Evening star., 1898-03-25
DIRECT INTERVENTION
That is believed to Be Contemplated at the
Earliest Hour Practicable.
Feeling I'm Congressional Circles That
the Crisis In the Cuban Ques-
ton is Very Near.


that the crisis is about at hand, and
the numerous interviews the President has
had within the past two days with men of
both parties in Congress practically have
removed all doubt that direct interven-
ton is conteE plated at the earliest hour
Practicable 1t is understood that the
President has not said directly what course
he intends to follow or when he intends to
act but he has indicated that there are
further preparations this country should
make before facing war, and has been
sclicitous to know how much delay would
be approved of by Congress and to get the
judgment of men of discretion as to
whether more is to be gained by prompt
ness or py delay. 1t is represented that
there are some of our coast defenses that
ought to be further improved before en-
tering upon hostillties, burt, at the same
time, there is something to be gained from
Il military point of view by prompt action.
The President is weighing the two sides
cf the question against each otner, and
the opinion prevails that he will decide
in favor of promptneSS. The state OF pup
lie sentiment, the imratience of Congress,
the sailing of the Spanish torpedo neet
from the Canaries and the rapid approach
of the rainy season are arguments for
promptness of action which weigh against
such defects as there are in our preoa-
ration in the way of mounting coast guns.
Advantage Oh prompt ActAOn.
Prompt action is expected to bring a
speedy termination, whereas if we wait to
be thoroughly prerared The same degree
of preparation will be in progress on the
part of the Spanish government, and the
struggle may be more severe and longer
protracte1 by reason of both countries be-
ing stronger. The relative strength might
not be materially changed in thirty days
more of preparation.
The danger of an outbreak of impatience
in Congress is less ened by the Presidents
having called in democrats for consulta-
ton, yet advice against delay is general
If it were made very plain delay were alb
soluely necessary for preparation and that
a definite policy had been adopted and
would be carried out at the earliest prac-
ticable moment, it is believed that, as i'm
patient as Congress is. there would be no
attempt to force the President to prema-
tire action. The general sentiment OF Con-
gless is, however, that there is more to
be lost than gaired by delay, and this is
understood to be the general tone of the
advice given the President by the mem
bers of the Senate and House, whose opin-
ions have been sought.
Relief RS the Initial Step.
The proposition to conine Intervention to
the sending of supplies to the island by
this government is not popular in Con-
gTess. 1t is agreed that government relief
must be sent to the island, but it is insist
ed that fighting between the Spanish and
the insurgents shall not continue while this
relief is being sent. 1t is said that the peo-
pie of Cuba must be fed while they plant.
but that they must not fight while being
fed by this government. The relief, it is
very generally insisted, should be coupled
with an Intervention which will send the
Spanish soldiers from the island and give
Cuba her liberty. 1t is not believed that
Spain will permit the relief to be sent
without a fight. but still the wisdom of
making relief the initial step by this coun-
try is doubted by many in Congress.
1t has become a fixed conviction in con-
gressional circles that the crisis will come
few days after the receipt of the Maine
report by Congress- but that there will be
TO outbreak in Congress when that reDort
is presented. no matter what it sets forth.
The report will go to committee and a rea-
scnable time will be allowed for action.
The understanding arrived at between the
President and men in both houses will pre-
vent h2sty action. In the ordinary
course OF events it is expected that definite
action, which will culminate in war or will
break the Spanish power in Cuba will
come before the close of next week.
Possibilities of Conflict
Information as to the intention of the
President in the line of relief intervention,
however, opens up the possibility that the
conflict may be hastened by events outside
of Congress, and that when Congress
comes to deal with the question hostilities
may be already on. 1t is said that the
President intends to send relief at once, in
advance of sending a message to Congress,
and that the supplies to be sent, with
out the assent of Spain, in war vessel
and under an escort Of troops. The pro-
ceeding of the Spanish torpedo fleet on
their way to Havana from the Canaries is
regarded as a hostile move, and 1t Is likely
that there will be resistance by Spain to
the landing of provisions from our war
vessels. If there is such resistance that
will be regarded as the opening of hostili-
ties, and steps will be taken at once, it is
said, to intercept the torpedo fleet.