The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-25
AN APPEAL FOR CUBA.
Department of State Issues 1t to the
American People.


Washington, Dec. 24.-The following ap-
peal to the American people has been is
sued:
Department of State, Washington, D.
G., Dec. "a, 1SS7.-By direction of the Pres
ldent the public is informed that, in def
erence to the earnest desire of the gov
ernment to contribute by effective action
toward the relief of the suffering people
in the island of Cuba arrangements have
been perfected by which charitable contri-
buttons, iE money or in kind, can be sent
70 the island by the benevolently disposed
people of the United States
money, provisions, clothing, medicines
end the like articles of prime necessity
can be forwarded to Gen. Fitzhugh Lee,
the consul general of the United States at
Havana, and all articles, now dutiable
by law, so consigned will be admitted
into Cuba free of duty. The consul of
Cuba has been instructed to receive the
same and cooperate with the local au-
thorities and the charitable boards for
the distribution of such relief among the
destitute and needy people of Cuba
The President is confident that the peo-
pie of the United States, who have on
many occasions in the past responded
most generously to the cry for bread from
pN(lhSS Dy famine or sore CdlaTQl-
", and who have beheld no less generous
action Oh the part of foreign communi-
ties when their own countrymen have suf-
ferel from fire and food will heed the
appeal for aid that comes from the desti-
tute at their own threshold and especially
at this season of good will and rejoicing.
give thelr abundance to this humane end.
John Sherman"
The appeal was issued after consulta-
ton with Minister Dupuy de LONE. The
Spanish minister called at the state de-
partment about noon to-day and conferred
with Judge Day concerning the relief of
the reconcentrados on the island He
made 1t clear that the Spanish government
would cooperate in any relief measures
and there was entire willingness that the
supplies go direct to Consul General Lee
instead of through Spanish relief chan
nels.
The negotiations have been proceeding
for some time. The first active step in
this direction was taken by the President
on Dec. l and was in the form of a re-
quest that the. minister learn from his
government whether the regular tariff du-
ties would be remitted on relief supplies
. sent to Cuba.
Mr.. De LONE soon afterward answered
that Spain had consented to grant even
more than had been requested, and that
the duties had been remitted not o1Iv on
to, but on all medicines, soap, salt and
similar articles of prime necessity which
might enter into the plan of relief. The
only condition attached was that the sup
plies go through the regular relief COM
mittee established at Havana, of which the
bishop of Havana is chairman.
1t was arranged also that supplies sent
to the Spanish minister here would be for
warded to the authorities at Havana
Since then there have been criticisms of
the system adopted and reports have
come from Havana that the reconcentra-
dos were starving as a result of obstacles
in the way of transmitting relief. The
Spanish authorities state, however, that
there has been no delay on their part, and
since the arrangement was made no offer
of supplies, medicines, etc, has been made
There has been general desire, how
ever, to adopt a system by which the sup
plies would go direct to Gen. Lee, and as
a result of the Spanish minister's call
there will be plan adopted in executing
relief measures under the call now issued
Havana, Sept. 25.-United States Consul
General Fitzhugh Lee has received a cable
message from the government at Wash
ington saying that supplies were sent for
the reconcentradoes under the arrange
ment authorized by Captain General Blan-
co. which will admit them free OF duty He
will confer with the various charitable or
ganizations as TO the most convenient and
effective method of distribution.