Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-05-18
APPROPRIATES $4,000 TO AID
AMERICANS IN CUBA.
NOTHING DONE BY THE HOUSE.
DEMOCRATS INSISTED on MAKING
AID 4 PARTY ISSUE.
President Mckinley Sends a Special
Message to Congress RecOmmend-
ing nn ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
gan Resolution Up for
Discussion.

lie interest in the subject was SHOWN pS
the great crowds which besieged the gal
leries throughout the day Among the oc-
cupants of the diplomatic galleries were
Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British ambas-
sador and Minister Hatch, of Hawaii, and
I'm the reserved gallery was General Dan
Sickles. eX-Cnited States minister to Spain.
The Spanish legation in Washington was
not represented, so far could be OBJ
served. Two phases OF the subject were
presented. First came the question of re-
lief to destitute and starving Americans in
Cuba. and at 2 o'clock Mr.. Morgan's reso-
luton caused spirited debate.
The first question was presented in the
following message from President Mckin-
ley. which was read as soon as the session
opened:
TO the Senate and House of Represent
atives of the United States: Official infor-
nation from our consuls in Cuba estab-
fishes the fact that a large number OF
American citizens in the island are in a
state Of destitution, suffering for want of
food and medicines. This applies particu-
lsrly to the rural districts or the central
and eastern parts.
forced from their farms into the nearest
towns where they are without work or
money The local authorities of the sew
erai towns, however kindly disposed are
unable to relieve the needs Of their own
people and are altogether powerless 10
.'fhe latest report of Consul General Lee
estimates that from six TO eight hundred
Americans are without means OF support;
/ have assured him that provision would
be made at once to relieve them.
TO that end | recommend that congress
make an Appropriation Of not less than
$4,000. TO be Immediately available for use
under the direction of the secretary or
state II is desirable that a part of the
sun, which may be appropriated by con-
gress should. in the discretion of the sec
retary of state. also be used for the trans trans
faff ~ Avg1a TfT
ing to return to the United States. are
without means to !9,{lp, DO So ,,,, rUrN1Ey
Executive Mansion. May Il, 1881.
Following the reading Of the message,
Mr.. Davis of Minnesota, chairman or the
committee on foreign relations. favorably
reported with amendments the resolution
introduced by Mr.. Gallinger last Ihnrs-
day. appTcpriating $4,000 for the reiief or
destitute citizens of the United states in
Cuba. The resolution. as amended. is as
Resolved. BY the senate and house of
representatives of the United States, in
congress assembled. that the sum of 10000
be and the same is hereby appropriated out
of any money in the treasury not other-
wise appropriated for the relief OF desu-
tute citizens of the United States in the
island OF Cuba. said money to be expended
at the discretion and under the direction
of the president of the United States in the
purchase and furnishing Of food and medi-
cines to such citizens and for transporting
to the United States such or them as so
port themselves"
Mr. Davis asked sor immediate conSidera-
tion of the resolution and there was no OBJ
lection. Ths only saeech made was mat OF
Mr. Gallinger who spoke briefly. He said
he had been impre sseG al the great mass
meeting attended by 5000 persons yester-
dav with the statement made there by a
correspondent who had Travelled through
the stricken district Uf Cuba. This gem
tleman had stated that there was an
abundance of food in Cuba. and that 1t
was needless to give relief in that direction.
The real trouble. he sa'd, was that the
Cubans were herded in the towns and pre-
vented from going out TO get the food
The most effective relief. Mr.. Gallinssr
said, would be a demand by the president
and the government that the Cubans be
released from their bondage in the towns
and permitted to go where they could Sc
cure food. The senator was ready to as
sumo his share of responsibility for Surh "A
step. Still. IL the resolution just reported
gave some measure of relief, he would
heartily support IL without urging the other
plan of relief he had suggested.
The resolution was then put on its pas
sage. and without division. it passed unan-
imously there being no response 10 the
call for the nays. 1t had taken eXlctly
eighteen minutes for the reading of the
message the presentation of the commit
tee report and the brief speech and final
passage of the resolution.
Promptly at O'Clock the Morgan Tesolu-
tion was taken up. At that time the gal
crowds awaited something i'm addition to
the relief resolution passed at the outset.
The Morgan resolution declares that a con-
dition of public war exists in Cuba and
that strict neutrality shall be maintained
by the United States.
Mr.. Moran stated that unless some SEN
ator desired to speak, he would ask yea
and nay vote on the pending motion of
Mr.. Hale to refer the resolution to the
committee on foreign relations
Mr.. Hale suggested the absence of a
quorum, and a call, after some delay.
brought forty-six senator's. just quorum,
TO the senate.
he xTnNa xr-ng H0nH# Il.
Mr.. Wellington, Republican. of Maryland
arose for his maiden speech. which proved
10 be a vigorous protest against the resolu-
tion and plea for its reference to the COM
mittee on foreign relations.
He said that. while recognition of bel
ligerency might not be serious vet the sem
ate should pause and consider the serious
results that might follow such a declara-
tion. A new administration had just come
into power, he said. Back of il stretched
four years of depression and disaster Cap
ital had been In hiding or had sacrificed its
US stretched four years of idleness The
Republican party had come into power on
certain propositions. First of these was the
question OF an adequate tariff bill. He
believed the first duty of congress was to
the American people, rather than to the
CubanS and Greeks.
The policy pursued by the late adrnInis
tration and by Grover Cleveland meets my
approval" declared Mr.. Wellington. and.
grover Cleveland did his duty in ref refusing sing
q rush hesdlong into a radical Cuban
This resolution is a defiance of Spain"
be said. You may say Spain Is a weak
power. and that We can annihilate her
In thirty minutes. Are you ready for war?
DO the American people want war? | do
not believe II. Intil you are ready for war
do not take steps which will involve war"
Mr.. PcttuS. Of Alabama. was on his feet
as Mr.. Wellington closed, and inquired:
The senator speaks so emphaticalIy of
jlnEoeS, let me ask him who are the lin
goes and what are the iingoes?"
There was laughter and loud handclap-
ping in the gallery on this query. evidently
because the question was made against The
opposition to the resolution.
The senator needs no Information from
ne. as TO who are the 1ingOes' resDonded
Mr.. Wellington. 1t is the spirit that would
drag our country into war with Spain. IL
Is the spirit that would draw Us into con-
uONcrsy win every country of Europe and
make them more enemies than friends"
Nh Stewart spoke briefly. saying Il was
Strange to hear this Endorsement of The |
last administration from Republican SEN
atoT. y do not indorse the last admins
tration." interrupted Mr.. Wellington. "ex-
Cept where foreign affairs are concerned ."
Mr.. Stewart went on to say that he could |
see no difference between the Mckinley (
administration and Cleveland administra-
ton. The only difference between the two |
administrations he said was one OF per- |
sons. |
Mr. Mckinley is a very pleasant gentle
man" added Mr.. Stewart, amid laughter. |
= do not intend 10 draw comparisons. but 1
siTply say that Mr.. Mckinley Is a very |
pleasant gentleman.
MI. Stewart argued for the resolution, |
saying IL voiced The sentiment OF the Amer |
lean people, who wanted no more "Cleve- |
land policy on Cuba.
Mr.. Daniel. OF Virginia, replied in sar-
L. afw ia.