The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-13
SENATE AND CUBA'S STRUGGLE
FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
AGAIN INVESTIGATING.

ntOrs Davis, Foraker and Morgan
Going over the Reports Sent to
the state Department by Consular
Officers in Cuba-The Committee to
Base Its Report on the State of At
fairs Disclosed by the Documents,
But VIII Not Send Them TO the
Senate.
Washington, May 12.-The Senate COM
| mittee on foreign relations did not con-
clude its consideration of the Cuban res
olution to-day. 1t will meet tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock, but the sub-com-
| mttee, consisting of Senators Davis, For
aker and Morgan which to-day was given
| access to the Cuban reports now held at
the state department, probably will ask
for further time before submitting their
ideas to the fun committee. The sub
committee was unable to go through all
the reports that have been received from
Consul General Lee, and other consuls and
officers in Cuba. At the meeting to-mor-
row it is possible that Senator Morgan
will consent to have the resolution now
pending in the Senate go over without
prejudice until the committee can make
it's report. 1t is not intended that all the
reports of the consuls shall be sent to the
Senate, but the Senate committee will Sc
| lect certain documents bearing on the con-
dition of affairs in the island, and on these
make its recommendatio and report.
This report will generalize the situation
without making public such matters as
state department officials and the COM
sa1
| sons on the island.
Some question has arisen as to the ef-
feet the report of the committee, or the
| information at the state department, may
| have upon the resolution now pending in
the Senate Members of the committee
| do not express an opinion on the subject,
but enough is known to justify the con-
clusion that instead of weakening the res
olutlon, it's friends will find cause for in
slsting that there is a strong reason for
passing it. The object of the foreign re-
| lations committee, which has deprecated
hasty action, and suggested that the res
olution be referred to the committee, is
| that the Senate should not act in the
premises until there is more information
at hand. The opponents of the resolution
have declared that the newspaper reports
of the condition in Cuba are not based on
| facts, and are highly exaggerated. Those
| who have become acquainted with the re-
| ports In the state department are of the
| opinion that the reports in
| the press have been. in the main.
| correct. One member of the committee
who had listened to the summary of the
reports In the department, said that very
serious conditions existed in Cuba, and
| that the inquiry now being made by the
committee would result in bringing to
light the exact facts.
Some criticism was passed upon members
of the foreign relations committee, who
about a year ago voted for resolution
similar to the one pending, and who now
ask for time to consider the matter with
more deliberation. Speaking of this crit
icism, Chairman Davis of the foreign re-
lations committee, said: "At the time the
former resolution was reported, Gomez
was at the head of a large army in the
eastern end of the island, and Maceo was
at the head of another army in the west.
They could march from one end of Cuba
to another Gen. Campos had been de-
feated in a great battle and was shut up
within solid fortifcations and confined to
small territory in and around Havana.
EVERY one knew that a state of war
existed. That was a year ago. Great
changes have since taken place. Maceo
is dead and his army dispersed. Gomez
is al the head Of but small force; GER
tainly il is no such army as was reported
then There are conflicting statements as
to the strength of the insurgents and the
control which Spain has over the island.
II is right and proper that the facts that
have since reached the state department
should be laid before the Senate COM
mittee, so that intelligent action could be
had"
Mr. Da,ris cold HE svr,rotb.y NTH +ba
struggling Cubans is as great as ever.
The republicans of the committee do not
feel justified in pushing the administra-
ton until it has had time to act. IL has
been pointed out that only two months
have elapsed since the administration
came into power, and 1t has scarcely had
time to take up and consider so impor-
tant matter as that which has been pre-
sented.
The pending resolution, unlike joint
resolution, will require the executive
either to approve or disapprove Of It, This
being the case, the republican senator's
feel that they should act in concert with
the President. II is not believed that, in
case the foreign relations committee finds
upon thorough examination of the re-
ports i'm the state department, that the
resolution is justified, that any effort will
be made 20 prevent its passage. Members
of the committee on foreign relations feel
that the question which confronts the
Senate is serious. and any action that Is
taken by the Senate will have great
weight with the administration. In case
the resolution should pass both Senate
and House, there is no reason to believe
that 1t would not be approved and the
United States government would there
after conduct itself on the lines which the
resolution lays down.
Tonight the subcommittee met Secre-
tary Sherman at the latter's house, and
had long conference with him, the sug-
gestion Is advanced that the President
will be inclined to walt for "A report from
Mr. Calhoun, who left Saturday for Ha-
vana before making known definitely his
views. Mr.. Calhoun went to Cuba pri-
marily to investigate the cause attending
the death Of Or. Ruiz but N is believed
that the President will expect him 70 re-
port generally as to affairs on the island
so far as his observation goes. and that
Mr.. Calhoun's conclusions Will have some
weight In determining the Presidents ac-
ton. Assistant Secretary Day OF the
state department was az the white house
toptphf and gDent some time with the