Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1898 — THE CLIMAX IS NEAR. [ARTICLE]

THE CLIMAX IS NEAR.

Crisis in Our Relations With Spain Expected This Week. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE SOI SEADY. May Not Be Sent to Congress Before Thursday—Suspense Over the Delay Is Very Trying—Congress May Get Beyond Cogtrol.

Washington, April 4. —The opinion almost universally held in Washington by leading public men and diplomatists is that the crisis will reach its climax this week and that the question of war or peace will be determined within the next seven days. Senators and repreBntatives met and conferred all day Sunday about the gravity of the situation, and at the white,house the president consulted with several members as his cabinet and other confidential advisers regarding the message which he is preparing to send to congress. At the state, war and navy buildings active work \vas going on, and altogether it was a day of suppressed feelings. Message Not Ready. No absolute day has been yet announced when the message is to be sent to congress, and all that seems to be absolutely sure is that it will not go in to-day; Tuesday, possibly, but more probably Wednesday or perhaps Thursday. In addition to the physical work of preparing the comprehensive document upon which the president expects to rest America’s case with the world there are other reasons why those in charge of the war preparations will welcome every hour’s delay. War material which we have ordered abroad is not yet shipped, and the factories in this country, which are working day and night making powder and projectiles, are anxious for delay. Some of the factories in Connecticut with contracts have telegraphed Representative Hitt urging all the delay possible. They say every day now is precious. Still Holies for Pence. There is still a divergence of opinion as to what the president will recommend in his message; indeed, there seems to be still a question as to whether the president will make any specific recommendations. Some of his most intimate friends, however, assert emphatically that his recommendations will be specific and vigorous, and such that his party and the country could willingly follow when he points the way. One of these said that the president in his strong desire for peace and earnest hope that war might possibly be avoided was yielding somewhat to the sentiment of the leaders of his party and the country. He has not given np hope yet that hostilities may be aver tech There are those who believe the president has not yet made up his mind as to the exact course he will pursue, and there seems to be a question as to whether the consular reports and the diplomatic correspondence is to be transmitted with the message.

Snspense Is Trying. The suspense caused by delay in the preparation of the message is very trying upon members of both houses, and the most universally discussed question in Washington is whether congress can be restrained until the message is transmitted. All realize the difficult and arduous task of preparing our case for the world’s inspection and the care which must be exercised, and there seems to be no disposition to “unduly” hasten the president. The party leaders are extremely anxious to avoid a breach with the executive, such as would occur if congress were to take the initiative. After a careful canvass of the situation they believe the radical republicans can be held in line a few days longer, until Wednesday at least. The conference of republicans of the house who have been insisting upon prompt action hold another meeting to-night. While many of them are now in favor of giving the president more leeway than they were last week, it is realized that 25 republican votes in the house would, with the democratic and populist votes be sufficient to act. It can be pretty confidently asserted that all the republicans of the house, with possibly exceptions which could be counted on the fingers of ono hand, can be controlled until Wednesday. After that what might happen if the president asks for further delay is problematical. Mr. Bromwell (O.), for instance, who says he hopes he will not be obliged to part company with the president, says he will vote with the democrats, if neoessary to overrule the speaker, after Wednesday. Mr. Cooper (Wis.) has made a similar statement. The republicans of the house committee on foreign affairs held informal meetings Sunday and practically agreed to report a resolution of a tenor similar to that agreed upon by the foreign relations committee of the senate. The house resolutions will probably follow the language of those of the senate regarding the blowing up of the Maine. These resolutions will be practically agreed upon by the committee to-day, but will not be reported until the president sends his message to congress, although there is at least one of the republicans of the committee who is in favor of formally reporting them today. Mr. Adams, the acting chairman of the committee in the absence of Mr. Hitt, saw the president Sunday and informed him of the probable actios of the committee.

A Trick Feared. The threatened action of Germany to send a wnrship to Havana to obtain indemnity in the Cannamabra case was the occasion of considerable comment In various circles. The discussion was predicted entirely on the possibility of the outcome of such action in the event of war following between the United States and Spain. Fear was expressed that Germany would not hesitate long If Spain refused indemnity and that she miarbt net her men-of-war into Havana

harbor and take possession of the place before war -lias declared. In this case is was argued that the port would then •be -regarded a* a neutral one, which would inhibit this government from striking a blow at the city, the vital point of the whole island* Europe Anxious for Peace. It' is learned from perfectly reliable sources that while there has been no attempt on the part of any European nation to intervene or mediate between the United States and Spain, all of the leading governments of Europe, including Great Britain, have been and are exerting their influence to postpone open hostilities in the hope that the strained relations nfky be peaceably adjusted through diplomatic negotiations. It is also stated that similar advances have been made by tlhe same nations to the Madrid government. The advances have been an expression of hope by the respective countries that war may be averted, and an agreement reached satisfactory to both countridk, without recourse to arms. The action of the European nations is said to be based upon the belief that the peace of Europe is threatened and that war between the United States and Spain would likely prove a torcih that would ignite the inflammable conditions that exist in the relations between the nations on the other side of the Atlantic.