The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-22

curately represent the sentiment of the very
best elements of our population-the cream
of the intelligence and of the substantial
interests. The result of this canvass of
popular sentiment has been most gratifying
to the President in personal sense, but it
has in another way been great surprise to
him. 1t has demonstrated that the senti-
ment in favor of Intervention for Cuban in
dependence has depth and intensity beyond
anything he had believed to be possible
and that in their expressions to him Con-
gressmen had been truly representing the
views of an overwhelming majority of their
constituents-views shared alike by the
millionaire and the man who is earning a
dollar day by hard work. This discovery
has been of great help to the President in
forming a policy.
1t has been made clear to the President
that a reference of the Maine tragedy to
arbitration would not satisfy the people, and
that the payment of mere cash indemnity
would be equally unsatisfactory. Such
disposition of the case would be regarded as
inadequate and as in no sense meeting the
requirements. The President has no policy
of his own to force in defiance of the will
of the people and he is offering no resist
ance to the suggestions that we are great
enough and just enough to act fairly to-
ward Spain in regard to the Havana horror,
without any help from the outside.
A poll Of the House and Senate leaves no
doubt as to what Congress would do in case
the President should take the stand above
suggested. 1t would go to any extreme and
would, by practically unanimous voice,
give him it's support. even to the extent of
recognizing the independence of Cuba, with
the absolute certainty that war would re-
suit. 1t is even hinted that in case the re-
port should give the slightest color of sus-
picion that the Spanish authorities were re-
sponsible for the explosion or that the dis
aster was the work of miscreants who
should have been held under restraint by the
Spanish officials, demand may be made on
Spain to vacate the island of Cuba. It is
not believed, however, that the President
will take this extreme position at the out
set, as the Spaniards would regard the move
as tantamount to a declaration of war and
act accordingly.
The President is in almost continual con-
sultation with party leaders. and seeks their
counsel and advice. He often sends for his
49,
eagerly to what they have to say, although
rarely taking a definite position himself
He is absorbing, not giving out Information
or advice. Among those who called on him
to-day Speaker Reed. who remained
with him half an hour or more. In his
broad general treatment of the Cuban prob
lem in it's various phases, the speaker is
in substantial accord with the executive,
and will give him cordial Endorsement so
far as his influence With the House ex-
tends. On some of the minor points in con-
nection with war preparations he has diff
fered with the President. but when it comes
to upholding or defending the national
honor he agrees with Mr.. Mckinley that the
representatives of the people must be.
unit. The great mass of congressman are
in the dark as to the Presidents policy but
the leaders keep in close touch with the
executive and understand in q general way
what is going on in his mind They have
observed that his policy is assuming more
definite shape within the last few hours,
and they believe that by the time the Maine
report arrives he will have it ready for
formulation.