The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1898-04-16
Executive.

is that the crisis will reach it's climax
this week and that the question Of
war or peace will be determined with
in the next six days. Senators and
representatives met and conferred all
day about the gravity of the situation,
and at the White house the president
consulted with several members of his
cabinet and other confidential ad-
visers regarding the message which he
is preparing to send to congress. At
the state, war and navy building ,ac-
tive work was going on, and, alto
gether it has been a day Of suppressed
feeling. No absolute day has been yet
announced when the message is to be
sent to congress, and all that seems to
be absolutely certain now is that it
will not go in Tuesday, probably on
Wednesday or, perhaps, Thursday. In
addition to the physical work of pre-
pairing the
Comprehensive Document
upon which the president expects to
rest Americas case with the world,
there are other reasons why those in
charge Of the al preparations will
welcome every hours delay. War ma,
terial which we have ordered abroad
is not yet shipped, and the factories
in this country which are at work day
and night making powder and pro-
%jectiles are anxious for delay. Some
Of the factories in Connecticut with
contracts have telegraphed Repre-
sentative Hill urging all the delay pos
sible. They say every day now is
precious. There is still divergence of
opinion as to what the president win
recommend in his message; indeed
there seems to be still a question as to
whether the president will make any
specific recommendations. Some of
his most intimate friends, however,
assert emphatically that his recon-
mendations will be specific and Wig
orous and such that his party and the
country could willingly follow when he
Points the Way.
One of these said that the president III
his strong desire for peace and earnest
hope that war might be avoided, was
yielding somewhat to the sentiment Of
the leaders of his party and the coun-
try. He had not given up hope yet
that hostilities may be averted.
The suspense caused by the neces-
sary delay in the preparation Of the
message is very trying upon members
of both houses, and the most universal
~ discussed question in washington is
whether congress can be restrained
until the message is transmitted. All
realize the difficult and arduous task
of preparing u cas- for the worlds
Inspection, and the q which must
be exercised, and there seems to be no
disposition to "unduly" hasten the
president. The party leaders are ex-
tremely anxious to avoid a breach
with the executive such as would &C..
cur If congress were to take the in
itiative. After a careful canvass Of
the situation they believe the radical
Republicans
. Can Be Held in Line
q few days longer, until Wednesday at
least. 1t is probable that negotiations
will be opened by this government
with Denmark to allow cable messages
to, come over the French line from the
Danish Island of st. Thomas to the
United States. With the Leeward is
lands, of which st. Thomas is the
center, as the probable center Of any
naval operations which may result
from the present crisis, it is recognized
as of vital Importance to secure cable
facilities not controlled by Spain.
The Spanish minister and his staff
had a very busy Sunday, although it
did not bring any development chang
ing the situation. The minister did
not see state department officials dur
ing the day. His last official exchange
with the authorities here was on last
Friday, after SPANS answer had been
received, since which time the nego::
tiations have been at a halt. This,
however, has not lessened the Spanish
minister's activity in keeping his gov
eminent fully appraised as to the
general aspect Of affairs in this coun..
try.