The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
CONFERENCES OF SENATOR'S.
No Conclusion Reached by the For
efgn Relations Committee


WASHINGTON, April 1.-Notwithstand-
ing the early adjournment of the Senate to-
day many of the senator's remained about
the Capitol during the afternoon discussing
the situation in the Senate chamber and in
committee rooms. The committee on foreign
relations was in session; the Republican
senator's who indorse the Presidents
course, generally known as the conserva-
tives, We're in conference in the rooms of
the committee on rules and several mem
bers of the senatorial Democratic steering
committee were consulting in the Demo-
cratic caucus roopI in the Senate with some
of the Democratic leaders of the House, in
GLIDING Mr.. Bailey. The foreign relations
committee sat for about three hours and
after the formal meeting had concluded the
Republican members held a conference at
which they considered the possibility of Sc
curing unanimous action on their part. The
committee, as such, did not reach a. con-
clusion, nor even a decision, as to whether
report should be made tomorrow. One
reason for postponement of action is that
the committee desires, before reporting, to
hear Consul General Lee, who has in
formed the chairman that he can be with
them tomorrow. The conclusion of the
committee may depend largely upon what
General Lee places before it.
Several members of the committee were
inclined to criticise the course of the Presi-
dents reference to SPANS offer of an
armistice in Cuba. This, they say, goes far
towards removing the cause for interven-
ton and some went so far in this connec-
ton as to say that in view of the mention
of this fact and of the Presidents oppose
ton to the recognition of either independ-
eence or belligerent rights nothing was left
for this country but TO declare war. Another
development was that some of the senators
who had previous to the receipt of the mes
sage, indicated a Willingness to conform to
the Presidents wishes and to confne the
action of Congress to a declaration for in
teryention had changed their opinions and
were now inclined to return to the original
tervention, and it was stated by one or the
senator's that the resolutions reported
would, in all probability, contein at least a
recognition Of the right of the Cuban peo-
pie to freedom and independence.
The conservative Republican senators
were not slow in recognizing the fact that
the movement to secure support for the
Presidents position had lost ground since
the receipt of the message. They did not,
determination to stand with the President
in the Senate and to oppose by debate or
otherwise any proposition looking to more
radical action than the executive desired
They manifested great interest in the pro-
ceedings of the committee on foreign rela-
tons, but, owing to the strict secrecy
able to secure information of consequence.
The conservatives say they will continue
their efforts to secure harmonious action
and to prevent any division the question
before the world, either in Congress, or
between Congress and the administration.
AT the Democratic conference the mes
sage was sharply criticised and while there
was much difference of opinion to the
course to be pursued and no conclusion was
reached as to the course to be pursued
there is no doubt that resolutions recognize
ing the independence Of the Cubans will be
introduced by Democrats in both houses of
Congress. They probably will be presented