The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-05-14
FOR RADICAL ACTION
Congress Has an Outbreak Of Cuban
Sentiment
AMERICANS ARE DESTITUTE
The Foreign Relations Committee
Makes a Startling Report. Based
on Statements OF consuls In Cu-
ba-CondItIon Of the island.

Washington. May l3.--There was
sudden and violent outbreak of Cuban
sentiment to-day at the capitol and dur
liz the early hours the drift of opinion
was strongly toward speedy and radical
action by both congress and the execu-
tive. but later there was somewhat of
reaction upon its becoming known that
the president, while keenly alive To the
situation and anxious to learn every
thing possible that could guide his con-
duct of our Cuban and spanish rela-
tions, felt that further information was
necessary and for the immediate pres
ent the question was not one of recogni-
tion OF the belligerency or independ-
ence of the Cuban insurgents. but of
relief for the American citizens desti-
tute and helpless in the towns of the
queen of the Antilees. The senate for
eign relations committee, IL should be
stated, while agreeing as to the necessi-
ty for relief OF the suffering Americans,
Is favorable TO more radical measures
and a number of it's members are earn
estly desirous Of instant action by the
executive In aid of the insurgents, but
have not succeeded In converting the
administration to their views that pres
ent action is appropriate and impera-
tive.
The event of the day was a report to
their colleagues of a subcommittee Of
the foreign relations committee which
yesterday examined the state depart
ment reports. This statement. though
not given to the public. was so far dis
! closed In character as TO give rise to
good deal OF excited comment among
senators and members. The report.
based on facts presented by United
| rla la To- l.....x
out In strong relief the destitution which
exists not only among Cubans. but
among American pacificos now in the
Island, who We're driven from their farms
and into the towns by Weyler's orders
and thereby prevented from supporting
themselves. For several days past the
I subject matter of this report has been
under discussion quietly among a few
OF the friends of Cuba in congress aud
| they have lost no opportunity of i'm
pressing upon the president their con-
victions that II Is his duty as chief ex-
etutive to delay no longer In taking ac-
tive steps To terminate the present con-
dition Of affairs in Cuba.
These representations, however. have
not been sufficient to induce hasty ac-
| tion. The president Is moving steadily
and with all speed that safety and
sound judgment warrant In the collec-
tion OF facts touching the conditions
that exist upon the island to-day. To
this end Mr.. Calhoun Is now in Cuba,
officially on another mission, but also
charged with the observation of the
conditions that prevail When he has
reported to the president and the lat
ter has gathered what he regards as a
sufficient store of Information, based
on facts that cannct be questioned, he
would be ready to take himself or rec
ommend to congress such action as
these facts warrant. Meanwhile he has
under consideration the best means Of
affording relief to Americans suffering
as result of the condition Of the island.
To-day the president saw by appoint
ment Edwin T. Atkins Of Boston. who
Is largely interested in Cuban sugar
plantations. Mr.. Atkins was in WASH
ington on personal business which
| brought him in contact with Secretary
Long. an old friend. After finishing
Mr.. Atkins business. the secretary took
him TO the white house and presented
him to the president. The latter. learn
ing that Mr.. Atkins had just returned
| from Cuba, began to chat with his Wis.,
itor as To the condition Of affairs as
| they revealed themselves to business
man. and Mr.. Atkins gave him faith
ful picture of the economic conditions
that prevailed In Havana and In other
Portions OF the island when he left His
story was so interesting that the presi-
| dent summoned Judge Day, assistant
| secretary of state. across to the white
| house to hear IT,
Mr.. Atkins had very little to say
about the military situation in Cuba,
and what he did utter I'm that connec-
ton did not indicate any leaning on his
part toward either the Spanish or the
insurgent side At the Spanish legation
the news of the developments at the
| capitol to-day was received with COM
| rosure. OF course the action of the
committee could not be openly discussed
without violation of the strict etiquette
which governs the diplomatic body in
Its relations to congress- but II was sug-
gested that the fact that the entire at
| tention OF the senate for months TO
come would be engrossed by the tariff
bill might have determined the friends
of Cuba to endeavor to secure some sort
OF action by congress before the discus
sion OF the tariff bill begins II is not
denied at the legation that suffering ex-
lists i'm Cuba. but such suffering. IL was
said, is almost always incident To war
1t is contended that the Spanish gov
ernment has done all that II could with
the means at hand to alleviate the dis
tress. IL was pointed out that Spain
| had granted permission to the Red
| Cross. through Miss Barton, to extend
its Office to the destitute I'm Cuba. and.
moreover. will not place any obstacles
In the way Of any proper charity i'm the
| United States which has the same end
In view. All that Is asked is that the
food supply contributed for the relief Of
the destitute Is not used to maintain the
Cuban insurrectionary force in their re-
| = isfa he \.