The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-12
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reconcentrados must prove of no avail.
| He says that while the first article of the
order grants permission to the starving
class to return TO the country, the third
article abrogates this permission in exact
! ing that the places 80 which they go must
be garrisoned. This condition alone, he
says, will preclude over one-half of these
poor unfortuna ties, for their homes are in
ruin and the sugar estates able 10 main
tain a guard can care for but small per-
centage of the whole. Mr.. Barker says
that while he does not question the good
intention of those now in power, yet, sit
is self-evident that the authorities are
utterly helpless to extend any relief 10
those VINO have thus far survived the
pangs Of hunger
Mr.. Barker says that his observation
does not bear out the statement made by
the captain general through letter to the
Spanish minister, that extensive zones
of cultivation have been organized, that
daily radons are provided by the state.
and that work is furnished"
Mr.. Barker also points out the imprac-
tibihty of grinding cane under the present
conditions.
PLANTERS AFRAID OF GOMEZ.
He says in his letter of the 10Th of No
vember that ne had interviewed most of
the large planters in his consular district
and that they had stated that unless as
sured of immunity from the insurgent
chief, Gomez, they would not attempt to
ind Nv !
die their property. He adds that it is
an ''unquestioned fact that the military
are powerless TO give this necessary pro-
lection
Mr.. Barker devotes much space to the
suffering and mortality of the people of
his province. He places the mortality fig
ures for six of the principal cities of his
district, of the period beginning with Jan
uary l, and ending November u, 1897, at
80,S51. He says this is the official record,
and that fully % per cent should be added
ITO cover deaths of which no record was
kept"
SPANISH SOLDIERS PERISHING.
Undoubtedly" he says, "one-half the
concentrated people have died, and today
Spanish soldiers are companion victims of
the surviving non-combatants. This ap-
paIling death roll is mute yet convincing
proof of the terrible destruction of life
consequent upon the policy pursued in
attempting to subjugate the island. With
me the conviction is firmly rooted that
within sixty days 90 per cent of the pop
ulace will reach a state of craving hun
ger, nor do I feel that 1 am speaking
Numerically. Without including the rank
and file of the Spanish army, the true
status as viewed at present will bear out
this opinion The suffering among the
troops as well as the reconcentrados sim
ply beggars portrayal, while discomfort
ripens daily"
On the 18th of December, Mr.. Barker
relates the particulars of visit he had
made to the principal railroad towns in
his district, whic htoUr had been under
taken to verify the previous statements.
TOO NARROWING TO RECITE.
Speaking of this trip, which covered
the towns of Santa Clare, Cruces. Espe-
rams, Jicotea and Santa Domingo, he
says:
1.-THE restitution is simply too narrowing
to recite. and must become intensified
each day. The death rate for the last
month shows an increase of about % per
cent. In these towns 1 got much infor-
nation from the mayors of each. From
them 1 learned that while there was an
issue of food running from three TO five
ounces of bacon or jerked beef and six
ounces of rice for adults. with half this
allowance for children under IA years,
the pittance given was sufficient only for
one-fourth to one-tenth to the starving.
No further relief has been given up to
date and the mayors of these towns are
authority for stating that the captain gen.
eraI had ordered the discontinuance of
food to the reconcentrados."
UNABLE. EVEN IF WILLING.
This order from the captain general was
given because of the INSULT
ciecy of the food supply of the Spanish
soldiers. The mayor of Santa Clara had
also told Mr.. Barker that the military
commander had informed him that he was
to give food to no one having relations
with the instruction, which would in
clUde 70 per cent of the destitute. From
this Mr.. Barker concludes that, however !
sincere may be the desire to help the /
by Spanish authorities. /
they are powerleSs to do so for want of
means. He also states that all popular /
have proved a total failure. /
because the Cubans are poverty stricken /
and the Spanish viii contribute nothing" |
Mr.. Barker dwelIs in almost all of his |
communications upon the paucity of food [
OF the Spanish soldiers. In MS letter Of |
December Is he says:
'In my recent trip I found that the |
Spanish soldiers are not only suffering |
for necessary food, but l was often APP !
pealed to by these piHable creatures for |
medicine. One has only to look upon /
them to be assured of the needs com !
planned Of"
SOLDIERS SUFFERINGS.
In his letter Of the 2Sth Of December.
Mr.. Barker repeats his observations upon /!
the suffering and desdtution among the
saying:
How could the situation be otherwise
since the island is producing absolutely
nothing, save some growing cane, and a, /
the same time completely exhausted OF
al food. Relief can only be obtained from
he outer world Of charitable contribution.
To grind the cane without interruption
would be the means of saving the lives
IF thousands. who. without this or outside
lid. within thirty 70 fifty days must die
II actual hunger.
NOT ALLOWED To GRIND.
"Over a month since the planters were
advised Of SPANS inability 70
provide protection IN order TO operate the.r
mills. Th.s leaves the sugar grow 5rs en-