The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-05-20
THOUGH HE is NOT PRONE TO ACT
TILL HE HEARS FROM
MIR. CALHOUN.
DISCLOSURES OF OFFICIAL REPORTS
Americans Driven From Planta-
Are Left to Starve-Senate
Foreign Relations Com
mittee Has Had It's
Eyes Opened.


Washington, May 13.-There was a
sudden and violent outbreak of Cuban
sentiment today at the capital, and dur
ing the early hours the opinion was
strongly towards speedy and radical ac-
ton by both congress and the executive,
but later there was somewhat of a re-
action ON its becoming known that the
president, while keenly alive to the situa-
ton and anxious to learn everything pos
sible that could guide his conduct of our
Cuban and Spanish relations, felt that
further information was necessary, and
that, for the immediate present, the ques-
ton was not one of recognition of bellig-
erency or independence of the Cuban in
surgents, but of relief of the American
citizens, destitute and helpless in Cuba.
The senate foreign relations committee,
it should be stated, while agreeing with
the necessity for the relief of the suffer
ing Americans, is favorable to more radi-
cal measures, and number of its men,
bers are earnestly DESTROYS of instant ac-
ton by the executive in aid of the in
surgents, but have not succeeded in con-
verting the administration to their views
that present action is appropriate and
emphatic The event of the day was a
report to their colleagues by the substi-
tute committee of the foreign relations
committee, which has examined the state
department Cuban reports. This state
ment, though not given to the public, was
so far disclosed in character as to give
rise to q good deal of excited comment
among senators and members. The re-
port, based upon facts presented by the
United States consuls in Cuba, it is said,
brings out in strong relief the restitution
which exists not only among the Cubans,
but Americans and paci6cos now on the
island, who were driven from their farms
into the towns by Weyler's orders and
thereby prevented from supporting them
selves.
For several days past the subject mat
ter of this report has been under discus
sion quietly among few of the friends
Npf Cuba in congress, and they have lost
40 opportunity of impressing upon the
president their convictions that it is his
duty as the chief executive to delay no
: longer in taking active steps to terminate
the present condition of affairs in Cuba.
Their representations, however, have not
been sufficient to induce hasty action.
The president is moving steadily and with
all speed that safety and sound judgment
warrant in the collection of facts touch
ing the conditions that exist in the
island today. To this end, Mr.. Calhoun
is now in Cuba, officially on another mis-
sion, but also charged with the observa-
ton of the conditions that prevail. When
he has reported to the president and the
latter has gathered what he regards as
a sufficient store of information, based or
facts that can not be questioned, he will
be ready either 10 take himself, or suggest
to congress, such action as these facts
warrant. Meanwhile he has under ear
nest consideration the best means of af-
fording relief to Americans suffering as a
result of conditions on the island.
Today the president saw, by. appoint
ment, Mr.. Edwin Il. Atkins of Boston,
who is largely interested in Cuban sugar
ingten on personal business, which
brought him in contact with Secretary
Long, an old friend. To further Mr..
Atkins business, the secretary took him
to the White House and presented him
to the president The latter, learning
that Mr.. Atkins had just returned from
Cuba, began TO chat with the visitors as
to the state of affairs as they revealed
themselves to the business man, and Mr..
Atkins gave him faithful picture of the
economic conditions that prevailed in
Havana and in other portions of the
island when he left. His story was so
interesting that the president summoned
Judge Day, assistant secretary of state.
across to the White House to hear 1T.
Mr.. Atkins had very little to say about
the military situation in Cuba and what
he did utter in that connection dad not in
dicate any leaning on his part either to
the Spanish or to the insurgent side.
As to the Spanish legation, the news of
h the Developments at the capitol today
Vkyas received with composure. Of course,
the action of the committee could not be
Sypenly discussed without violation Of the
Fstrict etiquette which governs the diplo-
matte body in its relations to congress,
but it was suggested that the fact that
the entire attention of the senate . for
months to come would be eHgroSseG by
the tariff bill might have determined the
friends of the Cubans to endeavor to Sc
cure some sort of action by congress be-
fore the tariff debate begins.
1t is not denied at the legation that
suffering exists in Cuba. but such suffer
ing, it was said, is almost always incident
to war. 1t is contended that the Span
ish government has done all it can with
the means at hand to alleviate this dis
tress. 1t was pointed out that Spain
has granted permission to the Red Cross.
through Miss Barton, to extend its good
offices to the destitute in Cuba, and,
moreover, it does not place any obstruc-
lions in the way of any proper charity in
the United States which has the same
end in view. All that is asked is that
food supplies contributed for the relief OF
the destitute are not used to maintain the
Cuban insurrectionary forces in their re-
sistance TO the Spanish government.
Disclosures of Official Reports.
Washington, May 13.-The senate COM
mittee on foreign relations today had the
Cuban question under consideration on
the basis of the report of the sub-com-
mittee appointed yesterday TO confer
with the president and Secretary Sher-
man. The report was prepared by Sena-
tors Davis and Foraker, the republican
members of the subcommittee, Senator
Morgan, the democratic member, declin-
ing to participate in it. The report con-
sisted of concise statement of the con-
tents of official reports from American
,consuls in Cuba, bringing their informa-
ton up to within week of the present
lime. This report confirms the news
paper reports as to the situation of af-