Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-28
A DEEP IMPRESSION
Effect on Congress Of the Message
and Findings.
SPAIN NOT FREED OF RESPONSIBILITY
Good Effect Of Sending in the
Testimony.
TALK AT THE CAPITOL

gress by the reading of the Presidents 8
message Of transmission and the findings
Of the Maine board of inquiry.
The indication that failure to send the
testimony with the report would be misin-
terpreted and cause trouble led the Presi-
dent to send everything to Congress,
though it was a great inconvenience to
do SO.
The failure of the President or tie court
OF inquiry to dwell on the responsibility of
Spain, while the findings by implication
left an inference plainly to be drawn. prob
ably made deeper impression OH Con-
sress than would have been made by any
suggestions made or circumstantial testi-
EIony would have created. At the conclu-
sion of the reading there was but enc ex-
preston on every face in the Senate-that
OF gravity which comes of a solemn con-
viction.
Spain Not Acquitted.
The PresideI t's message was interpreted
tc mean that Spain was not acquitted of
the responsibility, and the tone of the re-
pert left it open for ary inference that
might be drawn, after establishing the fact
that the explosion was caused by sub
marine mine in harbor controlled by
Spanish officials. How the mine could get
based on the testimony, which excludes the
possibility of the explosion having occurred
without design.
Disappearance of DiscOntent.
All the grumbling and evidence of dis
content disappeared on its being known
that the testimony had accompanied the
report.
After the reading Of the documents in
the Senate, Mr.. Money made a speech on
Cuba, but this was not an outcome of the
report being presented, but had been pre-
vicusly announced and was in line with
speeches made by other senators who have
recently returned from Cuba.
The belief is becoming more general that
Spain will not dare to dispute the findings
of our court after reading the testimony
or that if she does dispute it, she can make
no defense of such course and will be
compelled to yield.
The new autonomy talk has no vitality
1t is the gasping Of dying contention or !.
foolish attempt Oh the part of Snain to
justify her in cause of resistance Which
1t is has not yet been determined, but it is
we'll understood at the Capitol that Spain
Is to be compelled to restore peace in Cuba,
and that she will have to make the best
terms she can with the insurgents, or else
tolerate Intervention by this government.
Self-Control Of Congress.
The self-control of Congress in making
no demonstration today is founded on the
conviction that there is to be no backward
step. 1t Is insisted that if there is any
collapse 1t will be on the part of Spain.
AS TO whether Spain will or will not yield
there Is division of opinion. The prevail
ing opinion at the Capitol appears to be
that Spain is up to treachery
The report that autonomy" is to be
forced upon the insurgents is still being
circulated with great persistency, but it
nnds credit only among those who are
always ready to credit a report that the
President is weakening. The better in
formed say that now. as before, the preser-
walton of peace depends upon Spain, and
cannot result from any change in the atti-
tude Of this government.
Sayers for Armed Intervention.
Neither Speaker Reed, Mr.. Dinghy, the
floor leader of the majority, nor Mr.. Bailey
the democratic leader of the House, would
make any comment on the message. Other
members, however. were not SO reticent
Among the most significant utterances of
ers and Representative Dockery. Gov
Sayers Is the ranking democrat on the COM
mittee on appropriations and was chairman
of that comnlittee in the last democratic
Congress. Mr.. Dockery is next in rank on
the committee and is high in the councils
o. the democratic party.
Il will not vote for appropriation"
said Representative Sayers to a Star re-
porter. Ito furnish food for the suffering
Cu5ans unless 1t be accompanied by armed
Intervention.
Conditions, in my judgment are such
that no such appropriation should be made
by Congress unless accompanied by inter-
vention in order to put an end to the strife.
'Unlsss this be done the practical effect
of any such contribution by our govern
ment to feed Spanish subjects would be SO
much substantial aid to the Spanish gov
ernment.
Spain could well afford for the United
States to support her starving non-com-
batants while her soldiers were fighting
those revolutionists who were in arms
against her authority.
'"This, in my opinion, Is the true situa-
ton, and the administration should face it
and deal with it accordingly"
Dockery disappointed.
Mr.. Dockery said: II have not read the
findings Of the court of inquiry or the
ccmpanying evidence, and therefore my
opinion is based solely upon the Presidents
message.
"I confess to a deep sense of disappoint-
ment at its tenor. Doubtless the language
OF diplomacy calls for respectful phrases;
but the facts already known to the coun-
try in relation to the Maine do not, it seems
to me, warrant any departure from strict
and simple recital. devoid of coloring either
way.
II do not know the contemplated policy
OF the administration: but 1t may as well
be understood now as later that the peo-
pie Of the United States will disapprove OF
any attempted settlement of the Cuban
question involving the payment or guaran-
tee of bonds. or leaving the Spanish flag
floating on the island, or any action re-
sulting in the feeding of Cuban non-com-.
batants while the Spanish government Is
fighting the insurgents in the field.
IAN appropriation for relief to the starry
ing Cubans will be very proper accom-
paniment Of armed Intervention,