New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-23
CUBA'S NEED OF RELIEF.
IT CONTINUES. AND WILL CONTINUE
FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
SMALL FARMERS LACK FOOD AND MEDICINE
HOW PRIVATE CHARITY COULD SUPPLE
MENr GOVERNMENT AID

MENr GOVERNMENT AID.
Havana. December IL
Information seems to be sought in the United
States about the extent to which relief Is need
cd in Cuba. and the means best suited for at
fording IT. 1t Is a continuous subject and will
he with the American people for another year
The condition OF the poorer classes Of the island
improves slowly. yet there Is an improvement.
One advantage from the military occupation
will be that supplies can be distributed without
the hindrances that have been interposed here
tofore.
Some doubt has been felt whether at this
period the need OF relief Is urgent No one
could visit Cuba and after travelling ten miles
outside OF Havana. have doubts upon tina. sub
jec;. The country people need both food and
medicines They have thus far had little 70
plant or reap. 1t will be another year before
they can draw sustenance entirely from the soil
Work for those who are able bodied and willing
Is az hand, because the United States military
authorities IN performing the necessary labors
~ sanitation will have to make certain public
improvements. while the military occupation
will indirectly cause a considerable outlay. But
a. result OF the RECOMMENDATION and the war
there is a Interestingly large number Of women
and orphaned children who have one TO earn
the means OF livelihood for them. Every effort
is made TO reach these cases. yet the means OF
relieving them are painfully inadequate.
GOVERNMENT RELIEF.
Much good Is done through the distribution
q, the supplies sent by the American Govern
rent The 400 tons OF rations brought by the
Comal insure many thousands from starvation
With all that the Government does. wide field
still remains for private charity II reaches
avenues which are overlooked by the agencies
~ official distribution. The Comal for instance
brought no Quinine other medicines. though
the need for them was fully as great as for food
Their omission was temporarily supplied by pri-
vate agencies. Indscriminate charity in Cuba
Is as barren and hurtfu as IT is in the United
States. Where charity Is extended inteigently
and under proper accountability II does not GO
astray. SO many hungry mouths are open and
so many sick persons need medicines that With
IN the next twelve months there is no danger OF
either the American Government or Of private
individuals and societies surfeiting the popula
ton
INDUSTRIAL FARMING A GOOD FIELD.
The plan Of industrial farming such was
carried out in the relief movement in America.
and which is now receiving attention in the
United States. offers an unusually good held FOR
experiment here. Cuba is or was before the
war country OF small farms. The leading
problem to-day is 10 get the surviving popula-
ton back 10 their farms In the country, where
they will be able 70 cultivate the soil. little
prosress has already been made. II could not
be general this year because the season FOR
PLANTING had passed before the American occu-
ration had begun The need for aid OF this
kind will therefore be greater next season In
some OF the districts. such as that OF Guines. IN
the southeastern part Of Havana Province. tha
wants will be for what known as garden
seeds-potatoes. cabbage. onions and the IKE
In The tobacco districts the buyers and the
manufacturers will make the advances 10 the
yaoueros or tobacco growers This. however, IS
An exceptional case. and does not meet the neecs
Of the island as a whole. Moreover, while IL VIII
BE- Important TO supply seed from the North
ssed alone will not be sufficient. In the farm
!ng districts the small farmers are without
either oxen or ploughs. Commonly they nave
managed 70 save their oxcarts. and that is all
The oxcarts will be useful when they nave oxen
and pioughs II the oxen come in time great
deal OF corn and cane can be planted very early
next season. and an important step taken tow
ard enabling the country people TO provide for
themselves 1t is in providing for needs OF this
kind that private relief from the United States.
directed with knowledge and intelligence. cap
do the best work.