The western recorder., 1898-04-14

personal conclusions and recommenda-
tions. He placed the trust with these
words:
'.rhe issue Is now with Congress. 1t
is a solemn responsibility have ex-
hnusted every effort to relieve the in
tolerable condition OF affairs Mt our
DOORS Prepared to execute every obli-
CATION imposed upon me by the consti-
tuition and the law. await your ac-
tom
No message in recent years. not even
OF President Cleveland on Venezuela.
nor President Harrison on Chile.
caused such widespread and intense
interest. No message was ever listened
to with more close attention by both
galleries and members at both ends of
the capitol.
The message left Congress very much
at sea, because the disparagement in
views between 1t and the executive are
obstacles hard to surmount unless. as
now seems possible, Congress sees its
course to lie in Accord with the Presi~
dents recommendation II is generally
believed that the President would have
been authorized to intervene with the
army and navy, had 1t not been for the
concluding paragraphs of the docn-
ment, which announced the latest
phase of diplomatic negotiations.
The Senate committee on foreign re-
lations Immediately went into session.
but reached no definite conclusion,
From the fact that the Republican
members held consultation after the
meeting adjournsd. and what was said
regarding 1t. the Inference was drawn
that some strong measure was neces-
sary In order to carry any action by
the committee through the Senate. A
declaration of war was talked of, and
a declaration that the people OF Cuba
should be free. coupled with authoriza-
tion to the president to bring this about
by armed Intervention, was suggested.
1t is well known that any proposition
advanced will be met in the Senate
with an amendment declaring the In
dependence of the present Cuban gov
ernment. and to frame resolution so
as to carry the majority of the Senate
and at the same time meet the recon-
mendntions of the President. is the
result which the foreign relations COM
mittee is trying to secure. 81
The conservative senators met in the
afternoon and determined to oppose
any radical measure If II should be re-
ported by the Senate committee OH for
cign relations. They Will oppose by
debate recognition of independence
OF the present government and a dec
laration of war. and will consent to
action only along the lines of the rec
concentrations of the President as to
intervention at his discretion.
The temper of the House could not
be accurately determined. but there, as
in the Senate the proposition for Gu
ban independence has to be met. ANY
report from the committee on foreign
affairs that does not carry with 1t this
feature will be antngonized with an
amendment. and the prospects are that
nearly all the Democrats and many Re
publicans would favor Ii. Efforts have
been directed all day toward action
which win secure the solid support Of
the Republican organization. and the
Republican majority of the House. To
this end the Republican members of
the House. to whom the message was
referred, were in conference during the
day and night.
Now that Congress- has the respops;-
bility upon 1t. !, Is the Presidents sin
cere hope that 1t will weigh every
phase Of the question as carefully as
he has done. and that when 1t does net
1t will be for forcible Intervention and
not In the form OF direct declaration
rf war.