The record-union., 1898-04-12
IN SANTA CLARA PROVINCE.
Consul Barker Covers the Ccndi-
items in His District.

Consul Barker covers the conditions
existing in Santa Clara Province in a
number of communications, beginning
on the 10th of November, 1897, and
closing ON the 24th of March, last His
letters constitute one long story of dis
tress-Of destruction and death, until,
indeed the picture, even as drawn in
the plain language of official communi-
cations, is revolving.
Mr.. Barker devoted comparatively lit
tie space to political questions, but one
or two of mis- letters are along these
lines. Probably the most notable of
these is his communication of the 10th
of January, last in which he vOlun-
teers some suggestions to the Depart
ment Of State. From this communi-
cation the following extracts are taken:
when Spain will admit defeat, no
mortal, in my humble judgment, dare
predict. That her plan of settlement
autonomy, is a failure is certain, and
this failure, under her dominion, is not
to be questioned. Pending this admis-
sion on her part, thousands of human
beings, guiltless of being or having any
part in the insurrection, are dying for
want of Susten2nce. This condition
must continue to increase. The United
States, in taking action relative to Cuba
which seems inevitable-desires to
avoid a clash with Spain Then let
Congress alter cur citizenship laws by
amending the statute relative to the
declaration required Of persons becom-
ing citizens by naturalization, so that
the subjects or citizens of any Govern
ment at present residing in Cuba may
go before any United States Consul on
the island and make declaration of his
intention of becoming a citizen of the
United States, which shall entitle them
to recognition as citizens until the ex-
piratiOn of two years, when they be
required to reside in the United States
until five years shall have elapsed be-
fore being granted naturalization pa
pers. With such privilege, I am con-
fident, 30 per cent. of the resident Span
iards, the hitherto dominant party and
the taxpayers. will avail themselves of
this opportunity for rebuking the moth
er country for attempting to foist upon
them changes in the existing laws of
the island. Such a step would cause
the subjects as we'll as the Government
to acquiesce without disturbance and
without the loss of the island"
States shall offer her good offices to
Spain, with a view of securing an ar
mistice of ninety days duration. for
the purpose of discussing the settle
ment between Spain and the insurgents.
the United States to be the umpire.
Pending negotiations. he would have
all the troops quartered and held in the
large fortified coast towns. in order
their homes and employment He adds
that the relief from the United States
must be continued, Or the people must
starve. so long as there is an armed
Spanish soldier in the country. since
these people from fear OF being nur-
dered do not so TO their country homes.
REIGN OF TERROR.
On the 10Th of January MIR. Barker
says: In this Consular District a
reign of terror and anarchy prevails
which the authorities. if so disposed.
are utterly poweriess to control or in
any measure subdGe. Aside from the
suffering caused by the unparalleled
destitution, 1 regard the situation as
rapidly assuming a critical stage
"As stated heretofore, III no way fay,.
the authorities departed from the policy
pursued by the late but not lamented
General Weyier. Spanish troops. as
well as the guerrilias under the c;uel
chiefs Carreras. Olvariette AMI IaZo,
continued to despoil the country and
drench it with the blood Cf noE-conbat-
ants Although the banjo OF the Cap
tain-General provides that iaborers may
return to the country, ii restricts their
operations to those near earrisons Last
week a number belonging 10 the Es-
pana estate, located within a league of
Sagua, owned by George Tholndyke of
Newport, r. l., were driven off after re-
turning, and refused permit as a pro-
lection by the military commander
Mayor Iomo, one of the trusted officers
under the Weyler regime
The latter part Of Mr. Barker's cor
respondence. beginning with the 18th
of March, is devoted to a statement of
the relief labors and an estimate of the
funds required to continue this work.
He states that from the 10th of Febru-
airy to the 18th of March he cared for
200 persons, increasing the number
OH the relief list after that date to
1000. He then details the work done
by the Red Cross Society, the various
local committees and others, to each of
whom he gives due credit Mr. Bar
ker indicated that the Spanish local au-
thorities were willing to accept aid from
the United States, and he added that