The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-14


han insurrectionars force in their resist
ance 20 the Spanish government
Americans Die Every Day.
The senate committee on foreign rela-
tons today had the Cuban question under
consideration on the basis Of a report Of
the subcommittee appointed yesterday 10
confer with the president and Secretary
sherman. The report was prepared by
Davis and Foraker. Republican members.
Morgan the Democratic member. declin-
ing 10 participate in IL. The report con-
sisted OF concise statement OF the con-
tents Of Official reports from American
consuls in Cuba. bringing information up
TO within a week. This report confirms
the newspaper reports as 20 the situation
IN 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 cit
izens. II is positively stated that hun
dreds are in a starving condition and
wretchediy clothed. Deaths OF American
citizens from starvation are daily report
ed. Americans are scattered in all parts
of the island. and are shown no consid-
eration whatever because of their Amer
lean citizenship.
The Americans are generally persons
who reside on the plantations. but who
have been driven from their homes 10 the
towns. and who. being among strangers
and without employment. are compelled
10 snnsist on almost nothing. They are
not allowed to return to their planta-
mons. oven 20 pick berries or 10 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 deplorahle.
The committee was especially impress
ed with the recital and the opinion gen.
erally expressed that the situation should
be remedied. IL possible. II was con-
sidered as placing even a worse aspect
upon the question of our relations TO
Cuba than the imprisonment of Ameri-
cans. OF which there are now compare
lively few instances.
The report also indicates n generally
wretehed condition of all the inhabitants
OF the island because OF the scarcity Of
food and money, especially in the centers
OF population. and because also of the
presence OF the most malignant diseases.
such as yellow fever. smallpox and dysen-
terry. These diseases the natives with
stand with comparative ease but they
are especially oppressive 10 the spanish
soldiery The reports indicate that :he
Spanish army Is not so strong now as
II was a year ago largely on account of
these ravages, while they indicate no
The reports upon which the suh-commit-
tees brief was based were from various
consuls. including Consul-Generai Lee.
They make no recommendations as TO
American policy. but merely give the situ-
alton as they see 1t.
senate to Act Next Monday.
In view of the developments in the COM
mittee Senator Morgan agreed not TO
press the consideration of his resolution
today. but he will make an effort to have
the question made the unfinished business
Monday at o'clock. This acduescence
on the Alabama senator's part to tempo
rary delay Is understood TO he given under
the impression that Ii Will result In bring
ing TO the resolution the support OF the
entire committee on foreign relations This
viii. OF course. materially strengthen the
resolution In the senate. and II Is believed
by its friends will expedite its passage
there.
1t is now probable that the committee
Will not make any formal report. and that
the correspondence will not be given 10 the
public for the present.
Warship Needed mt Havana.
In the senate today Gallinger introduced
resolution for the appropriation Of 49,
600 for the relief of suffering Americans In
Cuba. The resolution went TO the COM
mittee on foreign relations.
Speaking OF his resolution TOT an appfo-
priation for the American people of Cuba.
Senator Gaiiinger said
Il am informed that American citizens
are starving in Cuba. A gentleman who
recently came from Cuba told me that
such was the fact l am informed that
reports In the state department corrobo-
rate the statement. The picture drawn of
distress is most narrowing. These reports
contain names that are not Spanish, but
American, so that there can be no doubt
of the correctness OF the reports. I am of
the opinion that while we arc sending aid
10 India and TO people who are I'm a starv-
Ing condition on the Mississippi, II would
be well TO pay some attention to the
American citizens who are starving in
Cuba. / asked TO have the resolution re-
ferred TO the foreign relations committee
for such action as IL may deem best TO
take
There is some talk about sending a
naval vessel TO Cuba. VIII you add such
a provision as an amendment to your reso-
iutlon?" was asked.
II may do so" responded Senator Gal
linger
sit seems to me that IL would be well
10 have an American warship in Havana
TO back UP the demands OF the American
consul and 10 extend relief 10 American
citizens who are In need of IT,"