The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-03
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Callers Were Numerous, and McKin-
ley Had Several Conferences.

Al THE WHITE HOUSE.
Callers Were Numerous. and McKin-
ley Had Several Conferences.
WASHINGTON. April "A Cabinet Off
Ger said to-day he thought events would
move along the present lines until the Pres
ident's message was sent to Congress early
the coming week. The preparation of the
momentous message was begun by Presi-
| dent Mckinley at a comparatively early
hour this morning after long conferences
with his Cabinet advisers and public men
on the lines it should take in order that the
position of America in this crisis may stand
forth in clear, intelligent and justifable
way before the present and future genera
tions. The advice proffered most urgently
upon the President has been recognition of
the independence of Cuba and Intervention
at once to end the horrors of the situation.
This course has been urged especially by
senator's and members of the lower house.
The President has listened to these views,
but has not expressed his own so freely.
Appreciating the wish of Congress that the
message be transmitted to that body at the
earliest practicable moment and the fact
that a document of it's grave significance
and its historical character requires the ut
most deliberation and consultation with his
official advisers, he has determined to put
aside all but the most important matters
until the message has been put in shape for
submission to the national legislature.
With this end in view he denied himself to
a long list of callers to-day, but saw quite
a number of persons whose knowledge and
experience might be of service to him in his
task.
Throughout the day there were rumors Of
subdued excitement among those who
formed the throng of visitors. Reports were
even in circulation that a special session
of the Cabinet had been hastily called and
during the early morning hours, but it's
falsity was proven quickly. Assistant Sec
retary Day was privileged visitor at the
White House and was with the President by
o'clock. He had long, close conference
with the President and made a number Of
suggestions as to the treatment of the dis
cnssion of the situation to be incorporated
in the forthcoming message. He was the
first person to see the President and soon
after his arrival Maj. Easton the Presi-
dents military aid, slipped in for a brief In
terview.
Abner Mckinley came in from New York
on an early train and stopped at the White
House for few minutes to chat with the
family. Shortly after his departure Mrs.
Mckinley, with large party of young
ladies she is entertaining, went off in two
of the White House broughams for drive
in the crisp morning air.
Secretary Gage came over from the treas
ury at 10 O'Clock and for considerably over
an hour remained in important consulta-
ton with the President. Meanwhile large
party of congressional callers had assem-
bled. Among them were Representatives
Lacey, of Iowa, Pitney, of New Jersey,
and Low, of New York. They, however, re-
Trained from interrupting the President.
Senator Frye, of Maine, however, had
personal interview that lasted few min
utes. 1t is believed he called to ascertain
when the message of the President might
be expected so as to guide the Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations in its work. 1t
is known that Senator Frye is for vigorous
action and would like to see the coming
message take strong grounds, which. will
unite Congress and the administration in
q firm policy to secure the independence of
Cuba by intervention at once to that end
Later Senator's wolcott, of Colorado, FL
kins, Of West Virginia, Spooner, of Wiscon-
sin, Gear, of Iowa, and Representative Hull,
chairman of the military affairs committee,
had brief interviews with Mr.. Mckinley.
Representative Hulls conference related to
the army organization bill. The President
expressed his desire that the bill should
be enacted into law at the earliest possible
moment and said that it was wise to have
il on the statute books in readiness for
carrying out its war footing provisions, in
view of expected serious elimination of the
present crisis. At the close Of the confer
ence Mr.. Hull said the army bill would
doubtless be passed by the House next Mon
day and that a few incidental changes de-
sired would be corrected by amendments
when that bill is acted on by the Senate.
There is much significance in the early date
fixed upon for bringing the bill UP in Con-
gress The bill is an administration meas
ure and provides for the adoption of the
three battalion war formation in war time.
About u:30 o'clock Secretary Long
brought over some friends to present to the
President. He stated that there had been
no new developments. Whert asked about
the recall of Minister WoodfoSd at Madrid
he replied that If the recall had been made
it was unknown to him. He said suggestive
ly in this connection that if such an ac-
tion had been taken he would certainly
have beea made acquainted with it. Sec
retarv Alger, who called with some depart
ment papers, also denied the report of the
recall. He said ne had never heard of it.
Secretary Gage and Representative Ding
lev. of Maine, chairman of the House ways
and means committed were summoned by
the President during the forenoon and were
soon in conference with him on business
that, while they woulg not discuss 1t, but
left it to conjecture. can be safely said to
have related to the national finances and
to measures needed to but the treasury on
4 war footing. involving, as hostile opera
1ContInued an seeond PnHs3