Evening Star Newspaper, April 11, 1898, Page 16

“3g TALE OF HORROR _— : (Continued from First Page.) 000, and that the death rate on alone would be over 50 For the relief of these people he “0 in silver have been set aside, if every dollar appropriated reach- es them the distribution will ayerage about 37 cents to a person, which, of couFse, will be rapidly exhausted, and as I can hear of no further succor being afforded, it is easy to perceive what little practical relief bas taken place in the condition of these Poor people. December 28, cc mmunicaticn autono! He General Lee makes the first yout the new scheme of 2 ays that he has been in- ‘formed that the authorities are engaged in ferming an autonomistic cabinet arrang- ing for the members to take the required cath on January 1 and “also for an clec- tion thirty days thereafter. * * * My present information that most of the Spaniards will refrain from voting and ‘nezriy all the Cubans. * * * The feeling ‘in Havana, and 1 hear in other parts of ‘the island, is strong against it, the Cubans desiring an independent republic and the Spaniards preferring annexation to the United States rather than autonomy. On “the night of the 24th instant there reems to have been a concerted plan vet the! ‘island to testify the aisapprovation of Une people to the proposed autonomistic plan of the Spanish government.” He goes on to describe how it culminated about 2 “o'clock on the morning of the 25th, when a ‘mob embled in the principal square with cries of “death to autonomy” and “viva iWeyler.” He says the men in the mob had stones in their pockets and some of them were armed with weapons. “They made a demonstration, too, against the office of the Di published in this town favoring autonomy, but were dispersed by the military police ‘and soldiers. * * * " Iam, etc., FITZ LEE. ' ‘The same day Gen. Lee acknowledges the receipt of President McKinley's proclama- tion calling upon the people of the United states to make charitable contributions for tthe relief of the distress in Cuba. Other telegrams follow during the next few days as to the class of contributions which 'would be most valuable in relieving the | suffering. January 8 Gen. Lee makes the following report: ' Deaths by Starvation. ‘ “gir: I have the honor to state, as a “matter of public interest, that the ‘recon- feentrado order’ of Gen. Weyler, formerly : governor general of this island, transform- ‘ed about 400.000 self-supporting people, {principally women and children, into a multitude to be sustained by the contribu- Stions of others, or die of starvation, or of Htion resulting from a low physical condi- tion, and being massed in large bodies without change of clothing and without } fooa. Their homes were burned, their fields and plant beds destroyed and their live stosk driven away or killed. “I estimate that probably 200,000 of the ,Yural population in the provinces of Pinar ,ael Rio, Habana, Matanzas and Santa Clara have died of starvation or from re- ‘sultant causes, and the deaths of whole , families almost simultaneously or within a few days of each other, and of mothers ‘praying for their children to be relieved of i their horrible sufferings by death, are not | the least of the many pitiable scenes which were ever present. In the provinces of Pu- ‘ erto Principe and Santiago de Cuba, where }the ‘reconcentrado order’ could not be en- forced, the great mass of the people are self-sustaining. * * * A daily average of $10 cents’ worth of food to 200,000 people ) Would be an expenditure of $20,000 per day, and, of course, the most humage éfforts ‘upon the part of our citizens cannot hope ‘to accomplish such a gigantic relief and a ! great portion of these people will have to !be abandoned to their fate. * * * + “Iam, ete. FITZHUGH LEE.” * Gen. Lee inclosed in this communication ,@n editorial from the Diario del la Marina, jwhich vigorously denounced the “seaitious ,tumujt” of the day before as a victory for Gomez and the enemies of Spain. On the ‘same day he also sent to the department ‘some statistics about the mortality in San- ta Clara; showing that while there were {5.489 deaths in that town in seven years Previous to 1807, which included 1,417 in yone year from an epidemic of yellow fever, ‘there were in 1807,owing to the concentration order, 6,981 deaths out of a total population ‘ef 11,000. The death rate increased month- ly from 78 in January, the month before ‘the concentration order went into effect, until December, when there were 1,0)1 "deaths. , January 12, 13, 14 and 15 General Lee sent brief cablegrams to the department with regard to the rioting and the demon- strations against autonomy and Blanco and the three newspaper offices. January 13, he safd, some of the rioters threatened to go to the United States con- sulate. ips,’ he said, “are not needed, but may be later. If Americans are in @anger, ships should move promptly for Havana. Uncertainty and excitement widespread. The rioting ceased the next ay and Gereral Lee reported all quiet. On the Isth General Lee sent a dispatch, “marked confidential, regarding the riot It follows: “Sir: The recent disorders in this city are to be primarily attributed to a group of Spanish officers, who were incensed at arti- cles appearing in three of the newspapers ef Habana, El Reconcentrado, La Discus- sion and El Diario de la Marina. The first ‘was very pronounced against General Wey- ler and his methods. The Discussion had been suppressed by Weyler, but its pub- Neation was permitted to be resumed by Blane and the last had been an ultra- Spat organ, but had been converted by - the present authorities to autonomy. it is probable that the Spanish oflicers ‘Were first provoked by the denunciations of Weyler in the mns of one of these papers and determined to stop ft, and afterward being suppotted by the mob turned the demonstration into an anti- auionomistic affair. Autonomistic Plan Analyzed. I send today an analysis of the autono- mistic plan. The intense opposition to it on the part of the Spaniards aris:s from the fect that the first appointments of the offi- cers to put into ferm {ts provistons were mad? generally outside of their party, in order to show the Cubans in arms that au- tonomy was instituted for their benefit and protection. ¢ * * The intelligent Spaniards * * * see no Propriety in the future, but rather other wars and more confusion, in the same old attempts to make the waters of commerce flow in unnatural channels. The lower Spanish classes have nothing in mind when autonomy is menticned except Cuban local rule, hence their opposition. * * ¢ (Signed) FITZHUGH LEE. January 21 General Lee transmitted a copy of the decrse which established the autonomistic regime on the island of Cuba. On January 15-22 General Lee reported by cable daily that «ll was quiet in Havana and that the recent rioting had caused some delays, but that no difficulty was ap- pr>herded as to the landing of supplies. February 4 he reports the receipt of moneys from various sections of the United States for relief purposes and the manner im which it is being distributed. February 10 h> telegraphed the State De- partment as follows: “Captain general re- turned yesterday; met with no success of a@ny sort. Spaniards everywhere unfriend- ly; rumors of coming demonstration against him here. I think him an excellent man, but in an unfortunate postition. Three seri- ous combats reported within a week, in 2ach insurgents victorlots.” The same day he sent to the State De- partment a statement of the condition in the towns in the neighborhood of the city of Havana, made by a person he had sent to those places for the purpose of inapect ing the number and condition of the starv- ing. The statement covers four town: the neighborhood of Havana, and is large- ily a repetition of the awful tale of suffey- ing which came from th aber Portions of the island. At Melena, Del Sur, the state- ment says it is impossibie for the mayor, owing to the unhealthy conditions prevail- Ing nd the want of resources, to relieve the miserable people, “who die in great numbers from starvation, fever and small- pox. There are other towns in the same ion—for exampie, Guiner, Cutalina Nadruga—whose situation could be in e degree relieved if the country people were allowed to leave the town freely in search of food. In some towns this is en- tirely prohibited; in others they are obliged to pay a tax. Not having anything to eat, how can they pay a tax? In every town the first thing noticed is the unhealthy con- dition of the men and their total lack of physical strength.” At Cataline de Guines, the statement reports, the condition of the reconcentrados is sad and desperate. There are, it says, “no zones of cultivation,” and the reconcentrados are not allowed to leave the town in search of work or food even with a military pass. “Food is so scarcc that one must walk four or five miles be- fore finding a sweet potato. In these dis- tricts the relief given to the reconcentra- io de la Marina, a paper |: dos by Gen. Blanco is a farce.” The land near the town comprised in the zone for cultivation, the statement says, has becn rented by four Spaniards, who have wealth and influence, and they employ the few reconcentrados who are able to work at 30 or 40 cents per day, but nobody can leave the town without a pass good for a /month, and which costs 20 cents. The workmen have to leave at 6 in the morn- ing, and, not being able to take meals with them, are obliged to work until 6 in the evening without food. The women who leave in search of vegetables are some- times deprived of them on their way back by guerrillas. In fifteen days 200 recon- centrados have died in Guines from starva- tion. “One of the few protectors of the recon- centrados, in fact, a heroic one,” says the statement, “Is a young man named Jose Amohedo, whose father and mother died attending the suffering poor, and who him- self has given up eight houses belonging to im as dwelling places for the reconcen- trados, all the contents of a grocery store which he possessed, and who is as desti- tute as they are, but always attending to these who suffer.” A Letter From Gen. Gomes. On February 15 Gen. Lee transmitted to the department a letter, with its transla- tiop, signed Ly the insurgent commander- in-chief, Gen. Gomez, addressed to Presi- dent McKinley. Gen. Lee says the letter was delivered by a messenger, who at once departed before he saw or had any com- municaticn with him. The letter is as fol- lows: (Translation.) “To William McKinley, President of the United States: “Sir: The heroic Cuban people possess as a characteristic quality of its moral being and development to a high degree one of the most noble sentiments, namely, grat!- tude; whoever has done well for Cuba wins for himself forever the llvely recognition of the sons of Cuban soil. Your great,peo- ple has given to the whole world an ex- ample of lofty virtue, and to the shame and stain of Spain not only has it shown compassion before the great misfortunes brought on Cuba by the ferccious Spanish Policy, but has extended a helping hand to the unhappy victims of the warfare carried on by the army of that nation. “The gratitude of this people must be on a par with that great and generous im- pulse, and if Cuba, by its geographical sit- uation and the necessity of its commercial existence, is called to maintain, once that it is free, and for the mutual benefit of both countries, closer relations with your great republic, than with any other nation whatever, from this day forward Cuba will consider herself bound by a closer tie in the affecticn it bears for the noble Amer- ican magranimity. “However true and minute may be the reports that you pave heard, never will you be able to form a just conception of all the bloodsed, the misery, the ruin and the sorrow caused to the afflicted Cubans, to obtain her independence, and how the despotic spirit of Spain, irritated to the last degree before the most just of all re- bellion, has reveled in the most implacable destruction of everything, lives and prop- erty. The nation which at one time adopt- ed the inquisition and invented its tortures lastly conceived the concentration scheme, the most horrible of all means, to martyr- ize and then to anmhilate an entire people, and if it has stopped in the path of de- struction, it is due in a great measure to the cry of indignation which the knowl- edge of such horrors unanimously drew from the states over which you govern. “The people who are saved from extinc- tion and whose evils your gifts assuage are the people for whose liberty we daily shed our blood on the fields of battle; the country whose independence we now con- quer at the point of the sword for them are also for us; blood of our blood and flesh of our flesh, we must rejoice with them in their joys as we weep and sympathize with them in their sorrows and griefs. Be not surprised, then, that, as the general-in- chief of this Cuban army, I am so deeply moved at the wave of compassion which agitates your noble country, and that 1 concede to the request of the patriots 1 command to appear before you, the repre- sentative of the great nation, as the expo- rent of our immense gratitude. I have, therefore, sir, to fulfill a conscientious duty by setting forth a fact which I beg you will please transmit to the knowledge of the persons to whom is recommended the philanthropic mission of succoring the un- happy, destitute Cubans, and in order that ignorance of certain antecedents may not deprive any needy ones of the enjoyment of that noble American charity. “The revolution, as absolute master of the country, has never prohibited any citi- zen, whatever his nationality, from earn- ing his liberty, and it has happened that 4S soon as the barbarous concentration de- cree was derogated innumerable families have left and still leave the city for the fields, impelled by hunger to wrest from the fruitful Cuban vegetation the means of re- lieving the most pressing needs of life. Those unhappy beings ignore the fact that if the Spantards by steel and privation have shrowded their hearths in mourning, so also it may be sald that the flora of Cuba was in mourning, devastated by the bullet and torch. Wherefore, being in the same circumstances these unfortunates have the same moral right to participate in the re- Nef furnished to needy Cubans by your generour people. Many a widow, many a mother, many an orphan do we meet In our way who ask of us succor that we are not able to give but most sparingly, and there- fore upon pointing out to them the charity awakened in their behalf in your noble na- tion I desire to honor myself by offering my services to co-operate in the noble work with all the power and means within the reach of the forces I command. “I am, sir, with the most distinguished consideration, (Signed) “M. GOMEZ.” March 1 General Lee reports that the dis- tribution of food, medicines and clothing to the destitute is mmoenading: Satisfacto- rily. “The work,* ‘te saga, * pe organized and bY#tematized uldef the ini- mediate supervision and directioh of Miss Clara Baftdn, president of the fe oye of the United States fing her ve, and experienced ape a8 He sd¥s that the number of the poor and destitute is so large that it ls impoasible to relieve large umbérs in e&ch locajity; but het Be state with confi that un- et tl it sybtet oF Cs suppiles are not get or wasted, those for whom they aré inlefd tuse Fucl to Cook Fsoa. 14, he incloses a fetter from Consul | Barker Of Sagua, Who requests him to transmit the following letter, which is ad- dressed to him (Gen. Lee): “Dear Sir: I will thank you to communi- cate to the department as quickly as pos- sible the fact that the military commander and other officers of the military positively refuse to allow the reconcentrados to whom I am issuing food in its raw state to pro- cure fuel with which to cook the food. “In addition, they prohibit’ this class of People (I am only giving food to about one- fifth of the destitute, the authorities have quit altogether) from gathering vegetables cultivated within the protection of the forts, telling them the Americans propose to feed you, and to the Americans you must look. * * * “Yours very truly, 2 _ “WALTER B. BARKER, “Consul.” March 17, Gen. Lee informs the depart- ment that the governor general, by decree March’ 5, prorogued in all parts to March 31, 1899, the decree of the general govern- ment of April 19, 1897, relative to the sus- pension of legal proceedings against real estate, with the reservation of what may be agreed upon by the insular chambers, “in due season.” March 24, Gen. Lee cables that the work of relief is progressing, and gives details about the distribution of supplies, and adds: “Have been greatly assisted by Mr. Klopsch.” March 28, Gen. Lee reports that “instruc- tions have been given by the civil govern- ment of Habana that the Alcaldes and other authorities shall not give out any facts about the reconcentrados, and, if any of the American relief committees should make inquiries concerning them, all such inquiries must be referred to him. Gen. Lee's dispatches conclude with a dispatch under date of April 1, transmitting the decree of the governor general termi- nating the concentration order. There is one communication from Owen McGarr, consul at Cienfuegos, under date of January 10, informing the department that the sugar mills in his district had been grinding since the ist of the month. He says the utmost diligence is required to Prevent the firing of the cane fields, and concludes: ‘The sugar crop is the support of all classes, especially the laboring class, and should it be destroyed a famine would be inevitable.” Matanzas. The communications from Mr. Brice, con- sul at Matanzas, number only seven or eight, and most of them are brief. The correspondence from him begins with the 17th of November last and closes with the Sth of February, 1898. Probably the most striking feature of Mr. Brice’s com- munication is a distinct article writien on the 18th of January last and devoted to Cuban destitution. In this he notes the receipt of a circular letter of the State Department dated ten days before. “This,” he says, “intimates that help is to be ex- tended by the United States to the starving people of Cuba. The news of this relief has been known,” he continues, ‘for the past two weeks and has extended all over the prevince. This consulate has been overwhelmed with people of all classes asking to be remembered when this relief comes.” Mr. Brice then gives « number of facts illustrating the suffering in the prov- ince. He says there are in Matanzas prov- irce alone 90,000 feople who are in actual starving condition and require food, cloth- ing and medicines. Continuing, he says: “In addition to the above are thousands of families of the better classes and for- merly well-to-do, who today are living on one meal a day and that very scant. They have sold or pawned furniture, jewelry, clothing, &c., to eke out an existence until all is gone, or nearly so. Too proud to beg, they suffer in silence, and mary die of starvation. The daughter of a former gov- ernor of this province was seen begging on the streets (incognito) of this city. Many of these people call on me privately at my residence asking ard praying, for God's sake, to be remembered when this relief comes from the United States. One has to be here, know and mingle with these peo- ple to fuily realize the terrible destitution and misery existing in Cuba. It is to be hoped that this relief from the United Siates will come quickly, for hundreds are @ying daily of starvation. Conditions are dreadful, and no relief afforded by the Spanish authorities.” In his first communication of the series, dated November 17, Mr. Brice stated that neither the Spaniards nor Cubans of that section were in sympathy with the pro- posed autonomy and reforms. He noted the issuance of the order to municipal au- thorities to issue rations and clothing, but says that no attention was paid to it. In this communication he places the death rate at over eighty persons daily, nearly all of whom were dying for want of feed, med- icines and clothing. “As I write this,” 1e says, ‘a dead negro woman lies in the street within two hundred yards of this consulate, starved to death. She died some time this morning, and will lie there maybe for days.” Mr. Brice also notes the issuance of an order allowing the reconcentrados to re- turn to the country, but he says the re- strictions in the order are such as to prac- tically prohibit. “If they went,” he says, “what can they do without money, food or shelter?” adding, “‘only those who can obtain employment on sugar plantations can live. Insurgents say no one will be al- lowed to grind in the province of Matan- zas, The situation is indeed deplorable. and I am free to say no real help can be ex- pected from the Spanish government, and the fate of the remaining reconcentrados is slow, lingering death from starvation.” Writing on the 17th of December, Mr. Brice says that the relief offered to recon- centrados and other poor people by the Spanish authorities is dneffectual. “I have,” he says, “personally visited the headquarters of distributing stations. Two thousand rations were given out for a few days only to 8,000 persons. There are more than 12,000 starving people in this city to- day. One out of four or six receives two ounces of rice, one and a half ounces of jerked beef, and sometimes a small piece of bread per diem. Even this ration of food has been discontinued since the 11th instant.” Mr. Brice mentioned several in- stances of distress, among others the fol- lowing: In a family of seventeen, living in an old lime kiln, all were found dead ex- cept three, and they barely alive. He says again that Gen. Blanco’s order allowing reconcentrados to return and cultivate the crops is inopperative and of no avail. Writing on the 18th of January, he says: “The people are shut up in the cities and towns like rats to starve. We have fifteen or eighteen families of American reconcen- trados who own property in the country, and were they allowed to go to their homes could make a good living. All these have begged and pleaded with the authorities under BI order to go and were in every case refused.” Provi of Santa Clara. covers the conditions ex- isting in Santa, province in @ number fh Pall | of cotimuntdations, om ing tofy of distresa, even . Barker ed & space to polrucay cee oj letterB are along, these lin2s. shay hi hon Sa ee muhication 6 u at & fh which he vol ait " ga ns to the Depertrient of Be tea this cdm- munication th} following: extracts are taken: “When Spain will aémit defeat no mortal, in my humble judgment, dare pre- dict. That her plan of: settlement, auton- omy, is a failure, and that with this failure passes from under her dominion the ‘sland, is not to be qu2stioned. Pending this ad- mission on her part thousands of human beings, guiltless of bringing on or having any part in the insurrection, are dying for want of sustenance. This condition must continue to increase. The United States in taking action relative to Cuba—which seems in2vitable—desires to avoid a clash with Spain. Then let Congress alter our citizenship laws by amending the statute relative to the declaration required by per- sons b:coming citizens by naturalization so that the subjects or citizens of any govern- ment at present residing in Cuba may go before any United States consul in that island and make declaration of intention of becoming a citizen of the United Statas, which shall ‘entitle them to recognition as citizens until the expiration of two years, when they be required to reside in tha United States until five years shall have elapsed vefore being granted naturalization papers. With such a privil2ge I am confi- dent 90 per cent of the resident Spaniards, the hitherto dominant party and taxpayers, will avail themselves of this opportunity of rebuking the mother country for attempt- ing to foist upon them changes in th3 exist- ing laws of the island. cause the home subjects as well as the gov- ernment to acquiesce without disturbance in the logs of the island.” Mr. Barker then suggests that the United States shall offer her good offices to Spain with a view of securing an armistice of ninety days’ duration for the purpose of discussing terms of settlement betwe2n Spain and the insurgents, the United States to be the umpire. Pending negotiations he would have all troops quartered and h2ld in the large fortified coast towns, in order that the concentrados may return to the country and employment. He adds that the relief from the United States must b3 con- tinued or the people must starve so long as there is an armed Spanish soldier in the country, “since these people, for f2ar of be- ing murdered, do not go to their country homes.” A Reign of Terror and Anarchy. On the 15th of January Mr. Barker says: “In this consular district a reign of terror and anarchy prevails which the authorities, if so disposed, are utterly powerlass to con- trol or in any measure subdue. Aside from the suffering and desperation caused by the unparalleied destitution I regard the situa- tion as rapidly assuming a critical stage. As stated heretofore, in no way have the authorities departed fromthe policy pur- sued by the late, but ‘not damented, Gen. Weyler. Spanish troops; as well as the Suerillas under tie cruel chiefs Carreras, Olavarri2tta and Lazo, continue to despoil the country and drench it with the blood of non-combatants. Although the ‘bando’ of the captain general provides that labor- ers may return to estates ‘it restricts their operations to those having # garrison. Last week a number belonging to the ‘Sta Ana’ ate, located within ‘a Iéague of Sagua, and owned by Mr. Gdorgd Throndike of Newport, R. I, were ‘driven off after re- turning, and refus2d permit as.a protection by the military commander, Mayor Lomo, one of the trusted officers under the Wey- ler regime.” The latter part of Mr. Barker's corres- pondence, beginning with tha 12th of March, is devoted to a statement of the re- lief labors and an estimate of the funds re- quired to continue this work. He states that from the 15th of February to th 12th ef March he cared for 1,200 persons, in- creasing the number on tke relief list after that date to 2,000. He then details the work done by the Red Cross Socizty, the various local committees and others, to each of waom he gives due credit. Having done this Mr. Barker stated his opinion to be that if provision could be made to care for 25,000 persons in that province what- ever might be left would manage to sur- vive. He thought that to keep 25,000 peér- sons alive wou!d require 80 tons of provi- sions a month. He then stated that of the 5,000 utterly destitute in that city the mayor had in a manner relieved about on2- third of the number with rations of rice and beans. In this communication Mr. Barker indicated that the Spantsh local au- thorities were willing to accept aid from the United States, and he added that while he had been generally doubtful of the will- ingness of the military authorities to receive this assistance he had accepted their co-operation when convinced of their good intention. On the 24th of March Mr. Barker in- creased his estimate as to the amount of food necessary to keep Mfe in the people of that province. In the telegram of that date he said fifty tons were needful for that time, and that the distress was far greater. than his former reports had shown. In the letter of this date he recounts the particulars of a visit to Santa Clara, the seat of government of the province of the same name, where, he says, he learned from his own agents and also from the governor of the province that the number of persons in actual want exceeded any estimate which he had previously sent to the government, and he had said only three days before that he thought twenty tons per month should be added to the eighty tons previously suggested. In this com- munication of the 20th of March Mr. Bark- er says: “The distress is simply heart- rending. Whole families without clothing to hide nakedness are sleeping on the bare ground, without bedding of any kind, with- out food, save to such as we have been able to reach with provisions sent by our own noble people, and the:most distressing feature is that fully 80 per cent are ill, without: medical attention ‘gr medicine.” Mr. Barker adds that if.85,000 could be telegraphed to Consul General Lee, blank- ets, cots and medicines could be purchased there in the several tOwns adjacent, and thus save thousands who must dle, if com- pelled to await the. sending of these sup- plies from the United States. “I have,” he says, “found the civil"go¥érnor willing to lend every aid in his ppwer, but he admits that he can do nothing-bpt, assist with his civil officers in expediting-relief sent by the United States. The fallitary obstruct in every way possible.” 0... Why Blanco’s Order,Was Uscless. In the earlier portiow: efchis correspond- ence Mr. Barker indicstes the reasons why Gen. Blanco’s order reflevihg the reconcen- trados must prove of wail. He says that while the first article of the order grants permission to the starving class to return to the country, the third article abrogates this permission in exacting that the places to which they go must be gar- Tisoned. : ‘This condition alone, he says, will pre- clude over one-half of these poor unfortu- nates, for their homes are in ruin, and the sugar estates able to maintain a guard can care for but ‘a small percentage of the whole. Mr. Barker says that while he does not question the good ihtention of those now in power, yet “it is @ self-evident fact that the authcrities are utterly helpless to extend any relief to those who have thus far survived the pangs of punger.” Mr. bear out Such a step would. tain géhétal thtough a letter to the Spatleh tian hate bein dapehiagh, the agtte Retoas jon re the te ded by unt ba at w a firalsted” iff Radke ia gal ie a eer ee a sper te ; i ay that he had pies wt Bs Ee are planiors tn bis consi strict, an ate stated that unk aggired of immunity from the in- saree chief, Goniez, they would not at- tempt to grind, as by so doing they would Jeopardize their property. He adds that it is “an unquestioned fact that the military are powerless to give this necessary protec- ton.” Mr. Barker devotes much space to the suffering and mortality of the people of his province. He places the mortality fig- ures for six of the principal cities of his district for the period beginning with Jan- uary 1, and ending November 15, 1897, at 90,589. He says this is the official record, and that fully 25 per cent should be added to cover deaths of which no record was kept. “Undoubtedly,’ he says, ‘‘one-ha'f of the concentrated. people have died, and to- day Spanish soldiers are companion victims of the surviving non-combatants. This ap- palling death roll is mute, yet convincing proof in attempting to subjugate the is- land.. With me the conviction is firmly rooted that within sixty days 90 per cent of the populace will reach a state of crav- ing hunger, nor do I feel that I am speak- ing chimerically when I conclude the rank and file of the Spanish army. The true status as viewed at present will bear out this opinion. The suffering among the troops, as well as the reconcentrados, sim- ply beggars portrayal, while discontent ripens daily.” Destitution Too Harrowing to Recite. On the 13th day of December, Mr. Barker relates the particulars of a visit he hai made to five of the principal railread towns in his consular district, which tour had been undertaken to verify previous state- ments. Speaking of this trip which covered the towns of Santa Clara, Cruces, Esper- anza, Jicotoa and Santa Domingo, he says “the destitution is simply too harrowing to recite and must become intensified each day. The death rate for last month shows an increase of about 25 per cent. In these towns I got my information from the may- ors of each. From them I learned that wiile there was an issue of food running from three to five days, beginning on the 28th ultimo, consisting of three ounces of bacon or jerked beef and six ounces of rice for adults, with half this allowance for children under fourteen years, the pit- tance given was sufficient only for one- fourth to one-tenth of the starving. No further rellef has been given up to date, and the mayors of these towns are au- thority for stating that the captain general had ordered the discontinvance of the food to the concentrados.”” This order from the captain general was apparently given be- cause of the insufficiency of the food sup- ply for the Spanish soldiers. The mayor of Santa Clara had also told Mr. Barker that the military commander had informed him that he was to give food to no one having relatives in the insurrection, which wculd exclude 75 per cent of the destitute. From this Mr. Barker concludes that ho’ ever sincere may be the desire to help the reconcentrados by the Spanish authori- ties they are powerless to do so for want of means. He also states that all popul subscriptions have proved a total failure, “because the Cubans are poverty stricke and the Spaniards will contribute noth- ing.” Mr. Barker dwells in almost all of his communications upon the paucity of food of the Spanish soldiers. In this of the 13 of December, he says: In my recent trip I found that the Spanish soldiers are not cnly suffering for necessary food, but I was often appealed to by these pitiable creatures for medicine. One has only to leck upon them to be assured of the needs complained of. In his letter of the 28th of December, Mr. Barker repeats his observations upon the suffering and destitutions among the con- centrados, saying: ‘‘How could the situa- tion be otherwise, since the island is pro- ducing absolutely nothing, save some grow. ing cane, and at the same time complete! exhausted all of food. Kelief alone can be. obtained from the outer world in the way of charitable contribution. To grind the same without interruption would be the means of saving the lives of thousands who without this or outside ald within thirty to fifty deys must die of actual hun- ger. Over a month since the planters were officielly advised of Spain’s inability to provide protection in order to operate their mills, This leaves the sugar growers en- tirely in the hands of the Cubans in re- volt as ts whether they will be allowed to grind without hindrance or fear of total destruction of their property. I know that strict orders have been given to subordi- nate commanders that under no circum- stances must mills be permitted to grind under penalty of violation of the order, destruction of property. In several places in Mr. Barker's letters stars are inserted showing that portions of them have been omitted. These omis- sions are in places generally where he deals with the condition of the reconcentrados. Santingo de Cuba. ‘The reports on the condition of affairs at Santiago are made by Consul P. F. Hyatt, Leginning on the 15th of November last. Mr. Hyatt had then but recently returned to the island, and he begins his reports with a review of the conditions of the in- surgents and of the autonomists. He had been disposed, he says, to believe that the insurgents were weakening, and that the autcnomists were coming to the front. After investigation, however, he was con- vinced that such was not the fact. “The change of policy as expressed by Captain General Blanco is,” he says, “doubtless modifying the feeling of resentment which formerly prevailed, and should the near future prove discouraging to the insurgents would doubtless smcoth the way to pacifi- cation.” In this communication Mr, Hyatt discusses the policy which the United States should pursue. Among property holders, whether Americans or citizens of other nationalities, he says there is but one sentiment. This sentiment is “hands off,” or such active intervention as will quickly terminate the struggle. They, he says, greatly deprecate constant agitation, ich makes the governing classes ene- mies to American interests, and brings no corresponding advantages. On the 20th of November Mr. Hyatt says: ‘The text of the new autonomy, as published here, is not meeting with favor by the most ardent friends of Spain. There is, however, a feeling of relief and safety since the change in the captain generalship.”” A por- ticn of this dispetch is withheld by the State Departmert. ~ Writing on the 5th of December last, Mr. Hyatt said: “The reconcentration order is relaxed, but rot removed; but many people have reached a rcint where it is a niatter of entire indifference to them whether it is removed or not, for they have lost all in- terest in the problem of existence. A cen- sus of the island taken today as compared with one taken three years ago, I feel con- fident, would show that two-thirds of the resiGents are missing, and the Spanish army would meke no better showing.” On the 14th of December Mr. Hyatt wrote: “The order of reconcentration is now practically wiped out, and, so far as the Spanish government is concerned, men go about nearly as they please. The in- surgents and their sympathizers will un- questionably take advantage of the revoca- tion to get from the towns and cities what ttey need, and otherwise strengthen their ‘The effects on agricultural pursuits cal will disappointing because the great majority of hose who would or should tae up the: work joined the insurgent forces | department ! clothes. $2.98 for lot of young men’s long pants suite. in sizes 14 to 19—fine ALL-WOOL cheviots— Will be sold for $2.98. Sach a thing was never before known, for they're $5 and $6 sults. $2.49 for boys’ black and blue fancy mixed cheviot all-wool sults—some with pants having double seats and knees—for $2.49—which are $4 values. Boys’ pants, 10c. Another lot of those boys’ cheriot pants —which are 20c. values—will go for 1c. Easter week POPP AMAA AMA MAMAN Mcline nets, in all colors, vill go for a day—per yard — aekc: Striped taffeta, checked taffeta and 3- inch all-silk motre ribbons, in the band- somest colors—-will go—per yard— yGe fOr 52-2 pees 3 Caps for 4-year-olds for......... and skirts. Se a a ee ee offered. $9 Suits, $4.85. | $16 Suits, $9.98. Lot of ladies’ blue and Ladies* Mack serge tailor-made made sults — with silk-lined ehevior jackets and full throug! and with every high-grade suit which under price. $2.50 skirts, $1.23. Handsome figured brilliantine kirts— ty satin damask figures and also Diack aml blue serge skirts—al made ele- iy, lined and bound. Their equal not be Lad anywhere for less than enaentorteateesaoetertesonbontennententensee teats Seay So $4 skirts, $2.98. Those stylish Mack and colored Bayadere striped skirts; the newest of the season's effects, and at $4 they're very There are plenty of them now, but there won't be by Tuesday night. MMMM AMMAN EEN ENG HM “Hecht’s ad.” NOTICE)! The disastrous fire last night in the building next door did in no- wise damage our store or stock. Thanks to the efforts of the fire Went on sale this morning—and the response to the first announce- ment of them has been tremendous. Just see what values are being stylish, madi shioned new fan style — finished are regular values—for $9.98. Hecht & Company, 515 Seventh Street. Special selling in boys’ Easter week has left us with a lot of “odds and ends.” Lines have become broken in sizes to such an extent that we shall make a quick disposition of what remains of each. Here's how we've sacrificed them. You must admit that it takes nerve to stand by and see the new spring garments go for so little. ‘ 99 cents for a lot of little boys’ reefer and vestie suits—sizes 3. 4 and 5 only. They're all- wool, and thes're trimmed and wade splendidly. ‘They've been $3.50 and $4. It’s a loss to sell them for 99¢. $1.75 for & lot of boys’ (8 to 16 years) double- breasted, all-wool short pants sults, which sold for $5. You can see at @ glance that they're extra fine suits for $5. The millinery rush of Has given us a taste of just the selling we wish to do. We have the facilities and the stock and you've seen already how much bet- ter we're doing the millinery business. No need to tell you that we do that here. If you were here during the past few weeks you know well enough that we have done as much as any two stores. Special values are made to keep up the buying. Ladies’ shortback sallors—Pan- ama and rough-and-ready strawe— Children’s mull end von- nets—worth half see. 2G. Bunches of roses, with follage, y6¢ carnations, etc., will go for....... A maker’s surplus stock of suits taflor- The fivest-mude spring suits—the _ $25 Suits,-$17.983 blue same cuality style—with in the als * suits, most ex i and not where | —— $16 1 erg Mments are pattern d $7 skirts, $4.98. Stylish skirts of fine silk, in rich bro- caded partes line lined " ~ made in the a allects—1 and withont sk’ which are regular 7 values—will at $4.95. : $11 skirts, $7.98 Stylish sa 1 brocaded satin skirts, tin woking garments made— fashioned as fine fas ft is possible to make them. f $1l—ihe regular price—will be os. $16 skirts, $12.50. Lot of those altra-stylish striped silk and Bas silk skirts—the handsomest skirt you ean buy—which are sold by many stores for $16—go for $12.50. when compelled to leave their homes, and the portion which came within the lines of reconcentration are women, children, old and sickly people, cst of whom seem to have little interest in the problem of life. There is no one to take these people back to the fields and utilize their remaining strength. Their houses are destroyed; their fields are overgrown with weeds; they have no seeds to plant, and if they had they cannot live sixty or eighty days until the crop matures; which, when grown, would more than likely be taken by one or the other of the contending parties.” Closing this communication, Mr. Hyatt says: “I give it as my opinion, an opinion that is not biased in favor of Cuba, that Spain will be compelled to prosecute a far mere vigorous war than has yet been done if she conquers peace in Cuba. I think I speak advisedly when I say that in this end of the island, at least, there are many thousand square miles where the foot of the Spanish soldier has never trod. Within this zone the insurgents have their fami- lies, corral their horses and cattle and raise their crops. Why Spain, with a large body of as obedient and brave soldiers as ever shouldered a gun, has not penetrated these grounds and scattered to the four winds the comparatively small body of men who are there, is a question I will rot attempt to answer. As I write,” Mr. Hyatt closes this communication, “a man is dying in the street in front of my Seer. the third in a comparatively short time. An Appalling Death Rate. Mr. Hyatt’s letter of the 2ist of Decem- ber deals largely with the sickness and the death rate on the island, which he charac- terizes as appalling. Statistics, he says, make a grievous showing, but come far short of the truth. The disease, he says, is generally brought on by insufficient food. He mentions some who are attacked who have plenty, but these recover, while others die or make very slow recovery. ‘The prevailing disease is sometimes called paludal fever and at others la grippe, and it is endemic rather than contagious. At the date of this letter from 30 to 40 per cent of the people were afflicted with it. He also reported smallpox and yellow fever as prevailing, and said that out of a total of 16,000 soldiers recently sent to Manza- nillo nearly 5,000 were in hospitals or quar- tered on the people. He says that Dr. Caminero, United States sanitary inspector, with the efforts to establish autonomy, saying that the scheme had been pushed with great vigor, “almost or quite to the point of forcing men to join the party when they could not be hired by minor office. When here a few days since General Pan- . do sent for a Mr. Lora and said: ‘You have two active and influential brothers in the rebel army. You must go at once to these brothers and tell them to come in and join the autonomist party, and they will be pro- vided for by me.’ Mr. Lora repiied: ‘1 ran away from my home to escape joining the insurgents; my brothers chose to join them. 1 will obey your commands if you desire to sacrifice my life. My brothers would order me to be shot on the spot if I approached them with your proposition. General Pando withdrew his command. Enrique Capeiles, who was governor of this prov- ince some four years ago, returned to the seme position about a month since. He has worked with great energy to build up the autonomist party, but he resigned today and took a solemn oath that he would never again set foot on Cuban soil. He declared himself both discouraged and disgusted.” Try! Mr. Hyatt’s letter of January 8 is de- voted to a discussion of the question as to whether the Cubans will accept autonomy. He says he has taken great pains to inform himself on the question and to eliminate all bias from its discussion. the question he repeats some of the in- formation given in a previous letter as to the efforts made on the part of the Spanish officials to establish this system and to this adds: “Wholesale removals of Spanish offi- = to Force Autonomy.