The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-16

Washington, May En- considering
ways and means of affording substantial
relief to such American citizens i'm C,,lba.
as are in real distress owing to the war,
the administration has hit upon a plan
which may be put in operation. if it is
sanctioned by the judgment of the United
1 states consular officers in Cuba. who. be-.
Inc on the ground. are supposed TO be
best qualified to judge of the efficacy of
proposed relief measures.
This plan is to give notice through the
American consuls to ali American citi
zens in Cuba that the government will
undertake to remove them from the is
la->h to the United States if they so de-
s-re- 10 do this will require action by
congress, not necessarily as specific au-
thorization. of the removal but merely
the limitation of the appropriation TO the
general terms of one FOR the relief of the
American citizens in Cuba
course similar to this was adopted
with more or less benefit. in China dur
M the rioting incident TO the Chinese
Japanese war. and during the Armenian
troubles Mr. Terrell. United States min
lister, was authorized to undertake the
conveyance of American citizens to the
coast cities. where they might have suit
able protection.
THE proposition as to Cuba goes a lit
tie further than the measures adopted in
the case of China or Turkey. in that 1t
cOntemDlates the removal of the Ameri-
cans from the island entirely Probably
tie reason for this is the belief founded
ON reports from United States Consul
General Lee and other United States con-
Sular officers. that the war has so thor
oughly exhausted the agricultural re-
sources of the island that ii will be a
long time before it will be again in con-
dition to maintain its population and
meanwhile, the Americans who are de-
pendent upon the soil for their liveli-
hood will suffer
The consequent suffering can be re-
heved by the government furnishing the
unfortunates supplies and medicines but
General Lee takes the view that this re-
l.ef must be continued for a long time
The proposed American exodus from
Cuba must probably be purely voluntary.
and il is not even proposed TO present
the alternative of denying supplies if des-
t.tute Americans refuse to leave the is
land 1t is simply proposed to give them
an opportunity to leave if they believe
they can better their condition in the
United States 1t Is the belief of Gen
eral Lee that many persons will avail
themselves of such an opportunity. and
1t is possible that his view will be adopted
by the president.
Figures are not obtainable as to the
number of American citizens in Cuba who
are in actual distress, and in need of food
or clothing as the result of WeylerS
order bringing them into the towns. The
state department IS now in correspond
ence with the cOnSulS by telegraph seek
eH----
any message the president may send to
congress on the subject of relief. So far
as officially known TO the department
from the reports of the consuls made up
to this time. the number of Americans
in this condition is betweeT- $50 and 200.
In explanation of this small number,
il IS said that most of the Americans
natives living in Cuba are employed in
the higher branches of industries or pro-
LESSONS. and are not actual workers of
the soil. The sufferers are mostly natu-
rallied citizens. holding small parcels OF
ground upon which they have depended
heretofore for livelihood. il is not doubt
ed that there are more of this class in
need than are now known to the depart
ment but it is hoped. in the course of
few days. to have a fairly accurate CEN
sus of them.
Those to have charge of this RELIEF are
the United States cOnsuls. and it can be
stated that the Spanish government.
through its minister here. so far from
opposing the exercise of such charitable
offces by the consuls, has orofessed its
readiness to assist in every proper way
in the distribution of relief. which IS
taken to mean that it viii guarantee safe
conduct for the transportation parties
over the island.