Evening star., 1897-05-18
THE HOUSE PROGRAM
Pnraing to Taks Up the Cuban Rslief
Resolution.
Actlon q Committee ON Rules-Whaf
Mr.. Bailey Proposes-Course
of the Speaker.

The committee on rules will probably re-
port special order to the House Thurs
day providing for the Immediate cousidera-
ton Of the Cuban relief resolution. This
could have been done yesterday and all
delay avoided had the President notified
the Speaker of the House that the message
was to be sent to Congress. The President
failed to communicate with the Speaker,
and consequently no preparations were
made In advance to meet the contingency
that 1t could easily have been foreseen by
the Speaker would arise.
1t is the intention Of Mr.. Bailey to make
a minority proposition when the report OF
the rules committee is made to the House.
so as to provide that after the relief reso-
luton has been disposed of the House shall
at once proceed with the consideration OF
the resolution recognizing the belligerency
of the Cubans. He will claim the right of
the minority to present this a counter
proposition to the majority report, incl,ld-
ing the majority proposition.
He recognizes that the Speaker can cut
him OH from offering this proposition by
having the previous question. but ex-
presses doubt that Mr.. Reed will go to
such extent to prevent the sentiment of
the House finding expression in vote.
He Is probably mistaken In his calcula-
tion as to this, however. The Speaker will
minority do not extend beyond the privi-
lege to present their views. and that they
cannot submit substitute proposition.
1t is not the intention to permit Mr.. Bal
icy to torce the House to a vote on the
question of belligerency. He might move
to recommit. but 1t has already been held
by the Speaker that such a motion cannot
be coupled with instructions. 50 that 1t
seems impossible. under the Speakers rul-
1ngs, to get direct vote on billigerency
The situation in this respect would not be
improved any from the point of view Of
the 'pro-CubanS, IL the committee on for
eign affairs were to be appointed, since
that committee would be able to mold the
beffigerency resolution back as long as
deemed desirable.
Distributi0n of Relief
The question Of how relief is to be sent
to the American citizens in Cuba after the
appropriation Is made is a complicated one:
and. in fact, a number Of complication
seem likely to arise in the matter
One proposition Is to place the money
at the disposal of our consuls in Cuba. and
to have them purchase the supplies there
Another proposition is to have the pro-
visions supplied through the army and
in the several Cuban ports by the regular
transportation lines.
Another is to charter vessels or to use
naval vessels for the purpose.
ihc ulAiCuity III the way OF the latter
proposition Is that 1t Is feared that it would
give offense to Spain. On the other nand
II the provisions are sent by the regular
transportation lines they will be dumped
In bulk upon the hands of our consuls at
the several Cuban ports, without proper
care or means OF distribution.
IL would involve the establishment Of
warehouses. But if the money is placed at
the credit of consuls to purchase supplies
IN Cuba they will have to pay two or three
prices for everything.
Another question that is raised is whether
the sending Of provisions to Americans in
Cuba. without coupling this action with
some demand upon Spain that she permit
the people to resume their usual occupa-
tons. Is not really an assistance to the
Spanish cause inasmuch as it is a relief to
that extent Of the strain upon the limited
supplies of the Spanish communities here
the people are concentrated.
1t Is suggested that this relief may be a
positive assistance to the Cuban cause. and
mards for a correction of the conditions
Is made upon Spain.