The herald., 1898-03-30
A wide VARIANCE
IN PLANS OF CONGRESS AND
CABINET !.
CONGRESS WANTS WAR
AND MAY REVOLT FROM CZAR
REEDS RULE
M'KINLEY AND HIS ADVISERS
Cling To The Hope That the Cubans
Will Be Content to Buy
"Practica" Freedom -,
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, March 29.-Congress and
the cabinet divided attention today on the
Spanish situation. In congress the feeling
which began to take form after the presi-
dents conservative and pacific message
on the Maine report was submitted yester-
day found open expression today in reso-
lutions proposing a declaration Of war,
recognition of the independence Of Cuba.
armed Intervention and other decisive and
warlike steps against Spain, and in con-
ferences of Republicans having for their
object the overruling of the speaker il nec-
essary to get prompt action. On the floor. in
the cloak rooms, in the lobbies and the
corridors there was little else discussed
bu the Cuban situation and the Maine dis.
aster. Every senator and member was
furnished with copy of the testimony
sent to congress yesterday and every per-
son who could procure a copy read the
printed pages. Every group Of senator's in
the cloak rooms talked of Cuba. Constant
and continual conferences were held and
all recognized the seriousness Of the situa.
tion.
THE HOUSE SIDE
On the house side it was apparent that
the Republican majority could not be
longer controlled by what is known as the
conservative element led by the speaker.
Groups of members in a state of excite
ment were to be seen on every hand. In
each cloak room there were members list
enng eagerly while portions Of the Maine
testimony were read Members Of the for
eign affairs committee grouped together
and discussed plans and possible future
proceedings. 1t was generally acknowl.
edged that serious condition had arisen:
that crisis was near at hand. 1t was the
opinion Of some Of the conservative mem-
bers that in day or two the feeling would
subside and members would not be so agi-
tated.
Much depends upon the next few days.
That congress will not long remain inac-
tive If some decided action is not taken by
the administration is certain. It Is also
true that the talk of an armistice caused
great deal of i'll feeling. The house today
proceeded to do business without break
and without dramatic incident but no such
quiet can be promised tomorrow when the
naval bill is being considered.
The day closed with prospect that the
committees to whom were referred the
Maine correspondence will act soon. poa-
sibly before the end Of the week.
|. ANXIOUS FOR ACTION
Among those anxious to secure prompt
action and to await no further delay are
Hopkins of Illinois, member of the ways
and means committee; Tawney of Minne-
sofa, also a member of the ways and means
committee; Mercer of Nebraska. chairman
of the committee on public buildings, and
Sherbern of Iowa, Lorrimer Of Illinois and
Graft of Illinois.
Representative Lorrimer stated that he
did not believe the house would want more
than forty-eight hours more before 1t will
take some step looking to action by con-
gress, immediate in it's character, and that
he believed in going to the extent of inde-
pendence.
II have talked with many Republicans"
said he, "in the past twenty-four hours,
and, with two exceptions, they were all
for Intervention or recognition Of inde-
pendence. There will be no appropriation
of $500 900 for the relief of the Cuban nom
combatants, as is expected to be requested
by the president, unless simultaneously
there is a call for Intervention and inde-
pendence. I believe it will be found that
not only majority on the Republican side
of the house favor immediate action on
these lines, but that a majority of the
whole house can be found on the Republi-
can side with this disposition
There was an air of expectancy among
the members today in anticipation Of the
reported intention of the administration to
ask for the half million dollars appropria-
ton for relief supplies
Considerable opposition was openly ex-
pressed to the project, If unaccompanied
by an outline Of definite policy of immeds
ate action of some sort, in the conversa-
tions Of members in groups.
Whether the movement looking to a con-
solidation of these forces will be started
in party caucus has not yet been deter
mined, but those who make no conceal
ment of their purpose to bring matters to
an issue without further delay, express the
wish that the matter should not take the
form, in any way, of a stroke of party
politics.
IN THE CABINET
The cabinet meeting today developed
nothing new. The president remains
steadfast in his conviction as to what is his
duty, and adverse criticism, which 1t Is as
serted is mainly due to misinformation a.
to the situation or ignorance of the presi-
dents purpose, will not be permitted to
swerve him in the least degree from the
course he has planned. AS already stated
in the Associated Press, the president some
days ago made a peremptory demand upon
Spain to put an end Immediately to hos
tilities in Cuba, to release the concentra-
does, and to permit them to return to their
homes and resume their several occupa-
tions unmolested This statement Il
made on good authority, and since that
demand was communicated to Spain the
president has not taken step backward
or allowed himself to be persuaded into
modifying it in the least particular. Spain's
final reply to this demand. It is known, y
now receiving the earnest consideration ot
the Spanish authorities at Madrid and tnat