Page:Messages of the President of the United States on the Relations of the United States to Spain (1898).djvu/68

 Rh by the action of the insurgents, who refuse to allow them to return to their sugar, coffee, and other estates. The Pompo Manganese mines, owned by Americans, would at the present time be a very profitable investment if allowed to operate, are also being held up by the same power.

The three Revery brothers, who I informed you recently I was about to assist in returning to their coffee and fruit estates, got there only to find they could not go to work until permission was obtained from the insurgent commander, which permission seems doubtful, I myself, as I understand my duty, being inhibited from rendering them any assistance at this point.

These, with several sugar estates within my consular district, are held up and becoming more worthless than before.

It is beyond the power of my pen to describe the situation in eastern Cuba. Squalidity, starvation, sickness, and death meets one in all places. Beggars throng our doors and stop us on the streets. The dead in large numbers remain over from day to day in the cemeteries unburied.

United States Consul.

{{smaller block|{{c|[Inclosure in No. 421.]}}

There is a seal that reads: Republic of Cuba, War No. 43, book 3, folio 150.

The council of the Government in session on the 29th day of last month adopted the following resolution:

Considering that the working of the sugar estates favor the plans of our enemies, as shown by the marked interest in their last winter campaign, thus injuring the steady headway of the revolution.

It has been ordered by our Government as a general political measure of war, which to-day is more than ever imposed upon us, and in accordance with article 22, paragraph 6, of the constitution to absolutely prohibit the realization of the sugar crop of 1897-98, that this be communicated to the general-in-chief, with the object that he will dictate the opportune orders for the exact compliance of this resolution, and that it should be published for general knowledge, making known that violators will suffer the punishment prescribed by our laws.

What I transcribe to you for your knowledge and exact compliance.

I am, with high consideration,

Country and liberty,

Palmarito, December 2, 1897.

{{right|{{sc|Jose B. Aleman,}}} Secretary of War.|2em}}

To Gen.

I hereby certify that the above resolution authorized by the secretary of war, José B. Aleman, and directed to Gen. Calixto Garcia, is an exact copy of original on file in the archives of the chief of the military department of Orient.

Baire, December 28,1897.

Lieut. Col. Auditor.}}

Santiago de Cuba, January 22, 1897.

I have the honor to report that Colonel Masso of the insurgent forces, whose home is in this city, has, at a point west of here, given himself up to the Spanish forces, with one hundred and ten officers and men under his command.