The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-16
HOW CUBANS HAVE STARVED.
MANY CANNOT NOW RETURN TO
THEIR ABANDONED HOMES.

They Have Nothing with which 20
Cultivate Their Lnnd-Govern-
ment Issues RatiOns But Cannot
Give Them Seed or Implements.
Many Are without Homes, Food or
ClOthes-HOward Says Ii Is a Re-N
Drpach to Civilization.
jacksonville, Fla, March 15.-william
willard Howard. general manager of the
Cuban Industrial relief fund of New York.
passed through Jacksonville this evening
on his way home from Cuba He goes
North 20 purchase agricultural implements
end seed for the use of the Industrial re-
lief station, which he has just established
at Gunes, Cuba. Mr.. Howard said:
''The condition of Cuba, so far as my
observations have gone, Is really worse
than It was at this time last year, when
l made my first Investigations. In the
rural districts little has been done to re-
store the island to its normal condition.
The fields are vacant, and the farmers
idle. The people still remain in the towns
and cities, where army rations are issued
20 them. They cannot return to their
abandoned farms. because they have
nothing to return with.
"our government has done. and Is do
ing nothing 90 enable farmers to resume
the cultivation of their lands All that Il
pretends to do is to distribute rations
through local committees Of Cubans. Gov.
Gen. Brooke and the officers under him
realize keeniy the condition of things, but
cannot give any assistance except food.
Ours Is not paternal government.
Their Condition Heartrendfng.
THE condition of the widows and or
phans Of Cuba is hearrending There are
thousands upon thousands Of these poor
creatures scattered over the island. They
have neither homes 20 live in, food 20 ear
nor clothes to cover them. One cannot
think of their future without a shudder. l
am especially concerned for che poor little
orphan girls, who roam the streets. scant-
lily clad asking for a bit Of food with
which TO keep their little bodies and souls
together. What Will become of these girise
Their future for good or for evil. lies
with the people of the United States.
Among these widows and orphans I
have as lately as last week seen indiyid-
ual cases OF restitution and physica ema-
citation worse than anything that 1 saw in
Armenia during the two years thatI gave
TO Armenia relief work. And to have these
wrecks Of humanity stand and look I'm 10
the stars and stripes waving over their
city hall, gives one a queer sensation. The
generous American people surely cannot
understand the condition of Cuba, or these
poor creatures would be taken care of
What Starvation Has Done.
Il do not speak of the sick, the infirm.
or one of those who hobble about. cover.
ed with loathsome sores, resulting fron,
starvation. l cannot speak of them. for
the English language is Inadequate 10 tha
task. They should have been cared for
In hospitals long months ago. Why II has
not been done cannot understand
THE condition of Cuba is a reproacb 10
the American people, and a blot unon civ.
ilization. We are going to do sornetbIng
20 improve that condition, and we invite
all lovers of humanity in the United Statss
TO help us, for the good name Of the Amer
lean flag. Our flag should mean sornething
to those homeless, helpless orphans ana
destitute country people. Money for these
orphans or for our Industrial relief worIs
should be sent TO the Continental Trust
Company 30 Broad street. New York civ
marked For the Cuban Industrial RELIEF
Fund"