The evening times., 1898-09-16
A PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE
Letter From a Cuban in Hav-
ana to SenOr QueSada.
DISTRESS OF THE PEOPLE
Unless Soon Provided for the Entire
Army VIII Become Wards of the
American Red Cross SOciety--StiIl
Suffering From Harsh Treatment
by Spanish officials.

Senior Gonzales de Quesada, the charge
d'affair@s of the Cuban republic in this
city, III in receipt of a letter from a we'll
knom Cuban in Havana. pleading with
him. to exert every influence with the
Am srican Government in order that
measures may be taken to relieve the
sufferings of the Cuban revolutionary
forces.
The author of the letter is well known
TO the members of the Cuban delegates to
this country but his name cannot be di-
vulsed for obvious reasons and from the
fact that he is a Havanese. He states
that the condition of the Cuban soldiers
is alarming and that the privation among
the revolutionists is SO great,
that ii not provided for
within the near future, the entire Cuban
army will be forced to become the ward
of the American Red Cross Society.
Senor Quesada has furnished The
Times with the following translation OF
the greater portion of the letter:
I'm regard to the revolutionary forces
no one can imagine their sorrowful con-
dition- The poor fellows live without
shelter, lacking the food most necessary
SO that the sick and wounded-especial-
ly the former, who are the more numer-
ous-nourish themselves with infuSionS OF
medicinal herbs and very seldom with
salted meat which they relish very much.
Sometimes the Cuban forces half
starved and nearly dead from fatigue
and hunger approach the cultivated
fields lying within the Spanish lines, In
order TO provide themselves with the
ind Thfair
istence The SpanIards, however, well
come them with shots, frequently killing
some insurgents, just the same as
though war was in progress still. Later
on the cable announces that Spain has
conplained 10 the United States that the
Cubans do not respect the armistice.
II ne people in the towns cannot render
any aid to their brethren in arms, on ac-
count of their financial distress, and
chiefly because we continue TO live under
a strict military regime.
Meanwhile, the government releases
criminals and outlaws. but refuses 10 set
free the political prisoners-among them
many women-who are kept in filthy
dungeons and subjected, as before. 10
harsh treatment. and, not satisfied, even
goes so far as 10 imprisOn many peace
full citizens under the charge of having
aided the revolution
IF this order OF things continues for
two or three months more II viii convert
the majority of our people into wards OF
the American Red Cross Society.
The press continues its attacks on the
Cubans. The censorship, which still ex-
lists with the same vigor as in the time of
Weyler. prevents our defending ourselves
against the slanderous onslaught of the
enemy's press.
1t is of Importance, my friend, that the
United States Government should come
TO our aid, since the war has ended, and
We are in an abnormal statet of affairs,
/ which may cause greater harm than those
caused by the war itself l beg you 10
use your influence with the American
Government in order that proper meas
ures may be taken, so that without loss
Of time there shall cease tlis pitiful situ-
alton of ours.
Il am moved to write to you the ex-
act and true condition of our people so
that you, as our worthy representative
IN that country. may do whatever you
think most convenient in behalf of our
dear Cuba.
Allow me 10 remind you before fin
ishing this letter that each days delay
means years of miseries and sufferings"
Senor Quesada is also in receipt of
full copy of the manifesto of amnesty
which has just been issued by the men,
bers of the Cuban revolutionary council.
The manifesto is lengthy and gives in de-
tail the position of the Cubans during
the pending peace negotiations and their
aims and ideals concerning the govern
ment which they are desirous of having
established in Cuba after the final set
tlement OF peace. The manifesto is be-
ing translated at the legation and viii be
made public in full. within several days.
4 Sr raay7 into tod nv
The Times reporter as to the accuracy OF
the report that Gen. Gomez has resigned
his commission as commander-in-chief of
the revolutionary forces, replied that he
had nothing official from Cuba on the
subject.