Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-30
NOT MUCH FOOD BUT PLENTY OF
LIQUOR IN THE CITY.
Some American Soldiers Got Drunk
and Were Locked Up-ThOusands
of ReconcentradOs UndOubt-
edIy Died After Consul
Hiatt Left Them.

| We're strange figures among the slipshod
and hungry looking inhabitants of San
tiago. who wondered at their healthy ap-
pearance and at the fact that men could
campaign in Cuba dressed in the heavy
uniform of our army. Cigars and rum
were plentiful. and could be had for the
asking. Spanish soldiers attached them
| selves to groups of American soldiers and
guided them through the confusing streets
The Spaniards produced rum and cigar
cites for their guests in a mysterious man.
ner, which the soldiers could not account
Tor until one trooper noticed that friends
of the Spanards handed out the refresh-
ments as the men passed along the streets
PERSONS in the streets bowed pleasantly
10 the Americans and a pleasant word to
a group of Spanish soldiers always brought
torth the responsive smiles and friendly
comment. Now and then a sullen face
could be seen, perhaps on some junior Of
| flcer whose war pride was suffering
or a soldier still limping from a wound
would scowl at the men who had injured
him. But apathy to the whole proceeding
was noticeable, except where rejoicing
was evident.
The townspeople are glad the days of
| suffering are over, and to many of the low.
er classes 1t is a matter of Indifference that
the American flag floats over the palace
instead of the red and yellow insignia of
SPAN, and that American soldiers sit al
the palace door opposite the customary
Spanish guard. They will soon learn that
the American flag means food, and then
their feelings will bring them, for the time
being, to our side
The storekeepers regret that our army
Will not enter the city. The needs of a
few thousand men in the way of clothing
hrs,,
trade and provide work for the many thou
sand people crowdng in from the country.
returning sick and hopeless to homes devas-
tated, looted or sold out during their alb
sence; Tor the Spanish soldiers, pressed by
gnawing stomachs, have not respected
| empty houses, and family possessions, SUD-
posedly in safety during their owners alb
sence, have been sold for tobacco and such
food as could be obtained
Ihe Spanish women of refinement and
good breeding would shrink from being
seen by the invaders. Yet. as the iron shoes
OF the American horses clattered down the
streets Of the city. curious eyes peered
from behind closed shutters and comments
on the bearing of the men and animals
We're whispered between cousins and sis
terS.
There was no offensive display of mill
tary force by our soldiers, and the Spanish
sentry boxes at the street corners were un-
occupied. The city hall. the theater. where
Adeiina Patti made her first appearance on
this continent and other buildings were oc-
cupied by American soldiers, who also kept
the crowds OF the wharves that the trans
ports might have an opportunity to land
supplies. The local police We're on duty
the cathedral was open as usual, and mat
tiers We're resuming their normal condi-
ton.
The soldier whose heart had never been
IN this war rejoiced openly that he would
soon be returned to Spain; the civilian gave
thanks that no more bombs would come
screaming over the hill from the ocean;
no more dead and wounded men be brought
IN from the forts and trenches outside the
city. Everywhere was seen rejoicing, rath-
er than mourning or sulen hostility; not a
woman wore the red and yellow colors of
Spain, or refused to answer the courteous
salutation Of the American newspaper cor
respondents.
The merchants were affability itself,
shaking hands cordially with every depart
ing patron and responding to viva Amer
lea with a hearty viva" and wave Of
the hand.
1t mattered not to the people Of Santiago
that Spain's honor had been tarnished;
that old Cortez, who sailed from Santiago
have died with his last man rather than
! surrender. Santiago had been saved from
starvation and further bloodshed.
The curious people who Went down to
the wharves after the surrender had been
completed, expecting to see the terrible
American warships sail up to the city, be-
held instead the approach of a black mer-
chant ship with a red cross painted on
each side, red cross flag at her peak, a
kindly faced woman directing the move
ments of the vessel. and other women on
the decks. 1t was the relief ship State of
Texas, loaded with food enough to give
| everyone in Santiago something to eat.
The relief ship moored at the principal
wharf. opened her ports and began to issue
food to the crazed people who thronged to
her side. Questions to the applicants were
unnecessary: their emaeiated faces and
eager eyes told that they were desperately
hungry.
The children were pitiful objects. They
were not as naked as in the newspaper
| pictures but their arms and hands seemed
| feshless, the skin was drawn tight over
| their pinched faces, and their eyes had an
| unnatural luster. In asking aims they
| stretched forth their skinny hands timidly
and the beseeching, frightened look In their
eyes went to the heart of every American.
The Spanish soldiers did not openly beg
| for food; but when questioned, replied
earnestly that they were very hungry, and
| some given to them they devoured raw
| enously
The first American to enter Santiago aft
| er the surrender was a correspondent of
! the Associated Press. who had gone among
| the refugees at El Caney. For the time he
| spoke only Spanish. He was one of the
| first fugtives to enter the city, and did
| not resume the use of the English Ian
| guaga until the cable office had been re-
| opened. when his account of the surren-
der was filed. long before any other.
| Before the war broke out. United States
| Consul Hiatt, at Santiago was FEEDING
| 5000 persons in and near this city.
| The relief work ended at once when Mr..
| Hiatt was ordered TO leave the island, In
the latter part of May, the United States
| ships hegan to blockade Santiago. The
| city has always imported the greater part
| Of its food supply. the surrounding country
| being undeyeloped. and the blockade had
| Immediate effect 1t is reasonable to sup>
| pose that nearly all of Consul HATS peo-
| pie are dead, for when Santiago surren-
| dered last Sunday, the rich Were starv-
| ing
| correspondent Of the Associated Press,
| who went through the business section of
| the city yesterday, found the stores closed,
| having no stock The tobacco merchants
have not much stock left. In the market
| place, few of the stalls are occupied. A
| little rice was being sold at an exorbitant
| price. coffee, small fishes, caught In the