The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-01
WILL WAIT TILL MONDAY.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Delaying Its Report.

Delaying Its Report.
WASHINGTON, March 31.-The Senate
committee on foreign relations held two ses-
sions to-day The first meeting began at IL
a. m. The general question of the Cuban
situation was taken up Immediately on Sc
curing a quorum, especial attention being
given to the proposition to purchase the
Danish island of ST. Thomas. The commit
tee discussed at some length the acquisition
of the island, but no action was taken.
Considerable opposition developed to the
proposition, it being asserted that the
islands could be of no possible use at the
present time, as they could not be made
available for war with Spain.
The committee does not expect to attempt
to make report until Monday on the
Cuban situation, as it will wait absolutely
upon the Presidents wishes until that
time. The committee is proceeding in per-
feet harmony with the President, and will
do so to the end The committee, it is
stated by its members, is proceeding on alb
solute information as to the character of
the negotiations between this country and
Spain, and this is to the effect that the in
dependence of Cuba is made the one essen
tial consideration of the negotiations. The
President has told Spain in so many words
understanding. With this end in view and
conceded by Spain, he will not attempt to
dictate terms or the manner of conducting
negotiations between the Spaniards and the
Cubans, and he has indicated to Spain that
he will be willing that an armistice shall be
arranged for the settlement of the details
1t is the desire of the administration not to
put the matter so harShly as to prick the
national pride of the Spanish people, but at
CO nj oil in 10
there can be no doubt of the one essential
consideration Having this assurance, the
committee is proceeding deliberately and
with no desire unnecessarily to press the
question of the form of a resolution to be
brought in until it is necessary to decide
that point, which can be done in very few
moments. Indeed, it is the expectation that
the President himself by Monday will indi-
cate the action he would like to have Con-
gresS take in case of the failure of his dip
Iomacy and the present inclination of the
committee rs to follow his leadership in this
respect This inclination Is due to the fact,
however, that the committee, in this event,
will be prepared for armed Intervention to
secure the freedom of the Cubans. The
committee is not counting confidently on
being called on to make a declaration to
this end, but it is preparing for it, and, it is
stated, will have the facts in it's possession
Captain Sigsbee, of the Maine and Capt
Barker, Secretary Longs naval aid, who
went to Key West after the explosion on
behalf of the department, were before the
committee for an hour at the afternoon
sitting. Both We're examined in detail in
regard to the condition and strength of our
navy in the vicinity of Havana, and Captain
Sigsbee was questioned as to his opinion
and knowledge of the Maine catastrophe
His story was not materially different from
that detailed to the naval court of inquiry,
but the fact that it was given personally
to the members of the committee and in
cluded personal deductions, made a visible
impression upon the members. Captain
SigSbee did not express a conviction in so
many words that the disaster was the re-
nf rI10rx
put after the committee had con-
bers expressed his belief that the ex-
plosion was due to that agency. The pur-
pose in taking the testimony of these naval
officers is to incorporate their statements in
report the committee will make in case
for Intervention. This report will be in the
nature of a statement to the country justi-
Tying the position taken, and it is con-
sidered desirable to support this with an
array of pertinent facts which will go far
to convince the American people and the
civilized world of the justice of the course
taken.
When the report circulated during the
rejected the proposals of the intel States
was brought to the attention of the COM
mittee, Senator Davis went to the Senate
chamber and asked that there should be
no adjournment until Monday as had been
contemplated. This led to the surmise that
iE case Spain's refusal had been verified
the committee might bring in it's report to-
morrow. 1t was stated later, however, that
the committee had not changed it's plans
and that it probably would wait on the
President at least until Monday if he should
desire There is no doubt that the COM
mittee is prepared to report very speedily
in case it should feel called upon to do so.
There has been no poll of the committee
and no formulation of a resolution, but
there has been very general expression
of views. This expression has so far taken
the shape OF recognition of the indie
pendence of the Cubans, together with a
declaration for intervention sufficient to
guarantee this independence, and the best
opinion is that such a resolution will be
the ultimate result of the committees de-
alterations If Spain insists upon continuing
the Cuban war and holding the island.