The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-04-12

Ger the better part OF the fOu central
ind western provinces of Santa Clara.
3 Matanzas, Havana and Pinar del Rio.
The agricultural population to the eSti-
matted number of 10000 or more, was
herdeN within three towns and
the Immediate vicinity, deprived Of
the means Of support. without
shelter and left to the most unSanitary
conditions AS the scarcity OF food in
creased with the devastation of the depop-
ulated areas of production. the situation
became miserable. Month by month the
death rate increased in an alarming ratio.
by March, 1897. according to conservative
estimates from official Spanish sources,
the mortality among the rcconcentrados
from starvation and the diseases thereto
incidental, exceeded 80 per centum OF
their total number. No practical relief
was accorded to the destitute. The over
hurde0ed owns already suffering from
che general dearth. could give no aid.
Cultivation Zones Proved llusory.
So-called zones Of cultivation, estab-
iiShed within the immediate area of eff
tective military control about the cities
and fortified camps, proved illusory rs u
remedy for the suffering. The unfor-
tunate beings, for the most part women
and children, with aged and helpless men,
enfeebled by disease Il hunger. could
not have titled the soil without tools, seed
or shelter. for their w support of for
the supply of the cities. Recommendation,
adopted avowedly as 4 war measure in
order to cut Off the u of the in
surgents, worked its predestined result.
AS | said in my messageo of last December,
it was not civilized warfare; it was ex-
termination. The only peace it could be-
get was that of the wilderness and the
grave,
Military Situation Changes.
Meanwhile the military situation in the
island had undergone a noticeable change.
Ihe extraordinary activity that charac-
terized the second year of the war, when
the insurgents invaded the hitherto I'M
harmed fields of Pinar del Rio and car
ried havoc and restitution up to the walls
OF the city of Havana itself. had relapsed
into a logged struggle in the central and
eastern provinces. Thu Spanish arms re-
gained a measure Of control in Pinar del
Rio and parts of Havana. but. under the
existing conditions OF the rural country.
without immediate Improvement OF their
productive situation. Even thus partially
restricted, the revolutioniSts held their
own, and heir submission, put forward by
spain as the essential ana sole basis Of
peace, seemed as far distant as 1T the out
set.
The Change of Ministry.
In this state of affairs. my administra-
ton found itself confronted with the
grave problem of its duty My messag,
Of last December reviewed the situation
and detailed the steps taken
with Il view OF relieving its
acutencss ard opening the way to some
form OF honorable settlement. The as
estimation of the prime minister. Canovns,
led to 4 change Of government in spain.
The former administration pledged TO
subjugation without concession. gave
place 70 that of a more liberal party, com
mitted long in advance to a policy of re-
form involving the wider principles of
home rule for Cuba and Porto Rico.
The overtureS of this government. made
through its new envoy. General Wood
ford. and looking TO an Immediate and
effective confederation of the condition of
the island, although not not accepted t.
the extent OF admitted mediation in any
shape. We're met by assurances that home
rule, in an advanced phase. would be
forthwith offered to Cubs without
waiting for the war TO end,
and that more humane meth
DDS should thenceforrh prevail in
the conduct Of hostilitieS. incidentally
with these declarations, the new govern.
ment of spain continued and completed
the policy already begun by its predeces.
sor of t~estifying friendly regard for this
nation by releasing American citizens
held under one charge or another con
nected with the Instruction. so that by
the end of November not a single person
entitled in any way to our national pro-
lection remained in a Spanish prison.
Reconcentrados Kept m Dying.
While these negotiations We're in pro.
cress. the increasing destitution of tbs
unfortunate rcconcentradOs II the
alarming mortality among them claimed
earnest attention. The success which had
attended the limited measure of relief ex.
tended 70 rhc suffering American citizens
among them by the judicious expenditure
through the consular agencies of tbs
money appropriated expressly for Their
succor by the joint resolution approved
May -, 1881, prompted the humane ex-
tension o. u similar scheme OF aid tc the
great body Of sufferers.
The Appeal Of December Last.
On the tth Of December last l caused to
be issued an appeal the American people,
inviting contributions in money or inany
kind for the succor Of the starving sui.
fercrs in Cuba; following this on the sth
Of january by a similar public announce
ment Of the formation Of a central Cuban
committee, with headquarters in New
York city. composed Of three members
representing the Red Cross and the re-
liglous and business, elements of the com
lnunitv. The efforts Of that committee
have been untiring, and ACCOMPLISHED
much. Arrangements for free transpor-
tation to Cub have greatly aided the
charitable work. The president Of the
American Red Cross and the represents
tiyes Of other cOntributory organizations
have generously visited Cuba and co.
operated with the consul general and the
local authorities to make effective distrib-
utiOn Of the relief collected through
the central committee. Nearly So ,OuD
in money and supplies has already reached