The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12

which no record was kept. Undoubtedly"
he says, ''one-haif the concentrated people
have died. and to-day Spanish soldiers are
companion victims of the surviving nom
combatants. This appalling death roll is
mute yet convincing, proof of the terrible
destruction of life, of the main policy pur-
sued in attempting to subjugate the island.
With me the conviction is firmly rooted
that within sixty days 80 per cent. OF the
populace will reach a state of craving hun
ger, nor do feel that am speaking chi
mericaly when | include the rank and file
of the Spanish army. The true status, as
viewed at present will bear out this opin-
ion. The suffering among the troops as well
as the reconcentrados simply beggars por-
trayal. while discomfort ripens daily
On the 18th of December Mr.. Barker re-
lates the particulars of a visit he had made
TO five of the principal railroad towns in
his consular district. which tour had been
undertaken to verify the previous state
ments. Speaking of this trip, which COW
cred the towns of Santa Clara. Cruces,
Esperanza. Jicotea and Santa Domingo, he
says: The restitution is simply too har-
rowing to recite and must become intenst-
fed each day. The death rate for last
month shows an increase of about 70 per
cent. In these towns / got my information
from the mayors of each. From them
learned that while there was an issue OF
food running from three to five days, be-
ginning on the 2Sth ult, consisting of three
ounces of bacon or jer<ed beef and six
ounces of rice for adults, with half this
allowance for children under fourteen years,
tbs pittance given was sufficient only for
one-fourth to one-tenth of the starving. No
further relief has been given up to date
and the mayors of these towns are author
ity for stating that the captain general had
ordered the discontinuance of the food TO
the reconcentrados." This order from the
captain general was apparently given be
cause of the insufficiency of the food supply
for the Spanish soldiers. The mayor Of
Santa Clara had also told Mr.. Barker that
the military commissioner had informed
him that he was to give 1000 TO no one nav
ing relatives in the insurrection, when
would exclude IS per cent. of the destitute.
From this Mr. Barker concludes that how
ever sincere may be the desire to help the
reconcentrados by the Spanish authorities:
they are powerlesS to do so for want or
means He also states that all popular sub
scriptions have proved a total failure be
cause the Cubans are poverty stricken ana
the Spaniards will contribute nothing.
SOLDIERS ALSO SUFFERED.
Mr.. Barker dweIls in almost all of his
communications on the paucity of food Of
the Spanish soldiers. In this of Dec. 13 he
says: I'm my recent trip 1 found that the
Spanish soldiers are not only suffering for
necessary food, but I was often appealed TO
by these pitiable creatures for medicine
One has only to look upon them to be as
sured of the needs complained Of"
In his letter of Dec rs Mr.. Barker re-
peats his observations on the suffering and
restitution among the retoncentrados, say
ing: How could the situation be otherwise
since the island is producing absolutely
nothing save some growing cane, and at
the same time completely exhausted of all
food. Relief alone can be obtained from the
outer world in the way OF charitable con
tribution. To grind the cane with
out interruption would be the
means of saving the lives of thou
sands who, without this or outside aid
within thirty to fifty days must die of ac-
tual hunger. over month since the plant
ers were officially advised of SPANS IN
ability to provide protection in order to OPP
crate their mills. This leaves the sugar
growers entirely in the hands of the Cubans
in revolt as to whether they Will be allowed
to grind without hindrance or fear of total
destruction of their property. know that
strict orders have been given to subordi-
nate commanders that under no c1rcum-
under penalty of violation of the order, de-
struction of property"
In several places in Mr.. Bankers letters
stars are inserted. showing that portions
of them are omitted. These omissions are
in places, generally, where he deals with
the condition of the reconcentrados.