The San Francisco call., 1897-05-14
STARTLING FACTS ARE
PRESENTED.
Official Notification of the Ter
rible State of Affairs on
the Island.
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY WILL
PREPARE A MESSAGE.
WeyIer's Blood Stained Hands To
Be Stayed and american
Prisoners Protected.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. May 13-At
both the White House and Capitol the
Cuban question was discussed tod ay, and
there is every indication that unusual ef-
forts are being m ade 10 bring the admins
tration and Congress into harmonious
support of a Cuban policy in line with that
demanded by public sentiment
The Committee ON Foreign Relations
was in session over two hours, going over
correspondence between the State Depart
ment and representatives OF the Govern
ment in Spain and Cuba regarding the
correspondence was laid before sub
committee, composed of Davis, Foraker
and Morgan, at Secretary SheImans resi-
dence last night and by them reported TO
the full committee this morning.
Officials of the State Department were
present at the conference last night and
selected from a mass of documents those
that have direct bearing upon the pres
ent question. The committee did not
com piete its task this morning, but pro-
gressed lar enough to become convinced
that now is the time to act. 1t agreed
with Secretary Sherman that there are
certain portions Of the correspondence
it would not be proper to lay before the
Senate even in confidence or made public
at the present time. Indeed Secretary
Sherman so strongly believes the publi-
cation of certain confidential reports from
the Government agents in Cuba would
lead to great trouble, pc rh APPS to blood
shed, that he withheld them from men,
bers of the committee, and will continue
to do so long as he thinks that course is
necessary for the protection of life and
property in Cuba.
Such of the reports as the Secretary felt
warranted in placing before the commit
tee show state of affairs in Cuba that
cannot much longer continue without in
reference by this Government. The re-
ports show that there is not now and
never has been any basis for the claims
that any portion OF Cuba's provinces has
been "pacifed," but on the other hand
the insurgents are stronger and more nu-
merous. Spain has almost entirely ex-
hausted her resources and her troops are
fast being withdrawn for services else
where.
The reports also show a most deplorable
state of affairs regarding the lives and
property of American citizens on the
island. Destruction has been rampant
everywhere, and murders, outrages and
starvation matter of daily occurrence.
Information thus given the committee
in An official form after all, however, is
merely confirmatory of what has been
known all along, but it is thought its pub
lication with the sanction of the admins
tration and the committee will create
public sentiment that will bring about
the passage of the Morgan resolu tion for
the recognition of belligerency at very
early day. Morgan allowed the resolu-
ton to go over until Tuesday through
desire to allow the Comm mittee on Foreign
Relations to finish its examination OF the
Cuban correspondence before the debate
| on the resolution is renewed. 1t probably
will be called up on Tuesday ana Morgan
hopes to have it disposed OF before open
ing the tariff bill debate, which is now set
| for May "A.
General interest in the Cuban question
and the acuteness of the situation was in
creased by the fact that long conference
took place at the White House between
tie President, Judge Day, Secretary Long
and f. T. Atkins of Boston. The confer
ence gave rise to all sorts of reports as to
the crisis in Cuban affairs, the sending oil
a warship to the island, etc. The truth,
| is. however, there was no important de-
yelopment at the conference. The Presi.
dent is deeply interest in the question
and seeking every means of obtaining in.
formation. He has directed Secretary
Sherman to lay before the Com mittee on
Foreign Relations every possible piece o.
information that should properly be
brought to its knowledge. His policy
however, is still what was announced by
Foraker in the Senate on Tuesday: "He
will learn from his special commissioner,
Calhoun, as to the actual condition o,
affairs on the island and will then b.
ready to announce further action by thu
administration. At present he intends tc
take no definite action beyond assisting