The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-05-14

in Cuba.
Washington, May 14.-There was
sudden and violent outbreak of Cuban
sentiment yesterday at the Capitol and
during the early hours the drift of
opinion was strongly towards speedy
and radical action by both congress
and the executive, but later there was
somewhat of reaction upon it's be-
coming known that the president,
while keenly alive to the situation and
anxious to learn everything possible
that could guide his conduct of our
Cuban and Spanish relations felt that
further information was necessary,
and that for the immediate present the
question was not one OF recognition
of the belligerency or independence of
the Cuban insurgents, but of relief for
the American citizens destitute and
helpless in the towns of the queen of
the Antilles. The senate foreign rela-
tions committee, 1t should be stated,
while agreeing with the necessity for
relief of the suffering Americans, is
favorable to more radical measures,
and a number of its members are earn
astly desirous of instant action by the
executive in aid of the insurgents, but
have not succeeded in converting the
administration to their views that
present action is appropriate and inn
perative.
The event of the day was the report
to their colleagues by the sub-com-
mittee of the foreign relations commit
tee, which on Wednesday examined the
state department Cuban reports. This
N.,N. 81,
public, was so far disclosed in char
acter as to give rise to a good deal
of excited comment among senators
and members. The report, based upon
facts presented by the United States
consuls in Cuba, it is said, brings out
In strong relief the destitution which
exists not only among the Cubans, but
among the Americans and pacifcos
now on the island, who were driven
from their farms and into the towns
by Weyler's orders and thereby pre-
vented from supporting themselves.
For several DAYS past the subject
matter of this report has been under
discussion quietly among a few of the
friends of Cuba in congress, and they
have lost no opportunity of impressing
upon the president their convictions
that it is his duty as the chief execu-
tive to delay no longer in taking ac-
tive steps to terminate the present COM
dition of affairs in Cuba,
These representations, however, have
not been sufficient to induce hasty ac-
ton. The president is moving stead
lily, and with all speed that safety and
sound judgment warrant in the collec-
tion of facts touching the conditions
that exist upon the island today. To
this end Mr.. Calhoun is now in Cuba,
officially on another mission, but also
charged with the observation of the
conditions that prevail When he has
reported to the president, and the lat
ter has gathered what he regards as a
sufficient store Of information, based
on facts that cannot be questioned he
will be ready either to take himself or
! to suggest to congress such action as
these facts warrant. Meanwhile he
has under earnest consideration the
best means of affording relief to Amer
/ leans suffering as a result of the condi-
/ tions on the island.
| Yesterday the president saw by ap-
| pointment Mr.. Edwin II, Atkyns, of
Boston, who is largely interested in
Cuban sugar plantations. Mr.. Atkyns
was in Washington on personal bust
ness which brought him in contact
with Secretary Long, an old friend. To
further Mr. Atkyns' business the sec
retary took him to the White House
and presented him to the president.
The latter learning that Mr. Atltyns
had just returned from Cuba, began
to chat with his visitor as to the state
of affairs as they revealed themselves
to a business man, and Mr. Atkyns
gave him a faithful picture of the eco
nomic conditions that prevailed in Ha-
Yana and in other portions of the isl-
and when he left. His story was so in
/ teresting that the president summoned
Judge Day, assistant secretary of state
to hear it. Mr.. Atkyns had very little
to say about the military situation in
Cuba, and what he did utter in that
| connection did not indicate any leaning
on his part toward either the Spanish
or the insurgent side.
At the Spanish legation the news of
the developments at the Capitol was
received with composure. OF course,
the action of the committee could not
be openly discussed without violation
Of the strict etiquette which governs
the diplomatic 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
engrossed by the tariff bill might have
determined the friends of the Cubans
to endeaVor TO secure some sort of ae-
tlon by congress before the tariff de-
bate begins.
1t is not denied at the legation that