The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-03
congressman Want InfOrma-
tion on Cuban Question.
Report That Ultimatum is to Be
Sent to Spain,


time In November had given the Spanish
government Opurteously. but firmly, to
understand that the Cuban rebellion
must be crushed within three months
or the United States would be compelled
to intervene to stop hostilities. 1t was
said that prominent Republican senators
had been informed of this ultimatum.
The reports In their general features
were similar to rumocS prevalent about
a month ago and emphatically denied
at the time by officials of this govern
ment and also at Madrid No conflrma-
ton OF the latest reports could be OBJ
tanned in official circles here. and II was
denied that Spain had been Informed oil
any such ultimatum. Senators VINO nave
been active in foreign affairs and have
consulted state department officials IN
the Cuban situation expressed the opin-
ion that the administration had not MADE
any radical change in its attitude. but
number OF them gave 1t as their own
personal opinion that congress should
adopt vigorous methods to end the pres
ent state of affairs.
While that part of the presidents mes
sage which will deal with the subject has
| not yet been finally reduced to form, IL
| Is believed that it will be a brief but
| influenced the administration In hold
Ing to its present attitude. The "yents
| of the past years campaign probably
| will be deeply reviewed with the pur-
| pose of showing that the insurgents 30
| far have failed to meet the requirements
originally laid down by the president as
essential to their recognition.
They have fought no general engage
| ment to a successful issue; have not es-
| tablished a permanent seat OF govern
| ment and have no seaport In other
| words, they have not sensibly changed
| their condition from what 1t was a year
| ago, so that by the same line of reason
| ing laid down by the administration In
| the statement semi Officially published
| last spring there is at present no &C
| casion for change of policy on our part.
! 1t is presumed, however, that In addi-
| tion to a statement to this effect, the
president will not hesitate to deplore the
| continuance OF the present unsatisfac-
| tory conditions In Cuba as injurious to
| American interests. and under cover OF
his message may intimate to Spain the
necessity OF a termination OF existing
evils at a reasonably early date.
1t is expected that the president Will
take early occasion to send to congress
the report uf Consul General Lee, re-
Gently submitted to the secretary OF
! state, on the result OF his observations
| in Cuba.
A prominent member Of the senate
committee on foreign relations said that
it would not b. possible for the president
! to send pro-Spanish message to con-
| gress, in view OF the report which Consul
| General Lee had made to Secretary
| Olney.
Speaking generally of the views OF
| General Lee, the senator said that they
| were well enough known to make 1t clear
that his report would not be favorable
| to the Spanish contentious. Ii is known
| that the report which General Lee made
| presents very grave, not to say hor-
| rifying, conditioner affairs in Cuba.
| One of the coHcitions he describes Is
! that Of the situation OF the non-com-
batants. peaceable citizens who have no
interest in the war except to see ii ended
These people. whether within the Span
| ish lines or the Cuban lines, are sufferers
| II within the Cuban lines, they plant
| their crops in order to obtain living,
| only to have their territory raided and
occupied by the Spanish forces. who i'm
mediately destroy the crops, burn the
houses and other property of the plant
| ers, and, upon the slightest pretext, 1t Is
| alleged, put the men to death or i'm
| prison them, on the ground that they
have been aiding the rebellion. In fact
| Is Is regarded as aiding the Cubans II
crops are raised which they might OBJ
tain. Non-combatants within Spanish
territory, when occupied by the Cubans.
are given like treatment, on the ground
that they sympathize with Spain.
| The report Of Mr.. Lee. besides show
ing what difficulties the nom -combatants
| have to contend with in the matter Of
securing enough food to sustain life, also
| points out how they are often hurried to
| prisons and condemned without the
| trials Americans are accustomed to see
given to persons charged with offenses
1t is known that General Lees report
shows that cruelty Is practiced on both
sides. but. 1t Is said, states that moro
cases have come to his knowledge of
wrongs on the part OF the Spanish.
A very conservative member Of the
4 senate committee on foreign relations
said that the condition Of Cuba was
such that Intervention by the United
States In the cause of humanity was de-
manded. and he had no doubt that con-
gross would early take stand In the
matter.
| Treasury officials have been advised
that the supposed nlibuster Dauntless,
which left Brunswick, Ca, yesterday,
has arrived at Jacksonville, Fla. Last
] Monday the commander of the revenue
cutter Boutwell,. who has been keeping
watch on the Dauntless at Brunswick,
obtained permission to steam down to
Jacksonville for stores. Within an hour
after the Boutwelrs departure the
Dauntless got up steam. ana without
clearance papers, started for Jackson
Vile. but for what purpose IL not known.
The commander Of the Boutwell, has been
Instructed to keep the Dauntless under
strict surveillance. IL is understood that
under no circumstances will the Daunt-
l lesa be pQrnitted for tha praooot M