Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-23
Conference on the Subject at the
White House.
WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS
Terms Of Proposition Made to
the Democrats.
RESPONSIBILITY

The question of an extra session of Con-
gress was determined at the White House
this morning, so far as the President and
the republican leaders ara concerned. 1t
now rests with the democrats what will be
the outcome. The President desires to
avoid an extra session, but no one is more
familiar than he with the absolute neces-
sity of a reorganization of the army, and
consequently the extra session will be held
If the democrats do not consent to a propo-
sition agreed upon this morning.
The republican agreement as to what will
BE- accepted was reached at the White
House in an important conference, which
began al 10 o'clock this morning. In this
conference the President met Senators Al
lison, Hawley Spooner, Hanna, Carter and
Platt of Connecticut.
These senators We're appointed a commit
tee by the republican majority to confer
with the President as to the situation, and
also to confer with the opponents of the
the committee should ascertain the Presi-
dents views as 30 what he will need in
changes in the army. General Corbin was
sent for and furnished some igureS as to
the present situation in the army.
An UItimatum.
agreement to submit to the democrats a
proposition which carries with it the nature
of an ultimatum The proposition is in
substance as follows:
First. The continuation of the present
regular army of G2 900 men for three years
Second. The organization of provisional
army of $1,000 men for a period of three
years. making a total of nearly 100000 men.
Third. The question of a permanent
passed 1t
sessions of Congress.
1t is said that the President indicated that
these were all the limitations upon a re-
organized army that he would accept
From the White House the republican
senators left for the Capitol to lay before
Senator German and the democratic lead
ers the propositions mentioned Members of
the committee were uncertain when tbey
drove away what would result during the
day, but there was a feeling that the demo-
Gratis Will accept the propositions either in
full or with few minor changes. If the
republicans and democrats agree. bill en-
bodylng the propositions will be introduced
tomorrow morning, quickly acted upon by
committee and rushed through Congress in
the last few days.
Placing the Responsibilities
In making the propositions outlined the
republican leaders believe that the respon-
sibility of causing an extra session, if one
IS necessary, will be placed Enthusiastically
upon the democrats
1t is said that the War Department will
today prepare bill carrying the features
mentioned.
An Agreement Reached.
The opposing leaders have come to an
agreement for a compromise on the army
bill, and it is now thought that there is
no further danger of an extra session of
Congress. Afte' the conference at the
House n conference I
Capitol between Senators Allison, HaWley,
German and COckrel, and agreement
was reached which is expected to be car
ried out in Congress. The basis of the
agreement is a temporary provision for a
large army, in accordance with the offer of
the minority to provide the President with
all the men and money that may be needed
to meet the present emergency, and the
permanent reorganization of the army is
left for future consideration.
The question of permanency as to the or
ganization to be authorized at this time is
waived The present maximum of e. 900
for the regular army is to be retained, with
the addition af provisional army of thirty
five regiments to be organized of volun-
teers, either Americans or natives of the
islands. as the President may see fit, this
organization to be retained until 1901.
The proposition as now understood is re-
G&rded as satisfactory by the minority gen.
orally, and it is not thought that there will
be any difficulty in perfecting the legisla-
tion as now contemplated. The concession
which they value is the waving of the de-
mand for a permanent reorganization of
the army at this time.
Effect of the Manila Dispatches,
The dispatches disclosing the grave sit
uation at Manila impressed upon both par
ties to the controversy over the army bill
the necessity of putting an end to party
disagreements in the face of the present
emergency, leaving their differences to be
settled in the future.
The popular assumption that Immediately
upon the ratification of the peace treaty
with Spain by the cortes hostilities between
the two countries will be ended is erron-
eous. Technically hostiities will continue
until a commission, yet to be appointed by
the United and Spain, meet in Washington
and make a formal ratification and ex-
change of the agreement between the two
countries.
This will probably take from four to six
weeks after the cortes has acted, and there
fore the conditions which admit of the re-
tentien of the present military establish
ment will continue until that time.
The situation in Manila admits of the
possibility Of foreign complication on ac-
count Of the destruction of the property
of foreigners within our lines at Manila,
and it might be that some foreign govern
ment would propose to land forces to pro-
tect the property of its citizens but it is
not believed that this will occur.