The times., 1897-05-17
Circulation Statement.
WASHINGTON. MONDAY. MAY IT.
The Cuban Mass Meeting,


Representative people OF the National
Capitol yesterday packed the Columbia
Theater from stage TO ceiling in response
to the call for a mass meeting of citizens,
TO express sympathy for the gallant
struggle for freedom in Cuba, and TO
urge our Government 10 perform its duty
to the flag and outraged humanity Many
things developed at that meeting which
President Mckinley viii read of In The
Times this morning with interest, and
some Of them may prove suggestive to
his mind.
Firstly. he will not fail to notice the
rerYor OF the popular outburst In favor
OF a new and honorable Cuban policy on
the part OF his Administration 1t would
have been instructive if he could have
listened 10 the storm of hlsses and groans
that greeted the name of his predecessor, /,
because OF that persons cowardiy and
currish course in allowing theiInprisonmenJ
and murder OF American citizens, and the
outi age. torture and butchery of poor
wouaen and girls. 1t might have acted
as a reminder that the policy in question
has not yet undergone change, as far as
the public is advised
We commend to his attention several
other things, OF some of which no doubt
he has f,ll knowledge already. He viii
observe that Mr.. Bower, secretary of the
Cuban League, read two very edify-
Ing extracts from the Instructions sent by
Assistant Secretary OF State Rockhili to
American consuls in Cuba. In one case
sIr. Rocklin warned a consul that he must
fn future refrain from reporting Weyler's
otruci,ies to the State Department, as it
was the fixed policy of this Government
10 avoid giving any offense to Spain. On
another occasion he cautioned consul that
any dispatches containing such reports
must be marked "confidential,'' In order
to aid their suppression in case they should
be called for by either houseof the Congress.
These are serious matters and VIII be taken
seriously by the people Of the United States
We solicit Presidential attention to
statement made by Mr.. Karl Decker, the
American war correspondent who recently
has spent several months on the island.
Nr Decker said that the "pacificos,' in
ciuding many Americans, who had been
herded in the fortified towns, and are
there icing deliberately starved to death
by weyier sorders, could find anabundance
of food if they were allowed to go into
the country, where roots and fruits, wild
cattle and swine exist in plenty He de-
ciared. and we join in the declaration,
that it is the imperative duty OF the
United States 20 insist that these misera-
ble, helpless creatures Immediately shall
be allowed to go where they can procure
food and save their lives They are dying
OF hunger at therate OF fifty or more every
Gay, and IL is the intention of Weyier that
they shall die. He openly asserts his de-
termination in this way to "exterminate
the breed
The rim ging speeches OF Senators CAL
Hager and Allen and other gentlemen. and
the resolutions read by ex-senator M. o.
Butler, OF South Carolina, which were
unanimously adopted by the meeting, all
speak for themselves After reading the
newspaper accounts or the proceedings,
we are mistaken If President Mckinley
does not reach the conclusion that 1T is
time to speak for himself. The patience
OF the country is exhausted, and it VIII
hasS action.