The herald., 1897-05-16
THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
MAKES REPORT ON THE GEN.
ERAL CONDITIONS
Calhoun Is Not Ready to Advise the
Sending Of Relief to Destitute
American Citizens
Associated Press Special wire.

Cuba, has sent in his first report, no
on the Ruiz case, which it was sait
would occupy his whole attention, bu
upon the affairs of the island. Th'
World dispatch says:
In his preliminary report, received b!
the state department today/Mr. Cal
houn says: II, of course, have not had
time to make thorough investigation
but the information obtained warrants
me in saying that affairs in the island
ports you have received regarding the
destitute condition of American citizens
are by no means exaggerated. But
am not prepared to advise immediate
relief as the means OF distribution are
doubtful. Will communicate later"
This dispatch was hurriedly trans
lated and forwarded to the president a:
Philadelphia. Abstracts were also sent
of similar telegraphic reports made by
all the consular representatives in Gu
ba..
Consul General Lee, in cablegram
received last night, but which was today
forwarded in brief to the president, re-
iterated his former declarations on the
destitution and suffering in Cuba He
expressed the firm conviction that un-
less prompt relief be afforded, many
American citizens must necessarily die
from starvation.
The indictment against Weyler was
strengthened today by another report
from Consul General Lee and from spe-
to1 fo1 Dab of
Segua, Consul Brice at Matanzas and
at Santiago. The only consul whEse re-
ports differ from the others is Owen
McGarr at Cienfuegos.
SPAIN is ANXIOUS
NEW YORK, May 15-A special to
the World from Havana says:
The Spanish officials at the palace
are much concerned over the .rumors
Of the forthcoming message from Pres
ident Mckinley.
Orders have been issued, it is said.
that all Americans be treated with the
utmost "gentleness' hereafter, so that
there may be no possible cause for COM
plant. 1t is understood that the Ameri-
cans confined in Havana prisons have
been moved to new cells and are given
had before.
La Lucha was warned yesterday that
aything regarding the attitude of the
administration at Washington should
not be printed, as it was feared the in
surgents would be encouraged thereby
EDITORIAL ADVICE
MADRID, May 15.-The Heraldo, re-
ferring to the possible action of the
United States fl. the relief of Ameri-
cans in Cuba, says: THE Spanish gov
ernment will have universal opinion on
its side if it acts with energy in repell-
ing American interference in our af-
fairs, but this opinion will be hostile
unless the government ceases making
concessions. These display weakness.
If they do not increase the difficulty of
solving the question. They certainly do
not improve the situation in Cuba"
NO ONE KNOWS WHY
NEW YORK, May 15-Orders have
been sent to Rear Admiral Montgomery
Sicard to have his flagship, the New
York, made ready to go to sea from New
York at moments warning, according
to Washington dispatch to the Herald
She Is to fill UP with coal to her full ca
pacity
The haste with which she is to prepare
for sea may be judged from the fact that
although she needs only about 40 tons
to fill her bunkers to their full capacity,
this amount of fuel will be hurried on
board today and tomorrow.
The New York's engines have been
taken apart, and she is undergoing
general overhauling of her motive ma
chinery at her moorings off Tompkins-
vile, Staten Island, but the engineering
force of the cruiser is doubtless already
at work putting the engines together,
and it is, said she will be ready for sea
by Monday next.
Concerning the hagship's destination.
nothing can be learned at the Navy De-
but that it's departure from
port has any bearing on the Cuban
cause is denied by the Secretary. 1t does
not seem possible that recent routing or
ders regarding target practice cover the
case of the New York. Not only would
there be no haste in getting her ready
for sea if target practice and gun exer-
else were all that is intended, but there
would be no necessity for filling up her
coal bunkers. With about HOO tons al
ready stored, the cruiser could remain
at sea couple of weeks without run
ming short of fuel. The rush to get the
remainder of her coal on board indicates
a long voyage. 1t has been suggested
that Consul General Lee has renewed
his request that a naval force be kept
within a short distance of Havana for
the protection of American citizens in
that city against mob violence. There
Is no confederation of this theory. but the
belief is strong among navy officers that
the New York is to be held in complete
readiness TO go to Key West at a mo-
ment's warning.
NEWS FROM CUBA.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, May 15.-The
President received from Secretary of
State Sherman at Washington this morn
Ing abstracts of kilograms and letters
from Cuba, said to relate largely to the
distress and destitution existing on the
Island. 1t is stated that they confirm
IN a great measure the information
hitherto received by the President. 1t
is believed message, giving the views
Of the President on the situation, will
be cent to Congress early next week. 1t
it stated positively, however, that such
me ssage is not yet prepared.
~
A Trust Hard Hit
CHICAGO, May 15.-Judge Gibbons