Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-09
HABANA CONDITIONS.
GEN, LUDLOW REPORTS GREAT
DEsTITUTION.
APPEAL FOR AID TO CHARITIES.
Suggestion That American Women
Form an Association 60 succor
Cuban Women and Children VINO
Are ON the Verge OF starvation.

NEW YORK. March S.-Brigadier-Gene-
raj William ludlow, Governor OF Habana,
has written a lengthy letter TO the Eve
ming Post. describing minutely the condi-
tons in the Cuban capital, and appealing
for assistance for Cuban charities.
General Ludlow refers TO the local ad'
ministration Of Habana as serious and
laborious task" Touching especially
upon the matter OF Keeping Ilabana clean.
General Ludlow writes that cleaning and
sanitation are carried on under every
difficulty Of a century-old accumulation
Of evils. and paucity and uncertainty as
10 funds. which for the present are de-
rived from weekly and monthly requisl-
lions on the variable custom-house col
lections. thus multiplying the uncertainty
and vcxation Of the task"
The destitute. he says are I'm greater
numbers IN Habana than in the other
provinces.
DESTITUTE NUMBER 10000.
In this department." writes the Gov
ornor (which includes the city Of Ha-
bana and Its suburban region west. south.
and Colimar--the destitute drawing ra-
lions approximate 5000, and they must
for the present be fed or permitted to
starve. Employment Of the able-bodied
males In STRENGTHENING, the collection
Of garbage. repairs TO streets. and road
cleaning: disinfectiOn Of large buildings
and military structures, ana the Ike
work. nave constituted an immense as
sistance in this respect, by enabling
1000 or 5000 men 10 feed themselves and
those Immediately dependent upon them,
but there is still a very large residuum'
for whom at present occupation cannot
he furnished. IL is one OF the distressing
features that a great proportion OF the
destitute are women, whose men nave
died or been killed in the war while
1000 or 10000 more are still engaged, as
an army. dependent upon the country for.
their maintenance. instead of being al
work. earning their living and supporting
their families IL is almost Impossible.
I'm the average case OF the women, TO ma
anything for them TO do, which makes
this helpless class subjects for sympathy.
WIDOWS IN WANT.
General Ludlow. touching on the Ha-
bana charities. says they are quite lhaue
ouate. OF the casa de Las Nindas
fHome for the WiGows). he says: ION
assuming direction here, IL was discover
ed that the pensions OF these women hao
not been paid for over year. and they
had been left behind when the Spanish
forces abandoned the island, absolutely
without the means Of obtaining food.
There are at present in the home a total
Of over 200 of all ages-70 women, % girls,
and 30 boys-who are almost all entirely
destitute. and from prolonged course or
semi-starvation, and the absence OF medl-
cal or other supplies, are deplorably re-
duced. and have much sickness among
them. 1t can be imagined how this ag-
gregation Of q quiet, gentle, suffering
and almost silent class appeals TO the
sympathies. Many Of them are WELL
born accomplished, and educated, total
,ly unable to do anything for themselves,
and with the ignorance OF children as TO
means OF support. They profess them
selves. and in many cases doubtless with
sincerity. willing TO do work, even Of the
toughest kind but, without any qualifica-
lions. they would be practically useless
10 an employer. They could teach, per-
hnps. but the schools are not open to
them They are alien 20 the community
I'm which they are compelled to live, with
comparatively few friends, and those few
unable to deal effectively for their relief.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION.
To meet the needs of these women,
General ludlow suggests that an assoc
citation of women in the United States
might take account Of the matter and
perfect arrangements 10y which the insti-
tuition should be otherwise maintained
than as a temporary military exigency.
There are numerous kindly-dlsposed and
charitable people In Habana" he con-
tinues-"many who are busily engaged In
work with the sick and the orphans-but
their means are quite inadequate. and as
sistanco would be gladly received from
the charitahy disposed in the United
States"
The Governor concludes by saying that
Mrs. Ludlow who has taken a strong in
terest In the matter, would be very glad
TO receive any communications on the
subject, or such contributions of food,
clothing, or money as might be forward
ed