Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-05-18
HELP FOR CUBA.
Sentiment in Her Behalf Increases
lat Washington. -
The PrcsidentSsKeenly Alive to the
Serious Condition Of Affairs on
the Island-Relicf for >Destl-
tute Americans.

Washington, May 14.-There was a
sudden and violent outbreak of Cuban
sentiment Thursday at the capitol, and
during the early hours the drift of opin-
ion was strongly towards speedy and
radical action by both congress and the
executive, butSlater there was some
what Of q reaction upon its becoming
known thatsthe president, while keenly
alive to the situa ton and anxious to
learn every thing possible that could
guide his conduct Of our Cuban and
Spanish relations, felt that further in
formation was necessary and that for
the immediate present the question
was not one of recognition of the belIig-
erency' or independence of the Cuban
insurgents, but of relief for the Ameri-
can citizens destitute and helpless in
the towns of the Queen of the Antilles.
The senate foreign relations committee,
it should be stated. while agreeing with
the necessity for relief of the suffering
Americans. is favorable to more radical
measures, and number of it's men,
bers are earnestly DESTROYS Of instant
action by the executive in aid of the in
surgents, but have not succeeded in
converting the administrati ton to their
views that present action is appropriate
and Imperative. a."
Great Destitution.
The event Of the day was report to
their colleagues by the subcommittee
of the foreign relations committee,
which examined the state department
Cuban reports. This statement, though
not given to the public, was so far dis
closed in character as to give rise to a
good deal of excited comment among
senator's and members. The report,
based upon facts presented by the
United States consuls in Cuba. it is
said, brings out in strong relief the
restitution which exists not only
among Cubans, but among the Ameri-
cans and pacificos now on the island,
who were driven from their farms and
into the towns by Weyler's orders and
thereby pravented from supporting
themselves. For several days past the
subject matter of this report has been
under discussion quietly among a few
OF the friends of Cuba in congress, and
they have lost no opportunity of i'm.
pressing upon the president their con-
victions that it is his duty as the chief
executive to delay no longer in taking
active steps to terminate the present
condition of affairs in Cuba.
President Moving Slowly.
These representations, however. have
not been sufficient to induce hasty ac-
ton. J. The president is moving
steadily and with ell the speed
that safety and sound jurgment
warrant in the collection OF facts
touching the conditions that exist
upon the island to-day. To this end
Mr.. Calhoun is now in Cuba, officially
on another mission, but also charged
with the observation of the conditions
that prevail. When he has reported to
the president, and the latter has gath
cred what he regards as a sufficient
store of information. based on facts
that cannot be questioned, he will he
ready either to take himself or to sus-
gest to congress such action as these
facts warrant. Meanwhile he has under
earnest consideration the best means
of atfording relief to Americans. suffer.
ing as a result of the conditions on the
island - ~ " ""' wv