The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-14
Hundreds of Citizens OF the United
states Reported to BE Starving in
the War-Rent Island.
M'KINLEY NOT READY TO ACT
WILL AWAIT THE REPORT OF SPE-
CIAL COMMISSIONERS CALHOUN.
Senate May Pass Morgan's BeIIigeren-
cy Resolution, but the House
VIII BE in No Hurry.
srecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Sreeia to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May 13.-After month
of repose the Cuban question has again
been forced into the foreground, and threat
ems to divide attention with the tariff and
possible Sugar Trust scandal. The issue is
not yet a burning one, but the diplomatic
situation is delicate and the prospects are
squally. The Senate committee Oh foreign
relations has been putting in most of the
time during the last twenty-four hours
going through reports as to the status of
affairs in Cuba, turned over to it by the
State Department. 1t held a session last
night at the residence of Secretary Sher-
man and another one to-day at the Capitol,
lasting two hours, and there was, besides,
a White House conference.
The facts officially brought to the atten-
ton of the Senate committee are of such
startling character that it may yet be de-
cded to withhold them from the public on
the theory that if the sensational truth
should be given out the lives of thousands
of Americans in Cuba and millions of dol
lars of American interests would be in the
forfeit. The general view of the commit
tee, as expressed by several of it's MEM
bers, is that a very delicate situation has
been uncovered by the disclosures of the
State Department, and tnat common pru-
dence dictates extreme caution in its ham
ding. The Chapman resolution had the
right of way in the Senate early to-day,
displacing Cuba, but interest is, neverthe-
less, focusing on that issue, and suggestive
hints from the inside foreshadow significant
and vital congressional action in the prem
ises next week. Present indications point
to the adoption of the Morgan belligerency
resolution by the Senate, and speculation is
turning on the probable action of the
House If the House organization favors
the resolution House action thereon can be
secured; if not, then it will be put to sleep
by reference to a committee to be appointed
at some indefinite future date.
HOUSE WILL NOT ACT HASTILY.
1t can be stated on the very highest
House authority that no programme has
been framed by the House leaders, and that
they are awaiting a hint from the White
House before deciding. 1t is an almost for
gotten fact that Congress passed concur
rent resolutions about year ago practi-
l4ss~ittesftieal IN language and spirit with
the Morgan resolution. This was the prod
uct of the House committee on foreign
affairs, and was pigeonholed by President
Cleveland The Morgan resolution is
joint" and if it should reach the Presi-
dent he would have to veto or sign. Wheth-
er he is desirous or willing to take that
responsibility until he hears from Special
Envoy Calhoun is a point that House and
Senate leaders are awaiting authoritative
information about The fact that the State
Department has turned highly infiamma-
tory information of a confidential sort over
to the Senate committee is commonly ac-
cepted as indicative Of willingness on the
part of the executive to take sharp action,
but it is not conclusive. The Cuban resolu-
tions will go over to give the committee
time to form an intelligent plan with White
House concurrence If the talk should
break out spontaneously on the subject
nothing will be allowed to come of it until
the finish can be fully and concertedly
agreed on.
The President is moving steadily and with
all speed that safety and sound judgment
warrant in the collection of facts touching
the conditions that exist in Cuba. To this
end Mr. Calhoun is now in Cuba, officially
on another mission, but also charged with
the observation of the conditions that pre-
vail. When he mas reported to the Presi-
dent and the latter has gathered what he
regards as a sufficient store of lnforma-
ton, based on facts that cannot be ques-
toned, he will be ready either to take him
self or to suggest to Congress such action
as these facts warrant. Meanwhile ne mas
under earnest consideration the best means
of affording relief to Americans suffering
as a result of the conditions on the island.
PRESIDENT GETS INFORMATION.
To-day the President saw by appointment
Mr. Edwin T. Atkins, of Boston, who is
largely interested in Cuban sugar planta-
t,, T,rI,;,,
personal business which brought him in
contact with Secretary Long, an old friend.
To further Mr. Atkinss business, the secre-
tary took him to the White House and pre-
sented him to the President. The latter,
learning that Mr.. Atkins had just returned
from Cuba, began to chat with his visitor
as to the state of affairs as they revealed
themselves to a business man, and Mr.. At
llins gave him faithful 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 President 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 situa-
ton in Cuba and what he did utter in that
connection did not indicate any leaning on
his part either to the Spanish or the in
surgent side.
AT the Spanish legation the news of the
developnients at the Capitol to-day was re-
cefved with composure. Of course the ac-
tiOn 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 it
was suggested that the fact that the entire
attention of the Senate for months to come
would be engrossed by the tariff bill might
have determined the friends of the Cubans
TO endeavor to secure some sort Of action
v.Congress before the tariff debate begins.
IT is not denied at the legation that suffer
ing exists in Cuba, but such suffering, it
was said is almost always incident to war
It is contended that the Spanish govern
ment has done all that it could, with the
means at hand to alleviate this distress. 1t
was pointed out that Spain has granted per-
mission to the Red Cross through Miss
Barton. to extend it's good offices to the
destitute in Cuba, and moreover, will not
place any obstacles in the way of any
proper charity in the United States which
has the same end in view. All that is
asked is that the food supplies contributed
for the relief of the destitute are not used
to maintain the Cuban insurrectlonary