Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-14
THEY ARE STARVING.
Hundreds of Americans Are
in Distress in Cuba.
Report Of Senate Foreign Relations
Committee Creates Sensation.
Action by The President Is Expected Within a
Few Days.

Washington, May 13.-The Senate
committee on foreign relations, today
had the Cuban question under con
sderation on the basis Of the report Of
the sub committee, appointed. yester-
day, to confer with the President and
Secretary Sherman. The report was
prepared by Senators Davis and Fora
ker, the Republican members of the
subcommittee, Senator Morgan, the
Democratic member, declining to par
ticipate in it.
The report consisted Of concise
statement of the contents of official re-
ports from American consuls in CuDa,
bringing the information up to within
week of the present time 1t con-
firms the newspaper reports as TO the
situation of affairs in the island and
goes even farther in depicting a de-
plorable situation than do most of the
newspaper stories. Especial stress is
laid upon the condition of American
citizens in the island. OF those it is
positively stated that there are hun =
dreds in a starving condition and most
wretchedly clothed.
Deaths of Americans from starvation
are daily reported. They are scattered
in all parts Of the island and are shown
no consideration whatever. because of
their American citizenship. They are
generally persons who reside on the
plantations, but who have been driven
from their homes to the towns or con-
centrados and who, being among
strangers and without employment, are
compelled to subsist on almost nothing.
They are not allowed TO return to their
plantations, not even to pick berries.
nor secure the least article of subsist-
ence, They are theoretically under the
care of the Spanish army, but the army
is without a commissariat. They have
no means of leaving the island. Their
condition is pronounced wholly deplor-
able.
The committee was especially Impress
ed with this recital and the opinion
generally expressed was that the stu
alton should be remedied if possible.
1t was considered as placing even a
worse aspect upon the question of our
relations to Cuba than the imprison-
ment of Americans of which there are
comparatively few instances. 1t is
now probable that the committee will
the correspondence will not be given to
the public for the present.
The report also indicates a generally
wretched condition of all the inhab-
itants of the island because of the
scarcity of food and money, especially
in the centers of population, and be-
cause, also, of the pressure of the most
malignant diseases. such as yellow
fever. smallpox and dysentery. These
diseases the natives Withstand with
comparative ease. but they are eSpec-
tally oppressive to the Spanish soldiery.
The reports indicate that the Spanish
army is not so strong as it was year
ago. largely on account of these raw
ages while they indicate no diminution
of the insurgent forces.
The reports upon which the sub
committees brief was based were
from various consuls. including Consul
General Lee. They make no recon-
mendations as to the American policy
but merely give the situation as they
seee it.
In view of the developments in the
committee Senator Morgan agreed not
to press the consideration of his reso-
luton, today, but he will make an
effort to have the question made the
unfinished business, Monday. at
o clock. This acquiescence on the Ala
bama Senator's part to temporarily de-
lay, is understood to be given under the
impression that it will result in bring
ing to the resolution the support of the
entire committee on foreign relations.
This will. of course, materially
strengthen the resolution in the Senate,
and it is believed by its friends will ex-
pedite its passage there.