New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-06
WORKS
Violet OrriS
SENTIMENT IN THE HOUSE.
INTERVENTION IN CUBA STILL FAVORED
BY MAJORITY.
MANY MEMBERS REGARD WAR As PROBABLE
ANXIETY FOR AMERICANS IN THE ISLAND

MANY MEMBERS REGARD WAR As FkobAhi'-
ANXIETY FOR AMERICANS IN THE ISLAND
fnr TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRInrSEl
Washington April 5-There was no public
war talk" in the House of Representatives. TO-
day. but in private conversation among 'h'
members little else was thought or talked ABOUT
except the Cuban question and the prospect OF
war between the United States and SPAN. As
to the latter. many regarded il as imminent ana
the faces Of the leaders irrespective o; party
wore expressions OF grave thought and anxiety
and also OF firm determination. IF there had
been any favorable change Of thought or scnti-
ment in response TO outside appeals in behaif
OF peace II wes not shown either N the counte-
nances or conversations Of the men who had
received them They declared over and over
again, with as much apparent sincerity "a they
did last week. that If Spain did not cvacuate
and relinquish Cuba war was inevitable
Mos, OF the Republicans who were seen by
Tribune correspondent also declared that, In
their opinion. tho mere patching up Of truce
between Spain and the insurgents should not
In the least affect the policy Of the United
States A majority Of them Seemed disposed to
favor immediate Intervention TO restore order
and peace In Cuba and strongly inclined 10
recognize independence.
On the other hand. many Democratic Repre-
sentatves are s:rong'y inclined to the view tina;
the recognition OF Cuban independence alone
is required to solve the question. and Mr. Bailey
was again to-day trying 70 rally his followers
to his standard with the war cry: Independence
but no intervention" The success failure OF
his partisan labors will be seen hereafter.
A decided impression was produced on mem
bers OF the House. irrespective Of party by the
report that Consul-General Lee had advised
the Secretary Of State that the lives Of Ameri-
can citizens. including officia! representatives
Of the United States would be in peril II they
should remain in Cuba after host!lites began
or war declared by Spain. and that all or
them could not be placed in safcty before sun
day. Democrats. as well as Republicans. agreed
that II this report vas true preclptate action
by Congress. which might resu; In an outbreak
In which the lives of peaceable and unarmed
American citizens would he sacrificed. must he
avoided. In view Of this, II appeared probable
that the Presidents message would he referred
10 the Committee on Foreign Affairs and not
be Immediately brought back with a report. but
that the latter would be withheld perhaps until
Monday. This matter Il was understood, was
the subject OF a conference ~ the members OF
the committee late this afternoon, In which
Consul General Lees dispatch was discussed
The committee would not have been prepared
to report tomorrow In any event.
II held q special meeting t"-day and heard
statements 10y Captain SiSstee Rear Admiral
that in his opinion the Maine was destroyed by
a submarine mine placed IN position 10y the
Spanish authorities over which tho ship 0as
nlcored Al place seldom occupied by any vessel
would have produced sensation IN the com
m!ttee bat for the fact that every member Of II
had held the same opinion ever since he read the
report Of the Court Of Inquiry and the testimony
on which Il was based. In any report the COM
mittee may make the destruction OF the Maine
is likely 10 cut large figure.
There have been frequent Informal conferences
between members ~ the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations and Il the House Committee
on Foreign Affairs since Saturday, md II Is
understood that d thorough understanding has
been reached which Will enable the commit tees
10 act in concert when the proper time arrives.
Members OF he Committee OF Eleven appointed
by the conference Of Republican Representa-
tives who favor prompt and aggressive action,
have also conferred to-day with Republican
members Of both tho committees mentioned.
with view to concerted action. Chairman Hop
kins and Secretary Joy. OF the Committee u
Eleven are TO have a conference with President
Mckinley early tomorrow morning. The result
II which they will report 10 the conference Of
Republican Representatives which Is 20 be held
at 0:3O a. m. In case Messrs. Hopkins and JOY
report that further time is necessary IN order
to secure the safety OF American citizens In
Cuba, the conference will undoubtedly ratify
I the report.