The herald., 1897-12-02
Visited Upon the Hapless
Cuban People
SMALLPOX MAKING RAvAGES
AMONG THE REMNANT LEFT BY
FAMINE
President Mckinley Considering an
Appeal to Charity for Aid for
the Destitute
Press Special Wire.

Associated IreSS 0peclal wire
HAVANA, via Key West, Dec. 1.-The
deplorable condition of the country
grows more and more apparent Refu-
gees and reconcentrados are growing
more and more miserable. According to
reports from San Domingo, smallpox is
making terrible ravages among the re-
concentrates. Since April last more
than four thousand have died in the city
alone. The local authorities take no
steps whatever to check the mortality.
The streets Of the city are thronged with
famine-stricken beings who succumb to
disease under, perhaps, some lonely por-
ter, where they remain until God only
knows when.
| The correspondent Of the Associated
Press at San Domingo says that the
worst African savages are more humane
than the local authorities. More than
290 smallpox cases are known to exist,
but no one is ever known to be vaccin-
ated. Medical aid is scarce and the burial
of these wretched beings is most bru-
| Tally SlLcCtSQ. OlleIl llldlly DIS ultGtI
corpses are piled together on a car and
then dumped together in a hole. to be
covered with so little earth that the first
shower exposes the limbs of the dead,
which are afterward devoured by vul-
lures, hogs and dogs.
RECOGNITION
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1.-Congressman Jo-
seph Bailey of Texas, the recognized
| leader of the Democratic side Of the
house, passed through the city today en-
route for Washington. He expressed
his opinion that not much will be accom-
plished by the approaching session OF
congress, particularly regarding the cur
rency question.
There is a possibility" he said, that
| the house may take some action regard
| ing the currency, providing the presi-
dent sends a message to congress rec
|,o ,ommending the retirement of the green
backs and the conversion of non-interest
bearing government notes into gold in
terest bearing securities. Should the
president do this, such a measure would
doubtless pass the house, but in no event
would it pass the senate, and don't be-
lieve it will be attempted"
Asked his opinion of the fate Of the
Morgan resolution recognizing the bel
ligerency Of Cuba, he said: Every
thing depends on public sentiment. If
public feeling remains Dormant, the res
olution will not be acted upon in the
| house. but If the public makes a strong
demand, then the resolution will be
taken up and passed under a rule limit
| ing debate"
REPORTS OF BATTLES
HAVANA, Dec. IAN announcement
was issued from the Spanish head
quarters in the palace today that force
or insurgents recently attacked Guisa
province of Santiago de Cuba, and that
a Spanish column has left Manzanillo to
engage the insurgents at Gua.
Another announcement from the pal
ace describes a movement of Spanish
troops under Gen. Bernal, who was ac-
companied by Senor Jose Canalejas, the
former Spanish cabinet minister and
special commissioner who is visiting
Cuba to gather material for a report on
the condition of the island in behalf OF
the Spanish government, and Gen.
Hernandez Velasquez.
| The Spanish force consisted of 2301
men, accompanied by two field guns. The
column under command of Gen. Bernal
engaged an insurgent force, according to
| the reports, on the heights of Romero,
Madama and Peladosek, province of
| Pinar del Rio, and later was more Sc
verely engaged with the insurgents at
La Cuichila de los Caimitos, where the
| Spaniards are said to have captured and
destroyed the fortified camp of the in
surgents. General Hernandez, command
ing the second column, the report con-
tinues, captured and destroyed an in
surgent camp at Aranjuez and also de-
stroyed 500 huts and several other in
surgent camps in the immediate vicinity
Of ranjuez.
AS a result of these movements, con-
tinues the official statement, the in
surgents retreated in thoroughly de-
moralzed condition. after suffering the
loss of many men killed and wounded.
The Spanish columns lost a major and
- soldiers killed and had one captain
and 20 soldiers wounded
| According to the latest advices from
the scene of the engagements, the Span
ish cavalry was continuing the pursuit
of the enemy.
Six hundred sick, wounded and other
| Wise lIlNdllueu SOluleTS nave just lett
Cuba for Spain.
The insurgent generals Rabi and Sal
vador Ries pillaged the village of Guisa
about fifteen miles from Bayamo. Their
artillery destroyed several block houses,
killing the military commander and one
lieutenant. The garrison, after losing
fifty soldiers, killed and wounded, sur
rendered. The insurgents plundered the
stores securing rich booty, two months
supplies, good quantity of ammunition
and 200 rifles. The Spanish have sent re-
Inducements to retake the town.
AN APPEAL FOR CHARITY
NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-President Nc
Kinley is considering the best method
of placing before the charitable citizens
of the United States an appeal for food
to relieve destitution in Cuba. Accord
ing to the Washington correspondent OF
the World the Spanish Minister has in
formally conveyed the information to
| this government that any contributions
which may be made will be welcomed.
| In view of this it Is expected that within
a few days Consul-General Lee will be
authorized to take charge of the supplies
| United States.
! The administration hopes that gen.
eral relief movement will be started in
] this country. In such an event steps