The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-20
Names are Withheld for Fear
of Assassination.
Secrecy EnjOined by Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Senator Morgan Reveals the Fears
Felt by the Administration.

wsshington. May 2O.--Another stirring
debate on Cuba occurred In the senate
yesterday. II was Of the give ana take
order. with sharp parliamentary tehc-
ing. The main speeches OF the Gay were
made by Senator's Foraker Car'ioi'
Lindsay and Hoar.
II was the first speech OF any ienE'h
made by Mr.. Foraker since he entered
the senate. Senator Foraker startieu
the senate by revelation OF the tact
that ex-Secretary Olney had proposeu
mediation between Cuba and Spain and
that Spain had rejected the proposals Oh
the United States government MI
Foraker declared his purpose OF sup
porting the resolution recognizing Cuban
belIigerency when IL should be repor'eu
by the committee on foreign relations
Mr.. Cannon was bitter in his denuncia-
ton of Spanish atrocity, characterizihs
the captain general OF Cuba as that
mad dog" Weyier.
1t was developed in course OF col
loouy between Senators Foraker, Nor
gan and Vest that the state department
had withheld the names of United states
consuls reporting on the serious condi-
tions OF affairs in Cuba, because 1t might
lead 10 their massacre. Mr.. Vest de-
clared that this presented the most seri-
GUS phase of the subject, as II was time
10 protect our officials with warships II
necessary.
Mr.. Vest OF Missouri said he had seen
statements To the effect that three mem
bers OF the committee on foreign rela-
tions had visited the state department
and had hsd access to the evidence FUR
nlshed by United States consuls. This
evidence had never been laid before the
senate. Nothing had ever been received
as TO Consul General Lees Views on the
situation. Why was 1T. he asked. that
three senators had this information and
the senate did rot have 1t?
Mr. Morgan answered that three sena-
tors on the committee had been sent as
subcommittee TO the president and sec
retary OF state TO confer on the Cuban
subject. They had received certain in
formation. and the Injunction was laid
upon therl by the president and secre-
tary OF state that the name Of General
Lee wes not to be used in connection
with the Information: that the substance
OF the information could be used without
names or places from which 1t originated.
FEARS FoR CoNsULs' LIVES.
'The reason given for this" added Mr.
Morgan, was the fear that officials who
gave the information would be massa-
cred. Another reason was that we had
no war vessels ready TO meet the out
breaks of vicious people ready to massa-
Gre
Mr.. Foraker of Ohio came into the de-
bate AZ this point. He had been one OF
the subcommittee TO visit the state de-
partment. TIE greatest care had been
taken 90 give the committee full infor-
nation. he said. but so far as he was
concerned no restrictions had been
placed on him. except as TO the use OF
names OF consuls and places. as such in
formation might lead to violence.
I'm addition" Mr.. Foraker continued.
"the state department is now engaged
in preparing full report with all papers
bearing en the Cuban question. TO sub
nit 10 the senate in response TO the last
inquiry"
Mr.. Vest. addressing MIR. Foraker.
SAID. ! call attention TO the statement
o. the gentleman from Alabama that the
president and secretary OF state desired
that names OF consuls should not be
given. as IL would involve their assas.
sination. Is that SOP"
Not in that language" replied Mr..
Foraker, hut IL was suggested that the
disclosure Of names might do more harm
than good, and possibly Lead 20 violence"
And now we come 20 the serious cues
ton continued Mr. Vest impresslvely.
HAS the government sent gunboats 10
see that our consular officials are pro-
tected? Must we be told that they may
he assassinated If their names are
civen?"
Mr.. Hoer pointed out that ~ was usual
10 withhold the names OF consuls when
the disclosure might result In a demand
for their recall.
II am one Of those senator's who wan,
an early vote on this resolution" Mr.
Hoar went on. Il am specially desi-ous
Of getting IL out of the way. because
there r. other important business. ripe
and ready. for which this special session
OF congress was called. and for which
the business and the labor OF the coun-
try are anxiously awaiting"
Mr. CaI.~~a~ rfoi-e 81 the nroho bto