The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-16
SUFFERING OF AMERICANS.
A Plan for the Relief Of Those Who
Ire Starving in Cuba.
4 MESSAGE TO Be SENT TO CONGRESS
By the President Suggesting That an Ap-
propriation be Made to Remove All
Americans Who Desire IL From
Cuba 10 the United states.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE definite
announcement was made at the capitol
to-day that "a message on the Cuban sit
uatiOn Will Doe sent 10 Congress by the
President next Monday. IL Will deal spe-
ciHcauy with the question Of the depri-
Vations to Whicn American citizens are
subjected iu cuba. and it Will recon-
mend am apurourlauon for their relief.
ia considering ways and means OK atord-
ing substantial relief % American cll-
zens in cuba who arc in distress OWING
10 the war. the Administration has "A
plan which may De put iu operation IL
it lis sanctioned by the judgment Of the
United states consular officers ln cuba,
who. being on tle ground. are supposed
10 be best quaLlei 10 judge Of the eI-
hcincy of proposed relief measures.
This plan ls 10 give notice through tne
American c0usuls 90 au American citi-
zcns BOO Cuba that the Government VAL
undertake co. remove them from the Island
10 the United States if they SO desire. To
do this VIII require action by Congress
not necessarily in speclnc authorization
of the removal. but merely the limitation
of the apnrOpri ton 10 the general terms
of one for relief ol American citizens IN
Cuba.
a s.4NIINI pam f.'" f'.tfif."" W-~++ t'H--
fit in China during the r0ting incident
TO the Chinese-Japlnese war and during
the Armenian troubles in Turkey.
RESOURCES EXHAUSTED.
The reason for this Is the belief founded
on reports from United states Consul
General Lee and other United States
consular officers that the war has so
thorouehlv exhausted the agricultural re-
e1urces of the island that 10 viii be
,sng time before DO would be again in con-
diuon TO maintain its population. The
proDosed American exodus from Cuba
must be purely voluntary and IL is not
even proposed 10 present the alternative
Of denvin, supplies n destitute Ameri-
cans refuse 10 leave the island. IL is the
belief of General Lee that many persons
will avail thems Ives Of such an oppor-
tunity.
$50 TAR as officially known 10 the De-
partmeut through tne reports Of the ccn-
suis made un t0 This time the number Of
Americans I'm ibis condition is between
150 and s09 An explanation OF this small
number ritissoid is That most of the Amer
lean natives living in Cuba are employed
FIN the higher branches OF industries or
professions. and are not actual workers
OF the soil. The sufferers are mostly
naturaliZed citz .n7' hoiu4hB smdl pdlctlS
of ground on which they have depended
heretofore for livelihood. IL is not doubt
ed that there arc more Of this class In
mood than IS known 10 the government.
but il Is hoped On the course OF a few days
10 have a census of them The agencies
to be used 20 relieve these people are the
United states consuls IN cuba and the
Spanish government, through its minis
ter here. and IL has professed readiness
10 assist I'm the distribution Of relief.
ABSOLUTE STARVATION.
All the information which the State Dc
partment Is receiving from Official and
unofHrial sources confirms the published
rcnorts Of the dcstitution existing in Cuba
among those WHO are pcnncd up I'M the
towns. Absolute starvation is threaten
ed owing 10 the lack OF food supplies.
The reports also confirm the statements
that many OF the sufferers are American