Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1898 — NEED OF PATIENCE [ARTICLE]

NEED OF PATIENCE

President McKinley Convinces Republican Committee of It. MOST WAIT FOR REPLY OF SPAIN. Her Answer Expected Very Soon — Caucus Decides to Defer Action Until Monday— An Exciting Debate in the House. Washington, April 1.—The committee of the republicans appointed at Wednesday night's conference to call on the president reached the white house shortly before three o’clock Thursday afternoon and soon were closeted with President McKinley. The committee comprised Representatives Hopkins, Mercer, Paris, Cooper, Sulloway, Knox, Jay, Hager, Lorrimer, Pearson, Hepbgrn and Smith, of Michigan. The conference of the republican committee with the president broke up at ten minutes to four o’clock. The committee reported to the conference at a meeting held after the adjournment. They stated that the president made a frank declaration as to what was taking place between the two governments, and concluded with these words: "1 pray God that we may be able to keep peace.” Asl£* Congress to Walt. The impression left with the delegation, however, was that he did not expect a peaceable adjustment. In strictest confidence President McKinley outlined the course of communications between Washington and Madrid. He stated that ail now depended on dispatches to be com- I munlcated and received probably within 48 hours. The response of Spain to a mes- j sage cabled it by this government was ex- ! pected hourly, and surely would be re- J ceived within 24 hours. After it arrived it would be necessary for this country j to send another cable note as a reply to Madrid. AH this might be accomplished j in less than 48 houis. He therefore inti- j mated that It would be gratifying if congress deferred taking action until next week. Action Deferred. Mr. Hopkins (Ill.), who made the report for the committee, said he felt it would be best to abide by the president's wishes. Others who spoke at the meeting, includ-. ing Mr. Lorrlmer and Mr. Joy, advised postponement. The president, they stated, suggested that what was related to them regarding the diplomatic relations should not be repeated . until those negotiations were closed; that if these secret and significant messages were revealed at this time and should become public property and be cabled back to Madrid, the publicity might hurt the cause and defeat the ends sought. Representative Hicks, of Pennsylvania, thought that in view of the Dupuy de Lome letter no farther parley should be allowed, and that Premier Sagasta was acting in accord with the policy that the letter had revealed. Others followed in the same line, but it was finally concluded to defer action until after the adjournment of the house Monday. - Lively Session of the lluaae. Washington, April 1. —For three hours Thursday the packed galleries and excited members of the house listened to a passionate outburst of oratory on the Cuban question, during which the intensity of feeling was alternately manifested by cheers, leers and hisses. Time and again the excited throngs In the galleries were admonished to 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 (O.), who, it was assumed, spoke for the administration, and who practically pledged it to the cause of free Cuba; Mr. Bailey (Tex.), 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 Air. Johnson (Ind.), who spoke for peace, who declared that it was our duty to go to the extreme in magnanimity in order to avoid the horrors of war. A Fearless Speaker.

Mr. Lewis, a democrat from Washington, provoked the speech of Mr. Johnson, which aroused the members and the galleries tt the fever pitch of excitement. Mr. Lewis had denounced the proposition that Cuba purchase her freedom from Spain, which, lt» was alleged, the administration was fostering. Then it was that Mr. Johnson, in a brilliant speech, pleaded for peace. He faced the storm of hisses which swept down upon him from the galleries, like a Spartan, and with passionate utterance adjured members to pause before they plunged the country into war, the evils oi which would follow after in endless train. The house has had before Illustrations of Mr. Johnson’s /earlessness, but none so striking as on Thursday, when he espoused the unpopular cause and pleaded to let diplomacy have Us way. At the same time he gave It as his opinion that If 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 eulogised every Influence that made for peace, and declared his belief that the Cubiyi Junta would agree to pay $100,000,000 for the Independence of the Island. Halley's I'lea for Cuban Freedom. Mr. Bailey, the democratic leader, 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 announced his belief, from what Mr. Johnson had said, that the purpose of the republicans In refusing to Join with the democrats 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, too, deplored war, and In describing Its awful horrors, as the southern people had known them, drew tears from the eyes of some of his colleagues. Hs declared there was yet a chance to avert war. He had been told within 24 hours by a representative of the Cuban Junta that they did not want to Involve the United States In war. All they wanted was to have their Independence recognised, with the munitions of war and the recruits they could then obtain, their independence could be achieved. In conclusion, he said the democrats were for free Cuba, without war, if possible, with war, 11 necessary. Speaks for the Administration. This speech of Mr. Bailey’s drew the fire of the administration spokesman on the floor, Oen. Qrosvenor (6.). With his reply, the climax of the day was reached. He charged Mr. Bailey with attempting to make political capital. 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 this Istratlon was for free Cuba. Recognition of her Independence, he said, would be hut a 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 It would be backed up. If nectasury, by the army and navy of the United Btaftes. After Mr. Oroavenor concluded, the debate went on, the most significant utterance being made by Mr. Cummings, a New York democrat, who denounced the political character which the question was assuming as unpatriotic and unwise. Messrs. Grow (rep.. Fa ). Griggs (dem., N. Y.), Norton (dem., O.) and Bklnner (pop., N. C.) also spoke. Little progress was made with the naval bill. The only lmi>ortant amendment adopted was one appropriating $600,000 for the erection of new buildings at the naval academy. Mr. Wheeler (Ala.) introduced a bill appropriating $600,000 to purchase provisions for the use of the noncombatants, and directing the president to cause them, to be

conveyed at once to the starving people, and to use as much or the military and naval forces as necessary to attain this purpose. It also directs the president to notify the Spanish government that this proceeding is an act of humanity and not intended gs an act of war. Senate. Washington, April 1.—An apparently simple request made of the senate Thursday by Senator Frye (Me.), on behalf of the foreign relations committee, unexpectedly precipitated a discussion on the Cuban question. It finally led to a passage at arms between Senators Chandler (N. H.) and Frye, in which the former made some sarcastic references to the conduct of the foreign relations comrpittee and to the attitude of the president. Concerning ths latter. Senator Chandler said: “I haveconfldence that the president Intends to pursue a patriotic and righteous course in the present emergency, and I shall thank God when he reaches a conclusion of some sort or another. Therefore, I am not in rebellion, as yet, against the powers that be.” Senator Allen (Neb.) made the request of Senator Frye the occasion of a speech Upon the general Cuban question, in the course of which he reviewed h(s own record on ,the subject, and declared that he stood just where he had always stood—4u favor of the absolute independence of the Cuban people from that "hideous monster among nations," Spain. Upon the conclusion of the Cuban discussion, the sundry civil appropriation bill was up, and 35 pages of It were disposed of before adjournment.