The record-union., 1898-04-12
enjoyment of that American char

/ the enjoyment of that American char
] ity.
/ The revolution, as absolute master
lof the country, has never prohibited
any citizen. whatever his nationality,
from earning his living. and it has
/ happened that as soon as the barbar
Gus concentration decree was derogated
iinnumefable families have left and still
leave the city for the fields, impelled
/ by hunger to wrest from the fruitful
Cuban vegetation the means of reliev-
! ing the most pressing needs of life.
Those unhappy beings ignore the fact
that the Spaniards by steel and priva-
ton have shrouded their hearths in
mourning; so also it may be said that
the floor Of Cuba was in mourning,
/ devastated by the bullet and torch.
! Wherefore. being in the same circum-
stances, these unfortunates have the
same moral right to participate in the
rellef furnished TO needy Cubans by
your generous people. Many a widow.
many mother, many an orphan do
we meet III our way who asks us sue
cor that we are not able to give but
most sparingly. and therefore. upon
pointing out to them the charity awak-
ened in their behalf in your noble ma
ton, L desire to honor myself by of
ferlng my services to cooperate in the
noble work with all the power and
means within the reach Of the forces
! I command.
Il am, sir, With the most distin
guished consideration.
(Signed) NJ. A. GOMEZ"
March 1st General Lee reports the
distribution of food, medicines and
clothing to the destitute is proceeding
satisfactorily
The work" he says, has beer well
! organized and systematized under the
supervision and direction of Miss Clara
Barton, President Of the Red Cross
! Society of the United States. and her
active and experienced assistants"
He says that the number of the poor
and destitute is so large that it is i'm
possible to relieve large numbers in
each locality, but that he can state
with confidence that under the present
system of distribution the supplies are
not lost or wasted, but reach those for
whom they are intended
/ March 14th he incloses a letter from
Consul Barker of Sagua, who requests
him to transmit the following letter,
which is addressed to him General
! Lee):
! Dear Sir: I will thank you to COM
municate to the department as quickly
as possible the fact that the military
/ commander and other officers Of the
military positively refuse to allow the
/ reconcentrados to whom / am issuing
! food in its raw state to procure fuel
/ with which to cook the food.
In addition. they prohibited this class
| of people CT only give food to about
oneffth of the destitute) from gather
! ing vegetables from within the pro-
lection of the forests, telling them the
Americans propose to feed you. and to
/ the Americans you must look Very
/ truly yours,
WALTER B. BARKER, Consul"
On March 18th General Lee informs
J the department that the Governor
General, by decree of March 9TH, pro-
rOgued in all parts to March 81. 1898,
the decree of the General Government
of April 10, 1897, relative to the sus-
pension of legal proceedings against
real estate at the reservation of what
may be agreed upon by them by the
insular chambers, 'in due season."
March 9th General Lee states that
the work of relief is progressing, and
gives details about the distribution of
supplies, and adds: "Have been greatly
assisted by Mr.. Klopsch.
| March 2Sth General Lee reports that
instructions have been given by the
| civil Government of Havana that the
Alcaldes and other authorities shall
not give out any facts about the re
concentrates, and if any of the Amer
! lean Relief Committee should make in
quiries concerning them all such in
quiries must be referred to him
| General Lees dispatches conclude
with a dispatch under date of April
! 1st, transmitting the decree of the
/ Governor-General terminating the con-
centration.