The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-16
CHARITY TO BE DONE IN CUBA.
M'KINLEY'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
TO GO IN MONDAY.

1t VIII Propose Legislation Author
izing the Government to Remove
From the Island All American Citi-
zens Desiring to Leave and to Ex-
tend Aid TO Those in Need of the
NeceSsaries of Life Who Prefer to
Remain ON the IsIand-Adminis-
tratiOn Has Moved Cautiously for
Fear OF Endansering the Lives of
Our ConsuIs.
Washington, May 15-The definite an
nouncement was made at the capital to-
day that a message on the Cuban situation
will be sent to congress by the Presi-
dent next Monday.
1t will deal specifically with the ques-
ton of the deprivations to which Ameri-
can citizens are subjected in Cuba, and it
will recommend an appropriation for their
relief.
In considering ways of affording
substantial relief to American
citizens in Cuba, who are
in distress owing to the war,
the administration has plan which may
be put i'll operation If it is sanctioned
by the judgment of the United States con-
sular officers in Cuba, who, being on the
grounds, are supposed to be best quail
fed to judge of the efficiency of the pro-
posed relief measures. This plan Is to
give notice through the American consul
to all American citizens in Cuba that the
government will undertake to remove
them from the island to the United States
if they so desire. To do this will require
action by congress. not necessarily in
specific authorization Of the removal, but
merely the limitation of the appropriation
to the general terms Of one for the relief
of the American citizens in Cuba. A SIM
liar plan was adopted for the benefit of
Americans in China during the rioting in
cident to the Chinese-Japanese war, and
during the American troubles In Turkey.
The reason for this is the belief, found
ed ON reports from United States Consul
General Lee and other United States con-
suls that the war has thoroughly ex-
hausted the agricultural resources of the
island, that it will be long time before
it will be again in condition to maintain
its population. The proposed American
exodus from Cuba must be purely vol
untary, and it is not even proposed to
present the alternative of denying sup
plies If destitute Americans refuse to
leave the island. 1t is the belief of Gen.
Lee that many persons will avail them
selves of such an opportunity. So far as
officially known to the department,
through the reports of the consuls made
up to this time, the number of Americans
in Cuba in this condition is between 100
and 200. In explanation of this small
number, it is said that most of the Amer
leans, natives, living in Cuba, are en-
ployed in the higher branches of indus
tries or professions, and are not actual
workers of the soil. The sufferers are
mostly naturalized citizens, holding small
patches of ground on which they have
depended heretofore for a livelihood. 1t
is not doubted that there are more of this
class in need than are yet known to the
department, but it is hoped in the course
of few days to have a census Of them.
The agencies to be used to relieve these
people are the United States consuls in
Cuba and the Spanish government through
its minister here has professed readiness
to assist in the distribution of relief. All
the Information which the state depart
ment is receiving from official and unoffi-
cial sources confirms the published reports
of the destitution existing in Cuba among
those who are penned up in the towns.
Absolute starvation is threatened owing to
lack of food supplies. The reports also con-
| firm the statement that many of the suffer-
ers are American citizens, most of them
of course naturalized, but there are also
native born Americans.
1t is learned that the administration,
when the facts as to the existing destitu-
ton in Cuba first came to the knowledge
of the President, was disposed to move
cautiously, as 1t was feared that precipi-
tate action might irritate Spain and proba-
= he of
officers when the character of their reports
became known to the Spanish authorities
and the subjects of Spain in Cuba.
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