Evening star., 1897-06-16
Mr.. CAtHOUN'S VISIT
Comes to Report in Detail to the
President.
OF AFFAIRS IN CUBA
Reparation by Spain for the Death
of DR.. Ruiz.
SUCCESSOR TO GENERAL LEE

The return of Special Commissioner w. J..
Calhoun to Washington is in accordance
with the request made by President Nc
Kinley LAST week. He had an hours talk
with the President before the latter left
for Nashville, but in that time he was
naturally not able to go over all the ground
covered by his investigation of Cuban at
fairs. He will remain in Washington long
enough row to give President Mckinley
the full benefit of his personal observa-
tions. 1t Is stated that Mr.. Calhoun did not
understand he was expected to make any
recommendations regarding the policy Of
the administration with relation to Spain
and Cuba. He simply informed himself
very fully concerning the conditions and
prospects there, and this is the informa-
tion that will be laid before the President
verbally. Mr.. Calhoun is not expected to
make a written report except on the Ruiz
case.
While in Havana he saw many Of the
leading men of all parties-Spanish Off
Gals, autonomists, insurgent sympathizers,
Cuban leaders and annexationists-andl little
has been published about those interviews.
They all agreed in telling him that the
war had made Cuba desert, and few Of
them saw any outcome except through in
tervention in some form by the United
States. The moderate Spanish party want
ed this country to give its moral support
to the reforms and possibly go to the ex-
tent of guaranteeing them, but it is inti-
mated that Mr.. Calhoun gave no encour-
agement to this hope.
The Pacifcation of Cuba.
On one point Mr.. Calhom's report to the
President is likely to have a direct bearing
This Is the degree Of credence which shall
be given the representations of Minister
de LONE and the Canovas ministry in their
statements about the prospects of the wal
ending. All these statements and prom
ises disappear in the evidenc of his own
eyes. Mr.. Calhoun could find no signs uf
pacification, and his frank declaration that
he could see no end of the war is fortified
by his personal investigation. His opinion
OF the effect of Weyler's concentration
policy in starving the women and children
has not been altered by the Spanish crid-
c.sms on his course.
Declaration of q Policy Expected.
Some strong intimations are reaching
the President and members of the cabinet
that definite declaration of Cuban policy
is expected before the adjournment of Con-
gress. Members Of Congress returning
from their homes report that the public
feeling grows more intense. When the
Morgan resolution passed the Senate the
friends Of the administration who opposed
action by the House urged that the Presi-
dent should not be hampered until he
heard from his special representative VINO
was in Cuba, and whose Investigations
would enable him to determine what course
was proper for the United States. Now
that Mr.. Calhoun Is back and the President
has the results OF his inquiry the pressure
is becoming very strong for a declaration
from the White House. Whatever decision
the administration reaches-whether for
Intervention. for recognition Of belli.yer-
ency OR for more emphatic and even men,
acing representations to Spain in further
diplomatic negotiations - justification can
De found for its action in the result of Mr..
Calhoun's investigation.
Repnration for DIR. Rui.'s Death.
While he is in the city Mr.. Calhoun will
assist Judge Day in drawing up the note
to the Spanish government calling for rep
aration for the death of DIR. Ruiz. While
Consul General Lee and Consul Congosto
were unable to agree on anything except
that DIR. Ruiz was kept incommunicado
for three hundred and fifteen hours, this
agreement itself will furnish the basis for
a demand. 1t Is limited that while Spain
admits this fact, 1t construes the law and
the treaty In q way not to make Ruiz 8
confinement incommunicado beyond sew
enty-two hours violation of treaty rights.
This construction Is not likely to be given
much consideration by the State Depart
ment, and the note to Spain will be q stiff
one.
Gen. Lees Successor Here.
Ex-Congressman Aldrich of Chicago, who
has been selected to succeed Consul Gen
eral Lee at Havana, Is in the city. It is
said he came to Washington expecting an
early charge would be made. but this is
not now certain. Gen. Lee has expressed
his gratitude for the warm support given
him by President Mckinley and Secretary
Sherman, and he does not desire to en-
barrass the administration in any way.
At the same time he does not want to be
relieved at a time when the Spanish classes
would claim 1t was due to the disapproval
Of the President II he were to be relieved
now 1t would probably be claimed by the
Spaniards that this was due to unfayor-
able report made by Mr.. Calhoun. So far
from having anything unfavorable to re-
port. Mr.. Calhoun has taken every occa-
sion to commend Gen. Lee.
The delicacy OF the situation is recog-
nized by the administration. The Presi-
dent does not care to have a change in the
consular representative at Havana given
more Significance than a change in consul
generals anywhere else. It is possible
way out OF the dilemma will be found by
nominating Mr.. Aldrich for the Havana
consulate as soon as the minister to Spain
Is selected. A change in both offices at the
same time would be natural in carrying
out the Cuban policy Of the administra-
ton, and could not be construed as a re-
Election on either Minister Taylor or Con-
sui General Lee.
TRIAL OF THE VOOTE.