The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-04-05

Washingto ID. c.. April 3.-The opin
ION almost universally held in Wash
Hgton tonight by leading men and dip
lumatS is that the crisis Will reach its
climax this week. and that the question
of war peace will h. determined with
in the next seven 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 advisers
regarding the message which he is pre-
parin" To send to Congress. At the
State. War and Navy buildings actiN"
work was going ON, and altogether it
has been Il day OF suppressed feeling.
No definite day has hecn yet announced
when the message IS to be sent TO Con-
grees, and all that seems to be ahsD-
mtcly certain tonight is that it w;il not
20 in tomorrow: Tuesday possibly. but
more probably Wednesday, or perhaps
Thursday.
In addition to the physical work or
preparing the comprehensive document
upon which the President expects to
rest Americas = case with the word,thcrc
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 the fac
tories IN this country which are at work
day and night making powder and pro-
jectiIes are anxious for delay. Some of
the factories in Connecticut with con
tracts have telegraphed Representative
IillE urging all the delay possible. They
say every day now is precious
THE PRIEST DENT YET HOPES.
There is still Il divergence of opinion
as 10 what the President will recon-
mend in his message: indeed there seems
to i~ still Il question aS to whether the
President will make any specific recon-
mendations. Some Of his most intimat te
friends. .howeVer.assert cmphaticaIly tl.at
his recommends tions 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
Welding somewhat to the sentiment of
the leaders Of his party and the coull-
Try. lie has not given up hope yet that
hoStlit!es may be avcrted. 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
- be question to whether the con
Sular reports and the diplomatic cor
rcspondencc is to be transmitted with
the message.
The suspense caused hy the necessary
delay III the preparation of the mes
sage is very trying upon members of
both houses, and the most universally
discussed question in Washington to-
night IL whether Congress can be re
strained until the meSSa &c is trans
m.tted. All realize the difficult and ar
dUouS task of preparing our ease for
tn" worlds inspection. and the care
which must be exercised, and there
seems to he $40 disposition to ''unduly'
hasten the President. The party lead
crS are extremely ANXIOUS to avoid n
breach with the executive. such as would
occur if Congress were to take the N
it!atiyr. After 4 careful canvass of the
situation to-day they Eclicvc the radical
Republicans can be held in line n few
days longer. until Wednesday at least
The conference of Republicans of the
House who have been insistin" upon
prompt acton hold another meeting to-
. morrow night. While many Of them
are now in favor Of giving the PrrSi-
dent more leeway than they We're last
week. If is realized that - Republican
votes Ill the Hous' Dud. with the Dem
"cratic and Popuist votes, he sufficient
- act
WILL WAIT UNTIL WEDNESDAY.
1t can be pretty confidently asserted
thai all the Republicans Of the House
Nltn possibly exceptions which could
"a" counted on the fingers Of one hand.
can be controlled until "Wednesday.
After that what might happen if the
resident asks for further delay is pro
b"mailcai. Mr.. BronAwcll Of Ohio.
I"r instance W.'1 expresses hope that he
VII not II" obliged to part company with
fhr President. says he will vote with
tIie Democrats if necessary to over-rtlic
III" Speaker after Wednesday, Mr.
cooper. Of Wisconsin. has made a SINH
ar statement. The Republicans OF the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
have held informal meetings to-day and
have practically agreed to report a res
"iulion Of Il tenor similar to thai agreed
upon by the Foreign Relations Commit
1"" Of the State yesterday. The House
resolutions will probably follow the Ian
@uage If those of the Senate regarding