The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-03-25


they had given free play to a strong,
natural and highly cultivated imagi-
nation.
Before starting 1 received
through the mail a leafet published
by the Christian Herald, with cuts
of some of the sick and starving re-
concentrates and took it with me,
thinking these were rare specimens
got up to make the worst possible
showing. l saw plenty as bad and
worse; many that should not be
photographed and shown. 1 could
not believe that out of a population
of 100000, 100000 had died within
these Spanish forts-practically pris-
on walls-within few months past,
from actual starvation and diseases
caused by insufficient and improper
food. My inquiries were entirely
outside of sensational sources. They
were made of our medical officers,
of our Consuls, or city Alcides May
ors), Of relief committees, of leading
merchants and bankers, physicians
and lawyers. Several of my inform
ants were Spanish-bor but every
time the answer was that the case
had not been overstated.
what saw / cannot tell so that
others can see. 1t must be seen
with ones own ewes to be realized
The Los Pasos Hospital, in Havana,
has been recently described by one
of my colleagues, Senator Gallinger,
and l cannot say that his picture
was overdrawn, for even his fertile
pen could not do that. He visited it
after DR.. Lessar, one of Miss Bar
toms very able and efficient assist
ants, had renovated it and put in
cots. saw it when 400 women and
children were lying on stone floors
in an indescribable state Of emacia-
ton and disease, many with the
scantiest covering of rags, and such
rags, and sick children naked as
they came into the world. And the
conditions in the other cities are
even worse.
"If our people could see small
fraction of the need they would pour
more freely from their liberal store
than ever before for any cause.
"When will the need for this help
end? Not until peace comes and
the reconcentrados can go back to
their country, rebuild their homes
reclaim their tillage plots, which
quickly run up to brush in that won.
derful soil and cline, and until they
can be free from danger of molesta-
ton in so doing. Until then the
American people must in the main
care for them. 1t is true that the
Alcaldes, other local authorities and
relief committees are now trying tC
do something, and desire, L believe
to do the best they can. But the
problem is beyond their means anC
capacity and the work is one tC
which they are not accustomed.
II wish might speak of the coun
try, of its surprising richness.
with it. On this point l agree witt
Columbus, and believe everyone be-
tween his time and mine must be o.
the same opinion. 1t is, indeed, 6
land where every prospect please'
and only man is vile.'
ut is said there are about $4,000
Spanish soldiers now in Cuba, fit fol
duty, out of over 100000 that have
been sent there. The rest have died
been sent home sick and in the hos
pitfalls, and some have been killed
notwithstanding the official reports
They are conscripts, many of then
very young and generally small men
One hundred and thirty pounds is 1
fair estimate of their average
weight. They are quiet and obedi
ent, and if we'll drilled and led,
believe, would fight fairly well, bu
not at all equal to our men. Mucl
more would depend on the leader
ship than with us. The officer mus
lead we'll, and be one in whom they
have confidence; and this applies Il
both sides alike.
"They have little or no equipmen
for supply trains or for q field cam
paign such as we have. Their cav
airy horses are scrubby little native
ponies, averaging not over so
pounds, tough and hardy, but for tn,
most part in wretched condition, re
! Winding one of the mounts of Dol
Quixote and his Squire. Some o
the officers, however, have gooC
horses, mostly American, L think
On both sides cavalry is considered
the favorite and the dangerous fight
ing arm.
II have endeavored to state in no
Incorporate mood what | saw ant
heard, to make no argument there
on, but leave every one to draw hi
own conclusions. To me the strong
! est appeal is not the barbarity
practiced by Weyler nor the loss o
the Maine, if our worst fears shOulC
prove true, terrible as are both o
these incidents, but the spectacle o
million and half of people, tn
entire native population OF Cuba
struggling for freedom and deliver
ance from the worst misgovern
ment of which L ever had knowledge
But whether our action ought no
to be influenced by one or all these
and if so how far, is another question
but it is not my purpose at thi
time, nor do [ consider it m
province to suggest any plan.
, merely speak of the symptoms as
saw them, but do not undertake t,
prescribe. Such remedial steps a
may be required may safely be lef
: to an American President and tn
American people"
Collins Mixed in Transit.
/ Mrs. Samuel Furman's remain