The herald., 1897-12-28
PROFOUND
DISTRESS
Not Only Impends but Is a
Grisly Fact
MANY THOUSANDS STARVING
AS A RESULT OF THE STRUGGLE
IN CUBA
The American People Urged to Give
Aid With Money, Clothing and
Food Supplies

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-The most
profound distress prevails among many
thousands Of people in Cuba. Starva-
ton not merely impends, but is an actual
fact.
Today the sum of $500 was received by
Assistant Secretary Day from certain
charitably disposed persons whose
names are not disclosed, and this sum
will be RENTED by telegraph early to-
morrow morning to Consul General Lee
for disbursement among the more press
ing cases. 1t is hoped by the department
of state that the American people will
come to the relief. and promptly, by sub
scriptions of money, clothing and sup
plies of various kinds.
The newspapers are expected to lend
a generous aid in carrying forward this
movement. The machinery for distribu-
ton has been provided by the state de-
partment and Consul General Lee has
undertaken, with the aid Of the Ameri-
can consul general in Cuba, to give per-
sonal attention to the alleviation Of dis
tress by the distribution of gifts of the
American people. One line of steamers
plying between New York and Havana,
the Ward line, it is said, has undertaken
to forward any contributions of goods
to General Lee at Havana, and it is be-
lieved that American railroads will do
their part by carrying the goods to the
seaboard. The Spanish authorities have
consented to remit all duties on relief
supplies forwarded.
WOODFORD'S NOTE
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-The officials
here are somewhat surprised at the
exhibition of feeling at Madrid over the
latest note of Minister Woodford, deliv-
cred to the Spanish Foreign Office the
day before Christmas. While the note
itself will not be made public at present,
it is said that there is no reason what
ever why it should be withheld. save the
fact that the preceding steps in the
negotiations have not yet seen the light
in the newspapers, and 1t is desirable.
when a publication is made, to present
the complete chain of events in natural
order. Possibly the correspondence will
be shortly called for by Congress, in
which case it is likely to be withheld on
the ground of public policy.
The last note presented by Minister
Woodford was in answer to the Spanish
note called forth by Mr.. Woodford's s very
first note after his arrival at Madrid.
In his initial note the United States
Minister pointed out the interest of his
country in an early termination Of the
present struggle in Cuba, and asked when
such conclusion could be expected. The
Spanish government, in it's reply, ac-
knowledged our interest in the matter,
but suggested, after stating what it in
tended to do to ameliorate conditions
in Cuba, that the United States could
best exercise it's good offices by stopping
filibustering. To this Mr.. Woodford re-
sponded with his note of last week. 1t
is said to be purely argumentative
statement of the position taken by the
United States, and the facts set out are
substantially those so strongly drawn
in the Presidents message to Congress,
of which it is supposed the Spanish pub
lie had been fully advised through the
newspapers.
The most forcible statement in the note
is based upon the facts collected and
published recently by the United States
Treasury Department, exhibiting the
great expense to which the United
States had been put by reason of it's
efforts to patrol an enormous coast line
in the pursuit of a few filibusters and
the remarkable success Of the govern
ment officials in stopping these expedi-
tions, as contrasted with the feeble ef-
forts of the Spanish authorities to main
tain a patrol around the island of Cuba.
All of these facts were included in Mr..
Woodford's note, and while he put them
in his own language in presenting them
to the Spanish foreign officials, it is said
that the statements concern only events
that have already been touched upon.
ARRESTED BY THE SPANISH
HAVANA, Dec. 27. - An apothecary,
named M. Rubi, and three former insur-
gent leaders, who surrendered some time
ago to the authorities of Pinar del Rio.
have been arrested on the charge OF
trying to induce large number of armed
farmers to join the insurgents. When
the conspiracy was discovered the pris-
oners were taken into custody and sent
to this city. They are now imprisoned in
Morro Castle.
THE AUTONOMOUS CABINET
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27. = The new
Cuban Cabinet, which, with the Captain
General of Cuba, will form the executive
organization under the autonomous re-
gime will be announced during the week,
according to the expectations of Span
.ish officials here. There is no doubt that
Senior Galvey will be the Cuban Premier.
He'has been long prominent as the lead
er Of the Autonomists in the island. He
is described as a man of wide influence
among the substantial elements. Senior
Amblard will be member of the Cabi-
net. II he will consent to take place.
He has been in Washington several days
in conference with the Spanish Minister,
and left last night for Cuba. 1t is pos
sible that Senior Amblard may prefer to
continue In parliamentary life. in which
case 1t is believed that he will become the
leader Of the Cuban party in the Cortes.
1t is asserted that the following have