The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-29
DeLOME'S CONS TRUCTION
SEES NO INTERVENTION IN AMERICAN
OFFER OF HELP
SPANS Contribution to Cuba is the RENTS
sion of Duty on the Relief Sup
plies Sent.

Washington, ID. c., Dec. 2S.-Mr. Du-
puy De Lone, the Spanish Minister,
expresses strong disapproval of reports
that, the relief measures adopted by the
| United States and co-operated in by
Spain are a step toward intervention
by this government in the affairs of
Cuba. The minister characteriZes such
reports as an effort to mix politics with
charity and, as calculated to excite i'll
feeling which will embarrass the chart
table movement and impede it's execu-
ton in Havana and throughout the
island. Referring to the subject he said
today:
This talk of Intervention in certain
quarters has no other purpose than to
embitter both countries and to divert
the original purpose of alms-giving.
The extension of aid to the sufferers in
Cuba is no more Intervention than was
the action of all the nations of the
world, including Spain, to extend help
to Chicago after the big fire, or that
of the United States in sending a ship
load of grain to Russia and last year
to India, and to the city of London in
sending food and money to Paris when
the siege by the Germans was raised"
Turning to a dispatch just received
from DR.. Congosto, secretary general
at Havana, the minister proceeded,
quoting in part from the dispatch:
1T is not true that Spanish authorities
in Cuba are not equal to the situation.
Succor is being given abundantly and
relief committees are in regular opera
ton. In two of the provinces-Puerto
Principe and Santiago-there has been
no concentration. Forty plantations are
grinding sugar, and there is ample work
for those who want it. Many of the
reconcentradoes who are reported to be
suffering are in such condition through
an unwillingness to work The energy
with which relief measures are being
conducted in Havana is shown by a
glance at the Havana papers every day,
where there are long lists of charitable
donations from private parties of con-
densed milk, corn meal and like articles
specially serviceabe for the relief of
children. 1t should be borne in mind
also that the Spanish government has
RENTED all duties on relief supplies sent
to Cuba, so that for every dollar OF
supplies entering Cuba, Spain adds n
considerable percentage, the RENTED
duties running from forty per cent
down.
at is perfectly well understood that
the American help viii be received with
the spirit that it is given, and the Amer
lean government, as Secretary Sherman
expressed in his recent letter, offers the
well known genrosity of the American
people in the same spirit that they have
accepted foreign help in cases Of public
calamity. 1t seems that some persons.
who make statements rs to conditions
in Cuba, forget that the evils of war
cannot be mitigated in a short time. They
fail to compare the actual situation Of
today with that of the past, and they
totally disregard the efforts made to
improve the situation. After all, it is
probably unnecessary to answer those
who will go to such an extreme as to
mix intervention and intrusion with the
acts of mercy Of nation well known
for its generosity and charity"