The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-04


ion almost universally held in Wash
ington tonight by leading men and dip
lomats is that the crisis will reach its
climax this week, and that the question
of war or peace will be determined with
in the next seven days. Senators ami
Representatives met and conferred al
day about the gravity of the situation.
and at the White House the President
consulted with several members of his
cabinet and other confidential advisers
regarding the message which he is pre-
pairing TO send to Congress. AT the
State. War and Navy buildings active
work was going on. and altogether it
has been a day of suppressed feeling.
No definite day has been yet announced
when ihe message is to be sent to Con-
gress, and all that seems to be abso-
hitely certain tonight is that it Will not
go in tomorrow: Tuesday possibly. but
more probably Wednesday, or perhaps
Thursday.
In addition to the physical work Of
preparing 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 war preparations will welcome
every hours delay.
War material which we have ordered
abroad is NOT yet shipped, and thSfac-
tories in this country which are al work
day and night making powder and pro-
jectiles are anxious for delay. Some of
the factories in Connecticut with con-
tracts have telegraphed Representative
Hill urging all the delay possible They
say every day now is precious.
THE PRESIDENT YET HOPES.
There is still a divergence Of opinion
as to what the President will recon-
mend in his message: indeed there seems
to be still "A question as TO whether tine
President will make any specific recon-
incndations Some of his most intimate
friends, however. assert emphatically 1Eat
his recommendations will be specific and
vigorous. and such that his party and
the country would willingly follow where
he points the way One of these said
tonight that the President in his strong
desire for peace and his earnest hope
that war might possibly be avoided. was
yielding somewhat TO the sentiment Of
the leaders Of his party and the coun-
try. lie has not given up hope yet that
hostllties may be aycrted. There are
those who believe the President has not
yet made up his mind as to the exact
course he will pursue, and there seems
10 be Il question as TO whether the con
sular reports and the diplomatic cor
resp0ndence IS TO be transmitted with
the message.
The suspense caused by the necessary
delay in the preparation of the mes
sage Is very trying upon members of
both houses, and the most universally
"A
night is whether Congress can be re-
strained until the message IS trans
mitted. All realize the difficult and ar
luols task Of preparing our case for
the worlds inspection. and the care
which must be exercised, and there
seems to be no disposition to '.unduly''
hasten the President. The party lead
crs are extremely anxious to avoid a
breach with the executive such as would
occur If Congress We're to take the m
it.atiye. After a careful canvass of the
situation to-day they believe the radical
Republicans can be held in line Il few
days longer, until Wednesday at least
The conference of Republicans Of the
House who have been insisting upon
prompt action hold another meeting to-
morrow night. While many of them
h"H III idboT Ol StNfilS IHt fesi-
dent more leeway than they were last
week, i is realized that - Republican
votes in the House would. with the Dem
ocratic and Fopulist votes be sufficient
to act.
WILL WAIT UNTIL WEDNESDAY,.
IL can be pretty confidently asserted
that all the Republicans of the House
Witn possibly exceptions which could
he counted on the fingers Of one hand.
can be controlled until "Wednesday
After that what might happen II tho
President asks for further DELAY s. mo
Dlematical. Mr.. Bromwell of Ohio
for instance wfi1 expresses hope chat bn
VII not be obliged to part company with
the President, says he win vote with
the Democrats if necessary to oyer-rulo
the Speaker after Wednesday. Mr.
Cooper. Of Wisconsin. has made simi-
lar statement. The Republicans of the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
have held informal meetings to-day and
have practically agreed TO report a res
olution of a tenor similar 10 that agreed
upon by the Foreign Relations Commit
tee of the State yesterday. The House
resolutions will probably follow the Ian
Gilage of those of the Senate Tapar1inp