Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-05-16
RELIEF PLANS FORMULATED.
How the United States Government
viii Assist Americans

w III ACOlOE Ilu4lC
Who Are Destitute and in Want
of the Necessaries Of Life, in
Cuba, Owing to the State Of War
Existing on the Island-All Those
Who Desire 1t Will be Removed
to the United States, But Those
Wishing to Remain May Do So,
and This Government Will Aid
Them in Every Proper Manner.
The Spanish Authorities Ac-
Cu.esce in the Plan Proposed.
Washington, May 15.-In considering
ways and means of affording substan-
tial relief to such American citizens in
Cuba as are in real distress owing to
the war. the administration has hit
upon a plan which is sanctioned by the
united judgment of the United States
consular officers in Cuba, who, being
on the ground, are supposed to be best
qualified to judge of the efficiency OF
proposed relief measures.
This plan is to give notice through
| the American consuls to all American
citizens in Cuba that the government
will undertake to remove them from
the island to the United States if they
so desire.
To do so. this will require action by
/ Congress, not necessarily a speclnc au-
thorization of the removal, but merely
the limitation of the appropriation TO
the general terms of one for the relief
! of American citizens in Cuba,
A course similar to this was adopted
with more or less benefit in China dur
ing the rioting incident to the Chinese
Japanese war and during the Armenian
troubles. Mr.. Terrill, the United
States Minister. was authorized to un-
| dertake the conveyance of American
citizens to the coast cities, where they
might have suitable protection.
I The proposition as to Cuba goes a
/ little further than the measures adopted
| in the case of China or Turkey in that
| il contemplates the removal of the
| Americans from the island entirely.
Probably the reason for this is the be-
! lief. founded on reports from United
States Consul General Lee and other
/ United States consular officers, that
/ the war has so thoroughly exhausted
the agricultural resources of the island
! that it will be long time before II
will be again in condition to maintain
its population, and meanwhile the
Americans who are dependant upon the
soil for their livelihood will suffer.
The consequent suffering can be re-
| lieved by the governments furnishing
the unfortunates with supplies and
medicines. out General Lee lakes the
view that this relief must be continued
probably for a long time.
The proposed American exodus IRON
! Cuba must be purely voluntary, and II Is
not even proposed TO present the alter
native of denying supplies if destitute
Americans refuse to leave the island. Il
/ is simply proposed TO give them an oppor
! tunity TO leave the island if they oeheV'
| they can better their condition In the
United States II is the belief OF Genera
lee that many persons will avail them
selves of such an opportunity. and II Is
possible that his view will be adopted 10y
| the President.
Figures are not available as TO the mum
| ber of American citizens in Cuba who are
| I'm actual distress and in need OF food oi
| clothing. as the result Of Weyler's order
bring .ng them into towns.
The State Department is now m CORE
| spondence with its consuls by telegraph
| seeking to get this information as the basis
for any message the President may senC
| TO Congress on the subject of relief. But
| so far as officially known to the depart
uent through the reports of the consul.
made up to this time the number o'
| Americans in this condition is between lo'
and 200.
In exclamation of this small number Il
is said that most of the Americans, ma
/ tives living in Cuba are employed in the
/ higher branches of industries or profeS
sions and are not actual workers of th'
soil The sufferers are mostly naturalizeC
citizens. holding small parcels OF ground
unon which they have depended hereto
/ fore for livelihood
| II is not doubted that there are more o.
/ this class in need indH dle N'' N''O"' ~
the department, but it is hoped in th'
! course of few days to have fairly &C
curate census of them. The agencies t'
be used to relieve these people are the
United States consuls in Cuba. and it car
he stated that the Spanish government
| through its minister here. so far from OF
rosirq the exercise Of such charitable Of
! sors b,. tho conSuls. has professed its read
irese 70 assis, in every proper way in The
distribution of relief, which Is taken t'
mean that it will guarantee safe cohouc
for the Transporting parties over the ISL
!