Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-14
SUDDEN AND VIOLENT OUTBREAK
OF THE SENTIMENT.
CALL FOR EXECUTIVE ACTION.
The President, However, Disposed
TO Hasten Slowly I'm the Mntter-
He VIII Await CnIhoun's Report
Relief of Americans.


action by both Congress and the Execu-
tive. but later there was somewhat OF
reaction. upon its becoming known that
the President while keenly alive to the
situation. and anxious to learn every
thing possible that could guide his con-
duct of our Cuban and Spanish relations,
felt that further information was neces-
sary. and that the immediate question
was not the recognition of the beilige-
rency of the Cubans. but the protection
of American citizens.
The Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee. II should be stated, while agreeing
as to the necessity for the relief OF the
suffering Americans. is favorable to more
radical measures, and number OF It's
members are earnestly desirous of In
slant action of the Executive in favor
of the insurgents, but have not succeeded
I'm converting the administration 10 their
view that immediate action is appro-
pirate and imperative.
The event of the day was report to
their colleagues by the subcommittee OF
the Foreign Relations Committee, which
yesterday examined the State Depart
ment Cuban reports. This statement,
though not given TO the public, was so
far disclosed i'm character al to give rise
to good deal of excited comment among
senators and members. The report, based
upon facts presented by the United States
consuls I'm Cuba, it is said, brings out In
strong relief the destitution which exists,
not only among the Cubans, but Amer.-
cans and pacfics now on the island, who
were driven from their farms and into
4 .lwr
prevented from supporting themselves
For several days past the subject mat
ter of this report has been under dis
cussion quietly among few OF the
friends of Cuba in Congress, and they
have lost no opportunity OF impressing
upon the President their conviction that
IL is his duty, as the Chief Executive, TO
delay no longer in taking active steps
to termiDate the present condition or al
fairs in Cuba. These representations,
however. have not been sufficient TO in
duce hasty action. The President is
moving steadily, and with all the speed
that safety and sound judgment war
rant, in the collection of facts touch
ing the conditions that exist upon the
island to-day To this end Mr.. Calhoun
is now In Cuba officially on another
mission, but also charged with the OBJ
HSeTNdllOn Oh lut COHulllOuS Alletl IitNdA.
When he has reported to the President
and the latter has gathered what he
regards as sufficient store of informa-
ton. based on facts that cannot be ques-
toned he will be ready either to take
himself or to suggest to Congress such
action as those facts warrant. Mean
while, he has under earnest consdera-
tion the best means of affording relief
to Americans suffering, as result OF
the conditions on the island.
BUSINESS S-MAN'S VIEW.
To-day the President saw by appoint
ment Mr. Edwin Il. Atkins, of Boston,
who is largely interested in Cuban sugar
plantations. Mr.. Atkins was in Wash
ington on personal business, which
brought him in contact with Secretary
Long. an old friend. To further Mr..
Atkins's business. the Secretary took
him 10 the White House and presented
him to the President. The latter, learn
ing that Mr.. Atkins had just Geturned
from Cuba. began to chat with his yisi-
tor as to the state of affairs 'as they
revealed themselves TO a businessman,
and Mr.. Atkins gave him a faithful pic
ture of the economic conditions that pre-
vailed i'm Habana and other portions or
the island when he left. His story was
so interesting that the President sum-
moned Judge Day, Assstant-Secretary OF
state across TO the White House TO hear
il. Mr.. Atkins had very little TO say
about the military situation in Cuba, ana
what he did utter in that connection ala
not indicate any leaning on his part
toward either the Spanish or the insur-
gent side.
At the Spanish Legation the news Oh
the developments at the Capitol to-day
was received with composure. or course
the action of the committee could not 0e
openly discussed without violation OF the
strict etiquette which governs the dipio-
matte body in its relations to Congress
but it was suggested that the fact that
the entire attention of the Senate for
months to come would be engrossed by
the tariff bill must have determined the
friends of the Cubans TO endeaVof TO
secure some sort of action by Congress
before the tariff debate begins.
II is not denied at the legation that
suffering exists in Cuba, but such sur
fering. IL was said, is almost always III
cident TO war. 1t is contended that the
Snanlsh Government has done all II
could. with the means at hand, to ale
viate this distress. 1t was pointed out
mat Spain has granted permission TO the
Red-Cross Society, through Miss Barton
to extend it's good offices 10 the destitute
i'm cuba. and, moreover, VIII not place any
obstacles in the way of any proper charl-
ty in the United States which has the
same object in view. All that Is asked
Is that the food supplies contributed Tor
the relief of the destitute are not used TO
maintain the Cuban insurrectonary
forces i'm their resistance TO the Spanish
Government.
AMERICANS SUFFERING.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Re-
latIons to-day considered the report OF
the subcommittee appointed yesterday
10 confer with the President and Secre-
tarv Sherman The report. which was
prepared by Senators Davis and Foraker,
confirms the newspaper reports as
TO the situation of affairs in the island,
and even goes farther in depicting
denlorab e situation than do most OF the
newspaper stories. Especial stress Is
laid upon the condition of American clti-
zens i'm the island or these II is posi-
lively stated that there are hundreds In
a starving condition and most wretchediy
clothed. Deaths OF americans from
starvation are daily reported. They are
scattered In all parts or the island, ana
are shown no consideration whatever
because Of their American citi-'
zenship. They are not allowed to
return to their plantations, even
10 pick berries, or 10 secure
the least article of subsistence. They
are. theoretically, under the care OF
spain's army but the army is without
commissarat.
The report indicates that the Spanish
army Is not so strong now as II was a
year ago, largely on account or the
ravages OF yellow-fever, smallpox, and
dysentery, while they indicate no dimi-
mutton OF the insurgent forces
~. hlnl The Sul-CADn-