Page:Messages of the President of the United States on the Relations of the United States to Spain (1898).djvu/74

 Rh the former refusing anything but independence, the latter encouraging its members to strongly protest, not solely against autonomy, but even "reforms," which they have rebuked as contrary to their constitution, I can not help to foresee that far from improving the actual condition of things it will make it more and more critical.

I have left aside without consideration a new factor on the political arena, "annexation," not being able to calculate its magnitude on account of the legal prohibition of that doctrine resulting in the secret endeavors of the adherents, but it is well seen that it is growing stronger every day, principally among the Spaniards. The autonomist part to-day in this district does not exist. In very rare exceptions one partisan may be found loyal to that platform; more so now, in view of Captain-General Weyler's work. It may be said that it is only nominal.

The Reformists have divided themselves so much that its members are to be found in any of the other parties. They are ready to adopt the flag of the more favorable side, turning out thus a very weak association. Spain has to depend on these two last nominal and feeble corporations for the implantation of its new course of action. Taking all these facts into appreciation, it is hard to see in what way is Spain going to establish this new system. It will always be a parasite without stable foundation, without basis, singly maintained by a very infirm, insignificant auxiliary.

In the meantime the reconcentrados, the majority innocent beings, who have had, and even now have no notion of the cause of this revolution, who had no more aspiration than to till their little farms, continue perishing. It is difficult, it may be said almost impossible, to be able to describe the extension and intensity of such tremendous suffering, of such iniquitous, unjust, and sinful imposition, to annihilate thousands of women and children. If this Godless combination should be accurately represented it would seem an exaggeration induced by stirred fellow-feeling. With sensibility in the heart moving among them, the unceasing crowd of famished beggars, one can scarcely do more than commiserate the undeserved misfortune. To express, to delineate the afflictions, the anguishes witnessed at every step, would require much to write, and no lavish of colors could approach the reality to fiction. No history in the world, ancient or modern, can be compared an instant to this frightful, dreadful suffering. Perhaps civilization has not seen the like of it.

In conclusion, I beg to be permitted to state that, in my humble judgment, the efforts toward the enforcement of reforms or autonomy will prove altogether futile; and, of course, in consequence of this failure the few reconcentrados that have survived will not be allowed to go freely to their devastated farms, prolonging thus this unbearable situation.

I have, etc,

Vice-Consul.

Sagua la Grande, November 20, 1897.

I have the honor to submit the following: While General Blanco has made known his purpose to relieve the concentrated people, by allowing them to go out of the towns, it may not be improper that