Page:Messages of the President of the United States on the Relations of the United States to Spain (1898).djvu/66

 Rh Steamers coming to this port mostly give out soup once a day to the waiting throngs.

Fresh meat in our markets sells from 50 cents to $1 a pound.

Very respectfully,

United States Consul.

Santiago de Cuba, January 1, 1898.

I have the honor to say that, from a military standpoint, there is nothing new worthy of report, except the mobilizatien of the Spanish forces to the number of 18,000 in and near Manzanillo, 6,000 of which are in hospital.

Autonomy has been pushed with great vigor, almost or quite to the point of forcing men to join the party, when they could not be hired by a minor office.

When here, a few days since General Pando sent for a Mr. Lora and said: "You have two active and influential brothers in the rebel army. You must go at once to these brothers and say, Come in and join the autonomist party and they will be provided for by me."

Mr. Lora replied: ‘"General, I ran away from my home to escape joining the insurgents; my brothers chose to join them. I will obey your command if you desire to sacrifice my life. My brothers would order me shot on the spot if I approached them with your proposition." General Pando withdrew his command.

Enrique Capeiles, who was governor of this province some four years ago, returned to the same position about a month since. He is highly respected by all classes, and has worked with great energy to build up the autonomist party. He resigned to-day and took a solemn oath that he would never again set foot on Cuban soil. He declared himself both discouraged and disgusted.

The problem of sugar making in this province is most discouraging.

Climatic fevers still hold about one third of the people in bed. The death rate for the week in this city is 109. I deem myself fortunate in being a physician when called upon to fight life's battles amid such surroundings.

United States Consul.

Santiago de Cuba, January 8, 1898.

I have the honor very respectfully to say that in my opinion the most important question of the Cuban problem to-day is, "Will the people of Cuba accept autonomy as a basis of settlement?"

I have taken great pains to inform myself on this question and to eliminate as far as possible the bias which comes with the sources of my information.