The true northerner., 1898-10-26
Extent Of DETERMINATION in Cuba.

From the St. Louis Gobe-Democrat
One of the most prominent daily news
papers in Havana admitted few days
ago that since 1895, when the last revolt
began, 60 per cent of the native Cubans
have died. 1t is a startling statement,
and yet confirmed by such other data as
can be obtained. Presently the whole
truth will come out and the enormity of
the Spanish purpose be made clear to the
world. From the moment of the appoint
ment of Weyler the policy was to kill off
every element of the population that
sympathized with the rebellion or that
was indirectly of assistance to it. Won
en- and children, the aged and the help
less, were included in this awful scheme
and if the figures of La Lucha are cor
rect three-ffths of the Cubans alive three
years ago are now in their graves. The
victims certainly number several hun
dred thousand. But for the Intervention
of the United States this colossal decree
of murder would have completed its
work, leaving in Cuba only the Spanish
population and in the mountains some
wandering bands of natives scarcely bet
ter than brigands. Having failed to over
come the tactics adopted 10y the insur-
gents, the immense Spanish army in
Cuba was charged with the destruction
of the whole native race.
.A41o l-,,o,,-,, +1,;- Of bo
real condition of the Cubans, but it is
believed that great suffering exists. a
few days ago a despatch from Matanzas
stated that the death rate from starva-
ton there continues heavy. Between
January, 1897, and September, 1898, TO-
O66 persons had died in that city, and So
per cent of the number, according to doc.
tors certificates, from hunger Weyler's
Recommendation order sent into camp
100000 of the agricultural population OF
the four western provinces. In none OF
these as yet have we any troops, nor are
we allowed to distribute relief. Gen
Fitzhugh Lee stated officially last Janu
airy that privation had carried off 200,
600 of the rural population in the foui
western provinces, one-fourth of the
number, including $4,000 children o
tender age, in Havana province alone
Consul Baker of Sagua la Grande re
ported a total of S0589 deaths in his dis
trict within eleven months. The consu
at Matanzas placed the number of starv
ing in that province at over 10000. In
the light of these figures it is easy to be
lieve that the Havana paper speaks will
authentic knowledge.
A month of delay has occurred in land
ing the relief provisions on the Red Cros
steamer Comal. The Spanish authoritie
demanded the payment of 100000 dutie
and with characteristic dilatory move
clusion on this one point. Starvatio
has no weight with the Spanish remain
ing in Cuba unless attended with som
inconvenience to themselves To Cuba
suffering they are absolutely Indifferent
We have no exact knowledge now {
the extent of starvation in Cuba outsid
of the east end of the island, where W
are in military occupation and ready
relieve all who are within reach Ther
are important reasons why the SPANS
evacuation should go forward with th
least possible delay. Meanwhile facil
ties for relief work should be insisted ol
The sequels of Weylerism overspread tn
island and no doubt the mortality is sti
enormous. Spain has always been pit
less in Cuba, and its last deeds in Ame
lea will have the same marks Of savager
as the first.