The record-union., 1897-05-15
Suggesting Measures to be Adopted
for Their Relief.
The Matter the Subject of Discussion
at a Cabinet Tleeting, the Finai
Decision Being Postponed Untii
Consul-Generai Lee and other
ConsuIs Report by Cable, which
Thew Have Been Requested to Do,
the Latest Facts as to the Existing
Situation
Situation.

Situation.
WASHINGTON, May 14.-President
Mckinley has under earnest considera-
ton the advisability of sending a mes
sage to Congress next week on the Gu
ban question. He is inclined to suggest
that measures be adopted to relieve the
distress among American citizens resi-
dent in Cuba. The message, if it goes
in, viii be entirely pacific. In order to
have facts on which to predicate the
message. President Mckinley has had
cablegrams sent to every consular Of
11cer in Cuba asking each to give exact
information of the status of affairs in
his district by telegraph at once.
1t was understood to-day by some
members of the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations, that this informa-
ton will be communicated to the Senate
but whether it will be accompanied by
message recommending the action was
yet a matter of doubt. Prospects are
that a considerable opposition may de-
velop in the Senate to the proposition
of relief.
Senator Burrows of Michigan said to-
day: distribution of relief is almost
impossible and the scheme is thorough
~ impracticable How is the citizen
ship of people asking relief to be de-
termined and must there be an inves-
tigation of citizenship of every starving
woman and child who asks relief? We
will be prevented from taking care of
Americans in the insurgent lines, and
cannot relieve distress even in insur-
gent hospitals. We shall simply be
helping Spain feed her hungry people"
Senator Morgan said the message of
the President, if it should apply only to
relief measures in the way of food and
clothing, would not cause him to devi
ate from his purpose of pressing his
resolution for the recognition of a state
of war. as he had given notice he would
do before ii was assumed that the Pres
ident would send in such a message.
The friends of the Morgan resolution
will not antagonize measures cOntem
plating temporary relief. but they are
not disposed to accept such measures in
place of a more general and far reach
ing declaration. The opposition, also,
probably will acquiesce in resolution
appropriating money to relieve imme-
Iiate wants
Senator Hale, who is generally recOg
nized as the leader of the opposition to
all measures looking to a general dec
laration in the Cuban interest, is alb
sent from the city, but Senator White
who also opposes such measures as a
rule, said to-day that while there were
such objections to extending our char
ity to such measure, he would not be
disposed to offer opposition TO such a
measure.
Some of the pro-Cubans take the
position that any supplies sent to Cuba
would merely aid the Spanish cause, as
they would practically amount to a con-
tribution to Spain. Hence there is a
possibility of opposition, even to the
proposed charity.
Senator Morgan has no purpose of
changing the form Of his resolution in
any respect. II was fully aware of the
situation when I prepared the resolu-
ton" he said to-day, and therefore find
in the recent publication in regard to it
no reason for altering my plans"
The first vote viii be taken on Senator
Hales motion to refer the resolution to
the Committee on Foreign Relations
and Senator White. who takes issue
with Mr.. Morgan on the Cuban ques-
ton, expressed the opinion that this mo-
ton would prevail.
DISCUSSED BY THE CABINET.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE meet
ing of the Cabinet to-day was devoted
almost entirely to the consideration of
the Cuban question. The meeting oc-
CURED an hour earlier than usual, owing
to the Importance of the question to be
discussed and the fact that the Presi
dent and Cabinet We're to leave for
Philadelphia at 1905.
The Cabinet discussion was upon the
advisability of asking Congress to pro-
vide immediate relief to the Americans
who are, according to the reports re-
ceived from Consul General Lee, penned
ND In the cities of Cuba and in actual
danger of starvation. 1t had no bearing
upon the policy of the Administration
toward Spain or the Cuban insurgents.
except incidentally, but dealt with the
direct and immediate question of re
iieving destitute Americans on the is
land.
Secretary Sherman laid before the
Cabinet some of the most important
about the situation, and before the mee,-
ing was over Judge Day. the Assistant
Secretary of State, personally took to
the White House some additional papers
for which the Secretary had sent.
Every phase of the matter was dis
cussed, the advisability of asking Con-
gress for an appropriation, the methods
for distributing relief, if ii should be
decided to enter upon it, and the ne
cessity or advisability of having a war
ship accompany food supplies.
But the final decision of the question
was postponed until Consul General Lee
and other American Consuls in Cuba
and probably Mr.. Calhoun, make their
reports by cable to the Department
They have been requested to cable the
latest facts as to the existing situation
These reports will be here probably
when the President and Cabinet return
tomorrow night, and if il decided to
send special message to Congress
early next week, the reports. with other
facts in the possession of the State De-