The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-14

the relations of the United States with
Spain and to Cuba now rests with
congress, the representative body of
the American people. What course the
elected men composing it will pur
sue cannot now be foretold. The for
eign committees of both houses now
have the subject in their control, and
after due deliberation will report to
their respective branches what they
consider should be the attitude of the
United States on the grave question
presented. Early action by the COM
mittees is expected, but exactly when
it may be looked for is not now de-
terminable. The full responsibility Of
the subject was placed upon congress
when President Mckinley transmitted
to it a carefully prepared and anxious
~ awaited message relating to our ne
gotiations with Spain as to it's warfare
in Cuba and drawing therefrom his
personal conclusions and recommended
lions. He placed the trust with these
words:
"The issue is now with congress 1t
is solemn responsibility. I have ex-
hausted every effort to relieve the in
tolerable condition of affairs which is
at our doors. Prepared to execute
every obligation imposed upon me by
the constitution and the law, I await
your action"
Some Disappointment.
No message was ever listened to
with more close attention by both gal
leries and members at both ends of
the capitol. That it did not create
profound enthusiasm may have been
due to the fact that it's main features
had been accurately forecasted in the
Associated Press dispatches, or to
disappointment among those who
wanted Cuban independence and i'm
mediate reprisal upon Spain for the
destruction Of the Maine For a long
time large majority in both houses
have favored recognition of the indie.
pendence of Cuba; for more than two
years as voiced in resolutions passed
by congress the recognition of bellig-
erency has been sought. Both of these
propositions were antagonized in the
message, and, consequently, in this re-
gard, the message did not accord with
me majority sentiment. The message
left congress very much at sea be-
cause of the disparagement in views
between it and the executive are OBJ
stacles hard to surmount unless, as
now seems possible, congress sees it's
course to lie in accord with the presi-
dents recommendation. 1t is general
~ believed that the president would
have been ordered to intervene with
the army and navy had it not been for
ument which announced the latest
phase of diplomatic negotiations.
Considered by the Committee.
The senate committee on foreign re-
lations Immediately went into ses-
sion, but reached no definite conclu-
sion. From the fact that the Repub-
iican members held a consultation at
ter the meeting adjourned and what
was said regarding it, the inference
was drawn that some strong measure
was necessary in order to carry any
action by the committee through the
talked of and a declaration that the
people of Cuba should be free, coupled
with authorization to the president to
bring this about by armed Intervention
was suggested. 1t is we'll known that
any proposition advanced will be met
IN the senate with an amendment de-
caring the independence of the pres
ent Cuban government, and to so
frame a resolution as to carry a ma.
Jority OF the senate and at the same
time meet the recommendations of the
president is the result which the for
eign relations committee is trying to
secure
The conservative senators also met
In the afternoon and determined to op-
pose any radical measure, if it would
be reported by the senate committee
on foreign relations They will op-
pose by debate recognition of indie
pendence of the present government
and a declaration Of war, and will
consent to action only along the lines
of the recommendations of the. pres
ldent as to Intervention at his dis
erection.
The Temper of the House
could not be accurately determined,
put there, as in the senate, the PROPOSE
lion Tor Cuban independence has to be
met Any report from the committee
on foreign affairs that does not carry
with it this feature will be antagonized
by an amendment, and the prospects
are that nearly all the Democrats and
many Republicans would favor it.
Efforts We're directed all day toward
action which will secure the solid
support of the Republican organiza-
ton and Republican majority of the
house. 10 this end the Republican
members Of the house committee. to
whom the message was referred,
were in conference during the day and
night. Outside of the capitol the same
intense interest was everywhere mani
tested in the presidents message. The
embassies and legations were practi-
cally empty by II o'clock, the foreign
representatives and their STATS going
to the capitol to hear the message.
Cabinet officers busted themselves
with their departmental affairs, feel
ing that the message now transferred
the scene of action and Of response
bility to the capitol. Even at the
White House there was lull in the
excitement which has conferred there
for the last fortnight Tho yrocf5an+ !