Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-23

| ,,ro,chaa from time 10 time, but the ra-
tions have been so scanty ana SO 'hire-
,uor, that without n question tens OF
,honso,As ~ men. women, and children
have died from starvation. Inc tesu-
mony upon this point cannot De success
fully challenged. IL comes from scores
90 Reliable sources. IL shows that the
roconcentradoes find shelter wherever
they can--ln outhouses, in fence-corners'
in tents. in brush houses, or IN hoies
burrowed I'm tho ground. And except in
| a., ro,o instances where families have
money or friends able to supply them
with food. they suffer the torments OF
hunger and die by the hundreds. Mean
while. the Spanards either ignore the
situation or are powerless to relieve 1t.
And 80 our people have stepped In and
have sent great stores of provisions to
these famished people.
AT first the United states Government,
upon the representations of General Lee,
undertook to relieve those who claimed
assistance as Americans. or as the wives
ana children Of Americans; but laterly,
through private benefactions, the work
has been greatly extended. Now our re-
lief committees, as far as they can do
90 give food 10 all who need it-suffer-
ing making all the kinship necessary TO
establish a claim upon our bounty. In
most cases the food distributed consists
OF Indian-corn meal and bacon. and 1t
Is all that is necessary, except for the
sick. Of whom there are many. These lat /
fer need better food and medicines. For |
these general purposes money is being |
collected all over the United States and !
the United States Government has un-
dcrtaken to see that the supplies bought
are forwarded TO Cuba. The Spanish,
however, have interposed objections TO
our sending supplies on warships, par
to other ports than Habana.
II remains to be seen whether our
government will be content to respect
these objections The speech of Senator
Proctor was no doubt designed to in
'orm the American public as to the vast
AMOUNT of suffering in Cuba and to lay
he foundation for some very positive
.ction by the administration. Mr.. Proc
or's utterances have certainly fired the
learts" Of the people, and many who
we're formerly opposed TO advanced ac-
ion upon the part of this government
re now eager for the President to send
hip-loads of provisions to Cuba, no mat
er what the Spaniards may say or do.
o that extent the situation has been
hanged by Mr.. Proctors statement.
1t is clear that. aside from all conslde-
atoms with respect to the destruction s
{ the Maine, the Intervention party in !
MS country has become greatly strength :
ned of late. /
The President is evidently DESTROYS of c
aving the support not only Of all mem {
srs of his own party but of all Demo- c
'ats in whatever movements he may
AXE. He is said to have stated to Mr. O
ould not think Of an early adjourn e
ent, and it is understood that the en- o
re Cuban situation will be reviewed in n
message to Congress, to be sent in as L
ION as the report Of the Maine court c
inquiry is received and considered. II a
e revelations with respect to the loss of y
e Maine are such as to give us good
Ound for complaint against Spain, they d
III fall upon the ears of people al
ady incensed on account of the recon-
ntrado policy, and Congress will be s,
rtain to back the President in any de- h
'ive action that he may take, or urge a,
TO take. IN