The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-08

care We fo- the intervention of tn
Powers? A declaration of Cuban indie
pendence would not necessarily NEAR
war. We want to be on the defensive
You that speak for the Administration
ana You who pretend 10 speak for thu
pe"olc answer me these things" 1t was
with difficulty that Speaker Reed re.
strained the applause in the House auo
galleries at he conclusion of Mr. Lentz's
speech
Gen Grosvenor. who. as a friend of the
President is more faithful than discreet
permitted his zeal to rush him into a
sweeping denial of the circumstances
stated.
Read From The Times
Mr. Lentz. in reply. read from The
Times and Gen. Grosvenor then modified
his denial and adroitIy undertook to ex-
cuse the President
lie declared that the visit of the am
haSsadocs to the White House was simply
perfunctory; that it meant nothing more
than an expression of good will and a
nope for peace with Spain. He denied
that the President was aware Wednes-
day OF the intended presentation of the
note and that he had permitted that
knowledge to influence him in withhold
ing his message. Gen. GrosVenor declared
that he knew all about the reasons for
the detention of that message.
Then why did you let the House re-
main here in ignorance while Wall Street
was specializing on the fact?" exclaimed
Mr.. Leutz.
This brought down the House, to use a
theatrical phrase The applause drowned
the vigorous protests of the Speaker
gaveL
Gen. Grosvenor was driven to confess
that the representatives of the powers
had called on the President and presented
a note of mediation, but he said the fact
ought not to be made d source of critf-
cism of the President, lest it be used
abroad by the enemies of the United
States
Being driven into Il corner, Gen. GroS-
yenor read the reply of the President to
the ambassadors and contended that it
was innocuous: that it was simply polite
and nothing more.
This was greeted with jeers from both
sides of the House
In the course of his remarks, Gen.
Grosvenor repeatedly said he thought
there would be war.
Mr.. McMillin administered a poser to
the Presidents champion. He read, with
marked emphasis upon the significant
clauses. the Presidents response to the
ambassadors, and asked Gen. Grosvenor
to explain to the House the actual mean
lIiS anu lIlpOIl Oh that reply.
The Ohio congressman was not equal to
the task of exculpating the President
He foundered through several minutes
of general denial. and then sought to
divert the discussion y-assailing John J.
McCook. He charged that McCook was
the head of a great conspiracy having for
its object the payment of $500. 900 of
Cuban bonds. He proceeded to give some
details of stock-jobbing deals in these
hpn1C hYrt ba in, b,,, TO,
listen TO Grosvenor s stock "reminiscences.
The members insisted upon holding
tho Ohio congressman down to the ques-
ton of the Presidents apparent duplicity
in having secretly invited the interven-
ton of European powers to check the
United States with regard to Cuba.
Gen. Grosvenor escaped argument by
recourse TO assumed Indignation. He de-
clared that he would not condescend to
answer any charge that the President
was guilty of Juggling with this ques-
tor.
That's just what we charge" shouted
dozen members,
Became Indignant.
Gen. Grosvenor is an old soldier and he
discovered that he was contend
ing against overwhelming numbers
He adroitIy escaped portion
of the burden he had voluntarily as
sumed by proceeding to eulOgize Consul
General Lee
1t was significant that not a single
word was uttered during the debate in
defense or palliation of the President,
except by Grosvenor. The Republicans
of the House evidently felt that it was
too dangerous. from political stand
point. for them TO champion their Presi-
dent