The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-04
CONGRESS WILL BACK HIM.
THE PRESIDENT CAN RELY ON IRIS
UEhNIMoU US SUPPORT.

v,., m, Proper limo Comes n Democratic
senator viii Iatrsduce . Resolution PiedE-
,ur ro,rre.s TO Uphoid the Adrninistratien
If vhsteyer Cost In Any Trouble with Spain.
v,surxsroS, March 3.-In whatever action
pr.sident Mckinley mr. decide to take in the
,,rh, NJ the disaster TO the Maine, to effect .
,c,.lement OF tho Cuban question. he will I'M
admittedly have the unanimous support OF the
American Congress. A Democratic Senator
,ome days ago drew up n resolution which
eynresscs It to DO the sense Of tho Con-
ass that the hands Of the Administration
should DO upheld. no matter at what cost,
In any controversy with Spain that
,hor,d 20 beyond the limits of diplomatic
conference and correspondence and o canvass
y, the Republicans, Democrats and Populists
.howed IN lat such a resolution would DO passed
nromptly. It has not yet boon introduced be-
cause /. 10 not certain that the time will ever
oore when its passage would BIO timely or wise.
Tho senator has 1t in his pocket, however, and
will present 1t II an emergency arises threaten.
Inc to involve the United States in q conflict
with Spain.
something Of the temper Of Congress with re-
gard to the question Of enacting legislation de-
manded by the needs Of the naval and military
NafAhiSnIDtulb III 10 pho"h W bAo Sttoh Va
the House on the Hswley bill providing for the
enlistment Of two additional regiments Of artil-
lery. 1t was thought that n meeting of the
committee on Rules would be hold to-day for
the purpose OF reporting q special rule for tho
consideration of the bill. No meeting was held,
however, but the matter may be arranged before
the hour OF m Meeting Of the House tomorrow.
Chairman Boutelle of the Naval Committee
had a protracted conference with Secretary Long
this morning, and they discussed fully the needs
of the navy that arc to be provided for in the
annual Appropriation bill, now in course Of
preparation. Secretary Long yesterday assured
the public that the attitude Of Chairman Bou-
telle toward the emergency legislation recon-
mended last Friday in tho letter OF Acting Sec
rotary Roosevelt had been misrepresonted. and
that the Congressman is acting entirely
in accordance with the desires Of the Navy De-
partment. Notwithstanding the Secretary's
well.intended, IL perfunctory, assurance, Chair
man Boutelle was not misrepresented in the
least. He bitterly assailed the Acting Secre-
tary's recommendation that authority be given
for the immediate enlistment of 1900 addi-
tional seamen and the request OF Capt. Bradford,
Chief OF the Bureau Of Equipment, for an APP
preparation OF 100000 for coal. The fact Is
that Secretary Long also disapproved OF the
action of the department in asking for this
legislation. which, accordingly, will not be re-
ported. The President thought It wise. how
ever, to ask for it. but in view Of the fact that
the regular naval bill will make provision for
practically all that was asked for in the special
recommedations they will not be pressed.
In Washington little serious attention is
given to the widespread but ill.advised criti-
cism of Secretary Longs statement Of Tuesday
to the effect that the question OF the Spanish
Governments participation in the explosion
that wrecked the Maine has boen eliminated.
In making this statement Secretary Long did
not intend to commit the Administration in any
way to the theory Of accident. He merely said
that in his personal opinion. speaking as a pri-
vate Individual, the Spanish Government, as a
Government, was innocent Of the crime.
Publication In THE Sun OF the fact that the
President has fully determined to force Spain to
q settlement of the Cuban question at once. and
that AZ a means to this end he may propose the
plan OF having the United States guarantee the
purchase price of Cuban freedom. has attracted
wide attention in Washington. Senators and
Representatives have been interviewed upon
the subject. but they are very chary
OF expressing an opinion, in view of
the fact that the President is known to be gath
erins information in al, directions as to the
wisdom and efficacy OF the proposed plan. on
position to 1t Is expressed in some quarters,
and the members OF Congress generally seem
to be about equally divided in their opinions
as to the feasibility of this method of bringing
about Cuban Independence.
In its energetic preparations for an emergency
the War Department has decided to place the
Federal reservation on tho Dry Tortugas in a
state Of defence, ard 1t has asked the Secretary
ofthe Treasury to relinquish Its authority over
the property. Up to 1883 the reservation was
used as a military post, and bore the name q
Fort Jefferson, but in that year II was aban-
doned by the War Department, and authority
over 1t given to the Treasury Department.
This transfer was coupled with the promise
that II the War Department ever wanted the
reservation for military purposes the Treasury
Department would relinquish It's right to 90
eupy 1t. The letter sent to the Secretary of the
Treasury on the subject, which is signed by
Brig.-Gen. John NJ. Wilson. Chief Of Engineers,
US, A.. says that under existing conditions 1t
10 necessary that the reservation shall BIO trans
ierred back to the War Department without
delay for use for military purposes. The Treas
ory Department will be obliged to remove its
Quarantine station at the Dry Tortugas. There
hsaid to be no objection on the part of the
Treasury Department to abandoning the reser-
vAtion.
Old Fort Jefferson WAS at one time q formida-
bio fertilization. 1t is built Of masonry, and
was abandoned when the War Department do
cided that masonry defences were impraotica-
Die. 1t will probably be put in as good condition
as its ancient construction will permit. Dry
Tortugas would become an important base Of
supplies In the event of war with Spain. 1t is
the present rendezvous of the North Atlantic
squadron.
4 CAPACITY OF RAHROADS.
some or tho Questions Asked by the Govern
msnt or Company Omcials.