The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-22
LIKE Old SLAVE SHIPS.
E30n1lUl1E CONDITION OF SPANISR
EMnARKIxG FOR HOME.
en- They stagwer Dewn the Wharf.
While HunAreAs II IattsFs Convey
These who Are toe weak - Walk

Correspondence OF the Associated Press.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA. Aug. a.-Since
the surrender OF Santiago one thing has
been uppsrmost in our minds. namely the
health and condition Of the brave AIneri-
can soldiers who fought and were victori-
Gus. and this was very proper. The men
certainly deserve whatever could be done
Ter them upon this score. In accordance
with the protests from commanding CT
neers. tbs orders from Washington as TO
tbs disposition Of the army were changed,
and our troops are emharklng daily for
the North. Today the first of our Spanish
prisoners were put on board the transport
We have hired to take them home.
Ten thousand OF tia men have been In
camp for more than three weeks, just
outside OF the city limits. They were much
nearer 70 tho palace than our own men.
They were our prisoners. and we, one aad
all avoided the roads that led near their
camps because u the vile doors that arose
thsrefrom
the city on the way 10 the docks, We saw
sights that brought tears to the eyes of
men who are not readily moved TO tears.
Down on the docks. In a narrow strip OF
shade made at a warehouse, some 300
Spaniards waited orders TO move on 10 the
lighter which would convey them 20 the
much-taiksd-of Spanish hospital ship ALI
cante.
These men were OF a sickly pallor, sol-
low-cheeked. weak and thin.
We are the we'll men who have brought
the sick into the town on iifters." they ex-
planned. Down on the wharf being load
ed on the steam lighter Bessie, were long
lines of stretchers. each with It's pitiful
burden. Faces that looked like deaths
heads. every line of the skull marked on
the saliow skin, protrudng teeth, over
which lips would not close. One man
grasped In claw that had crushed them
three American hard tacks. Others had
food hidden under their scant covering
Their weight was as nothing, yet four
well men staggered under the burden OF
one stretcher. Down the city streets came
other professions Of stretchers Van
pushed. weak. pitifrl, meaning stagger-
ing. they drifted into the town all day
long. When the city surrendered the pros
pective return TO Spain brought Joy to
many hearts. The fuifillment Of tho prom
iSe was sad.
The American ambulances have been de-
tailed to help Garry in those unable TO
walk. and We have erected tents on the
docks where the sick can wait until the
lighter - ready for them.
1T Is not camp out there" said a
Between 30 and 800 went into the hospital
medicine there was no atsua Dane N Fory
men were dying every day. and the
trenches are full Of the dead. We have
saved you many $40 for passage money
than anything in the war. There are 1000
out there yet; only Loco came In today. but
they won't last long. Dysentery. camp
dysentery We call ii, and il IS worse than
the plague, Is carrying them Off"
A white-haired officer with stars and
bands on his sleeves, but so thin and weak
and pale that he looked more Ike skeI-
eton than man, walked down the wharf
supported by his wife. who was as much
in need OF support as he was himself. Over
a loose board they both tripped and fell.
There are two young children ia the party,
who cry almost continuously. Finally
they all got on board the women to spend
ten days on filthy. horrible troopship.
There are many women going thus. wives
OF officers who cannot pay for passage.
These Spanish troopships bid fair to rival
old slave ships In the misery and suffer
ings that Will be confined within their sides
on the voyage back TO Spain.
Our own soldiers were sick, but the con-
dition OF the Spaniards Is many times
worse than our men. who are strong and
healthy compared to them.
The Spaniards were not In this condition
when they marched to their death camp
just three weeks ago How far we are
expected to provide care for vanquished
foe is a question now being discussed In
this town. Every one admits, and has adj
mitted, that the Spaniard has been a good
enemy and a good fighter. and the Ameri-
cans who took off their hats TO tile Span
ish on the 18th OF July did 20 with true
homage 10 brave men. AS the pit:ful lines
Of Spanish prisoners stagger through the
streets Of this city for the next week or
so. feebiy stepping out OF The way OF Pc
destrians. looking fea-fully at the rafting
carts and in sad contrast 10 our strong
men In brown, the Americans who see
them will be- inclined again to uncover
their heads. prompted by the same feeling
OF homage to brave men.