New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-18
AID FOR AMERICANS ASKED.
PRESIDENT MKINLEY SENDS A CUBAN
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
AN APPROPRIATION OF $4,000 FOR DISTRESSED
CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY REQUESTED
THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY VOTES
THE MONEY, BUT HOUSE
DEMOCRATS RAISE
OBJECTIONS.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRYBrN


wants OF the six hundred eight hundred
ed to be suffering for lack Of food and
medicines. OF the military situation in the
island it has not word to say. nor does
1t hint even remotely at any coming change
in this countrys political diplomatic policy In
the West Indies. 1t appeals TO Congress for an
appropriation OF $4,000 TO be used. in the dis
cretion Of the State Department. in relieving the
necessities Of Americans In Cuba reduced 10
destitution by the ravages Of two years OF bar.
barous warfare. and in transporting to this coun.
try such as may desire to return but have not
the means to pay their passage from the island
Nothing could he more pacific than the spirit and
wording Of the message, whose text is as brief as
it's tone is transparently candid and straight
forward.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Here Is what the President said in his com.
munioa alton to the two houses:
ITO the Senate and House OF Representatives
OF the United States.
"Oficial Information from our consuls In Cuba
establishes the fact that large number OF
American citizens in the island are in state
Of desttution, 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 money. The local authori-
ties of the several towns. however kindly dis
posed, unable to relieve the needs OF their
own people, and are altogether powerless to
help citizens.
"The latest report OF Consul-General Lee esti-
mites that six hundred to eight hundred Ameri-
cans without means Of support. have as
sured him that provision would be made at once
to relieve them. To that end recommend that
Congress make an appropriation OF not less than
$4,000 to be Immediately available for use
under the direction Of the Secretary Of State
1T is desirable that 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
citizens who, desiring to return TO the United
States, without means TO do so.
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, May II, 1897"
PROMPT RESPONSE BY THE SENATE.
The response Of the legislative branch to this
appeal for means to alleviate the sufferings OF
American citizens stranded in the garrisoned
towns and villages in Cuba was credtaby
prompt and cordial, In the Senate no opposition
whatever was raised to the passage OF resolu-
ton brought in by the Foreign Relations Com
mttee authorizing the Administration 10 ex.
pend the amount asked at its discretion for the
relief OF suffering Americans in Cuba or their
free Transportation to the United States The
resolution followed closely the lines OF the one
offered on Thursday last by Mr.. Ganger. OF
New-Hampshre and received the unanimous ap-
proval of the Senate no voice being raised in the
negative when, barely fifteen minutes after the
resolution had been reported, it was put upon us
massage by Vice President Hobart.
Mr.. Gallinger was the only Senator to speak
on the subject matter OF the message, the point
he raised being that the present dest'tution
in Cuba was due entirely to the enforcement OK
General Weyler's policy Of herding all non-com-
batants in the garrisoned towns. the most enec-
tive means Of relieving distress would be 10 de-
mand relaxation of the spanish Captain-Gen-
erals starvation programme. Mr.. Galiinger an
nounced however. that he was glad TO furnisn
to the Administration means to set afoot IN lts
own way any scheme for the alienation or SUI
fering in Cuba which it might deem practicable
and appropriate.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS BLOCK ACTION.
In the House Of Representatives. however. .
spirit Of factional opposition showed Itself at
the outset to the passage of any legislation in
response TO the Presidents recommendations
and requests. Mr.. Bailey the nominal leader OF
the Democratic side, fatty refused to consent to
the consideration Of a resolution similar to that
passed by the Senate unless he could offer as an
amendment to it Mr.. Morgan's resolution ac-
knowledging the belligerent rights Of the Cuban
insurgents.
You shall not vote money to feed hungry and
starving American citizens in Cuba unless you
at the same time vote 10 accord the rights OF
belligerents to the Cuban insurgents" This
was the ultmatum which the Demo -Populist
minority in the House Of Representatives OBJ
snaey oe5ed pedsSant %nen MT h OF on
fereJ and asked unanimous consent for the
consideration OF a bill to appropriate $4,000 or
so much thereof might be necessary for the
relief of American citizens who have been driven
10 the brink OF death by starvation in Cuba by
the policy and acts OF General Weyler.
Ii was an unreasonable and utterly ndefensi.
bic position for the minority 10 take, in view
of the declaration made by their leaders that
they were ali ready 10 vote 10 carry out the
Presidents recommendation The coupling with
that declaration of such condition they
sought to impose was about as fantastic q
proposition has ever emanated from the
Demo-Populist minority, opuient as II Is in fan.
tistic suggestions That the sympathies OF an
overwhelming majority of all parties in the
House Of Representatives are with the Cubans
in their desperate struggle 10 throw off the yok.
of Spanish rule nearly everybody believes and
most people know. And yet the passage out OF
hand OF a resolution TO recognize the belligerent
rights OF the insurgents had no relation what
ever to the proposition to save American citi-
zens from death by starvation. and Mr.. Bailey
and his followers knew II as well as Governor
Dngey did who said that II would be better
for the House to attend 10 one thing at a time.
The President, who is in possession or all the facts
accessible in regard to the situation In Cuba,
had recommended the relief measure. and re.
mained silent in regard to other matters. and
it therefore seemed wiser for the House, which
was not in possession Of all the facts, to adopt
the recommendation OF the Executive and leave
the question OF the recognition of Cuban bel.
ligerency or Independence to be dealt with
hereafter.
But Mr. Bailey and his followers would not
have II So and by persisting In their opposition.
they succeeded temporarily In preventing the
passage Of the relief measure which the Senate
had passed earlier in the day. The appropria-
tion will probably pass the House on Thursday.
RELIEF PROGRAMME DRAWN UP.
SUPPLIES TO BE SENT TO CUBA BY THE REou-
LAR STEAMSHIP LINES.
Washnoton Nav II (SpeciaD-At the State