Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-25
THE STARVATION ~ CUBA.
NJ. VI. Parker's ObservauOns-lhe
Suffering beyond Description.

washington Evening Star, 3D.
Fx-Commissioner Myron NJ. Parker es-
saved the role Of lecturer last night, and
for over an hour entertained a large au-
dience at All-Souls' church in a rehearsal
Of the sights he saw and the experience
he gained while in Cuba short time
ago. Not only was the audience a large
one. but brilliant since il included many
OF the most prominent families of the
capital in social and political life
Mr. Parker made no attempt at oratory,
although at times, while recOunting the
sad incidents of the starving reconcentra-
dos. the full pathos Of his deep voice
moved the audience. He said, in opening,
that he had long ago concluded his mis-
sion in life was not that of a lecturer,
and he had only consented to detail the
incidents OF his trip at the earnest solicit
tation Of the pastor Of the church. While
I'm Cuba he had neither paper nor pencil
and consequently made no notes So
what he said was entirely from memory
Continuing, he said:
Il assume that there is no one here who
has not read the dispassionate statement
OF Senator Proctor as 20 what he saw in
cuba. II was an impartial, conservative
statement, made by one Of the most dis
tinpolished and least emotional men in
public life / bear testimony, as his
travelling companion in Cuba, that his
statements of starvation desolation, and
devastation were mild in the extreme.
NTH this statement fresh ia your minds
and with the mass Of matter that has
been written, the pathetic and graphic
pictures that have been drawn by the
ready pens Of the newspaper correspond
ents. j cannot even hope TO tell you Of
any conditions that you are not more or
less familiar with.
II can only hope. therefore, 10 interest
YOU by brief description OF conditions
as / found them.
I'VE found very little excitement in
Habana-commerc and trade seemed TO
be pursuing their usual ways. and except
for the frequent squads OF soldiers which
pass and repass, and numerous groups
Of officers In and about the cafes. you
could hardly realize that war was going
on in Cuba.
''The province OF Pinar del BIO as you
all know. Is the western province oI the
island. We took an early morning traIn
for Artemisa. I'm this province, the point
where the celebrated trocha crosses the
island Every train leaving Habana mas
"a frelpht-car attached 90 II lined with
from with loopholes. IN which there Is
a company Of soldiers the ofncer3 occu-
pvjng seats i'm frst-class carriages Aneao
81 the train they run pilot engine whose
business is to look after bombs ,eI c.
AS you 20 west you soon approach o iihe
OF fortihcations. which consist OF d
trocha simply trench dug ouo win
q ,yire-fence IN front. Along these tro-
chas. al commanding positions, ,t nse
erected small block houses whicn ,nss
call forts. Some are made OF slone
others OF wood with rubble stone coioea
10 AZ the sides. Squads OF soldiers ocer ,',.
these forts Probably withih ~, -
miles Of Habaga there are Two HneS ~
these works. They seem 10 iorln 80 80
slstance except TO retard suoueh u"'"
Of insurgent cavalry. r,c,>- 4.
DEsOLATIoN AND DEVaoLlN io-.
"rhe province Of Pinsr del ~" = OF of
celebrated tohaceo-growihs po'''