his duty, and adverse
criticism. which 1t is asserted is mainly
due to misinformation as to the sit
uation or ignorance OF the presidents
purposes. will not be permitted to
swerve him in the least degree from the
course he has planned. AS he has al
! ready stated, the president some days
| ago made a peremptory demand upon
Spain to put an end Immediately to
| hostilities in Cuba TO release the con-
centrados and 20 Dernsit them to re-
turn TO their homes and resume their
several occupations unmolested. This
statement is made by unquestionable
authority, and since that demand was
communicated TO Spain the president
has not taken a step backward or al
lowed himself to be persuaded into
modifying It sn the least particular
SPANS fina3 reply TO this demand. 1t
is known, is now receiving the earnest
consideration OF the Spanish authori-
ties at Madrid. and their final reply
may be reasonably expected within the
next few days. Should these demands
be rejected there is the highest au-
thority for stating that the president
would not hesitate a moment as to his
future course. but would Immediately
lay the whole record before congress
and be guided by its instructions. AS
a preliminary step toward peace 1t
has been proposed to Spain, though
this last proposition has not yet taken
the shape Of a demand, that the Span
ish government withdraw it's troops
from the island. and that the Cubans
be given their independence on a basis
: OF indemnity that would be regarded
as just in amount by the United States
: and other nations of the world and
= fair to both contending parties.
4 The question Of an armistice has not
been agreed to by either this country
" l fc f1,oi
= Spain suggested an armistice. What
! | terms Of peace will be acceptable tC
= the president cannot be stated, but 1t /.
i | asserted that no proposition will b'
= considered that does not involve th'
e practical, If not the actual independ
e ence of the Cubans. Under these cir
5 cumstances members of the admins
tration think it only fair to the presi
4 dent that the people should wait will
T patience the result of the pending ne
: gotiations.
: There is little doubt that the Frencl
t government is ready to tender Its goo,
e offices as mediator between the Unite'
II States and Spain, If any intimation i
d conveyed by this country that sucl
f offices would be acceptable.
At the close of the cabinet meeting
'e Secretary Alger gave out statemen
n | that all the members OF the cabine
n were in thorough accord with Presiden
Mckinley, despite rumors to the con
trary.
The army and navy department
,FI continue to show many evidences c
activity, but there was not that ex
ID treme energy of preparations apparer
~ last week Captain Sigsbee had seV
"a sral talks with Secretary Long durin
m the day. and at the close of offiC
Id hours the secretary accompanied Car
rt tain Sigsbee to the White House an
< presented him to the president M
s. Long says that no determination hs
Of been reached thus far as to CAPITAL
r Sigsbee's next assignment, but as OF
ka | OF the high officials Of the navy d.
partment the commander OF IL
te wrecked battleship can have abol
O. anything he wants.
n A significant conference was he
lis during the day between represent
rr | tives of the war and navy department
ar to determine whether New orleans, M
,r- bile or Tampa was best adapted as
u base of operations. both military al
In naval, in the event Of war. The re
resentative Of the navy was CAPITA
- Baker, naval aide to Secretary Lon
- and for the army Colonel Wagn'
- chief of the bureau of information
- the army. No determination has }
been reached on the subject.
~ The ordnance officials of the arr
- report that the firms which have be
- given contracts for supplying ammul
- ton, guns. projectiles and gun cs
riages are keeping well to their pro-
Ia ises in the matter of supplying the
ing are hetno- h,,rrted 40 the fortif3catic
ry. needing 4baru work IN All dena
lu- ments is going on rapidly at all poin
Ine The events Of last week were a 81
'ie' cession of exciting Incidents.
IN Thursday last Admiral Sicard y
I'm retired on sick leave and c.
-H tain Sampson appointed to succ'
him in command OF the fleet at K
ent West. Captain Robley Evans (''Fig
be ing Bob') was appointed to the co