Evening star., 1898-04-06
PRESIDENTS PLAN OF ACTION
What Will Follow the Resolutions
of Congress.
ToDAY's CON ENCES

Long and Secretary Aiger to dispose of
their forces accordingly.
This movement is the last hope of tire
administration before the first shot is fired.
II will be the final notification to Spain and
all Europe that we are ready for war
The President knows that this demorstra-
tion. following the action of Congress, is
likely to be regarded by Spain a decla-
ration of war. Any other country of Eu-
rope would treat the demonstration and
Immediately begin hostilities with solid
shot and shell.
Ray of Hope.
There is a ray of hcpe-almost a barren
one-that Spain may decide to give up
Cuba and not fight but the very men who
entertain this hope believe that the Span
iards will proceed to fight. The cabinet
believes this. and nevertheless takes the
step of demonstration with a confidence
that 1t ought to be done.
Secretary Long and Secretary Alger both
held long confer ,nces with the President
this morning. Toe supposition is that they
are still planning for the demonstration
now decided upon.
Militia to BE Called Out.
II there is no change in the plans the vol
unteer militia Throughout the country will
be called into service within a few days
The call may be issued at any moment and
all the real preparations for war entered
into. If this does not serve to bring Spain
to terms then the war will begin in earnest.
The soldiers will be ready to march to
Havana
In the meantime Secretary Long will map
cut the locality where the naval demonstra-
tions will take place. These maneuvers
will undoubtedly be In the Waters around
Havana While these movements Will not
be real war the American fleet will be right
where it can strike when ordered.
Gen. Lee to Leave Havana.
Judge Day admitted to a Star reporter
early this morning. Immediately after leav-
ing the White House. that General Lee and
all the Americans in Havana are expected
to leave there as soon as possible today,
probably by noon. This is considered one
of the most important and serious admis-
sions yet made by high official of the gov
ernment to the imminence of war.
1t is understood that the State Depart
ment. after the cabinet meeting yesterday,
telegraphed General Lee to get all Ameri-
cans together and get them out of Havana
before tonight.
Despite assertions that the Presidents
message would ask for Intervention, but
with delay, the Instructions to General Lee
yesterday, followed by his departure today.
House this morning as evidences of proba-
BILE peace. On the other hand. the depart
ure of General Lee was generally looked
upon as the administrators opinion that
war will follow the sending of the message
to Congress The State Department so re-
CARDS the situation. 1t was said this morn
ing by officials that if the President had
not regarded his message as likely to pro-
woke war he would not have desired Cen
eral Lee to leave Havana In few words,
the administration looks upon the action
that will follow the message as a practical
declaration of war
Regard War ms Certain.
President Mckinley and his cabinet, 1t
can be officially stated. regard war as prac-
tically certain after the action of Congress
on the recommendations of the President.
They also regard the message as a prac-
tical recommendation for a declaration of
war.
The only hope of the President is that
this step will have the effect of causing
Spain to Immediately concede all that has
been asked for.
Spain Has the Message.
Spain will have a copy of the message in
her possession by the time 1t has been read
in Congress. Probably her ministers are al
In two or three days-Spain can act. But
the President believes she will choose war,
and he will be prepared.
1t Is thought also that every big power
OF Europe now knows what the Presi-
dent recommends. and that in few hours
the hottest pressure will be brought on
Spain to yield.
The President expects to know within a
few days what Spain will do He thinks,
however. that she will prefer war.
Conferences Today.
During the morning hours there were
many important movements and confer
ences at the White House.
One of these first conferences was with
Attorney General Griggs. the man who Is
now recognized to have completely changed
the plans of the administration as to the
recognition of the independence of the Gu
bans.
During the conference with the President
and Attorney General Griggs, Assistant
Secretary Pruden was sent for. He went
Immediately to the Presidents office with
the copies Of the message. 1t is understood
that the President made few changes in
the message 1t is believed that these
changes were of such nature as to make
the message stronger and to remove
charges this morning that the President
was asking for Intervention which
meant nothing but delay
Representative Adams of the House for
eign affairs committee and Senators Frye
Spooner and Fairbanks next had long con-
ferences with the chief executive, all TAX
ing place in the private apartments of the
White House. These conferences. it Is
said. had for the purpose an arrangement
by which the foreign affairs committees Of
House and Senate will report the same
resolution for Intervention The President
may have seen the resolutions themselves
and talked about their wording
later ard highly important conference
was with Attorney General Griggs. Secre-
taries Alger and Long and Judge Day. II
lasted until & late hour. Judge Day had
map with him. In view Of the known In
tention Of the government to make 4 naval. |.
and military demonstration. the conference
was no docbt on that subject. The grounds
for the naval demonstration must be pick