Evening journal., 1898-03-29
FEELING In CONGRESS-.
Strain Of Discomfort Follows the
Presidential Message.
SPANISH INQUIRY COURTS REPORT
Expressions of Opinion by Congressman
on nIcKiuley's Message e-5IosquitO
Fleet Formed OF Small Graft
For Use In Case of War.

WASHINGTON, March 29.-Yester-
day was one Of action in every branch
of official life-action in the White
House, where the president and his
cabinet advisers assembled in special
cabinet session at 1850; action in both
branches of congress, where the mes
sage Of the president on the Maine dis
aster and the report and testimony OF
the court OF inquiry were received; ae-
tion In the secret conferences Of state
officials and diplomats concerning the
latest phases OF Spanish ne
gotiation, and action In the war and
navy departments, with the Spanish
situation as the common purpose Of al
the varying aspects of official action.
Seldom has a day been replete with so
many diverse and important phases Of
a single subject.
Yet throughout this activity the pre-
vailing tone as received from admins
tration sources has been more assuring,
more in the line Of peace, than It has
been FOR some days. This was the ln-
preston conveyed by cabinet officers
after the special cabinet session The
same sentiment characterized the Dip
lomatio conferences at the state depart
ment. But in congress, which afforded
the greatest field for antl-Spanish and
warlike expressions, a strain of discon-
tent and uneasiness prevailed after the
presidents message and the Maine re-
port was submitted, especially on the
house side.
The special cabinet session was held
to go over the presidents message AMI
particularly to consider the latest de-
velopments IN the negotiations now
proceeding with Spain. These had as
sumed a wide field. embracing not only
the Maine question. but the entire Gu
ban problem. The answer Of Spain was
in hand 10 the firm note sent through
Minister Woodford last week stating
that the condition of Cuban affairs had
become so intolerable that the United
States could not much longer remain
inactive toward II.
The general tone of the Spanish an
swer impressed the president and cabi-
net officers most favorably. so much so
that after the meeting II was stated By
-meinbefs that the outlook was far more
assuring and that Spain had shown
such conciliatory tone that it was be.
neved she would make concessions sufa-
Client to permit an amicahle adjustment
of the present strained relations.
This was qualified. however, by the
statement that the danger point had
not yet passed and that war, while nc
longer a probability, was yet posi-
bility. The president had distinctly dis
closed TO his cabinet assistants his pur.
pose to avert war If IL was possible with
a just solution Of the Cuban problem
and he had felt from the disposition
manifested by Spain that this just solu-
tion could be reached. This, however
is without considering congress, which
may now that the subject is formally
before it take some radical action.
Meantime at the state department
cablegrams were being received from
Minister Woodford, and the Spanish
minister, Senior Polo Bernabe, was II
a lengthy conference with Judge Day
as to the prospective adjustment. Th0
meeting between the Spanish mlnistei
and Judge Day came after the cabine
conference, so that such representation
as Spain submitted through him did no
get before the cabinet. At least two o
these new phases submitted by th
minister were Of exceeding Importance
The Spanish government made It know
that no objection would be made to tn
humanitarian objects Of the Unite,
States government in extending relic
to the sufferers in Cuba on a far create
scale than hitherto had been contem
plated.
on the contrary, Spain has mad
known that it recognizes the human
purposes animating this country an
that 1t does not doubt that these puT
poses win be executed in such a wa
as to avoid all opportunities for fric
tion. 1t is not expected that the re
lief Will be carried in warships, as tn,
would introduce n political aspect int
project which is purely humane. Th1
acQuiescenco by Spain clears the wa
for the presidents message of the ne1
few days asking large appropriate
for the relief Of the destitution in Cub;
1t had been feared that this relief. gi,
en- directly by the United States so,
ernment, would be resented by Spai
as Indirect Intervention. In that ever
there is little reason to doubt the reli,
would have been forwarded at any COS
even the cost of war, as the admin.
tratiou has felt that a war i'm behalf ,
a humane object would command II
universal appreciation Of the world.
Another important Spanish documel
which reached the government durir
of the Spanish naval commission whic
investigated the destruction OF u
Maine. It Is the only answer Spain h;
thus made to the action Of this govern
ment in submitting TO Spain throua
Minister Wocdford. the findings of II
American court. The conclusions reacl
ed by the Spanish commission are q
reetiy the opposite of those of Il
American court No demands hal
been made in connection with Il
Maine and therefore there is no r
Spouse beyond the submission Of Il
Spanish report.
At the war and navy departments Il
stir Of preparation continued as usus
The navy department made plans fer
mosquito feet" 10 be composed
tugs and steam yachts recently pu
.hased and armed as an auxiliary fee