The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-14

Washington, May 1S-There was sud
den and violent outbreak of Cuban senti-
ment today at the capitol. 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 reaction,
upon its becoming known that the presi-
dent while keeniy 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
for the immediate present the question
ligerency or independence of the Cuban
insurgents but of relief for the American
citizens destitute and helpless in the
Queen of the Antilles.
TIE senate foreign relations committee,
ii should be stated. while agreeing with
the necessity for relief of the suffering
Americans, IS favorable to more radical
measures ard number OF Its members
are earnestly DESTROYS of instant action
by the executive in aid Of the insurgents.
but have not succeeded in converting the
administration to their views that pres
ent action is appropriate and imperative.
The event of the day was a report to
their colleagues of a subcommittee of
the foreign relations committee which
ment reports This statement, though
not given to the public. was so far dis
closed in character as TO give rise to
good deal of excited comment among sen
atorS and members. The report. based
on facts presented by United States con-
Suls in Cuba, it IS stated. brings out
exists not only among Cubans but
among the Americans and pacificos now
in the island who were driven from their
farms and into the towns by Weyler's
orders and thereby prevented from SUD-
porting themselves
The president is moving steadily and
with all the speed that safety and sound
judgment warrant in the collection of
facts touching the conditions that exist
uDon the island today. To this end Mr.
Calhoun is now in Cuba. officially on an
other mission. but also charged with the
observation of the conditions that prevail
When he has reported to the president
and the latter has gathered what ne re-
CARDS as a sufficient store of infOrDla ton,
based on facts that cannot be questioned
he VIII be ready, either to take himself
or to suggest to congress such acton as
under consideration the best means of
affording relief TO Americans suffering as
a result of the condition of the island.
Today the president saw by apDoint-
ment. Mr.. Edwin T. Atkyns. of Boston,
who is largely interested in Cuban sugar
plantations.
Atkyns gave him faithful picture of
the economic conditions that prevailed in
Havana and in other portions of the
island when he left.
At the SPANISH legation the news of
was recei-ed with compOSure
II IS rot denied at the legation that
suffering exists in Cuba. but such suffer-
cident to war.
II is contended that the Spanish gov
eminent has done all that ii could with
the means at hand to alleviate the dis
treSS. 1t was pointed Out that Spain had
granted permission to the Red Cross
through Miss Barton. to extend its Office
to the destitute in Cuba. and. moreover.
viii not place any obstacle in the way of
any proper charity in the United States
which has the same end in view.
COMMITTEES REPORT.
re senate committee on foreign reIa-
tons had the question under considera-
ton on the basis of a report of the sub
committee appointed yesterday to con-
fer with the president and Secretary
Sherman. The report was prepared by
llrviS and Foraker. Republican members:
Morgan, the Democratic member declin-
ing TO participate in it, The report con-
sisted of concise statement of the con-
tents of official reports from American
consuls in Cuba. bringing the Informal
ton up TO within week. This report
confirms the newspaper reports as 10 the /
situa ton in that island. 1t even goes
further in depicting the deplorable situa-
ton than most newspaper stories. E.S-
9ecial stress IS laid upon the CONDITION
of American citizens. 1t is positively
stated that hundreds are in 4 starving
=
death of Americans from starvation are
daily reported. Americans are scattered
in all parts of the island and are shown
no consideration whatever because of
their American citizenship.
The Americans are generally persons
who reside on the plantations. but who
have heen driven from their homes to
the towns, and who. being among strang-
ers and without employment. are COM
PEELED to subsiSt on almost nothing. They
are not allowed to return TO their PLAN
tations even to pick berries or secure the
least article of subsistence. They are
theoretically under the care of the Span
ish army. but the army is without COM
missariat. They have no means of leav-
inc the island. Their condition is pro-
nounced wholly deplorable.
The committee was especially impressed
with this recital and the opinion was gem
orally expressed that the situation should
be remedied if possible. IL was conSid |
cred as placing even worse aspect upon
the question of our relations to Cuba than
the Imprisonment of Americans, of which
there are now comnaratively few in
stances. The report also indicates gen
orally wretched condition of all the in
hab:ta1ts of the island. because OF the
scarcity of food and money. especially in
the centerS OF population. and because
also of the presence of the most malig-
nant diseases. such rs yellow over. small /
Dox and dysentery. These diseases the
natives withstand with comparative case. |
l.ut they are especially oppressive to the |
Spanish soldiers
The reports indicate that the Spanish
army is not so strong now as ii was
year ago. largely on account of these
ravaees. while they indicate no diminu-
ton of the insurgent forces.
The reports upon which the sub-com-
brief was based were from var I
ious 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
Senator Morgan agreed not to |
press the consideration of his resolution
today. but he will make an effort TO make !
It the unfinished business Monday at 2 /
o'clock This acquiescence on the Ala !
hama senator's part to temporarily delay |
is understood to be given under the I'M |
that il will result in bringing |
to the resolution the support of the en- |
tire committee on foreign relations. This (
WILL of course. materially strengthen the
resolution in the senate. and it is be- /
lie-ed by it's friends will expedite its |
there. 1t is now probable that /
the committee will not make any formal |
report and that the correspondence will I
not be given to the public for the present |
GALL1NGER'S SENTIMENTS.
cDao lxi,,o of his resolution for an an /