Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-22
OCCUPIED WITH CUBA
The President Continues to Study
the Situation.
CONFERENCES At THE WHITE HOUSE
Assurance of Executive Action in a
Few Weeks.
REPORT OF MR.. CALHOUN


The President continues to occupy him
self with the Cuban situation. This morn
ing he had conference with Senator Bur-
rows, who is known to be cognizant of the
Presidents plans in regard to Cuba and
to indorse them. From the White House
Senator Burrows went to the State Depart
ment. After receiving several callers Sec
retary Alger and Senator Hanna were with
the President a Ions time. 1t is not known
that their visit had any connection with
the Cuban question. but they we're fol-
lowed by Secretary Bliss and Judge Day.
Secretary Bliss informed the President that
the report of the forestry commssi IN would
be ready to go to Congress Monday. 1t
will be sent through the President.
After Messrs. Bliss, Alger and Hanna
had gone Judge Day remained with the
President some time. They talked over
some papers which the assistant secretary
of state carried to the White House with
him. The fact that Judge Day Is thought
tc be in charge of Cuban matters lends
color TO the belief that his frequent con-
situations with the Presiden, are on this
subject.
Action in a Few Weeks.
These events, together with the confer
ence today of Speaker Reed and Secretary
Sherman, strengthen what has been shown
in The Star-that the President is rapidly
approaching the action which is promised
from him. Members of the House who
were at the White House today and yester-
day assert positively that they have re-
ceived assurances that the President will
act il. d few weeks. They regard this as
promise in good faith to be carried out,
and TN no way look upon 1t as ruse to
prevent action by the House On the Senate
resolution.
Some of these members are fretting un-
der the delay. The trip 10 be made to
Nashville next week is regarded in some
quarters with suspicion, tending to hold
the House off, 1t is at least considered
fortunate for the plans of the administra-
ton Speaker Reed has had no conference
with the President up TO this time, as has
been stated. The administration. however,
feels that he will be able to delay action
until the proper time.
A close friend OF the President said at
the White House today that the alleged
Cffer TO allow the Cubans to purchase their
independence would not be the culmina ton
OF the action which is TO be taken. 1t is
asserted in newspaper article that an
oher of mediation on the part of this coun-
try has already been made and rejected
by Spain. an intiHiatIon that Spain may
have rejected a suggestion that the Cubans
be allowed to purchase their freedom. 1t is
cerled that this has taken place.
Mr. CaIhoun's Report.
To set at rest the common expect alton
that more or less sensational report upon
the situation in Cuba is looked for any day
by the President, il may be stated that it
is part of the unders taniing under which
Mr.. Calhoun went to Havana that he is
not to make report by mail or telegraph,
or, indeed. at all, unless absolutely neces-
sary, until he returns to Washington. and
even then his observations may be COM
municatsd TO the President verbally and
not in an official FORM for it is stated that
Mr. Calhoun's only official duty is an in
vestigation of the Ruiz case.
The Speaker Sees Secretary Sherman.
Speaker Reed conferred for some time
with Secretary Sherman. presumably
touching the legislative prospects of the
Morgan belligerency resolution.
The stormy events at Madrid yesterday
have not escaped observation, and there is
come apprehension of reflex action in Cuba.
Will Wait on the Administration.
The House of Representatives will act on
the Cuban resolution when the administra-
tion Is ready for such action, and not be-
fore This is the determine ton of the
leaders. and the power exists to enforce
authority in the House. Probably the
democrats will make an effort to have the
Morgan resolutions considered Monday but
there is no chance of its amounting to
The purpose OF the leaders of the House
Is to act with the administration in this
matter. and not to permit sentiment to In
terfere with their plans. Many members
OF the majority side of the House are in
favor of immediate recognition of Cuban
Deliigerency, and some of them are cx-
tTemely impatient Talk of trying to force
action by calling for a republican caucus
is being INDUCED in.
There is no prospect. however. that any
thing will come of tiis. II does not seem
POSSIBLE that anything favorable to the
resolution passed by the Senate could be
accomplished in such caucus and there
Is nothing to warrant the belief that any
considerable number of republican repre-
sentatIves could be induced to actively op-
pose both their leaders In the House and
the President.
Moreover. the expectation that the Presi-
dent Will soon take definite action in the
CUBAN matter Is enough to restrain most
or the Cuban sympathizers among the re-
pubncans IN the House. and to relieve them
from the desire to have a chance for a
vote at once.
Probably 1000 Destitute Amer,cou.
Secretary Sherman this morning received
cable message from Consul General Lee
at Havana acknowledging the receipt of
instructions to draw upon the State Depart
ment for Sl0.oOO for the relief of America ms
In distress in Cuba, and saying that he had
already acted in accordance Herewith
In addition. he stated that the number of
destitute Americans will probably reach
1.1o. The consul at Matanzas has re-
ported 20 destitute. and the consul at Sa-
qua 4D. He estimates that the reports
from the lesser points will swell the num-
Der to Zoo.
An Arrested American Freed.
Consul General Lee has Informed the
Department of State that Fernando Gown
naturaHzed American citizen, arrested In
Cuoa, has been released from custody on
ms promise - leave the island.
OKLAHOMA AND STATEHOOD.
Proposed To Unite With the Indian
Territory.