The record-union., 1897-04-13
Deaths From Starvation of Very Ere
quent Occurrence.
In Many Parts of the Country the
People Have Not Been Able to
Raise Enough to Keep Them Alive
-OverCrowding of Cities Causes
Outbreaks of Disease of All Kinds
Leprosy Rapidly on the Increase.

HAVANA, April 12.-Famine is fol-
lowing the war. Destitution on the ISL
and is increasing with terrible rapid
ity. Already most dreadful stories of
hardship have been received and yet
the famine is only just beginning. In
many towns deaths from starvation are
of frequent occurrence.
The war has now lasted so long that
the crops Of the island have been ruin
ed. In many parts of the country the
people have not been able to raise
enough to keep them alive. The sugar
and tobacco plantations that gave
work to many thousands of people have
been closed in most parts of the island,
and the laborers thrown out of work.
Moreover large numbers of the men
who, under peaceful conditions, culti-
waited the soil, are with the insurgents
and the non-combatants have in the
majority of cases been forced to leave
their country homes and to live in the
already over-croWded cities.
The Cubans are an improvident peo-
pie and few of them have means suffi-
Gent to support them. When deprived
of work there is nothing ahead of
them but starvation or charity. In
the present condition of affairs charity
is not to be expected and so they are
starving to death. Unless a change
speedily takes place appeals must soon
be made to the United States for food
for the starving people.
The overcrowding of the cities and
the lack of food has encouraged the
outbreak of disease of all kinds and
pestilence promises to supplement the
work of famine. One curious and hor-
rible fact is that leprosy seems to be
rapidly increasing among the famine
stricken people.
The Spaniards, while not in the same
condition Of restitution. are suffering
almost as much from disease and are
looking forward to the approach of hot
weather with feeling almost of terror.
Last summer killed more Spanish SOL
diers than the insurgents have sue
ceeded in doing and the approaching
summer promises to be fully as fatal.
Already the hospitals are full to over
flowing; the Spanish authorities have
concealed the number of deaths among
the troops, but estimates show that a
terrible less of life has occurred.
The news that the Spanish had been
disastrously defeated by the insurgents
near Ell Coliseo, in Matanzas on Satur-
day has also caused a feeling of de-
preston that is very evident in this
city.
AMERICANS SET FREE.
KEY WEST (Fla.), April 12.-News
from Cuba has been received to the
effect that wholesale releases of Amer
lean citizens from Cuban jails will take
place within the next ten days. This
is in accord with the new reforms
promised by the Spanish Government
Within the next week Cepho Aguirre
and Melton, the newspaper correspon-
dent, viii be set free. Melton was cap
tured on the flibuster Competitor and
narrowly escaped death. The COMPETE
tor was a, small schooner that sailed
from this port April 20. 1896, with war
supplies and men for Cuba She was
captured five days later by a Spanish
gunboat while attempting to land on
the coast of Pinar del Rio. Most of the
men swan ashore, but the leader, Cap
tain Alfredo Laborde, and four others
were made prisoners. Melton was
among those captured. He claims to
be a war correspondent and to be a
on-combatant. After a short military
trial the prisoners were all condemned
to death.
AT this point the United States inter
posed an objection, demanding civil
trials for its citizens. The controversy
waxed hot, and for a. while it seemed
as if it might lead TO a breach of the