The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-12-30
AN OFFICIAL APPEAL.

Washington, Dec. 24.-The following
appeal to the American people has been
issued: et
Department of State, Washington.
Dec. "a, 1S97-By direction of the presi-
dent, the public Is informed that In defer
ence to the earnest desire of the govern
ment to contribute effectively toward the
relief of the suffering people in the island
of Cuba, arrangements have been per-
fected by which charitable contributions
in money or in kind can be sent to the
island by the Denevolently disposed peo-
pie of the United States.
Money, provisions, clothing, medicines
and like articles of prime necessity can
be forwarded to Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, the
consul general of the United States mt
Havana, and all articles now dutable by
law, so consigned will be admitted into
Cuba free of duty. The consul general
has been instructed to receive the same
and to cooperate with the local authori-
ties and the charitable boards for the dis
tribution of such relief among the desti-
tute and needy people of Cuba.
'"The president is confident that the pc0-
pie of the United States, who have on
many occasions in the past responded
most generously to the cry for bread from
people stricken by famine or sore
calamity, and who have beheld no less
generous action on the part of the for
eign communities when their own country
men have suffered from fire and food,
from the destitute ut their own tiresl-
hold, and especially at this season Of good
will and rejoicing, give of their abund-
ance to this humane end.
lSigned) JOHN SHERMAN"
The appeal was issued after copsulta-
tion with Minister de LONE. The Spanish
minister called at the state department at
tod I'd 90. ...tt IT,
Day concerning the relief of the recorlcen-
tradoes In the island. He made II clear
that the Spanish government would CO.
operate in any relief measures and that
there was entire willingness that the gu
plies go direct to Consul General Lee in
stead of through the 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 December /, and was In the form of a
request that the minister learn from his
government whether the regular tariff
duties would be RENTED on relief sup
plies sent TO Cuba. Minister de LONE
soon afterwards answered that Spain had
consented to grant even more thnn had
been requested and that the duties would
DC RENTED not only on articles which
the president referred to, but also on all
medicines, soap, salt and similar articles
Of prime necessity which might enter into
theHplan of relief. The only condition at-
tached was that the supplies 20 through
the regular relief committees established
ut Havana, of which the bishop Of Haya-
ma IL the chairman. 1t was arranged also
that supplies sent to the Spanish minister
here would be forwarded to the authori-
ties ut Havana. Since then there have
been criticisms of the system adopted and
reports have come from Hayunn that fha
reconcentradoes were straving us result
of obstacles In the way of transmitting
relief. The Spanish authorities state,
however, that there has been no delay on
their part since the arrangement was
made. and no offer OF supplies. medicines.
etc, has been made. There has been a
general desire, however to adopt'a system
by which the supplies would 70 direct to
Gen. Lee, and ms a result Of the Spanish
minister's call today this will be the
plan to be adopted In forwarding the
relief measures under the call now issued.