Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-05-16
eoR CUBAN RELIEF.

The Cuban industrial keliet Funo mas
iseued for free distribution small pam
phlet entitled, uCuba Under our Flag"
The Illustrations are made up OF Views
OF the beautiful country districts Of
Havana province and the human inhabIt-
ants as they appear after three months
of American occupation. These pictures
are direct reproductions Of photographs
taken by the General Manager OF The
Cuban industrial Relief Fund In Cuba in
March, 1899. They represent Cuba - It
IL. From these photographs It Will be
seen that the generosity OF the American
government 10 distributing millions OF
army rations to the destitute and starving
has really made very little progress
toward the proper reconstruction OF the
Island. A mere distribution OF army
ratlons will not enable the destitute
farmers TO resume the cultivation OF
their lands, as the desolstion wrought
by the Infamous weyler left the farmers
without oxen, farming tools, seeds or
domestic animals. Although the gov
ernment IL keeping these poor creatures
alive, Il Is doing nothing to ensole them
to return To state Of self-support on
their desolated farms. There can be no
return OF prosperity to Cuba until the
farmers are able 10 raise crops 70 sup
port themselves, for Cuba IL an agri-
cultural country, depending almost
wholly upon the labor Of her farmers
for her general prosperity. There Is 10
the city OF Havana, Al present, hectic
flush OF unreal prosperity caused by the
presence Of the American troops, but
that IL not business. There can be no
real business until the farmers are at
work.
The expected investment Of millions OF
American capital has not taken place,
owing chiefly to the unsettled condition
OF the Island government. Capital Is
timid, and will not remain 10 Cuba until
1t has assurances OF long period OF
peace and security. When American
capital does 60 to Cuba II will 60 In
large blocks, perhaps = million alta time.
IL will be used TO rebuild the large sugar
mills aud TO capitalize railways and
various forms OF constructive work. IL
will not reach the small farmers, upon
whom the real prosperity OF Cuba de-
pends. The small farmers must be help
ed BY private philanthropic enterprise.
The Cuban Industrial, Relief Fund, a
purely philsnthropic organizsti which
has received the Endorsement OF the Gov
erpment In Washington and In Caba,
aims TO help the Cuban poor to help
themselves. II will give days work to
the unemployed laborers and Will assist
the small farmers 20 return TO state OF
self-suppcrt on their own lands. IL will
make advances OF work oxen, farming
tools, seeds and domestic supplies TO
small landowners, who will be required
In return the value OF these advances out
Of the proceeds OF their first crops. The
money thus returned will be used over
again In the same way TO help other
farmers. Esch farmer who receives
assistance from the fund will be requir-
ed TO take into his family one or more
orphans, TO be cared for as his own
children, under direction Of Agents OF
the Fund. In this way it IL hoped that
many OF the 10000 helpless orphsns OF
Cubs will be permanently provided for
without going to the expense OF build
Ing orphsnages aud maintaining large
STATS Of paid attendants.
Contributions for The Cuban Indus
trial Relief Fund should be sent TO the
Continental Trust Co., 30 Broad Street,
New York City. Copies OF the illustrst-
ed pamphlet may be obtained free OF
charge by addressing The Cuban Indus
trial Relief Fund, Tribune Building,
New York City.