Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-13
WASHINGTON NEWS BUDGET
President Mckinley Clearly Defines
the Policy of the Administration
Regarding the Cuban Struggle.
CONFERENCE At The WHITE HOUSE
The Foreign Relations Committee OF the
Senate Holds Conference with
President Mckinley for Gen.
eral Discussion of the Gu
ban Situation.

conference was held at tne Wnlte uouSo
between President Mckinley and SEN
ators Davis, Foraker and Morgan OF the
foreign relations committee, which was
the result of decision reached by the
committee not to continue the debate in
the senate on Morgan's resolution, recog-
nizlng the belligerancy of the Oubans,
until the exact policy of the administra-
tion has been defined.
The president told the senators that
until overt acts were committed by the
Spanish, involving the lives or property
Of American citizens, the administration
would not change its existing attitude.
The president said if the official reports
of Consul General Lee and other consuls
on the island were made public, they
would inevitably provoke riot at Ha'
vana. He said he was willing to let the
foreign relations committee have all the
information in possession of the govern
meut if it would be carefully guarded.
1t is probable that no reports will ac-
tually be sent BY the committee, but the
chairman and certain members, will be
permitted to read reports on file in the
State department.
THE CUBAN SITUATION.
: President Mckinley devoted two hours
today to listening to an unofficial report
on the Cuban situation, by Edwin 7. At
kyns, of Boston, who had extensive sugar
plantations in Cuba, and who has just re-
turned from the island. Atkyns is warm
friend of Secretary Long, who accom-
panied him to the White house. The
president sent for Judge Day, assistant
secretary of state, and the distinguished
trio, for two hours, listened to Atkyns'
exposition of the Cuban situation, as in
dicated by military operation, and with
relation to American interests on the 49,
land. 1t is not known what Atkyns said
to the president, but there is reason to
believe that this representation favored
the insurgents. Atkyns during the early
part of the war, was inclined to take the
pro-Spanish aide of the controversy, but it
is asserted that he is now convinced that
the interests of the island demand the
success of the insurgents.
AssIsTANT TREASURER.
The president today nominated James
M. Sloan to be assistant treasurer at Bal
timore.
NEWSPAPER REPORTS CONFIRMED.
The senate committee on foreign rela-
tions today had the Cuban question un-
der consideration on the basis Of re-
port of the subcommittee appointed
yesterday to confer with the president
and Secretary Sherman. The report was
prepared by Senators Davis and Foraker,
Republican members, Senator Morgan
the Democratic member, declining to
participate in it. The report consisted
of q concise statement of the contents of
official reports of the American consuls in
Cuba, bringing information up to within
a week. This report confirms the news
paper reports of the situation on the
island, and even goes farther in depicting
the deplorable situation, than do most
newspaper stories. Especial stress is
laid upon the condition of American citi-
zens. II is positively stated that there
are hundreds starving, and more wretch
edly clothed. Deaths of Americans from
starvation are daily reported. They are
generally persons who reside on planta-
tlons, but who have been driven from
their homes into the towns, and being
among strangers, and without employ
ment, are compelled to subsist on almost
nothing.
They are not allowed to return to their
plantations, or even to pick berries, or
secure the least article Of subsistence.
They have no means Of leaving the
island and their condition is pronounced
wholly deplorable
Reports indicate that the Spanish army
is not so strong now az year ago, large
ly on account of the ravages of disease,
while they indicate no diminution of the
insurgent forces.
In view Of the developments in com-
mittee Senator Morgan agreed not to
press a consideration of his resolution
today, but will make an effort to have
the question made unfinished business
for Monday at 2 O'Clock.
AT 2 O'Clock Morgan's Cuban resolution
formally vent over until 2 O'Clock on
Monday, at the request of Senator Nor.
gan, and the debate on the Chapman res
oiution proceeded with the result that the
resolution finally was referred to tho
judiciary committee.
JERRY WAS MAD.
The house today Witnessed another at
tack by Mr.. Simpson Of Kansas, upon the
speakers refusal to appoint committee
aud then took up the conference report
on the Indian appropriation bill.
IMMEDIATE ACTION URGED.
The delay by the senate committee on
foreign relations In taking action until
Monday, 10 for the purpose Of giving the
president an opportunity TO act. Repre-
sentations have been made TO him that
there is necessity for immediate action.
II has also besn represented that recog-
nition ought TO be BY the executive, and
not by the legislative branch Of the gov
ernment. The president he's also been
urged to take steps for the relief OF
starving Americana IN Cuba.
II is the belief OF members of the COM
mittes that the president will act before
Monday, but II nothing is done BY that
time, there IL NO doubt that tho commit
tee will urge the Morgan resolution 10 the
strongest terms possible. Some raise q
constitutional question against IL, but
will not oppose II very hard.