Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-27


Washington, D. c.. March 26.-Sen,
afor Elkins remains one of the few
public men in Washington who be-
lleyes war with Spain can be avoided
and who deprecates talk of action
which might bring on hostility. He
saw the President to-day, and after
wards said.
Il am heartily in sympathy with the
movement to feed the Cubans, but l
believe in feeding them first ana
afterwards taking care of the people
VINO have been prosecuting them. l
belleve that if Spain refused the
United States permission to carry food
into Cuba, and it should be sent on
warships and distributed against the
governments protest, it would be
armed intervention and Spain would
declare war. | think, however, that IL
this government asks for permission to
distribute supplies in Cuba, the Span
1sh government would really grant our
request
About the Maine disaster, I con-
slider 1t a parallel case to the lynching
OF the Italians by the citizens OF New
Orleans. | was in the cabinet at the
time, and we did not think we could
or should be held responsible for
THE ACTS OF OUR CITIZENS
which we had not power to prevent.
After looking into the question, how
ever, we found that every government
was in measure responsible for the
acts of its citizens, and after diplo>
matte correspondence, agreed to pay
the Italian government indemnity. L
think that Spain recognizes herself
responsible in a degree for the disas-
ter to the Maine, and is willing to pay
indemnity upon a demand from this
government"
President Mckinley talked freely
with his Congressional visitors to-day,
both in regard to his plans for the flu
ture and his appreciation of the situa-
tion with reference to Cuba. His pro-
gramme as thus outlined, is as follows:
To send the report of the Maine court
of inquiry to Congress on Monday
without recommendation and without
explanation on his part further than
to say that he has acquainted Spain
with the finding of the court.
To follow this Tuesday or WedneS-
day with message dealing with the
condition of the non-combatants in
Cuba, and asking for an appropriation
of $500 600 for their immediate relief;
To present anew this condition to
Spain ask that country to make pro-
vision for the care Of her helpless peo-
pie. and to come to some terms with
the Cubans which will be satisfactory
to them and put an end to the war;
>er-s> ffffs fai'lss- to forcibly intervene on
humanitarian grounds.
The President indicated to his hear
ers an abiding faith that peace may be
preserved still and a determination on
his part to accomplish that end If 1T
may be done with honor to our own
country and without dIsregarding the
demands of humanity. He frankly
and repeatedly averred to-day his de-
sire
TO PREVENT CONFLICT,
while at the same time indicating a
firm purpose to secure relief for the
starving reconcentrados.
Indeed, the latter purpose appeared
to be the topic uppermosr in the
Presidents mind. He dwelt upon the
fact that the recognition OF belllger-
emit rights or of independence would
not be of any material service to
these unfortunates. He admitted that
such action might be of assistance TO
the men at arms, the insurgent army,
but they, he said, have shown. ca
paefty to take care of themselves and
do not stand in pressing need of our
kind Offices
The President believes Spain will
interpose no obstacles to. our sending
succor to her INDECENT people, and he
will ask Congress to act promptly that
the aid to he given may not arrive too
late to relieve the present pressing ne
cessities. &g'
This done the President is hopeful
that Congress will remain quiet, while
the executive branch OF the. govern
ment continues it's efforts to secure a
peaceful settlement of the difficulty. He
thinks it is not too late to do This,