The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-15

Washington, Mny 14.-President Nc.
kinley will send special message to
Cong ess on the Cuban question next
Monday.
The document will not deal in any de-
gree with the question of the Recognition
of the belligerent rights of Cuba 1t will,
however, present startling expose of
the condition of affairs in Cuba ut the
present time, with special reference to
American citizens who are now suffering
and starving upon the island.
The President will recommend that an
appropriation of ut least $50, 600 and
probably 100000 he made to purchase
food and other supplies for the starving
Americans and that they be sent to
Cuba in ali American vessel. 1t is not
proposed to use war vessel for this pur-
pose, as is appearance in the harbor of
Havana might preciptate the trouble
which the President is most anxious TO
avoid, but the ship will hy the Stars and
Stripes, and it is the firm determination
OF the Chief Executive that it's cargo shall
be promptly and properly distributed to
the sick and suffering.
The first intimation of the deporablc
condition of the Americans on the island
reached the State Department. through re-
ports from Consul General Lee and other
consular officers, which showed that hun
dreds of native born aud naturalized
American citizens are suffering for the
bare necessities of life, and some of them
are actually or the verge of starvation.
rhis state of things was brought about
by the recent order of Capt. Gen. Weyler,
who, in his efforts to pacify the island.
has driven Americans as well ms Cuhans
from the country into the cities, and lit.
orally penned them up there. The effect
is that business has been practically sus-
pended, the cities are overcrowded with
fugitives, and not only are they unable
to earn living, hut-the sanitary condi-
tions of the cities are so bad .thnt small
poX, yellow fever, dysentery and other
epedimics are threatened.
In fact, state of affairs has been re-
vealed which is pitiuble and narrowing to
the last degree.
Outside of the towns held by the Span.
ish troops there is not a-.house standing,
not plantation that has not been ruined
Inc marching .and counter marching of
the Spanish and insurgent soldiers across
the island have had the effect of destroy
ing the crops. The cane has either been
fired or beaten down to such an extent
that harvesting would be useless. The
houses, sheds and machinery on the es-
tates have been put to the torch.
From the devastated country the Amer
''"Ao anu SuDttlS IlilNC Dten driven into
the cities with absolutely no meurs of
sustenance and without any chance of Sc
curing employment to earn bread. In
dTstry is at Il standstill There is no
work for the starving men and women,
and II there is work there is no money to
pay for it.
With no food, no clothing, herded to-
gether, the prey of disease, the condition
oil the Americans and the natives may he
Imagined. Families which ut the begin
ming of the revolution were wealthy are
to-day reduced to perjury. The cost of
1000 and clothing is excessive. the paper
money of the cour try is greatly depreci.
ated, ana it's use naturally makes the
price of the articles greater than it would
be If coin were employed. Starvation is
universal.
1t was the revelations thus presented in
Official reports that stirred the admins
tration to the action. TO send IL ship
with supplies is acknowledged to he IN
unusual proceeding, and yet, under the
circumstances, there is no other alternn-
tive for the President If the Spanish
authorities would properly protect peace
fnl American citizens as required under
the treaties and recognized intern ationnl
law, there would he no necessity for the
President taking this action. But as it
is manifestly apparent that Spain is
either unable or unwilling to relieve the
great distress which has been caused ow
ing to Captain General Weyler's orders,
there is nothing left except Tor this coun.
try to care for It's own people.
1t can be stated upon authority that
spain will not object to the proposed for
wartllng OF food and other supplies con-
tribused for the relief of the destitute 1t
VIII he made condition.. however, that
the food supplies contributed for the re-
lief OF the destitute shall not be used to
maintain the Cuban .insurrectionary
forces in their re sstance to the Spanish
government.
There is no doubt of the cooperation of
Congress. The sentiment of both Houses
is with the President on this matter of
protecting American citizens.
The policy pursued by the Executive in
ac1uainting the lealing members of the
Senate with the actual facts will have
the effect of hustening the passage of the
necessary appropriation. Not step has
been taken without consultation between
the legislative ami the executive branches
OF the government The conferences be-
gan last Wednesday, when Senators Dn-
Wis, Foraker and Morgan, of the commit
tee of foreign relations, spent an hour
with the President and later, in company
with Secretary Sherman, had access to all
the information in possession of the State
Department.
After having done everything in his
power to ameliorate the condition of the
starving Americans in Cuba. the Presi-
dent will not move hastily. He is NOV
ing steadily and with all speed that
safety and sound judgment warrant in the
collection of the facts touching on the
conditions that exist upon the island to.