Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-18
The Present Condition Of Cuba.


There is a growing feeling that the
government can far better assist the
Cubans by distribution of seeds than
in almost any other way. Many noble
men and women are engaged in the
relief work on that island. Much has
already been accomplished, but it will
require more than year of peaceful
American rule, to repair the ravages of
the terrible war with Spain. In many
parts of Cuba-and especially in its
rural communicative utterly desti-
tute in the midst of their ruined homes
The starting of relief farms has ac-
complished vast good in some sections,
and the work could be largely extend
ed with beneficial results. The people
are ready to work. They do not ask
charity; but they need and must have
assistance in getting started on the
road to self-support. The island is
still a wilderness of deserted farms.
and ruined homes. Hunger and desti-
tuition are found on every hand. A
pamphlet just issued by The Cuban In
dustrial Relief Fund Association, en-
titled Cuba After a Year of Peace"
present some startling facts relative to
the extent of the suffering and want
that still exists in the island, and the
imperative necessity of a vastly great
er enlargement of the scope of relief
measures before the people can be
well started again upon a basis of self
supporting prosperity. The island is
Wonderfully fertile. Nature has been
prodigal in her gifts there, but the
people must have food, teams, farming
implements and seeds before they can
reclaim the farms abandoned and
grown up to the rank weeds of the
tropics during the devastating days of
the war. The fact is pointed out that
the Cubans are proud and sensitive
people. They do not parade their
poverty and restitution before strang-
ers; neither do they open the doors of
their sick rooms and bid the world
enter. Yet the sick and destitute are
there. They suffer and die in silence.
Tens of thousands of wretchcdly desti
tute and suffering people are still in
need of relief work through the island.
Thousands of Cuban widows are
without employment or any means Of
support. Many, many thousands of
helpless orphans beg their bread from
C-or ID Coo
So much for existing conditions. Let
us look for moment at what has al
ready been accomplished in the work
of relief The general manager of the
Cuban Relief Fund reports that it has
in operation at Ceiba Mocha, Il miles
west of Matanzas, two relief farms:
Outlook Farm, No. 1, and New Eng
land Farm, comprising nearly 200 acres
Of excellent farming land. These farms
are equipped with u American work
mules. plows. harrows, hoes and other
farming tools.
Practical farming operations are
carried on, under the superintendent
of capable American farmers. Corn,
sweet potatoes, white potatoes, toma-
toes. onions. beans, peas, and various
kinds of garden vegetables are cult
waited.
The purpose of these farms to to en-
able destitute reconcentrados to sup
port themselves by honest work The
utility of the farms in this respect ex-
ceeds all expectations. About $50 per-
sons are receiving support, wholly or
in part. from the labor provided by
the farms The payroll October TO-
1897 contained $50 names. Each man
on the roll had dependent upon him
from three to eleven persons In some
cases 13year-old children were sup
porting whole families of sick and de-
pendent relatives.
Five of our workmen," he adds
"have saved enough Of their wages to
make small beginnings for themselves
their wages for the same purpose.
Destitute, sick and hungry people
swarm in upon us each day. literally
begging for work. Until we have more
funds at our disposal however. we
cannot help them"
Such an appeal should not go unan-
swered. The American people should
see to it that the funds necessary for
the extension of this noble work are
forthcoming. The department COM
manders in Cuba early in June decided
against government aid to Cuban
farmers upon the following grounds
~ The task is too great for the Sov-
eminent to undertake with The funds
az its disposal. CD The government
would be compelled to give assistance
to all the needy farmers of Cuba or to
none at all; it could not help one man
and refuse to help his nejghbor So
Government aid to the farmers would
be paternalism of the worst kind: and