The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-05-19
SYMPATHY FOR CUBA.
A Sudden and Strong Out
break il Washington.

OuOaH SehtldeHt 10 Gdy at tue Capl
tai and during the early hours the
drift of opinion was strongly toward
speedy and radical action by both
Congress and the Executive but
later there was somewhat of reac
ton. upon its becoming known that
the President, while keenIy alive TO
the situation and anxious to learn
everything possible that could guide
his conduct of our Cuban and Span.
ish relations, felt that further infor
nation was necessary, and that for
the immediate present the question
was not one of recognition of the
belligerency or independence of the
Cuban insurgents. bus of the relief
of American citizens destitute and
helpless in the towns Of the Queen
of the Antilles.
The Senate foreign relations com.
mittee, it should be stated, while
agreeing with the necessity for the
relief of the suffering Americans is
favorable to more radical measures,
and number of its members are
earnestly desirous of instant action
by the Executive in aid of the in
surgents, bat have, not succeeded in
converting the administration to their
views that present action is appropri-
ate and imperative. During the day
there was a report to their colleagues
by the sub committee Of the foreign
relations committee which yesterday
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
a good deal of excited comment
among Senator'S and members The
report. based upon facts presented
by the United States consuls in Cuba,
it is said, brings out in strong relief
the destitution which exists. not only
among the Cubans, but among the
Americans and paci6cos now on the
island, who were driven from their
farms and into the towns by Weyler's
order, and thereby prevented from
supporting themselves.
For several days past the subject
matter of this report has been under
discussion quietly among few Of
the friends of Cuba in Congress, and
they have lost no opportunity Of i'm
pressing upon the President their con-
victions that it is his duty, as the
Chief Executive, to delay no longer
in taking active steps to terminate
the present condition of affairs in
Cuba Those representations. how
ever. have not been sufficient to in
duce hasty action The President ia
moving steadily and with all speed
that safety and sound judgment war
rant in tie collection of facts touch.
ing the conditions that exist upon the
island toc:ay. T" this end Mr. Cal
houn is now in Cuba, officially, on
another mission, but also charged
with the observation ofthe conditions
that prevail When he has reported
i to the President and the latter has
gathered sufficient store Of inform
alton, based on facts that cannot be
questioned. he will be ready either to
take himself or TO suggest to Cor.
| ,..o,. o,,ob oos;o,, nc fl,ooo f,ofc .uor
rant. Meanwhile, he has under con-
sideration the best means of afford
ing relief to Americans suffering as a
result Of the conditions on the island.
To day the President saw, by ap-
poin:ment, Mr.. Edwin T. Atkins OF
Boston, who is largely interested in
Cuban sugar plantations Mr.. At
kins was in Washington on personal
business which brought him in con
tact with Secretary Long, an old
friend. To further Mr. Atkins busi-
ness, the Secretary took him ever to
the White House and presented him
to the President The latter, learn
ing that Mr. Atkins had just returned
from Cuba. began to chat with his
visitor as to the state Of affairs as
they revealed themselves to brsi-
ness man, and Mr.. Atkins gave him
faithful picture Of the normal con
ditions that prevailed in Habana and
other portions of the island when he
left. His story was SO interesting
that the President summoned Judge
Day, Assistant Secretary of State,
across to the White House to hear it.
Mr. Atkins had very little to say
about the military situation in Cuba,
aid what he did utter in that connec
ton did not indicate any leaning on
his part toward either the Spanish or
the insargent side.
At the Spanish legation the news
of the developments at the capitol
to day was received with composure,
c .o.,.,, Tbo oofiop of tho rOm