New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-23
Tiffany & Co.
UNION SQUARE
NEW YORK

neighbors. it will be that the American ad-
minlstrator Of the labor bureau viii in time De
left without labOrers for his fields. He can then
close his bureau. for his term Of service as a
labor commissioner will be at an end ms is
precisely the object aimed at. for when MS laDor
bureau closes il will mean that all able bodied
recOncentrados are earning their living IN their
own way. 1t Will mean. moreover. that there Is
no further need for the distribution OF free soup
and old clothes
The extent to which this form OF relief can
he carried will be limited only by the amount
Of money available for its operation. The OPP
portunities numerous as there are towns
in the island So long as this work is carried
on with cOmmOn-sense and fair degree or
executive ability there can be no reason why
il should not succeed. Any native American may
carry on business in any part Of Cuba entirely
unmoested. AS matter of fact know Amerl-
this moment working plantations IN
Cuba. | was a guest at their houses month
ago They assured me that at no time during
the war had they been disturbed by either Span
iards or insurgents At least two Of them were
buying additional land and extending their
farming operations
It is perfectly feasible for any sensible, dis
Greet American TO engage in farming operations
in Cuba any scale that he sees ft. All that
is necessary is that he shall attend TO his bust
ness and refrain from meddling in politics.
II carried on in husinesslke way, without
any ostentatious Tapping Of the eagles wings.
this work should meet with no serious obstacles.
From my experience in Armenian relief work l
believe the application Of industrial relief to
Cuba 20 be entirely practicable
In considering the question. rs II safe?" We
have only to apply a little common-sensa 10 the
facts as they now exist. From whom is danger
to he feared? The reconcentrados the
| fathers, mothers. brothers and sisters Of in
surgents IRE the insurgents likely 10 pounce
! down upon and murder their relatives? AS
suredly nothing is to be feared from tho in.
surgents Therefore. any possible source OF
danger must lie within the Spanish lines. But
the reconCentrados are already within the
Spanish lines. and the Spanish Government is
doing what it can to feed them If the Spaniards
wanted to kin them, now would be the time:
| hat nN.n hoy hoe no
Of General Weyler. there can be no question that
General Banco is carrying on the civil
lied lines Cnarmed Cubans found outside the
| fortified lines are no longer shot down. On the
contrary. they are protected II protection Is
necessary. Any plantation owner may. upon
| application to the proper authorities. arm his
workmen for defence against bandits. VINO are
hunted to the death by Spaniard and insurgent
alike.
We must bear IN mind that there has been an
actual change in the policy 81 carrying on the
war in Cuba and must admit that General
Blanco is sincerely doing his best for the recon
centradOs From a practical point Of view II Is
greatly TO the advantage Of General Blanco that
the reconcentrados be returned 10 their homes.
for he is now under great expense in providing
even the scartv ration which IS dOled ---' 10
them daily. II the reconcentrados were support
ing themselves at home this constant expense
for food would he cut off There would seem 20
be every reason therefore. why General BancO
should welcome any plan that purposed taking
the reconcentradcs off his hands Moreover.
there Is in reality little to fear that these people
will again be concentrated in the towns for con
centrator. a Dart Of military tactics was a
f. lure II added greater burdens 10 the Span
ish cOmmissariar department without in the
Least hampering the operations q the insurgents
II viii not be repeated
After nearly a months investigation ~ the
situation in Cuba ! can see no reason whv in
dustral relief II properly managed should be
opposed by any one There are in fact. many
good reasons why II should be encouraged by
both Spanards and insurgents
WILLIAM WILLARD HOWARD
Bensonhurst y. Y. March 90 1898