Page:Messages of the President of the United States on the Relations of the United States to Spain (1898).djvu/78

 Rh It is proper that I inform the Department that, added to the universal destitution, the guerrillas continue to attack and kill the noncombatants. As stated, the guerrilla chiefs Carreras, Olavarieta, and Lazo are, if possible, more active in their cruel warfare on "pacificos."

I am, etc.

Consul.

An order has been received from His Excellency the Captain-General directing that from the 8th instant the issue of rations to reconcentrados will be discontinued.

General Pando, from what may be gleaned by his first steps in the district, intends to begin an active campaign.

The task that this worthy general undertakes is very hard, as he finds himself in a part of the country where during two years they have done nothing but protect supply trains, giving the enemy time to perfectly organize themselves, a condition they possess, get together ammunition, and establish great plantations, where they want nothing.

Bear in mind that in saying this I do not try to blame the action of various division generals who have worked; enough have they achieved to hold on, without means of any kind and with forces devoured almost entirely by exhaustion and feebleness.

Another of the great obstacles that the general will find opposed is the absence of strategical places for provisioning the troops, because Yara, Zazzal, Cuentas, Claras, and others equally necessary now were destroyed.

Be it known that the destruction of these towns was effected by order of General Weyler.

December 8.

Grinding.—The sugar estates Union and Santa Clara, the only ones that can work this crop, do not show yet any indications that they shall prepare for work. Both are deprived of oxen, it being very difficult to acquire them now in this neighborhood.

Meat.—Yesterday this eatable was selling at 50 cents silver per pound—a short one.

2em

Sagua la Grande, December 15, 1897.

Thinking it may interest the Department, I have the honor to transmit herewith clippings from a leading Spanish journal published in Havana, calling attention to the inability of the mills to grind in the Province of Santiago de Cuba, which is one of the obstacles to grinding in this (Santa Clara) province, were the planters able to pay tribute required by the insurgents.

The grinding season being at hand without preparations having been made dissipates all hope of a beginning.