Page:Messages of the President of the United States on the Relations of the United States to Spain (1898).djvu/58

 Rh Hence the almost impossibility with the utmost watchfulness and using every practicable safeguard to prevent some loss of cane by the fires started, often under cover of darkness, by the stealthy incendiaries familiar with the locality and always on the alert for an opportunity to apply the torch.

The sugar crop is the support of all classes and especially of the laboring class, and should it be in large part destroyed a famine in reality would be inevitable.

United States Consul.

Matanzas, November 17, 1897.

I have the honor to submit the following report concerning present condition of affairs in this province and city.

New civil governor, Francisco de Armas, assumed the duties of his office Thursday, 11th instant. As the autonomist * * * governor of this province, his reception was cold and informal. Spaniards, as well as Cubans, are not in sympathy with proposed autonomy and reforms. A memorial to Her Majesty, Queen Regent of Spain, extensively signed by leading Spaniards of province, asking that reform bill be not signed. This wilt be cabled in a day or two.

Starvation.—No relief as yet afforded the starving thousands in this province. Several days ago an order from Captain Gin was given municipal authorities to issue rations and clothing, but no attention is paid the order.

Death rate in this city over 80 persons daily, and nearly all from want of food, medicines, and clothing. As I write this a dead negro woman lies in the street, within 200 yards of this consulate, starved to death; died some time this morning, and will lie there, maybe, for days. The misery and destitution in this city and other towns in the interior are beyond description.

A general order has been issued allowing reconcentrados to return to the country, but the restrictions placed in order are such as to practically prohibit. If they went, what can they do without money, food, or shelter? Only those who can obtain employment on sugar plantations can live. Insurgents say no one will be allowed to grind in province of Matanzas. The situation is indeed deplorable, and I am free to say no real help can be expected from Spanish Government, and the fate of the remaining reconcentrados is slow, lingering death from starvation.

Insurgents are numerous and quite active the past ten days. In an engagement Saturday, 13th, near Mocha, 8 miles from this city, Spanish troops were defeated with serious loss and forced to retreat. Several sugar plantations report cane burned by insurgents, and the general opinion is little or no sugar will be made this season.

I am, etc.,

United States Consul.