The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-15
CUBAN FURRY IN CONGRESS.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS EXCITED BY
REQUEST TO ATTEND.

Chairman Hit in order That the
Republicans Might Prevent
Amendment of Resolutions to he
Called Up-The Resolutions Gail
For Information Concerning the
RecOncentradOS.
Washington, Feb. 14-There was consid-
cradle excitement among the members Of
the House before assembling to-day oW-
ing to an imperative summons sent out
late last night by one of the subordinate
officials of the House to each Republican
member impressing the urgent necessity
Of his presence at the House to-day. At
first no one seemed to know the purpose
of this rallying call, and all sorts of ru-
mors were afoat. All that was definitely
known at first was that something in re-
gard 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 was Senior Quesada
and several other Cubans connected with
the junta.
1t 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 depart
ment for general information, one OF
which related to Cuba, and the notice had
been sent out as a precautionary measure
to prevent the possible amendment Of the
resolution by the opposition, a proceeding
which would be in order il the previous
question were voted down
Immediately after the reading of the
journal, Mr.. Royce, Rep, of Indiana, pre-
scented the unanimous report of the com
mittee on elections No. 2 in the case of
Vanderbury versus Tongue, from the Sec
ond district, in favor of the sitting mem
Der, and it was adopted without division
or debate.
Mr.. Quigg, Rep, of New York member
of the foreign affairs committee, was then
recognized He first called up resolution
reported from the foreign affairs COM
mittee calling upon the Secretary of stats,
If not incompatible with public interest.
to transmit to the House the corresponds
ence relating 10 the discrimination of the
German government against the impor-
tation of American beef, fruit or horses.
1t was adopted without division.
resolution. 1t was the resolution offered
by Mr.. Williams slightly modified as fol-
lows: Resolved, By the House of Reps
resentatives, that the Secretary of state
hereby is directed, if in his opinion not in
compatible with the public interest. to in
form the House what Information il any.
has been received al the department Of
state concerning the condition of the re-
concentrates in Cuba; whether or not
hQr hoe 81 -
their estates; whether or not they or any
considerable number of them are now on
their estates; whether or not any zones
are now being cultivated by Them accord
ing to the reports received at the depart
ment of state from American consuls or
consular agents; what steps, If any, are
shown by said consular reports to have
been taken by the Spanish government for
feeding said reconcentrados or for other
wise preventing them from starving and
suffering; whether or not the Spanish gov
eminent has giver necessary military
protection to ena e mills TO grind
cane, and what process has been made in
SPANS effort to Induce the Cubans to ac-
cept autonomy.
Sec. 2. That the Secretary of State be
directed, if in his opinion not incompat1-
bic with the public interest, to send to
the House copies of all such reports from
consuls, vice consuls and commercial
agents of the United States in Cuba as
may shed light upon the subject above
referred to, and shall give information to
the House and country concerning the
condition of Cuba since the advent of the
new regime under Gen. Blanco"
Mr.. Quigg made a brief statement say
ing that in December the President had
notified the House that the. indefensible
policy of concentration in Cuba had been
abandoned by Spain in Difference to the
repeated requests of our government and
that more peaceful and humane policy
had been adopted. The object of this res
olution was simply to ascertain what had
been done and what steps had been taken
looking to the acceptance of autonomy
by the Cuban people. Three months. he
added, had elapsed since autonomy had
been promulgated.
In order 10 retain control of the floor
Mr.. Quigg asked for the previous uues-
ton. but yielded five minutes to Mr.. Dfns
more, Dem. Of Arkansas, the senior mi
nority member of the foreign affairs
committee, who said the resolution had
been unanimously reported by the COM
mittee. 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 life. The press was fun of stories
regarding the deplorable condition of the
concentrates and the suffering that Dre-
vailed In Cuba, and the country was en-
titled to the facts in order to determine
what responsibility is placed upon us to
bring about the conclusion of the war
and thus end the existing distress.
Mr.. De Almond wanted to know WHY
the words 'if any, after the words
what progress" at the end of the first
section of the original resolution bad
been stricken out. He wanted to know
why the committee conceded thar apv
progress had been made toward the 40
ceptance of autonomy by the people of
Cuba.
Mr.. Dinsmore replied that the words
stricken out did not change the sense 90
the resolution. If no progress had bean
made the state department would so re-
port.
Mr.. Terry, Dem, of Arizona, asked Mr.
Quigg If the committee on foreign AFFAIRS
had considered the De Lone incident
THAT is hardly a pertinent inolir,, -
replied Mr.. Quigg blandly
1T is a pertinent inquiry in the minds
of the American people," exclaimed Mr.
Terry. land don't you forget it,"
1T is being considered by the proner an
thorities," retorted Mr.. Quigg.
Mr.. Cooper, Rep, of Wisconsin. called