Part 33

DEAR MADAM: After my conference with you yesterday, I saw the President again, who expressed his great pleasure that the Red Cross will so cheerfully respond to the initiative which the President has taken toward the relief of the suffering people of Cuba. No less could have been expected by him in view of the good work which the Red Cross has done in the past when called upon to fulfill its humane mission of relieving suffering, either at home or in foreign countries, and acting as the medium for the effective application of the charitable gifts of our citizens.

With the President's approval, I have the pleasure to suggest to you the way in which it is deemed that the co-operation of the Red Cross in this humane endeavor can be most practically accomplished.

The first necessity is the organization, in New York City as the most convenient centre of operations, of a committee whose functions it will be to appeal to the kindly sentiments of the American people in behalf of the sufferers in Cuba; to receive contributions in money or in kind, and to forward the same to Havana, consigned to the Consul-General of the United States, he having been placed by the President, in sole charge of the receipt and application of the relief in the island; the committee, as a whole, to act under the supervision and direction of the Secretary of State, with whom it may correspond on all matters of business arising and requiring direction in the name of the Government of the United States.

In view of the generous and cordial offer of Mr. Louis Klopsch, of the _Christian Herald_, the President desires that, if agreeable to you, he shall be a member of the committee and, in concert with a third member to be designated by the Chamber of Commerce of New York, co-operating with the representative of the Red Cross to make effective the effort which is now being put forth.

The representation of the Red Cross on the proposed relief committee, is left to you. While the President would be most gratified were you in person to act as the second member, he recognizes that the duties and labors of the office might more conveniently fall upon a representative of the Red Cross in New York City, and will cheerfully accept your suggestion that Mr. Stephen E. Barton, second vice-president of the American National Red Cross, serve in that capacity.

Mr. Barton will be furnished with letters to Mr. Louis Klopsch and to Mr. Alexander E. Orr, president of the New York Chamber of Commerce, explaining the circumstances under which their co-operation toward the formation of the proposed committee is solicited. It is trusted that speedy action may be had, so that the organization of the Central Cuban Relief Committee may be announced to the people of the United States by the Secretary of State at the earliest possible day.

I am, my dear madam, Very respectfully yours, ALVEY A. ADEE, _Second Assistant Secretary_.

Letters of notification were then sent by the Secretary of State to Mr. Stephen E. Barton, Mr. Louis Klopsch and Mr. Alexander E. Orr. Mr. Barton being appointed, Mr. Klopsch having accepted the invitation to serve, Mr. Charles A. Schieren was selected to represent the New York Chamber of Commerce, and thus was formed what is still known as the Central Cuban Relief Committee. The committee met early in January of this year and organized, Mr. Barton being elected as chairman, Mr. Schieren treasurer. This committee began active work by sending a telegraphic appeal to the governors of all the States and Territories, announcing the object of the committee's existence, and asking their co-operation and active support, in order to carry out the President's policy in the administration of relief to the starving people in Cuba. All responses received were favorable, many committees were appointed, and the supplies and funds began to come in. It was at this point that the Secretary of State issued the second public appeal by the government, on January the eighth, again urging the people, the municipal authorities and the great corporations to assist in the work.

The first shipment of supplies to Cuba by the Central Cuban Relief Committee was made on January 4, and the second on January 12, the first consisting of 160 cases of condensed milk, and the second of about forty tons of food, clothing and medicines. These supplies were consigned to Consul-General Lee at Havana, and were transported by the Ward Line of steamships free of charge.

In the meantime the committee issued its own circular appeal to all local authorities, business houses, boards of trade, religious institutions, charitable corporations, social and business clubs, organizations and societies generally in every State of the Union.

The question of transportation and its cost now became one of vital importance. If full freight charges were to be paid on all consignments to the committee to the Atlantic coast, the expense of shipment might in many cases equal the value of the supplies, and in any event would be a serious burden upon the treasury. Accordingly, negotiations were carried on with the principal railway and steamship transportation lines, and with the Joint Traffic Association of New York, one result of which was that the association shortly afterward issued its general circular of instructions, the substance of which was:

That, responsive to the request of the Central Cuban Relief Committee, appointed by the President of the United States and acting under the direction of the Department of State, it shall be permissible for the railway companies, parties to the Joint Traffic Association, to forward free of transportation charges, from points subject to its jurisdiction to or from New York, New Orleans, Mobile, Montgomery and Tampa, shipments of food, clothing and medicines, and other necessary supplies intended for the use and relief of the inhabitants of the island of Cuba who are suffering from sickness and famine.

Through this generous action on the part of the Joint Traffic Association, comprising the principal railroads east of Chicago, with branch lines extending north and south, all contributions were carried to the Atlantic and Gulf ports free. The Ward Line from New York, and the Plant System of railways and steamships had already taken similar action, then the great trunk lines of the West, the New England companies, the Southern railways, and all the coastwise steamship companies and the Munson Line united in furnishing free transportation to the ports of Cuba. Of the steamship lines whose kind assistance did so much to further the work of relief, special mention is due to Messrs. James E. Ward & Co., of New York, owners of the Ward Line, whose steamers running to Havana, Santiago, Cienfuegos and ports along the southern shore of Cuba, not only carried the larger amount of provisions, but unloaded it and delivered it on shore without charge.

No single agency did greater service than the press. By the daily and widespread dissemination of news concerning the actual conditions in Cuba, by the reports of their own representatives in the famine-stricken districts, and by the persistent reiteration of appeals the great heart of the American people was reached, and the response was prompt and abundant.

Operating over such a large territory, communication by mail would have often been too slow to be effective, and it was constantly necessary to resort to the telegraph, and the cost of such service would have ordinarily been very great. But the Postal Telegraph Company and the Western Union Telegraph and Cable Company, in order to assist the work, extended unusual privileges, the first company transmitting all messages free, and the second accepting messages at the government rates. The Central Cuban Relief Committee in their report to the President, extend their thanks to many other companies, and individuals, for whose kindly assistance they are indebted, and special mention is made of the valuable service rendered by the United States dispatch agent, Mr. I.P. Roosa, in the receipt and storage, the purchase and shipment of relief supplies.

In the latter part of March a conference was held at Washington, between the Secretary of State and the Central Cuban Relief Committee, which resulted in bringing the committee into relationship with the American National Red Cross, and the designation of the Red Cross as the distributing agent in Cuba, acting for the State Department and the committee. As told elsewhere, the work of distribution in Cuba was scarcely begun when friendly relations between the United States and Spain were suspended, and upon the advice of the Consul-General at Havana, the Red Cross retired when the President called all Americans home.

In the meantime the committee, upon the advice of the Department of State, had chartered the steamship "State of Texas" of the Mallory Line, and, loading her with a general cargo of food, clothing, medicines and hospital supplies, dispatched her, under the flag of the Red Cross, to Key West.

The purpose for which this good ship was dispatched, and the conditions under which she was sent, are best explained by the correspondence exchanged at that time by the Departments of State and Navy, the American National Red Cross, the Central Cuban Relief Committee and the naval commanders:

THE CENTRAL CUBAN RELIEF COMMITTEE,

Appointed by the President of the United States and acting under the direction of the Department of State.

NEW YORK, _April 20, 1898._

MISS CLARA BARTON, _President, American National Red Cross, Washington, D.C._:

DEAR MISS BARTON: In confirmation of the verbal request by the chairman and treasurer of the Central Cuban Relief Committee, in conjunction with the Hon. Wm. R. Day, Assistant Secretary of State, that you proceed to the island of Cuba, there to carry on the work of distribution and relief to the suffering people in behalf of this committee and in co-operation with the United States Consuls, I beg to inform you that at a special meeting of this committee, held on thirteenth of April, 1898, the following action was taken:

WHEREAS, The Department of State having extended the authority of this committee to the supervision of the distribution of relief supplies, and the carrying out of all necessary relief measures, in co-operation with the American Consuls in Cuba; and this committee, having verbally joined with the Department of State in asking the American National Red Cross, Miss Clara Barton, president, to proceed at once to Cuba as the representative of this committee, and to perform, in behalf of the committee, all necessary work of relief; therefore be it

_Resolved_, That the chairman be authorized to write suitable letters to Miss Clara Barton, Consul-General Lee and the other American Consuls in Cuba, notifying them of this action.

As you are aware, this committee at request of the Department of State, has determined to send the steamship "State of Texas," with relief supplies from New York City to Key West, Florida, there to await orders and instructions from the United States Government. By instructions from the Department of State, the committee have to send the steamship under the Red Cross flag and the provisions of the Geneva Convention, turning the vessel over to the American National Red Cross upon leaving New York.

I, therefore, beg to say to you that in all probability the vessel will be loaded and made ready to sail on Saturday the twenty-third inst., and you are expected to have such of your representatives--as you desire shall accompany and take charge of the ship from New York to Key West--in readiness to go aboard Saturday forenoon. The arrival of the vessel at Key West should be reported to this committee by telegraph immediately, when instructions will be given by the Government at Washington for proceeding further. If hostilities shall have begun between the United States and Spain, it will be your duty to call upon the United States Government for the necessary naval consort--as provided by the Geneva Convention.

This program has been proposed by the Assistant Secretary of State, who will immediately issue the necessary orders upon hearing from us.

Before your departure from Key West for Cuba, this committee will give you further information as to its desires and recommendation concerning the distribution of supplies from the different ports in Cuba.

This committee stands ready to furnish you with the funds necessary to carry on this work of relief to the extent of its ability, and it is expected that you will render to the treasurer a detailed account of your expenditures in the work entrusted to your organization.

You are requested to make requisition by letter or telegraph from time to time, as you need further funds.

We will thank you for your official acknowledgment of this communication in writing.

Very truly yours, STEPHEN E. BARTON, _Chairman_.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, _April 25, 1898_.

SIR: Miss Clara Barton, the representative of the American National Red Cross Society, is about to proceed to Key West to take charge of the distribution of the supplies now aboard the steamship "State of Texas," and which supplies it is proposed to distribute among the starving reconcentrados of Cuba. There are enclosed herewith copies of letters from the Department of State to the Department of the Navy and from the Secretary of the Navy to the Commander-in-Chief of the North Atlantic Station which contain the terms upon which this trust is undertaken, and the Department's instructions in relation thereto.

The Department desires that you will afford every assistance within your power to Miss Barton and her associates, while they are in Key West.

The departure of the "State of Texas" from Key West and its destination are, of course, matters coming entirely under the jurisdiction of the Commander-in-Chief of the North Atlantic Station.

Very respectfully, JOHN D. LONG, _Secretary_, Commandant, Naval Station, Key West, Fla.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, _April 25, 1898_.

SIR: There is forwarded enclosed a copy of a letter received this day from the Department of State, which fully states the conditions under which Miss Clara Barton, as the representative of the American National Red Cross Society, proceeds to Key West. You will afford Miss Barton every facility that shall become feasible for the distribution of the supplies now on board the steamship "State of Texas" to the starving reconcentrados, but it is, of course, necessary that none of these supplies shall come into the possession of the Spanish Army, as this would result in defeating the purposes for which the blockade has been established.

It is believed that you will fully appreciate the wishes of the Departments of State and the Navy in this matter, and all the details are necessarily left to your discretion.

Very respectfully, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Force, JOHN D. LONG, North Atlantic Station. _Secretary_.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, _April 25, 1898_.

_The Honorable the Secretary of the Navy_:

SIR: The Central Cuban Relief Committee of New York, organized by direction and under the authority of the President, for the collection and transmission to Cuba of supplies for the relief of the suffering and destitute in that island, has, after consultation with this Department and with full approval of its course, chartered and dispatched from New York the steamer "State of Texas" laden with supplies and sailing under the ensign of the National Red Cross. The only passengers she carries are officers and employes of the Red Cross for the purpose of assisting in the distribution of this charitable relief.

As at present contemplated, the destination of the "State of Texas" is either Matanzas or Cardenas, or perhaps, if circumstances favor, both; but the point of landing will largely be determined by circumstances of which the Admiral commanding the blockading force on the north coast of Cuba will necessarily be the best judge.

Miss Clara Barton, president of the American National Red Cross, is about to proceed to Tampa and Key West at which latter point she will go aboard the "State of Texas" upon its arrival there.

Upon reaching Key West Miss Barton, as the person in charge of the relief expedition, will report to such naval officer as you may designate and take from him directions as to the movements of the "State of Texas" from that point on.

I have the honor to commend Miss Barton to the kind attentions of your Department in order that she may receive, before leaving Washington, such instructions as you may deem it necessary and proper to give her.

Respectfully yours, JOHN SHERMAN, _Secretary_.

With these credentials, the President and staff of the American National Red Cross immediately proceeded to Key West, and, after reporting to the commandant of the naval station and to the representative of Admiral Sampson, the party boarded the "State of Texas" and awaited an opportunity to carry out the mission of the Red Cross.

During the year prior to the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Spain, Cuban families were fleeing from the island, and this exodus continued until war began. The refugees, numbering several thousand, took up their abode at Tampa, Key West and other Atlantic and gulf ports. They had been obliged to leave their native country hastily, leaving nearly all their personal property behind them, and in a short time after their arrival in America were actually without food and with no means wherewith to purchase it.

Committees and agents of the Red Cross were established in both Tampa and Key West, and acting as the distributing agencies for the supplies forwarded by the Central Cuban Relief Committee, the refugees were cared for. In Key West the number supplied with food from the warehouse and kitchen of the Red Cross were over seventeen hundred people, and the distribution still continues. Key West has been one of the most important distributing stations, and from the beginning has been under the efficient direction of Mr. George W. Hyatt, for whose continuous and faithful service the Red Cross is much indebted.

The distributing station was kept constantly supplied by the Central Cuban Relief Committee, and when the stock began to run low in the latter part of July, the committee dispatched the schooner "Nokomis" from New York with 125 tons of assorted provisions to replenish the storehouse.

Before the "State of Texas" arrived at Key West, war had been declared between the United States and Spain, and soon after the prize ships, schooners, steamers and fishing smacks, captured off the Cuban coast began to come in, in tow, or in charge of prize crews. The navy worked rapidly and brought in their prizes so quickly that the government officials were not prepared to feed the prisoners of war. On the ninth of May the United States Marshal for the southern district of Florida made the following appeal:

MISS CLARA BARTON, _President, American National Red Cross_:

DEAR MISS BARTON: On board the captured vessels we find quite a number of aliens among the crews, mostly Cubans, and some American citizens, and their detention here and inability to get away for want of funds has exhausted their supply of food, and some of them will soon be entirely out. As there is no appropriation available from which food could be purchased, would you kindly provide for them until I can get definite instructions from the Department at Washington?

Very respectfully, JOHN F. HORR, _U.S. Marshal_.

Attached to this letter was an official list of the Spanish prizes whose crews were in need of food. The boats of the "State of Texas" were quickly loaded with a supply of assorted provisions and, being taken in tow by the steam-launch of the transport "Panther," the work of distribution began. All the ships in need were supplied with food and medicines for ten days, and their supply renewed every ten days for some weeks until government rations were regularly issued and auxiliary assistance was no longer necessary. The supplies on the "State of Texas" being intended for the reconcentrados in Cuba, her cargo was drawn upon to the smallest possible extent. Many of the prizes had on board cargoes of bananas and plantains, and the wells of the "Viveros" were filled with live fish. After some negotiating, arrangements were made to secure these cargoes at a trifling cost, and they were distributed among the crews of the vessels that carried nothing eatable. Tasajo, or jerked meat, was also bought and given out in the same way, and from one of the prizes loaded with dried meat from the Argentine, which was afterward sold at auction in Key West, forty tons were purchased and stored in the warehouse to supply the refugees, and to replace that portion of the cargo of the "State of Texas" which had been distributed to the prisoners of war.

While waiting for an opportunity to get into Cuba, the reports which reached us showed that the distress among the reconcentrados was daily increasing, and it was determined to make an attempt to land with the "State of Texas," or at least to show the willingness of the Red Cross to do so, if permitted. As the ship was under the direction of the Navy Department, the following letter was addressed to the admiral in command of the blockading fleet:

S.S. "STATE OF TEXAS," _May 2, 1898_.

ADMIRAL WILLIAM T. SAMPSON, U.S.N., _Commanding fleet before Havana_:

ADMIRAL: But for the introduction kindly proffered by our mutual acquaintance, Captain Harrington, I should scarcely presume to address you. He will have made known to you the subject which I desire to bring to your gracious consideration.

Papers forwarded by direction of our government will have shown the charge entrusted to me, viz: To get food to the starving people of Cuba. I have with me a cargo of fourteen hundred tons, under the flag of the Red Cross, the one international emblem of neutrality and humanity known to civilization. Spain knows and regards it.

Fourteen months ago, the entire Spanish Government at Madrid cabled me permission to take to, and distribute food to the suffering people in Cuba. This official permission was broadly published; if read by our people, no response was made, no action taken until two months ago, when under the humane and gracious call of our honored President, I did go, and distributed food unmolested anywhere on the island, until arrangements were made by our government for all American citizens to leave Cuba. Persons must now be dying there by the hundreds if not thousands daily, for the want of the food we are shutting out. Will not the world hold us accountable? Will history write us blameless? Will it not be said of us that we completed the scheme of extermination commenced by Weyler? I fear the mutterings are already in the air.