The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-07
WOES OF THE CUBANS
The Inhabitants Suffer While Our
s;.,-.. Commissioners Delay. .,,. ...,
ALARMING INCREASE OF CRIME.
A Prominent Cuban Declares That tho
Population Of the Island Is Steadily
Diminishing, and That Entire VII.
lagos Are Dying Of Starvation.

Population Of the Island Is Steadily
Diminishing, and That Entire Vil-
lagos Are Dying of Starvation.
Havana. via Key West, Nov. 1.-The
interregnum between Spains virtual
loss of sovereignty in Cuba and the
assumption of full military control by
the United States seems indefinitely
prolonged, with no immediate hope of
relief to a country which daily grows
poorer and more depopulated. On all
sides the question Is asked. how much
nearer Is the final solution of the prob
lem than 1t was on the day the pro-
tocol was signed? The feeling among
the better class of intelligent and in
fiuential Cubans may be pretty ac-
curately summed up in the following
observations made by representative
Cuban merchant Of Havana to a press
correspondent:
at seems to me-and think my
views are shared by many--that the
United States government Is dilly dal-
lying too long with Spain over this
evacuation question. OF course the
problem Is a difficult one, but the de-
lay is surely unnecessary. The United
States has sent here an assortment OF
commissions, each more self important
and mysterious than its predecessor
and each yelling its operations with Il
cloud Of secrecy which, so far as my
own experience goes really serves the
purposes of obscuring issues and con-
cealing very small achievements.
almost nothing has been accom-
plished. The spirit Of jealousy fills not
only the Individual members Of all the
commissions, but also exists between
the different commissions collectively.
These rivalries seem to engross the at
tention of commissioners much more
than the serious issues affecting the
welfare of Cuba and the dignity and
good faith of the United States.
"First we were told that the dale Of
occupation by the United States troops
would be Nov. 1. then December was
fixed upon, and later we were informed
that the date of occupation would be
left indefinite. So far as evacuation
Is concerned Jan. 1 was named as an
ultimate date, but now 1t is rumored
that Feb. has been agreed upon.
UNLESS the Washington government
forces its lethargic commissioners into
greater activity Cuba will be an i'm
mense graveyard and its fields barren
before the United States takes possess
sion. The daily records of mortality
show that the population in all parts
of the island Is dwindling steadily.
Entire villages are dying of starvation.
On all sides the Spaniards continue
robbing and plunderng. In the mean
time these sage, gossiping commits
sioners from the United States sit sip
ping cool drinks by day and seeking
shelter by night with mortal dread of
fever yet absolutely impervious to the
demands of humanity.
"The situation created by this un-
certainty Is still further aggravated by
the fact that no one dares SOW crops
or cultivate lands until the present
chaotic conditions show some rays of
light to guide agricultural efforts
There is no work for idle hands. The
number of beggars, thieves and pros
tltutes increases, while the number of
those able to relieve distress shrinls in
the same proportion. Thus far the Uni
ted States has sent In the name of
humanity mere pittance Of million
rations and the Red Cross society has
sent two cargoes of supplies, as to
whose distribution and disposal there
have been. many unfavorable COM
ments. How far can such relief be ex-
pected to so?
"The present conditions cannot be
much longer protracted without sub
jecting the United States to well de-
served criticism. More than this, the
elements most in sympathy with the
United States are slowly. but surely,
falling off and joining the ranks of the
opposition. AS you are aware, Senior
De Castro, the civil governor, only
yesterday issued orders for the arrest
of 1853 criminals recently released from
jais and the penal colonies at Ceuta
and on the Isle of Pines. This step
was rendered necessary by the alarm
ing increase in burglaries, robbcrics
and assaults.
"While the blockade was on The city
was ruled with an iron hanG. and cases
of assault and robbery were almost
unknown. Today, with the release OF
criminals and the increase Of poverty,
the list of murders ard hodups is a
very grave matter. In addition to the |
already numerous paupeta and smem- |
ployed, driven to beg from sheer neces-
sty. there are many discharged Span |
Ish soldiers without means OF support. |
Their number reaches into the thou
sand Boys and young girls of gentecl |
extraction have been thrown on the