Evening journal., 1898-04-18
A CONFERENCE LIKELY.
Conservatives Seem to Control the
Lower Branch.
ADMINISTRATION TAKES A REST.
All Eyes centered on Congress, and When
1t Gives the Word the Dogs of War
VIII Be Unclaimed Spaninrds
Attend "a Bull Fight.

cult task of adjusting the differences
between the two houses of congress on
Tho Cuban question began today The
rock upon which the two houses split
is the recognition of the Independence
OF the existing republic, which was In
corporated In the senate resolution.
Were that clause Of the senate resolu-
ton eliminated nothing could have
prevented immediate concurrence by
tho house, as the great majority OF the
Republicans OF the lower branch Of con-
srsHs are eager for a conclusion. But
the action OF the senate declaring for
the recognition OF Cuba's Independence
against the direct and specific recon-
mendation OF the president has given
the conservatives a rallying cry from
the standpoint OF party loyalty. which
ia proving very effective. one OF the
most prominent Republican leaders on
the floor Of the house den0mlnated that
portion OF the senate resolution as a
direct assault" upon the president,
which no loyal Republican could in
dorse. And upon this theory Speaker
Reed and his lleutenants have been
proceeding In their campaign against
concurrence In the senate resolution.
All day yesterday the speakers rooms
at tho ShOreham were like the head
quarters OF the commander In chief Of
an army. He consulted with his lieu-
tenants, Messrs. Dingley OF Maine. Dali
Eell OF Pennsylvania. Cannon Of Illinois,
Grosvonor OF Ohio and Payne OF New
York He has seen Messrs. JOY OF Mis-
sourl. Lorimer OF Illinois, Heatwole Of
Minnesota and other leaders OF the Re-
publican opposition and through other
agencies had thorough canvass made
of the Republican side of the house.
Last night he was confident the Repub-
licans OF the house can be marshaled
against yielding to the senate on the
main issue. Some OF the arguments
used with those who, like Mr. Cooper
OF Wisconsin. Mann of Illinois and
Bromwell Of Ohio. are disposed TO take
the shortest cut out OF the woods and
by agreeing end the matter have been
such as 10 shake the convictions Of
these gentlemen.
The chief complaint OF those who
want to concur is that nonooncurrence
means delay, complications. possibly a
r'te6p6hihg OK diplomatic negotiations
aud further concessions by spain which
Will embarrass the United Statea when
the time for action arrives.
These members have been labored
with separately The arguments against
recognition have been reiterated and
re-enforced In the light OF the speeches
IN the senate. Especially potent has
been the argument advanced by Sena.
tors Allison and Morgan that IL we rec
ognized the independence OF the exist
ing government General Gomez might
at any time negotiate a peace with
Spain. which would leave the United
States IN the lurch. When France al
"a.
war Il was for the purpose OF gaining
our independence, hut we were held to
the compact by a stipulation that no
peace with Great Britain should be ne
gotiated without Frances consent.
More than this. II is claimed that there
are evidences that the senate viii yield
the recognition Of independence II the
house stands firm. Notwithstanding the
large majority for the resolution, Sem
Rtor Hoar of Massachusetts, yesterday
urgently counseled the house leaders
TO reject tenaciously the senate's propo-
sition. He assured them that the sem
ate would not hold out. But possibly
the strongest argument brought 10 bear
was that the president himself could
not approve any resolution which con-
tained such an Invasion OF his preroga-
tive and which so plainly violated every
precedent OF International law This
strong intimation OF a presidential veto.
which would involve an entirely new
start and the delays incident TO H. had
a powerful influence. although In GER
tain quarters It was asserted that a
presidential veto would be overridden.
The suggestion that the preslden,
might sign the resolution ana send a
message TO congress saying that the
oil Fs.Fr
Cuba was ultra wires. beyond the jurls-
diction Of congress. was frowned upon
by the presidents friends. Those who
were in favor Of concurrence in the GEN
ate amendment We're not particularly
active yesterday but some Of them are
showing determination. At one time
yesterday IT was said that 3S Republic.
ans had agreed TO vote for concurrence
but this could not be confirmed. and the
conservatives are confident that not
half that number viii break over the
traces. They realize. however that the
chief danger lies In a possible stampede
II 25 Republicans Join the Democrat,
and Populists In voting for concurrence
the resolution win go to the president
as passed by the senate. Should the lit
tie band OF Republicans who will vot,
TO concur make the result doubtful. Il
is feared that many others who are hei,
only by considerations Of party layalt,
will go over in body.
Some Of them have made their acqui
escence In the programme mapped ouf
contingent upon the ability Of the Re.
publicans to carry Il out. If the reso
luton is to be concurred I'm, they say
they cannot afford to be left out at tn,
death. They say they could not lustif,
such course with their constituents
1t Is said that many of the western Re
publicans have boen besieged by thei
constituents to vote for the senate reso
luton.
There has been considerable criticism
OF the verbiage OF the senate amend
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