The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-13

WdsnlnStOn, April lZ.-The burden OF
responsibility for the next move in the
Spanish crisis having been shifted by
the presidents message upon the
shoulders of congress. the capitol to-
day became the storm center with the
foreign affairs committees of the two
houses as the foci. The struggle in each
committee was long and bitter, with
this marked difference between that at
the senate wing and that at the house
end of the capitol: In the senate COM
mittee the democrats, as well as the
republicans, participated, while at the
house end the task was to secure har-
monious action among the republicans
so as to present. if possible. solid
front when the democrats were finally
called in for action.
Pressure from every quarter was
brought 10 -bear. he radicals aud con-
servatives strained every nerve The
vital point of the contest hinged upon
whether the resolutions should go fur
ther than the president had gone and
declare for the independence of Cuba
from Spanish domination. Tonight a
compromise proposition was certain to
be reported at both ends of the capitol.
u
be the more radical of the two. 1t will
surely. be reported tomorrow and will
declare for immediate intervention, a
general recognition of the rights of the
Cuban people to freedom and independ-
ence, and will demand the withdrawal
of the Spanish forces from the island.
The republicans of the house commit
tee practically united upon a resolu-
tion, which also directs immediate in
tervention lin that respect going be-
yond the presidents recommendation
and for the establishment of a firm
and stable" government in Cuba. Mr..
Smith of Michigan stood out stubborn
ly for recognition of independence,
but the committee did not yield. When
the resolutions were submitted to the
republican steering committee, they in
sisted that unless the words land inde-
pendent before government We're in
serted, so as to read firm, stable and
Independent government" they would
decline to accept it. Finally assurances
that this would be conceded was given,
and If those words go in, plain sailing
and harmonious action seems proba ole
tomorrow.
The democrats Of the committee have
agreed to anita gonize the majority ,eso-
luton with one declaring for indeoend-
ence of the island and immediate
armed Intervention. The ultimate IN
lus
recognition of the independence Of the
existing government, is the step which
Doth committees are to take beyond
the presidents recommendation. a
significant feature of the day in this
connection was the declaration of Cen
eral Grosvenor of Ohio. the administra-
tons spokesman, made during the de-
bate in the house. that the presidents
must be INTERPRETED
as declaration for, the independence
OF the island from Spanish domain.
There is strong impression tonight
that the debate in the house will L,, |
made short to prevent undue criticism |
OF the administration. Many of the re- |
publicans are in favor of no debate at |
all. contending that the passage of a |
resolution without debate would |
our position before the |
world
In the senate 1t is impossible TO pre-
1ict how long the debate will run.
rhere is general feeling in Washing
.on tonight among public men that the
action OF congress as foreshadowed in
he resolution renders the situation ex-
-remely critical, and conservative lead
ers or both parties consider war ineyi-
able as a result of their adoption un-
ess Spain makes a final and complete
iurrender by giving up the island of
Suta.
The situation is regarded as so crit
cal that the republicans on the ways
md means committee, as a result of
private conferences, have reached an
lgreement as to the method of raising
100, 900 additional revenue annually
or The prosecution of the war by in
reasing the tax on beer and tobacco
nd placing a tax on tea and coffee.
'hey also agreed to authorize the issue
4 popular loan of $500 900. 900 and the
ssue OF certificates of Indebtedness to
meet emergencies.
1t was stated late tonight on high
uthority that an arrangement has been
effected by which the reso-
1tions may pass both houses to-mor-
ow. 1t is understood that the foreign
nairs committee of the house and SEN
tie will confer before the assembling
congress tomorrow for the purpose
perfecting an agreement whereby
ne Foraker resolution will be substi- I
1ted for the other resolutions. IL will |
e modified by the elimination of the
econd paragraph, which recognizes
uban Independence and other slight