Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-29
TWO REPORTS TO BE MADE
Democrats and Republicans Arrive at the
 Same Result
V ASSIGN DIFFERENT REASONS
' Administration Makes No Secret of s Opposition to the Recognition of '; Cuba, Claiming That Serious Con-
 sequences May Result.

Washington, Feb. 2S.-The house com mittee on elections No. has decided the contested case of Aldrich, republican and populist against Robbins democrat, for the Fourth Ala bama district, in favor of Aldrich. The vote in Aldrch's favor is unanimous, but the committee divided on party lines upon the argument by which the same conclusion is reached So there will be two reports to the house, signed by democrats and republicans respective ly, assigning different reasons for one result.
 The Gold Reserve Is Sinking.
 The treasury gold reserve at the close of business today stood at $122, PA, ,229. The withdrawals for the day amounted to $1,269,700.
 News From Armenia and Johannesburg.
 A long telegram was received by Secre- tary Olney from Minister Terrell at Con- stantinople, telling of great distress in Armenia. He says that the inhabitants of Zeitoun and it's vicinity are suffering from the raVages of smallpox and other diseases and from want of food. Relief expeditions are fitting out as fast as pos sible. The progress Is, however, necessa- rily slow and uncertain because the val leys are deep in mud and almost impassa ble, while the mountains are filled with snow, and the weather is unusually cold. The English vice-consul at Zeitoun has sent relief to Harpoot, and the sultan has issued an imperial decree affordlng pro- tection and facilities to Miss Clara Bar ton.
 Secretary Olney had a cable message today from Mr. Manyon, the United States consular agent at Johannesburg, South African republic. saying; "rhe Transvaal government shows every dis position to treat American prisoners len iently, and has been considerate and friendly toward all United States official representatives. Hammond and other American prisoners are now In Johannes burg awaiting legal proceedings"
 The Administration Is Against It.
 The regular meeting of the cabinet was held today. It Is understood in official circles that the resolutions with regard to Cuban recognition before the senate and house were considered with much se- riousness. It is also the understanding among the higher officials that the ad- ministra tion is not in favor of the recog- hilton of Cuban belligerency at this time, It may be said that this is an open secret. The conservative feeling of the president and his advisers is said to be the result not of any lack of sympathy with the in- surgents, but of the knowledge Of the endorsements that would confront the United States government if the recogni- tion were accorded. It Is also stated that the president and members of his cabinet are embarrassed over the adoption by congress of the resolutions on the Cuban question in the form requiring the execu- tive approval. Some prominent officials, while known to have the greatest per sonal sympathy with the insurgents cause in Cuba, have shown that they be- lieve that their formal recognition by congress and the president at this time would result in consequences too serious to he lightly encountered.