The herald., 1898-01-23

1t Is cheering to know that in few
days the life-saving milk supplied by
the American people will be doing it's
work in restoring the attenuated little
forms to the plumpness of well-fed juve-
niles.
But milk Is q very small part of the
supplies that must and will be sent
from this country to save the Cubans.
Denials to the contrary, notwithstand-
Ing it Is fact that the people have
need of medicine as much as they need
food, and need clothes nearly as badly
as either food or medicine. They have
scarcely rags enough to go around. and
are fever stricken as we'll as famine
stricken. In the closets of American
people are clothes enough to provide the
necessary garments for twice the popu
lation of Cuba, and this should be borne
in mind by those who are desirous of
helping.
1t Is impossible, moreover, to save the
lives OF the dying by food alone. They
have been for so long strangers to a
square meal in some quarters of the is
land that 1t will be necessary to tone I'D
their systems with quinine and admin
lister the food in judicous quantities or,
like shipwrecked sailors that have gone
long without food, solid nourishment.
Will mean death in a swifter form than
starvation.
Money is wanted to hire nurses. Con-
sui General Lee writes to the state de-
partment that it is necessary to treat the
people as though a great epidemic had
been raging, and, besides feeding them,
they must be nursed back to life and
health. 1t is intended to organize a reg
ular corps of helpers in Cuba who will
be willing to devote their time, and their
lives II necessary, to going among the
helpless sufferers and and caring for
them until they are in a fit condition
to care for themselves. In all these
matters the Spaniards are showing
laudable desire to cooperate with the
Americans in the interests of humanity.
DR.. Congosto, secretary general of Ha.
vana, has just written to the Spanish
minister at Washington. saying:
"Succor is being given abundantly and
relief committees are being organized
as fast as possible. In two of the prov
inces. Puerto Principe and Santiago, the
mills are grinding sugar and work is be-
ing resumed by those who want it. The
Havana papers are filled with long lists
of donations by the charitable of con-
especially serviceable for the relief Of
children.
"The American help will be received in
the spirit in which it is given, and the
American government, as Secretary
Sherman says in his recent letter, offers
the wellknown generosity OF the Ameri-
can people in the same spirit that they
have accepted foreign help in cases of
In t1,itx INe e.,
gotten that the evils of war cannot be
mitigated in a short time"
1t is not a far cry that reaches us.
this call from the starving Cubans. The
island is not separated from us by the
width of the world, as was India in the
time of her extremity, when the gener-
Gus Americans sent shiploads of food to
the natives. Help, fortunately, can be
readily dispatched to Cuba, and the way
is open. A small effort by Americans
will fill the needs of the case amply.
The whole machinery of the state de-
partment has been laid at the service of
the charitably disposed. In Washington
special attention is being given to the re-
lief work, and all funds and donations,
are swiftly dispatched where they will
do the most good. In Cuba the American
consul and a special corps of assistants
are working like beavers to distribute
and make so as far as possible the food
and clothing sent them from the United
States. The state department has sent
special instructions to Consul General
Lee calling upon him and the American
consuls to give their personal atten-
ton to the reception and distribution of
relief supplies. Every American con-
sulate in Cuba will be temporarily turn
ed into a relief bureau. Negotiations
are going on with all the steamship
companies looking to the free transpor-
tation of supplies, the privilege granted
by the Ward line. Popular subscription
lists are being opened in all directions,
and everyone is bestrring himself.
When the war is over and Cuba settles
down to it's peaceful and contented self
again this help from America in time of
urgent need will not be forgotten. It is
a magnificent opportunity for America
to show practical sympathy for those
In whose cause she sympthizes, and in
the end the help thus sent will be we'll
invested charity, for Cuba is a very near
neghbor, and when the wheels of indus
try begin to hum again on the island
friendly and grateful remembrance of
the people of this country will be exist
ing in the minds of our little neighbor.
That, however, has nothing to do with
the point at present raised, that from the
president down the American nation
. must be doing it's best to send aid to
starving ones withing a few days sail of
the land of plenty. 1t should be remem-
bered that starvation is sure and pain
full, and the help that comes should
come speedily.
That the president is evincing timely
interest in the appeal from Cuba is
shown by a proclamation from the state
department announcing that he has ap-
pointed, with the cooperation of the Red
Cross society, the New York chamber of
commerce and one of the leading repre-
sentatives of the religious community a
central Cuban relief committee, the
headquarters Of which is to be in New
York. The duties of this committee will
be to receive and forward to the United
States consul general at Havana such
money and necessary supplies as may be
contributed by the American people.
The appeal of the president is to be far
reaching, it being directed to the munich
pal authorities, local boards of trade and
transportation, to corporations and to all