The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-01

ever. precedents showing that European
powers have preserved their dignity
while making similar concessions. It
may be remembered that the Ionian
Islands. a part of the Turkish empire,
were afterwards ceded to Greece by
Great Britain, and that Venitia was re-
surrendered by Austria not directly to
Italy, but to France, who transferred
1t to the government of Victor Eman-
uel."
Congress WIN Wait Until Monday.
Congress will walt until Monday be-
fore any action is taken. The president
has asked delay until that time, and
assurances have been given by those
in charge of affairs that there will be
nothing done until Monday.
Both committees of congress dealing
with foreign affairs We're in session
yesterday. The senate committee con-
tinued its examination of the report on
the Maine. and the house committee.
by a party vote, refused to take any
action on Cuba until Monday.
The senate committee agreed to- and
Senator Lodge reported, bill appro-
priating $5000000 to purchase one or
more of the Danish West India ISL
ands. to be used for naval purposes.
The senate committee had before 1t
Captain Siesbee, of the Ill fated Maine,
and Captain Barker, Secretary Longs
naval aide. What these officers told
the committee is treated confdentially.
The committee of Republicans which
waited on the president yesterday re-
ported to the conference at meeting
held after the adjournment of the
house. They stated that the president
made a frank declaration as to what
was taking place between the two gov
ernments and concluded with these
words: II pray God that we may be
able to keep peace" The impression
left with the delegation, however, was
that he did not expect peaceable ad-
justment. In slrictest confidence Mr.,
Mckinley outlined the course of COM
munications between Washington and
Madrid. He stated that all now de-
pended on dispatches to be communi-
Gated and received probably within 48
hours The response of Spain to
message cabled 1t by this government
was expected hourly. and surely would
be received within "a hours. After 1t
arrived 1t would be necessary for this
country to send another cable note as
a reply to Madrid. All this might be
accomplished in less than 4S hours.
An Exciting Day In the House.
For three hours the packed galleries
and excited members of the house lis
tened TO a passionate outburst of ora
tory on the Cuban question. during
which tba tptapsity of fnaltner wna al
ternately manifested by cheers. jeers
and Kisses. Time and again the excited
throngs in the galleries were admonish
ed 10 be silent, and once. at least. it
seemed as If a motion would be made
to clear them. The three speeches
which stirred the assemblage to its
depths were made by Mr.. Grosvenor, of
Ohio who, it was assumed, spoke for
the administration and who practically
pledged it to the cause of free Cuba:
Mr.. Bailey. of Texas the Democratic
leader, who announced the Democratic
position as for free Cuba without war,
If it could be avoided but with war If
necessary, and Mr.. johnson, of 1ndi-
ana. who spoke for peace, declaring
that it was our duty to 60 to the eX-
trene in magnanimity to avoid the hor-
rors of war.
Mr.. Lewis. Democrat from WASH
ington state, provoked the speech Of
Mr.. Johnson, which aroused the mem
bers and the galleries to the fever pitch
of excitement. Mr.. Lewis had de-
nounced the proposition that Cuba pur-
chase her freedom from Spain; which,
1t was alleged. the administration was
hot Tot
son, in a brilliant speech, pleaded for
peace. He faced the storm of Kisses
which swept down upon him from the
galleries like a Spartan, and with pas
sionate utterance adjured members to
pause before they plunged the coun-
try into war. the evils of which would
follow after endless train. He gave 1t
as his opinion that II an ultimatum
had been sent to Spain it meant war,
as Spain's pride would not permit her
to humiliate herself before the world.
He eulogized every influence that made
for peace, and declared his belief that
the Cuban iunta would agree to pay
$lG0, 00,O00 for the Independence of the
island.
Bailey Sets the Galleries wild.
Mr.. Bailey, the Democratic leader,
was quick to seize the advantage which
Mr.. Johnson's position had afforded,
and in a ringing speech, which set his
followers and the galleries Wild he an
nounced his belief from what Mr. John
son had said that the purpose Of the
Republicans In refusing to join with
the Democrats on Wednesday was to
give the administration an opportunity
to compel the Cuban patriots to buy
the Independence they had won from
the butchers of Spain. He said he, too,
deplOred war, and in describing its
awful horrors, as the southern people
had known them. drew tears from the
eyes of his colleagues. He declared
there was yet chance to avert war.
He had been told within "a hours by a
representative Of the Cuban iunta that
they did not want to involve the Uni
ted States in war. All they wanted
was to have their independence recog-
nizcd. and with the munitions OF war
and the recruits they could then OBJ
tain their independence could be
achieved In conclusion he said the
Democrats were for free Cuba without
war If possible; with war if necessary.
This speech of Mr.. Baileys drew the
fire of the administration spokesman to
the floor General Grosvcnor, of Ohio.
With his reply the climax Of the day
was reached. He charged Mr.. Bailey
with attempting to make political cap
ital. He denounced the statements
that the administration intended to
force Cuba to buy her freedom as the
silly invention Of an idiot, and declared
that from the president down the ad-
ministration was for free Cuba. Recog-
milton Of her INDEPENDENCE he said.
would be but half way measure. He
thrilled his auditors when he asked
what meant the war preparations that
were going on night and day If not
that when action was taken looking
to the independence Of Cuba 1t would
be backed up If necessary by the army
and navy Of the United States.
A Call on States Naval Militia.
The most important action taken by
the navy department yesterday was
the determination to have the naval
militia Of the several states prepared |
for immediate service should this be
found necessary. This conclusion was
the outcome Of conference Of the !
members Of the naval strategic board. |
Letters will be sent to the governors
tp od itto NJ 20 nj al |