The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-20
CUBAN SENSATIONS
Senators Morgan and Foraker
Spring Some Mines.
OUR CONsULS IN DANGER
THEIR NAMES SUPPRESSED FOR
FEAR OF ASSASSINATION.
SENATE Is AROUSED az THIS

Foraker Brought a Surprise in the
Shape Of Olney Correspondents
in Which Spain Declined Medi-
atjen Of this Government.
Washington, May 19.-Another stirring
debate ON Cuba occurred in the Senate TO-
dav It was of the give and take order,
with sharp parliamentary fencing. Ahe
main speeches of the day were made by
Senators Foraker, Ohio; Cannon, titan;
Lindsay. KY, and Hoar, Mass. 1t was
the first speech of any length made py
Mr.. Foraker since he entered the Senate
and in addition to this the Ohio Senator
is one of the Cuban subcommittee OF the
committee on Foreign relations. lie
spoke in favor Of a reference OF the
resolution to the committee but on the
general question declared his purpose OF
sunporting the resolution recognizing Gu
ban belligerency when it should be report
Cd by the committee. Mr.. Cannon was
bitter in his denunciation OF Spanish
atrocity, characterizing the captain Uen i,
eral of Cuba as 'that mad dog Weyier.
Mr.. Lindsay declared if the Information
furnished by United States Consuis was
SO shocking as to subject them to ASA ssin-
alton if their names were disclosed, ~
was time to send war ships to Cuba and 70
terminate all diplomatic relations Win
that country.
It was developed in the course OF
colloouy between Senators Foraker, MOT
gan and Vest, that the State department
had withheld the names OF United States
consuls reporting on the serious conai-
tion of affairs in Cuba because 1t might
Lead to their massacre. Mr.. Vest declar-
Cd that this presented the most serious
nhase of the subject, as it was time TO
nrotect our officials with warshlps II
their personal safety was threatened Ior
making reports to their government.
No action on the resolution was taken,
Int Mr.. Morgan said he hoped to secure
a vote tomorrow on Mr.. Hales's motion
To refer. He desired to do this, he said,
in order that the Cuban resolution might
not antagonize the tariff bill on Monday
fter some objections the Senate decldeo
TO adjourn from tomorrow until Monuay.
The Cuban resolution was laid before
4ho Senate at 2 o'clock, but the debate
proceeded on the motion for APPOINTMENT
until Monday. and it branched into I'M
expected channels.
Mr. Vest. of Missouri, said he mad
seen statements to the effect that three
members of the committee ON forelgn
relations had. visited the State depart
ment and had had access to the evidence
furnished by United States consuls. Inns
evidence had never been laid before the
Senate. Nothing had ever been received
as to Consul General Lees views on the
situation. Why was it, he asked, that
three Senators had this information ana
the Senate did not have it.
Mr.. Morgan answered that three Sena-
tors on the committee had been sent as
A subcommittee to the President ana
Secretary of State to confer on the CUBAN
subject. They had received certain III
formation and the Injunction was iaid up
on them that the name of General Lee
was not to be used in connection with the
information; that the substance OF the
information could be used, without names
and places from which it originated. Ihe
reason given for this" added Mr.. MOT
gan. twas the fear that the officials VINO
gave the information would be massa-
cred. Another reason was that we hau
no war vessels ready to meet the out
breaks of vicious people, ready to massa-
Gre"
s.Was this statement official that massa-
eros might ensue?" asked Mr.. White, OF
California.
Eyes, Official" responded Mr.. Morgan.
Here Mr.. Vest came forward with
series of questions. "A committee OF
three Senators visited the State depart
ment to examine consular reports on the
status of affairs in Cuba. Now, 40 l
understand that an antecedent condition
was imposed upon them, that they should
not make public the sources of this in
formation
1.-THE Injunction was laid on the mem
bers of the subcommittee that the
names OF consuls and the places from
which the reports came, should not De
given" answered Mr.. Morgan.
"Does the Senator object to stating,
oueried Mr.. White, "what officer OF the
government made this request?"
..Both officials, the President and the
Secretary of State" replied Mr.. Morgan.
Mr.. Morgan explained in detail how
the ln1uQCtEOH u ScCItSy hau pSNh Pio~NN
upon the committee. At first he said the
Secretary of State had seemed reluctant
to go into the question. The Secretary at
first proposed to read the reports to the
committee. Some dispatches which had
been in the hands Of Assistant Secretary
Rockhill were brought in. Then Judge
Day the new Assistant Secretary OF
State, came in and the statement was
made that the information was given In
the strictest confidence, and without au-
thority to use the names and places and
consus furnishing the information. Inc
Senator said he declined to receive the in
formation on these conditions. 1t was
then arranged that the committee should
meet the Secretary Of State at his resi-
dence that evening, but Mr.. Morgan said
he wrote note to the Secretary saying
he could not be present under the circum-
stances.
''As I understand " interrupted Mr..
Foraker, zone Of the main reasons against
giving names and places Of our consuls