Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-11
HOW IT WAS RECEIVED
Presidents Message Applanded BY Reader.
Of Extra Star.
All Glasses and Both Sexes Interest
ed Alike - Scenes On
the Streets.

the hotels and everywhere about the city
" ere seen reading extra Stars, containing
the Presidents message, after 1t was is.
sued. about 1880 O'Clock tins afternoon.
The message was read intently by all class
es and conditions and was apparently of
the greatest interest. 1t was so much IN
demand that the boys could scarcely sup
ply the numbers fast enough.
Several of the first copies from the press
were given to special messenger, who
forwarded them as speedily as possible to
the Spanish minister, he having been given
instructions to that effect.
Men stood on the street corners and dis
cussed the message, as 1t was read. They
stood in little groups in the hotel Hobbies,
read every paragraph and stopped to COM
ment as they proceeded.
One old fellow, who looked as II he might
have been survivor Of the last war, and
whose eyes blazed out from undernea.n his
thick eyelashes, spoke vehemently.
II guess I'll have to study the message a
little longer before I can size 1t up all
right" he said, but If I'd had my way I'd
have started it in this manner: 1t is our
mt and bounden duty to punish these yell
done. Amen
His sentiments were heartily applauded.
Destruction Of the Maine.
Another gentleman, as he held a copy Of
the paper up. pointed to the headline which
said The Destruction of the Maine Wig
orously Treated"
That's sufficient to make us declare
war. If nothirg else he declared. II think
we ought to cut out anything about the
Cubans and come cut strong on the Maine
incident. I'm glad the President did that.
1t showed he knew what he was about
1t was the general expression of opinion
strongest
part wherein it referred to the destruction
OF the Maine, and said:
In any event the destruction of the
Maine by whatever exterior cause is a
patent and impressive proof of a state of
things in Cuba that is intolerable. That
condition Is thus shown to be such that the
Spanish government cannot assure safety
and security to a vessel of the American
navy in the harbor of Havana on a mis-
sion of peace and rightfully there"
On the avenue the number who had the
papers ana were perusing them, was larger
than would have been suspect ed, when the
fact was considered that it was a holiday
and a majority of them were going to the
White House and intent on the egg rolling
to be put in operation there. One lady who
Lad three children with her, was holding
a paper in one hand which she was read
Ing, and was holding one of the children
with the other. The two other children
were allowed to stra&gle along by them
selves, while the mother puzzled over the
text of the message.
On 10th street, two young ladies'. stylish
ly attired, had stopped on the corner, and,
oblivious of everything else. were engaged
in getting gist of the declaration which
was expected to make the Spanish quake
in their shoes.
Just What Was Expected.
In the uptown hotels the opinion seemed
to be unanimous that the message was
conservative and just what was expected
at the present juncture. 1t was regarded
as summing up of the whole situation
in comprehensive manner, showing what
had been done, and giving the reasons and
explanations. 1t was thought that it
showed the President had done all he
could, and was determined not to recede
jot or little from any previous position
taken. : .
In the downtown hotels. where the SYM
pathy may not have been considered so
strong with the administration the cpln-
ion was expressed that the message was
sufficiently strong to satisfy the most ar
dent for war
'Of course it might have been made
stronger, one gentleman said. but doubt
whether 1t would have been wise under the
present circumstances. The President
states that he asks Congress to authorize
and empower him to take measures to So
cure full and final termination Of hos
uiltleS between Cuba and Spain, and thar
goes to show that he is in earnest about
the natter
That it is a difficult matter to satisfy
every one was proven conclusively by q
little incident which occurred in one of the
hctels on the avenue east of 7th street,
The Colonel Disgusted.
An old gentleman, who was called colonel
by the rest of the group gathered in the
lobby, scrutinized the extra Star carefully.
and after looking at 1t a few minutes.
gave vent to an exclamation of undoubted
disgust
What's the matter, colonel" one of his
companions asked him. Don't you think
it hits the mark?"
Not by - sight" was the emphatic
Fitz Lee
The speaker was apparently satisfied with
the message in every particular, with tho
exception of this, to his mind, great over
sight.