New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-04
WAITING FOR THE MESSAGE.
CONGRESS READY TO ACT ON THE
CUBAN QUESTION.

CUBAN QO ESIlON.
THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE EXPECTED
TO REPORT ITS INDEPENDENCE REsoLU-
TON on wEDNEsDAY-A CoNsERN-
ATIvE ELEMENT OF con
SIDERABLE STRENGTH.
Washington, April 3.-The expectation In the
Senate is that the report OF the Committee on
Foreign Relations on the Cuban situation VIII
be made not later than Wednesday. and IL the
report should be made at that time the propa-
bilities are that it Will engage the greater share
NJ the Senates time f>r the remainder OF the
week The committee viii make an effort TO
secure action on the resolutions K VIII report
without having them debated. but with lltte
probabilit Of success Undoubtedly large
majority Of the members OF the Senate are ID
vorable TO some declaration on the CUBAN ques-
ton, but there Is certain 10 be diHerehCe vi
opinion on the course to be pursued and the
language to be used which will be sotfIcent 10
proven, immediate action except In one con-
tingency This contingency Is the posslnlil'y oi
an agreement as TO details between the Presi-
dent and the committee. II the committees
report should prove to be in accord with the
Presidents Message in all essential particulars
the Senate probably would adopt the resolutions
without debate.
There Is a considerable element in the Senate
which Is opposed to war except as last e&-
tremity. and there are several members VINO
think there ought to be delay or al least
week or ten days before action is taken In Con-
gress in order to insure the safe arrival OF ships
and war supplies now on their way to this coun-
try from Europe
COMMITTEE ANXIOUS TO ACT.
The Committee on Foreign Relations is not
Impressed by this line Of reasoning. and the
members urge that Spain is no better prepared
for hostilities that is the United states. Inc
members OF the committee do not expect the
Presidents Message before Tuesday, ana they
are prepared to wait until Wednesday, Under
great pressure there might be a delay beyond
that time but request for such delay Wouiu
cause great uneasiness on the part oi MAJORITY
Of the committee While DESTROYS OF giving the
President all tHe time he may require for the
preparation Of his Message they are Impatient
of the outside influence which is being exerted
10 hold them in check. This pressure Is IN me
shape of letters and kilograms from peopIe
throughout the country who are opposed 10 a
policy. and With these the members or me
committee are being flooded The writers.
said member OF the committee To-Day gen,
orally ask us TO maintain an honorable peace.
OF course all want an honorable peace nut
the time has gone by when that can ne secured
under existing conditions in Cuba We cannot
allow our conduct 10 be controlled by such eX-
pressons"
When the Presidents Message is received 1t
will. Senator Davis's motion, he referred 10
the Committee on Foreign Relations. which may
bring in its report later in the day. or il may
not do so until the following day. So far as it
is informed as to the probable line of the Presi-
dents communication the committee is now
prepared TO report. but the members realize that
the details of the Message will require careful
consideration. and more time may be given TO H.
Unless
conclusions after the President Is heard from,
he resolutions reported will recommend the
recognition OF Cuban independence. with dec
aration for armed Intervention to make inde-
pendence practicable. They will also include
the Maine explosion as one OF the causes for
action. The resolutions will be accompanied
by carefully drawn report written by Senator
Davis
IN THE HOUSE.
There is little in the way Of a programme for
the House this week. Everything awaits the
Presidents Message and the momentous events
which are to follow its presentation To-mor-
row the bill for the reorganization Of the Army
Is to be called up Chairman Hull. Of the Mill
tary Affairs Committee. believes II VIII he
passed without opposition. 1t is considered
part Of the emergency preparations. and as such
it's urgency would preclude the opposition 1t
might encounter in ordinary times.
SUNDAY WORK on SCHLEY's SHIPS.
THE MINNEAPOLIS BEGINS TO TAKE on WAR
NT-PREPARATIONs AT FORT MONROE
Newport News Va. April (SpecaD.-Many
women have visited the warships Of the Flying
Squadron to-day 10 their husbands, sweet
hearts and friends. but no persons are allowed
on board unless accompanied by officer. The
piers and the shore have been crowded all day
with men, women and children who came from
near and far TO see Uncle Sans crack fighters.
The Minneapolis is still al Old Point. and
he
has been painted lead color. This work was be-
gun this afternoon and is now we'll under way.
The Columbia's crew finished painting her free
board about noon The four large turrets on
the flagship Brooklyn have not been painted
the prevailing war color They are still yellow
drab
The Texas the Vesuvus and the Mantono-
mob are expected in these waters within the
next few days. An officer from the Brooklyn
stated this evening that the Flying Squadron
will not sail o-night. but that important orders
were expected from Washington tomorrow The
lighthouse tender Jasmine arrived from Ports
mouth at 10 o'clock this morning with torpedoes
for the Massachusetts her TUBES having Deeh
thoroughly overhauled.
Despite the enforcement Of the Sunday OBJ
servance law in Newport News. which has had
the effect of stopping Sunday work on the bat
t,eships Kearsarge and Kentucky, the divers,
three in number. continued work on the bot
tom of the battle-ship Massachusetts to-day,
and made such progress that Captain Higginson
believes they will be able TO finish the cleaning
process by nightfall tomorrow
The Brooklyn and the Columbia will weigh
anchor early tomorrow morning. and steam
down TO old Point. where the Minneapolis
is lying II is believed by the officers that
the Brooklyn and the Columbia will not remain
at Old Point long, but will proceed to the Viz
einia Capes. probably tomorrow night or Tues