Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-15
CONDITIONS UNCHANGED
The Feeling in Congress in Regard to the
Cuban Question
Many RumOrs AMOat The Adjourn
ment Story Not Reliable-The Court
of Inquiry Report.


both houses of Congress who aim to keep
themselves posted from day to day as to
the developments of the situation. there has
been no change in conditions. The Cuban
question has been developing steadily along
the lines which have been apparent for
more than week. The preparations for
war are goirg on with all possible energy,
and nothing has occurred to render the
aspect Of affairs less serious, except that
the better prepared this country is for war
the greater becomes the hope that Spain
will act with some degree OF wisdom The
fact that this government has purchased
the two Brazilian cruisers gives more prom
Use of peace than would thei: purchase by
Spain. The fact that we are able to make
such effective preparations for war in a
short time. while Spain's best efforts make
but slow progress is also an argument for
Spain to be more reasonaoie than TO torce
war upon u.s. According to the most re-
liable information, it is in this way only
that the situation has become more satis-
factory. There is no change In the situa-
tion that can be foreseen until the report of
the board of inquiry has been received.
After that developments are expected to be
rapid.
Meanwhile rumors Of all sorts are started
by men with theories and men who have
some selfish aim to advance.
Most of the reports relate to impossible
conditions and things which could not have
any influence upoE the main issue. The
report that a syndicate is ready to put up
the money for Cuba to buy her iD6epen-
deDce is rot credited by the best informed
rien in Congress, and If 1T were true, 1t Is
said, 1t would not materially change the
aspect of affairs. There Is no indication
that Spain will charge from the position
OF not being willing to part with Cuba un-
der any conditions least of all for money.
Nor would the willingness of certain
wealthy men to make investments in Cuba
have any relation to the, Maine disaster.
1t is pointed out that none of these sug-
gestions affect the fact that it lies with
Spain to determine whether she is going
t. make war necessary, and that the policy
of this government is straightforward and
does not necessarily involve war. 1t is A
known fact that the Cubans would not re-
fuse to assume a part of the Spanish debt
upon the island, and that they would be
glad to avail themselves of guarantee Of
their bonds either by this government or
by private capitalists. 1t is held, how
ever, that if this government Is not going
to give up the guarantee itself it cannot
base negotiations on the private transac-
tic MS of individuals, but that the recogni-
tion of independence of Cuba by this gov
ernment must come independently of any
financial deal the Cuban private parties
may enter into with Spain. The whole
thing is regarded as ofya piece with the
many other suggestions of settlement
clared a sure thing by their authors
The Adjournment Story.
On par with this is tile story that the
democrats in Congress are seeking to force
an adjournment of Congress before any
thing is done in the Cuban matter. The
fact is. as disclosed in conversations with
mary men in both houses of Congress, that
there is no party division on the question
of the present crisis, but the democrats
almost to man are opposed to an ad-
journment until the policy of the Presi-
dent is definitely announced Many, and
probably most, of the republicans occupy
the same position. A few men, not distin-
sCished on party lines, are anxious that
Congress should adjourn, leaving the Cuban
question unsettled. These are ultra peace
men; men who are for peace al any price
The position generally assumed is that the
President having the support of Congress,
is going to follow out policy which will
be satisfactory to Congress. If this as
sumption is correct there is believed to be
reason why Congress should be in session
until it IS shown that there will be nothing
for it to do; If the assumption is incorrect,
then there will be a strong disposition on
the part OF Congress, to take some action
respecting Cuba.
Senator Jones of Arkansas, the democrat
ic leader of the Senate, said today that he
had heard Of no such thing democrats
trying to force an adjournment, and that
the suggestion was absurd.
The Court of Inquiry Report.
Among the reports is one that the board
OF inquiry is to hold back it's report for
long time at the suggestion of the admins
tration. Men in Congress who are in
touch with the administration insist that
the President is not trying to control OF in
fluence the court of inquiry in any way
whatever, and that he is as desirous of an
early report is any one.
The announcement that the Spanish tor
pedo fleet has sailed for Cuba confirms the
belief Of officials that the statement that
this fleet was not to sail was put out for
the purpose Of deceiving this government
1t is regarded as unfortunate, If war is to
ccme, that this fleet should be permitted
to get safely across the sea and strengthen
the defense of Havana.