New-York tribune., 1902-02-02
GRAVE CRISIS IN CUBA.
APPEALS FOR RELIEF TAKE 4
DESPAIRING TONE.
FLOOD OF PETITIONS COMING TO WASH
INGTON - DANGER IN DILATORY
TACTICS IN CONGRESS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO the tribune ]


Washington. Feb THAT the crisis in Cuba
manifested by the despairing tone Of the cable
dispatches that continue TO pour into the White
House and the War Department from RESPONSE
ble officials and persons of undoubted int, gritty
and Judgment The desperate character u the
situation Is evidently frightening all who have
interests at stake In the island, which would be
damaged swept away by disorder growing
out of the starvation and suffering Of those
thrown out Of employment through utter failure
of the crops and a sacrifice Of sugar and to-
bacco below cost Of production. This danger
suits from the dilatory tactics pursued by those
in Congress who. while protesting cOnhde nee that
remedial legislation Will be enacted. nevertheless
CONSENT 10 post p0ne the granting Of concessions
ii later in the session whcr. in all prob
ability, irreparable damage viii be accom-
plished. and instead of being able to withdraw
the American forces and turn the government
of the island to it's duly elected officials,
there will be alternative but TO send large
reinforcements there 10 preserve order and Sc
cure the safety of property, If not as we'll TO send
quantities of food to meet condition as hor-
rbe as that which followed the surrender
Santiago.
The latest official dispatches. in addition to
those printed in The Tribune this morning, dem
onstrate how pressing is the necessity for i'm
mediate action, ana are calculated to awake
Congress to do whatever is to be done now If at
all
There seems no apparent room for doubt. in
the fact Of the appeals printed below, that such
a meagre % per cent reduction is contem-
plated. if made to-day. would be none too great
to avert a catastrophe which may undo all that
has been accomplished toward the rehabilitation
Of the industries, health and social conditions Of
the island in the last three years.
GREAT ALARM IN THE ISLAND.
These grave apprehensions are set forth in the
following translation of letter received by Sec
retary Root this morning
Havana January p, 1902
confirm the telegram which was obliged to
transmit you yesterday, which hardy eApresses
ae ydm 10 yoar PowtTfu influence with
Congress in order to obtain as soon as possible
the abolition of the duties on cuban sugars, as
otherwise the, disappearance OF the sugar lhdustE
great that comment is useless / am situated dir
ferentIy from other planters. having tne means ans
fected apparatus permitting me 10 manu- manGiac
grind regularly the .Conchita plantation ! 62S
tons of cane per day ! do not meet the cost ot
plantation situated in the Province Of PinaT & del
Rio the same Is the b fne t%% %6 pan bn
dred and fifty thousand sacks OF sugar, which at
0Sa g0tH hese rnnditons is not possible for me TO
continue work either plantation. BY discontinu-
ing work not only more than five thousand la1oreIs
vii. be thrown out of work and suffer great hard
ships as Informed you in my telegram but, as my
two plantations Concha and Asuncion are the prin-
cipa ones of the provinces of Matanzas and Finar
del Rio respectively, consequences may be I'M
agined. To-day the work of gathering on the
plantations of Saratoga ana San Cayetano mas Deen
suspended and work is about TO be suspended on
the Valiente plantation, all three situated In the
believing II to be of great importance. that, due
10 the continued dry weather the crops or
.yisndas" the principal food OF the labOrer, has
failed hungry and laboring people Is not GO
ing TO die for want work without making every
effort to avoid We Will the most horrible
sights ever seen in this country. | again urge you
o consider carefully above observations, and to
work seriously in favor of our interests. which are
So seriously threatened inclose copy OF the above
referred 10 cable dispatch Yours respectfully;
JUAN PEDRO BARO.
CTelegramD
Secretary Of War. Washington.
| beg you your Influence with Congress
m secure abolition duties sugar; present situa
lion ,Insupportane: viii be obliged TO suspend work
Of grinding rry plantations. Conchita and Asun-