The record-union., 1897-05-14
Sudden and Violent Outbreak Of Sentiment
at the National Capital,
Over Report of the Senate Foreign
Affairs Committee.

of Americans Being Positively
Stated to be in Starving Con-
dition.
WASHINGTON, May 13.-There was
a sudden and violent outbreak of Gu
ban sentiment to-day at the Capitol,
and during the early hours the drift
of public opinion was strongly toward
speedy and radical action by both Con-
gresS and the Executive, but later there
was somewhat of a reaction, upon its
becoming known that the President,
while keenly alive to the situation and
anxious to learn everything possible
that could guide his conduct of our
Cuban and Spanish relations, felt that
further information was necessary, and
for the immediate present the question
was not one of recognition of the bel
ligerency or independence of the Cuban
insurgents, but of relief for the Ameri-
can citizens destitute and helpless in
the towns of the Queen of the Antilles.
The Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee, it should be stated, while agree
ing with the necessity for relief of the
suffering Americans, is favorable to
more radical measures, and a number
of its measures are earnestly DESTROYS
of instant action by the Executive in
aid of the insurgents, but have not sue
ceeded in converting the Administra-
ton to their views that present action
is appropriate and imperative.
The event of the day was a report to
hair Nv Nf
the Foreign Relations Committee, which
yesterday examined the State Depart
ment's Cuban reports. This statement
though not given TO the public, was so
far disclosed in character as to give
rise to a good deal of excited comment
among Senators and members.
The report, based upon facts present
ed by the United States Consuls in
Cuba, it is said, brings out in strong
relief the restitution which exists not
only among Cubans, but among the
Americans and pacficos now in the ISL
and, who were driven from their farms
and into the towns by Weyler's orders,
and thereby prevented from supporting
themselves.
For several days past the subject
matter Of this report has been under
discussion quietly among a few of the
friends of Cuba in Congress, and they
have lost no opportunity of impressing
upon the President their convictions
that it is his duty as the Chief Execu-
tive to delay no longer in taking active
steps to terminate the present con-
ditiOn of affairs in Cuba These rep
reservations, however, have not been
sufficient to induce hasty action The
President is moving steadily, and with
all speed that safety and sound judg-
ment warrant in the collection of
facts touching the conditions that ex-
list upon the island to-day. To this end
Mr.. Calhoun is now in Cuba officially
on another mission, but also. charged
with the observation of the conditions
that prevail. When he has reported to
the President, and the latter has gath
cred what he regards as a sufficient
store of information, based on facts
that cannot be questioned. he will be
ready either to take himself or to sug-
gest to Congress such action as these
facts warrant. Meanwhile he has I'M
der consideration the best means of
affording relief to Americans suffering
as a result Of the conditions of the ISL
and
To-day the President saw by appoint
ment Edwin w. Atkyns of Boston. who
is largely interested in Cugan sugar
plantations. Mr.. Atkyns was in Wash
ington on personal business, which
brought him in contact with Secretary
Long, an old friend. After finishing
Mr.. Atkyns' business the Secretary
took him to the White House and pre-
sented him to the President The lat
ter. learning that Mr.. Atkyns had lust
returned from Cuba, began to chat
with his visitor as to the condition of
affairs as they revealed themselves tn
a business man, and Mr.. Atkyns gave
him a faithful picture of the economic
conditions that prevailed in Havana
and in other portions of the island
when he left. His story was so inter-
esting that the President summoned
Judge Day. Assistant Secretary of
State. across to the White House to
hear it.
Mr.. Atkyns had very little 10 saw
about the military situation in Cuha
and what he did utter in that connec-
ton did not indicate any leaning on his
part toward either the Spanish or the
At the Spanish Legation the news of
the developments at the Capitol TODAY
was received with composure OF
course, the action of the commit 90
could not be openly discussed without
violation of the strict etiquette which
governs the diplomatic body in its rela-
tons 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 might
have determined the friends of Cuba to
endeavor to secure some sort of action
by Congress before discussion of the
tariff bill begins.
1t is not denied at the legation that
suffering exists in Cuba, but much suf-
fering, it was said, is almost ALWAYS in
cident to war. 1t is contended that the
Spanish Government has done all that
it could with the means at hand to allie
viate this distress. 1t was pointed out
that Spain had granted permission to
the Red Cross. through Miss Barton.
to extend its offices to the destitute in
Cuba and moreover will not place any
obstacles in the way of any proper
charity in the United States which has
the same end in view. All that is asked
is that the food supplies contributed for
the relief of the destitute are not used