The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-04-14
THE WAR SITUATION.

The Cuban question is at last in the
the hands of Congress, and the action
of Congress is at present in doubt.
President McKinley's long delayed
message was sent to Congress Monday
at noon, and was referred in each house
to the committee on Foreign Relations.
The message was received with gen
eral feeling of disappointment, both as
to the revelations made concerning pre-
vious negotiations with Spain, and the
recommendations as to future policy
Only the extreme peace party was pleas
ed. Everybody else was disguised.
The massage was heard III silence in the
House.
In submitting the case to Congress
the President reviewed at length his
unsuccessful negotiations with Spain
for the pacifeation Of the island, and
argued against the recognition of Gu
ban independence, dismissed the recog-
milton Of beligerency as equally unwise
and commended that In intervening at all
the United States should intervene on
ly as neutral, and net as an ally of
either side.
Only two positive recommendations
are made. He asks
For authority to intervene to restore
order, with power to use the army and
navy if necessary; and
For an appropriation to continue the
work of relieving the victims of the
Spanish RECOMMENDATION policy.
He justifes intervention on four
grounds-in the name of humanity, for
the protection Of American citizens, for
the protection of commerce, and be-
cause The war is menace to our peace
and imposes an expense on our Govern
ment.
Characterizing the situation in Cuba
as "intolerable, be admits that he has
exhausted every effort to relieve it,
and leaves the matter in the hand of
Congress, asking authority "to take
measures to secure full and final ter
mination of hostilities between the
Government of Spain and the people
of Cuba, and to secure IN the island the
establishment of a stable government, :"
and to use the army and navy of the
United States if necessary for these
purposes.
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations went at once into session, but
reached no definite decision. The
Home committee is also DIVIDED. To
some experienced observers there are
indications of a possible deadlock in
Congress. The advocates of recogni-
tion of independence are aroused and
such proposition will be pushed for
ward in both house and Senate whatev-
or the committee may report. The ad-
ministration forces are hard at work
whipping the recalcltrant republicans
into line with the dilatory presidential
policy. Efforts are being made to get
the Senate and House committee in line
upon the same resolution.
There are almost as many resol utions
before the committees as there are
members, and they fall under three
heads, viz:
Intervention to establish peace, with
out any reference to independence;
Intervention by declaration of the
independence of the people Of Cuba,
without recognizing the present Cuban
government, and
Intervention by direct recognition of
the present government.
The second of these is regarded as to
some extent compromise.
Consul General Lee, who received
an ovation along the route to Wash
ington, has reached the capital and
his statements may have much weight
in determining the action of the COM
mitteeS.
Meanwhile, SPANS desire for delay
would be as well served by wrangle
in Congress as by diplomatic tactics.
1t is said to be the Presidents plan,
should congress give him the authority
he asks, to send spain a copy of the
resolution as an ultimatum, and a mott
f,ation that he must intervene by force
as directed, unless Spain withd1aws at
once from the island.
Minister Woodford is still at MadriA.
Only two American consuls are left in
Cuba. The United States consul has
left the Philippide Islands.
The riots at Madrid have subsidized,