The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1898-04-30

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the two houses known in many years
congress at an early hour this morn
ing came to an agreement upon the
most momentous question it has dealt
with in a third of a century. The
Cuban resolution was passed and will
be sent to the president this morning.
Its provisions mean the expulsion OF
| Spain from the Island Of Cuba by the
armed forces of the United States.
There were many roll calls in both
houses and each body held tenacious
ly for it's own resolution. The con-
! ferees had great difficulty in agreeing.
The first conference showed a deter
mination on the part of the house not
to yield a single point, and it was
only after long consultations with the
house leaders that they agreed to al
low the little words "are, and'' In the
first section of the senate resolution,
which declares that the people Of
Cuba are, and Of right ought to be
free and Independent. The resolution
as finally adopted is that reported
from the senate committee on foreign
relations, with the addition of the
fourth section, known rs the Teller
amendment, disclaiming any intention
on the part of the United States to ac-
quire Cuba.
TOcsin Of War Sounded.
The tocsin of war has been sounded
by the American congress. At 1:15
O'Clock this morning the senate re-
ceived the report of the conference
committe of the two branches of the,
congress and twelve minutes after
ward had adopted it. There was a
fight to the last minute, however, the
advocates of recognition of the indie
pendence of the island republic stand
ing their ground until they were fairly
knocked down by a vote of 40 to 30.
The minority vote was cast by those
who wanted radical action and in
sisted that the resolution should carry
with it recognition Of the independence
Of the Cuban republio.@-r---~--
Upon this a split developed which
very nearly proved fatal to any action
at all. The adoption of the confer
ence report brought to a close n of
the most interesting and tumultuOus
sessions of the senate held in years.
Such scenes of confusion and excite
ment have rarely been witnessed in
the ordinarily staid and dignitied body
as characterized it's proceedings from
noon yesterday until nearly 2 o'clock
this morning. Interest in all other
questions was dwarfed into insignih-
canoe by the one overwhelming
Question of War-War
which all now regard to be absolutely
inevitable. Efforts were made to
transact the regular business of the
senate but it was with the utmost
diftidence that senators performed the
work. Among those who remained
upon the floor while the sundry civil
bill was under consideration the con-
fusion was so great that business could
scarcely proceed. Notwithstanding
the vice presidents earnest and on
slant effort to preserve order; the
members gathered in groups about the
chamber, excitedly discussing the
various phases Of the question of the
hour.
A feeling of bitterness grew up be-
tween the senate and the house during
the late afternoon and evening that
at one time seemed likely to delay ac-
ton. Cooler counsels prevailed, how
ever, and a determination of the mo-
mentous question was finally reached.
Those who were fighting for recogni-
ton of the island republic early de-
cided that the senate. should not take
the initiative in requesting "a confer.
ence between the two houses. ~ They.
further resolved that when the senate
conferees were finally appointed at
least two of them should represent
h Majority of Sentiment. -
of that body. The radical advocates !:
of independence slowly, but none the
less surelysslost ground, however, be-
ing swept back by the powerful and.
compact minority opposed to Them:
They yielded only after one .of.~the.
bitterest contests in the history Of the
senate. They c%apitulated but did not
surrender. The scene in the senate
even up to the minute Of adjournment
was one of wonderful beauty and i'm
pressiveness. Hundreds Of brilliantly
attired w0men and men in evening
dress filled the galleries. On the floor
were the makers of the country''s. his
tory awaiting the verdict from the
conference. committee. When finally
1t. came there was a hush in the great
chamber which@'a few seconds before
had been thrilling. with animation.
When the verdict. had been returned,
and accepted by the senate the great
audience dispersed-dlsperse quietly.
almost solemnly., Alsrealized that the
verdict meant war and the action
taken was. too wOmentOus to. inspire
anything. less than awe.
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