St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-03-23

throughout the whole OF the four west
ern provinces, except to very limited
extent among the hills, where the Span
iards have not been able to go and drive
the people to the towns and burn their
dwellings.
There are no domestic animals or crops
on the rich fields and pastures except
snch as are under guardin the immediate
vicinity of the towns. In other words,
the Standards hold in these four western
provinces Just what their army sits on.
Every man, woman and child and every
domestic animal, wherever their columns
have reached, is under guard and within
their so.cailed Notifications. To describe
one place is to describe all. To repeat, 1t
is neither peace nor war. 1t is concen-
tration and dcsolation. This is the 'pac-
fled condition OF the four western prov
nces."
WEYLER's CONCENTRATION ORDER.
"All the country people in the four west
ern provinces, about 1000 in number,
remaining outside the fortified towns
when Weylers order was made were
driven into these towns, and these are
the reconcentrados.
"Order and command: First-All the
inhabitants of the country or outside OF
the line of Notifications OF the towns
shall within the period of eight days con-
c.ntIate themselves in the town so occu-
pied by the tooops. Any individual who
after the expiration of this period is
found in the uninhabited parts will be
considered a rebel and tried as such.'
1.-THE other sections forbid the trans
portaton of provisions from one town
to another without permission OF the
military authority, direct the owners OF
cattle to bring them into the towns, pre-
scribe that the eight days shall be counted
from the publication OF the proclama ton
to the head town of the municipal dis
tricts. and state that If news is furnished
of the enemy which can be made use OF it
will serve as Recommendation.
MANY doubtless did not learn OF this
order. Others failed to grasp its terrible
meaning. Its execution was left largely
to the guerrllas to drive in all that had
not obeyed, and l was informed that in
many cases torch was applied to their
homes with no notice and the inmates
fled with such clothing as they might
have on, their stock and other belong
ings being appropriated by the guerilas.
When they reached the town they were
allowed to build huts Of palm leaves in
the suburbs and vacant places within the
trochas and left to live as they could
Their huts are about 10 by Is feet in
size, and for want OF space are usually
crowded together very closely. They
have no floor but the ground and no fur.
niture, and after a years wear but little
clothing except such articles as they car
extemporize. With such large families
or with more than one, in this little
space, the commonest scarcity OF provl
sions causes conditions which are indie
scrlbable in this respect. Torn from
their homes, with foul air, foul water and
foul food or none, what wonder that one
half have died and that one-quarter o
the living are so diseased that they can
not be saved? A form Of dropsy is {
common disorder resulting from thos'
conditions. Little children are still
walking about with arms and chest ter
ribly emaciated, eyes swollen and abdo
men bloated to three times the natura
size. The physicians say these cases ar
hopeless"
THE PEOPLE OF CUBA.
Mr.. Proctor alluded to the SURPRISING
richness of the country and then he ana
lived the populace of the island. OF tn
Spaniards, he said there are nearl
100, 900 living principally in towns ant
cities, controlling much of the bushes
and property with an "eye to thrift" AM
"legalized monopolies." OF the Cuban
there were 100000 before the wal
They are of quieter disposition than tn
Spaniard, and better educated. Their
were less than 100000 negroes and tn
race was diminishing in number. TIL
negroes OF Cuba were physically an
generally the equals of the race in tn
United States. Coming to the miitar
situation, Mr.. Proctor said: 1T is sal
there are about 10000 Spanish soldier
now in Cuba fit for duty out OF owe
100000 that have been sent there. Til
rest have died, been sent home sick, G
are in hospitals, and some have bee
killed, Notwithstanding the official r,
ports. Most of them are conscript
|
many Of them very young and general
small men. One hundred and thirt
pounds is fair estimate of their averae
. weight. They are quiet and obedier
and, if we'll drilled and led, l belle,
would fight fairly well, but not at a
equal to our men,"
, The Spanish soldiers lacked equipmer
of every sort and usually did not lea,
the towns for more than part OF da.
: Mr.. Proctor considered that he cou
> not with propriety communicate wit
the insurgents. He learned that the
had about 10000 men, one-third colore
e in the field, well armed, but with fe
cartridges. The senator declined otfe
of safe conduct to Gen. Comes cam
$ Mr.. Proctor surveyed the political stu