New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-29
accompanied by the doorkeeper. who MADE the

movement In the overcrowded galleries. and no'
a Representative shifted his position or WITH
drew his gaze from the document the clerk WIS
reading until the end Then there was applause
In the galleries and on the floor but Democra"c
Representatives did not take part IN H.
Under the rule the Speaker referred the Mes
sage to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and
explained to Mr.. Bailey. who asked concerning
the report Of the Court of Inquiry and the tes-
tjmony. that those had accompanied the copy
OF the Message transmitted to the Senate. MI
McMillin then asked whether it would be IN OF
der TO ask unanimous consent that the Message
be considered in the House on Wednesday Oh
this week and received negative reply After
the announcement by Mr.. Walker, OF Massac"u-
sets. Of the death of Mr.. Simpkins' the Rouse
adjourned and the crowds of spectators In the
galleries quickly melted away.
COMMENT ON THE MESSAGE.
The scenes and utterances in the chamber
after the adjournment were unusual ana lndl-
ca ted the intensity Of the feelings OF resentment
against Spain which exist among Representa-
tives and have been repressed pending the re-
CENT Of the report Of the Court of Inquiry. Many
OF the comments on the Message were severe ana
eome of the harshest were made by Rcl uohc"''s'
A few members were angry because copy OF
the report and testimony had not been sent 10
the House Of Representatives as well as 10 the
Senate They bitterly declared that the rep
resentatives of the people" had not been 'rea'eo
with a proper degree of respect. But 'hs soi'
of criticism was of little consequence. compared
with that which appeared to spring from leei-
ing of disappointment because the President hao
not outlined his general policy IN regard 10
Cuban affairs in the Maine Message, as well as
from, a fear that when he did so he might pro-
nose something to which Congress would refuse
to agree.
So intense and general did this feeling ana
fear appear to be, and so vehement were 'he
expressions Of members, irrespective OF parry,
that cautious conservative and cool-headeu
Republican leaders like Messrs Dinghy. faFhe'
Dalzell and others became exceedingly uneasy
Among the Republicans who voiced their uls-
satisfac. zion and their determination TO oppose
any Cuban policy which lacked vigor ana
defniteness and did not promise speedy and
tangible results were the charmen and some
Republican members Of the more important
committees OF the House. II resolution ap-
propriatng money to feed the starving non
combatants in Cuba had been proposed in the
House to-day 1t would have been oVerwhelin-
ingly defeated unless coupled with II hau peeh
a provision for Intervention, by force II neces-
sary, to put an end to hostilitles between SPAIN
and the insurgents. Whether time or future
explanations will soften or modify TINS deter
mnation, as the Republican leaders nope IL
may. remains TO be seen. That the PRESIDENT
has already been. or speedily will be- advised by
them to withhold for the present any recon.
of the suffering Cubans, unless II be accom-
panied by an explicit and satisfactory state
ment OF his policy in regard to the cessation OF
hostilites and the restoration OF peacerui con-
dtions in Cuba, is certain.
HOLDING SPAIN RESPONSIBLE.
OF course feeling has been greatly intensified
by the report Of the Court of Inquiry. 1t was
difficult indeed TO find members OF the House
this afternoon who did not feel convinced that
the destruction of the Maine due to Span
ish treachery In fact. not dozen men could
be found who would believe to the contrary.
Keeping this fact in mind. one can realize how
difficult IL not impossible. 1t Is for congressman
to consider or treat the Maine disaster as an
incident which has no bearing on the CUBAN
question They could hardly do so If they should
try. and very few of them appear TO be willing
to try.
ternoon was the fact that the Democratic leaders
in the House who visited the President last week
at his invitation and were consulted by MN In
regard TO certain matters affecting the cuban
situation and who afterward expressed their
confidence in him and their approval OF his
policy as they then understood 1t, took different
ground to-day after hearing the Message. Two
OF these leaders were Mr.. Sayers, Of Texas and
Mr. Dockery OF Missouri, ranking Democratic
and both Of them expressed themselves as late
as Saturday in favor Of an appropriation for
the relief of the starving Cuban non-combatants.
without mentioning any conditions. To-day
both Of them declared themselves opposed TO the
appropriation except on conditions.
REPORTS OF AN ARMISTICE DENIED.
Probably one thing that added to the harsh
ness OF some OF the comments to-day the
reports about an armist!Ce between Spain and
the insurgents and negotiations looking toward
more complete autonomy. Both Chairman Ding
ley and General GrOsvenor denied without reser-
walton and with sharp emphasis, that there was
any foundation whatever for these reports. The
latter added:
They are like the report which has done
much to infame public sentiment in this coun
try. TO the effect that short time before the
Maine was destroyed she was moved 10 a DIFF
ferent place and moored a mine by the
Havana harbormaster. That statement is shown
to be false by the report Of the Court OF Inquiry,
but it has been published and republished hun
dreds Of times without denial and has had It's
effect II vas simply a newspaper fake report
which never had shadow of foundation"
1t was the impression among members OF the
House or Representatives last night and this
forenoon that Message would be transmitted
TO Congress tomorrow recommending an appro-
priation for the relief Of the starving Cubans
but later in the day the opinion was expressed
by Mr. Dingley and other Republican leaders
that the Message might be withheld several
days awaiting further developments and
HOPcu-lOI CIdHsc III tHt VI lHe Mouse
The sentiment which ruled a majority Of the
members OF that body to-day was decidedly
hostile 10 the proposition. and II strongly
asserted that strong minority OF the Appro-
priationS Committee, not wholly composed of
Democrats would oppose II unless coupled with
a provision requiring speedy stop to be put
TO hostilities in Cuba
The foregoing statements respecting the stu
alton and feeling in the House Of Representa-
tives to-day are not In the least exaggerated a
fact which was recognized and freely admitted
prominent
leaders OF that body, who sincerely deprecated
II. and are doing all they can to repress an out
break and prevent action which would embar-
the Administration in its efforts TO milf
gate and relieve suffering and restore peace 10
stricken Cuba.