Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-05
Maine Blown Up by a Mine Located
by Spanish Authorities.
HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Secrecy Regarding the Action Of
the Members.
SENATORS POSTPONE REPORT

The House committee on foreign affairs
met at 1919 o'clock this morning. Capt.
Sigsbee, Admiral Irwin and several experts
in explosives had been summoned to give
testimony regarding the blowing up of the
Msine. Representative Quigg of New York.
before he entered the committee room, said
that Spain would be held responsible for the
blowing up of the Maine. He is in favor Of
reporting resolution instructlIE the Presi-
dent to drive Spain from the western hem
isphere.
II think there should be concerted action
between the executive and the two houses
of Congress- said he "The President
should cali both committees TO the White
House this afternoon and read the message
to them. The message should hold Spain
strictly accountable and the answer of Con-
gress should be a resolution directing him
to drive Spain from the western benis-
phere. That resolution should be reported
to both houses tomorrow Immediately after
the message goes in, and, in my opinion,
passed without debate"
1t developed that the House committee
made a tentative proposition to the Senate
committee on foreign relations to meet in
Joint session to secure concerted action, but
the Senate committee has not accepted the
invitation.
Capt. Sigsbee of the Maine was the first
witness examined by the committee.
Capt. Sigsbee's Belief.
Capt. Sigsbee. in the course of his ex-
animation, stated it to be his opinion that
his vessel, the Maine, was blown UP by
submarine mine located by the Spanish
authorities. AS to whether it was fired
by the Spanish authorities or not, he de-
cined to express an opinion. He ;oil the
committee what he had testified TO before
the board of inquiry about the buoy to
which the Maine was anchored being the
most unfrequented buoy in the narbor. The
position in which the. ship was placed, he
said, was such that he could have fired
upon both forts at the same tune.
The committee is to meet again tonight
to prepare the text of the resolutions which
are TO be submitted to tho House. The
members Of the committee say that from
their information they believe war is in
evitable unless Spain makes square back
down.
An intimation is thrown out that a decla-
ration OF war will rot be made jus. yet.
because Consul General Lee has cablel that
it will require several days to get the
Americans off the islands.
The committee adjourned at noon. The
members had all pledged themselves to Sc
crecy. the only thing they would admit be-
ing that Capt. Sigsbee had been before
them. Mr.. Adams, acting chairman, came
onto the floor of the House witt. a large
photograph of two starving EuDan girls.
Members crowded about him as ne display
ed it for inspection.
IE The Senate Committee.
The Senate committee on foreign rela-
ticns was prompt in getting together today.
The meeting was held for the especial pur
pose of deciding whether the committee
should make its report on the Cuban situa-
ton today. or postpone that action until
after the Presidents message is received
tomorrow. There has been great impatience
on the part of some of the members of the
committee. notably Senator Frye. over the
delay, who has urged that every day of
postponement was so much valuable time
lost. These senators wanted to report yes
terday, and they were restrained with
great difficulty on the promise that the
| message, in all proba bility, would be sent
| in today. Other members of the commit
| tee. while quite as anxiol to report, have
! felt that the President should be given
time absolutely necessary to prepare his
/
| tion to extend this time so as to get our
| corsuls out Of Cuba safely.
| This latter necessity was urged upon the
| committee quite strenUously at the meet
| ing today and had a perceptibe effect in
| influencing its members. Senator Davis
/ lad seen Assistant Secretary Day by APP
| continent prior to the meeting of the COM
| mittee. and was able to give quite positive
D.! assurance that tie way would be entirely
| clear for the message to be sent tomorrow.
| Senator Frye also had conference with
! the President, and. it is understood, show
ed disposition to allow time absolutely
necessary 10 take care of the consuls.
| To Delay It's Report.
In view Of all the circumstances the COM
| nittee lost little time in reaching con-
c!usion to delay its report until the mes
| sage shorld be received tomorrow. The
document will be referred to the commit
tee INN diately upon it's presentation i'll
the Senate. and it will be reported back to
the Senate promptly as circumstances
| will permit
| The only circumstance that may change
| the determination of the committee to re-
pert in favor of intervention and indepen-
dence is the possibility of the President $
recommending contrary course. Such a
| RECOMMENDATION would cause the commit
tee % step to reflect, and might have the
| effect Of changing its course.
| The committee has not so far consid
cred in detail the possibility of havina
| 10 change the form OF resolution already
| agreed upon for the reason that the mem
| beIs generally believe that the messag,
will be of n character to leave them per
fectly free 10 act they have already re
solved to do
They profess to be without positive in
formation as 10 wbat course the Presiden
will pursue, but some of them express tn
opinion that he will recommend interven
ticn without the recognition of independ
exec. and If he should dc so some of tn,
members of the committee would be will
ing to change the verdict already agreed
upon, for TIE reason that the opinion tina
d recognition might lead to awkward com
plications is gaining ground somewhat.
! Senator Lodge is one of the Cuban sym
pathizers on the committee who would
support 4 change to comply with a pres
idential recommendation. Il think" h.