The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 22, 1898, Page 1

v Call NP mwE g SAN FRANCISCO, TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1898. PRICE FIVE CENT! W ey hre e Y A [\ R THE PRESIDENT LOOKS FOR PEACE WITH SLIGHT HOPE Assured by Leaders in Congress That He Will Not Be Embar- rassed by the Hot Heads. NEW YORK, March 21.—A Wash- ington special to the Herald reparation for says: the Nothing short of Maine disaster and the termination of the majority of the men in Co These results are what the Pres expected to obtain peaceably, if t It does not will pos- war, if necessary. wever, that Congress drive the President and the country into v There is a conservative element both houses in favor of going slow and resorting to war only if it is thrust upon the United States by Spain the conm ative element are included the leaders of the House and many of the members, ipfluential men in the enate on both sides of the chamber. Speaker Reed will stand in the House | like a stone wall against any hasty and | © ill-timed action, and in the Senate ad- vantage will be taken by the conserva- In| tives, if necessary, of their power of de- | g action by unlimited debate. ven among the political opponents of the administration there are con- servative men who deprecate any effort to play politics with such a situation as now confronts the country and to trust everything to the President. unham- pered by any criticisms or suggestions from Congress as long as he proceeds, as they believe he wili, in a2 manner in keeping with the honor and dignity of the United States. On the other hand, if they believe the President is trying to use the Spanish situation for political purposes on his side, there will be a determined effort on the part of the Democrats to have Congress take the whole matter out of his hands and pass a resolution calling for intervention to stop the war in Cuba. As to immediate action, a great deal will depend upon the nature of the re- port of the Court of Inquiry and the message which the President sends to Congress in transmitting it. It is ex- pected the President will inform Con- gress in his message of the diplomatic representations which he has made to Spain, and will say that when the reply from the Spanish Government has been received he will communicate further. Under the rules a message would be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate and to the Com- mittee on Foreign Affairs in the House. There has been some talk among oppo- nents of the administration of opposing this reference and bringing on a debate at once on the President’s Cuban policy, but it is improbable that this will be done. The Democratic leaders with whom I talked to-day told me that the message would be allowed to take its usual course without opposition unless it should be apparent that the President was attempting to delay matters so as to carry the question over for its effect on the fall elections. Chairman Davis of the Senate Com- mittee on Foriegn Relations has long believed that armed intervention by the United States would be necessary to .end the war in Cuba, but no one real- izes more fully than he the responsi- bilities and difficulties with which the | Hitt of Illinois, can be depended upon THE SPANISH o CENSORSHIP VERY STRICT. Copyrighted, 1898, by James Gordon Bennett. MADRID, March 21. — The strictest censorshiphas been sud- denly developed as regards dis- patches containing any mention of the torpedo squadron now at the Canaries. Last night my dispatch of con- siderable length was stopped be- cause at the end there was a > statement, published by one of the papers, that the Cristobal Colon, one of the strongest war- ships of the Spanish navy, had been ordered to coal with the ut- most rapidity at Cartagena and start for the Canaries, there to join the squadron, accompany- ing it on its further journey as escort. It appears the statement was not accurate, or, if so, that the plans have been altered, for now the CGovernment says Captain Villamit has asked for another merchant vessel, not a warship. PR RS & & » ® PO0O09006 6 & 4 ® » @ |eeeeo000000000000060 President is surrounded, and he will not favor any action in his committee that will tend in any way to embarrass the President in attempting to reach a peaceful solution of the situation. He would be glad if the President can suc- ceed on these lines, but feels it would be impossible. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs, presided over by Representative to take conservative action. There are some hotheads among its members on both sides, but Chairman Hitt and Rep- resentative Dinsmore of Arkansas, the leading Democrat on the committee, both very conservative, and they will be able to withstand any efforts to have the committee act rashly or without full consideration of the results that may follow. In order to be prepared fully for the future the administration began to-day filling up all the pitholes in the path of peace. It is to be expected the country will flame with excitement when the report of the Maine Court of Inquiry comes in. The aim is to keep the ex- citement from doing harm. As Speaker Reed puts it in his quaint way, “It is desirable to guard against an inside explosion in Congress even if there is an outside explosion.” Therefore, while all phases of this great international problem touching the honor and happiness of the two na- tions have been discussed to-day, the one that overshadows all others in momentary importance has been the necessity of precautions in Congress to prevent the first false step and the mis- carriage of matured plans. President McKinley and Speaker Reed have had one of their very rare meetings, and the result is that the situation is easier. In the first place, the President did not RN R o N N = House would take the report on the | Maine. | how emphatic the rcport will be, nor does he know what circumstantial evi- dence the Board of Inquiry may have as to the agency that caused the blow- ing up of the Maine. He knows there are many men in Congress who want war under all con- ditions, and he feared that action might cate the situation. Speaker Reed assured the President. it is believed, that when the Maine re- port is transmitted it will be referred | to the Committee on Foreign Affairs in ed States can make its representations to Spain and Spain can reply. Vice-President Hobart and a large number of Senators have said the same thing for the Senate, and it has become certain there are influential men in both houses, representing both parties, who will speak and.work for delay. The dampening of the Congressional powder .magazine has had a good ef- fect, and it is hoped that wise diplo- macy may be allowed to run its course. The general question of Cuba has also been much discussed. The Presi- dent is firm in his determination to act in this matter, either in connection with the- Maine question ot yust after it is out of the way. His mind to-day has been running on the question of recog- nizing the independence of Cuba in conjunction with England and some of the South American republics. This proposition has been very seriously en- tertained. I have reason to believe that the President has. been considerably shaken in his view that 1t 1s practicable. He has had before him to-day all pre- cedents, and he finds that never before was there a case like this. Heretofore there has always been a Government with a capital to recognize. In addition to this, such men as Sena- tor Davis and Reoresentative Hitt have declared their emphatic disapproval of the recognition of independence. Sena- tor Davis says the only thing we can do is to intervene by force of arms. Representative Hitt is in favor of letting Cuba alone. The President is determined that, come what may, the United States shall continue to send re- lief to the reconcentrados. If Spain withdraws her consent relief will go just the same. He believes that by doing this and improving the condition of the sufferers the Government will de- prive the jingoes of one of their prin- know, before he saw. Mr. Reed, how the cipal war arguments and also provide The President does not know | be taken which would seriously compli- | the House and held there until the Unit- | ROPUORAQRRVACOIVAROVOVIVRTE IR HY | UNITED STATES MILITARY BARRACKS AT KEY WEST. fog=g=Fegopegegegagogagag=gagagagaye] o FOR RECOGNITION OF INDEPENDENCE WASHINGTON, March 21.— Representative King of Utah introduced to-day the following joint resolution recognizing the independence of Cuba: Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives, That the republic of Cuba, having es- tablished and maintained an in- dependent Government, capable of performing its duties, foreign and domestic, which appertain to independent governments, and it appearing that there is no longer any reasonable prospect of the success of the prosecution of war by Spain against said state it is expedient and proper and in conformity with the laws of nations and the practice of this Government in like cases, that the Independent political existence of sald state be ac- knowledged by the Government of the United States. o fagegeegag 22-2-3-3=3:3-3-3-3-3-8-1 more time for the working out of a peaceful solution of the Cuban prob- lem. Thus it will be seen that the President wants more time. He no longer wants time to prepare for hostilities, because he believes that we are ready for any contingency now, or will be ready at the rate work is being rushed, but he wants time to avoid war and procure a peaceful and honorable outcome. He told all his callers to-day that he was well aware of the difficulties that con- front him, but to no one did he intimate that he saw a way out. That is what he is looking for. and he will continue to look for until he receives all the facts in the Maine report. Then, if there is no way out, he will act in two days. e Y- SPAIN WILL APPEAL TO THE POWERS. The President Hopes to Sway the Dons by the Moral Effect of Recognition. NEW YORK, March 21.—A spe- cial to the Herald from Washington says: The semi-official announce- ment from Madrid that Spain wil re- fuse to accept any finding by the American Court of Inquiry as to the fegogogegogogeRegu-ReRaRuyep e eguyogaFagegafagoFepeBegagale] Continued on Second Page. Call Office, Riggs House, Washington, March 21. The impression is now gen- eral in Washington that war can scarcely be avoided. Senator Morgan, who is us- ually conservative, said to- night: ‘It is inevitable. War is sure to come. 1 have felt for two years that it would be T R R R R R S S lglclale ) L the ultimate result of Spain’s policy toward the Cubans and I feel more certain ot it now than | ever have before.”’ Representative Hilborn of California, who, by reason of his position as a member of the Naval Affairs Committee, is in closer touch with Secre- tary Long, said to-night: ““Thesituation is graver than it has been at any time.”” Everything is now ready for the reception of the report from the | Maine board. The details of the method to be pursued in handling that, report were agreed upon at a conference held at the White House this morning— a most significant conference it was, when all the cir- cumstances surrounding it are tak- en into consideration. The report will not reach Con- gress before Thursday. An offi- cial declaration to this effect was made to-night. It may not be sent to Congress even on Thursday, though the present indications are that it will be. There is no disposition, as mat- ters stand now, to keep the report itself and all matters pertaining to it from Congress. It was for the purpose of finding out what the House would do—how far the House could be held in check— that Speaker Reed was invited to confer with the President this morning. Mr. Reed went to the White House about 11 o’clock and was in consultation with the Presi- dent, Secretary Long and Chair- man Hitt of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for half an hour. The only peint of importance discussed at this conference was as to ‘whether the Speaker wouid be able to suppress the jingoes so as to prevent hasty and incon- siderate action. The Speaker was given to understand that the report would indicate an external explo- l sion, but that the board had failed IR L TS T P OO U R R R R TR TR ure volving the representatives of the Spanish Government in the de- struction of the big ship. It was pointed out that in view of such a | report it would be necessary to present the situation to Spain through the ordinary diplomatic | channels, but that pending a reply from Spain the House must take no action. The Speaker alluded to the strong war feeling in the House, but assured the President that there would be no hasty action. —— EER R TR SRS NEWS OF THE DAY. Weather forecast for San Fran- cisco: Fair on Tuesday; continued cold weather; northwesterly winds. Maximum temperature for the past twenty-four hou San Francisc Portland .. Los Angeles. San Diego. -54 degrees 60 degrees FIRST PAGE. Hoping Vainly for Peace. ‘War Thought to Be Inevitable. SECOND PAGE. Father and Daughter Reunited. Senator Thurston on Intervention. Spanish Editor's Challenge Accepted. Relief for Spain's Victims. Havana Flooded With False Reports, Ships for a Flying Squadron. Senator Chandler Is for War. THIRD PAGE. Sampson May Succeed Sicard. Boss Rea’s Ticket Named. Is Dunham in Mexico? Fight for a Miser's Gold. Railway: Men fn Session. FOURTH PAGE. Late Advices From Dawson. Gold-Seekers Not Numerous. Sam Wall on Dividing Alaska Struck Gold at Cloverdale. Clark Blames the Woman. War in Santa Fe Management. Fatal Fire at Butte. Capture of a Wild Man. FIFTH PAGE. Croly’s Assailants Jailed. A Laborer’s Bad Fall. SIXTH PAGE. Editorial. About Precedents. Get There First. Naval Appropriations. Varieties in Telephone Rates. Uniform Weights and Measurew Question of the Age. When the Lightning Strikes. Storles From the Corridors. Answers to Correspondents. SEVENTH PAGE. Poolsellers Are Defeated. Electric Meters Will Vary. EIGHTH PAGE. Ferris Hartman's Lightning Change. Supervisors and Racing. News of the Theaters. Items Along the Water Front NINTH PAGE. Recruits for the Artillery. The Ministers' Meetings. Slayer of President Barrios. TENTH PAGE. The Commercial World. ELEVENTH PAGE. News From Across the Bay. Reception to D. H. Hastings. TWELFTH PAGE. Racing at Ingleside. THIRTEENTH PAGE. Births, Marriages and Deaths, FOURTEENTH PAGE. Swindles in Street Work. Irene Lynch May Be Found. Attorney Haymond Confesses. Catholics Want a Free Press, Death of R. E. Doyle. The Kelso Divorce Case. 0000000000000 0@ PPPPOIOPOPPPPOHPOD 9GO A ok ok ok ok ok K ok ok R ok K ok ok ok ok ok sk ok ok sk ok ok sk ok sk ok sk ok ok sk sk ok i ok R ok K ok ok ok sk ok ok sk ok ok ok ok o ok % K K % PPOPPV9PP00P90P099009000009909090900000900900000@® 0090009000090 000000000000000000000000000000000000000600000606866666 PPP0090000009090909009000090090090600006006 & BELIEVE THAT WAR WITH SPAIN CAN HARDLY BE AVOIDED Report of the Court of Inquiry on the Maine Disaster Will Reach Congress Possibly on Thursday. ‘Then, if Spain Is Blamed, Sagasta Will Resent the Imputation and the Critical Time Will Come for the Nations. $06060600600606660 2606606606006 60060064 |eoe000000000 ¢0000000000000 ®o = . e <¢ SPAIN WILL REFUSE oo 5 & ;Z TO ACCEPT BLAME FOR oe DO Do THE MAINE’S DESTRUCTION. <o fe'e X oo X MADRID, March 21.—I am in position to inform you—and it may Zi be useful just now In connection with the political calculations of (0 the immediate future—that the Spanish Government will refuse to ¢ accept any finding of the Maine commission which may suggest .2 Spanish responsibility. What is more, this intention is known to the PO United States Government. .e The Spanish Ministerial view is that the imputation which the o | finding would have, if admitted, would be an irremovable blemish % ( upon Spain’s reputation as a civilized country which she could not oo | possibly bear. If the report of the commission throws blame upon ©® Spain which would carry with it a call for indemnity, the Govern- | ©® ment will forthwith make an appeal to the combined FEuropean & | ©® powers on the plea of equity and common fairness to intervene in © > | ©® favor of Spain against what every Spaniard would esteem a mon- &% | 4 strous and iniquitous finding. ®® | e® 1t is hoped that under such circumstances the United States will &2 | ®® agree to the appointmentofa neutral court of naval constructors who f<'> ©® could carry out their work with perfectly unbiased minds, a condi- © & tion almost impossible to officers of the United States, who would © ©& naturally seek to exonerate their service from all blame, and who, ©° & without doubt, look upon Spain as an enemy. - ®o P2 It may be stated, however, that the Ministry still clings to the & ©% thought that the commission cannot possibly return a verdict other ©° | 4 than one that the explosion was accidental. 564 B 64 EX3 660606000000 00000 00006060 22 &02322@00@000@00000oeoooooe&ggg’:ggggggfi to find any evidence directly in-| 802064000000 000000e THE REPORT EN ROUTE Copyrighted, 1898, by James Gordon Bennett. KEY WEST, Fla., March 21— Lieutenant - Commander Marix, Judge Advocate of the Naval Court of Inquiry, came ashore at 3 o’clock this afternoon ac- companied by an armed orderly from the Towa, who carried a bulky package of official docu- ments. These documents were at once turned over to Rear Ad- miral Sicard. Some persons be- lieve that the documents ‘were the full findings of the Court of Inquiry. Others, who knew that Captain A. S. Barker had already stgrted north with important papers, took a different view. Their theory was that the package contained blue prints, affida- vits and other pleces of docu- mentary evidence that had been submitted to the Court. Lieuten- ant - Commander Marix when questioned on this subject, re- fused to either deny or confirm that the package contained the report, but an officer from the Iowa said he had been informed that the documents were the long expected report of the Maine disaster. The papers were immediately examined by the rear admiral and Commander West. It is presumed that if these documents are the anx- fously expected report will be taken to Washington to-morrow by Lieutenant Commander Marix. NEW YORK, March 2L—A Tampa (Fla.) special to the Her- ald says: Captain Albert S. Bar- ker, who arrived from Havana and Key West, is known to have had in his possession the pack- age of papers he brought off the Iowa, upon which Court of In- quiry has been holding its ses- sions in Key West. kK Rk kK K ok Kk K ok ok ok ok sk ok ok koK ok ok ok ok ok ke ok ok ok ke ok ok ok ok ok sk ok ok ok ke ok ok ok R X K R @oeooooooosoooooooz He said he felt sure there were enough conservative men on both sides of the House to hold down these who were inclined to pre- cipitate immediate debate, and that if assurance was given that there would be no unnecessary delay the House could be relied upon to send the report and accompanying documents to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and to await the report of that committee. There is still uncertainty on one important point in the administra- tion programme and that is whether the papers bearing on the Maine incident will be sent in by them- selves and be handled separately from the general Cuban question, or whether the two matters will be submitted at the same time. In- dications point to the fcrmer meth- od of procedure. It is believed that the reports of the Consuls in