The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-23
We MUST INTERVENE NOW
Statesmen Say a Delay Would
Be Criminal.
SPANISH SLAUGHTER IN CUBA
Genators and Representative Say
That Nothing on Earth Can Jus
,if, Postponement Of Iutcrvcn-
1iou-IEternationaI obligations, At
They Exist. Muse BE Set Aside.

New York, March 22.-The Journal un-
der Washington date line. prints the fol-
lowing composite account Of their Cuban
trip by Senators Money. Gallinger. Thurs
ton. and Representatives Cummings and
w A Smith:
we went to Cuba expecting TO make
allowance for exaggeration due TO the in
tense strife and bitter passion thereby en-
gendered. We have returned convinced
by personal examination and observation
of the bitter inadequacy of language 10
tell the misery and horror Of the situa-
tion.
Hardly a human habitation is visible
in rural territory co-extensive with that
OF the six New England States.
From all sources. Spanish, Cuban and
foreign. whether American or European.
consuIs or business houses, the figures
practically agree that half the rural pop
ulation of Cuba has disappeared from the
face Of the earth.
The central and western provinces
where the effect of General Weyler's or
der has been most severely felt, there are
districts from which the whole population
has been swept as If by pestilence, and OF
whose people less than one-ffth are alive
today within the limits Of recommendation
Nor have the inhabitants Of the towns
and cities escaped. There the poorer
classes have been placed nearly on a pa
with the reconCentrados by the prlVation'
due to the paralysis of war. Disease ant
starvation have everywhere done thei
awful work. Spain, too, has suffered Il
loss Of life as well as in purse and pres
tige. Of the 250,0o0 troops which she ha
sent to cuba, not more than one-half wi
ever see their native land again. Hardl
the NTH of her forces now in the islam
are today effective.
The military hospitals are crowded
For the forces in the field no such thini
as a medical corps is known. They ar
without tents or commissary. In
steamships 10 Spain take back more in
vaIids than offset the fresh troop
brought in. and fer every invalid sol
der returned one is buried in Cuba
trench. The Spanish army Is unpai
and discouraged; il has lost the moral
INDISPENSABLE to military success.
Not q single important and success
ful military operation has marked Tn
course Of Spanish arms since the reca
Of Weyler Relatively, the lnsuTgent
are stronger than ever, yet lack IN
strength and armament 10 deliver I'M.
blow.
Opportunity did not present itself |
nenetrate the insurgent lines, but thel
was no difficulty in getting in tout
with men who are not only sympathlZe
with the cause Of Cuban independence
but who themselves are in constant con
munication with the insurgent COVER
ment and military leaders. From the
II was learned that the Cubans we
confident Of being able to maintain the
struggle indefinitely. and that there VI
a steady Improvement of conditions Wit
IL the territory which they control
1T was pointed out that Gen. Com
had maintained himself within a radi
Of fifty miles for months in a terrific
from which he could easily have be
driven, had he been so weak, or Z
Spanish as strong as the latter hi
claimed and that the provisional go
erument at Camaguey was seemingly
firmly planted as BlancO in his palace
Havana, yet il Is apparent that there
one large area Of the. island where [
insurgents exercise permanent control
The topography Of the country max
it plain that only an overwhelmi
force and tireless pursuits could 81
press forces Tar less numerous than [
insurgents command"
Military termination Of the war
either Spanish or Cubans is hopeles
Destruction determination and exhaU
ti0n seem the only immediate and u
aided solution IN the meanwh
American property has been destroyt
American citizens have been maitrea
ed imprisoned. wounded and killed. a
American commerce destroyed T
loss 10 America through the Cub
struggle is second only 10 that Of c
ba and Spain Cuba had 100 011 peOE
IN round numbers. when the insure
ti0n broke out Remove the Spani
troops and IL is doubtful is 1000.
would remain.
The destruction Of human life h
been terrific Weyler's order Of recg
centration was preceded, accompani
and followed by slaughter Of pacific
men. women and children. as brut
Unpr0vokcd and merciless as an ApaC
massacre. Il IS estimated that POO
rec0ncentrados are now in need Of c,
Juued relief.
There Is a semblance Of relief fr
the autonomist government but IL
yet vague and UuimpOrtant, nor is
plain that IL can Al any time be
fectiye, since the autonomist COVE
rneut IS lacking in revenues suffici
10 maintain the machinery Of its o
operation, and it has no immedi