The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-20


for independence. Some time was also
given TO the consideration Of measures
for the national defence and the action or
Secretary Long in providing squadron
at Hampton Roads and another fleet, to
be composed Of monitors az Port Royal
S. c.. was heartily Endorsed.
Most important and significant ot all
however was the lack Of any indication
on the part Of the President TO yield 70
the persuasive influences Of Spanish d.
plomacv. This was especially gratifying.
as rumOrs OF the gravest nature Heated
through Washington even while the Caoi-
mel was in session. During the past three
or four DAYS stories TO the effect that the
administration was dickering with Spain
have been current. Yesterday they reach
Cd their climax. They were IN The ar.
Senators and Representatives talked OF
nothing else when they came together
and We'd with each other In expressions OF
honest Indignation. The reports were
given with much detail and were appar-
entity corroborated by much circumstan-
iial evidence. IL was recalled that the
President in his message TO Congress
had stated that Spain had not been asked
To grant Independence TO the Cubans' out
had been urged TO give them the largest
ment OF the Presidents position, when
taken in connection with General Gros-
yenor's significant interview that the Gu
hans would be secured "the equivalent OF
fndependence." and with Senator Proc
tors remarks as 20 the capacity of the
Cubans for home rule. led TO the general
belief that the President would agree to
allow Spain 10 continue her control OF the
island. provided she conceded a system OF
government such as the Canadians enjoy.
IL was known too, that the pressure
upon the President TO grant these conces-
sions 10 Spain has been something almost
too much for mortal man to Withstand.
II has come from every direction, az home
and abroad not only from the representa-
tives Of great financial interests but from
friends both within and without the Cab
met. The Spanish Minister. too, has been,
naturally. MIST active. lie has assured
this Government that Spain would grant
everything and anything 70 the insuF-
gents. provided that the Spanish nag
rigbf SIN nv over Cuba. Knowing all
this. and realizing the powerful extent OF
these influences. il is 20 wonder that the
leading men Of an parties who had hoped
that the President would do something 70
end the struggle and the starvation. were
IN despair
As the report spread that the President
would take no action toward securing
the freedom OF Cuba but would accept
the promises Of Spain. the Indignation
crew I'm proportion ~ needed only rev
minutes talk on the floor and in the cor
rld0rs % learn what would DE the puOh'
sentiment III the rumors should prove
true. Every member. almost without eN-
cepuon. was certain that it meant polit-
ical suicide for the President, ana DC
structi0n for the Republican party Ihe
mere pos ibiity that the President might
not. after all. DO anything for cuba, aIous-
ed Representative Mercer OF Nebraska,
the recent Secretary Of the Republican
Congressional Campaign Committee 10
the highest pitch OF excitement. Il can
not believe TO-" he said. but the maj
dccision does not rest with the President.
Congress viii act If the President does
not. We have constituencies 10 which we
must return and 10 which We must ans
wer. We are pledged 10 heip CIDa' "i"
help her We must
other members were equally emphatic
and more than one Republican congress
man went at once TO the President 10
learn whether the report had any foun-
datfon An Indiana member voiced the
continents OF his delegation when he SAID
that the abandonment OF the Cuban ques-
tom would render it unnecessary Tor MIN
% seek denomination.
The general sentiment against further
tomporizlpg being 50 strong. the fact that
the Cabinet did not consider any negotia-
,ions with Spain is an interesting ana
sioriacant indication 1he feeling In the
Cabinet. with the exception OF the views
held by two members. 10 als against any
delay. "The elections are too far OH
said a member Of the Cabinet yesterday,
when asked If the United States proposed
- he guided in its actions by the iact
mat alleged elections were 10 be held IN
Cuba
81, is suggested" said a Post represen-
.otive that the President Is now con-
sidering the propriety Of submitting 70
orh,tration the question OF veracity be-
tween the United states and Spanish ma
val courts. Is there foundation for such
a statement
III such "a thought was in the fresi-
dents mind" was the emphatic reply
~ think he would have called our atten-
lion 10 IL at the Cabinet meeting to-day
I assure you that he did not mention such
a contingency