Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-12
CONGRESS HAS
THE MESSAGE.
1t Was Read to Both Houses
Shortly After Noon.
THEN REFERRED WITHOUT DEBATE


Mines Were Purchased For Havana
Harbor-Bids For Supplies Called For
by Government-Other News of War
Preparation.
Washington. April 11.-President Nc
Kinley's message was sent in to congress
shortly afternoon noon today. Its read
ing was concluded in the house at 1880
p. m. It was greeted with scattering
applause from the Republican side and
some groans from the Democratic side.
The galleries made no demonstration.
The message was referred to the COM
mittee on foreign AFFAIRS and without de-
bate and the house proceeded with dis
trict business.
Washington. April 11.-President Nc
Kinley announced positively shortly be-
fore 10 o'clock this morning that his
message would be submitted to congress
promptly today.
Several members OF the cabinet came
/
him before the document went out OF his
possession and into the legislative hands
| but there was no cabinet session, the
| visits of some OF the members being in
the nature of individual interviews. Sec
rotary Alger came over few minutes
after o'clock and while he was still with
the president Secretary Bliss arrived
and Joined in the conference.
| Just before this Senator Pritchard and
Representative Skinner of North Caro-
lima had an interview with the president
and urged provision for an adequate
system of coast defenses along the Caro-
| lima sea front.
The president was at work very early
and, conscious of the few hours remain
| Ing before a document whose submission
to the country might mean war, was to
be made public had some further con-
sultation about the situation.
| Meantime the White House had been
ordered closed to visitors but the prepa-
rations went ahead for the opening of
the grounds to thousands of Washing
| ton youth for their annual egg rolling
| festival, and at 10 o'clock the gates were
| opened for this purpose. Threatening
| skies and an occasional drop OF rain
| made the outlook for the children not
altogether promising. although the in
dications were that rain might be de-
ferred at least till into the afternoon.
There was an informal meeting of a
majority of the members of the cabinet
shortly after 10 o'clock. Those in the
conference comprised Assistant Secre-
for m 4
ger. Secretary Bliss and Attorney Gen.
eral Griggs Together they went over
the situation and outlook again very
thoroughly and talked over the most
recent action of the Spanish govern
ment. The president before enterins
into this informal last general consul-
tation summoned Representative Heat
wole of Minnesota. member of the
housed ommittee on foreign affairs, whose
Views he was DESTROYS to have. Mr..
Heatwole declined to discuss what the
president had to say but 1t is known
there were no new developments in the
matter brought up. Mr.. Heatwole sug-
gested that 1t was likely the Cuban mat
ter would follow the prescribed course in
congress by reference and report from
the committeean that congress would
not be slow to act.
Senator Davis was early at his com
mittee room today and different men,
bers of the committee on foreign rela-
lions came in to discuss the situation
with him and to consult as to the differ |
ent situation which confronts congress.
The committee is still somewhat un-
decided upon the exact form of the reso-
luton to be reported and may not come
to definite conclusion before tomorrow
as to its precise work 1t now looks as |
IL not only the recognition of the pres |
ent government of Cuba would be elimi |
mated but as if the language of the other |
portions of the Foraker resolution. which |
II was at first decided to retain. would |
also be abandoned and new resolution
reported.
The resolution has already been draft
ed. 1t was the result of the numer- |
Gus conferences that have been in prog |
ress for the past week between men,
bers of the committee and other proni-
nent senators. and is intended as a COM
promise measure upon which It is hoped |
almost all the senators. Irrespective of
party. can agree. This draft instructs
the president to take Immediate stems
to put an end to the war in Cuba and
leaves most of the details to him. II in
directly recognizes the right of the C,,-
bans to independence. and while It does
much inferentially. is couched in tern,s
which 1t is believed win lend themselves
more easily to diplomatic constructfo,
than would those of the first draft agreed
upon.
The state department today received
General Blanco's proclamation ordering
a cessation Of hostilities in Cuba. II was
caoled to the Spanish minister here and
oy MN delivered to the department The
proclamation is as follows:
His majesty's government. vield,ng
to the reiterated wish expressed bv his
holiness. the pope. has been pleased 70
decree suspension of hostilities vitb
the object Of preparing and faciIifatins
the restoration OF peace on this island
IN ~ vr-1r T -