The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-30

An important mass meeting was held in
the room OF the Agricultural COMMITTEES
Immediately after the adjournment OF
Congress yesterday. Represen .ativc
Hopkins Of Illinois was chosen chair
man, and Representative Joy of Missouri
secretary. Among those present were:
Representative Hopkins Of Illinois.
Tawney. Butler. Corliss kirkpatrick. Ar
nold Brown. Kulp. Robbins. Colson.
Hicks, JOY, Mercer. Mann, Shower. Sullo-
way. Mudd, HaEer. Ellis. Cooper. Smith.
Of Illinois, Smith of Michigan, Bouteile
OF Illinois, Brownlow. Acheson. johnson.
Hamilton of Michigan. Sheldon, Reeves.
Spalding. Knox, Mesick. Whi,e, Marsh,
Warner. BrUmm. Graft pearce Mills.
Lorimer and White of Illinois.
Speeches were made by Representatives
Hopkins, Tawney. Mercer Hicks
Brumm, Mann Mudd. Lorimer, Marsh,
and Corliss. Every man was for imme-
date action on the Spanish situation.
though the first five named speakers were
more conservative. After the speeches
had been made resolutions were Unani-
mously passd.
The frs. pledged the representatives
present 10 act as an independent body
TO secure immediate action, or, If necgs-
sary. 10 act with the Democrats.
The second voiced the sentiment Of
the gathering to be that some action
should be taken at once. recognizing the
independence Of Cuba by armed inter
Vention. if necessary.
The meeting directed its chairman Mr.
Hopkins. TO visit the President today.
and inform the President that if he is not
ready to intervene Congress viii take
control
a second meeting Of these Republicans
will be held today, to hear the report of
the President.
The Michigan delegation also met yes
terday. and decided that action should be
taken at once. The delegation called
on the President this morning
Spectators tell the President to wait
until he hears definitely from Spain in re-
ply to the intimation Of the State De
partment sent 10 the SagaSta cabinet.
Close friends Of the President insist that
his sole idea in suggesting delay is to
await the result Of the correspondence
between this country and Spain, and that
he has firmly made up his mind not TO at
tempt TO make any settlement Of the mat
ter which viii not be acceptable to the
Cuban insurgents.
These friends say that there is possi-
bility that Spain may surrender Cuba I'M
Condtioually. and that ii she can be in
duced to do SO through diplomacy, she
should be given "a chance.
Every Republican knows his return to
Congress hangs i'm the balance and that if
the President makes an AFFECT failure
there is no chance whatever for Eepuhli-
can success. A member Of the Cabinet
said yesterday that there are niu,ty-uine
chances out Of hundred in favor of war
and that he expects war to come this
week.
one Of the Presidents callers, I'm dis
cUsSinE the question of SPANS alleged
desire TO treat Cuba fairly, and Of the
Spanish cabinets promises. said.
"HaVe YOU received any assurances that
Spain viii be any more honest than she
has been in the past. or that she will
keep her promises any better than she
has kept them in the past?'
The President was silent.
Aside from the general Cuban question
and the Maine disaster, Congress and the
Navy Department are much disturbed
over the rapid approach Of the Spanish
torpedo flotilla, which the flying squad
ron, now al Hampton Roads is expected
TO intercept before ii does any damage
TO the Atlantic seabOard or our warships
If the flying squadron does not get away
pretty soon Congress will begin to sus-
poet that the Administration is entirely
Indifferent on the subject.