The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-03
wRECKING OF THE MAINE.
May be Made the Basis OF a Dec
1aratiou of War.

WASHINGTON, April 2.-The Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations re-
sumed its sittings all day for the pur-
pose of considering the report and reso-
| lutions prepared by it's subcommittee
and recognizing the independence of
Cuba. The report was presented by
Senator Davis, Chairman of both the
full committee and the subcommittee,
and was commented upon freely by all
present
| It is understood that the resolution
agreed upon by the sub committee fol-
| lows in the main the lines of the Fora
ker resolution, but there is reason to
| believe, from what can be learned,
that there is a disposition to make di-
rect reference in the resolution to the
Maine disaster as q. cause for our re-
sentiment Whatever the phraseology
of the resolution itself, the report ac-
companying it will dwell largely upon
the Maine incident.
Some of the members of the commit
| tee are disposed to regard as positive
| the proof of Spanish duplicity in the
| Maine affair, and to resent it as an act
of war and there is good reason for
believing that there has been more or
| less discussion in the committee on the
| advisability of a declaration of war
OH account of the explosion, not only
for Cuban independence merely, but
the Maine incident will be thoroughly
exploited and made the basis of much
that may be said. The committee feel
/ that this is the safe course, in view
of SPANS recent action concerning the
| reconcentrados
| Senator Frye saw the President on
behalf of the committee before the
meeting to-day, and gave the members
the benefit of the views of the Chief
| Executive.
| After the committee had been sitting
for a brief time, Mr.. Davis called a
carriage and made a hurried trip tc
the White House for the purpose OF
comparing views with the President on
some of the points to be made. The
committee also had Admiral irwin be-
fore them for some time to-day ex-
aiming him as a torpedo expert on the
Maine disaster, and also on the
strength of the Spanish torpedo flotilla
and the best course for this country
to pursue in the matter.
So far as could be learned there was
no division of opinion expressed in the
committee as to the propriety of the
course agreed upon. Senators Gray
Daniel and Turpie were absent. but
the opinion is expressed that none OF
them will make any opposition to the
reporting of the resolution.
While the Foraker resolutions are
made the basis and the principal part
of the measure which would be re-
ported to Congress, there are some
additions to them, and some important
changes in phraseology. The most i'm
portant, and in fact the only essentia
addition, is a paragraph fixing the re
sponsibility upon Spain for the Maine
disaster, and citing this as cause fol
American resentment, If not for war.
The committee was in communica
ton with the President during the day
and was informed that while the Presi
dent would make an earnest effort te
get his message to Congress on Mon.
day, he might not be able, on accoun
of the great demands upon his time
to get it in before Tuesday He will
at the same time supply copies of tn,
Consular reports.
There has been some doubt as tx
what recommendations the Presiden
would make, if any, in his message
but he gave the members of the Sen
understand that he would recommend
both recognition of independence ant
a declaration in favor of intervention
This would be in accord with the com
mittees action.