The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-01

$4,000 on March 2. The Governors and al
caldes We're called upon to show their zeal
by giving a good example, an appeal 10
which these authorities responded with an
interest worthy of all praise. In this way
was private charity encouraged and enabled
to organize its own protective committees,
economic kitchens and charitable associa-
tions which distribute relief personally and
contribute powerfully to relieve the suffer
ing.
AS result of all this public spirit be-
gan to rise again, confidence was renewed
and at the same time a disposition to work
began to prevail In Santa Clara there are
actually large number of these unhappy
beings occupied in field labor. In order to
avoid the overcrowding which was found to
occur when the laborers returned to the
towns after the days work, huts were erect
ed for them in the cultivated zone, with
very excellent results. In Pinar del Rio
five villages are being reconstructed and
effective means being taken to increase
and encourage agricultural labor. In San
tiago de Cuba the cultivated zones are in
perfect condition; those of San Luis, Songo
and Canery may be cited as models. In
Matanzas ten thousand free railway tickets
were given to the reconcentrados, who
turned to their old homes. Gradually the
gravity of the crisis is passing away but
owing to the height it obtained this cam
not be accomplished in a brief time.
Apart from any preconceived idea it is
only just to admit that the help which
comes from the United States rs also a pow
erful means of relief in the actual circum-
stances. The Governor of this province
CHabana) calculates in $4,000 the value of
the provisions clothes, medicines, etc., dis
tribtued in this city during the month of
February, which have contributed to the
relief of the excessive number of reconcen-
trados here.
1T is sad to note that the population has
diminished, but it must be remembered that
this is by no means due exclusively to want
and misery. The emigration which occur
red in some cities was enormous; in Santia-
go de Cuba alone twelve thousand passports
have been signed. The official statistics also
show that the high rates of mortality are
not due in many cases to the absence of
provisions. 1t has been observed that the
largest number of deaths occur upon the
arrival from the country of new groups of
reconcentrados who, unwilling to take the
advice of the doctors in their debilitated
state, eat the food that the thoughtless
charity of the soldiers makes them proffer
in many cases with fatal results.
Il will say, in conclusion, that the situa-
tion has improved much and that the most
acute point of the crisis has passed. The
problem however is not yet solved nor,
can this be done Immediately because, the
majority of the persons dependent on public
and private charity at the present moment
are children and women whose future has
10 he ,4.kn - ,,t, III.
leaves deep scars and much work and time
are necessary to repair the damage done in
single day."
Accompanying the report of General Blan-
co are reports from the Governor of Ma
tanzas province, Francisco dArmas the
Governor of Santa Clara province Marcus
Garcia, and from the Governors Of Havana,
Pinar del Rio and Santa Clara. The Gov
ernors give the technical conditions OF the
reconcentrados in the several provinces, the
expenditure of funds, establishment of re-
lief kitchens, etc. Governor D'Armas says
the havoc began when the fertile fields of
Matanzas were invaded by the insurgents
In 1895; desolating the land and lcavine, the
people out Of work. He admits that the
reconcentrado decree of 1896, instead of
diminishing the evils augmented them.
Governor Garcia, of Santa Clara, gives the
particulars Of the relief measures adopted.
The Governor of Pinar del Rio gives a list
of reconcentrados in the villages of his
province to whom rations are issued He
states the number of these reconcentrados
to be 1856, of whom S,427 are over fourteen
years old. The suffering has not been as in
tense in this province as in others, as the
people have secured work and have been
allowed to carry their rifles. The chief Of
police Of Matanzas says the situation has
improved notably since the reconcentrados
are securing work. The worst feature of
the situation seems to be that while the
men are relieved by getting work the
women and children are still a charge on
the community. The suffering is greatest
in this class, and the efforts toward relief
are mainly directed to the women and chill
dren.