The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-16
A CHANCELLOR THEIR LIVES.
Americans In Cuba to he Given an
Opportunity to Return-Span-
ish Papers GrOwL

WASHINGTON, May I5.-In considering
ways and means OF affording substantial
relief 10 such American citizens in Cuba
as are In real distress owing to the war
the administration has hit upon a plan
which may be put in operation IL Il Is
sanctioned by the united Judgment OF
the United States consular officers in
Cuba, who. being on the ground are sup
posed TO be best qualified 10 judge Of he
efficiency of proposed relief measures.
This plan Is TO give notice through the
American consuls to all American citi-
zens In Cuba that the. government will
undertake 70 remove them from the island
10 the United States II they so desire. To
do this VIII require action BY congress,
not necessarily specific authorization
OF the removal, but merely the limitation
OF the application TO general terms OF
one for the relief of the American citi-
zens In Cuba. A course similar 70 this
was adopted with more or less benefit
IN China during the rioting incident 10 the
Chinese japanese war snd during the
Armenian troubles. Mr.. Terrell. United
States minister. was authorized TO under
take the conveyance OF American citi-
gems to the coast cities where they might
have suitable protection
The proposition as to Cuba goes a little
further than the measures adopted in the
case of China or Turkey in that II con-
templates the removal OF the Americans
from the islands entirely. Probably the
reason for this Is the belief founded on
reports from United States Consul Gen
eral Lee and other United States consular
officers. that the war has SO thoroughly
exhausted the AGRICULTURAL resources of
the island that II will be a long time be-
fore IL VIII be again in condition 10 main
tain its population, and meanwhile the
Americans who. are dependent upon the
soil for their livelihood will suffer The
consequent suffering can be relieved by
the governments furnishing the unfor-
tunate ones with supplies and medicines
but Gen. Lee takes the view that this re-
lief must he continued probably for
long time The proposed American exodus
from Cuba must be purely voluntary. and
u is not even proposed 20 present tha al
tentative of DENYING supplies II destitute
Americans refuse 20 leave the island II
Is simply proposed "a give them an oppor-
tunlty 90 leave Il they can better their
condition in the United States II is the
belief % Gen. Lee that many persons will
avail Themselves Of such an opportunity.
and 10 IS possible that his view will Be
adopted by the president.
Figures are not obtainabIe 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 VIEWERS order
bringing them into the towns The state
department IS now In correspondence with
the consuis by telegraph seeking to get
this information as the basis for any mes
sage the president may send 70 congress
on the subject Of relief But so FAR as
officially known 20 the department, from
the reports from the corsuls made up 10
this time. the number of Americans in
this condition Is between 10 and so
In explanation OF this small number II
Is SAID that most 90 the Americans living
IN Cuba are employees in the higher
branches Of industries or professions. ard
are not actual workers Of TIE soil The
sufferers are mostly naturalized citizens.
holding small parcels OF ground upon
which they have depended heretofore for
livelihood IL II rot DOUBTED thar there
are more Of this class IN need than is now
known 60 the department.. bat IL is hored
IN the course Of a few DAYS 10 have a
fairly accurate census 90 them. Those 20
have charge Of this relief are the United
states consnis. srd Il can be stated that
the Spanish government through it's min
ister here SO far from opposing the exer-
else OF such charitable oftsces b. the con-
suis has professed it, readiness 20 assist
in every proper WAY IN the distribution Of