The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-23
COUNSEL ASKED OF CONGRESS
PRESIDENT CALLS ALLISON AND
GORNIAN IN CONFERENCE.

dent Proposes to Maintain the
Most Friendly and Confidential Re
Iations with It-ENecutiVe and
Legislative Branches to Work in
Harmony In Dealing With spain.
Washington. March 22.-Another interest
ing and significant conference took place
at the White House to-day. Upon the in
vitation of the President, Senators ALI
son, of Iowa and German Of Maryland, rec
ognized leaders of the two great parties
in the Senate, called at the executive
mansion Immediately after the adjourn
ment of the cabinet meeting, it having
been determined at the cabinet meeting
that the Presidents message to Congress
will not be submitted until next week as
the report of the court of inquiry Is not eX-
pected to reach Washington before Thurs
day.
The President is not disposed ITO get
Congress on his hands" on the contrary,
he proposes to maintain the most friendly
and confidential relations with both Houses
of Congress, so that in dealing with the
pending complications with Spain, the ex-
ernment will work together "in double
harness.
Senator Allison and Senator German are
two of the most conservative men in the
Senate, and they WELD agpowerful infiu-
cnce with their associates. They were
invited TO the White House for the pur-
pose of fully informing them of the poll
icy of the administra ton in dealing with
gtti1f a nd 10 invoke the qnADneFa- -
ton of the Senate In considering the ques-
ton with due deliberation.
The conference lasted nearly an hour,
during which the subject was discussed
from every conceivable standpoint The
President indicated very clearly that lie
appreciates the gravity of the situatien,
and is anxious to secure the united sup
port of both the House and the Senate,
as well as the country generally, in any
step that he may be required TO take In
seeking an honorable adjustment Of the
pending difficulty. He was exceedingly
anxious to know just what the sentiment
of the Senate is regarding the subject OF
Independence in Cuba, and he asked his
visitors if they thought the recognition OF
Cuban Independence would bring to an
end the distressing state of affairs on the
island. He was informed that, while a
majority of the Senate is unquesuona Oily
in favor of Cuban independence, as was
demonstrated by the passage of more than
one resolution TO that effect there is a
very strong sentiment In that body IN IA
vor of Intervention. One Of the senatorial
conferees remarked that he feared the
case had gone beyond the point where any
practical results could he derived from the
recognition of Cuban independence. lie
went on to say that the whole civilized
world seems to be In sympathy with the
United states for It's humane effort IN
behalf OF the suffering Cubans All the
world has for several years past regarded
the United States as exercising a friendly
and humane protectorate over the Cuhans,
ana it seemed to him that nothing but
active Intervention Will meet the demands
of the situation.
The President was deeply impressed
with these statements, in which both Sen
ators Allison and German agreed ana ne
| cited numerous hypothetical cases when
might result from the recognition or Gu
ban indepence or active intervention py
the United States. The senatorial callers
fully appreciated the seriousness OF the
conditions attending either of the sugges-
tons offered, but they invariably came
back to the point that Intervention seems
to be the surest and most emphatic way
of dlsposlng of the greatly tangled and
complicated problem.
The horrors of probable war We're eiro
| considered, and the vast expense 10 tle
! American people was also reviewed Wllh
great seriousness. ID was Senator A.liFon'
who remarked that he feared the fIfS'
dent would need another s59,Ve,0 ,0CO and
probably a great deal more before the eno
is reached. The President was evidently
| disturbed by the frank and straighttor-
ward statements OF the senatorial visitors,
and he expressed the hope that the prop
lem might be adjusted without sfecoaFse
| to active Intervention. He said ne WdH
| proud of the fact that the req escnta'lVes
| of the people in both houses OF Congress
are giving the administration such loydl
and substantial support, ana hV expfesFcu
| .he hope that no act Of the eAeeu'N
world incite political aniagp ism or pro
vent united action in carrYiny on wint-
| ever line of policy may be adopted Tor the
/ benefit of the entire country.
| The rules Of the Senate were referred TO-
| and the question was raised whether therc
| would be any attempt to force discussion
| Of the general question in advance OF a
| request for action by the executive. in otn-
er words, the President proposes that Con
| gress shall have ample opportunity 10 ass
| cuss the whole subject from every stand
! po.nt and take such action as II may deeU
wise and proper under the circumstances
II IS his earnest desire, however, that we
| shall have right on our side, and not IN
| dulge in any premature act which might
| Interfere with the wisest and most judi
! clous adjustment Of the difficulty. The
/ President understands that the rules OF the
| Senate permit the greatest freedom of de-
| bate but 1t is not believed that there IL a
| disposition on the part OF amy senator e
| hamper or in any way embarrass the ad-
ministraton in trying TO put an end 70 the
/ pon1ftfong existing IA
| cuba. BY taking the representatives oi
| both branches Of Congress into his confi-
! dence. the President has played strong
! and a popular hand His congressional ex-
| perience taught him that the members ol
the Senate and House do not resent being
called upon by the executive for advice and
| counsel In such emergencies, and by secur-
| ing the cordial co-opera ton Of the national
| legislature he can proceed with greater
| confidence i'm the performance OF the deli
cate duty imposed upon him.