New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-25
SUFFERING IN CUBA
MISS BARTON ALMOST FRUSTRATED AT THE
SCENES OF pEsOLATION AND MISERY.


Hanava via Key West Fla. Feb AIT is feared
that the excitement in the United States over the
explosion may divert attention from the needs OF
the starving reconcentrados and pachcos. The
condition 81 the peasantry and the poor OF the In
terror cities and those sent TO the seaboard can
scarcely he exaggerated In elements OF horror.
From mo,t trustworthy sources It Is ascertained
that while tho outward signs OF famine and dis
ease are not plentiful as few months or weeks
ago II IL because death Is busy and the suferers
who are LEFT are weak 10 on the streets. As
an Illustration. In the Province OF Santa cara
seventeen persons took shelter in an abandoned
lime kiln. When their presence was discovered by
the authorities thirteen were dead and the others
100 far gone TO recover The story Is officially cor
roborated
Miss Clara Barton visited the village OF Jaruco.
thirty miles out the other day. and found between
three Thousand and four thousand starving per-
sons. She almost Frustrated AT the scenes OF
desolation and misery she witnessed. Without out
side assistance this condition OF things must grow
worse day by day. and the native officials confess
themselves at the end OF their resources. This is
particularly true Of the towns and villages outside
Havana Strangers visiting the city and resident
foreigners well natives able 10 do 80. con-
tribute 10 alleviate the acute cases OF distress
II is suggested that shipload Of provisions
night he from the United states direct 10
Matanzas whore Consul Brice describes the cond
tons as simply appalling American contributors
can rest assured that their gifts viii reach the
needy as any trouble or delay that may have eK-
listed heretofore in the receipt and distribution Of
by American officials in the Island has been
eliminated
The censorship is very etrict and according to a
recent order all dispatches must be submitted IN
Spanish a. well as English This doubles the
trouble OF the correspondents and quadruples delay
The OF communication in Havana, large
city are rather primitive and the work visiting
.haD ufa dur
ing tho hours when Lieutenant Colonel Mendez the
censor Is present there always be found a long
line Of newspaper men anxiously awaiting his p
proval or dlsapproval Of rheir matter and his az
fixing OF the official stamp. well all proofs OF
daily newspape rs published here. and matter for
newspapers IN Spain must be censored.
It IS not believed that any negotiations between
senor GOWN Secretary OF the Interior; SeHor Dolz
Secretary Of Communications. and Senator Gibera
and the insurgent leader Capote. in the name OF
the Autonomist Government. will any
thing. No expects any substantial results 10
be attained by the Autonomists in that direction.
In reply question put TO a high American
official as 70 what the outcome would he II II
proved that the Maine disaster due out
side agency, the official in question said
mean war. Still. doubt whether II would be
neoessary 20 fire q shot Admiral Scard could an
snS the ee outside Of Havana Harbo to
prevent the ingress Of the food supplies without
cuba IS a waste of ashes and desolation. Even the
hotels and cafes here in Havana live from hand
to mouth on supplies brought from the United
States
on Admiral Sicard demanded the surrender OF
Havana giving twenty-four hours FOR the removal
OF the women and children surrender would FOL
low The forts old structures. and could he
demolished by a six-pounder Such new guns az
have beer mounted short Of ammunition. and
have never been tried. II General BlancO should
decline TO surrender. the Spanish merchants here.
who represent ~ per cent Of the property and pay
- por cent OF the taxes Of the island. would compel
him to accede Admiral Sicard's terms As for
the volunteers the men for the most part the
employees OF these merchants. and the volunteer
ofcers ere largely their or their junior part
ners."
sitting with General Marinas In the corridor OF the
Palace. When ne heard the explosion he jumped
from his chair excaiming MI la Pussieronr cat
last thew have put n shell in the PalacerO