The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-15
AMERICANS SUFFER.
Cabinet Discussed Cuban Conditions
in Detail.
No RELIEF ACTION WAS DECIDED ON.
The Further Information" From
Cuba Is Still Awaited.
A MESSAGE is PREDICTED.
said the Disclosures rs to Cuba's
Condition to BE Made by the Prcsi-
dent VIII he Startling.
A MESSAGE is PREDICTED.

Washington. May 1.-THE meeting OF
the cabinet today was devoted almost en-
tirely to the consideration of the Cuban
situation. The meeting occurred an hour
earlier than usual. owing to the import
ance of the question to be discussed and
the fact that the president and cabinet
were to leave for Philadelphia at 1245.
The cabinet discussion of the Cuban sit
asking congress TO provide immediate re-
lief to the Americans who are, according
10 the reports received from Consul Cen
oral Lee, penned up in the cities and in
actual danger of starvation. 1t had 10
bearing upon the policy OF the adminstra-
tion toward Spain or the Cuban insurgents,
except incidentally, but dealt with the
direct and immediate question of relieving
destitute Americans on the island. Secre-
tary Sherman laid before the cabinet some
Of the most important documents in the
state department about the situation and
before the meeting was over Judge Day
the assistant secretary OF state. personally
took to the White House some additional
papers for which the secretary had sent.
Every phase of the matter was discussed
~ ael,i
an appropriation, SPANS attitude, the
methods of distributing relief 1T 1T
SHOULD BE. DECIDED TO ENTER UPON
IT, ana the necessity or adyisahility Of
having a warship accompany food supplies
But the final decision of the session was
postponed until Consul General Lee and
other American consuls in Cuba-and
probably Mr.. Calhoun make their reports
by cable to the department. They have
been requested to cable the latest facts as
to the existing situation.
These reports will be hero probably when
the president and cabinet return tomorrow
night. and If 1t is decided to send spe-
cial message 10 congress early next week
those with the other facts in the posses
sion of the state department, VIII he made
the basis of request TO congress II seems
eninently probable now that such a mes
sage will be sent to congress, but hardly
before Tuesday. as there would be no time
to prepare message before that day I'M
loss Mr. Mckinley devoted sunday to the
task.
Tho spanish minister, pupuy de Lone
called at the state department shortly be-
fore noon today and conferred for some
time with Assistant Secretary Day relative
tn the reported intention OF this govern
mont TO send selief to American sufferers
| In cuba. The minister gave assurance that
| ,be Spanish government would be In entire
sympathy with any benevolent action ana
! would lend every assistance to It, 1t was
recalled by the minister that four months
ago he had written to the officers OF the
Rod Cross society giving in behalf OF his
| government full authority for extending
| aid N the sufferers in Cuba. Since then
bowever no steps towards relief have been
taken.
The sranish minister does not question
the existence OF misery and suffering in
J tho island. but declares that IT is such only
IA accompanies insurrection and war,
| heightened in this case by the low tropic
country 1T is SAID THE CONDITIONS
HAVE EXISTED FOR MONTHS AND
HAVE BEEN WELL KNOWN As to the
severity of the suffering, 1t is said that u
| consists mainly in the lack OF alequute
| GOOD medicine and nursing for the SICK
and destitute. Tho statements thst peo-
| nIo arc diving in the streets are not adnlll
| ,cd at the legation. but arc discrediteh anc
ms 10 the Americans II T. said there are
| nrmber of well-to-do Americans IN Cuba
vii, would relieve any distress on the part
| of their fellow -counirymeh.
| Tho manner OF sending relief TO cuba
|N n shall be decided upon hy the presi-
| d.r, and congress has been discussed
| among officials and in some quarters II II
| felt that the dispatch OF vessel wonld nc
inadvisable. II Ia said that the quickes!
and sures, way would he TO SEM reilef
by ordinary freight routes "illeh nave
| facilities for reaching the various poru
and interior points In cuba. The centers
~ surlering are widely separated. 40 that
| a reIiaf vessel TO any one port wouin en-
counter many difficulties ana dangerI IN
giving speedy relief 10 the people neeoing
III. - .t.., ,o.ro
,arv nav and Senior Dupuy de LONE lasted
Tor over an hour and was confined entirely
IN DISCUSSION Of the extension OF relief
,,essuree No objection was made IN behali
-, The Spanish government 10 the supply
~ food medicine and clothing TO the dis
tressed Americans in Cuba. but It vas
cIearly understood that the relief is to BIO
| .tar5sd only TO American citizens through
decided npOl.
The Spanish authorities have not re-
corded any objection on their part TO a.
',o,arai distrlbutlon. provided this Is not
carried 10 the extent Of provisioning the
Insurgen, forces in their Resistance ssds ,o. 10
.lp..a,,. mat n is The present idea OF the
administrator that it win have fulfilled
all Of It's proper functions when 1t has
car, h,tep,lon was called by the Spanish min