New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-20
A REMARKABLE DEBATE.

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A REMARKABLE DEBATE.
STORY OF THE CONFERENCES WITH THE ADJ
MINIspRATIoN RELATED.
Washington, May 19.-It was expected that
Senator Burrows Of Michigan, would open the
Cuban debate when the Morgan resolution was
taken up at 2 o'clock to-day. but he told his
friends on entering the Senate that he felt inds-
posed and would not go on to-day.
The prospects Of continuance OF the exciting
Cuban debate filled the Senate galleries again.
the crowds waiting patiently through the routine
morning business.
Mr. Vest Of Missouri. said he had seen
statements to the effect that three members or
the Committee on Foreign Relations had visited
the State Department and had had access to the
evidence furnished by United States consuls
This evidence had never been laid before the
Senate. Nothing had ever been received as TO
Consul-General Lees views on the situation.
Why was It, he asked that three Senators had
this information and the Senate did not have lit
Mr. Morgan answered that three Senators on
the committee had been sent as a subcommittee
to the President and the Secretary Of state TO
confer on the Cuban subject. They had received
certain information, and the injunction was laid
upon them that the name Of General Lee was
tion that the substance Of the information could
be used. without the names and places from
which 1t originated.
ARE MASSACRES FEARED?
1.-The reason given for this" added Mr.. Nor
gan was the fear that the officials who gave
the information would be massacred Another
reason was that we had no war vessels ready to
meet the outbreaks Of vicious people. ready to
massacre"
"Was this statement official. that massacres
might ensue?" asked Mr. White. Of California.
YES official" replied Mr. Morgan.
HAS committee Of Senators a right" asked
Mr. White Ito secure official information and
withhold 1t from the Senator"
Il refused to be handicapped with any conf
dences at ALL" proceeded Mr. Morgan. He had
secured his information from other than official
sources. He had 1t in his desk. partly In pho
tographs. those historians who never tell lie"
I refused to be handicapped by any condolences
he repeated, for would not receive any infor-
nation that could not communicate to my as
sociates on this floor
lis it fair" interposed Mr.. Elkins. that some
Senators have this information and others are
without it?"
Charge that to the Administration. not to
me-" answered Mr.. Morgan.
Here Mr.. Vest came forward with series OF
questions. "A committee Of three Senator'S Wis
tied the State Department 10 examine consular
reports on the status Of affairs in Cuba. Now
do understand that an antecedent condition
was imposed upon them that they should not
make public the sources OF this information?"
The injunction laid on the members OF
the subcommittee that the names Of consuls
and the places from which the reports came
should not be given answered Mr; Morgan.
Does the Senator object to stating" queried
Mr.. White. what officer Of the Government
made this request?'
Both officials the President and the Secretary
Of State" replied Mr.. Morgan
Mr. Foraker, of Ohio. came into the debate
this point. He had been a member Of the
subcommittee to visit the State Department.
The greatest care had been taken to give the
committee full information. he said. But so far
he concerned no restrictions had been
placed on him except as to the use OF names OF
consuls and places. as such Information might
lead TO violence. = Ht
A FULL REPORT IN PREPARATION.
"In addition" Mr.. Foraker continued. "the
State Department is now engaged in preparing
a full report with all papers bearing on the
Cuban question. TO submit to the Senate In re-
Spouse to the last inquiry
Mr. Vest. addressing Mr.. Foraker. said: Il
call attention to the statement Of the gentleman
from Alabama that the President and Secre-
tary of State desired that names Of consuls
should not he given. as 1t would Involve their
assassination. Is that so?'
Not in that language. repneO MT. FORAKER,
but It was suggested that the disclosure of
names might do more harm than good. and pos
sibly lead TO violence
and now we to the serious question"
continued Mr.. Vest. impressively. Has the
Government sent gunboats to see that our con-
sular officials are protected? Must we he told
that they may be assassinated If their names
are given? That Is the serious question:.
THE CONFERENCE WITH MR.. SHERMAN.
Mr.. Morgan explained in detail how the In
junction OF secrecy had been placed upon the
committee. At first. he said. the Secretary OF
State had seemed reluctant TO go into the ques-
ton. The Secretary at first proposed to read the
reports of the committee. Some dispatches. which
had been in the hands Of Assistant Secretary
Rockh were brought in. Then Judge Day,
the new Assistant Secretary Of State, came in.
and the statement was made that the nforma-
ton was given in the strictest confidence and
without authority to use the names and places
of consuls furnishing the information Mr.
Morgan said ne declined to receive the infOrma-
ton on these conditions. 1t was then arranged
that the committee should meet the Secretary
OF State at his home that evening. but Mr.
Morgan said he wrote note to the Secretary
saying he could not be present under the cir
cumstances
las l understand" interposed Mr.. Foraker.
zone Of the main reasons against giving names
and places Of our consuls was that ii might cut
off our sources Of information
May l ask the Senator" questioned Mr.. Vest
again. addressing Mr.. Foraker. what he means
by the statement that our means Of communca-
ton with Cuba might be cut of II the names or
consuls were discosed?'
Mr. Foraker said he meant that the Depart
ment felt that there should be reserve in giving
the sources of its information 1t was usual
course.
"W the edited reports coming from the State
Department to the Senate contain the names?"
asked Mr.. White.
Yes every scrap" answered Mr.. Foraker
"but understand II will be submitted in conf
dence. TO be considered in executive session"
Mr.. Hoar pointed out that It was usual to with
hold the names Of cOnsuls when the disclosure
might result in demand for their recall
MR. HOAR WANTS AN EARLY VOTE.
II am one OF those Senators who want an early
vote on this resolution" Mr.. Hoar went on. II
am especially DESTROYS of getting IT out Of the
way, because there is other important business
ripe and ready for which this special session OF
Congress was called and for which the business
and the labor Of the country are anxiously wait