The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-05-18
AMERICAN CITIZENS IN CUBA
Il MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
URGING RELIEF.

URGING hELIEH.
Immediate Passage by the Senate of
Resolution Appropriating S5O,00O-De-
lay Caused by Mr.. Bniley's Objection in
the House-work of the Friends of a
Belligereney Resolution.
Washington, May 1.-THE president
sent a message to congress to-day
urging an appropriation for the RELIEF
of the destitute Americans in Cuba. A
special meeting of the cabinet was held
this morning to consider the matter
and the outline Of the message was
discussed. Senator Davis of the 1or-
eign relations committee called at the
white house while the meeting was in
progress and was admitted to the capl-
net room at once. The members of the
cabinet present were Secretaries Sher-
man, Long, Alger and Gage and At
torney General McKenna. Later Rep
resentative Hit of Illinois chairman OF
the house committee on foreign affairs
of the last congress, arrived and was
admitted to the cabinet room.
The message was prepared imme-
diately after the cabinet meeting ad-
journed, and was transmitted to con-
gress as soon as the secate and mouse
met. 1t was as follows:
H'To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States:
'Oficial information from our consuls
in Cuba establishes the fact that
large number of American citizens in
the island are in state of restitution,
suffering for want of food and medi-
cines. This applies particularly to the
rural districts of the central and east
ern parts.
.'The agricultural classes have been
forced from their farms into the near
est towns where they are without work
or money. The local authorities OF the
several towns, however kindly disposed,
are unable to relieve the needs of their
own people, and are altogether power
less to help our citizens. The latest re-
port of Consul General Lee estimates
that 600 to 800 are without means of
support have assured him that pro-
vision would be made at once to relieve
them To that end | recommend that
congress make an appropriation of not
less than $4,000, to be Immediately
available for use under the direction of
the secretary of state.
"It is desirable that part of the sum
which may be appropriated by con-
gress should, in the discretion of the
secretary of state. also be used for the
transportation of American citizens
who, desiring to return to the United
States, are without means to do so.
s'WILLTAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, May II, 1897"
The reading of the message was listen
ed to with close attention in the senate,
where there was a large attendance
both on the floor and in the galleries.
AS soon as the reading was concluded
Mr.. Davis, rep, of Minnesota, chair
man of the committee on foreign rela-
tons, favorab1y reported with amend
ments the resolution introduced by Mr.
Gallinger, rep, of New Hampshire, last
Thursday, appropriating $4,000 for the
relief of destitute citizens of the United
States in Cuba. The resolution as
amended is as follows
Resolved by the senate and house of
representatives of the United States in
congress assembled, That the sum of
$4,000 be and the same is hereby ap
propriated out of any money in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated
for the use of destitute citizens OF the
United States in the island OF Cuba,
said money to be expended at the dis
erection and under the direction of the
president of the United States in the
purchase and furnishing of food, cloth
ing and medicines for such citizens,
and for transporting to the United
States such of them as so desire, and
who are without means to transport
themselves.
The resolution passed the senate
without division.
The house did not act on the senate