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

prything that could desoIate the land and
render II unfit for human habitntion or
support was commanded by one or the
other of the contesting parties and exe-
cuted by all the powers at their dis
posa.
BY the time the present administration
took office. year ago. reconcentration--
so called--had been made effective over
the better part of the four central and
western provinces, Santa Clara, Ma
tanzas, Havana and Pinar del Rio. The
agricultural population on the esti-
mated number OF 100000 or more, was
herded within the towns and their i'm
mediate vicinage. deprived Of the means
o support. rendered destitute OF shelter.
left poorly clad and exposed TO the most
unsanitary conditions. AS the scare
ity OF food increased with the de-
vastation OF the depopulated areas
OF production. destitution and want
became misery and starvation. Month
by month the death rate Increased
I'm an alarming ratio. BY March.
1897. according to conservative esti-
mates from official Spanish sources. the
mortality among the reconcentradoes.
from starvation and the disease incl
dent thereto. exceeded so per centum OF
their total number. No practical relief
WAS accorded TO the destitute. The over-
burdened towns already suffering from
general dsarth. could give no aid. The
so-called "zones of cultivation" es-
tablished within the immediate area
of effective military control about
the cities and fortified camps.
proved illusory as a remedy for the suf-
fering. The unfortunates. being for the
most part women and children, with
aged and helpless men. enfeebled by dis
ease and hunger, could not have titled
the soil without tools, seed or shelter.
for their own support or for the support
Of the cities. The RECOMMENDATION.
adopted avowedly as q war measure, In
order to cut or the resources Of the In
surgents. worked Its predestined result.
AS said In my message OF last Decem-
ber, II was not civilized warfare. II was
determination. The only peace II could
beget was that of the wilderness and the
grave.
Meanwhile. the military situation In
the island had undergone a noticeable
change. The extraordinary activity
that characterized the second year Of
the war. when the insurgents invaded
even the hitherto unharmed fields of
Pinar del Rio and carried havoc and de-
struction up to the walls Of the city Of
Havana itself. had relapsed into a
logged strguule In the central and east
ern provinces. The Spanish arms re-
gained a measure Of control In Pinar
del Rio and parts OF Havana, but, under
the existing conditions Of the rural coun-
try. without immediate improvement of
their productive situation. Even thus
partially restricted. the rsvolutionists
held their own. and their conquest and
submission. put forward by Spain as the
essential and sole basis Of peace. seemed
rs far distant as at the outset.
In this state OF affairs, my administra-
tion found itself confronted with a grave
problem OF Its duty. My message Of last
December reviewed the situation and
narrated the steps taken with a view to
relieving Its actucness and opening the
way to some form of honorable settle
ment. The assassination OF the prime
minister, Canovas. led to q change OF
government In Spain. The former ad-
ministration. pledged to subjugation
without concession. gave place to that
OF more liberal party, committed long
In advance to policy OF reform. involv-
Ing the widest principle Of home rule for
Cuba and Porto Rico. The overtures OF
this government. made through its new
envoy. General Woodford. and looking
tion OF the condition OF the island. al
though not accepted to the extent OF ad-
mitted mediation In any shape. were
met BY assurances that home rule. In an
advanced phase. would be forthwith Of
fered to Cuba. without waiting for the
war to end, and that more humane meth
DDS should tlenceforth prevail In the
conduct OF hostillties. Coincidentaliy
with these declarations. the new govern
ment of Spain continued and completed
the policy already begun by its predecss-
sor OF testifying friendly regard for this
nation by releasing American citizens
held under one charge or another con-
nected with the insurrection, so that, by
the end OF November. not a single person
entitled I'm any way to our national pro-
lection remained In a Spanish prison.
While these negotiations were In prog
ress. the increasing destituion OF the un-
fortunate reconcentrados and the
alarming mortality among them claimed
earnest attention. The success which had
attended the limited measure OF relief
extended TO the suffering American citi-
zens among them by the judicious ex-
penditure, through the consular agents.
OF the money appropriated expressly for
their succor by the Joint resolution ap-
proved May "a. 1897. prompted the hu-
name extension OF n similar scheme OF
aid TO the great body OF sufferers. A
suggestion 20 this end was acQuiesced
In by the Spanish authorities. on the
2tth OF December last caused TO be Is
sued an appeal to the American people.
inviting contributions I'm money OF I'm
kind for the succor OF the starving suf-
ferers In Cuba. following this on the sth
OF January by a similar public an
fnouncement OF the formation OF a cen
trai Cuban relief committee. with head
quarters In New York city. composed OF
three members. representing the Ameri-
can National Red Cross and the religious
and business elements OF the community
The efforts OF that committee have been
untiring and have accomplished much.