Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-25
THE CUBAN PROBLEM
Commissioner Calhoun and Minister
Woodford in Conference.
GOING OVER FORMERS REPORT
Announcement Of the Administra-
tons Policy Expected Soon.
DISAPPOINTED WITH SPAIN

Cuban Commfss. oner w. J. Calhoun leaves
for his home in Illinois this afternoon. He
spent last evening with Gen. Stewart l..
Woodfcrd, the new minister to Spain, going
over the leading points of his invest;ga-
tions in Cuba.
Indications ere not wanting that some
announo ement may soon be had bearing on
the admins .rations Cuban policy. Leaders
in Congress who have been pressing for
some sign continue to receive assurances
that before Congress adjourns something
will be done to satisfy public sentiment
and possibly convince the country that
something better may be done for Cuba
than to recognize belligerency. Mr.. Cal
houh, besides his conferences with the
President and Assistant Secretary Day. has
had talks with Chairman Davis of the Sem
ate foreign relations committee and Chair
man Hit of the House committee. Signifi-
canoe Is given the fact that Commissioner
Calhoun, who had originally expected to
give the result of his observations verbally
to the President, was asked to make
written report. This he has done.
Mr. Calhoun's report is understood to be
in the nature of a judicial summing up,
and is very broad and comprehensive. IL
reviews the actual conditions on the island,
of opinion that Weyler's Recommendation
orders are not justfiable as a military
measure. The fearful effects of this policy
in causing death by starvation and disease
are commented on. 1t is also stated that
Mr.. Calhoun reviews the military situation.
and gives much attention to the financial
prospects. His conclusion that neither the
Spaniards nor the Cubans can win of
themselves, which was foreshadowed by
his first observations, is reiterated.
The Calhoun Report.
While the Calhoun report is in the nature
OF a confidential communication to the
President. 1t is likely to be the basis of
diplomatic action Confirming as it does in
hSny respects the official reports of the
American consuls in Cuba, the administra-
ton will be guided by it rather than by
any represeEtatit rs which may be made
by Minister de LONE in behalf OF the
Spanish government. No faith is given the
present scheme CT reforms They have
no part in the policy which President Nc
kiniey is seeking to formulate, and for
the adoption of which the good offices of
tie United States will be rendered alike &c
Spain and the insurgents. The hope which
seems to have been cherished by the cab
met at Madrid that the administration
would use its moral influence in behalf Of
these reforms to the extent of guarantee
ing them never had basis What little
standing they might have had has been
taken. from them by Commissioner Cal
houn's investigation. He found the re-
forms utterly insufficient to meet the &c
mands of the situation or to insure stable
government or even temporary peace. They
did rot bear analysis, and their promulga-
ton would not be accepted by the admin
istration as a prospective settlement CT
the trouble.
Spain's Failure to Act.
There is evident disappointment over the
failure of Spain to take the hints given
and ameliorate the conditions of the re-
COMMENTATORS and mitigate the savagery
of the war as a means of preventing direct
Intervention by the United States. If this
were done by Srain of Its own accord it
was felt that American public sentiment
would be satisfied to await the outcome of
The conservative lines mapped out by the
President to be followed by Minister Wood
mitted now that the minister will not be
able to present his credentials and open
negotiations till fall.
In the meantime the situation in Cuba
grows worse. Since the departure of Com
missioner Calhoun the shooting of pris-
oners OF war has been resumed. Official
and private reports received in Washington
state that Weyler's last recommendation
order is having its intended effect and is
adding to the distress of the country peo-
pie by further concentrating them in the
towns and cities. This order is said to he
causing bitter resentment among Weyler's
mutiny by part of the army. Neverthe-
less the Canovas ministry upholds Weyler
The immediate problem confronting Presi-
dent Mckinley is what to do about 1t.
Minister WOOdford ut the State De-
pnrtment.
Minister Woodford spent nearly the en-
tire morning at the State Department. He
had long conference with Assistant Sec
rotary Day, and short one with Secretary
IL
be at the Arlington for several days. ana
would hold himself in readiness for his
orders at all times. While in the State De-
partment Minister Woodford took occasion
to study and digest the correspondence OF
the department with Spain in regard to the
situation in Cuba, well as the volumin-
GUS reports from Consul General Lee and
the other consular offio ers in Cuba. He was
furnished with copies of the record in the
Ruiz case, including the reports of the In
ternational commission and the individual
reports of Mr.. Calhoun and Consul General
Lee. His desire to make himself perfectly
familiar with that case in all its phases is
believed to be predicated on the idea that |
1t Is to be made the basis of his first diplo-
matte dealings with the authorities at
Madrid. The claim for indemnity for DIR. |
Ruiz death Is to be pushed. and unneces-
sary delays in its settlement will not be
tolerated.
No Change In the Situation. |
A Star reporter saw Secretary Sherman
in his office at the State Department this |
afternoon for few minutes in regard to
the report that the United States govern
ment was about to demand speedy rem |
edy of existing deplorable conditions in /
Cuba. The Secretary said 1t was all news |
to him. He added that there had been no |
special change in the situation Of late and |
that so far as he knew this government |
TO immediate change in its |
policy toward Spain.
whereabouts of the Warships.
The dispatch boat Dolphin arrived at |
Portsmouth. N. H., yesterday. with Secre-
tary Long on board.
The Monterey and Monadnock have left |
San Francisco for Portland. Oregon. where
they will receive silver service intended |
for the battle ship Oregon.
The Raleigh left Piree, Greece, yesterday |