The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-12

Washington, April 1.-THE future or
the relations of the United States with
Spain and to Cuba rests with congress.
the representative body of the Ameri-
can people.
What course congress will pursue
cannot be foretold tonight. The for
eign committee of both houses now
have the subject in their control, and
after due deliberation will report to
their respective branches what they
consider should be the attitude of the
United States on the grave question
presented. Early action by the COM
may be looked for is not now determin-
able. The full responsibility of the
subject was placed upon congress when
President Mckinley to-day transmitted
to IL a carefully prepared and anxiously
awaited message relating to our nego-
tiations with Spain as to its warfare
in Cuba and drawing therefrom his per-
sonal conclusions and recommenda-
tions. He placed the trust with these
words: The issue is now with con-
gress. 1t is a solemn responsibility.
nave tAnduSttu tNtIs thOit W IttltNt
the intolerable condition of affairs
which is at our doors. Prepared
to execute every obligation imposed
upon me by the constitution and the
law, i await your action"
No message in recent years. not even
OF President Cleveland on Venezuela,
nor President Harrison on Chill, caused
such widespread and intense interest.
No message was ever listened to with
.IA bx- hot La as
and members at both ends Of the capi-
toll That IL did not create profound
enthusiasm may be due to the fact that
its main features had been accurately
forecasted in the associated press dis
patches. or to a disappointment among
those who wanted Cuban independence
and immediate reprisal upon Spain for
the destruction OF the Maine. For a
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 recognition of
belligerency has been sought. Both of
these propositions were antagonized in
the message, and, consequently, in this
regard. the message did not accord
with the majority sentiment.
The message left congress very much
at sea. because the disparagement in
obstacles hard to surmount, unless. as
now seems possible. congress sees its
course TO lie in accord with the presi-
dents recommendation. 1t Is generally
believed that the president would have
been authorized TO intervene with the
army and navy had IL not been for the
concluding paragraph OF the document,
which announced the latest phase OF the
diplomatic negotiations.
hs enmmitfae f0ralRn -
lations Immediately went into session.
but reached no definite conclusion.
From the fact that the republican
members held a consultation after the
meeting adjourned and at which II was
said regarding the inference was drawn
that some strong measure was neces-
sary 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 authorize
tion to the president TO bring this about
by armed intervention. was suggested.
II is well known that any proposition
advanced will be met in the senate with
an amendment declaring the independ-
ence of the present Cuban government
and 10 frame resolution to carry
the majority OF the senate. and at the
same time meet the recommendations
of the president. is the result which
the foreign relations committee is try
iuE TO secure.
The conservative senators met in the
afternoon and determined To oppose
any radical measure IL II should be re-
ported by the senate committee on
foreign relations. They will oppose. by
debate. a recognition OF independence
of the present government. and a decla-
ration OF war. and will consent to ac-
tion only along the lines of the recon-
mendations of the president as TO in
teryention at his discretion
The temper of the house could not be
accurately determined but there. as in
the senate. the proposition for Cuban
independence has TO be met. Any re-
port from the committee on foreign af-