Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-14
insurrectionary forces in their
ance to the Spanish governmer %

tiOn under cOnsiderat' ne basis
Of the report of the\ fmittee ap-
pointed yesterday to\ ler with the
President and Secretary Sherman. The
report was prepared by Senators Davis
and Foraker, the Republican members
of the subcommittee, Senator Morgan,
the Democratic member, declining TO
participate in it. The report consisted
of a concise statement of the contents
of official reports from American con-
sUlS in Cuba, bringing the information
UP to within a week of the present
time. This report confirms the news
paper reports as to the situation Of af-
fairs in the island and even goes far
ther in depicting deplorable situation
than do most of the newspaper stories.
Especial stress is laid upon the condi-
tiOn Of American citizens in the island
OF these it is positively stated that there
are hundreds in a starving condition
and most wretchedly clothed. Deaths
Of Americans from starvation are daily
reported. They are scattered in all
parts of the island and are shown no
consideration whatever because of their
American citizenship. They are gen.
orally persons who reside on the planta
tiOns, but who have been driven from
their homes TO the towns or concen-
trades and who, being among strangers,
and without employment, are compelled
TO subsist on almost nothing. They are
not allowed TO return to their planta-
tiOns even TO pick berries or TO secure
the least article of subsistence. They
are theoretically under the care of the
Spanish army, but the army is without a
commissariat. They have no means Of
leaving the island. Their condition is
pronounced wholly deplOrable.
The committee was especially i'm
pressed with this recital and the opin-
ion generally expressed that the situa-
tion should be remedied if possible. 1t
was considered as placing even worse
aspect upon the question of our rela-
lions TO Cuba than the Imprisonment
Of Americans, of which there are now
comparatively few instances. The re-
port also indicates a generally wretch
ed condition of all the inhabitants of
the island because of the scarcity Of
food and money, especially in the cen
ters of population and because also of
eases, such as yellow fever, small poX
and dysentery. These diseases the ma
tives withstand with comparative ease,
but they are especially oppressive to the
Spanish soldiery.
The reports indicate that the Spanish
army is not so strong now as it was a
year ago. largely on account of these
ravages. while they indicate no dimuni-
tiOn of the insurgent forces.
The reports upon which the sub-cOm-
mittee's brief was based were from
various consuls. including Consul Gen.
eral Lee. They make no recommended
tions as to American policy, but merely
give the situation as they see it.
In view of the developments in the
committee. Senator Morgan agreed not
to press the consideration of his reso-
luton to-day. but he will make an ef-
fort TO have the question made the un-
finished business Monday at , o'clock.
This asquiescence on the Alabama
Senator's part to temporary delay is
understood to be given under the i'm
preston that il will result in bringing
10 the resolution support Of the entire
Committee on Foreign Relations. This
will. Of course. materially strengthen
the resolution in the Senate, and it is
believed by its friends will expedite its
passage there.
1t is now probable the committee will
not make any formal report and that
the correspondence will not be given
TO the public for the present.
NTonb=rs Of the foreign relations COM
uitlee have recommended 70 the President
that If necessary TO secure the landing Of
food and clothing necessary 10 relieve the
wants Of Americans. they should be ac-
companied by an American warship. The
President has listened to this advice but
has not indicated his action upon it.
The committee has a list Of heads Of
families representing over 100 Americans
who are said to be in a starving cOndi-
ton. They are represented TO be cor
ralsd" in towns and unable to get out for
food even if they had the means TO pro-
cure II. The correspondence represents
that there are thousands of Cubans in this
condition.
Representative Castle of California, to-
day introduced a joint resolution for the
recognition of the belligerent rights of all
oppressed people struggling for liberty.
Senator GaIlinger introduced a joint res
oluton in the Senate appropriating $4,000
for the relief of suffering Americans in
cuba. The resolution went to the foreign
relations committee.