Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-09
Distressing Reports Received by the
Administration.
LITTLE RELIEF FOR TIE STARVING
Probable Failure of Gen. BIanco's
Plan of AmeIioration.


The full text of Spain's reply to the
Woodford note was read at the cabinet
meeting today. Its tone was pacific and
was regarded by the cabinet as satisfactory
and as calculated to allay fear of a hostile
outbreak.
Distressing news continues to be received
by the administration from Cuba regarding
the condition of the greater part of the
population. There is a feeling that Gen.
Blancos proclamations will not bring the
results which were promised; at least, the
reports made by the consular representa-
tfves indicate as much. The consuls seem
to be nearly unanimous in their belief that
the extension Of the zones of cultivation
which Is promised will not be sufficient to
save good many thousands more of the
reconcentradoes from starvation. The only
hope for these people is to have food sup
piled them until they CAN be put back in
the country in their own huts and time be
given for them to raise sweet potatoes and
other products
But the new policy as now understood
does not contemplate such a step. They
are merely to be allowed TO go little fur
ther out of the fortified towns to grub tor
whatever the soil contains. They are still
Will be In reality as much prisoners of war
as they have been under Weyler's rule
1t has been represented that this course is
a military necessity, and that by gradually
extending the zones of cultivation General
Blanco will in the spring be able to have
most Of the country people on their farms.
But the extension of the zones of cultIva-
tion does no. meet the emergency which
exists to prevent some thousand people
from starving to death.
No disposition is felt in official quarters
to dtscredit General Blanco's good faith.
1t is believed that he is sincere both in
rfv,r L, -
and in bettering the conditions of the popu-
lation. Nevertheless, the guarded state
ments which have come from Havana
about the embarrassments of the captain
general and the difficulties OF the situation
are not reaSSuring.
These amount to almost confession
that Gen. Weyler left affairs in so horrible
a condition that his successor is unable to
remedy them.
While there has been difference of opin-
ion in the cabinet as to the lengths to
which the United States ought to go, the
official reports read at recent meetings
have caused a unanimous agreement
one point. This is that the administration
should be able to show marked and gen.
uine improvement in the condition of the
starving people.
Without a visible Improvement of this
kind it is felt that Congress will not be
held back from early action on the bel
lieerency resolution. However temperate
the tone of the Spanish governments reply
ises, these alone will not be sufficient. Re-
suits must be shown. ability 70 show
them will be an admission of impotency.
The developments of the policy which Gen.
Blanco is expected to carry out in Cuba
VIII be of special significance during the
time that is to elapse before Congress
meets.
The captain generals amnesty proclama-
ton Is met with doubts similar to those
which surround other matters. 1t is point
ed out that 1t is too general and indefinite
to be of much value Apparently the par
don can be construed just as the authori-
ties want it to be construed. point is
made by those familiar with the situation
in Havana that the pardon is for rebellion
as distinguished from other alleged civil
crimes. Most of the prisoners of war who
were shot by Weyler's order were not con-
victed of rebellion. Their crime was "re-
bellion and incendiarism." The "incen-
diarism' consisted in burning cane fields,
which the insurgents and the Spanish
alike do. Most of the insurgents stand
charged with this crime" They might,
therefore, be pardoned for rebellion and
still be subject to conviction for incen-
diarism.