The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-11
What the House and Senate Will Probably
Do To-day.
MESSAGE TO Be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE
There WILL it Appears, be no Debate Today and on Tues
day the Prevailing Opinion Seems to be Toward
Report for Armed Intervention.

Washington. ID. c., April 10.-Upon
the presumption that Spain's offer Of an
armistice to the Cuban insurgents will
make no change in the plans of the ad-
ministration, and that the Presidents )
message will go to Congress tomorrow,
the House this week will make history
In anticipation of stirring scenes and mo-
mentous action, every Congressman has
been beseiged by hundreds of friends for
tickoIs to the reserved galleries, and
the general multitude, which must take
its chances in the public galleries on
the principle of first come first served,
is prepared to assault the capitol at
dawn tomorrow. 1t is likely that hun
dredS will camp out on the marble steps
all night so intense is the desire to be
present when the message is read. The
public generally regards the message as
the prologue to drama, which may end
in war before the curtain goes down.
After the message is read tomorrow it
will probably be referred to the Com
mttee on Foreign Relations without de-
bate Such is the programme to which
both sides have practically assented,
with the tacit understanding that that
committee would report on Tuesday the
resolutions, upon which the House will
be expected to act. Any individual at
tempt to frustrate this part of the pro-
grammc. necessarily would prove abor-
tive. With the gravity of the situation
confronting them, members on both sides
have been sobered. and seem impressed
with the idea that things SHOULD pro-
cecd i'm regular and orderly way. 1t
seems almost certain now that there
will be a conflict, both in the committee
and in the House, rs to the nature of
the resolutions, upon which the House
will be called upon to act. Individual
views vary greatly from those who desire
direct declaration of war, based on
the theory that the blowing up of the
Maine was hostile act, and few
who are opposed to any action what
ever.
THE REAL CONTEST.
But the real contest, of course,
will be between those who desire to fol-
low what is now generally accepted as
the Presidents recommendation, armed
intervention. and those who desire the
recognition of the Cuban republic. The
Democrats both of the committee and
the House, have taken an mequivocal
position in favor of ths recognition of
Independence although there is Il differ
ence of opinion as to whether interven-
tion should follow. \ majority of the
Republicans of the committee have,
within few days. declared themselves
for Intervention and independence. Two
of them, MeSsrs. Quigg, of New York,
and Henry. of Indiana. while they did
not favor recognition of the existing re-
public, have earnestly advocated Il
declaration to the effect that Spain :
dominion over the island cease. leaving
to the future the question of the actual
government of the island. But in the
desire of the Republicans of both houses
to secure harmony of action, some of the
advocates of independence have about
come to the conclusion that the differ
encc between armed intervention and
recognition is more technical than sub
stantal, as. unless the island should be
annexed. to which they are opposed. Il
Republican form of government for the
island must follow. 1t seems probable
that existing differences may at least
to some extent, be adjusted, and wheth-
or all the Republicans agree TO a resOlu-
tion declaring for Intervention only or
not. such II resolution will be reported.
1t seems equally certain that Il reSOlu-
ton for independence. possibly coupled
with intervention, will be presented by
the minority. No definite arrangements
have vet been made as to the debate,
but there seems to be no demand for
prolonged time. Mr.. Bailey. of the
minority, thinks two days ought to
suffice, and some of the Republicans
think our action would be strengthened,
If there were no debate at all. Two
days seems to be the general opinion as
to the length of the debate. There
probably will be considerable pressure
for time for brief speeches. Many mem-
hers desire to bury their hatchets in the
painted war post. But there is a solid
GROUND for difference as to the character
of the resolutions, and the question as
TO the possible liability Of the United
States for the Spanish bonds, based on
the Cuban revenues in the event of
Intervention without recognition, will be
thoroughly discussed. Whatever time is
not occupied by the Cuban question will
be devoted to the consideration of con-
tested election cases and the general
deficiency bill.
THE SENATE FORECAST.
Washington, ID. c., April 10.-The
week in the Senate, probably will be
given entirely to the Cuban question
The Presidents message is counted
upon to arrive soon after assembling at
noon tomorrow. 1t will be referred
- N
Relations, and the present understand
ing is that no report will be made by the
committee before Tuesday. The report
may, in case of the development of radi-