The herald., 1898-04-07

| ence, and it was found that there would be
important difficulties in the way of pur-
suing this course as some of the members
| appeared quite determined not to consent
| to reconsideration of the first decision
| to incorporate both the independence and
| the Intervention features in the resolution.
The members who had been present at
| yesterdays executive session of the Sen
| ate reported an evident determination on
| the part of members to embody the inde-
A.! pendence feature in whatever resolution
might be reported, or at least secure a divi-
| sion Of the Senate on this point.
| On the other hand, It was contended that
only the President could recognize inde-
pendence under the constitution and It was
asked what course Senators, who still ad-
vocated independence, would pursue when
confronted with a demand to have Con-
gress take this step. The reply was that
they could vote for a resolution, still leav-
ing it to the President to sign or execute
it as he saw fit. 1t was urged that If the
United States recognize independence, and
then go to war to secure it, and succeeded
in defeating and driving the Spaniards out
of Cuba, We would still be iu position to
dictate our own terms with the Cubans.
The claim was also made that the United
States was stronger before the civilized
world in not appearing to want to annex
the island and it was asserted that this
appearance would be greatly strengthen
ed by the adoption of policy looking to
the independence of the Cuban republic.
The committee took recess at twelve
o'clock without reaching any conclusion.
The exchange Of opinion among members
rendered it quite evident that majority
of the committee are opposed to eliminat-
ing the clause for indepenaence and the
friends of that form of expression were
confident that when the report should come
to be made it would be, as first determined
upon, for the Foraker resolutions declar-
ing for the recognition of Cuban indepen-
dence and for armed intervention. The
conclusion will not, however. be officially
announced until the message is referred to
the committee and formally considered.
The expression of opinion among mem
| bers developed the fact that Senators Frye
and Lodge stand alone in thinking that a
change should be made. eliminating inde-
pendence from the Cuban resolution. The
remaining nine members of the committee
composed of four Republicans and five
Democrats will stand by the committees S
VI lS!iidl bcN4oipA iOl DOlA
and intervention unless there should be
some change from present conditions be-
fore the vote is taken. 1t is the expecta.
ton that the report will be made upon
the assembling Of the Senate tomorrow.
DIssIDENT MEMBERS
WASHINGTON, April 6.-The Republi-
can conference, which has been opposed to
delay in the Cuban m1tter, met at 1880 a. m.
today. About eighty or ninety Republi-
cans were present. ThAye were some very
heated speeches made.
Mr. Tawney of Minnesota favored Re-
publican caucus instead of a conference.
In making motion to that effect, he gave
as his reasons that in case of any consid-
cradle number of the members not agree
ing with the President on the policy out
lined in his message, action should be
taken by the Republican organization of
the House. His plan was to have a special
committee appointed with power to call
a caucps IL in its judgment such course
was considered advisable when the mes
sage should be received
Mr. Mercer of Nebraska supported SUBJ
stitute for a conference instead of cau-
Gus, to which all Republicans should be in
vited. The plan was agreed to.
The hour for holding the conference
caused a slight division, but eight o'clock
in the hall of the House was finally de-.
cided upon.
Mr.. Colsen (Rep.) of Kentucky left the
meeting while it was still in progress. I'VE
Iare still in the dark" he declared in dis
gusted tone. I'VE do not knew what the
message will be, and as it is to come in
today we will have to wait to dcaide upon
our course"
No proposition was presented to tae con-
ference, but the tons of the speeches was
lin favor of vigorous actissa If the Presi-
dents message did not meet expectations.