The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-01
BlAkCO'S REPORT.
He Says the Spaniards Are Trying To Al
leviate the Misery On the Island.


Washington. March 3l.-The Spanish
legation has received full reports from
Captain General Blanco. from the gov
ernors Of all the provinces of Cuba and
from the alcaldes and chiefs of police
of the principal cities as to the condi-
ton of the re~concentrados. II is an
elaborate treatment of this subject by
the officers directly in charge. IL Is
noteworthy hat they do not seek to
minimize the dreadful condition of these
people, but endeaVor To show that they
are doing their utmost to alleviate the
misery and misfortune which exists.
General Blanco's report is in sub
stance as follows: I'm the midst of the
painful impression caused by the situ-
alton of the reconcentrados. il is some
satisfaction TO note the great improve
ment in their condition as compared
with what it was four or five months
ago. In esponse to the keen interest
which the government has shown i'm
the matter this government has en-
deavored from the very first In every
possible way to alleviate so much mis-
cry and misfortune.
The cities. overfilled with men. wo-
men and children without work. were
unable to sustain a population Of con
sumers who produced nothing the de-
struction of So many hamlets by the
insurgents compelled the unfortunate
inhabitants To seek refuge in the towns
To save their lives. the only thing pos
sible to- be saved from this wanton and
barbarous destruction which had re-
duced them to a state of the most hor-
rible wretchedness.
In Puerto Principe nearly all tie re-
concentrates were of this class. The
maladies originated by this crowding
together of human beings and the fatal
belief i'm an inevitable combined to take
away from many the necessary energy
To struggle for life. and to discourage
private charity. which considered itself
impotent without "a decided help from
official charity. other and sad
der considerations may be made
To eNriaic a certain passive
resistance among some elements who
regarded every reconcentrado as an
enemy more or less disguised; the re-
suit of all this was the truly formidable
problem presented all the graver from
the fact that IL was. a necessity of inn
mediate urgency.
The disposition of this government
was To attack the evil at its source.
by the decree of the 18th of November
last the return Of all the reconcentra-
dos to their homes was permitted, and
they were authorized at the same time
To carry arms to defend their property.
In this the cities were relieved of "A
large part Of their abnormal popula-
llbI anu a tutth SlNfn W inc uiStdStS
produced 10y o~vercrowding.
Committees We're organized. Official
charity a few days after the establish
ment Of these Juntas provided them
with resources handling over Sl00. O0o
the Sd Of November. and $4,000 the I'd
OF March. The governors and alcaldes
were called upon TO show their zeal by
giving "A good an example, nm appeal
To which these authorities responded
with an interest worthy Of all praise,
In this way was private charity en-
CouraCed and enabled 10 organize its
W protective committees economic
kitchens and charitable associations
which distribute relief personally and
contribute powerfully 10 relieve the sui
fering.
'As a result OF all this. public spirit
began 20 rise again, confidence returned
and a disposition O. work began To pre-
vail. In Santa Clara there are actual
ly a large number 81 these unhappy be
ings occupied IN field labor. In Pinal
del Rio five villages are being recon
structed. and effective means are be
ing taken TO increase and encgurag
agricultural labor. In Santiago de Cubs
the cultivated zones are In perfect con.
dition. Those in San Luis. Sango and
Canarie may be termed as models.