New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-10
WHAT CUBAN RELIEF IMPLIES.
THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE starry
ING ISLANDERS DESCRIBED BY THE
JUNTA'S COUNSEL,

JUNTAS COUNSEL.
Secretary Long Of the Navy Department Informed
the Central Cuban Relief Committee yesterday that
until further notice shipments would be made from
Key West 10 Cuban ports a week. In accord
ance with this notice the committee will send fifty
tons OF supplies each week to Key Yves, by the
Mallory Line OF steamers. as this line will carry
that amount free OF charge.
Besides the relief work being conducted by the
American committee. the Cuban Junta has been
sending a large amount Of supplies to the island
These supplies to the insurgent army. There Is
a strong distinction between the active Cuban in
surgents md the "reconcentrados" who are con-
fined in the cities and who are now starving. II IS
10 this latter class exclusively that the Central
Cuban Relief Committee Is sending supplies Ho-
ratio s. Ru3ens. counsel for the Cuban Junta
spoke yesterday TO a Tribune reporter OF the con-
ditions existing In cuba.
TT is not generally understood" said Mr. Rubens
that the supplies being sent from this country
by the Central Cuban Relief Committee 10 Cuba
not distributed TO the Cuban insurgents. but
TO the rural population. which by Weylers edict
was driven from the country and concentrated in
towns. Martinez Campos. the predecessor Of Wey-
Ter. complained Of the aid and comfort given by
the country people to the Cuban insurgents.
Of the information furnished by these people 10
the rebels Of the movements of the Spanish col
umns and the false accounts given 10 Spanish
commanders 20 the whereabou OF the Cuban
forces. His conclusion that long az the
country people sympathized with the revolution.
Spain could not establish peace. one OF the first
acts Of Weyler the famous decree Of con-
centration Of the pacific or unarmed people Every
house was destroyed: crops cOniscated or
burnt. and all cattle and horses appropriated by
the spaniards many OF whom made fortunes by
disposing OF the to the Spanish commissary
Then. women and children driven into
towns where they could obtain no work. and were
10, an1
pathetic people aided them long as their re-
sources lasted Then came the result which
Weyler sought-the gradual determination OF the
entire race II has been a OF the survival
OF the Attest Parents died that their children
might live a little longer The orphaned little
ones speedily followed. and young girls had the
horrible alternative OF debauchery or death by
slow starvation.
when Weyler was recalled over two hundred
thousand Of these people had already been starved
70 death. Bianco came, promising revocation OF
the decree and stating that he would allow the
reconcentrados liberty TO go back 10 the heids,
where they could easily and quickly raise SUN
Gent food 10 save themselves and those dependent
on them He even went so far as TO order Ac0p
N be distributed for their relief but this gift was
couped with the condition that. in case OF necesSi-
ties OF Spanish troops. the latter were 10 receive
relief in preference 10 the reconcentra1os az ON h
cfal acknowledgment OF somi-Starvaton among tHr
spanish soiiery in certain districts.
In reality Blanco has gwen no Iebtl- - "h'
refused to allow the people to return In peace 10
;heir homes. and little or no par OF The 10000
reached the reconcentrados. THOUSANDS were
dying daily. ,,t -, e,,rs
hv tho American COnsuls. President Mckinney APP
order TO save those who. by n miracle. are SUI,
alive Contributions were sent 70 Ioi,.u-,'oneia.
Lee for distribution. but tho Spanish Government
ulaced many obstacles In his way. and ne was not
able with the means az hand, even I" heip ade-
nuatAlv those IN the city Of Havana ana rs VI
rinitv The Spanish Government refused 10 allow.
amony other things the free entry N COOKING
utensils so that the raw food distributed w's IN
availing 10 the reconccntrados.
owing to his numerous duties Gereral Ice an
nounced tn A. he was unable proper!y to attend 10
ire distribution OF supplies. Miss Clara Barton'
ths head Of the Red Cross Society. then Voiun-
teered 10 20 10 Cuba and take charge or inc rc,P-
II must be marked thar the spanish ENd Toss
brought about by the Spanish Government 10y
accepting the preferred roliet from ms coulIIy
Snain has acknowledged her utter inabll'y 10 'oTr
Win tho horrible state OF affairs she hersef ma"
brought about and b. this acceptance she mas
virtuaiIv acknowledged n right of American inter-
vention In Cuban affairs. . -. ,.,.
"'The President in order 10 emphasize the rlsnt
n, intervention has now determined 10 SOM re
reIier in Nnroral not IN merchant, vessels' Spaln
nrotested against the supplies gong IN mHh,,o.-
is sim determined that the relief shall go oinciay
from the American Government ana IN NaNh'
1T is estimated hnav, that about one-thlrd OF
the entire populate OF cuba mas neen stal va
dnath as the result Of this policy. inaugurated py
Wevier and continued by Blanco II Is sNd ~
those who know that the present conuIlyIs ~
etubo az des ribbed in tho American consular r
norts are such that their publication would nni,r
pootS ,aIo civijized world in demand FOR the es-
In