The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-30

Washington, March 29.-Congress and
the cabinet divided attention today on
the Spanish situation. In congress the
feeling which began to take form after
the presidents pacific message on the
Maine was presented yesterday, found
open expression today in the resolutions
presented proposing a declaration of
war, recognition of the independence of
Cuba armed intervention and other de-
cisive and warlike steps against Spain,
and in conferences of Republicans, hav-
ing for their object the overruling of
the speaker, if necessary to get prompt
action. Both on the floor, in the cloak
rooms, in the Hobbies and in the cor
ridors, there was little else discussed
but the Cuban situation and the Maine
disaster. Every senator and member
was furnished with copy of the testi-
mony sent to congress yesterday, and
every person who could procure copy
read the printed pages. Every group of
senators in the cloak rooms talked of
Cuba Constant and continued confer
ences were held and all recognized the
seriousness of the situation.
NO LONGER IN CONTROL.
On the house side it was apparent
that the Republican majority could not
longer be controlled by what Is known
as the conservative element led by the
speaker.
Groups of members in state OF eX-
citement were TO be seen on every hand
In each cloak room there were mem
bers listening eagerly while portions OF
the Maine testimony were read Mem
bers of the committee on foreign al
fairs grouped together and discussed
plans and possible future proceedings
1t was generally acknowledged that
serious condition had arisen; mat
crisis was soon at hand. 1t was the
opinion of some of the conservative
members that in day or two the teel-
ing would subside and members would
not be so agitated.
THE NEXT FEW DAYS
Much depends upon the next few
DAYS. That congress win not long re-
main inactive if some decided action IS
not taken by the administration. IS
certain. 1t is also true that the talk of
an armistice caused a great deal OF Ill
feeling. The house today proceeded TO
do business without outbreak ana WITH
out dramatic incident, but no such quiet
can be promised tomorrow, Wheh the
naval bill is being considered
The Cav closed with a prospect that
the committees to whom were referred
the Maine correspondence will act soon,
possibly before the end of the week
THE PRESIDENTS DEMAND
The cabinet meeting today developed
nothing new. The president remains
steadfast in his convictions as to what
is his duty, and adverse CRITICISM
which. it is asserted, is mainly due 10
INSTRUMENTATION as to the situation or
Il, cir nT1r
will not be permitted to swerve INN IN
the least degree from the course he mas
MANNED. The president some days ago
made a peremptOry demand upon
Spain to put an end Immediately 10
hostilities in Cuba, to release the re-
concentrates and to permit them 10
return to their homes and resume their
several OCCUPATIONS unmolested. This
statement is made on good authority,
and since that demand was communl-
Gated 10 Spain the president has not
taken step backward or allowed hlm-
self to be persuaded into modifying IL
in the least particular. SPANS final
reply to this demand, it is known, IS
now receiving the earnest considera-
ton of the Spanish authorities at Ma
drid. and their final reply may be rea-
sonabIv expected within the next few
DAYS. Should these demands he re-
iectad, there is the highest authority
for stating that the president would
not hesitate a moment as 10 his fu-
lure course. but would Immediately lay
the whole record before congress and
be guided by its Instructions
PRELIMINARY STEP.
AS preliminary step toward peace,
II has been proposed TO Spain-thouSh
this last proposition has not taken the
shape of a demand as yet. at least
that the Spanish government withdraw
its troops from the island, and that
the Cubans be given their independence
on a basis of indemnity, that would
be regarded as just in amount by the
United States and other nations of the
world. and fair TO both contending
parties.
NO AGREEMENT ON ARMISTICE. 4
The question of an armistice has not
been agreed TO by either this country
or Spain. though there is no doubt that
Spain suggested an armistice. What
terms of peace viii be acceptable to
the president cannot be stated, but it
is asserted that no proposition viii be
considered that does not involve the
practical if not the actual, independ-
ence of the Cubans.
FRANCE AS MEDIATOR.
There is little doubt that the French
government is ready to tender its good
offices as mediator between the United
States and Spain if any intimation is
conveyed by this country that such
offices would be acceptable. Without
such intimation ii is doubtful whether
France will take the initiative. In
diplomatic circles it is pointed out that
the interests of France, both material
and sentimental. favor an avoidance of
war One material reason is that
France is preparing for an internatiOn- /
al exposition, when the worlds tide of
travel will be turned toward the
French capital. 1t is said that war
1T such a time would be seriously
lrejudicial to this great project. An
other material interest affecting |
France is that her citizens own many