The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-01-08
Is Asked by the Red Cross
Workers
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN
IN DANGER OF DEATH FROM
STARVATION
A Reporters Trip Through the Island
Finds the Insurgents Nu-
merous and Active
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK. Jan. 1.-THE Central Re-
lief Committee appointed by President
Mckinley and acting under the direc-
ton of the State Department, has issued
an appeal for contributions for the suf-
fering people of Cuba, of whom there
are estimated to be 100000 in actual
danger of death from starvation. All
money and material contributed will be
transported to Consul-General Lee at
Havana, under whose supervision the
distribution will be made, and reach all
parts Of the island. The committee
says drafts for Cuban relief should be
made payable and addressed to Chair
man Cuban Relief Committee, Temple
Court, New York City" The appeal is
signed by Stephen Barton, of the Amer
lean Red Cross Society; Charles a.
schieren. Treasurer of the Chamber of
Commerce, New York. and Louis
Klopsch, of the Christian Herald
A RUMORED CONFERENCE
HAVANA, Jan. lit has been rumor-
ed since yesterday that General Fitz-
hugh Lee, Consul-General. will accom-
pany General Blanco when the latter
takes the field. 1t is further reported
that Senior Estrada Palma, the delegate
to the United States, of the insurgents,
will arrive here shortly and accompany
the Captain-General and General Lee
to the field, for a conference with Gen
eral Maxine Gomez, which will follow
The report has caused sensation in
this city.
NOT CREDITED
NEW YORK, Jan. THE rumor that
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, United States con-
sui general at Havana would accom-
pany Captain General Blanco when the
latter takes the field Is looked upon by
the members Of the Cuban junta as
highly improbable. The further report
that Senior Estrada Palma would ac-
company the captain general and Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee to the field and that
conference with Gen. Maxine Gomez
would follow Is considered absurd
Senior Palma is In Philadelphia.
TROOPS IN THE FIELD
NEW YORK, Jan. IA Herald cor
respondent in Cuba, who has just crossed
the island on horseback, through the
Cuban and Spanish lines from Pinar del
Rio to the Jucaro- Moren trocha, for the
purpose of observing the actual strength
and condition Of the insurgent forces
today and their ability to continue the
war, writes:
when your order reached me I was
with the forces of Pedro Diaz, Com
mander-i chief of the Sixth army corps
in Pinar del Rio province. We were en-
camped near Cuzco.
Under Diaz, operating In that prov
ince. were General Lorento, command
ing the Second division, or the territory
west of Paso Real, and Vidal Ducasse.
commanding the First division, or the
district east of Paso Real. General Lo-
rente has 1900 infantry and 400 cavalry,
well armed and well fed, but lacking
clothes. Ducasse has 1000 infantry and
5000 cavalry in the same condition.
Operating against this force month
ago We're only three columns of Span
iards. These never succeeded in reach
ing the rebels stronghold in the hills
until General Panado took the field. The
only fighting was when the rebels IN
vited it.
from Cuzco I proceeded through the
Cuban lines to Havana. l experienced
no difficulty in entering the capital. Ha-
vana and Matanzas provinces are under
the command of General Alexandra Ro-
driguez, Chief of the Fifth army corps.
Under General Rodriguez are Juan Du-
case, Rafael Cardenas, Jaconto Her.
nandeZ, Juan Delrado, Alberto Nor
dasse and Nestor Arangueren.
1.-The total force under these leaders
is 1000 infantry and 1900 cavalry, ali
we'll equipped. In Matanzas, which be-
longs also to the Fifth army corps, are
Brig.-Gen. Retancourt, Col Sanguilly
and Valenci with 1900 infantry and 300
cavalry. Only about half this force is
armed. This is a difficult province to
operate in.
1.-THE men remain in the hills cultivat-
ing the soil or watching the coast.
"These Western provinces have been
familiar to me for the last year. during
which time l have been continually with
the rebel forces, except what time was
necessary to carry dispatches to Ha-
vana. I can vouch for these figures. On
the trip to the Orient I broke new
ground. The figures given are from
actual observation.
Il took the field in Santa Clara, from
Santo Domingo riding out in broad day
light with guides and within an hour
was within the insurgent forces under
General Arando.
1.-THE next morning l rode thirty miles
and Joined Col Alvarez, who had 1000
infantry and 1000 cavalry. Here I met
DR.. Joaquin Caneda, the private physi-
clan of General Gomez, on his way to
Join the General. From official returns
shown to me in Gomez camp estimate
that in Puerto Principe, where the Cuban
government headquarters are establish
ed, the rebel force numbers 200 cavalry
with only an insignificant number Of in
fantry. In Santiago there are 200 ca