Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-07
CONGRESSIONAL VIEW
No Difficulty in Interpreting the
Action of Spain.
SIGNIFICANT OF A DESIRE FOR War
Excitement Apparent in the House
of Representatives.
PROMPT ACTION TAKEN

Congress is not INDUCING in the doubt
which still appears to be in the public mind
as to what SPANS intentions are. Congress
finds no difficulty in interpreting the action
of Spain. Unless it is to be assumed that
the Spanish government is lacking in ap-
probation of the Importance of its own
acts there is no room for a doubt in the
congressional mind that Spain intends to
take the initiative in war, perhaps very
socn.
Even under existing circumstances de-
mand for Lees recall. or an actual refusal
TO longer recognize him in Cuba, might not
be a cause of war. This government would
not take the initiative in hostilities &C
count of that. But the significance of the
suggestion of recall is found in the belief
that Spain would not take this step unless
she intended to follow it up with war. 1t
si1cply discloses her intention in a manner
to leave doubt in the mind of this gov
ernment 1t bears this significance from
the fact that demand. If to be made at
all. could naturally be delayed until after
the close of the investigation into the
Maine disaster.
Spanish Honor Involved.
Spanish honor is involved in permitting
sion without anything being done by Spain
to hamper ii or to disturb the relations
between the two countries meanwhile. Any
act the part of Spain calculated to do
either is regarded as plainly Indicative of
an abandonment of all peaceable intent and
of a determination to resort to desperate
measures.
While Gen. Lee is rot officially connected
with the court of inquiry. his presence in
Havana is essential to the progress of the
investigation. The suggestion of his re-
call. therefore, has a significance that it
would not have had three months ago, and
the occasion for it is no greater than it
then was
The saving clause, if there is any saving
Clause. is found in the very prompt and
vigorous course of President Mckinley
There was a stunning promptness in the
PRESIDENTS action. There was no hesita-
ton nor dsi3y for considerd ton or cabinet
g Llsrence. This is a notice 20 Spain that
We are ready, and that she may not pro-
coed upon the false theocy that she will
encounter any weakness on our part
A Reckless Policy.
This may cause the Spanish govern
ment to pause, and perhaps retire. if she
has not already determined upon a reckless
policy. She may have been led into this
action by an ignorant belief that this gov
eminent would prove weak and yielding.
IL so. she must make the best of the mis-
take. Her aggression has been met with a
firm and digntied defiance.
An election is coming on in SPAIN and it
Is viewed as doubtful If the Sagasta min
istry will go before the irritated and
iingoed Spanish people with the record of
having taken bold step and of then turn
ing back finding this government firm.
That is where the danger lies Many con-
gressmen refuse 10 attribute to the Sagasta
government the inconceivable dullness of
ipp Ia Stu Tba
construction put upon its action, therefore.
is that it is Intentional first move of
policy.
Excitement in Congress.
When Congress assembled today there
evidence of general feeling of excite
r.ent. The attendance, both on the floor
and in the galleries, was large. and there
was a continuous fiutter of excitement, IN
de- which could have been recognized an
intense suppressed feeling. The impress
sion. evidently substantially universal, that
the action of Spain is looking to war, the
spirit of patriotism was aroused and man
ifested itself every hand. No attempt
was made to disguise the fact that an
emergency has arisen and the feeling that
war is or the point of being pressed by
Spain.
when. Immediately after the reading of
the journal. Chairman Hull of the military
con rnittee moved in the House that the
bill providing for two additional artillery
Ccrats and populists acqu1esced. and there
was a manifestation of intense patriotism.
1t required a two-tlird vote to pass the
Till by suspension OF the rules.
No Effort to Obstruct Action.
No effort was made TO obstruct action,
Though there 81 desire to extend de-
Fste Beyond the forty minutes allowed
der the rules. the purpose apparently being
TO give members an opportunity to go on
proposition.
There was no extension of time. how
ever. Neither Mr.. Bailey nor any leading
democrat uttered word of opposition. Mr.
Cox OF Tennessee was assigned the twenty
minutes time of the opposition, and that
proved to be much he could con-
sumo He opposed the bill in a ten-minuJe
speech. which was interrupted by demo-
Gratis, and then yielded ten minutes to
Jones' OF Virginia. who spoke against the
measur-. This ended the opposition.
No other man laid claim to time On that
side of the question. But there was so
much desire on the part Of the members to
90 on record for the measure that most CT
the twenty minutes on III 1t side had TO
DE distributed in one-minute speeches. The
republicans refrailled from referring 10 airy
emergency, but the democrats wac spoke
all did 50. and Mr. Williams of Mississippi
referred directly to a probable war with
Spain. Every expression duriag the debate
that could be construed into a reference to
the support of the government in a posi-
Die crisis was received with applause
The attitude taken by the democrats was
that Of favoring the hill as emergency
measure. while maintaining an opposition
on general principles, to increases of the
army III time of peace.
When il came to the vote there was no
need OF roll call or a division The
Speaker called for all in favor of the bill to
Say yea There was a roar of yeas Then
he called for the negative and three voices
responded No
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N IMPORTANT CONFERENCES.