River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-05-20
CALLS For AID.
President Urges Congress 20 Relieve
Americans I'm Cubn.

Americans IN .ubu.
Washington. May ls.-The president
on Monday sent a message TO congress
urging that $4,000 be appropriated, to
be Immediately available under the d.
rection OF the secretary of state, for the
relief of destitute American citizens in
Cuba. Prompt action was taken by the
senate, which passed without division
resolution in accordance with the rec
concentration of the president.
Mr.. Hit UlL) introduced a similar
resolution in the house, but immediate
consideration was blocked by Mr.. Bailey
(Tex.). who insisted that an amend
ment be added embodying Senator Nor
gan's resolution for the recognition of
the Cuban insurgents. Mr.. Dingley
(Me) objected to the amendment.
whereupon Mr.. Bailey objected to the
resolution and the whole matter was
sidetracked.
Following is the message Of the presi-
dent as read in the senate:
ITO the Senate and House of Representa-
tives OF the United States. Onicial infor-
nation from our consuls in Cuba estab-
fishes the fact that large number of Amer
lean citizens In the island are In a state
OF restitution, suffering for want of food
and medicines. This applies particularly
to the rural districts OF the central and
eastern parts.
"The agricultural classes have been
forced from their farms into the nearest
towns where they are without work or
money.
1.-THE local authorities OF the several
towns, however kindly disposed, are unable
to relieve the needs of their own people
nd oil helm
citizens.
1.-THE latest report OF Consul General Lee
estimates 500 to 500 Americans are without
means of support. l have assured him that
provision would be made at once to relieve
them. To that end recommend that con-
gress make an appropriation OF not less
than $50 600 T. be Immediately available for
use under the direction of the secretary
of state.
1T is desirable that a part OF the sum
which may be appropriated by congress
should, in the discretion of the secretary
of state also be used for the transportation
of American ciI aens who desiring to re-
turn to the United States are without
means to do so.
"(Signed) WILLIAM MKIELEY,
Executive Mansion, May IL. 1885,"
Following the reading of the mes
sage Senator Davis, of Minnesota,
chairman of the committee on foreign
relations, favorably reported with
amendments the resolutions introduced
by Senator Gallinger last Thursday APP
propriating $4,000 for the relief of des-
titutc citizens of the United States in
Cuba. The resolution as amended is as
follows:
Resolved, BY the senate and house
of representatives of the United States In
congress assembled, that the sum of s5O,-
900 be and the same is hereby appropriated
out of any money I'm the treasury not other
wise appropriated for the relief of desti-
tute citizens of the United States In the
island of Cuba, said money to be expended
at the discretion and under the direction
purchase and furnishing of food. clothing
transporting to the United States such of
means to transport themselves"
Senator Davis asked for immediate
consideration of the resolution and
there was no objection. The only speech
made was that of Senator Gallinger,
who spoke briefly.
The resolution was then put on its
passage and without division it passed
unanimously, there being no response
to the call for nays. 1t had taken
exactly IS minutes for the reading of
the message, the presentation of the
committee report and the brief speech
and the final passage of the resolution.