Page:Messages of the President of the United States on the Relations of the United States to Spain (1898).djvu/59

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Matanzas, December 17, 1897.

I have the honor to report the following Cuban news in this province, taken from personal observation and reliable sources of information:

Concentrados.—Relief offered these and other poor people by Spanish authorities is only in name. I have personally visited (on several occasions) head masters of distributing stations. Two thousand rations were given out, for a few days only, to 8,000 persons. * * * There are more than 12,000 starving people in this city to-day. One out of 4 (or 6) received the following ration: 2 ounces rice, 1½ ounces tassajo (jerked beef), and sometimes a small piece of bread, per diem. Imagine starving people being relieved by such rations! Even this ration of food has been discontinued since 11th inst. Death rate has diminished somewhat; now about 63 daily. There are less people to die.

The scenes of misery and distress daily observed are beyond belief. Here is one out of hundreds. In a family of seventeen living in an old limekiln, upper part of city limits, all were found dead except three, and they barely alive. * * * A few of the strongest of these people have been sent out to sugar plantations, which expect to grind. They get 30 cents per day and board themselves. General Blanco's order, allowing reconcentrados, owners of plantations and farms, to return and cultivate crops, etc., is inoperative and of no avail. Several of our American citizens, owners of land, have repeatedly asked the civil governor of this province for permission to return to their homes, and in every case refused or restrictions imposed making it impossible to comply with.

A few plantations are grinding cane. In every case they are heavily guarded by Spanish troops, and have paid insurgents for so doing. Was shown a letter from insurgent chief to owner of a large plantation, in which price demanded for grinding was 2,000 centones ($10,600 United States gold). It was paid. To make crop of sugar this season money, oxen, and laborers must be had.

United States Consul.

Matanzas, January 18, 1898.

I have the honor to report the following concerning destitute American citizens, Matanzas province:

Up to Sunday, January 9, 1898, weekly rations of food have been regularly issued, also medicines for sick, and, although there has been more or less hardships and suffering for want of clothing, shelter, etc. (which we were not allowed to supply), none of our people have suffered for food or medicine.