Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-05-17
HORRORS IN CUBA.
Report of Senate Subcommittee
Shows that Americans Are
Starving.

Washington, D. c., May 13-The Sen
ate committee on foreign relations today
had the Cuban question under considera-
ton on the basis of the report of the
subcommittee appointed yesterday to
confer with the President and Secretary
Sherman. The report was prepared by
Senators Davis and Foraker, the Re
publican members of the subcommittee.
Senator Morgan, the Democratic mem
Der, declining to participate IN 1t.
The report consisted of a concise state
ment of the contents of official reports
from American cOnsuls in Cuba, BRING
ing the information up to within week
Of the present time. This report con-
firms the newspaper reports as to the
situation of affairs in the island and
even goes farther in depicting deplor-
able situation than do most of the news
paper stories.
Americans Are Starving.
Especial stress is laid upon the condi-
ton of American citizens in the island.
Of these it is positively stated that there
are hundreds in a starving condition and
most wretchedly clothed. Deaths of
Americans from starvation are daily re-
ported. They are scattered in all parts
of the island and are shown no consld-
Grafton whatever because of their Amer
lCdu cIlIZGuSulp. 1u0y dIe SCuCldIJ PCA-
sons who reside on the plantations but
who have been driven from their homes
to the towns or concentdoes and who, be-
ing among strangers and without en-
ployment, are compelled to subsist on al
most nothing. They are not allowed to
return to their plantations even to pick
berries or to secure the least article of
subsistence
The Americans are theoretically under
the care of the Spanish army, but the
army is without commissariat. The
people have no means of leaving the isl
and. Their condition is pronounced
wholly deplorable.
Worse than imprisonment.
The committee was especially impressed
with this recital and the opinion generally
expressed that the situation should be
remedied if possible. 1t was considered
as placing even worse aspect upon the
question of our relations to Cuba than
the Imprisonment of Americans, of which
there are now comparatively few IN
stances. The report also indicates a gen
orally wretched condition of all the lnhab-
itants of the island because of the search
ty of food and money, and especially Ill
the centers of population, and because
also of the pressure of the most malig-
nant diseases, such as yellow fever, small
pox and dysentery. These diseases the
natives withstand with comparative ease,
but they are especially oppressive to the
Spanish soldiery.
The reports indicate that the Spanish
army is not so strong now as it was
year ago, largely on account of these raw
ages, while they indicate no dimlnutlOn OF
the insurgent forces.
The reports upon which the subcOm-
mittee's brief was based were from va
rious consuls, including ConsulGenera1
Lee. They made no recommendations as
to American policy but merely give the
situation as they see it.
Senator Morgan is Considerable.
In view of the developments in the
committee, Senator Morgan agreed not
to press the consideration of his resolu-
ton today but he will make an effort to
have the question made the unfinished
business Tuesday at z O'Clock.
This acquiescence on the Alabama
senator's part to temporary delay is I'M
derstood to be given under the impress
sion that it will result in bringing to the
resolution the support of the entire
committee on foreign relations. This
will, of course, materially strengthen
the resolution in the Senate and it is be-
lieved by it's friends will expedite it's
passage there
t is now probable that the committee
will not make any formal report and
that the correspondence will not be
given to the public for the present.
To Appropriate $4,000.
Senator Gallinger has introduced
Joint resolution in the Senate appropriate
ing $4,000 for the relief of suffering
Americans in Cuba. The resolution went
to the foreign relations committee.