Evening star., 1898-09-28
DR.. Congosto Says 1t is a Social Not a
Political Problem.
EMIGRATION MAY HELP SOLVE IT
Reason for Delay in Spanish Evac-
uation Due to Disease.
HE CENSURES GEN. TORAL

NEW YORK, September 2s-Among the
| passengers who arrived today on the
steamer City OF Washington from Havana
| were DR.. Jose Congosto and Capt Fred
| Sharp of the Merritt & Chapman Wreckiug
| Company. The City of Washington brought
| forty-one cabin passengers and a small
| cargo, composed chiefly Of cigars and to-
bacco.
DIR. Congosto will sail for Havre on the
| French line steamer October J.
captain Sharp was greatly pleased to
| learn that the Spanish cruiser Marie Te-
resa had been fioated and taken to Guam
| tanamo. He thinks the collier Merrimac
sunk in Santiago harbor. can be foated.
Later DR.. Congosto said: THE evacua-
ton of Cuba by Spain Is a matter Of time,
| but when l left Havana everything was
| progressing well. | do not care TO enter
into all the reasons for the delay but one
Of the principal causes is the fact that we
have over 5000 sick who must be taken
| care of, and cannot be left behind.
Problem of the Future.
The problem of the future of the island
is difficult one, and L have studied It
without prejudice. and as a result of this
study Of years I believe that 1t is a social
problem and not political one. OF course
politics will enter into the solution, but the
great question is how to bring the most
prosperity and the greatest happiness 10
the people Of Cuba 1t is probable that
there will be a large emigration to the is
land, and this emigration may assist In
solving the problem. OF course a difficulty
will be met in view Of the dangers OF fever
and the climate"
DIR. Congosto asked as to the condi-
tion of the reconcentrados. There are no
reconcentrados now" he answered with a
smile.
What has become of them?' was the
question.
They're gone"
"Where?"
God knows" was the reply.
DO you mean to say they are all dead?"
That probably explains it better than /
discuss"
When asked as to the establishment of
new navy for Spain DR.. Congosto said
Spain is still a great country. and she
ought to nave great navy, and probably
will
Ccnsures General ToraI.
Discussing the fail of Santiago and the
surrender of Gen. Toral Dr. Congosto said:
There were brave soldiers at Santiago
and if their leader lacked courage he de-
serves to be punished. Santiago should not
have fallen it did, and if Toral had not
entered into negotiations with the enemy
1t is likely that there would have been a
different story to tell today. 1t is not true
that the Spanish army there lacked sup
plies and ammunition, for they had plenty
OF both, which they turned over to the
Americans. If Toral had pushed forward
instead of retreating toward the city he
certainly would have caused a repulse
These are things which he will have to ex-
plain"
Dr. Congcsto hopes that when his duties
on the Paris peace commission expire he
will resume his consular service.
Mr.. Nentor Won Hollenstein an American
citizen and a member Of the German Red
Cross Society, who had been in prison for
several months in Havana. charged with
completely in the insurrection of the Gu
bans, was also among the passengers of
the City of Washington. He released
during the first part of this month. He is
he received.