The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23
I AIR CUBA'S PITIFUL CRY
in this country to be forward

ed through the channels now opened.
The children are the principal SUI
ferers. Condensed milk is therefore
the most desirable thing to purchase
in order that the starving ones may be
saved. The state department showed
Its wisdom recently by purchasing $500
worth Of condensed milk, to be for
Warded by the next boat. The money
was donated by the charitable Of Mon
tana. and so well has the state de-
partment systemized the workings Of
the relief bureau that the money was
exchanged for condensed milk, and the
milk on its way to save the lives of the
cuban babies within one day after its
receipt
There are few cows In Cuba, and
milk is at a high premium. Far to high
for the helpless children Of Cuban pa
cif1coes to expect to get any from the
regular sources. Weyler's soldiers
have long ago killed off the cattle In
order to devour the beef, and even If
food were obtainable in Cuba, 1t would
be too tough for the delicate stomachs
OF the starvllngs who, in happier times,
have been accustomed to tactical food.
To these the condensed mill will come
like gift from heaven.
The sending Of milk in a condensed
form is due to suggestion Of Consul
General Lee, who saw the fearful NOR
So1lIS ctIAOI1S the OF havana
owing to the milk famine
The voice of the innocents Is not raised
is not blessed with Split tRat e eres aloud io3d
lX Whimpers, and looks at the stranger with
wide open eyes that seem to reproach human
ity for every being responsible for its be-
Ing. Their patience under the cruel suffer
tngs they have been forced to undergo Is
borne witness TO by all who have seen the
starving Cuban children die It is cheering
n lyr1nN {tof *
milk supplied by the American people will
be doing its work In restoring<the attenuat-
ed little forms to the plumpness> OF well-fed
juveniles
But milk is very small part of the SUBJ
plies that must and will be sent from this
country to save the Cubans Denials to the
the people have need Of medicine as much
as they need food, and iced of clothes nearly
as much as either food or medicine. Thew
have scarcely rags enough to go around and
are fever stricken as we'll as famine strick-
en- In the closets of American people are
clothes enough to provide the necessary gar
ments for twice the population Of Cuba and
this should be borne in mind by those who
are DESTROYS Of helping.
1t is impossible moreover to save the lives
of the dying by food alone They have been
for 80 long strangers to q square meal in
some quarters Of the island that 1t will be
necessary. to tone up their system with qui-
nine and administer the food in judicious
quantities or. like shiDwrecked crews that
have gone long without food. solid nourish-
ment will mean death in a swifter form than
starvation.
Money is wanted to hire nurses Consul
General Lee writes to the state department
that it is necessary to treat the people as
though a great endemic had been raging and
besides feeding them. they must be nursed
back to life and health. It Is intended to or
ganize regular corps. of helpers in Cuba
who will be willing to devote their time and
their lives If necessary to going among the
helpless sufferers and caring for them until
they are in fit condition to care for them
selves.
In all these matters the spaniards are
showing laudabe desire to cooperate with
DR.. Congosto. secretary general Of Havana,
has just written to the Spanish minister at
Washington, saying:
'tSuccor is being given abundantv and re-
lief committees are being organized as fast
as possible In two Of the provinces Puerto
Principe and Santiago the mills are grind
those who want it. The Havana papers are
filled with long lists of donations by the
charitable Of condensed milk. cornmeal and
like articles especially serviceable for the re-
.'The American help will be received in the
spirit in which it Is given, and the American
his recent letter, offers the well known gen
ercslty Of the American people IN the same
spirit that they have accepted foreign help
in of public calamity. 1t must not be
forgotten that the evils of war cannot be
mitgated in a short time.
1t Is not far cry that reaches u.s. this call
separated from US by the width of the world
as was India in the time of her extremity,
when the generous Americans sent shiploads
of food to the natives. Help fortunately can
be readily dispatched to Cuba, and the way
is open. small effort by Americans will
fill the needs of the case amply.
The whole machinery of the state depart !
ment has been laid at the service Of the
charitably disposed. In Washington special
attention is being given to the~reliet work,
patched where they will do the most good.
In Cuba the American consul and a special
corps of assistants are working like beavers to
distribute and make go as far possible the
food and clothing sent them from the United
States The state department has sent spe-
cal instructions to Consul General Lee, call
ing upon him and the American consuls to
give their personal attention to the recep
ton and distribution of relief supplies. Every
American consulate in Cuba will be temper
are going with all the steamship compan-
les looking to the free transportation of sup
line. Popular subscription lists being
opened in all directions and every one is
bestirring himself.
When the war is over and Cuba settles
down to its peaceful and contended self
again, this help from America in time of
urgent need will not be forgotten. 1t is a
practical sympathy for those in whose cause
she sympathizes, and in the end the help
thus sent will be well-invested charity, for
Cuba is very near neighbor, and when the
wheels of industry begin to hum again on
the island a friendly and grateful remem-
brance of the people of this country will be
existing in the minds of our little neighbor.
That, however, has nothing to do with the
point at present raised, that from the presi-
dent down the American nation must be do
ing it's best to send aid to starving ones
within few days sail of the land of plenty.
1t should be remembered that starvation is
sure and painful and the help that comes
should come speedily.
That the president is evncng timely in
terest in the appeal from Cuba is shown by a
proclamation from the state department, an
operation of the American Red Cross, the
New York chamber Of commerce and one Of
the leading representatives Of the religious
community Central Cuban relief committee,
the headquarters of which is to be in New
York.
The duties of this committee will be to re-
ceive and forward to the United States consul
general at Havana, such money and necessary
supplies may be contributed by the Ameri-
can people.
The appeal of the president is to be far
reaching, it being directed to the municipal
authorities, local boards Of trade and trans
hearts are open to the cry Of distress and af-
Fiction.
1t only now remains for the generous heart
of the American people to respond to this ap-
peal. That the response will be quick and
generous one doubts.
On the very day that the proclamation was
published came the news from Cuba that the
first consignment of relief supplies had been
received, and the food generously donated by
the American people thrust into the many |
hands outstretched to receive it. The Cuban !