The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-12

her plan Of settlement. autonomy. is
failure and that with this failure passes
from under her dominion the island 10
not to be questioned. Pending this ad-
mission on her part. thousands Of human
beings. Suiltlsss OF bringing on or hav-
ing any part In the ihsurrection. are dy-
ing for want Of sustenapce. This con-
dition faust continue to Increase The
United States In taxing action relative
TO cuba-which seems inevitabIe--de-
sires to avoid q clash with Spain. Then
let congress- alter our citizenship laws
by amending the statute relative to the
declaration required OF persons becom-
Ing citizens by naturalization 30 that
the subjects or citizens Of any govern
ment at present residing In Cuba may 80
before any United States consul In that
island and make declaration of Intention
Of becoming 4 citizen of the United
States which shall entitle them to recog-
milton as citizens. until the expiration
OF two years. when they shall be required
to reside In the United states until nve
years shall have elapsed before being
granted naturalization papers. With
such q privilege arh confident 30 per-
cent of the resident Spaniards, the
hitherto dominant party and taxpayers.
will avail themselves of this opportunity
| of rebuking the mother country for at
| t1mpting to foist upon them changes
| n the existing laws Of the island. Such
| a step would cause the home subjects
| as well as the government to acquiesce
| without disturbance, In the loss Of the
| island"
Mr.. Barker indicates the reason why
| General Blanco's orders relieving the re-
4 40. 80
| He says that while the first article Of
the order grants permission to the starv-
| ing class to yeturn to the country. the
| third article abrosatss this permission
| I'm exacting that the places to which
they 60 must be garrisoned. This con-
| dition alone. he says. will preclude over
one-half Of these poor unfortunates, for
their homes are in ruin. and the sugar
estates able to maintain a guard can
care for but small percentage of the
whole. Mr.. Barker says that while he
does not question the good intention of
| those now in power. yet "it is self-evi-
dent fact that the authorities are utterly
helpless To extend any relief to those
who have thus far survived the pangs OF
hunger
Mr.. Barker dwells in almost all Of his
communications upon the paucity of
food of the Spanish soldiers. In hi
letter Of Dec. IS he says: ION my recent
trip found the spanih soldiers are not
only suffering for necessary food. but
was often appealed to by those pitiab.s
creatures for medicine. One has only
to look upon them to be assured of the
needs complained Of"
Mr.. Hyatt had had hope that. after the
revocation Of the RECOMMENDATION order.
no difficulty would be found In reinstat-
ing American industries. but that II ap-
pears that all OF the benefits that should
have accrued to our citizens are thwarted
by the action OF the insurgents, who re-
fuse to allow them to return to their
sugar. coffee and other estates" He
closes one letter with brief but thrilling
picture of the conditions on the island.
1T TO-" he says. beyond the power of
my pen to describe the situation in
eastern Cuba. Squalidity, starvation,
sickness and death meet one in all places.
Beggars throng our doors and stop US
on the streets. The dead in large num-
bers remain over from day to day I'm the
cemeteries unburied. The military sit
uation In completely overshadowed in
Importance by starving. struggling
masses. whose cry Is Bread, or perish
This consulate is besieged to an extent
that blocks the entrance and greatly
retards business. They have heard that
the people Of the United States are CIV
ing funds for their relief and have not
the patience to wait. / could name
three Americans here who contribute
over $500 monthly towards feeding the
poor. but 1t is as nothing compared to
the peoples necessities. Men. women
and children homeless and almost naked
roam the streets by day. begging of
every one they meet, or at every door,
and sleeping at night anywhere they can
find a place to lay down."
In the last communication OF the series
from Mr.. Hyatt dated March "a he says:
Property holders. without distinction
or nationality. and with but few ex-
ceptions, strongly desire annexation.
having but little hope OF stable govern
ment under either Of the conflicting
forces and they view with regret the in
difference. nay repugnance. Of the Amer
lean people to such a union, and still
hope that a combination OF circumstan-
ces will yet bring II, about; but such a
move would not be popular among the
masses." Referring to the primary
elections held on the previous Sunday
to elect officers to hold an election on
the 27th Of the same month. Mr.. Hyatt
says that no one seemed to know any
thing about IL until II was over. and the
autonomists won the election. "A MEM
Der Of that party" he says, told me
that they met quietly and did their vot-
ing. There is no evidence. that the peo-
pie In general intended to take part in
the coming election"
John +. iowa, vice consul at Sagua
La Grande, writes: 1T is impossible to
describe the extent and intensity OF such
tremendous suffering. of such iniquItous.
unjust and sinful inquisition to an
nihilete thousands OF women and chill
dren. II this goddess combination could
be accurately represented. it would seem
an exaggeration induced by stirred fell
low-feeling. Moving among the un-
ceasing crowd OF famished beggars one
can scarcely do more than commiserate
their undeserved misfortune. No his
IN In,