The Portland daily press., 1898-02-07
Timely Money Contribution to Cuban
Sufferers.
LETTER FROM CONSUL BARKER
AT SAGUA LA GRANDE.
Aid Sent Now VIII Be Ten Times as Bene-
fetal as Thirty Days Hence-Fiity
Thousand Said To Be Dying in sagua
La Grande Zone.

Thousand Said To Be Dying In Sasua
La Grande Zone.
Washington, February 6.-Chas. W..
Russell, assistant q. S. attorney in the
department of Justice, has received tne
following letter, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of a New York draft mailed to Y.
s. Consul Barker at Sagus La Grande,
Cuba, whose district of Las Villas en-
braces Santa. Clara, the capital OF the
province of that name, San Domingo,
Remedies an another city in the same
province in the eastern part Of the island
In explanation of his estimate OF the
number of deaths from starvation up 20
the time of his recent visit, viz: 2oo.ooo
Mr.. Russell says that he got that number
from the common talk in Cuba. For
instance he asked Cuban what the
insurgents said about accepting the offer
of autonomy, the answer was that spain
had put 100000 corpses between iher and
them, referring evidently to the recon-
centrados. The letter follows:
"It is with unfeigned pleasure as well
asJ inexpressible gratitude that
acknowledge the receipt of your valued
favor of the 10Th inst, transmitting
S6S, United States currency as dona-
tion to the dispensario, charitable In
stitution to care for the destitute and sick
children of this ity-contributed, as you
say, by certain employees of your depart
ment.
II must tell you and the other good
souls contributing that the remittance
| was most timely as their exchequer was
empty, and as one remarked when this
relief was made known. We had God
and only God to look to in order that our
treasury be replenished. to God and these
charitable Americans are due our
thanks y
"Mrs. G. of Boston has notified me
that she has sent to my address case OF
condensed milk for the same purpose as
also for the remnants of families Of
reconcentrados in an old war house OF
whom have heard assume it was
you who called her attention to these poor
starving outcasts."
After speaking of the good done BY
Mr.. Russell's visit to Cuba the letter pro-
ceeds: Sup to date my district has re-
ceiyed nothing of the relief sent out by
our people, except through your thought
full remembrance.
| "Of course Consul General Lee has
not, nor will he ever, in my humble
Judgment have sufficient contributions
sent to Havana, to share with us, SO re-
mote and inaccessible in transporting
supplies. In view of this, contributions,
like yours, in money, will aid in saving
thousands, who must die without susten-
ance and medicine unless Immediately
| furnished. For instance this remittance
from the generous employees in your
department will prove more beneficial
than 10 timesssthe sum 80 days hence.
81 have certificates signed by the
Alcaldes of the principal cities and
towns in my Sagua La Grande zone
alone, showing my estimate of $4,000
perishing souls was under, rather than
above the mark. To my mind and to all
Christian people there is but one-solely
one issue in this Cuban question, viz;
destitution and starvation.
- lQ6 SItDuS QuO 10 a6 WuoA yoA AoAo,
save that the destitution grows and the
death rate increases hourly.
IT have-not the authorities-selected
and named relief committee composed
of women, as well as men. who will dis
tribute all contributions received and
render needed relief to all the destitute.
"Say to the generous people of Amer
lea, who have never turned deaf ear to
the cry of the distressed, whether at home
or in foreign land, to send us food,
medicine and clothing for the sick. :"
Mr.. Russell says that any contributions
of money may safely be sent to United
States Consul Walter B. Barker, at
Sagua La Grande, Cuba. AS money can
be transmitted with great certainty and
promptness to that particular region, he
advises sending New York drafts rather
than food supplies which can be pur-
chased there.