Page:Messages of the President of the United States on the Relations of the United States to Spain (1898).djvu/85

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Sagua La Grande, March 21, 1898. (Received March 30.)

I have the honor to say that since forwarding my No. 294 of the 12th instant, wherein I gave the Department approximately the amount of food required for my zone per month, I find many outlying—interior—villages, of which I had no account, neglected and in great want. To this very class, located in the interior towns, I have given special attention, but it has been impossible to care for all immediately. For instance, the relief committee to whom supplies were sent in Santa Clara, seat of government of the province, inform me to-day that in a small town near there are 300 persons in pressing need. To-day I wired Mr. Louis Klopsch, of the Christian Herald and Central Cuban Relief Committee, who is now in Havana, that 20 tons additional required till 1st proximo, and to know if he could supply this. As yet no reply has been received. A very large proportion of these poor creatures being actually ill, other medicine than quinine is required, as also medicinal wines and nourishing food for them.

I beg to inclose herewith a list of towns to which I have and am sending supplies. There are perhaps six to eight more requiring relief.

In this, Sagua la Grande, the number on the relief list exceeds 4,000. The authorities have given up, turning over to my committee their "kitchen," which is being run by them, as is also the "dispensary" for sick children.

The committee inform me since beginning the relief the death rate has fallen from 25 to 30 as low as 4 to 7 per day.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Consul.

Sagua la Grande, March 24, 1898.

I visited seat of government of this province, Santa Clara, where I learned, not alone from trustworthy persons sent out by me for the purpose, but also the civil governor, that the number of persons in