The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-14
AMERICANS STARVING.
Report of the Senate subcommittee ON
Foreign Relations

WASHINGTON, May 13.-The Senate
committee on foreign relations to-day had
the Cuban question under consideration
on the basis of the report of the sub
committee appointed yesterday to confer
with the President and Secretary Sherman.
The report was prepared by Senators Davis
and Foraker the Republican members of
the subcommittee Senator Morgan, the
Democratic member, declining to participate
in it. The report consisted of concise
statement of the contents of official re-
ports from American consuls in Cuba bring
ing the information up to within a week of
the present time. This report confirms the
newspaper reports as to the situation of
affairs in the island and even goes farther
in depicting deplorable situation than do
most of the newspaper stories. Especial
stress is laid on the condition of American
citizens in the island. OF these it is posi-
lively stated that there are hundreds in
starving condition and most wretchedly
clothed. Deaths of Americans from starva-
tion are daily reported. They are scattered
in all parts OF the island and are shown
no consideration whatever because of their
American citizenship. They are generally
persons who reside on the plantations, but
who have been driven from their homes to
the towns, and who, being among strangers
and without employment are compelled to
subsist on almost nothing. They are not
allowed to return to their plantations, even
TO pick berries or to secure the least article
OF substance. They are theoretically un-
der the care of the Spanish army but the
army is without a comnlissariat. They have
go means of leaving the island. Their con-
dition is pronounced wholly deplOrable.
The committee was especially impressed
with this recital and the opinion generally
expressed that the situation should be
remeded if possible. 1t was considered as
placing even a worse aspect on the question
of our relations to Cuba than the impriSon-
ment of Americans of which there now
comparatively few instances. The report
also indicates a generally Wretched cOndl-
ton of all the inhabitants of the island be-
cause of the scarcity of food and money,
especially in the centers of population and
because also of the pressure of the most
malignant diseases, such as yellow fever,
smallpox and dysentery. These diseases
the natives withstand with comparative
ease, but they are especially oppressive to
the Spanish solidery. The reports indicate
that the Spanish army is not so strong now
of these ravages, while they indicate no
dimnution of the inSurgent forces.
The reports on which the subcommittee s
brief was based were from various cOnSuls,
including Consul General Lee. They make
no recommendations as to American policy,
but merely give the situation as they see
it. In view of the developments in the COM
mittee Senator Morgan agreed not to
press the consideration of his resolution to-
day. There will be practically unanimous
expression of opinion in favor OF the resolu-
tion by the foreign relations committee.
Some NAV raise the constitutional question
but at the same time will express sympathy
with Cuba and say that some action ought
to be taken, but maintain that the action
should be by the executive and not by Con-