The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-03
COngreSSmen Call at State
Department.
American Interests In the
Island Have Suffered.
Filibuster Dauntless Now at Jack
s0nvilIe to Be Watched.

washington, Dec. 3.-The interest felt
by congressman In the attitude assumed
by the administration toward the Cuban
lnsurrection is evidenced by the number
of calls Secretary Olney Is receiving
from such OF the senator's and members
of the house as have arrived in Wash
ireton in anticipation of the assembling
OF congress next Monday.
Naturally the secretary's visitors take |
advantage OF their call to seek the latest |
official news as to Cuba, but as far as can |
be learned the department has little In
formation on that subject TO communi- |
cate The one thing that does appear |
TO be established by these callers Is that
the administration contemplates no
change in the line of policy 1t has pur-
sued so consistently since the beginning
of the insurrection two years ago.
While that part of the presidents mes
sage which will deal with the subject has
not yet been finally reduced TO form, IT
Is believed that II will be brief but
cogent presentation of reasons that have
Influenced the administration in hold
Ing to its present attitude. The events
of the past years campaign probably
Will be deeply reviewed with the pur-
pose of showing that the insurgents so
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 permanent seat OF govern
ment, and have no seaport. In other
words, they have not sensibly changed
their condition from what II was year
ago, so that by the same line OF reason
Ing laid down by the administration In
the statement semi-oilicially published
last spring there Is at present no 0c-
casion for a change Of policy on our part.
Ii is presumed however, that in addi-
tion 10 q statement to this effect. tho
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 of 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
II would not b. possible for the president
TO send a pro-Spanish message 10 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 II clear
that his report would not be favorable
10 the Spanish contentious II is known
that the report which General Lee made
presents very grave, not to say hor-
rifying, condition of affairs in Cuba.
one OF the conditions he describes is
that OF the situation OF the non-com-
batants. peaceable citizens who have NJ
Interest in the war except TO see II ended.
These people. whether within the Span
isn lines or the Cuban lines, are sufferers.
IL within the Cuban lines, they plant
their crops In order TO obtain a 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, IL 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 IL
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 sympathlze with Spais.
The report OF Mr.. Lee. besides show
ing what difficulties the on-combatants
have TO contend with I'm the matter OF
securing enough food to sustain life. also
points out how they are often hurried "a
prisons and condemned without the
trials Americans are accustomed TO see
given to persons charged with offenses
IL is known that General Lees report
shows that cruelty Is practiced on both
sides. but, II Is said, states that more
cases have come TO his knowledge oi
wrongs on the part OF the Spanish.
very conservative member OF the
senate committee on foreign relations
said that the condition Of Cuba wa:
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 a stand in th'
matter
Treasury officials have been advised
that the supposed filibuster Dauntless
which left Brunswick, Ca, yesterday
has arrived at Jacksonville, Fla. Las
Monday the commander of the revenu
cutter Boutwell,, who has been keeping
watch on the Dauntless at Brunswick
obtained permission TO steam down &
Jacksonville for stores. Within an hou
after the Boutwell's departure tn
Dauntless got up steam, and. withou
clearance papers. started for Jackson
vile. but for what purpose IL not known
The commander Of the Boutwell, hee bee
instructed 20 keep the Dauntless unde
strict surveillance<'' IL is understood tha
under no circumstances will the Daunt
less be permitted, for the present a
least, to leave Jacksonville harbor.