Evening journal., 1898-04-13
INDEPENDENCE OF CUBA.
No Resolution Can Pass Without
This Provision.
LEE BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE.
Tho Consul General Says Tie Is Sure That
Spanish Authorities Knew of the
Plot Against the Maine, but
Iixonerates Blanoo.

WASHINGTON. April ls-The bur-
den Of responsibility for the next move
IN the Spanish crisis having been shift
ed by the presidents message upon the
shoulders Of congress. the capitol yes
terday 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
committee the Democrats as well as
the Republicans participated, while at
the house end the task was to secure
harmonious action among the Repub-
licans so as to present If possible. a
solid front when the Democrats are
finally called in for action.
Pressure from every quarter was
brought TO bear. Radicals and conserv-
ativos strained every nerve. The vital
point OF the contest hinged upon wheth-
er the resolutions should go further
than the president had gone and de-
clare for the independence Of Cuba from
Spanish domination. Last night COM
promise proposition seemed certain to
be reported at both ends Of the capitol
The senate committees resolution will
surely be reported today and win de-
clare for immediate Intervention, gem
eral recognition OF the rights of the Gu
ban people to freedom and independence
and win demand the withdrawal of the
Spanish forces from the island. The
Republicans of the house committee as
result Of their labors practically unit
ed upon a resolution which also directs
Immediate Intervention dn that respect
going beyond the presidents recon-
mendation) and for the establishment
of firm and stable" government ina
Cuba. Mr.. Smith of Michigan stood out
stubbornly for "a recognition of inde-
pendence, hut the committee did not
yield When the resolutions were SUBJ
mitted to the Republican steering COM
mttee. they insisted that unless the
words 'and Independent" before ''gov-N
eminent were inserted so as to read
"hrm stable and Independent govern
ment' they would decline TO accept Il.
Finally assurances that this would be
conceded were given. and IL those words
30 in, plain sailing and harmonious ac-
tion seem probable today. The Demo-
Gratis of Che committee have agreed 10
nntagonlze the majority resolution with
one declaring for independence and inn
mediate armed Intervention. The ulti-
mate Independence OF the island with
out the recognition OF the independence
Of the existing government Is the step
which both committees are TO take be-
yond the presidents recommendations.
A significant feature of the day in
this connection was the declaration Of
General Grosvenor OF Ohio. the admin
istration'g spokesman, made during the
debate In the house. that the presi-
dents recommendations must be inter
preted as q declaration for the inde-
pendence Of the island from Spanish
domination.
There was strong impression last
night that the debate in the house viii
be made short TO prevent undue criu-
cism of the administration. Many OF
the Republicans are in favor of no de-
bate at all, contending that the pas.
sage of a resolution without debate
would strengthen their position before
the world. In the senate 1t is impossl-
BILE 10 predict how long the debate win
run There was general feeling in
Washington last night among public
men that the action OF congress as fore.
shadowed in the resolutions renders the
situation extremely critical. and con-
servative leaders of both parties con.
slider war inevitable as a result Of their
adoption unless Spain makes a final
and complete surrender by giving up
the island Of Cuba.
The situation Is regarded as so crit
ical that the Republicans Of the ways
and means committee. as a result ~
private conferences. have reached an
agreement as to method Of raising
Sl00,000.000 additional revenue annually
for the prosecution Of the war by In.
creasing the tax on beer and tobacco
and placing a tax on tea and coffee
They also agreed to authorize the is-
sue of popular loan of $500. 600. 600 ana
the issue of certificates of Indebtedness
TO meet emergencies.
Consul General Lee arrived yesterday
afternoon and at once became the hero
of the hour There was great out
pouring of the people on the streets last
night TO witness the serenade rendered
him. During the afternoon he appear-
ed before the committee on foreign re-
lations of the senate. While IL is said
he gave no startling information. his
opinion, vigorously expressed. strength
ened the committee I'm the position IL
mas taken regarding the blowing up OF
the Maine and was regarded as very
valuable
Outside Of congress and the Lee DEM
onstration the complete calm which pre-
vailed IN an official quarters was in
striking contrast with the intense ex-
element and the rapidity of action dur
ing the last two weeks
The regular Tuesday cabinet meeting
was held at II O'clock. but the delibera-
tions proved to be void of significance
AT the conclusion OF the meeting cabi-
net members summed up what had oc-
CT n ffrttr ftnH
the most 1neventful i'm many weeks
The situation. it was explained. was
absolutely unchanged from that OF
Monday. No word had come from Min.
lister Woodford and there were no new
phases reported from Cuba with owl
dent satis.acaon the members of the