Omaha daily bee., 1897-05-14
EXCITED OVER CUBA
Sudden and Violent Outbreak of Sentiment
Occurs at Capitol.
SPEEDY AND RADICAL ACTION IS URGED
Startling Revelations of Suffering Made by
Senate Committee.
INFORMATION FROM CONSULAR REPORTS
Many Americans in Cuba Are Said to Be
Destitute and Starving.
PRESIDENT is INVESTIGATING THE CASE
Desires to he Fully Informed Before
Making Decided Move-Spnn-
ish Legation Hears the
News UnruHied.

WASHINGTON, May 12.-There was a sud
den and violent outbreak of Cuban sentiment
today at the capitol and during the early
hours the drift OF opinion was strongly to-
ward speedy and radical action by both con-
gress and the executive, but later there was
somewhat OF reaction upon its becoming
known that the president, while keeny alive
to the situation and anxious to learn every
thing possible that could guide his conduct
of our Cuban and Spanish relations, felt that
further information was necessary and that
for tho present the question was not one OF
recognition of the bellgerency or the indie
pendence of the Cubans, but relief for the
helpless in the towns of the Queen of the
Antilles. The senate foreign relations COM
mittee 1t should be stated, while agreeing
with the necessity for relief for the suffering
Americans is favorable to more radical
measures and number of its members are
earnestly desirous of instant action by the
executive in aid of the insurgents, but have
not succeeded In converting the adminstra-
tion to their views that present action is
appropriate.
The event OF the day was report to their
colleagues by the subcommittee of the for
egn relations committee, which yesterday
examined the State department Cuban re-
ports. This report. though not given to the
public, was so far disclosed in character as
to give rise to a good deal of excited COM
ment among senators and members. The re-
port, based upon facts presented by the
United States consuls in Cuba. 1t is said,
brings out in strong relief the destitution
which exists not only among Cubans but
among the Americans and paciicos now in
the island, who were driven from their farms
and into the towns by Weyler's orders and
thereby prevented from supporting them
selves.
URGE ACTIVE STEPS
For several days past the subject matter
OF this report has been under discussion
quietly among the friends of Cuba in con-
gres and they have lost no opportunity of
tmpreSsing upon the president their convic
tions that it is his duty as the chief execu-
tive to delay no longer in taking active steps
to terminate the present condition of af-
fairs in Cuba. These representations how
ever, have not been sufficient to induce
hasty action. The president is moving stead
lily and with all speed that safety and sound
Judgment dictate.
Mr.. Calhoun is in Cuba, officially on an
other mission, but also charged with the
observation Of the conditions that prevail.
When he has reported to the president and
the latter has gathered what he regards as
sufficient store of information, based upon
facts that cannot be questioned, he will be
ready to take action himself, or suggest to
congress such action as the case warrants.
Tho best means OF affording relief to Amer
leans suffering as a result of the conditions
In the isand will be considered
Today the president by appointment
Edwin T. Atkins of Boston, who is largely
interested in Cuban sugar plantations. Mr..
Atkins in Washington on personal bus
mess, which brought him in contact with
Secretary Long an old friend. After finish
tIts.,
him to the white house ana presented him
to the president. The latter. learning that
Mr.. Atkins had just returned from Cuba,
began to chat with his visitor to the state
of affairs as they revealed themselves to
business man, and Mr.. Atkins gave him
faithful picture of the economic conditions
that prevailed in Havana and in other por-
tons OF the island when he left His story
was so interesting that the president sum
moned Judge Day, assistant secretary of
state, to the whitc house to hear it. Mr.. At
kins had very little to say about the military
situation in Cuba and what he did utter in
that connection did not indicate any leaning
on his part toward either the Spanish or the
insurgent side.
SPANISH LEGATION is COOL
At the Spanish legation the news of the
developments at the capitol today was
ceived with composure. OF course the action
of the committee could not be openly dis
cussed without violation of the etiquette
which governs the diplomatic body. but 1t
was suggested that the entire attention of
the senate for months would be engrossed
by the discussion on the tariff bill.
II Is not denied at the legation that suf-
ferng exists in Cuba. but such suffering, it
was said, is almost always incident to war.
II is cOntended that the Spanish govern
ment has done all that II could with the
means at hand TO alleviate this distress II
was pointed out that Spain has granted per-
miss ion to the Red Cross through Miss Bar
ton, to extend it's offices to the destitute
in Cuba and moreover viii not place any oh
stacles In the way OF any proper charity
IN the United States which has the same
end In view. All that 10 asked is that the
food supplies contributed for the relief of
the destitute are not used to maintain the
Cuban insurrectionary force In its resistance
TO the Spanish government.