Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-15

WASHINGTON. D.. c.. February IA
Considerable unnecessary excitement was
caused among The members Of the House
today by a runor broadly circulated be-
fore The House convened that important
..ton relative TO Cuba was TO be taken.
j. turned out 70 be simply the resolution
0f inquiry unanimously reported by the
Foreign Affairs Committee last week,
calling on the State Department for in
formation as 10 1he condition of the re-
c.lcentradoes in Cuba n the progress
made in SPANS efforts TO induce the
C.aaus TO accept autonomy. The resolu-
a was adopted without division.
smother resolution was adopted. calling
f- the correspondence relative 10 the ex-
o Jon Of our fruits. beef. and horses
f-om Germany.
Iae remainder or the day was devoted
to District OF Columbia business.
soon after the reading Of the journal.
lr Quigg Republican, Of New York, a
member of the Foreign Affairs Commit
t... called mp the resolution reported from
a. committee, calling upon the Secre-
lrr N state. If not Incompatible with
fhe public interest. 10 transmit TO the
H-ls. the correspondence relating 10 the
Elimination OF The German Govern
u.rt against the importation OF Amerl-
can beef. fruit. and horses. IL was adopt
Ell without division.
Nr Quigg followed this with the Cuban
r|a..IutiOn. II was the resolution offered
hr SIR. Williams, slightly modified, as
follows:
Resolved. by the House Of Represen-
tatIsrs. That the Secretary Of State be,
.nd n- hereby is directed, If IN his opinion
not iucOmpatible with the public interest.
t. inform the House what information,
any,. has been received at the Depart
ufut ~ State. concerning the present
condition OF the commentaries in cuba;
whether or not they have been per
u.-t-i 10 return 70 their estates
whether or not they. or any considerable
llmber Of them. are now on theli ts-
farfs. whether OF not any zones, or con-
siderable parts of zones, are now belhs
cultivated by them. according 10 the re-
ports received ar the Department OF
State from American cOnslls or consular
gents; what steps, If any. are shown Dy
said consular representatives, 10 nave
been taken bv the Spanish Government
Coz feeding eaid reconcentradOes. or Tor
o hernise preventing them from starving
and suffering. whether or not the spanish
Government has given the necessary mill
larry protection 20 enable the mlils 10
grlnl cane. and what progress has been
made in spain's efforts 70 induce Inc
Cuhans TO accept autonomy
Section .. That the Secretary OF state
Dr. ERECTED. 81. IN his opinion, not incom-
rathle with the public interest. TO send
f0 the House copies Of an such reports
from c1nsuls. vice-consuls. and CONNER
cal AGENTS Of the United states, in Cuba
e. may shed light upon the subjects above
referred 90. and as shall give
90 The House and 20 the country CON
corning the condition Of cuba since the
a.vent Of the new regime under "eneFai
halco."
POLICY OF CONCENTRATION.
Nr. Ouiee made "a brief statement, say
ing that hi December the President mad
notified the House thar the indefensiDle
policy 0f concentration I'm Cuba had been
abandoned by Spain. in Difference 10 the
r..t.fad request Of our government. ana
ttaf a more peaceful and humane polcy
been adopted.
Ile object Of this resolution was simply
% a.certaln what had been done, ana
What steps had been taken. looking 10 the
acceptance of autonomy by the CUBAN
people. Three months. he added, nave
elapsed since autonomy had been promui-
grfed
l1 order 10 retain control Of the floor,
SIR. Quigg asked for the previous ques-
'IIN. Dul Yielded uAe minutes ~ Mis RlhH
more Democrat. Of Arkansas. the senior
minority member Of the Foreign Anairs
Committee. who said the resolution had
been unanimously reported by the com
m.free. It's purpose was TO put the House
end the country in possession OF the real
facts concerning the condition Of the pe0-
Of Cuba. both IN military and private
hfe. The press was fun OF stories re-
sarding the deplOrablc condition OF the
reconcentradoes.. and the suffering that
prevailed Ia Cuba. and the country was
entitled 20 the facts. IN order to deter
mine what responsibility was placed upon
Ill. To- bring about a conclusion OF the
"ar. and thus end the existing distress
Ar Terry DemOcraD, Of Arkansas
stScd Mr. Quigg 81 the Committee on
foicisn Affairs had considered the De
Lone Incident.
That b. hardly "a pertinent inquiry
replied Mr. Quigg. blandly.
'li Is q pertinent inquiry IN me ninnS
of tho American people" exclaimeu Nir'
Terry, AN doa't you forget H.
'It Is being considered by the pT0p'i
authorities" retOrted Dir. Quigg.
Ar Cooper (Repubiieanl OF WlsconS'n'