Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence OF the Alexandria Gazette.]
WASHINGTON, April 2.

The Senate committee on foreign re-
lations has practically agreed to accept
the recommendation of the sub-com-
mittee for resolution recognizing the
of Cuba and recommend
ing armed intervention if necessary to
secure it. This conclusion was reached
after session to-day, and so far as can
be learned there was no division of
opinion expressed in the committee as
TO the propriety of this course. Sena-
ators Gray, Daniel and Turpie, demo.
Gratis, were absent, but the opinion is
expressed that none of them will make
any opposition to the resolution.
The committee took steps to ascer-
tain whether the electric lights through
out Havana were extinguished sinful
taneously with the explosion. The
committee learned that the extinguish-
ment OF the lights actually occurred.
Exactly what bearing this had upon
the cause of the explosion is not ap'
parent. 1t may be that the terrific
shock caused an, atmospheric disturb
ance, disarranging the electric plant in
Havana, or that some inferenlial de.
auctions may be made to the electric
connections with submarine mine.
Very few members of Congress who
were seen early to-day believe there is
much hope of averting war, and those
who do base their belief solely upon
the groundless theory that Spain at
the last minute will yield. Most of
them look upon war as certainty and
already are discussing its probable du-
ration, cost, etc. The only thing that
seems to be established definitely re.
garding the Presidents message to
Congress on Monday or Tuesday is
that the President will not ask for fur
Their delay. Whether he will make a
specific recommendation or not seems
yet undetermined. He has said within
few Gays to prominent leaders of his
party that when he sent the case to
Congress be would share with that
body the responsibility for whatever
course was decided upon. On the other
hand there is an impression that the
President may wish Congress to as
sumo the initiative. "If he puts all
responsibility on Congress" said a
republican representative, sit will
sober that body, perhaps" The
prevailing belief is that he will
make a recommendation. There is
said to be an attempt on the part of
certain conservative senators to pre-
vent any stronger action by Congress
than the recognition of Cuban indie
pendence in the hope that the negotia-
tons may then be reopened and war
averted. But the prevailing sentiment
at this moment seems to be to 60 far
Their and enforce recognition by armed
intervention. This was the position
taken by Gen. Grosvenor of Ohio, In
his speech last Thursday. Gen. eros
venor says that if war is declared he is
in favor of authorizing the President to
call out 100000 men and use as many
as are necessary to make the war short,
sharp and decisive, The ultra con-
servatiyes are basing their opposition
to Intervention on the ground oil
SPANS recent revocation OF the recon.
centrado decree and her measures for
feeding and otherwise relieving their
! misery.
Atl1 O'Clock this morning Cabinet
officer said there was no change in the
sitnation from that shown by yester-
days developments and that he expect
ed events would move along the pres
ent lines until the Presidents message
was sent to Congress early the coming
week. The preparation of the message
was begun by President Mckinley at
an early hour this morning after long
conferences with his Cabinet advisers
and public men on the lines it should
take. The advice profered most urg-
emily upon the President has been re-
ccgnition of the Independence of Cuba
and Intervention at once. This course
has been urged especially by Senators
and members of the lower house. The
President has listened to all these views
but has not expressed his own so freely.
Representative Hull, chairman of the
military affairs committee, had brief
interview with Mr.. Mckinley relative
to the army reorganization bill. The
President expressed his desire that the
bill should be enacted into law at the
earliest possible moment and said that
it was wise to have it on the statute
books in readiness for carrying out its
war footing provisions in view of the
expected serious elimination of the
present crisis. Mr., Hull said the army
bill would doubtless be passed by the
House next Monday. There is much
significance in the early date fixed upon
for bringing the bill up in Congress.
The bill is an administration measure
and provides for the adoption of the
three battalion war formation in war
times. Secretary Long stated that there
had been no new developments,
1t is the present programme that the
bill for the reorganization of the army
shall be taken up and passed by the
House on Monday.
Although an appropriation bill in the
regular order would 60 to the commit
tee on appropriations, there is reason
for the belief that war revenue meas
ure has been under consideration by
the House ways and means committee,
and it is not altogether improbable that
q bill of this character may be intro
duced at the same time if it is not in
deed made a part of the expected bill
or resolution authorizing the President
to intervene torcibly to put stop to
hostilities in Cuba.
1t is the belief of persons who necess.
arily would be consulted in the matter
that legislation for an additional tax on
beer is almost certain, in the event of
hostilities, to be recommended to
Congress. Whisky, it is said, also