New-York tribune., 1899-12-11
DESTITUTE WOMEN IN CUBA
MARIA, THE PARALYZED ORPHAN GIRL.
FINDS GENEROUS FRIENDS.
WILLIAM WILLARD HOWARD TELLS OF THE DEs-
PERATE NEEDS OF THE SURVIVORS OF
THE RFCONCENTRADOs


Maria. the paralyzed orphan girl Of Matanzas
whose picture was published in The Tribune few
weeks ago is likely be the happiest girl in Cuba
al Christmas time The Trhunes picture of Maria
was afterward published in a little illustrated book
called Cuba After Year OF Peace" which was
Issued for free distribution by the Cuban Indus
trial Relief Fund. Room 75 Tribune Building.
'Maria's patient, refined face less than the
pathos Of her story" said member Of the fund 10
a Tribune reporter yesterday made deep i'm
preston upon some OF the generous hearted wom-
en- OF this country Although the fund does not as
rule receive gifts for individual cases in Cuba.
yet in the case of Maria IL made exception for
some kind hearted women OF Brookne. Mass. a
little girl in Thompsonsve. Conn. and the pupils
Of The State Normal School. Boomsourg, Penn.
The indications that Maria will have as
Christmas presents wheechair. a good bed and
bedding some simple articles Of clothing, table
some dishes and a few cooking utensils. These
gifts vii lift Maria from the floor. over which she
is now compelled 70 drag herself with the aid Of
her TWO hands: will provide her with means OF To-
comotion about the wretched room on the hillside
al Matanzas which she calls home, and will re-
neve her OF the necessity Of cooking and eating on
the floor
Maria deserves all the sympathy that the picture
o. her sweet. gentle face has evoked She is an
orphan about sixteen years old She sits in a chair
on he hillside al Matanzas and brrids straw hats
for which she receives six cents On this she lives
War and Weyler exterminsted every relative that
Maria had IN the world. Starvation left her para
yzed below the waist and compelled her TO crawl
upon the ground with the aid of her hands
Not only Is she alone In the world but she lives
alone Her housekeeping arrangements are pa
theuc beyond words. Dishes she has none. her
Only cooking utensils are old tin cans Her kltchen
w5 ss sa on the moor OF t9f e roo s in ruins
entirely open 70 the weather There is rude cot,
won which Maria is lifted at night by kino hearted
aelghbors They are all kind TO her. but as they
e Sfe almost destitute herself they can give her
!" material assistance"
Mr.. HOWARD's PLEA FOR HELP.
In Speaking Of the case OF Maria and other desti-
N'e women and girls in Cuba. William Willard
howard, general manager Of the Cuban Industrial
'si Fund, said yesterday
,asSe .Se thousands OF other destitute women in Cuban
inv and cities to-day. Maria is from the coun-
Oy,n,,ilet ilet family before the war was wei 10 uo,
issnds and houses and i've STOCK me Ws h
fsnnyto all this property. and the members OF the
Ga,.ny We're driven into the city OF Matanzas Dy
Eyee a Weyer's Infamous order of concentration.
sfar". 4Sd Maria's relatives survived tht NtyitI
- tssuon they would have been unable 10 return
pesnT sT Old home in the country, owing 70 ieck OF
SS4ld new house buy work oxen. farming tO0ls.
svus or Domestic supplies with which 10 begin HE
v~ v,,o ihls is precisely the reason why the sur
V,e.urh 70 their old homes In the country 20
a.. eit away from the cities and towns, "heIe
fsin' .alOns might be had al times. Would De Sei-
nes starvation. for the country r. sun wloerss
shs1a VI VI devastated fields. ruined farmhouses ana
oDSshdoned industries
mere can be no return Of prosperity TO Cuba
cn.t c these country people are helped back 10 the
u.IYation Of their farms There can be no per
et snd ~ neip for the thousands Of destitute women
~ ~ the country 20 resume their interrupted indus
'''S' II We could only get the farmers back upon