Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-07
MONEY NEEDED.
United States Consul Barker
Writes From Sagua la Grande.
Former Estimates of Distress in His Dis
trict Not overdrawn-Fifty Thou
sand Have Persisted There.

Washington. Feb. 6.--Charles W. Rus
sell, assistant United States attorney
in the department of justice, has re-
,ceived the following letter, acknowl-
edging the receipt of a New York draft
mailed to United States Consul Barker
at sagua la Grande, Cuba, whose dis
trict of Las Villas embraces Santa Cla-
IA, the capital Of the province of that
name; San Domingo, Remedies, and an
other city in the same province in the
eastern part of the island. III explana-
ton of his estimate Of number of deaths
from starvation up to the time of his re-
cent visit, viz, 200, 900, Mr.. Russell says
that he estimated the number from the
common talk in Cuba. For instance, he
asked a Cuban what the insurgents said
about accepting the offer &c autonomy;
the answer was that Spain had put 200,-
900 corpses between her and them, re-
ferring evidently to the reconcentra-
dos, The letter follows:
1T is with unfeigned pleasure as well
as ineXpressible gratitude that l ac-
knowledge the receipt of your valued
favor of the 18th inst, transmitting $6S
United States currency, as d donation
to the dispensary, charitable institu-
ton for the care Of the destitute and
sick children of this city, contributed as
you say by certain employees of your
department
"I must tell you and the other good
souls contributing, that the remittance
was most timely, as their eXchequer
was empty, and, as one remarked when
this relief was made, We had God, and
only God to look to in order that our
treasury be replenished. To God and
these charitable Americans are due our
thanks
Mrs. G. of Boston has notified me
that she has sent to my address a case
of condensed milk for the same purpose
as also for the remnants of families oil
reconcentrados in an old warehouse OF
whom l have heard | assume it was
you who called her attention to these
poor starving outcasts."
After speaking of the good done by
Mr. Russell's visit to Cuba, the lettei
proceeds: up to date my district has
received nothing Of the relief sent by
our people except through you
thoughtful remembrance.
"Of course Consul General Lee ha'
not, nor will he ever, IN my humbl,
judgment, have sufficient contribution
sent to Havana to share with us, so re
mote and inaccessible in TRANSPORTING
supplies. In view of this, contribution
like yours, in money, will aid in savins
thousands, who must die without susie
nance and medicine Immediately fur
nished. For instance this remittanc
from the generous employees in your de
partment will prove more beneficial thai
ten times the sum 80 days hence.
81 have certificates signed by the al
caldes of the principal cities and town
| in my Sagua la Grande zone alone
| showing that my estimate Of $4,000 per
ishing souls was under rather tina,
| above the mark. To my mind, and t
| all Christian people, there is but one
solely one issue in this Cuban question
viz Destitution and starvation.
1.-THE status quo is as when you left
save the restitution grows and tn
death rate increases hourly.
81 have-not the auttlorities-selectet
and named a relief committee, cornposet
of women, as well as men, who will dis
tribute all contributions received, AM
render needed relied to all the destitute
"Say to the generous people o
America, who have never turned a dea
ear to the cry of the distressed, whethe
at home or in a foreign land, to send u
food, medicine and clothing for tn
sick"
Mr.. Russell says that any contribu
tons of money may safely be sent t.
| United States Consul Walter B. Barker
at Sagua la Grande, Cuba. AS none.
can be transmitted with great certaint.
and promptness to that particular re
gion, he gives advises sending New
York drafts rather than food supplies
which can be purchased there.