Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-04-07
A FEW DAYS MORE.
Crisis in the Spanish Situation Is Ex-
pected This Week - The Presi-
dents Coming Message.


Washington, April 4.-The opinion
almost universally held in Washington
by leading public men and diplomatists
is that the crisis will reach its climax
this week and that the question of war
or peace will be determined within the
next seven days. Senator'S and repre-
sntatives met and conferred all day
Sunday about the gravity of the situ-
alton, and at the white house the pres
ident consulted with several members
of his cabinet and other confidential
advisers regarding the message which
he is preparing to send to congress. At
the state, war and navy buildings ac-
tive work was going on. and altogether
it was day of suppressed feelings.
No absolute day has been yet an
nounced when the message is to be sent
to congress, and all that seems to be
absolutely sure is that it will not go in
to-day; Tuesday, possibly, but more
probably Wednesday or perhaps Thurs
day. In addition to the physical work
of preparing the comprehensive docu-
ment upon which the president expects
W TSSC AHcIlCd . CdSG with Tic WOIlu
there are other reasons why those in
charge of the war preparations will
welcome every hours delay. War ma
terial which we have ordered abroad
is not yet shipped, and the factories in
this country, which are working day
and night making powder and pro-
jectiles, are anxious for delay. Some of
the factories in Connecticut with con-
tracts have telegraphed Representative
Hit urging all the delay possible. They
say every day now is precious.
There is still divergence of opinion
as to what the president will recon-
mend in his message; indeed, there
seems to be still question as to wheth-
er the president will make any specific
recommendations. Some of his most
intimate friends, however, assert en-
phatically that his recommendations
will be specific and vigorous, and such
that his party and the country could
willingly follow when he points the
way. One of these said that the presi-
dent in his strong desire for peace and
earnest hope that war might possibly
be avoided was yielding somewhat to
the sentiment of the leaders of his par
ty and the country. He has not given
up hope yet that hostilities may be
averted.
There are those who believe the pres
ident has not yet made up his mind is
to the exact course he will pursue, and
there seems to be a question as to
whether the consular reports and the
diplomatic correspondence is to be
transmitted with the message.
The suspense caused by delay in the
preparation of the message is very try
ing upon members of both houses, and
the most universally discussed question
in Washington is whether congress can
be restrained until the message is
transmitted. All realize the difficult
and arduous task of preparing our case
for the worlds inspection and the care
which must be exercised, and there
seems to be no disposition to "unduly"
hasten the president. The party lead
ers are extremely anxious to avoid a
breach with the executive, such as
would occur if congress were to take
the initiative. After a careful can
vass of the situation they believe the
radical republicans can be held in line
few days longer, until Wednesday
at least. The conference of republic
ans of the house who have been insist
! ing upon prompt action hold another
meeting tonight. While many of the m
are now in favor of giving the presi-
dent more leeway than they were last
week, it is realized that 25 republica n
votes in .he house would, with the dem
ocratic and populist votes be sufficient
to act. 1t can be pretty confidently as
serted that all the republicans of the
house, with possibly exceptions which
could be counted on the fingers of one
hand, can be controlled until Wednes-
day. After that what might happen if
the president asks for further delay is
predetermined.
Mr.. Cromwell (O.). for instance. who
says he hopes he will not be obliged to
part company with the president, says
he will vote with the democrats, if nee
essary to overrule the speaker, after
Wednesday. Mr.. Cooper (Wis.) has
made similar statement. The repub-
licans of the house committee on for.
eign affairs held informal meetings Sun.
day and practically agreed to report a
J resolution of tenor similar to that
agreed upon by the foreign relations
/ committee of the senate. The house
resolutions will probably follow the
language of those of the senate regard,
ing the blowing up of the Maine. These
resolutions will be practically agreed
upon by the committee to-day, but will
not be reported until the president
sends his message to congress, al
though there is at least one OF the lie.
publicans of the committee who is in
favor of formally reporting them to-
day. Mr.. Adams, the acting chairman
of the committee in the absence OF
Mr.. Hit, saw the president Sunday and
informed him of the probable action
Of the committee.
| ZOla's Sentence Quashed-
Paris, April 4.-The court of casa
ton has quashed the sentence of one
| raor,s iIppriSOnm eut and 3UOO francs