The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
WILL THEY ACT.


troll and after due deliberation will report
to their respective branches what they con-
slider should be the attitude of the United
States on the grave question presented.
Early action by the committees is expected,
but exactly when it may be looked for is
not now determinable The full responsible
ity of the subject was placed upon Congress
when President Mckinley to-day transmit
ted to il a carefully prepared and anxiously
awaited message relating to our negotia-
tions with Spain as to it's warfare in Cuba
and drawing therefrom his personal conclu-
sions and recommendations. He placed the
trust with these words:
1.-The issue is now with Congress. 1t is a
! solemn responsibility 1 have exhausted
every effort to relieve the intoerable condi-
ton of affairs which is at our doors Pre-
pared to execute every obligation imposed
upon me by the Constitution and the law, 1
| await your action"
No message in recent years, not even that
of President Cleveland on Venezuela nor
President Harrison on Chile, caused such
widespread and intense interest. No mes
sage was ever listened to with more close
attention by both galleries and members at
both ends of the Capitol. That it did not
create profound enthusiasm may have been
due to the fact that its main features had
been accurately forecasted in the Associated
Press dispatches, or to a disappointment
among those who wanted Cuban independ-
ence and immediate reprisal on Spain for
the destruction of the Maine. For long
time a large majority in both houses have
favored recognition of the independence of
Cuba; for more than two years as voiced in
resolutions passed by Congress the recogni-
ton Of belligerency has been sought. Both
Of these propositions were antagoniZed in
the message, and consequently in this re-
gard the message did not accord with the
majority sentiment
IN A QUANDARY.
The message left Congress very much at
sea, because the !, disagreement in views
between it and the executive are OBJ
stacles hard to surmount, unless as now
seems possible Congress sees it's course to
lie in accord with the Presidents recon-
mendation. 1t is generally believed that the
President would have been authorized to
intervene with the army and navy had it
not been for the concluding paragraphs of
the document which announced the latest
phase of diplomatic negotiations.
The Senate committee on foreign rela-
tions Immediately went into session but
reached no definite conclusion. From the
fact that the Republican members held a
consultation after the meeting adjourned
and what was said regarding it, the infer
ence was drawn that sc me strong measure
was necessary in order to carry any action
by the committee through the Senate A
declaration of war was talked of and a
declaration that the people of Cuba should
be free, coupled with authorization to the
President to bring this about by armed in
prevention was suggested. 1t is well known
that any proposition advanced will be met
in The Senate with an amendment declaring
the independence of the present Cuban gov
eminent, and to so frame a resolution as to
carry a majority of the Senate and at the
same time meet the recommendations of
the President is the result which the for
eign relations committee is trying to Sc
cure.
The conservative senators also met in the
afternoon and determined to oppose any
radical measure, if il should be reported by
| the Senate committee on foreign relations.
| They will oppose by debate a recognition of
| independence of the present government
| and declaration of war. and will consent
| to action only along the lines of the recon-
! mendation of the President as to interven-
| ton at his discretion.
The temper of the House could not be
| Senate, the proposition for Cuban indie
| pendence has to be met and any report from
/ the committee on foreign affairs that does
| not carry with it this feature will be antag-
onized by an amendment and the prospects
| are that nearly all the Democrats and many
Republicans would favor it, Efforts have
been directed all dav towards action which
| will secure the solid support of the Repub-
lican organization and Republican majority
| of the House. To this end the Republican
members of the House committee, to whom
| the message was referred were in confer
ence during the day and night.
MUCH INTEREST EVERYWHERE.
| Outside of the Capitol the same intense
interest was everywhere manifested in the
Presidents message. The embassies and le-
cations were practically empty by II
o'clock, the foreign representatives and
their staffs going to the Capitol to hear the
message. Cabinet officers busted themselves
with their departmental affairs, feeling that
the message now transferred the scene of
action and of responsibility to the Capitol
Even at the White House there was q. lull
in the excitement which has conferred there
for the last fortnight. The President saw
several of his Cabinet advisers early in the
day. but there was no Cabinet meeting.
| Inc message lett the w mite House shortly
before noon in order to reach Congress
promptly on its assembling and, this done,
the President joined his family at lunch
with evident satisfaction at having the ire
mendous strain and burden of recent days
in u measure removed. There was an as
pect of holiday gayety surrounding the
White House, as Easter Monday was OBJ
served as usual by the egg-rolling gather
ing of thousands of children in the grounds
in the rear of the executive mansion. The
Marine Band furnished music for the
youngsters
The effect of the message downtown was
or the whole quoting. Cabinet officers, of
course, expressed their complete and most
hearty approval of the message. This view
was reflected throughout administration
circles. The Spanish minister, Senior Polo,
remained at the legation during the day,
| sending and receiving many dispatches and
comforting with his advisers. He cabled the
| entire Presidents message to Madrid, ex-
cept only the historical references to Gen.
Grants message, Texas, etc. The minister
said he must decline to make the slightest
public allusion to the Presidents message,
as any remark from him would be incon-
sistent with his position 1t is known, how
ever, that Senior Polo is keenly sensitive to
the language of the message. What its eff
feet will be upon his service here is not
known, for no word has yet come as to the
effect of the message upon the authorities
Madrid TN m to-pitrbt Senior Eoio no n