The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-01
THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
1t Is Carefully and Calmly Consider
ing the Situation.
~ .---
IN HARMONY WITH The PRESIDENT
WbiIc Not Intending 10 Report untII
Monday, They Arc Prepared 10
Act on short notice.
IN HARMONY WITH The president

Washington, March 3l.--The senate COM
mittee on foreign relations resumed its
sitting today but It begun its work with
the dcllberntion OF n body which feels that
Il has ample time for all that is TO be done.
The general question of the Cuban situa-
ton was taken up Immediately and cspe-
cial attention was given TO the proposition
to purchase the Danish islands of st.
Thomas. Tho committee adjourned short
ly after IL O'Clock until tomorrow. The
committee docs not expect to attempt 10
make a report until Monday ON the Cuban
question MS II viii wait absolutely upon
the p.osdent's wishes until that time The
committee Is preceding in perfect harmony
With the president
The president has told Spain in so many
words that It is ureless 10 go further upon
any other understanding.
With this end ~ view conceded by Spain
he will not attempt to dictate the terms
Of the manner of conducting negotiations
between the Spaniards and the Cibans and
he has indicated to Spain that he will be
willing that an armistiae shall be arranged
II Is the dasire not TO put the matter 80
ltarshly as TO prick the national pride OF
the Spanish people. but at the same time
to put Il so plainly that there can he no
doubt of the one essential consideration,
Eaving this before them the committee is
proceeding deliberately and with no desire
TO press the question until 1t Is necessary.
Captain Sigsbee OF the Maine and Cap
tain Parker. Secretary Longs naval aide.
who wen. to Key West after the explosion
cl behalf of the department, were before
tho committee for an hour at the after
nocn session. Both were examined in re-
gard to the condition and strength of our
navy from the vicinity of Havana and cap
tain Sigsbee was questioned as to his opin-
ion and knowledge of the Maine disaster.
His story was net materially different from
that detailed to the naval court of inquiry,
bat the fact that it was given personally
TO the members of the committee and in
cluded personal deductions made a wish
BILE impression upon the members Captain
Sigsbee did not express in 80 many woris
hat the disaster was the result of treach-
cry upon the part OF spaniards, but after
The hearing one Of Its members expressed
Ills belief That the explosion was due to
that agency.
Tho purpose In taking the testimony OF
these officers is to Incorporate their state
ments in report the committee will make
in case it finds 1t necessary to report
resolution for Intervention. This report
will be in The nature of statement to the
country justitying the position token and
1t Is considered desirable to support this
with an array of pertinent facts which will
so far to convince the American people
and the civilized world OF the Justice OF
the course taken.
When the report which was circulated
during tire afternoon TO the effect that
Spain had requested that the proposals
of the United States he brought TO the at
tention of the committee Senator Davis
went to the senate chairman and asked
that there should be an adjournment. The
committee might bring in its report to-
morrow. II was stated later. however.
that the committee had not changed its
plans and that ii probably would wait upon
tho president al least until Monday If he
had 30 desired. There is no doubt that the
committee is prepared to report very
speedily In case il should feel called upon
to do so. There has bcon no poll of the
committee on the formulation OF resolu-
ton. but there has been very general
expression OF views. This expression has ,
so far taken the shape Of II recognition
OF the independence OF the Cubans together
with n declaration for intervention suf-
ficiont to guarantee this independence and
the best opinion is that such resolution
VIII be the ultimate result OF tho COM
mttcc's deliberations il Spain insists on
continuing the Cuban war and holding the
island.
-
o.