The news & observer., 1896-12-27
Can Wipe No Cuban Tears Nor
Dress Cuban Wounds.
TWO INTERESTING LETTERS
Too Delicate and Too G. awe a
Question" Says Miss Bart on.
FOR INDEPENDENT ACTION.
Forum Appears TO Amr4rican Honor
American Freedom and Ameri-
can Charity.

can Charity.
jacksonville, Fla, Dec. 26.-A few days
ago Joaquin Forum. well known Cuban
leader, in Jacksonville wrote to Miss
Clara Barton, president of the American
Red Cross Society, asking for assistance
for the insurgent wounded in the island.
The following reply has been received
from Miss Barton.
Washington, Dec 20, 1896
Mr.. j. Forum, Jacksonville, Fla.
Dear Sir: In reply to your earnest
favors, | beg to say that | am prolya bly
in receipts Of all the correspondence that
You have sent me; it is, however, only
recently, as the closing duties of our field
OF relief in Asia-Minor have not only oc-
cuped all the time, but have kept myself
and principal assistants absent from
headquarters until very recently, and of
thc5e left ia charge no one felt compe-
tent on pfJyi!cgcd TO handle matter Of
SUCH grave aad delicate Importance 1t
IS not possible that you will attribute any
arAcuon on my part to want of sympa-
thy with, or respect for the all-engross-
inE sEhject 1ririch you bring before me
but you will understand that, holding the
position that do. | am the last person
IN all our country who could act indepen-
IDENTITY IN cause at once so delicate and
so national. The power and conditions
given, ! trust that there will be no lack
of sympathy found in the American Red
Cross. Hoping for better days for Won.
and all lovers of humanity, / remain.
most sincerely yours.
(Signed) CLARA BARTON,
President American National Red Gross"
MIR. Forum wrote a rather caustic re-
ply saying in part:
Miss Clara Barton, Washington, d. G.
Noble Madam: / am in receipt Of
your favor OF the Goth instant, IN answer
to my appeal to the American Red Cross
IN favor Of my suffering countrymen in
Cuba.
Your answer substantially means that
bleeding Cufa, fighting for liberty against
a tyrannical power that shamefully vio-
lates every law of civilized warfare. cam
not, under existing circumstances. expect
to see tear wiped or a wound dressed
by the American National Red Cross.
1T is conclusion so extraordinary
that l am fully warranted in bringing it
TO the knowledge OF the American people
THAT they may know that, notwithstand.
ing their love of justice, and their love OF
freedom, notwithstanding their unbound
ed charity and religious sentiments exist
ing circumstances Of nature that Won
DO not disclose, make it impossible for
the highest institution of charity in this
great country, presided over by an Amer
lean lady OF your high character, second
ed by the self sacrificing and eminent
executive officers that surround
you to offer aid, no matter how meagre.
no matter in what form, to an American
neighhor and friend. 1t is my duty as a
Cuban 10 bring this fact before the Amer
lean people, that they may decide consci
entiousiy il such circumstances can sub
sist consistently with American honor.
American freedom American charity. and
American ideas of religion.
| consider your letter an Invaluable mr.
gument ID our cause, because | under
stand that this great Nation, in its role
as the custodian Of civilization in the new
world, which constitutes its highest title
OF honor, can under 10 consideration, not
even that of avoiding war, accept condi-
tions in which it must crush the senti-
ments Of brotherhood that distinguishes
civilized from uncivilized men, And |.
therefore, joyfully publish your letter
and my answer, giving both to the public |
press that this great people and their Con |
gresslonai representatives, during their |
fruit bearing holidays, may reflect ON |
what these existing circumstances mean.
feeling assured that the 70,00O,00O people |
who are just and brave and generous |
will not tolerate conditions against the |
handful who are neither just, nor brave. |
nor generous.
'tSigned) JOAQUIN FORTUN."