The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-05-22
CALLS FOR AID.
President Urges Congress 10 Relieve
Americans I'm Cuba.


Washington. May 1s.-The president
ON Monday sent message TO congress
urging that $4,000 be appropriated, to
be Immediately available under the di-
rection OF the secretary of state, for the
relief of destitute American citizens in
Cuba. Prompt action was taken by the
senate, which passed without division
a resolution in accordance with the rec
ommendation of the president.
Mr.. Hit Qll.) introduced similar
resolution In the house, but immediate
considerntionwasb blocked by Mr.. Bailey
CTex). who insisted that an amend
ment be added embodying Senator Nor
CANS resolution for the recognition of
the Cuban insurgents. Mr.. Dingley
(Me.) objected to the amendment,
whereupon Mr.. Bailey objected TO the
resolution and the whole matter was
sidetracked.
Following is tho message OF the presi-
dent as read in the senate:
''To the Senate and House OF Representa-
tives OF the United States: Official infor-
nation from our consuls I'm Cuba estab-
fishes the fact that alarge number OF Amer
lean citizens in the island are In a state
OF restitution. suffering for want OF food
and medicines This applies particularly
10 tho rural districts OF the central ana
eastern parts.
''rhe agricultural classes have been
forced from their farms into the nearest
towns whore they are without work or
money.
s'The local authorities OF the several
towns. however kindly disposed are unable
10 relieve the needs or their own people
and are altogether powerless to help our
citizens.
'The latest report OF Consul General Lee
estimates COO to 500 Americans are without
means or support. / have assured him that
provision would be made at once to relieve
thera. To that end L recommend that con-
greas make an appropriation OF not less
than $4,000 TO be Immediately available for
use under the direction OF the secretary
OF state.
"It 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 re-
turn 10 the United States are without
means to do so.
"(Signed) WILLIAM M'KINLEY,
Executive Mansion. May II, 1897"
Following the reading of the mes
sage Senator Davis, of Minnesota,
chairman of the committee on foreign
relations, favorably reported with
amendments the resolutions introduced
by Senator Gallinger last Thursday APP
propriating $4,000 for the relief of des-
titute citizens Of the United States in
Cuba. The resolution as amended is as
follows:
Resolved. ny the senate and house
OF representatives OF the United States I'm
congress assembled. that the sum OF $780,
600 be and the same is hereby appropriated
out OF any money In the treasury not other
wise appropriated for the relief OF desti-
tute citizens of the United States in the
island OF Cuba, said money 20 be expended
at the discretion and under the direction
Of the president Of the United States In the
purchase and furnishing OF food, clothing
and medicines to such citizens and for
transporting TO the United States such OF
them as so desire and who are without
means to transport themselves"
Senator Davis asked for immediate
consideration of the resolution and
there was no objection. The only speech
made was that of Senator Gallinger,
who spoke briefly.
The resolution was then put on its
passage and without division il passed
unanimously, there being no response
70 the call for nays. IL had taken
exactly IS minutes for the reading of
the message, the presentation of the
committee report and the brief speech
and the final passage Of the resolution.