The herald., 1898-04-01
HOUSE COMMITTEE
Monday Set as the Day to Take
$50" Action

Monday Set as the Day to Take
hn~ Action
WASHINGTON, March S1.-The House
Committee on Foreign Affairs met at II
o'clock. Chairman Hit was unable to be
present, and Mr.. Adams of Pennsylvania
presided.
The Democrats of the committee at
tempted to force immediate action, but
the Republicans, standing by their agree
ment of yesterday, steadily set their faces
against having their hands forced until
Monday. They stated that II the present
negotiations failed they would be willing
to act on Monday.
Mr.. Clark Dem) Of Missouri moved
that the subcommittee on the Cuban
question be discharged from the further
consideration Of his resolution recognizing
the independence of Cuba and kindred
resolutions. No vote was taken on this
proposition, the Republicans occupying
the time until the hour of adjournment dis
GUESSING the situation and arguing that the
President in courtesy should have the
few additional days he had asked before
action was taken.
Mr.. Adams, who saw the President this
morning, said that the negotiations would
succeed or fail before Monday. Mr.. CIark's
motion was pending when the committee
adjourned
Mr.. Quigg, at u o'clock. moved an ad-
journment until Monday, the regular meet
| ing day Of the committee being Tuesday.
Mr. Pearson moved an amendment 20
make the day to which the adjournment
| should be Saturday, and Mr.. Williams
| Dem.) Mississippi, who bore the brunt of
| the Democratic fight against any further
delay whatever, moved to meet tomorrow.
Mr. Parsons amendment was withdrawn
and Mr. Williams was voted down by =
strict party vote.
Mr.. Quigg's motion was them agreedto.
The members of the committee present
| were Messrs. Adams. Pennsylvania, acting
chairman In the absence Of Mr. Hit; Mr..
Quigg, New York; Mr.. Cousins, Iowa;
Smith. Michigan; Heatwote, Minnesota:
Pearson, North Carolina, and Henry, In
diana, Republicans; and Messrs Dinsmore,
Arkansas; Clark, Missouri; Williams, Mis-
sissippd and Howard, Georgia. Democrats.
Capt, Sigsbee of the Maine. Capt. Parker.
Secretary Longs aid, who went to Key
West after the explosion, on behalf OF the
department. were before the committee
for an hour at the afternoon session. Both
were examined in detail in regard to the
condition and strength of our navy in the
vicinity of Havana, and Capt. sdgsbee
was questioned as to his opinion and knowl-
edge of the Maine disaster. His story was
not materially different from that detailed
to the naval court Of inquiry, but the fact
that 1t was given personally to the men,
bers of the committee and included person.
al deductions, made visible impression
| upon the members. Capt, Sigsbee did net
express conviction in so many words that
the disaster was the result of treachery on
| the part of the Spanish but after the COM
miUtee had concluded its hearings one Of
| its members expressed his belief that the
explosion was due to that agency. The
purpose In taking the testimony Of these
naval officers Is to incorporate their state
ments in report which the committee vii,
make in case 1t finds 1t necessary to report
resolution Tor intervention. This report
will be in the nature of statement to the
country justifying the position taken. and
| 1t is considered desirable to support this
| with an array Of the pertinent facts which
will go Ear to convince the American people
and the civilized world of the Justice OF
the course taken.
! When the report was circulated during
the afternoon to the effect that Spain had
rejected the proposals of the United
States was brought to the attention Of the
committee Senator Davis went to the