The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-18

could not believe that STt OF a Pnru'a-
ton of 1.e0e. go. 21o5 had died ~it:.,n
these Spanish forts, practically prison
walls. within few months past from ac;-
ual starvation and disea ses caused by in
sufficient and improper food
ONLY REALIZED IF SEEN.
MY inquiries were entirely outside CT
sensational sources. They were made Of
our medical officers. OF our consuIs. Of
city alcades (nayors). of relief commit
tees. of leading merchants and bankers.
physicians and lawyers, Several OF ny
informants were Spanish born. but eveIS
time the answer vas that the case hzd
not been oyer-stated. What saw car
not tell so that others can see - Il must
be seen with ones own eyes 70 be realiz-
ed The Las Pasos hospital . Havana
has been recently described by ore of my
colleagues Senator Gaiiinser, and can
not say that his picture was overdrawn.
for even his fertile pen could not do that
He visited II after Dr. Lassar. one OF
Miss Bartou's very able and efficient as
sistants. had renovated il and out IN
cots. l saw IT when 400 women ard chill
Gren were lying on the store floors In ar
! indescriba BILE state of enaciation and dis
ease, many with the scantiest covering of
rags-and such rags,-and sick children
naked as when they came into the world.
And the conditions in the other cities
are even worse.
MISS BARTON INDORESD.
Miss Barton needs no endorsement
from me. l had known and esteemed her
for many years. but had not half appre-
ciated her capability and devotion 20 her
work I especially looked into her bust
ness methods. fearing here would be the
greatest danger of mistake that there
might be want OF system and waists and
extravaganza but found that she could
teach me on these points. 1 visited the
warehouse where the supplies are received
and distributed: saw the methods of
checking; visited the hospitals established
or organized and supplied by her; saw the
food distributed in several cities and
towns and everything seems to me to be
conducted In the best manner possible.
The ample fireproof warehouse in Havana
owned by a Cuban firm. is given, with a
gang of laborers. free Of charge TO unload
and re-ship supplies. The children's hos
pital at Havana, a very large, fine private
residence. is hired at the cost of less than
800 per month. not one-fifth of what II
would command in this city. 1t is under
the admirable management of Mrs. Dr.
Lassar of New York, a German lady and
a trained nurse. I saw the rapid improve
ment of the first children taken there.
All Miss Barton's assistants are excellent
" fitted for their duties. In short, 1 saw
nothing to criticise, but everything 10
commend The American people may be
assured that their bounty will reach the
sufferers with the least possible cost and
in the best manner in every respect
WILL END WHEN PEACE COMES.
"And. if our people could see small
fraction of the need. they would pour
more freely from their liberal store than
ever before for any cause.
''When will the need for help end? Not
until peace comes and the reconcentrados
can go back to their country, rebuild their
homes. reclaim their tillage plots, which
quickly rush up to brush in that wonder
full soil and climate, and until they can
he free from danger of molestation in so
doing. Until then the American people
must in the main care for them. 1t is true
that the alcades. other local officers and
relief committees are now trying TO do
| z,
the best they can. But the problem is
beyond their means and capacity. and the
work is one to which they are not aecus-
toned.
BLANCO IS NO PHILANTHROPIST.
General Blanco's order of November 10
last somewhat :nodifes the Weyler order
but is of little or no practical benefit.
Its application is limited 10 farms prop
erlv defended and the owners are Obliged
to build centres of defense Its execu-
ton is completely in the discretion OF the
local military authorities. and they know
the terrible military efficiency of Weyler
order in stripping the country of all posi-
BILE shelter. food or source Of informa-
ton for an insurgent, and will be slow 10
surrender this advantage. In fact. though
the order was issued four months ago. 1
saw no benefcent results from IL worth
mentioning. 1 do not impugn General
BIanco's motives, and believe him to be
an amiable gentleman and that he would
he glad to relieve the condition of the
reconcentrsdoes If he could do so with
ont .oss of any military advantage. but
he knows that all Cubans are insurgents
at heart, and no one now under military
control will be allowed to go from I'M
der K.
Il wish I might speak Of the country
of its surprising richness. 1 have never
seen one to compare with il. On this point
I agree with Columbus. and believe every
one between his time and mine must be OF
the same opinion. It is indeed land
where every prospect pleases and only
man is vile
THE SPANIARD.
Il had but little time TO study the race
question, and have read nothing on it..
so can only give hasty impressions. II is
said that there are nearly 10000 Span
iards in Cuba. out Of a total population OF
l6oo.010 They live principally In the
towns and cities. The small shopkeepers
in the towns and their clerks are mostly
Spaniards Much OF the larger business.
too. and of the property in the cities. and
in a less degree in the country. is in their
hands They have an eye to thri& end
/ as everything possible in the way Of trade
and legalized monopolies in which The
country abounds IS given 10 them b. the
government. many OF them acquire prop
erty. I did not learn that the Spanish
residents Of the island had contributed
largely in blood or treasure TO suppress
the instruction.
THE CUBAN.
There are, or were before the war.
about ]. 10 90 Cubans on the island. 3o.eo
! c-,-is-5e fuhf~n r7aa7E those horn in