The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-05-20
OUR C0NSULS In DANGER
SECRET STATE 44RCHIVES ON OUBA
CONTAIN STA ARTLING FACTS.

Consuls In Cuba Might Not bc Massacred
Startling Revelations Made-From
These Reports 1t Would Appear That the
Half Was Never Told.
Washington, May 19.--Another stir
ring debate on Cuba occurred in the
senate to-day. 1t was of the give and
take order with sharp parliamentary
fencing. The main speeches of the day
were made by Senators Foraker of
Ohio, Cannon of Utah, Lindsay of Ken
tuck, and Hoar of Massachusetts. 1t
was the first speech of any length made
by Mr.. Foraker since he entered the
senate. Senator Foraker startled the
senate by revelation of the fact that
ax-Secretary Olney had proposed medi-
alton between Cuba and Spain and that
Spain had rejected the proposals of the
United States government.
Mr.. Foraker declared his purpose Of
supporting the resolution recognizing
Cuban belligerency when it should be
reported by the committee on foreign
relations. Mr.. Cannon was bitter in
his denunciation of Spanish, referring
to Captain General Weyler as Mad
dog" Weyler. 1t was developed in the
course of a colloQuy between Senators
Foraker, Morgan and Vest. that the
state department had withheld the
statements of the United States consuls
reporting on the serious condition of
affairs in Cuba, because it might lead
to their massacre. Mr. Vest declared
that this presented the most serious
protect our officials with warships if
necessary.
When the Cuban resolution was laid
before the senate the debate proceeded
on the Chandler motion for an adjourn
ment to Monday. 1t branched into I'M
expected channels.
Mr.. Vest of Missouri said he had seen
statements to the effect that three
members of the committee on foreign
relations had visited the state depart
ment and had had access to evidence.
The evidence had never been laid be-
fore the senate. Why was it, he asked,
that three senators had this informa-
ton and the senate did not have it.
Mr.. Morgan answered that three SEN
ators on the committee had been sent
as sub committee to the president
to confer on the Cuban subject. They
had received certain information and
the injunction was laid upon them that
~ nt fn
be used in connection with the investi-
cation.
'The reason given for this" added
Mr. Morgan, was the fear that the
officials who gave the information
would be massacred. Another reason
was that we had no war vessels ready
to meet the outbreaks of vicious peo-
Pile"
"Was this statement official, that
massacre might ensue?" asked Mr..
White of California.
YES official" responded Mr.. Nor
gan.
HAS a committee of senators a
right" asked Mr. White, ''to secure
official information and withhold it from
the senate?"
L
any condolences at ALL" proceeded Mr..
Morgan. He had secured his informa-
ton from other than official sources.
He had 1t in his desk, partly in photo
graphs, ''those historians who never
tell lie.'
as 1t fair" interposed Mr.. Elkins,
sttlat some senators have this informa-
ton and others are without it?"
"Charge that to the administration,
not to me-" responded Mr.. Morgan.
"Does the senator object to stating?''
oueried Mr.. White, what officer of
the government made this request?'
Both officials, the president and the
secretary of state" replied Mr.. Nor
gan.
Mr.. Foraker of Ohio came into the
debate at this point. He had been one
of the subcommittee to visit the state
department. The greatest care had
been taken to give the committee full
information, he said, but so far as he
was concerned no restrictions had been
placed on him, except as to the use OF
the names of consuls and places, as
such informal ton might lead to vio-
lence.
"In addition" Mr., Foraker contin-
ued "the state department is now en-
gagged in preparing a full report with
all papers bearing on the Cuban ques-
ton. to submit 20 the senate in re-
sponse to the last inquiry"
Mr.. Vest, addressing Mr.. Foraker,
said: II call attention to the state
rnent of the gentleman from Alabama
that the president and secretary of
state desired that names of consuls
should not be given as 1t would involve
their assassination. Is that so?"
mot in that language" replied Mr..
Foraker, ''but it was suggested that
the disclosure of names might do more
harm than good, and possible lead to
violence"
"And now we come to the serious
question:" continued Mr.. Vest, impress
sively HAS the government sent gun
boats to see that our consular officials
are protected? Must I'VE be told that
they may be assassinated If their
names are given? That is the serious
question"
Mr.. Morgan explained in detail how
the injunction of the secretary had
been placed upon the committee. At
first. he said, the secretary Of state
had seemd reluctant to go into the
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