The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-04-22

Santa clasN. showing that while there were
6.4so deaths in that town in the several years
year from an Epidemic Of yellow fever. there
were in 1897. ewing to the concentration
order: Gso1 deaths out Of the total :,opulatlon
Sc 1t cablegrams to the department with regard
. to the rioting and the demonstrations against
autonomy and Rlanco and three newspaper
Offices. Jan. Is he said some of the rioters
Threatened to go to the United States con.
sulste;" Ships" he said: are not now
danger ships should move promptly for Havana
Uncertainty and excitement widespread" The
ricting ceased the next day, and Gen. Lee
reported all quiet
On the 18th Gen. Lee sent dispatch marked
confidential. regarding the rioting. 1t follows:
Sir: The recent disorders in this city are
Spanish officers who were incensed at articles
appearing in three of the newspapers Of Ha-
Diaro de La Marina. The first was very pro-
nounced against Gen. Weyler and his methods
La Discussion had been suppressed by Weyler
but its publication was permitted to be resumed
by Blanco, and the last had been an nltra-
Spanish organ, but had been converted by the
present authorities to autonomy. 1t is prob
able that the Spanish, officers first pro-
vol ed by the denuDcations of Weyler in the
colt INNS of one, Of these papers, and deter.
mined to stop it, and afterwards. being sup
ported by the mob, turned the demonstration
into ulti-autononlstic affair.
II send to-day an analysis of the autono-
mstc plan. The intense opposition on the rart
OF the Spanish arises from the fact that the
first appointments of the officers to nut into
form its provisions were made generally out
CuEans In arms that autonomy was introduced
for their benefit and protection.
The intelligent Spaniards See no
prosperity in the future. but rather wars and
more confusion In the same old attempts to
make the waters OF commerce flow in unnatural
nothing in mind when autonomy is mentioned
except Cuban local rule. hence their oopo-
unsurgcnt Victories.
Jan. p Gen. Lee transmitted copy of the
decree which established the autonomitic regime
on the Island of Cuba.
On Jan. 1922 Gen. Lee reported by cable
daily that all was quiet in Havana and that the
recent riotIng had caused some delays. but
landing of supplies.
Feb. he reports the receipt of moneys from
various sections Of the United States for re-
lief purposes and the manner in which 1t is be-
ing distributed. Feb. 10 he telegraphed the
state department follows:
Captain general returned yesterday; met
with no success OF any sort. Spanards every
where unfriendly; rumors OF coming demon
stration against him here. think him ex-
cellent man but in an unfortunate position;
three serious combats reported within a week,
lack of physical strength"
The same day he sent to the state department
statement of the condition of the towns in
the neighborhood of the city of Havana made
by person he had sent to those places for the
purpose of inspecting the number and condition
towns in the neighborhood OF Havana. and is
largely repetition of the awful tale of suffer-
! ing which came from the old people Of the
island.
| At Melina Del Suras the statement saws that
| 1t is impossible for the mayor, owing to the
unhealthy conditions prevailing and the want
| of resources to relieve the miserable people,
who Gle in great numbers from starvation,
| fever and smallpox. There are ether towns in
the same condition, for example Guines. Cata-
INA and NadduSa, whose situation could be in
/
| allowed to leave the town freely in search Of
food In some towns this is entirely prohibited;
every town the first thing noticed is the UNI
| healthy condition of the men and their total
lack OF physical strength
AT Catalina de Guines the statement reports
| the condition of the reconcentrados as sad and
| desperate There are it says. "no zones OF Gull
| tivation." and the reconcentrados are not al
| lowed to leave the town in search of work or
| food even with military pass. Food is so
| scarce that one must walk four five miles
| before finding a sweet potato. In these dis
tricts the relief given to the reconcentrados by
| Gen. Blanco is farce
| The land near the town comprised in the zonc
| for cultivation, the statement says has been
| rented by four Spaa!ardS who have wealth and
influence. and they employ the few reconcen-
| TRADES who are able to work. at 30 40 cents
| per day, but nobody can leave the town with
| out pass good for a month and which costs
| 20 cents. The worlemen have to leave at G
o'clock in the morning. and not being able to
take meals with them are obliged to work until
/
women who SO in search of vegetables are
sometimes deprived of them on their way back
by guerillas. In fifteen days 200 reconcentrados
| have died in Guines from starvation.
zone of the few protectors OF the reconcen-
trados. in fact. heroic one." says the state
ment, "is a young man named Jose Amohedo,
whose father and mother died attending the
suffering people and who himself has given up
eight houses belonging to him as dwelling
places for the reconcentrados. all the contents
| OF a grocery store which he possessed and who
is as destitute they are but always attend
Ing to those who suffer-"
Systematic Relief.
March I Gen. Lee reports that the distribu-
ton of food, medicines and clothing to the des-
1 titute is proceeding SATISFACTORILY
| The work, ~ he says, "has been we'll organ
| lied and systematized under the supervision
| and direction Of Miss Clara Barton. president
| of the Red Cross of the United States, and her
| active and experienced assistants"
He says that the number of poor and
destitute Is so large that 1t is impossible to re-
lleve large numbers in each locality, but that
ne can state with confidence that under the
present system of distribution the supplies are
not lost or wasted but reach those for whom
| they are intended.
March IA he incloses letter from Consul
Barker OF sagua. who requests him to trans
NIT the following letter, which is addressed to
| him (Gen. Leo:
Dear Sir: l will thank you to communicate
to the department as quickly as possible the
| fact that the military commander and other
] officers Of the military positively refuse to al
| low the reconcentradcs to whom am issuing
food in its state to procure fuel with S?hich
to cook the food. In addition they prohibited
this class of people q only giving food to about
one-hfth Of the destitute. the authorities hav-
| ing quit altogether) from gathering vegetables
| within the protection Of the forests. telling
them the Americans prorose to feed you. and
| to tie Amer c n: you must look! yours
] very truly. Walter B. Baker. Consul"
March IS Gen. Lee informs the department
| that the governor general by decree March 5
| prorogued in all parts to March 81. 1899. the
| decree of the general government Of April 10.
| 1897. relative to the suspension of legal pro-
ceedings against real estate what reservation
| OF what may be agreed upon by the insular
chambers in due season.
March "a Gen. Lee cables that the work OF
relief is progressing and gives details about the
distribution OF supplies, and adds: Have been
greatly assisted by Mr.. 1Slopsch.''
March % Gen. Lee reports that Instructions
have been given by the civil government of
Havana that the alcadoes and other authorities
shall not give out any facts about the reconcen-
trados. and If any OF the American relief COM
1nittees should make INQUIRIES concerning ,r them
Gen Lees dispatches conclude with dis
match under date OF April transmitting the
farnn