Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-08

G38HO ana Ar0 NON AUU0uQ0 N 094p0k4k
within the American Linel.
Copyright, Associated Press.)
81 Caney, Near Santiago de Cuba,
July 6, p. M, by the Associated Press
Dispatch Boat Wanda. via Port An
tonic and Kingston, Jamaica, July Z,
TO-: As a. m.-Between $4,000 aid $1,000
innocent victims of the war have fed
here in wild panic to escape the'terrors
of the threatened bombardment of
Santiago, and they are now confronted
by the horrors of starvation. In their
helpless confusion they are appealing
to Gen. Shafter for succor. Most of
them are foreigners, principally
French, or with an admixture of for
eign blood and their interests are be-
ing looked after by their consuls.
When they were informed yesterday
that Gen. Toral refused to consider the
question of surrendering they swarmed
out of the north gate of thecity all day
and trudged through the blazing sun
over the road which in places was ankle
deep in mud.
Tottering old men and women were
supported by children, and mothers
with babies at their breasts struggled
on toward FL Caney, San Luis and
other towns. Most of them came here
last night, and over 5000 of them slept
in the village, which, under ordinary
circumstances, hardly accommodates
300 people. They were crowded togeth-
er in the houses, upon the verandas
and in the streets. At daylight those
who had been overtaken by darkness
on the wayside began to pour in and
at this hour they are still coming. AL
ready more than fifteen thousand are
here. They were not allowed to bring
food with them, and those who have
money are as destitute as those who
are without. Rich and poor, cultured
and ignorant, white and black are
huddled together, choking the passage
ways between the houses, all with
gaunt despair written on their coun-
tenances.
The ignorant desire only to be fed
and the cultured want to get away,
anywhere, anyhow, away from the war
which has driven them from their
homes.
Pathetic sights are witnessed on all
Sides There are women of good birth
and education, supported by frail girls
who hide their faces from the vulgar
gaze of others who surge about them.
In the eyes of both mothers and
daughters is the haunted look which
wild animals have when driven at
bay.
Gen. Shafter explained to the consuls
yesterday the impossibility of caring for
these poor people out of the army sup
plies, but he did spare some rations,
which were given out with sparing
hands last night to the women and the
feeble old men.
To-day Miss Clara Barton and Mr..
George Jennan, of the Red Cross, Of
fered to provide good rations if Gen.
Shafter would transport them. After
consultation with the French CONSUL
Gen. Shafter agreed to do so. The first
pack train arrived at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon and was unloaded in the viii
lage square amid the clamoring cries
of thousands. The better class held
back, while the ignorant, especially
the negresses, pressed forward franti-
cally appealing for bread.
Captain Fimlay, who commands the
garrison in town. saw to it that enough
food was reserved to supply those whose
delicacy and good breeding restrained
them from begging. Many Of the bet
ter classes have offered to pay almost
any price for transportation to Jur-
aqua, and thence to go by our trans
ports to some foreign port. 1t appears
likely that some arrangements can be
made to get them out Of the country.
A few of the best Spanish families
came to Ell Caney, but Eiany preferred
to share the fortunes of war while 9TH
ers went off nOrthward to San Luis and
other places where they have villas and
estates.
Among those at Ell Caney are some
young ladies-and for that matter some
old lades-remarkable for beauty,
with classic features, large dark eyes
and rich olive compilations. They
would attract attention anywhere.
They wear white wells over their heads,
holding these partly over the face,
thereby adding to rather than detract-
ing from their charms.
1t is probable that all, except some
of the younger men, who fled with the
women and children will be given
something to eat before night, but how
long this relief can be extended is
prcblematical Many, of course, will
be driven to the woods and be forced
to subsist on mangoes and other fruits.
Quite number of the Spanish vol
unteers who came out with the refu-
gees and who at first were allowed
their liberty, are being gathered up
and placed under surveillance. While
it is known that most of them welcome
the opportunity to escape, it is feared
that some may be spies.
1t has been learned from the refu
gees that there was regular mutiny
among the volunteers in Santiago the
day after the fighting began. The vol
unteers were loud in their demands
that the city should be surrendered.