The evening times., 1899-07-15
HELPING CUBAN ORPHANS
Dr.. Hubbelrs Report on the Work
of the Red Cross.
1 MetamOrphOsis I'm the Condition of
Helpless Chflslren Wrought by the
Ministratfons of Miss Bnrton's So
ciety-Relfef Agents Well Received
by the Tslanders-Hethods Used.

| The work of the Red Cross in Cuba in
behalf of the destitute orphans and other
children is progressing even more satis-
factorily than the officers of the organi-
zatiOn had hoped for when they undertook
the task last winter AT every point in the
island where representatives OF the organi-
| zatiOn go they are received with every
| consideration and in each town the citizens
| have shown themselves anxious TO Coop
| crate with the Red Cross in its relief work.
| DR.. ]. B. Hubbeil, field agent for the Red
Cross. has Just returned from Cuba, where,
since the beginning Of operations last
winter, he has been actively engaged in the
work. Dr. Hubbell, when seen by Timss
reporter today talked most interestingly
concerning the present status of the work
! and Miss Clara Barton's plans. Miss Bar
| ton," said he feels that she is doing the
best work OF her life, although it is being
| accomplished in quiet way and Is not OF
sort to attract general attention. The
operations of the Red Cross are being con-
fined to small towns, where the people are
unable to care for their own destitute as
we'll as those of the cities and larger
towns
The plan evolved by Miss Barton and
her assistants is at once simple and COM
parativeIy inexpensive and has proven
most satisfactory Her idea has been TO
establish asylums in each small town rath-
er than establish a large institution in
some CT the more pretentious places and
gather in the orphans from the surround
ing districts. BY her method, she keeps
the destitute children in their home COM
munity where they will be most useful
when they become old enough 70 take an
active part in local affairs. An agent OF
the society, upon going TO town where
destitution exists, endeavors TO secure the
cooperation of the townspeople in the
work. All the orphans and children who
have ben left to care for themselves are
there brought together in some suitable
building selected for the purpose and
clothed, fed, and cared for at the expense
of the Red Cross. After an institution or
this sort is we'll established and some suit
able citizen of the particular town who has
shown an intelligent interest and activity
in the work has been found, the asylum
is left in his immediate charge and the
agent proceeds TO the next place where
there is need for his presence.
The society exercises a general superyis-
ion over all the asyfums which it POUNDS
and furnishes food and supplies for their
maintenance The citizens in each town
have given a most cordial support in the
work and have aided in every way. They
take an interest in the orphans of their
own town which would not be shown the
children were they placed in similar in
stitutions in larger towns or in any town
not their own. The Red Cross employs
women in each village or town who are
destitute and without means of caring for |
themselves to perform the active work OF
caring for the orphans. In each town |
clubs whose members are townspeople are
also formed for the purpose of co-operat- |
ing with the Red Cross agents. Their MEM |
bers. who are educated, teach the inmates
of the asylun1s the rudimentary branches |
of study and the others perform duties |
which tend to forward the work.
The greatest change has taken place |
in the condition of the children, who be-
fore the Red Cross work was instituted !
lived and slept wherever they could. sur |
rounded by the most revolving physical |
and moral conditions. They had TO get |
food from whatever source was available, |
and many of them were forced to beg for |
what they received. They were clothed |
in filthy rags. and the greater number OF
them were suffering from skin diseases Or |
infested with vermin. Now, everything is |
changed They are being fed and clothed
and educated, and are in a fair way to
make useful citizens, which is more than
could be said had they been allowed to J
continue in their former state.
Miss Barton's work at the present time
is extensive and far-reaohing, and the
greatest possible good is being done. but
full benefits will not be realized until the
children who are now being cared for by
the Red Cross have grown up and begin
to WELD influence in their respective COM
munities.
AS fast as each town is able to support its |
own orphan asylum, the Red Cross will
withdraw but that time is still far dis
tant By the time another crop has been
harvested, the towns throughout the ISL
and will probably be able to support their
own charities without much outside aid.
The greater bulk of the necessary work has
been done. but there is still much to be
accomplished
In reply to a question from The Times
reporter concerning the progress of gen.
eral development in the island. DR.. Hubbell
stated that much is being done, but that !
the island has not yet recovered to any |
great extent from the evil effects of the |
war. AS yet no great amount OF American |
capital has made its appearance. he said, |
but he thought that there would be after |
the close of the rainy season, which is now !
in progress.
1t is not known at Red Cross headquart- |
ers when Miss Barton will return, but she |
is expected TO reach this country in the |
near ff1t,Ire