The Portland daily press., 1898-03-25
GOES THE PRESIDENT WAIVER Z?
Absurd Proposition of Attempt to Buy
Cuba Attributed to Him.

Cuba Attributed to Him.
Washington, March "a. Senators who
have talked with the President say that
it is quite probable that on Wednesday or
Thursday of next week d message may
be sent in by the President upon the gen.
eral situation in Cuba, which will be
treated separate and distinct from the
Maine disaster. These Senators also say
that while preparations for an emergency
are steadily going forward, that the
President hopes for peaceful settlement
Of the Cuban questions. a
b. The President said to the Senators that
he would like to see the Cubans obtain
[their Independence by purchase and he
intimated that he would be even willing
that they should agree to pay stated an
nuity to Spain, recognizing to this slight
degree the suzeranity of the mother
country, but he said at the same time that
he recognized the difficulties in the way
of this procedure because of the disincli-
nation of the Spanish authorities to con-
slider it. Still the visitors obtained the
impression that he had concluded at least
to make an effort in that dire, ,tion. They
are of the opinion that if this negotiation
should fail the President would resort to
intervention rather than to a recognition
of either belligerent rights or the indie
pendence of the island. They do not con-
.sidersthat tie President would. hesitate
at recognizing either belligereEcy or in
dependence except for the reason that he
believes neither would accomplish the re-
suit of relieving the suffering, which is
the first end he has in view.
The Democratic Senators talked frank
ly with the President in regard to the
political aspect of the situation. They
told him Of the report current about Con-
eress to the effect that the Cuban situa-
ton was being manipulated with the
view of improving the fortunes of the Re-
publican party, saying to him that il
such was the case, and if war were pro-
voked for this reason the reaction would
be against the party. To this the Presi-
dent replied that he fully realized this
fact and that he did not intend to be
sweryed one hairs breadth in his purpose
'by political considerations. u l5.e
The conservative Senators say. that the
President is to be given an opportunity
TO carry out his plans and 1t is now GER
tain that no hasty action without the
wish of the President will be taken by
the Senate "a There has been considerable
work done among Senators and the result
Of a general canvas leads the ooDserva-
tives to believe that the sentiment in
favor of moving with care and refrlnging
from forcing the President to act in ad-
vance OF his own judgment is growing.
ANY attempt to bring about congressional
action contrary to the wish of the Presi-
dent. they say will be most thoroughly
debated.
ssThere will be no party action" said
one of the conservative Senators, land
while the President will be supported
when he makes a request, attempts to
force anything through the Senate will
be resisted The Senate will not be swept
off it's feet, but is ready to act in any
emergency.
Although during the last month and
more. the President has been at his desk
every day and far into the night, his
callers often remark the fact that this
heavy burden of care and work does not
show in his face or appear to affect his
health. A prominent caller in leaving
the White House today said he had never
seen the President In more buoyant spirits
or at time when he seemed more free
| from care. Among the callers today were
Secretary Gage and Senators Quay, Garter
| snd Jones Of Arkansas. Their business,
however, was, stated to be largely personal
without significance. sn5as
!. LOOKING FOR A NAVY.
Berlin, March 24.-Lieut. Commander
Niblaok, the United States naval attache
here and at Rome, who has returned from
Italy, has visited the Schichau at Elbipg,
where he is negotiating for a torpedo
boat. He goes to Kiel tonight where he
hopes to find several available vessels
and will then return to Italy, where he
ia negotiating for a number of Italian
ships. Commander Niblack has been
seriously hampered in his work by specu-
lators, Americans and foreigners. who
have secured options on vessels building.
WEGET OUR MONITOR.
Washington. March 2i.-The old single
turreted monitor Montauk has been or.
dered from League Island navy yard tc
Portland, Me.