Evening star., 1897-05-13

go 10 the CdpftOI 10 accompany q lot OF
documents to the Senate foreign relations
committee. but he changed his mind and
went to the Ehbitt HOUSE. the documents
being taken by Executive Clerk Pruden.
1t was soon learned that Secretary Long
went to the White House with Edwin T..
Atkins Of Boston. and that Mr.. Atkins was
a Cuban sugar planter in whom the Secre-
tary has confidence. Mr.. Atkins has Just
returned from Cuba and Is said to be ex-
trcmely we'll posted. Secretary Long knew
of his coming and had arranged that he
should talk to the President about the situ-
alton on the islands. He did talk and for
an hour was engaged In telling the Presi-
dent what he knew.
The President asked him many questions
and he answered them fully as possible.
What impression his talk made is not
known. but 1t Is asserted that he il a man
whose word would be taken by both the
President and Secretary Long.
The Questien 81 warships.
Outside Of the talk with Mr.. Atkins.
which is said to have been fraught with
Importance. 1t is said that the whereabouts
OF warshiDs may have been talked over
between the President and Secretary Long,
Judge Day said to Star reporter, In an
swer to a question, that there was nothing
serious in the situation and nothing which
would necessitate the dispatching of
warship to Cuba
he refused, however, to answer q Ques-
tion whether II would not be proper for
the President and his secretary to discuss
with each other the whereabouts of ships
This refusal was construed to mean that
there was talk of this kind, which could
nave much or little import. The Presi-
the navy fighters are stationed and low
they could be manipulated
1t is now broadly limited that Mr.. Cal
houn's mission in Cuba is much greater in
power than has been conjectured before.
He IS going to acquire more Information
than relates to the case of DIR. Ruiz. Even
President Mckinley is aware that Mr.. Cal
houn is likely to learn only one side of
the Ruiz case. He knows that the Span
lards have everything loaded for Mr.. CAL
houn in this case and will give their side
of it to the fullest extent. Therefore, 1t is
not believed that Mr.. Calhoun is limited
In mis- Investigations Naturally his COM
mission has to bear something specific. or
the Spanish government might object to his
visit.
1T is given out that the Senate commit
tee which yesterday called upon the Presi-
dent today received all the papers 1t asked
for. 1t is further asserted that the COM
mttee was in no good humor last night
when it went over the papers laid before
It. Those papers revealed a state of af-
fairs not at all complimentary to Spain.
senate Committee I'm Conference.
The Senate committee on foreign rela-
tions today had the Cuban question ul.der
consideration on the basis of the report of
the subcommittee appointed yesterday to
confer with the President and Secretary
Sherman.
The report was prepared by Senators
Davis and Foraker, the republican mem
bers of the subcommittee, Senator Morgan,
tie democratic member, declining to par
ticipate in it. The report consisted of
concise statement of the contents of official
reports from American corsuls in Cuba.
bringing the information up to within i
week of the present time.
This report confirms the newspaper re-
ports as to the situation q affairs in the
island. and even gees farther in depicting
a deplcrdble situation than do most Of tie
newspaper stories. Especial stress is laid
upon the condition of American citizens in
the island OF these 1t is positively stated
that there are hundreds in starving con-
dition 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 he mes
te the towns or concentrates, AMI who, be-
Ing among strangers. and witho 1t enploy-
Irent, are compelled to SubSiSt on almost
nothing. They are not allowed to return to
their plantations. even to pick berries or
TO secure the least article of subsistence.
They are theoretically under the care of
the Spanish army, but the army is without
commissariat. They have no means CT
leaving the island Their condition is pro-
rounced wholly deplorable.
Situation Demand. Remedy.
The committee was especially impressed
with this recital and the opinion gener-
ally expressed that the situation should
be rernedied IL possible. 1t was consider
ed as placing even a worse aspect upon
the question Of our relations to Cuba than
the Imprisonment of Americans of " hich
there are now comparatively few instances
The report also indicates a generally
wretched condition of all the inhabitants
of the island because of the scarcity Of
food and money. especially in the centers
or population. and because also of the
pressure of the most malignant diseases
such as yellow fever, smallpox and dysen-
tery. These diseases the natives withstand
with comparative ease. but they are es-
pecially oppressive to the Spanish soldiery
The reports indicate that the Spanish
army is not so strong now as 1t was a
year ago. largely on account of these raw
ages. while they Indicate no dim!nution
OF the insurgent forces.
The reports upon which the subcommit-
tees brief was based were from various
consuls. including Consul General Lee.
Ihey make no recommendations as TO
American policy. but undertake merely 20
give the situation as they see it.
Temporary Delay ON Resolution.
In view Of the developments in the COM
mittee Senator Morgan agreed not to press
the consideration of his resolution tooay.
but he will make an effort to have The
question made the unfinished business
Monday at o'clock
This acquiescence on the Alabama SEN
ators par; 10 temporary delay is under
STOOD TO be given under the impression
thas II viii result in bringing to the re So
iu'lon the support of the entire commit
t-e on foreign relations. This will of
course, materially strengthen the resolu-
.ioa In the Senate, and it is believed by its
trends will expedite its passage there.
n Is now probable that the COMMITTEES
VIII not make any formal report, and that
the correspondence will no. be given ~
Inc public for the present
The Resolution.
ihe resolution which is pending in the
Senate Is as follows:
Init