The herald., 1897-05-15


when 1t cares for its own citizens. At
tention was called by the Spanish min
ister to the fact that the Red Cross had
been giv>n full permission to operate
in Cuba and that in the distribution OF
its charitable offices the society makes
no distinction in nationality, be it dis
tressed Spaniard, Cuban or American.
A MESSAGE LIKELY.
WASHINGTON, May 14.-President
Mckinley has under earnest considera-'
ton the advisa bility of sending mes
sage to Congress next week on the Cuban
question. He is inclined to suggest that
measures be adopted to relieve distress
among American residents in Cuba.
The message, if it goes in, will be en-
tirely pacific. In order to have the facts
on which to predicate a message, Nc
Kinley has had cablegrams sent to
every consular officer in Cuba asking
each to give exact information Of the
status of affairs in his district by tele-
graph at once. 1t was understood to-
day by some members of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations that
this information would be communicat-
ed to the Senate, but whether it will be
accompanied by message recommend
ing action was yet a matter of doubt.
The prospects are that considerable op-
position may be developed in the Senate
to the proposition of relief.
Senator Burrows of Michigan said to-
day: 'rThe distribution of relief is al
most impossible and the Scheme thor
oughly impracticable. How is the citi-
zenship of people asking relief to be de-
termined, and must there be an investi-
cation of the citizenship of every starV-
ing woman and child who asks relief?
Wewill be prevented from taking care OF
Americans in the insurgent lines, and
cannot relieve distress even in the in
surgent hospitals. We shall simply be
helping Spain feed her hungry people"
SPANISH ANXIETY
NEW YORK, May IA dispatch to-
the World from Madrid says: Some OF
the Madrid newspapers comment with
anxiety regarding the mission of w. j.
Calhoun in Cuba and the declaration
of Senator Foraker concerning the in
tention of President Mckinley to re-
serve an expression of opinion on Cuban
affairs until he receives explicit informa-
tien from reliable source.
On the other hand, it is said in; official
circles in Madrid that the Spanish min
;ster in Washington reports that the
relations between the United States and
the Spanish Government We're never
more cordial or the disposition of the
American Government more friendly.
A report of the tobacco manufac-
turers of Havana has been laid before
the Minister of Foreign Affairs here
protesting against permission being
granted Americans to export tobacco
from Cuba by virtue of the alleged con-
tracts made before General Weyler pro-
hibited all exports of tobacco, except
that destined for Spain. The Duke of
Tetuan said the Government was dis
posed to receive and duly examine the
evidence offered by the Havana manu-
facturers with the understanding that
If 1t were as convincing and precise as
claimed the pretensons of the Ameri-
can exporters would not be admitted.
The minister added that he felt con-
vinced that the American Government
would not back up the claim OF the
American exporters if their pretensions
proved, to be unfounded as both Gov
ernments aimed only at settling the
point according to existing treaties and
international usage.
FREEDOM OR DEATH
NEW YORK, May h.-The Journals
correspondent has just returned from
visit to General Gomez and the other
Cuban leaders in Cuba, and is the bearer
of the following important statement by
General Gomez to the American people:
your correspondent now in our camp
has requested of me statement of the
attitude of the Cuban Republic on cer-
tain question likely to assume more or
lese Importance when our struggle for
liberty shall have been concluded.
"The question of our acceptance of the
autonomous terms offered by Spain has
already been ably answered by our dis
tinguished representative in the United
States, Mr.. Estrada Palama. Neither
the terms of autonomy nor the act of Of
fering them are worthy Of serious con-
sideration on the part Of the Cubans who
have become familiar with the treachery
and duplicity of Spain and the worth
1essness of her promises.
I'VE do not believe we shall ever have
to call special convention to consider
the framing of a peace treaty with
Spain. Only question Of absolute in
dependence will be regarded as basis
for treaty negotiation, and this the
Spanish government will not grant.
cit is difficult to discuss without en-
barrassment the question of our atti-
tude toward any proposition looking to
the annexation of Cuba to the United
States in the event of our ultimate vic
tory, as there has developed in the
United States strong anti-anneXation
sentiment before the CubanS have indi-
Gated in the slightest degree any desire
for this closer relationship. Among the
men now battling for Cuba's freedom
there is a strong sentiment against an
nexation to the United States, although
our feelings toward your country are Of
the friendlieSt and most sympathetic
character. We are fighting for absolute
freedom, not only from Spain, but from
any government not of our own making.
We will stand ready to form with the
United States any alliance calculated to
mutually strengthen our two countries,
commercially or otherwise, but do not
believe there is any sentiment in either
country in favor of annexation strong
enough to warrant the hope of the ulti-
mate union of our two countries in the
relationship contemplated.
ANY proposition from Spain looking
to the granting of our independence
upon the payment to the Spanish gov
ernment OF sum large enough to cover
the expenses of the war will be rejected
our independence from Spain with