Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-12
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
But Few Visitors at the Executive
Mansion Today.
RESPONSIBILITY Is. Now SHIFTED
Cabinet Discuss the Effect Of
Yesterdays Message.
COMMENDATORY TELEGRAMS

There was not a public place in Washing
ton today as excessively quiet and unevent-
full as the White House. Compared to the
exciting days Of the last two months, be-
ginning with the discovery Of the duplicity
Of De LONE, the quiet now reigning is
monotonous. Even the rush of strangers
has dwindled to the average number.
The falling of in the number of official
callers was the subject of comment. Prior
to the regular cabinet meeting at II o'clock
two senators, Warren and Elkins, and one
representative. Lacey of Iowa, saw the
President. Representative VIM. Alden
Smith arrived just as the cabinet was as
sembling and was given a minute with the
President General schofield, the COM
mander Of the National Volunteer Reserve.
the new organization, was the only other
person who saw the President
Regarding the organization in which he
is interested. Gen. Schofeld said that the
National Volunteer Reserve would become
a permanent concern If Congress will grant
the necessary legislation. There are ten
times more men now enrolled in the re-
serve than would be needed in a fight with
Spain," Gen. Schofeld said. "Of course,
in case Of war, the President would first
call on the militia of the various states"
Gen. Schofield automatically avoided an
answer to the question whether he now
thought there would be any use for his or
any other organization.
Gen. Schofield also thought it would not
be advisable to give his opinion of the
number Of American soldiers necessary to
capture Of the Island of Cuba
Senator Elkins was with the President
lorger than any of the other visitors. He
has been consistent and earnest advocate
of peace.
The President Hopeful.
Senator Warren said that the President
believes that Spain is in earnest in stop
ping hostilities, and will soon take other
steps to permai emily end the condition of
affairs on the island. AS a whole, he said.
the President is exceedingly hopeful
Representative William Alden Smith did
rot talk Of his interview with the Presi-
dent but with good deal Of feeling he
said: Il am for the freedom Of Cuba, and
want that understood"
Shifting of Respon sibility.
"The other fellows are the ones who are
row walking the floor" This is the way
cabinet officials regard the position of
Congress and the shifting of responsibility
for the settlement Of the Spanish situa-
ton from one branch of the government to
another.
This feeling of relief. with some curiosity
as to what will be done by Congress, char
acterized the regular seqni-weekly meeting
of the cabinet today. The President and
his advisers were in session an hour and
half, and it was said they could have ad-
journed In less time had they desired.
Tho Ina tn,
the effect on the country of yesterdays
message. The cabinet officials expressed
themselves as fully satisfied with the re-
ception Of the message and with the back
ing being accorded the President by prom
inent people Of the country. kilograms of
congratulation have been reaching the
White House every few minutes today
They come from every section of the coun-
try and from all classes of people. These
kilograms. together with the editorials Of
the leading morning papers. were read by
the cabinet, and all gave satisfaction, it
is stated. Many of the kilograms came
from foreign countries and denoted favor
able reception for the message abroad
The cabinet did not deem it advisable to
enter into speculation as to the probable
action of Congress. No program, it is
said, can now be outlined pending the
action CT the body on Capitol Hill. The
President is not advised that Congress
will not take radical action, and no would
not be surprised should it do so. He
stands ready, it is said, to carry out the
orders of Congress- and will do SO to the
letter.
Effect d pom Spain.
One feature upon which there was some
speculation was the manner in which tire
message haS been received in Spain. If
| Minister Woodford has sent anything on
this subject, 1t was not impaired to the
cabinet. Several of the cabinet members
| think that Spain may resent the tone of
the message in some way which will re-
cIen the question at issue and necessitate
| more prompt action than now contenl-
plated. In fact, the cabinet is by no means
certain that everything is SO hopeful as It
locks.
No consideration was given to the ques-
| ton of sending Gen. Lee and the American
ccpsuls back to Cuba. That will depend
entirely on the work of Congress. The
general feeling Is that If this country Is to
watch the outcome Of the cessation Of
hestilities, for the purpose Of basing fur
Their maneuvers, 1t will have to have rep
resentattves to do SO. But absolutely
AothihS can De zone on inns line LOT tne
present Numerous rumors have been
| af!oat today that Gen. Leo wouli probably
resign before he would return to Havana,
| but these have been idle, as the action of
Gen. Lee on any subject will not be settled
upon until he reaches Washington and
| studies the situation. He has heretofore
oteyed the wishes Of the President.
The fact that the President is using no
pressure on Congress to bring about the
| adoption of resolution to his liking Is evil
| danced by the uncertainty of feeling in the
cabinet as to what that body will do. If
| anything. the opinions of the members
leaned to the belief that II Congress acts at
once it may be radical lat the same time
the individual opinion was that If action is
| delayed Congress will stand with the Pres
| ident before many days. Time and the pres
| sure from conservative constituents will, 1t
| is thought. produce q change in the situa-
ton. The cabinet officials are so well salts
| fad with turning ovnr the question to Con-
gress that they are not at all worried about
| the outcome.
| Attorney General Griggs and Senator
Hanna held a conference with President
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