The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-15
WILL FEED THE CUBANs.
Also the Reconcentrados If They Have
Not Starved to Death.

Washington, August 49, With the in
coming of peace the commissary depart
nent of the army will not have Its labors
lessened in Cuba. For awhile they are
likely to be increased. 1t is understood
to be the purpose Of the administration
to supply rations to the Cnban troops
under Gomez and Garcia. This will open
the way for a wider distribution to the
starving population of the island, to re-
lieve which was impossible after declara-
ton of war in April. Many of those who
were receiving aid when hostilities broke
out, undoubtedly have persisted, yet after
the Spanish troops were withdrawn from
the interior to the seacoast towns, 1t is
believed that a portion of the reconcentra-
dos were able to return to the country and
that they have found subsistence there.
At Cienfuegos, on the south coast, they
received some supplies when the blocka-
ding vessels were there. Since then word
has been received by the naval command
ers of the great distress which prevailed
and of tbs need of early assistance. Glen
fuegos probably will be among the first
places to receive relief. Matanzas, Sagua
and other points Of the North coast will
follow quickly. Havana presents a stu
alton in itself. While the aid to be given
will last only long enough to enable the
people of Cuba to help themselves, it un-
doubtedly will tend to increase their con-
fidence in the friendship of the United
States. The influence is likely to be
especially marked on the men who have
composed the Cuban army. They will
receive rations as allies Of the United
States, the same as will the American
troops who will remain during the period
of military government garrison in
the island. This will continue after
their dlsbandonment for that is expected
to follow quickly on the heels of peace.
1t is recognized that the problem of the
Cuban soldiers is one of the most serious
hat has to be met. Three years in the
insurgent ranks has left them without
means of support of any kind. AS mem
bers of loosely organized army, acting
in cooperation, they have been able to
secure some means Of subsistence, though
often close to starvation. When they
cease to act as body and each individual
has to- look out for himself, their imme-
date resources will be Of. the most limited
character. Many of them have no homes
to which to return and for time there
will be little prospect OF living off land
which has become desert. The issuance
of rations by the United States though
the commissary department of the army
will meet this difficulty as we'll az it can
be met
No friction is anticipated in bringing
hostilities to close on the part of the
Cubans. Nor Is there likely to be rope
tition of the misunderstanding which
arose between Gen. Shafter and Gen.
Garcia at Santiago. While the military
conrtol of the United States will he COM
plete pending the establishment of q
stable government in Cuba, this viii be
done in a way not to offend the sensibili-
ties Of the Cubans or to enable their enc
mics to say that they are to be deprived
of the fruits Of their long struggle.
All the Cuban commanders will be
officially notified that peace has been
agreed upon and that military operations
are to cease. Gen. Gomez has been recog-
nized as commander in chief of the Gu
bans and he will be communicated with
in that capacity now