The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-16
All Who Are in Distress and Wish TO
Leave the Island May BE Fur
nished transportation.
LESS THAN 200 SUFFERING
AND THEY ARE MOSTLY NATURAL.
lied CITIZENS OF AMERICA.
Message to BE Sent to Congress by the
President on Monday-RepOrt from
Special Agent Calhoun.

WASHINGTON May 15.-In considering
ways and means of affordng substantial re-
lief to such American citizens in Cuba as
are in real distress owing to the war, the
administration has hit on a plan which
may be put in operation if it is sanctioned
by the united judgment of the United States
consular officers in Cuba, who, being on the
ground, are supposed to be best qualified
to judge of the efficiency of proposed relief
measures. This plan is to give notice
through the American consuls to all Amer
lean 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 a specific authorization Of
the removal, but merely the limitation Of
the appropriation to the general terms Of
one for the relief of American citizens in
Cuba. A course similar to this was adopted
with more or less benefit in China during
the rioting incident to the Chino Japanese
war and during the Armenian troubles. Mr.
Terrill the United States minister, was au-
thorized to undertake the conveyance of
American citizens to the coast cities where
they might have suitable protection.
The proposition as to, Cuba goes little
further than the measure adopted in the
case of China or Turkey, in that it contem-
plates the removal of the Americans from
the island. Probably the reason for this is
the belief, founded on reports from United
States Consul General Lee and other con-
sular officers, that the war has so thor
oughly exhausted the agricultural resources
of the island that it will be a long time be-
fore it will be again in condition to main
tain it's population, and meanwhile the
Americans who are dependent on the soil
for their livelihood will suffer. The conse-
quent suffering can be relieved by the gov
ernments furnishing the unfortunates sup
plies and medicines, but General Lee takes
the view that this relief must be continued
probably for a long time. The proposed
exodus from Cuba must be purely Volun-
tary and II is not even proposed to present
the alternative Of denying supplies if des-
titute Americans refuse to leave the island.
1t is simply proposed to give them an OPP
portunity to leave the island if they believe
they can better their condition in the United
States 1t is the belief of General Lee that
many persons will avail themselves of such
an opportunity and it is possible that his
view will be adopted by the President.
AMERICANS WHO NEED AID.
Figures are not obtainable as to the num-
Der of American citizens in Cuba who are
in actual distress and in need of food
clothing as the result of Weyler's order
bringing them into the towns. The State
Department is now in correspondence with
its consuls by telegraph, seeking to get this
information as the basis for any message
the President may send to Congress on
the subject of relief But so Iar as Off
cially known to the department through
II lie do fn &c
time the number of Americans in this con-
dition is between $50 and 200. In eXplana-
ton of this small number 1t Is said that
most Of the Americans living III CUBA are
employed 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
parcels of ground upon which they have
depended heretofore for 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 a few days, to have fairly accurate
census of them. The agencies to be used to
relieve these people are the United States
consuls in Cuba, and 1t can be stated that
the Spanish government, through its min
else of such charitable offices by the con
suls has professed its readiness to assist
in every proper way in the ,d1str1iDution'
which is taken to mean that it will guar
antee safe conduct for the transporting
parties over the island.
The definite announcement was made at
the Capitol to-day that a message on the
Cuban situation will be sent to Congress
by the President next Monday. 1t will deal
privations to which American citizens are
subjected in Cuba and it is understood that
Il their Mii reief There is considerabIe talk
about what may be done with the message
when it reaches the House Of Representa-
tives. Ordinarily such messages would be
referred to the committee on foreign af-
fairs, but now there is no such committee.
The message and any resolution concerning
10 he aOn G nnanimnlIS m
sent, but this is not likely to be given. 1t
is possible that the committee on rules
may wait to see if any disposition is made
of the message or relief resolution in the
Senate and then arrange q special order
for it's consideration in the House. To-
day the managers of the House had not
come TO any conclusion about the matter,
saying that the message had not yet ar
rived and that its contents should be known
before any determination was arrived at
relative to its consideration.
MANY ARE STARVING.
All the information which the State De-
partment is receiving from official and un-
official sources confirms the published re-
ports OF the destitution existing in Cuba
among those who are penned up in the
towns. Absolute starvation is the condi-
ton owing to the lack of food supplies.
The reports also confirm the statements
that many sufferers are American citizens,
most of them of course naturalized, but
there are also others VINO are natlVe-born
Americans. 1t is learned that the admin
istraton, when the facts as to the exist
ing destitution in Cuba first came to the
knowledge of the President, was disposed
to move cautiously, as ii was feared that
precipitate action might irritate Spain and
possibly endanger the lives of our consular
officers when the character of their reports
became known to the Spanish authorities
and the loyal subjects of Spain in Cuba.
The Spanish minister. Depuy De LONE,
however, on behalf of his government, said
that Spain would be glad to welcome any
relief which could be granted to those who
were in need in Cuba, and he suggested
that any relief provided for by the United
States should be undertaken through the
American Red Cross. This suggestion Yves
viewed rather favorably in the beginning
but some of the members OF the Senate
insisted that the United States should not
limit itself in a work of charity to its own
citizens TO any single agency. The special
message asking for the relief appropria-
ton, il is stated, will be of a pacific nature
and trench in nowiSe on the general sub
ject of our policy toward the revolution
now in progress.
The understanding is that the Morgan
resolution for the recognition of the bellig-
erency OF the insurgents will not be pressed
pending reception or action upon the Presi-
dents message. If, however through any
now Unforeseen cause il should be decided
not to send in such a message, those in fa-