Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-14
DISTRESS IN CUBA
Seems To Be the Burden of the
Consuls' Reports.
AMERICANsAMoNG THE DESTITUTE

Which Trouble the Senators Appear to
Desire to Remedy by Passing Morpan's
Observation-Disclosures, However, Thinks
Bread and Meat Would Be More Effect
ive-Stiil Seeking Information of the
Situation en- the Island.
Washington. May 14-There was q
sudden and violent outbreak Of Cuban
sentiment yesterday at the Capitol, and
during the early hours the drift of opin-
ion vas strongly towards speedy and
radical action by both congress and the
executive, but later there was somewhat
OF a reaction upon its becoming known
mat the president, while keenly alive
to the situation and anxious to learn
everything possible that could guide his
conduct of our Cuban and Spanish re-
lations, felt that further information
necessary and that for the immediate
present the question was not one of
recognition of the belliSerency or indie
pendance of the Cuban insurgents, but
of relief for the American citizens desti-
tute and helpless in the towns of the
Queen Of the Antilles. The senate for
eign relations committee it should be
stated, while agreeing with the neces-
sity for relief of the suffering Americans
is favorable to more radical measures,
and a number of its members are earn
estly 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 impera-
tive.
There Is Destitution on the Pearl.
The event of the day was a report
to their colleagues by the sub-commit-
tee of the foreign relations committee
which examined the state department.
Cuban reports. This statement, though
not given TO the public, was so far
disclosed in character as to give rise to
q good deal of excited comment among
senators 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 Americans and pacificos now
on the island, who were driven from
their farms and into the towns by Wev-
ler's orders and thereby prevented from
supporting themselves. For several
days past the subject matter OF this re-
port has been under discussion quietly
among a few of the friends of Cuba
in congress, and they have lost no op-
portunity Of impressing upon the presi-
dent their convictions 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.
What the President Will Do.
These representations, however, have
not been sufficient to induce hasty ac-
ton. The president is moving steadily
and with all speed that safety and
sound judgment warrant in the collec-
ton of facts touching the conditions
that exist upon the island today. To
this end Calhoun is now in Cuba-of-
hcially on another mission. but also
charged with the observation CT the con-
ditions that prevail. When he has re-
ported to the president and the latter
has gathered what he regards as a suf!i-
Gent store of information based on facts
that cannot be questioned, he will be
ready either to take himself or to sug-
gest to congress such action as these
facts warrant. Meanwhile he has IN
der earnest consideration the best means
of affording relief to Americans suffer-
ing as result of the conditions on the
island.