The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-15
The House Adopts Resolution
Calling for Information.
PEOPLE GREW EXCITED
Exery Republican Notified to Be in His
Seat-But Nothing of Sensational
Character Developed and the
Resolution Passed.

by the rumor broadly circulated be-
fore the house convened that important
action relative to Cuba was to be taken.
1t turned out to be simply a resolution
of inquiry unanimously reported by the
foreign affairs committee last week,
calling on the state department for in
formation as to the condition of the
concentrates in Cuba. and the progress
made in Spains effort to induce the
Cubans TO accept autonomy. The reso-
luton was adopted without division.
Another resolution was adopted call
ing for the correspondence relating TO
the exclusion of our fruits, beef and
horses from Germany. The remainder
of the day was devoted to District of
Columbia business.
There was considerable excite
ment among the members of
the house before assembling to-
day. owing to an imperative summons
sent out late last night by one of the
subordinate officers of the house to each
republican member. impressing the urg-
ent necessity of his presence at the ses-
sion to-day. All that was definitely
known at first was that something III
regard to Cuba was to be brought up
in the house, although under the rules
this was District of Columbia day. The
galleries were crowded. Among those
in the gallery were Senior Quesada, and
several other Cubans called with the
junta. It turned out that Chairman
Hit of the foreign affairs committee
was merely to call up some resolutions
reported by his committee calling upon
the state department for general infor-
nation, one of which related to Cuba,
and the notice had been sent out as
precautionary measure to prevent the
possible defeat of the resolution by the
opposition. a proceeding which would
be in order If the previous question was
voted down.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal, Mr. Royce, rep, Ind. presented
the unanimous report of the committee
on elections No. in the case Of Van
derbury VS.. Tongue. from the second
Oregon district, in favor of the sitting
member, and 1t was adopted without
division or debate.
MIR. Quigg, rep, n. Y, member Of
the foreign affairs committee. was then
recognized. He first called up a resolu-
tion reported to the foreign affairs COM
mittee, calling upon the secretary of
state. If not incompatible with the pub
lie interest, to transmit to the house
the correspondence relating to the dis
elimination Of the German government
against the importation of American
beef. fruit and horses. It was adopted
without division.
Mr.. Quigg followed this with the Gu
ban resolution. 1t was the resolution
offered by Mr.. Williams. slightly m9dl-
fled as follows:
Resolved, BY the house of represen-
tatives that the secretary of state be,
and he hereby is directed, IL not in MS
opinion incompatible with the public
interest, to inform the house what in
formation, if any. has been received at
the department of state concerning the
present condition of the reconeentradoes
in Cuba: whether or not they have been
permitted to return to their estates:
whether or not they or any considerable
number of them are now on their eS-
tates: whether or not any zones or CON
siderable parts of zones are now being
cultivated by them according to the re-
ports received at the department of
state from American consuls or consul
lar agents; and what steps, If any, are
shown by said consular reports to have
been taken by the Spanish government
for feeding said reconcentradoes or for
otherwise preventing them from starN-
ing and suffering: whether or not the
Spanish government has given the
necessary military protection to enable
the mills to grind cane and what prog
ress has been made in Spains effort to
induce the Cubans 10 accept autonomy.
section 2-That the secretary of state
be directed, If IN his opinion it Is in
compatible with the publG interest. 10
send TO the house copies of all such re-
ports from consuls. vice eonsuls and
commercial agents of the United States
in Cuba as may shed light upon the
subjects above referred to and as shall
give information to the house and coun-
try concerning the condition of Cuba
since the advent of the regime under
General Blanco.'
Mr.. Quigg made a brief statement
saying that in December the president
had notified the house that the inde-
fensible policy of concentration in Cuba
had been abandoned by Spain in refer
ence To the repeated requests Of our
government. and that a more peaceful
and humane policy had been adopted
The object Of the resolution was simply
TO ascertain what had been done and
what steps had been taken towards the
acceptance of autonomy by the Cuban
people. Three months, he added. have
elapsed since autonomy had been pro-
mugated.
In order to retain control of the floor,
MIR. Quigg asked the previous questions.
but yielded five minutes IL Mr.. Dins-
more. dem, Ark. the senior minority
member of the foreign affairs commit
tee. who said the resolution had been
unanimously reported by the commit
Tee. Its purpose was to put the house
and the country in the possession Of the
real facts concerning the condition Of
the people of Cuba both in military
and private Ife The press was full
Of stories regarding the deplorable con-
ditlon Of the concentrates and the SUI
ferlng that prevailed in Cuba, and the
country was entitled e the facts In or
der 10 determine what responSI biltty was
placed upon us 10 bring about the con-
clusion of the war and thus end the eX-
isting distress.
MIR De Almond wanted 10 know why
the words IF any" after the words
what progress Mt the end of the first
section of the original resolution had
been stricken out lie wanted 10 know
why the committee conceded that amy
progress had been made toward the ae-
eeptance Of autonomy by the people of
Cuba
Mr.. Dnsmere replied that the words
stricken CUT did NOT chang the sense
| = the resolution. Ii no progress had