The leader., 1897-05-19
SENTIMENT AROUSED.
In Washington in Behalf of Suffer-
ing Cuba
Great Dcstitution Reported Among
tho Americans on the Isiand-
Congress May De Asked 90
Furnish Relief.

Great Dcstttuttou Heportco AMONG
the Americans on the IsIand-
Congress May he Asked 90
Furnish Relief.
Washington. May 14.-There was a
sudden and violent outbreak of Cuban
sentiment Thursday at the capitol. and
during the early hours the drift of opin-
ion was strongly toward speedy and
radical action by both congress and the
executive, but later there was some
what of a reaction upon its becoming
known that the president, while keenly
nlivc TO the situation and anxious 10
learn everything possible that could
guide his conduct of our Cuban and
Spanish relations, felt that further in
formation was necessary, and that for
the immediate present the question
was not one of recognition of the bel
ligerency or independence of the Gu
ban insurgents, but of relief for the
American citizens destitute and help
less in the towns of the queen of the An
titles. The senate foreign relations
committee, it should be stated. while
agreeing with the necessity for relief OF
the suffering Americans, is favorable to
more radical measures, and a number
of it's members are earnestly DESTROYS
of instant action by the executive in
aid of the insurgents.
Grent DcStitution.
The event of the day was report TO
their colleagues by the subcommittee.
Of the foreign relations committee,
which examined the state department
Cuban reports. This statement, though
not given to the public. was so far dis
closed in character as to give rise to
good deal of excited comment among
senators and members. The report,
based upon facts presented by the
United States consul in Cuba. it is
said. brings out in strong relief the
destitution which exists not only
among Cubans, but among the Ameri.
cans and pacificos now on the island,
who were driven from their farms and
into the towns by Weyler's orders and
thereby prevented from supporting
| themselves.
Cabinet Discusses the Question.
Washington, May 15.-The meetingoi
| the cabinet Friday was devoted almost
| entirely to the consideration of the
Cuban situation. The cabinet discus
sion of the Cuban situation was upon
the advisability of asking congress tC
provide immediate relief to the Ameri-
cans who. according to the reports re
ceived from Consul General Lee, are
penned up in the cities and in actual
danger of starvation.
Every phase of the matter was dis
cussed, the advisability of asking con
gress for an appropriation, SPANS at
| titude, the methods of distributing re-
| lief if it should be decided to enter upon
it, the necessity or advisability of hav.
ing q warship accompany food supplies
| But the final decision of the question
was postponed until Consul General
Lee and other American consuls in
CuS,a, and probably Mr.. Calhoun, make
their report by cable to the depart.
ment.
Admits Suffering Exists.
The Spanish minister does not CUES
| ton the existence of misery and suffer.
| ing in the island, but declares that it is
such only as accompanies insGrrectior
and war, heightened in this case by
the diseases peculiar to low tropical
countries. 1t is stated that these condi'
tions have existed for months, and have
been we'll known. As to the severity OF
the suffering, it is said that it consists
mainly in the lack of adequate food
medicine and nursing for the sick and
| destitute. The statements that the
people are dying in the streets are not
admitted at the legation, but are dis
credited, and as to Americans it is
said that there are number of well-to,
do Americans in Cuba who would re,
lieve any extreme distress on the part oil
their fellow-countrymen.
VIII Press His Resolution.
Senator Morgan said Friday that the
message of the president, if it should
apply only to relief measures in the
way of food and clothing, would not
cause him to deviate from his purpose
of pressing his resolution for the recog
milton of state of war, as he had given
notice he would do so before it was as
sumed that the president would send il
such message. The friends of the
Morgan resolution will not antagonize
measures contemplating temporary re
lief, but they are not disposed to accept
such measures in place of a more gen
eral and far-reaching declaration. The
opposition also probably will acquiesce
in a resolution appropriating money to
| relieve immediate wants.
Important Cuban Victory.
New York, May IA dispatch to the
Herald from Havana, Cuba, via Key
West, Fla. says; Apparently reliable
news of the most important insurgents
success in months has just reached lla.
vana. 1t appears that Gen. CaliXc
Garcia and Gen. Rabi fell on a Spanish
force which was carrying food and sup
plies from Manzanillo to Bayamo early
last week, captured the convoy, routed
Gen. Lonos' columns and pursued him
so vigorously that he fled to the coast
with the remnant of his brigade and
took ship at Cabocoruz for Manzanil'
10. 1t is said that so severe were the
losses and so thoroughly disorganized
were his men that the Spanish general
did not dare attempt to retrace his steps
to Manzanillo by land, fearing that he
would be again attacked and this time
wiped out of existence.
Tariff Bill in the Senate.
Washington, May IA. - The senate
committee on finance reached an under
1