The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-16
CONGRESS AS A WAR CLOUD.
MOVE ON FOOT no GET 1T OUT on
THE WAY ny ADJOURNMENT.


dent-sOme of the Democratic
Leaders Opposed to AdjOurnina
and Leaving the Cuban Matter ta
Re settled at the Supposed Dfcta-s
tiOn of international Money Lends
ers.
Washington. March 15-Friends of tho
administration in Congress and those dem-'
ocrats who represent commercial constlt~
uents are untirlng in an effort to secursa
an early adjournment, and leave the Spans
ish problem to be adjusted by the Presi-
dent as his good Judgment and patrIotisna
may dictate. 81
Senator Hanna is one OF the most acs
tive advocates Of an early adjournment@
In referring to the subject to-day. he
stated that the business OF the sessions
Is so well advanced that he could sea
no reason why the present session Should
be prolonged beyond the middle of April
or the first of May. As to the policy ce
the administration in dealing with tha
Cuban question, he said that the President
could be trusted to settle the matter tok
the satisfaction and credit Of the Ameri-
can people
Senator Plat of New York Is also ready
to join Senator Hanna, Senator Elkinss
Speaker Reed and the others advocatlnszl
an early adjournment and leave the mat
ter of Cuba to be disposed of as the Presi-
dent may think proper. Senator Plata
eulogized President Mckinley and declar-
ed that It would be TO the best interests
of all concerned if Congress shall adjouru
early and leave the President free 60 act
as his wisdom and patriotism might sug~
gest
Senator German and other Democratid
leaders in the Senate and House are not
averse to an early adjournment although
they are Inclined to believe that such q
move would rebound to the Democratio
party. Some of the shrewdest Democrats in
Congress are under the impression that
nothing short of conflict with Spain Will
satisfy the great majority of the Aneri-
can people. and with Congress out of the
way entire responsibility would rest upon
the Presidents shoulders. In view of tha
great influence being exerted by foreign
and domestic capitalists to prevent this
country from going 20 war, certain Demo-
Gratis are OF the opinion that the Presi-
dent may not be able 20 adjust this matter
10 the satisfaction OF the American people.
IL Is contended that nothing looking 10 @
recognition of the views OF Cuban bond
holders or the adoption of a policy euppos-
cd to be dictated by international money
lenders will be tolerated. Hence IL is re-
garded as good politics from Democrats
standpoint for Congress to get out of the
way and let the President struggle with
the Spanish problem alone.
There are d number of Democrats In the
House and Senate who take a different
view of the situation, and are opposed to
an adjournment until the Cuban question:
is finally disposed Of. One of the leading
spirits on that side of the question is SEN
ator Bacon of Georgia. He says: There
are q number of senators on both sides OF
the chamber who will not consent to am
early adjournment. so long as the presents
conditions continue / should be emDhatic-
ally opposed TO am adjournment OF Con-
cress either early or late. We are now
confronted by most unusual conditions.
There Is great and imminent danger OF
war and no man can say whether or NOD
there will be war. No man can now say
whether the developments OF the near fu-
ture win require that there should or
should not be war. That Is most momen-
tous question, the determination of which
Is expressly devolvod by the constitutions
on Congress. IL states In words that 1t is
for Congress, TO declare war
"The power, TO declare war necessarily
Involves the duty to say whether there's
shall be war or peace. This is not ques-
lion which the constitution devolves upon
the President to determine. According to-
my view, Congress has no right to shirE
this responsibility. AS long as there is a.
danger OF war 1t IS, in my opinion, the
duty OF Congress TO stay in session and
perform its duty in determining when the I,
question Is presented whether there shall
be peace or war So long as conditions
threaten war. It would, In my Judgment,
with all respect TO those who differ from
me, be an abdication of its constitutional
powers for Congress 10 adjourn and turn
that question over to the President for
his determination. II is no disrespect or
want Of proper confidence in the President
TO say this. The constitution devolves
upon him the greatest and most importanr
duties, but the duty to decide upon the
questions of peace and war belong TO Con-
eress. For this reason / am unalterably
opposed TO an adjournment until deveop-
ments enable Congress, in the exercise OF
Its constitutional power, 10 determines
whether war IS necessary, or whether
peace may be honorably maintained"
I'm addition to this reason, 1 do noB
think Democrats should assist the Repub-
licans in adjourning Congress before the
Republicans have formulated and offered
such financial legislation as they are pre-
pared to say to the county they favor. IL
there Is to be an adjournment without any
attempt OF such legislation, then the re-
sponsibility for such adjournment SHOULD
be upon the Republicans alone. That will
be equivalent TO saying that they have no
plan to PROPOSE and propose to continue
the present system without change"
The question Of an early Adjournment
was the principal topic OF speculation at
the capitol today. IL was suggested by
the report that the financial interests OF
the world are opposed to war and they
are using their friendly offices with tho
President 70 promote peace. They fear
that If Congress- remains in session soma
indiscrete advocate Of free Cuba may pre-
cipitate trouble too great to be overcome
without resort to war.
While the general sentiment In Congress
is against recourse to hostillties, except
under the greatest Drovocaton, there ap-
pears to be very decided and formidable
ODDositiOn to an adjustment of fhs, Cuharr