The age-herald., 1898-04-12
PRESIDENT HAS
 LOST GROUND Congress Threatens to Jump
 From His Grasp AND MASTER THE SITUATION Resolutions For Cuban Independence
 Mill Be Introduced. RAPID CHANGE OF OPINION Senators Who Favored His Policy Are
 Now Against Him. CONSERVATIVES TRY TO STEM TIDE The Foreign Relations Committees of Both Houses Will Not Report Until Wednes- day Will Probably Contain Re-
 cognition of Beliigerency.
Senators Who Favored His Policy Are
 Now Against Him.


WaShlngton, Apru u.-NOtWithStGnd1ng the early adjournment of the senate today, many senators remained about the capitol discussing the situation, in the senate chamber and committee rooms. The com mittee on foreign relations was in session. The members who indorse the presidents course generally known as conservatives, were in conference in the rooms of the com- mittee on rules, and several members of . the senatorial democratic steering commit tees were consulting in the democratic cau- GUS room in the senate with some demo- cratic leaders of the house, including MT. Bailey.
 The foreign rela committee sat for about three hours, and after the formal meeting had concluded the republican mem- bers held a conference at which they con sidered the possibility of securing unan- imous action on their part. The commit tee as such did not reach conclusion nor even decision as to wether report should be made tomorrow. One reason for post ponement of action is that the committee desires before reporting to hear Consul General Lee, who has informed the chair man that he can be with them tomorrow.
 The conclusion of the committee may de- pen upon what General Lee places before it.
 Nothing But to Declare War
 Several members of the committee were inclined to critcise the course of the presi- dents reference to Spains proffer of an armistice in Cuba. This, they say, goes far towards removing the cause for in. tervention and some went so far in this connection as to say that in view of the mention of this fact and of the presidents opposition to the recognition of either in dependence or belligerent rights nothing was left for this country but to declare war.
 Another development was that some of the senators who had previous to the re- ceipt of the message indicated willingness to conform to the presidents wishes and to confine the action of congress to declara- tion for intervention had changed their opinion and were now inclined to the origi- nal proposition for independence coupled with intervention and it was stated by one of the senators that the resolutions re- ported would, in all probability contain at least a recognition of the right of the Gu ban people to freedom and independence.
 Movement Loses Ground
 The conservative republican memb IS were not slow in recognizing the fact that the movement to secure support for the presidents position had lost ground since the receipt of the message. They did not however manifest any abatement in their
 
 and to oppose by debate or otherwise any proposition looking to more radical action than the executive desired. They mani- Tested great interest in the proceedings of the committee on foreign relations, but ow- ing to strict secrecy maintained by this committee, were not able to secure infor- nation of consequence. The conservatives say they will continue their efforts to se- cure harmonious action and to prevent any division on the question before the world, either in congress or between congress and the administration.
 At the democratic conference the mes sage was sharply criticized and while there was much difference of opinion and no con- clusion reached as to the course to be pur- sued, there is no doubt that resolutions recognizing the independence of the Cubans will be introduced by the democrats in both houses. They probably will be presented tomorrow. The report of the foreign rela- tions committee of both the house and sen- ate will not be submitted before Wednes- day.
 Comment on the Message
 The comments on the message were many and varied. Senator Hawley, chair man of the committee on military affairs, also pronounced 1t an able one and said he thought 1t would meet with general ap- proval
 Said Senator Elkins, conservative repub- lican: "It states the case admirably and it will be sustained by the people and changes"
 Senator Allison, chairman of the com- mittee on appropriations, would only say "Its good message.''
 Senator Hale, conservative republican and chairman of the committee on naval af- fairs, went further on his commentation, saying: "The message is well fitted in all respects, and especially so in that 1t points the way whereby Cuba can get good gov ernment and be free without bringing us in awkward international complications"
 Representative Catchings of Mississippi says: "The message, in my opinion, means war. wish 1t were otherwise. The presi- dent has exhausted diplomacy" MT. Johnson, republican, of Indiana, says: "T don't think the president has stated all the facts pertaining to our relations with Spain, nor do I agree with all his state- ments in the law applying to the case. The 1 message, however, Is patriotic and tenn perate fin tone I believe he will exercise 1t ! with good judgment and pilot us safely and | honorably out of our unfortunate environ- i, ments. am not at all sure that congress I will solve the problem so happily If 1t at- |