The herald., 1898-04-12
CUBAN QUESTIONS
TURNED OVER TO THE CHARGE
OF CONGRESS
THE PRESIDENTS PLAN
ANTAGONIZES ALL HERETOFORE
PROPOSED
COMMITTEES ARE CONSULTING
Wanted-A Resolution, Not Snub
to Mckinley, Which the Senate
Will Pass
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE future Of
the relations of the United States
with Spain and to the island of Cuba
now rests with congress, the representa-
tive body of the American people. What
course the elected men composing 1t Will
pursue cannot be foretod tonight. The
foreign committees of both houses now
have the subject in their control, and after
due deiiberatiou will report to their re-
spective branches what they consider
should be the attitude Of the United States
on the grave question presented Early
action by the committee is expected, but
exactly when 1t may be looked for is not
now determinable. The full responsibility
of the subject was placed upon congress
when President Mckinley today transmi,-
ted to it a carefully prepared and anxiously
awaited message relating to our negotia.
tions with Spain as to its warfare in Cuba
| and drawing therefrom his personal con-
clusions and recommendations. He paced
the trust with these words:
Congress in Charge
"The issue is now with congress. 1t .
| . Is a solemn responsibility. l have ex- .
| . hausted every effort to relieve 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" .
Intense Interest
No message in recent years, not even Of
President Cleveland on Venezuela, nor
President Harrison on Chile, caused such
widespread and intense interest No mes
sage was ever listened 10 with closer at
| tention by both galleries and members at
both ends Of the capitol. That 1t did not
create profound enthusiasm may be due to
the fact that it's main features had been
| accurately forecasted in the Associated
Press dispatches, or to disappointment
among those who wanted Cuban independ-
| ence and immediate reprisal from Spain
| for the destruction of the Maine. For
| long time a large majority in both houses
| have favored recognition of the independ-
| ence of Cuba; for more than two years, AZ
voiced in resolutions passed by congress.
| the recognition of beligerency has been
sought. Both of these propositions were
antagonized in the message and conse-
quently tn this regard the message did not
accord with the majority of sentiment.
All at Sea
| The message left congress very much at
sea, because the disparity in views be-
| tween 1t and the executive Is an obstacle
| hard to surmount, unless, as now seems
| possible, congress sees its course to lie IN
accord with the presidents recommended
| ton. 1t is generally believed that the pres
| ident would have been authorized to inter-
vene with the navy and army had it not
been for the concluding paragraph of the
| document, which announced the latest
phase of diplomatic negotiations.
Committee Consultation
The committee on foreign relations inn
| mediately went into session but reached
no definite conclusion. From the fact that
the Republican members held a consulta-
ton after adjournment, the inference was
drawn that some strong measure was nec-
essary in order to carry any action by the
committee through the senate. declara-
ton of war was talked of and a decara-
tiou that the people of Cuba should be
free, coupled with authorization to the
president to bring this about by armed in
tervention, was suggested. 1t is we'll
known that any proposition advanced will
be met in the senate with an amendment
declaring the independence of the present
Cuban government and to frame a resolu-
ton as to carry the majority of the senate
and at the same time meet the recommen-
dations Of the president is the result whlcn
the foreign relations committee is trying
to secure.
The conservative senators met in the
afternoon and determined to oppose any
radical measure if it should be reported by
the senate committee on foreign relations
They will oppose by debate recognition
of independence of the present government
and a declaration of war, and will consent
to action only along the lines of the recon-
mendations of the president as to inter-
vention at his discretion.
The temper of the house could not be
accurately determined, but there, as in the
senate, the proposition for Cuban inde-
pendence has to be met. Any report from
the committee on foreign affairs that does
not carry with 1t this feature will be an
tagonized by an amendment, and the pros
poets are that nearly all the Democrats and
many Republicans would favor it. Efforts
has been directed all day toward action
which will secure the solid support of the
Republican organization and the Repub-
lican majority of the house. To this end
the Republican members of the house to
whom the message was referred were in
conference during the day and night.
Outside the Capitol
outside the Capitol the same intense in
terest was everywhere manifested In the
presidents message. The embassies and le-
cations were practically empty by II o'clock,
the foreign representatives and their STATS
going to the Capitol to hear the message.
cabinet officers busted themselves with
their departmental affairs, feeling that the
<v,v
tion and of responsibility to the Capitol.
Even at the White House there was a lull
in the excitement which has centered there
for the last fortnight. The president saw
several of his cabinet advisers early in the