The record-union., 1898-04-12
IN SANTIAGO PROVINCE.
Conditions as Reported by Consul
p. z. Hyatt.

The reports of the condition of af-
fairs in Santiago are made by Consul
p. F. Hyatt, beginning on the 10Th of
November, last. Mr.. Hyatt had then
but recently returned to the island, and
he begins his reports with a review of
the condition of the insurgents and the
opposition to autonomy. He had been
disposed, he says to believe that the
insurgents were weakening, sand that
the autonomists were coming to the
front. After investigation, however, he
was convinced that such was not the
fact.
The change of policy as expressed by
Captain-General Blanco is, he says,
doubtless modifying the feeling of re-
sentiment which formerly prevailed, and
should the near future prove discourag-
ing TO the insurgents, would doubtless
smooth the way to paciication.
In this same communication Mr..
Hyatt discusses the policy which the
United States should pursue. Among
property holders, whether Americans
or citizens of other natiOnalities, there
is but one sentiment, and this senti-
ment is hands off, or such interven-
tion as will quietly terminate the strug
gle. They deprecate constant agitation
which makes the governing class enc
mics to American interests, and brings
no corresponding advantage.
On the 26th of November Mr.. Hyatt
says: THE text of the new autonomy,
as published here, is not meeting with
favor by the most ardent friends of
Spain. There is, however, a feeling of
relief and safety since the change in
the Captain -Generalship.
A portion of this correspondence is
withheld by the State Department
Writing on the 9Th of December Mr..
Hyatt says: THE reconcentrados or
der is relaxed, but not removed, but
many people have reached a point
where it is a matter of entire indiffer-
ence to them, whether it is removed
or not, for they have lost all interest
in the problem of existence. A census
of the island taken to-day as compared
with one taken three years ago, l feel
confident would show that two-thirds
of the residents are missing, and the
Spanish army would make no better
showing"
REVOCATION OF RECONCENTRA-
TION.
On December 14th Mr. Hyatt wrote:
1.-The order of RECOMMENDATION is now
satisfactorily Wlpeu Oul, anu DIS ldt DIS
the Spanish Government is concerned,
men go about nearly as they please.
The insurgents and their sympathizers
unquestionably take advantage of the
revocation to get from the towns and
cities what they need and to otherwise
strengthen their cause. The effects on
agricultural pursuits will be disappoint-
ing, because the great majority of those
xvhn ChnlIl6 take the work lOln the
insurgent forces when compelled to
leave their homes, and the portion
which I came in contact with in the
lines of recommendation are women and
children all of whom seem to have lit
tie interest in the problem of life. There
is no one to take these people back to
the fields and utilize their remaining
strength Their houses are destroyed,
the fireside overgrown with weeds, they
have no seeds to plant and If they did
they cannot live seventy or eighty days
until the crop natures, which, when
grown, would more than likely be taken
by one or the other of the contend
ing parties"
Closing this communication, Mr..
Hyatt says: L give it as my opinion,
an opinion that is not biased in favor
of Cuba, that Spain will be compelled
to prosecute a far more vigorous war
than has yet been done is she conquers
peace in Cuba. / think l speak advis-
edly when I say that in this end of the
island, at least there are many thous-
ands of square miles where the foot
of the Spanish soldier has never trod.
Within this zone the insurgents have
their families, corral their horses and
cattle, and raise their crops. Why
Spain. with as large a body of brave
soldiers as ever shouldered gun, has
not scattered to the four winds the
comparatively small body of men who
are there is a question / will not at
tempt to answer. AS I write" Mr..
Hyatt closes this communication, "a
man is dying in the street in front of
my door, the third in comparatively
short time
DEATH RATE APPALLING.
Mr.. Hyatt's letter Of the 21st of De-
cember deals largely with the sickness
and death rate on the island, which he
characterizes as appalling. Statistics,
he says, make a grievous showing. but
come far short of the truth. The dis
ease. he says. is generally brought on
by insufficient food. He mentions
some who are attacked who have plen-
ty. but these recover fully, while 9TH
ers die or make very slow recovery.
1.-THE prevailing disease is sometimes
called paludal fever, and others Ia
grippe. and it is epidemic rather than
CONTAGIOUS. At the date of this letter
about 40 per cent. of the people are
afflicted with it.
He says that yellow fever also pre-
walls. and out of a total of l6UO0 sol
diers recently sent to ManZanillo, near
ly 1000 were in hospitals or 1uartered
on the people He says that Mr.. Cam
inero, United States Sanitary !nspec-
tor. said at that time there were over
1900 people sick in bed, not counting
those in military hospitals.
EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH AUTON-
OMY.
On the 1st of January Mr.. Hyatt
dealt with the efforts to establish au-
tonomy saying that the scheme had
been pushed with great vigor, almost
or quite to the point of offering money
to ioin the party when they could not
be hired by a minor officer. Wnen mere
a few days since General Pando sent
for Mr.. Iora, and said: You have two
active and influential brothers IN the
rebel army. You must go at once 10
these brothers and tell them TO come
and ioin the Autonomist party, ana
that they will be provided for by me-