The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-10
SENATE MAY ACT SLOWER
BUT WILL PROBABLY REACH A VOTE
SOME TIME THIS WEEK.
Maine Incident May Figure i'm the
ResOIutiOns-AT Details Carefully
Considered by Congressman.
ecial to the indianapolis Journal.


Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, April 9.-The news that
Spain had decided to grant an armistice for
that the President would again delay send
ing his message to Congress. The re-
port caused considerable irritation in the
administration circle, as well as among
congressman. Prompt denial was made at
the White House of any intention to again
disappoint the country, and the statement
was bluntly made that the message would
so in next Monday.
is not denied however, that overtures
have been made to the President, either by
the Queen Regent or by parties acting in
her behalf, asking for delay in American
war action until the meeting of the Cortes
on May 4. That body alone has the power
to ALLEVIATE Spanish territory. The helpless
ness of the Queen Regent and the Spanish
Ministry is feelingly described, and an ap-
peal to the sympathies of the executive and
to the Congress of the United States is
suggested is that no satisfactory pro-
gramme is outlined for giving the people of
Cuba the kind of government they want or
of surrendering Spanish sovereignty on the
island. Inasmuch as complete abandonment
Of Cuba by Spain and the reliquishment of
pretense to sovereignty are the only condi-
tions on which this country can now treat
with Spain, there would appear to be very
slim prospect that the situation will be af-
fected by the appeal.
Indications still point to the adoption of
of long debate. House leaders said this
afternoon that if they can bring it about the
matter will be forced to vote before ad-
journment Tuesday evening next, and that
at the outside not more than two days will
be given to discussion in that branch of
Congress Idle threats of a small minority
of senators to obstruct the passage of the
resolutions in the Senate continue to re-
ceive but small attention. 1t is only in
theory that handful of senator's can pre-
vent prompt action by the Senate when de-
sired by an overwhelming majority. If a
vote is not reached in the Senate by the enc
of the week there will be general surprise
UntOward events Of warlike character
may greatly expedite action within the linn
e..
be met by instant response from Congress.
There is now very good reason to be-
lieve that the Maine explosion will figure
prominently in the resolutions which Con-
gress may adopt. Indeed, it is within the
range of possibilities that the assassination
may yet form the basis of an open declara-
matters.
Friends of the administration zealously
combat charges that the plan is to annex
Cuba after the war is over. At the same
time those who make a speciality of looking
a long ways ahead are already specializing
on the proposition that Cuba will find it to
than saddle upon herself an enormous in
debtedness to repay the United States for
the cost of the war which we are about to
undertake. If this should come about it will
mand from this government or as the con-
dition of hard bargain.
General Lee is expected in this city on
Tuesday. He is popularity supposed to se
in possession of definite information fixing
the responsibility for the explosion of the
Maine on trusted Spanish officials He will
appear before the foreign affairs committee
of Congress Immediately after his arrival
in Washington, and if reports are true as
to his knowledge of the tragedy his testi-
mcny may have a startling influence upon
congressional action.
The Washington situation is remarkable
Two governments are about to engage in a
war which neither of them wants, and
which both are using every endeavor to
avoid. Conditions and events entirely be-
yond their control are operating to force a
collision. In two days the responsibility for
taking action which will result in actual
warfare viii rest with Congress- Members
of that body are preparing to act without
apparent passion or excitement. They are
preparing to go about 1t In most cold
blooded fashion. weighing advantages and
counting the cost. Esfervescence and froth
have entirely disappeared II the United
States is to take up the tight Of the cubans