The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-09
lUDL0W'S CRY FOR AID
HE TELLS OF CiSTRESS AND StM-
STARVATION.
Many (haritably Disposed People in Havana,
but Tteir Means are Inadequate. An
Appeal 10 American Women.

L
raj William Ludlow. Governor of Hat
yana, has written lengthy letter to the
Evening Post. describing infinitely the
conditions in the Cuban capital and APP
pealing for assistance for Cuban chari-
ties. General Ludlow refers to the local
administration of Havana as a = rious
aud laborous task" Touching especially
upon the matter of keeping Havana
clean. General Ludlow writes that clean
ing and sanitation are carried ON s'un-
der every difficulty of a century old
accumulation of evils, Il deficiency of
material. inadequate personnel and
paucity and uncertainty as TO funds.
which for the present are derived from
weekly and monthly acquisitions on the
variable custom house collections, thus
multiplying the uncertainties and vexa-
tons of the task.
The destitute, he says, are found III
greater numbers in Havana than the
other provinces.
In this Department., writes the Gov
ernor, (which includes the city of Ha-
yana and its suburban region west,
south and east, between the Rivers Al
m ndares and Corlimar-the destitute
drawing rati0ns approximate 10000 who
must for the present be fed or permit
ted to starve. Employment of the able
bodied males on street cleaning. collec
ton of garbage, repairs to Streets and
road cleaning disinfecti0n of large build
tings and military structures. and the
like work. have constituted an immense
assistance in this respect by enabling
the 1000 or 5000 employees TO feed them
selves and those Immediately dependent
upon them. but there is still a very large
residium. for whom, 1T present, occupa-
ton cannot be furnished. II is one of
the distressing features that a great
proportion OF the destitute are women
and childrSn, whose men have died or
been killed in the waste of war. 10000
or 10000 more are still aggregated as
an army. practically idle, and dependent
upon the country for their maintenance.
instead of being ut work earning their
living and supporting til if families, 1t
is almost impossible in the average case
of the women. to find anything for them
10 do and this helpless class make spe-
cial appeal to sympathy"
The charitable Institutions of Haya-
ma, General Ludlow declares to be quite
inadequate to meet the emergency. He
cities as an instance the Casa de Las
Vidas' (HOme of the Widows), a large
structure in the capital occupied by "e
widows of Spanish officers. or this in
stitution General Ludlow says:
Upon assuming direction of af-
fairs here, it was found that the pen
sions of these women had not been paid
for over a year and that they had
been left behind when the Spanish forces
abandoned the island. absolutely without
the means of obtaining food. There
are at pres mt in the home a total Of over
| 200 Of all ageS-70 women 80 girls. and
| 80 boys-who are almost all entirely des-
| titute, and from n prolonged course OF
semi-starvation and the absence of medi-
| cal or other supplies. are deplorably re-
| ducsd and have much sickness among
| them. 1t can be imagined how this az
gregation of Il quiet gentle, suffering,
and almost silent class appeals 10 the
| sympathies. Many Of them are well
born. ACCOMPLISHED and educated, totally
| unable to do anything for themselves,
| and with the ignorance of children as
to means of support. They profess
themselves, and in many cases doubtless
with sincerity, willing to do work, even
| the toughest; but without any qualifi-
cations they would b. practically use
less to an employer. They could teach.
perhaps. but the schools are not open
to them. They are alien to the com
munity in which they are compelled to
| live, with comparatively few friends,
and those few unable to deal effectively
for their relief
To meet the needs of these women.
General Ludlow suggests that San as
sociation of women in the United States
might take account of the matter and
perfect arrangements by which the in
Stitution should he otherwise maintained
| than as Il temporary military eXigen-
cy. There are numerous kindly disposed
and charitable people in Havana-many
who are busily engaged in charitable
work with the sick and the orphans
| but their means are quite inadequate.
and assistance would be gladly received
| from the charitably disposed i'll the Uni
ted States
The Governor concludes by saying
that Mrs. Ludlow, who has taken a
strong interest in the matter, would be
very glad to receive any communication
on the subject or such contributions Of
food. clothing or money as might be
f., forwarded.