The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-14
CUBA AGAIN LOOMS Up
As a Subject Of Vital Interest to
McKinley's Administration.
THE Distribution OF AMERICANS
In the Gem of the Antilles, Owing to
the Policy ofGeneraI weyler in Driv-
ing Them to the Towns, Emphasizes
the Need For Action.

the Policy OfGeneral Weyler In Drive
ing Them to the Towns, Emphasizes
the Need For Action.
Washington. May 14.-There wes q
sudden and violent outbreak of Cuban
sentiment yesterday at the Capitol, and
during the early hours the drift of
opinion was strongly towards speedy
and radical action by both congress
and the executive, but later there was
somewhat of a reaction upon its be-
coming known that the president.
while keenly alive to the situation and
anxious to learn everything possible
that could guide his conduct of our
Cuban and Spanish relations, felt that
further Information was necessary,
and that for the immediate present the
question was not one of recognition
of the belligerency or independence of
the Cuban insurgents. but of relief for
the American citizens destitute and
helpless in the towns Of the queen of
the Antilles. The senate foreign rela-
tions committee, It should be stated,
while agreeing with the necessity for
favorable to more radical measures,
and a number of its members are earn
estiy deslrous of instant action by the
executive in aid of the insurgents but
have not succeeded in converting the
administration to their views that
present action Is appropriate and i'm
peratve.
The event of the day was the report
to their colleagues by the sub-com-
mittee of the foreign relations commit
tee, which on Wednesday examined the
state department Cuban reports. This
statement, though not given to the
public, was so far disclosed in char
acter as to give rise to a good deal
of excited comment among senators
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 pacifcos
now on the island who were driven
from their farms and into the towns
by Weyler's orders, and thereby pre-
vented from supporting themselves.
For several days past the subject
ihattei ol tHls report mas Deen under
discussion quietly among lew OF the
friends OF cuba In congress, and they
have lost no opportunity of impressing
upon the president their convictions
that 1t is his duty as the chief execu-
tive to delay no longer in taking ac-
tive steps to terminate the present con-
diton of affairs in Cuba.
Ihese representations, however, have
not peeh sutnclent TO induce nasty ac-
uon' Ihe president Is moving stead
ly, ana win all speed that safety and
SOUND judgment warrant IN the collec-
tlon oil facts touchlng the conditions
that exist upon the island today. To
this end MIR. Calhoun is now in Cuba,
officially on another mission, but also
charsed with the observation Of the
conditions that prevail. When he has
reported TO the president, and the lat
ter has gathered what he regards as a
sufficient store of information, based
on facts that cannot be questioned, he
Will be ready either to take himself or
to suggest to congress such action as
these facts warrant. Meanwhile he
has under earnest consideration the
best means of affording relief to Amer
leans suffering as result of the condi-
tions on the island.
Yesterday the president saw by ap-
pointment Mr.. Edwin Il. Atkyns, Of
Boston, who is largely interested in
Cuban sugar plantations. Mr.. Atkyns
was in Washington on personal busi-
ness which brought him in contact
with Secretary Long, an old friend. To
further Mr.. Atkyns' business the sec
retary took him to the White House
and presented him to the president
The latter learning that Mr.. Atkyns
had Just returned from Cuba, began
to chat with his visitor as to the state
of affairs as they revealed themselves
to a business man, and Mr.. Atkyns
gave him a faithful picture Of the eco
nomic conditions that prevailed in Ha-
vana and in other portions of the ISL
and when he left. His story was so in
teresting that the president summoned
Judge Day, assistant secretary of state,
to hear it. Mr.. Atkyns had very littlc
to saw about the military situation in
Cuba. and what he did utter in that
connection did not indicate any leaning
on his part toward either the Spanish
or the insurgent side.
AT the Spanish legation the news of
the developments at the CapitoI vas
received with comnosure. OF course
the action of the committee could not
he onenly discussed without violation
Of the strict etiouette which governs
the dinlomatic bodv in its reIations to
congress. hut If was surpested that tha
fact that tbe entire attention of the
senate for months TO come would he
engrossed bv the tariff bill might have
determined the friends of the Cubans