The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-06

their ideas.
The relations of the United States
with Spain was the uppermost topic In
the executive session, and constituted
the subject of many conferences among
senators. The activity was due to the
announcement that the president
message would recommend the adop-
tion of policy looking to intervention
in Cuba on the part of the executive
branch of the government rather than
the recognition Of independence, and
to an effort to make smooth the way
for the reception of such a report. The
executive session was devoted to a
general discussion of the policy to be
pursued towards Spain, and developed
the fact that much opposition would
be made to the acceptance of a policy
in line with the presidents desires.
While the senate was in executive
session a formidable element in the
senate was considering what should be
done in case the resolutions should be
reported for recognition of independ-
ence. This faction was composed OF
what Is known as the conservative ele.
ment on the Republican side of the
senate. Their conference was held in
Senator Aldrich's committee room, and
among those present were Senators
Hanna, Platt of Connecticut, Spooner,
Hale, Fairbanks and Aldrich. Senator
Allison was also there for brief time.
Opposed to Cuban Recognition.
A general purpose was expressed to
oppose the adoption Of any report that
should recommend recognition of Gu
ban Independence and which did not
indeed confine itself to the support of
the presidents recommendation for in
tervention only. This position was
taken because of the generally ex-
pressed conviction among the senators
present that in case of war with Spain
and the triumph of the arms of the
United States this country should be
left free to dispose Of Cuba as she
might see proper. Many of them ex-
pressed dissatisfaction with the present
Cuban administration and the opinion
was given that the recognition of in
dependence at this time would bind the
United States to the support of the
present Cuban administration and to
guaranteeing its bonds, giving to the
Cuban junta a position of influence and
power to which 1t Is not in their opinion
entitled. Hence decision was reached
to labor with the committee on foreign
relations not to report resolution
with double purpose, and the inten-
tion was expressed on the part of some
to oppose its adoption If reported.
The prevailing opinion among sena-
tors is that the committee will recede
from its position for both independence
and Intervention and report a resolu-
tion in accordance with the presidents
recommendation for Intervention alone,
but this is not certain. OF three mem
bers of the committee seen, all classed
as pro-Cubans. one, Senator Frye, an
nounced himself satisfied with inter
vention; another, Senator Foraker, an
nounced that he would not favor the
change. and third, Senator Davis, re-
fused to commit himself. Senator
Lodge had previously said that he
would support the presidents position.
Senator Chandler For War.
"The United States ought Immediate
ly to declare war against Spain, and to
maintain that war until the people of
Cuba are made free from Spanish
starvation and cruelty and the govern
ment of the island firmly established
as an Independent republic" This ut
terance by Senator Chandler of New
Hampshire, in a carefully prepared
statement Of the position on the Gu
ban crisis. was the climax of an ex-
tended discussion of the subject par
ticipated in by several members in the
senate yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Tur-
ner. of Washington. took substantially
the same position as that of Mr.. Chand-
Ter. basinS his demand for action upon
the Maine catastrophe. Mr. Turpie, of
Indiana. one of the members of the
foreign relations committee, briefly but
scathingly reviewed the Spanish con-
duct of Cuban affairs and declared in
the strongest terms for intervention
that would mean something-that
would drive Spain from control of
every foot OF territory in the western
The crowds which thronged the gal
leries of the house yesterday were dis
appointed. There were no outbreaks
Of any kind on the floor on the Cuban
question. The whole day was spent on
the private calendar with the result
that several bills We're passed, among
them one to pay the heirs Of John
Roach, the shipbui!der, $3.50, 900 on a
claim which has been pending dozen
years. and another to pay O. C. Bosby-
she'll. ex-superlntendent of the Phila-
1elphia mint, $4,000 extracted from the |
gold vaults by a weigh clerk
Tho safety of General Lee our con-
suls and other Americans in Cuba is a
natter of concern to the state depart
nent. Advices from General Lee in
lcate that the transportation of all
Americans from Cuba would taks game
line. and apparently showed that he
lid not share fully in the apprehension
elf here 1t is thought over 1000
Americans will be eager to leave Ha.
ANA today To care for this crowd
here ara tho Fern. the Bacha aud the
Aangrove al! government vessels, and
he passenger steamers Olivette and
Iascntte Whether any armed vessel
rom the Key West squadron will be
It hand when the exodus begins could
lot be learned. but it was said at the
White House that "al Americans
would he well cared for"