The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-05-22
THE WEEKS NEWS.
TUESDAY. MAY 1s.
DOMESTIC NEWS.

PRESIDENT MCKINLEY on MONDAY
sent to Congress special message re-
citing the great suffering existing
among American subjects in Cuba, and
asking for an appropriation of $4,000
for their relief. The message was re.
ceived with high favor in the two houses
and in the Senate an appropriation bill
was at once passed without debate and
without division. In the House the
message was greeted with applause. but
Mr.. Bailey (Democrat) objected to the
passage of bill meeting the Presidents
suggestion. unless he could be promised
unanimous consent for an immediate
consideration of resolution recogniz-
ing the belligerency of Cuba. This was
not conceded by the House, and Mr..
Bailey insisting upon his objection.
compelled the appropriation bill to go
over until Thursday, when the House
will pass it under an order from the
Committe on Rules.
This message is much praised for its
simplicity and directness. 1t makes of
the proposition to afford relief to our
subjects a purely business matter, with
out rhetoric or sentiment 1t reads as
follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States:
Official information from our consuls in
Cuba establishes the fact that a large
number of American citizens in the island
are in state of restitution, suffering for
want of food and medicines.
This applies particularly to the rural
districts of the central and eastern parts.
The AGRICULTURAL classes have been forced
from their farms into the nearest towns,
where they are without work or money.
The local authorities of the several
towns, however kindly disposed, are I'M
able to relieve the needs of their own
people and are altogether powerless to
help our citizens.
The latest report of Consul General Lee
estimates six to eight hundred Americans
are without means of support.
| have assured him that provision
would be made at once to relieve them.
L
make an appropriation of not less than
$50, 900 to be Immediately available for use
under the direction of the Secretary of
State.
1t is desirable that a part of the sum
which may be appropriated by Congress
should, in the discretion of the Secretary
of State, also be used for the transporta-
ton of American citizens who, desiring
to return to the United States, are with
out means to do so.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, May II, 1897.
A SUB COMMITTEE of the Senate For
eign Relations Committee. which exam.
ined the State Department Cuban re-
porte, made statement to the full
committee last week Friday. Among
other things they told of the restitution
which exists, not only among the Cubans,
but among the Americans and pacificos
now on the island, who were driven
from their farms and into the towns by
General Weyler's orders. and thereby
prevented from supporting themselves.
1t is stated that the President is moving
with all speed that safety and sound
Judgment warrant in the collection OF
facts touching the conditions that exist
upon the island to-day. To this end
Judge Calhoun is now in Cuba.
The belief generally prevails in Wash
ington that the administration has in
contemplation the Inauguration of a
well-defned policy in regard to the Ha-
waiian Islands. Colonel Buck, the newly
appointed Minister to japan, and Mr..
Sewall, the newly appointed Minis
ter to Hawaii. have had several con-
ferences with the President and Sec
rotary Sherman on Hawaiian affairs;
fairs, and it is understood that Mr.. Buck
has specific instructions with regard to
that policy. The reports touching the
alleged attempt on the part of the jap
anese Government to secure foothold
in Hawaii, with the ultimate purpose of
dominating those islands. are not given
full credence by the administration, but