San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-24
OUTSIDE OF THE INSURGENT
CAMPS AMI IN THE CITY OF
HAVANA IS NO BREAD
Spanish Troops Outside Of Havana
Are Actually Starving Hospitals
Are Without Bread Or Food Of
Any Kini--FrOm Havana To
ArteOiSSa Is One Ruin,


the Herald from Havana, says:
Deplorable as the condition of the
reconcentrados may be, SPANS first
duty is clearly to relieve the sufferings
of her own troops. The soldiers are
in as serious plight as the majority
of the reconcentrados. The recon-
centrados have one advantage-th
may deceive charity.
To begin, the Spanish soldiers have
received no pay for many months and
consequently they are not able to buy
anything on their own account in the
small towns in which are stationed.
Then, too, the credit of the troops
have been in most instances exhaust
ed, the storekeepers refusing to deliv-
err them goods until they are paid what
is long due to them. All the soldiers
have to depend upon in the way of food
and clothing is what is supplied by
the commissariat department, and that
department is neglected and, it is as
serted, corrupt.
When Gen. Blanco, in an interview
with me four days after his arrival,
stated that he would do his utmost
to better the condition Of the private
soldier, he was sincere, but it was i'm
possible for him to realize then what
the condition of the soldiers was. To
learn the truth he must personally in
spect the country districts. The re-
ports of officers are calculated to de-
ceive the captain general. All that
Gen. Blanco has to judge by are the
reports from hospitals, and even these,
with all attempts at concealment, are
appalling.
In Havana, leaving aside the hOspi-
tails, the conditions are not so bad; but
If the captain general were to go TO the
country he would see i'll soldiers lying
by the wayside; he will find many forts
that in reality are nothing more than
hospitals, and in most Of the small
towns he would experience difficulty
in getting together force of any size
that would be able to march five miles
and then be in condition to tackle an |
ordinary band of rebels.
1 am not in any way eXaggerating.
The whole country along the road from
Artemisa to Havana is in ruins except |
a few small patches where tobacco is
being planted under the guards of the
forts. In further proof of the asser-
lions regarding the condition of the
Spanish troops, the Herald correspon-
dent has received the following copy |
Of an official telegram, dated November
10, from the military commander at |
Ciega de Avila to Havana:
Very serious conditions exist in |
this town (Garrison). No bread no |
flour, absolutely. Three thousand sick |
in hospital without provisions, what
ever, beside the garrison itself. With |
greatest urgency that be sent the
-four asked for on October 2S and send
cash to buy effects. No credit"
In Mantanzas, Cienfuegos and in fact
nearly all the towns, credit to the
roops has been refused and kilograms
similar to the above are pouring into
he palace daily. If this lasts much |
onger the troops will surely mutiny, |
if relief is first offered to
he reconcentrados.
Such is the state Of affairs in the
spanish army in Cuba that Gen. Blan-
o has to contend with. 1t is hardly
o be wondered at that he feels in :
ensed at the way in which he has ;
cen deceived by Spanish officers. Z
Stories of the suffering of the recon- |
have been so frequently pub
shed that there is little that is new s
D tell. However, much in earnest | i
Ian PIapco NAV ha n will ha r,-aalyS |
efore he can effect any visible i'm '
rovement The officers in the coun- !
" are opposed to his policy and will {
ally with his orders. S
If Spain has not exterminated the
she has cut across the c
land that will take generations to b
cal. The children's children of
lie Cubans within the Recommendation c
'nes today will bear the marks, phys a
ally and mentally OF the existing 4