The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-12

distress, of sickness, restitution and death
until, indeed, the picture as drawn in the
revolving.
Mr.. Barker devoted comparatively little
space to political questions but one or two
of his letters are along these lines Probably
the most notable Of these is his communica-
tdon Of the 10th Of January last, in which
he volunteers some suggestions to the de-
From this communication the followisg ex-
tracts are TAKEN WHEN Spain will admit
defeat no mortal, In my humble judgment
dare predict. Pending this admission on her
part, thousands Of human beings, guiltless
Of playing any part in the iissurrection, are
dying for want Of sustenance. This condi-
ton must continue to increase.
1.-THE United States, in taking action rela-
tive to Cuba-which seems inevitable-de-
sires to avoid a clash with Spain.
Change Of Law.
Then let congress alter our citizenship
laws by amending the statute relative to the
declaration required of persons becoming citi-
zens by naturalizdng 80 that the subjects or
citizens of any government at present resid-
ing at Cuba. may go before any United States
consul in that island and make declaration
Of intention OF becoming a citizen of the
United States, which shall entitle them to
recognition as citizens. until the expiration
of two years, when they be required to re-
side in the United States until five years shall
have elapsed before being granted natural
ization papers. ~
a l COQfQaQt
80 per cent Of the resident Spaniards, the
hitherto dominant party and taxpayers, will
avail themselves of this opportunity of rebuk-
ing the mother county for attempting to
foist upon them changes in the existing laws
Of the island. Such a step would cause the
home subjects as well as the government to
acquiesce without disturbance in the loss
Of the island
Mr.. Barker then suggests that the United
States shall offer her good offices to Spain
with a view Of securing an armistice OF
49, ton, Gov IS II
cussing terms of settlement between Spain
and the insurgents, the United States to be
the umpire.
Pending negotiations he would have all
troops quartered and held in the large forth
fed coast towns is order that the reconcen-
trados may return to the country and en-
ployment He adds that the relief from
the United States must be continued or the
people must starve, SO long as there Is an
armed Spanish soldier in the country, since
these people, for fear of being murdered, do
not go to their country homes"
Reign of Terror.
On the 18th of January Mr.. Barker says,
"In this consular district reign Of terror
and anarchy prevails which the authorities,
If SO disposed, are utterly powerless to con-
troll, or in any measure subdue. Aside from
the suffering and desperation caused by the
unparalleled restitution. regard the sltua-
ton as rapidly assuming a critical stage. AS
stated heretofore in no way have the author
tiles departed from the 5pOlCy pursued by the
late, but not lamented Gen. 7Weyler
Spanish troops as well as the guerrillas,
under the cruel chiefs Caracas, Olivarietta
and Lazo, continue to desDoil the country,
and drench it with the blood of non-com-
batants. Although the Ybando of the captain
general provides that laberers may return to
estates, it restricts their operations to those
having garrison.
Last week number belonging to the Santa
Ana estate, located within a league of Saga,
and owned by George Thorndyke, of Newport,
r. l., were driven off after returning, and re-
fused a permit as a protection by the mill
tary commander, Mayor Lomo, one Of the
trusted officers under the Weyler regime"
The latter part Of Mr.. Barker's correspond
ence, beginning with the 18th Of March, Is
devoted to a statement of the relief laborers,
and an estimate of the funds required to
continue this work.
In communication OF the goth Of March,
Mr.. Barker says: The distress is simply
heartrending. Whole families, without cloth
ing to hide their nakedness, Fare sleeping on
the bare ground without bedding of any
kind, and without food save to such we
have been able to reach with provisions sent
by our own noble people; and the most dis
tressing feature is that fully 30 per cent are
Ill without medical attention or medicine"
In several places in Mr.. Barker's letters
stars are inserted showing that portions Of
them have been omitted. These omissions
are in places generally when he deals with
the condition Of the reconcentrados.