The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-08

mhrrpN theJmay not see that they need IL; con-
ditiensmay arise which will make IL unwiso to
pres the measure. and best to keep It in COM
mtkteA In that case. / shall vote 10 do that"
President McKinley's decision to- consult
Win leaders In Congress over the advlsabllity
of securing legislative authority for putting
the country on a war footing was reached last
night, after a long talk with Chairman Cannon
OF. the House Committee on Appropriations
and Representative Grosvenor Of Ohio. n
close personal and political friend OF Mckinley,
who has had his confidence in nearly every i'm
portant matter OF the Administrations policy.
While there is some confusion as TO the reasons
which caused the President TO call these gentle
men and the other legislative and executive
advisers into conference, II is undoubtedly
true that the President made no scnsa.
tional statements in regard to tho neces.
atty for tho consultation. 1t is said on
very good authority that he explained that
while the relations between this country and
Spain were undoubtedly in n very delicate con-
dition. war did not appear to be imminent, and
no had very good reason for tho hope that a re.
sort to hostilities could DO avoided. The President
told those whom he had invited to the White
House that 1t was very obvious that a mum.
her Of Senators and Representatives were very
anxious to take measures for putting tho coun-
try In condition for going to war. He did not
I1s"A ~ NFeeo tsa"t Nt'o NSsahh ouObha ~ 'hV''o
10 gain Roadway without the initiative OF some
authoritative source. Ho referred to the bills
thathad been introduced In the House making
largo appropriations for Increasing the navy and
- the almost general belief existing among tho
representatives OF the people that trouble with
Spain was not far distant. There was some
ground for this belief. he said, In tho many en-
barfasslng incidents which had occurred re-
Gently between the governments at Mad.
Ia .~l kUa.hl.-tan Hut ~ l.l ~At l,,l
that ConGressmen were justified in exciting
the country by presenting measures which in
dictated that tho United States was on the
point OF undertaking active hostilities. His
purpose In calling them together. he explained,
was to get their views as to whether the execu.
tive or the legislative branch should take the
dfst step In preparing for whatever might come.
and he believed that some authoritative an
no%uncement Of the fact that the Executive and
Congress were not unmindful Of tho duty which
they owed 10 the country should be made at
0nce. While expressing a hopeful view of tho
outcome, the President was by no means certain
that the present crisis would have q peaceful
termination, and he was of the opinion
that the passage by Congress of q bill Civ
5nR tho Executive authority to make I'M
limited preparations for dealing with what
ever might occur would have a good effect
on tho Spanish Government as we'll as on the
Congress and the people of the United States.
AZ for tho intimation by Spain that Gen. Lees
recall would be considered n great favor to that
country and the objections made to sending |
sEar vessels with relief supplies to Cuban ports, |
the President assured his conferees that danger
from tho attitude assumed In these particulars
b the Madrid Government had been avoided.
The result of the conference was an agreement
That 1t would be better for Congress and not the
Executive to take the initiative in placing the
country In condition for an emergency, and the
bill appropriating $50. 600. 900 was accordingly
introduce ed by Mr.. Cannon.
Just as soon as tho War Department was in.
formed this afternoon that the bill increasing
the artillery service by two regiments had
passed the Senate the enlistment officers of the
iAdJutant.G Generals office sent kilograms to all
recruiting officers to begin the business of
%0nlisting men at once. These officers had not
been actively engaged for some time. on account
of the fact that enlistments were up to the limit
prescribed by law. The number of men to be
recruited will be 1910. and as fast as
they are mustered in they will be distrib-
uted among the various posts as members of
the regiments there. The plan of formation of
the two new regiments has been made and will |
be carried into effect at once. The commits
sions Of the new Colonies and Lieuten ant. |
Colonels will BIO sent to the Senate to-mor. |
row. All the other officers will be promoted /
to examination. The non-commissioned
officers will be taken from the privates Of the
five artillery regiments. Tho two
new formations will DO composed of a
mixture Of veteran artillery regulars and
Of recruits. while the recruits who are
to DO enlisted will be sent to the old regiments.
At the suggestion of Mnjor.Gen. Miles. the head.
of the Sixth will be at Fort Slocum,
New York Harbor. and of the Seventh at Fort
Va.
Speaker Reed dined with the Vice Prosident
and afterward went to the White
House. where the programme for the passage of
Ehe $50. 600 900 appropriation bill and other
necessary legislation desired by the Administra.
lion to carry out Its policy toward Spain was
FULLY and freely discussed with the President.
Speaker Reed is not by any means n lingo, but
As appreciates fully the gravity of the situation,
and he will stand sQuarcly by the President in
generations to defend the national
honor. The appropriation bill will probably be
to tho House tomorrow and passed, il
in time to be sent 10 the Senate for a
vote before that body adjourns for the day.