Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-26
PITIFUL APPEAL.
Cubans of Cienfuegos Solicit
Aid from Sampson.
Horrible State Of Starvation Portrayed
---Soldiers Getting the Food.
Survivors from Alfonso XII Reach Havana
Heary insensible from Fatigue and Anxiety.

Copyright. 1S9S The Associated Press)
Guantanamo Bay. July 2J.-l1 A. NJ
The following pItiful appeal has been
addressed hy the starving people of
Cienfuesos to Rear Admiral Sampson:
Honorable Sir:
The Cubans. old men, women and
children, resident in the town of Glen
fuegos and this ncichhorhood. are all
dying Of hunger. The young men are
all in the field with the Cuban troops
and have not shoes, neither food. All
the provisions in this town are in the
hands of Spanards. Cubans cannot
obtain a piece of bread, as it is neces-
sary TO send everything to the field
The Weyler system is in his way. The
situation is terrible. If you. honorable
sir, do not come quick with your
squadron in our help ana take posses
sion of this town. We shall be lost We
bog you TO precipitate your operations
About 5000 old men. women and chill
drcn shall die of hunger in this poor
town. Some of these old men have
four or five sons fighting for his free
dom. This is our situation If thu
great people of the United States do
not come quick in our help we are lost.
For Gods sake come quick
(Siened) SOME CIBANs.
Nothing can be done for the people
Of Cienfucgos until that place is cap
tured. This win not bc for some time.
The following is translation from a
newspaper of Cienfucgos of the loss of
the Spanislf steamer Alfonso XII,
which was driven ashore on the coast
Of Cuba by the United States auxiliary
sunhoat, Hawk;
Yesterday" says the I'll Correa Of
Havana, there arrived here the sur
vivors Of the fine transatlantic steam
or. Alfonso Mi. which was scuttIed in
the waters Of Mariel. With a natural
desire to obtain information which
would calm the anxiety Of the public.
we interviewed the survivors and as
certained that they We're rendered
nearly inscnsiulle by fatigue and anX-
ing from the head Of the valley of Ma
riel to Guanajay and their hands We're
badly larcerated in violent and futile
efforts to save the cargo.
I'VE will faithfully relate that which
occurred, reserving what in our judg
ment it is not permitted to give to the
public ana what might serve as advice
to our enemies.
The Alfonso MI. was fitted out in
Cadiz with six cannon, the necessary
crew, three companies of marines and
other necessary articles. In 20 days,
says her CAPTAIN. | hoped to make port
and land the cannon and troops.
navigated the Alfonso XII. with hope
in God and the valor of my crew. |
ran with all possible speed to the
heights of Cienfuegos, where came out
three cruisers of the enemy. Seeing
them the Alfonso MI. took flight to-
ward the Isle of Pines, in which waters
lost sight of our pursuers.
Relieving myself now free from pur-
suit, | laid my course directly toward
Havana, with the full intention of
making that harbor. When miles
distant, my course was Intercepted by
three ether cruisers, which l was I'M
able to encounter. The American
cruisers took positions on my port and
sta rboard and ahead. | then steered
the Alfonso XII. toward Mariel, where
I hoped to enter with the exclusive OBJ
iect Of discriminating. / decided to save
the cargo. as the object in coming was
to land provisions and the cargo on the
island.
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