The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-15
BURNING CUBAN QUESTION.
The President Cables COnSulS 10 the
Island for Full Reports
CONCERNING THE PRESENT SITUATION
A Message viii Probably be Sent 10 Con-
gress. but 1t VIII be Pacfio in Its Tone
and Deal Only With the Needs Of
Americans In Cuba.

WASHINGTON, D. c. May 4.-Presi-
dent Mckinley has under earnest con-
sideration the advisability Of sending a
message to Congress next week on the
Cuban question, but has not yet come
10 a decision In the matter. The message
If # goes I'm. will be entirely pacific in
tone. and, it can be stated on good au-
thority. will not be Of a warlike tenor.
In order to have the facts on which to
base n message. Mr.. Mckinley has had
cableerams sent to every consular officer
I'm cuba. asking each Of them to give
exact information as TO the status OF af-
fairs I'm his district. and to telegraph re-
plies at once. il was understood to-day
by some members Of the Senate Com
mittee on Foreign Relations that this
information would, no coubt. be COM
municated 10 the Senate but whether IT
would be accompanied by message re-
commencing action, was yet a matter Oh
doubt.
CABINET CONSIDERS CUBA.
The meeting Of the Cabinet to-day was
devoted almost entirely 10 the consla-
Grafton of the Cuban situation. Inc
meeting occurred an hour carrier IMAM
usual owing TO the importance OF lhe
question To be discussed. and the iact
that tho President and Cabinet We're leaN-
inc for Philadelphia at 1.45. The Cabinet
discussion of the Cuban situation to-day
was upon the advisability of asking Con-
eress TO provide immediate relief TO the
Americans. who are. according To the re-
ports received from COnsul-Generm Lee,
nonned up i'm tho cities, and ODD aclui
danger of starvation. IL had no bearing
upon the policy OF the administration TO-
ward Spain or the Cuban insurgents 'A-
cept incidentally but dealt win lne oi-
rect question of relieving destitute AmeIl-
cans on the island.
Secretary sherman laid before the 'dni
net some most important documents re-
carling the situation and before ihe
meeting was over Judge Day Assistant
Secretary Of state personally took 10 ihe
White House some additional papers Tor
which the Secretary had sent hNeiy
phase Of the matter WAS discussed. lh'
adivieibilitv Of asking congress lot aH
appropriation Spain's attitude, tne melN-
DDS of distributing relief ana the neces-
eifv or advisahilitv of having Wdrsnlp
accompany food supplies. But the hnal
discussion Of the question was postponed
untU Cousul-Genoral Lee and other Anne
rican Consuls in Cuba and probably Mr.
Calhoun make their reports by cable 10
the department. They have been request
ed to cable the latest facts rs 10 the eN-
listing situation. These reports viii DE
here probably when the President and
Cabinet return tomorrow night
10 seems extremely probable now that
a message will be sent TO Congress but
hardly before Tuesday as there would
be no time 90 prepare ii before that DAY
unless Mr. Mckinley devoted Sunday TO
the task.
SPANS POSITION.
The Spanish Minister. Dupuy Dc Lome'
called at the State Department shortly
before noon to-day and conferred toI
some time with Assistant Secretary Day
relative 10 the reported intention of bis
government 10 send relief TO American
sufferers in cuba. TIE Minister gave ass
suranco that the Spluish government
would Boz in entire sympathy with amy
benevolent movement and would lena
every assistance to 10.
The Spanish minister does not question
tho existence ol misery and suffering IN
the island. hut declares that 10 is surh as
only accompanies insurrcciion ana ""r'
heightened boo this case hv the disease
pcruliar Co low tropical countries. III is
cd for months and have been well known.
AS to the severity of the suffering Do ls
eaid that it consists mainly I'm the lack oi
a0,0uatc food medicine. ami nursing for
tho sick and destitute. The conference
lasted for over am hour and was confined
entirely 10 q discussion OF relief measures.
No objection was made on behalf of the
Snauish government 90 the supply of
food medicine and clothing 90 the dis
tresscd Americans IN Cuba but Do was
clearly understood that the relief is TO Or
extended only 60 American cinzehs
through agencies not yct decided upon
The Spanish authorities have not record
cd any objection on their part to agent
distribution. provided this is not carried
to The extent of provisioning the insur-
gent forces in their resistance 20 spain
ON this point DO can Dee stated positively
that 10 is the present idca of the admin
ietration that u will have fulfilled all oi
-. rronor functions when 30 has cared for
its own citizens. Attention was c"ieo
bv the Spanish Minister % the laCl lh'l
The Rcd Cross bad been given lul per
mission to operate in cuba. ana tnat DID
the distribution Of IT'S charitable oiilces
the society makes uO distinction in nae
tioralities So that the distressed Span
lard. Cuban. or American might WIN
equal right claim its bounty.
sENATEs PROBABLY ACTION.
Tho fact that the Senate was not i'm ses-
sion to-day. and that compatatiVely
few Senators were at the Capitol had
"a ouletine effect upon the situation in
regard 10 Cuban affairs. There was sun.
however much interest i'm the course
that the matter may take ON Monday.
Senator Morgan SAID to-day that the
message Of the President If it should
appiv only 10 relief measures in the way
of food and clothing. would not cause
him 10 dovate from his purpose of press
ING his resolution for the recognition Of
"a state of war. as he had given notice
he would do before 30 was assumed the
President would send i'm such message.
The friends OF the Morgan resolution
will NOT anfHgOniZr measures contem-
Mating the temporary relief. but they are
not disposed TO accept such measures i'm
rlace of "A more general and far-reachins
declaration The opposition also proba-
blv will scQuicsce i'm resolution appro-
priating money TO relieve immediate
wants
Senator Hale. who is generally rec
oenized as the leader of the opposition
TO all measures looking TO a general de-
claratiOn i'm the Cuban interest, is absent
from the city, but Senator White. who
also opposes such measures as a rule.
said to-day that while there We're obiec-
lions 10 extending our charities 10 such
an extent. he would be disposed TO offer
no opposition 10 such measure. Some
of the pro Cuhans take the position that
any supplies sent TO Cuba would merely
of1 tho guquish as they would urqeff-