The record-union., 1897-05-14

to maintain the Cuban insurrectionary
forces in their resistance to the Spanish
Government.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Re-
lations to-day had the Cuban question
under consideration, on the basis of the
report of the Subcommittee appointed
yesterday to confer with the President
and Secretary Sherman. The report was
prepared by Davis and Foraker (Re-
publican members). Morgan (the Demo-
cratic member) declining to participate
in it. The report consisted OF a concise
statement of the contents of the official
reports from the American Consuls in
Cuba bringing information up TO within
a week.
This report confirms the newspaper
reports as to the situation in the island,
and even goes further in depicting the
deplOrab BILE situation than do most of the
newspaper stories. Especial stress is
laid upon the condition of American cit
liens. 1t is positively stated that hun
dreds are in a starving condition and
wretchedly clothed The death of
Americans from starvation is daily re-
ported. Americans are scattered in all
parts of the island and are shown no
no consideration whatever because of
their American citizenship.
The Americans are generally persons
who reside on the plantations, but who
have been driven from their homes to
the towns, and who, being among
strangers and without employment are
compelled to subsist on almost Moth
ing They are not allowed to return to
or secure the least article of subsist-
ence. They are theoretically under the
care of the Spanish army, but the army
is without a commissioned. They have
no means of leaving the island. Their
condition is pronounced wholly deplor
able
The committee was especially i'm
pressed with this recital and the opin-
ion generally expressed that the situa-
ton should be remedied if possible. 1t
was considered as placing even a worse
aspect upon the question Of our rela-
lions to Cuba than the imprisonment of
Americans. of which there are now
comparatively few instances.
The report also indicates a generally
wretched condition of all the inhabit-
ants of the island, because of the scar
city of food and money, especially in
the centers of population, and because
also of the pressure of the most malig-
nant diseases. such as yellow fever,
smallpox, dysentery. These diseases
the natives Withstand with compare
tive ease, but they are especially OPP
pressiVe to the Spanish soldiery.
The reports indicate that the Spanish
army is not so strong now as it was a
year ago, largely on account of these
ravages, while they indicate no diminu-
ton of the insurgent forces.
The reports upon which the sub-com-
mittee's brief was based were from va
rious Consuls, including Consul
Lee. They make no recommendations
as to American policy. but merely give
the situation as they see it.
In view of the developments in the
committee, Senator Morgan agreed not
ton to-day. but he will make an effort
to have the question made the unfin-
ished business Monday at , clock.
This acquiescence on the Alabama
Senator's part to temporarily delay is
understood to be given under the i'm
preston that it will result in bringing
tire Committee on Foreign Relations.
This will. of course, materially
strengthen the resolution in the Senate,
and it is believed by its friends will eX-
pedite its passage there.
1t is now probable that the commit
tee will not make any formal report and
that the correspondence will not be
given to the public for the present.
Speaking of his resolution for an ap-
preparation for the American people of
Cuba, Senator Gallinger said:
4 am informed that American
citizens are starving in Cuba. A gen
tleman who recently came from Cuba
told me that such was the fact. l am
informed that reports in the State
Department corroborate the state
ment The picture drawn of distress is
most narrowing. These reports con-
tain names that are not Spanish, but
American Names so that there can be
no doubt of the correctness of the re-
ports | am of the opinion that while
we are sending aid to India and to
people who are in a starving condition
on the Mississippi it would be we'll to
pay some attention to the American
citizens who are starving in Cuba. 1
asked to have the resolution referred
to the Foreign Relations Committee
for such action as it may deem best to
take.
There is some talk about sending a
naval vessel to Cuba. Will you add
such a provision as an amendment to
your resolution" was asked.
II may do So" responded Senator
Gallinger. 1T seems to me that it
would be we'll to have an American
warship in Havana to back up the de-
mands of the American Consul. and to
extend relief to American citizens who