The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-11
Prologue TO the Great Drama In
TOday'S Lower Congress.
THE HISTORICAL MESSAGE
WILL BE REFERRED TO COMMIT
TEE WITHOUT DEBATE.
Committee Will Report Tuesday, and
Then Commences the Making of
History-Position of Both Parties
On the Cuban Resolution-Predic-
tons of Harmony.

Washington, April 1O.-Upon the pre-
sumption that SPANS offer of an ar
mistice to the Cuban insurgents will
make no change in the plans of the adj
ministration and that the presidents
message will go to congress tomorrow,
the house this week will make history
In anticipation of stirring scenes and
mementous action. every congressman
has been besieged by hundreds of
friends for tickets to the reserved gal
leries, and the general multitude that
must take its chances in the pubic
galleries on the principle of first come
first served are prepared to assault the
capitol at dawn tomorrow. 1t is likely
that hundreds will camp out on the
marble steps all night, so intense is the
desire to be present when the message
is read.
PROLOGUE TO THE DRAMA
The public generally regards the mes
sage as the prologue to a drama which
may end in war before the curtain goes
down. After the message is read to-
morrow 1t will probably be referred to
the committee on foreign relations
without debate. Such is the pro-
gramme to which both sides nave prac-
tically assented, with the tacit UNDER
standing that the committee will re-
port on Tuesday the resolutions upon
which the house will be expected to act.
Any individual attempt to Illustrate
this part of the programme will prove
abortive.
GRAVITY OF SITUATION.
With the gravity of the situation
confronting them, members on both
sides have been sobered and seem i'm
pressed with the idea that things
should proceed in a regular and or
derby way. 1t seems almost certain
now that there will be a conflict, both
in the committee and the house. as TO
the nature of the resolutions upon
which the house will be called upon TO
act. Individual views vary greatly
from those who desire direct declara-
ton of war based on the theory that
the blowing up of the Maine was hos
tile act. and a few who are opposed to
any action whatever. But the real
contest, of course, will be between
those who desire to follow what is now
generally accepted as the presidents
recommendation. armed Intervention.
and those who desire the recognition OF
the Cuban republic.
POSITION OF PARTIES.
The Democrats, both of the commit
tee and the house, have taken an I'M
euuivocal position for the recognition
of independence, although there Is
difference of opinion as to whether IN
PREVENTION should follow. majority
of the Republicans of the committee
have within a few days declared them
selves for Intervention and indepen-
dence Two of them, Messrs. Quigg OF
New York and Henry of Indiana, while
they do not favor recognition OF the
existing republic, have earnestly advo-
Gated a declaration TO the effect that
SPANS dominion on the island cease,
leaving TO the future the question OF the
actual government Of the island. But
in the desire of the Republicans of both
houses to secure harpony of action,
some of the advocates Of independence
have about come to the conclusion that
the difference between armed interview
ton and recognition is more technical
than substantial, as unless the island
should be annexed. to which they are
opposed, a republican form of govern
ment for the island must follow. 1t
seems probable that existing differences
may, at least to some extent, be adj
iusted and whether all the Republicans
agree to a resolution declaring for in
terventior Only or not such resolution
will be reported.
MINORITY RESOLUTION.
1t seems equally certain that reso
luton for independence possibly
coupled with Intervention will be pre-
scented by the minority. No definite ar
rangements have yet been made as to
the debate. but there seems to be no
demand for prolonged time. Mr.. Bailey.
of the minority. thinks two days ought
TO suffice and some of the Republicans
think our action would be strengthened
if there were no debate at ALL Two
days seems to be the general opinion
as to the length of the debate. There
probably viii be considerable pressure
for time for brief speeches. Many
members desire to bury their hatchets
in the painted war post. But there is
a solid ground for difference, as the
character of the resolutions and the
question as TO the possible liability of
the United States for the Spanish bonds
based on the Cuban revenues. in the
event of intervention, without recogni-
ton, will be thoroughly discussed.
Whatever time is not occupied by the