Show presidents TS MESSAGE brief request itar tor aid to kelee amert amerl caw in cuba washington ajay aay 18 the president has sent the foi following lowing message to congress I 1 to the senate and house ot of depre tentatives lenta tenta tives of the united states official information from our consuls in cuba establishes the tact fact that a larg large a number dumber of american citizens in the island are in a state 0 destitution suf fering ferine for want of food and medicines this applies particularly to the rural districts in the central and eastern part the agricultural classes have been forced from their farms into the nearest towns where they are without work or money the local authorities autho ritie of 0 the several towns however kindly disposed are unable to relieve tho the needs deeds of their own people and are arc altogether powerless to help our citi zens the latest report that comes irom from consul general leo lee estimates that six to eight hundred americans aro are without the means ot of support I 1 have assured him that provisions would be at once made to relieve them to that end I 1 recommend that congress make an appropriation of not less than to be immediately available to for r use under the direction of the secretary of state it is desirable that part of the sum which may be appropriated appropriate dby by congress should in the discretion of tho the secretary of state also be used for the transportation of american citizens who desiring to return to the united states are without the means to do boso doso SO WILLIAM executive mansion may 18 1907 1807 |