The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-03-30

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while at the same time indicating
firm purpose to secure relief for the
starving recocentrados. Indeed, the
latter purpose appeared to be the
topic uppermost in the Presidents
mind. He dwelt upon the fact that
recognition Of belligerent rights or
of independence would not be of any
material service to these untortu-
mates. BE admitted that such action
might be of assistance to the men at
arms, the insurgent army, but they,
he said, have shown a capacity to
take care of themselves and do not
stand in pressing need Of our kind
| Offices. The President believes Spain
will interpose no obstacles to our
sending succor to her INDECENT peo-
pie, and he will ask congress to act
promptly that the aid to be given
may not arrive too late to relieve the
present pressing necessities.
This done, the President is hope,
full that congress will remain quiet
while the executive branch of the
government continues it's efforts to
secure a peaceful settlement of the
difficulty. He thinks it is. not too
late to do this, and he made the as
sertion today that Spain was willing
to meet the United States half way
in adjusting the ENHANCEMENT with
out coming to blows. He referred
only casually to the sailing of the
Spanish torpedo fleet, leaving the
impression oo the minds of his visi'
tors that he considered that so far in
this matter Spain is acting within
the bounds of her own rights and
that no jest complaint can yet be
made by this country in regard to
this course.
He did not enter into details re
garding the proposition he may make
or may have made to Spain, for un
doubtedly some are now pending, but
he left the impression that be would
be satisfied with no settlement that
would not give the Cubans very
liberal form of government. He ad-
mitted frankly that autonomy had
proved failure, and expressed the
opinion that it would be as difficult
to satisfy the Americans with any
settlement that might be made as it
would be to satisfy the Cubans them
selves. He reasserted the possibility
of securing an agreement on the part
of Spain to allow Cuba to conduct
her own affairs with absolute freedom
except that the island should be
required to pay the mother country
specified sum in the way Of tribute
every year out of her revenues, seem
inc to think that this would form a
basis upon which both Spain and the
Cubans could agree without the sacri-
fee of too much pride on either side.
Mr.. Mckinley reverted often in his
conversation to his desire to main
tain peace, and dwelt upon the fact
that war meant not only the loss of
life and property, but that it also
would iujure our commerce, disturb
business ditions generally, increase
our public debt, add to our pension
roll and result in many ways to our
disadvantage and distress. He also
made it clear that whatever course he
might pursue in the future he would
not at present demand any indem
nifty at the hands Of Spain for the
loss Of the Maine, preferring to leave
that matter to the adjustment Of a
more quiet period. The President
also spoke of possible complications
with other nations, but did not mani
fest ureasiness on this score.
Senators who have visited the
President have without exception, SO
far as can be learned, assured him
that the senate appreciates his efforts
to preserve the peace under proper
conditions and have told him that
there is nc danger of ofprecipate action
in that body. They get the impres.
sion that if the worst comes, and if