Part 57

August 1, Captain J.H. Dizer, S.S. "Berkshire" 7 2, Captain P.H. Hanlon, S.S. "Grand Duchess" 30 1, Captain J.F. Lewis, S.S. "Mattewan" 8 1, Captain Downs, S.S. "Orizaba" 10 1, Captain Googins, S.S. "Gate City" 15 3, Captain ----, S.S. "Fanita" 5 2, Captain J.H. Byrne, S.S. "Mexico" 20 3, Swift & Co.'s representative 50 5, Captain ----, S.S. "Olivette" 20 4, Mr. Douglass 2 5, Captain ----, S.S. "Mattewan" 6 1, Captain McIntosh, S.S. "Vigilancia" 15 5, Captain ----, S.S. "Tarpon" 10 6, Captain Brickley, S.S. "Port Victor" 50 10, Captain Brickley, S.S. "Port Victor" 100 8, Captain Paul Konow, S.S. "Arnrum" 1 9, Captain ----, S.S. "Grand Duchess" 50 8, Captain Genis (Spanish), S.S. "Alicante" 7 9, Captain A.T. Anderson, S.S. "Marie" 1 9, Captain J. Hanlon, S.S. "Mortero" 6 9, Captain J.H. Dizer, S.S. "Berkshire" 3 5, Captain A.S. Johnston, S.S. "San Juan" 5 9, Captain ----, S.S. "Olivette" 20 9, Captain Charles A. Furlong, S.S. "Catinia" 15 11, Captain S. Layland, S.S. "Mobile" 25 11, Captain ----, S.S. "Vigilancia" 50 12, Captain ----, S.S. "Arcadia" 15 2, Captain John Evans, S.S. "Specialist" 7 13, Captain ----, S.S. "City of Macon" 10 8, Swift & Co.'s representative 40 1, Captain Kimball, S.S. "Louisiana" 12 10, Captain Antonio, "Alemani," "Isla Luzon" 7 13, "Olivette" 10 10, Captain Peters, transport "Miller" 20 16, Captain Aldamis, S.S. "M.D. Villarverde" 5 16, Captain Mir, S.S. "Montevideo" 10 14, Captain Antonia Jascia, S.S. "Isle Pinay" 5 10, Commander Jacobsen, German man-of-war, "Geier" 5 16, Captain ----, S.S. "Berkshire" 10 15, Captain Bie, S.S. "Sewanne" 5 14, Captain Tomaso, S.S. "Latrusgui" 12 15, Captain of S.S. "Burton" indefinite quantity 3, Master steam lighter "Bessie" 1 piece 3, To "Miami" 2 boat loads 6, Representative Swift & Co. 2 cakes 5, Government boat "Sewanne" 1 ton 5, S.S. "Olivette" 1,000 pounds ----- 10 Cargo of "Mary E. Morse" contained 792 Delivery as per above schedule 722 ---- Charged to melting, etc. 70

After a five weeks stay in Santiago it became apparent that the distribution of further general relief was unnecessary and inadvisable, as the more pressing wants had been supplied, and the presence of the army, and the returning commercial and industrial prosperity had given employment to all the available laborers, who were now amply able to provide for themselves and their families. In these circumstances, it was decided to restrict the distribution henceforth to such people as might be vouched for by the various members of the committee as having no means of support.

IMMENSE STORES IN SANTIAGO.

The Red Cross had at that time in its warehouse at Santiago about eight hundred tons of stores, and the New York committee was sending more all the time. The government warehouses and wharves were overcrowded with quartermaster and commissary stores, although the troops, both sick and well, were being sent North as fast as steamers could be secured to carry them. General Wood, the military governor, was devoting all of his time to the betterment of the general condition of the people; and in addition to cleaning the streets and yards and disinfecting all foul spots, he was exercising a general oversight for the moral and physical welfare of the community.

With all this great abundance of provisions and clothing, and the small number of needy people that were within reach, and the perfect arrangements that had been made that no one needing relief should be overlooked, a longer stay of the full Red Cross staff seemed unwise and useless; so it was decided that we should go to some other field where our services could be utilized to better advantage. As a further precaution, that there might be no possibility of any needy person being overlooked, Miss Barton appointed a committee of ladies, who should by house to house inspection discover and report to the general committee any cases of suffering that might escape notice otherwise.

PRESIDENT MCKINLEY FURNISHES TRANSPORTATION.

Having heard that the port of Havana was open, it was natural that our party should be eager to return there and take up the work that we had been compelled to relinquish during the previous spring. The only means of transportation that was at our disposal to use in reaching Havana was the schooner "Mary E. Morse," and as she had been already destined for another port, and was withal so slow that she would not have served our requirements, we had no other recourse than to appeal to the government. Miss Barton accordingly telegraphed President McKinley, asking for the use of a transport, and he promptly placed at her disposal the Morgan Line steamer "Clinton," which was then in the government service. Within the following four days we loaded the "Clinton" with thirty-four mules that had been sent to us by one of the Red Cross auxiliary committees of New York, and about three hundred tons of general stores, which we hoped would serve as a starter in the distribution at Havana, other supplies having been promised to meet us at that place.

We sailed away from Santiago on the afternoon of August 21, and after a pleasant voyage we arrived at Havana on the morning of the twenty-fifth.

We learned on entering the harbor that we were as much in Spanish waters as we had been during our previous sojourn in Havana, and that there was no marked change in anything. The same customs' officers whom we had known before the war boarded our boat, and we were treated with the old-time courtesy, but there was no let up in the rigid enforcement of all the requirements of the law; the necessary clearance papers, manifests, etc., being demanded. As we were on a government transport, and carrying a cargo intended for charitable distribution, we expected to be admitted without hindrance or ceremony, but we were disappointed. We were informed that we should have to pay full duties on our cargo, which amounted to as much as the original cost of the goods; and that as we had failed to make a specific manifest of every article we had on board we must pay a fine of five hundred dollars before we should be allowed to land our cargo or to leave the harbor.

Miss Barton called upon the Governor of Havana, who received her with great urbanity, but when she told him the nature of her visit he insisted that there was no need of aid in that city, that there was no suffering, that the people were all well fed and had been all through the blockade. This call was very courteously returned by the general and staff.

No possible endeavor was omitted that gave any hope of enabling us to land our cargo, and we brought every influence to bear that we could command. After a couple of days had elapsed one of the government officials came aboard our ship and told Miss Barton that the Colonial Council had held a meeting, and that its members had voted to take the amount of money needed from some special fund that was available and pay the duties on the cargo of her ship, _provided she would turn it over to their agents to distribute_. Finding that there was no likelihood of any better terms being offered Miss Barton decided that it was useless to remain longer. Then again, the American Evacuation Commissioners were expected to arrive in a few days, and it was thought that the presence of this boatload of Cuban relief might be an embarrassment to them in dealing with the Spanish commission, and that we had better pay our fine and quietly withdraw until such time as we might return without hindrance.

During our stay in Havana hundreds of the best people of that city, including Spaniards and Cubans, came aboard the "Clinton" and assured Miss Barton of their warmest friendship and heartiest welcome, and it is believed that they did their utmost to persuade the officials to allow Miss Barton to resume her work in Havana. They told the most harrowing stories of the suffering in and about the city, and they said that with the exception of some "soup houses," which the government was ostentatiously supporting, and which gave out to the poor, miserable sufferers who called for it a small quantity of an alleged soup, in which there was not enough nourishment to keep a chicken alive, there was no other distribution of food, and that people were daily dying in the streets. We knew that this was true, as we all had seen scores of these people every time we had gone ashore.

On September first we paid our fine of five hundred dollars and arranged all other matters, so that we were ready to sail at seven o'clock that evening, and with many regrets, we started for Egmont Key, Florida, where we knew we would have to go into quarantine, before entering the United States.

As our ship's charter would expire on September 7 and she ought to be in New Orleans, where she belonged, on that date, it was decided to unload her cargo of goods at Egmont Key, and have it transferred from there to Tampa. The mules were to be left aboard, and taken to New Orleans, where they had been purchased.

Captain Wertsch and the entire crew of the steamer "Clinton," having exerted themselves to make all of our party comfortable and happy, and having succeeded in an eminent degree, Miss Barton was pleased to make acknowledgment of their courtesy in a letter, a copy of which follows.

ON BOARD STEAMER "CLINTON," EN ROUTE HAVANA TO EGMONT KEY, _September 1, 1898_.

CAPT. P.C. WERTSCH, _Steamer "Clinton_:"

DEAR SIR:--As we draw near the end of our voyage on the steamer "Clinton," I cannot refrain from giving expression to the feeling of satisfaction and gratitude that all the members of the Red Cross party entertain for you and your crew. If you have any influence with the gods of wind and wave, you must certainly have exerted it, for verily we have been "sailing o'er summer seas" during the past weeks, and a pleasanter time than we have had could not well be imagined. It gives me great pleasure to say to you that the uniform courtesy and consideration that have been shown our people and the general comfort of the "Clinton" are highly appreciated. We congratulate the Morgan Line on having such a ship and such a crew.

In saying good-bye, permit me to thank you most heartily for your many kindnesses and your unfailing courtesy, and to wish you and all the members of your crew a long life and the best of everything in it.

Sincerely yours, CLARA BARTON.

Captain Wertsch replied in the happy manner following:

ON BOARD STEAMER "CLINTON,"

_September 2, 1898_.

MISS CLARA BARTON, _President American National Red Cross_:

DEAR MADAM:--Your very kind note, in which you commend my ship and crew, is received, and I have to return my most grateful thanks. A commander's duties not only embrace the safe navigation of his craft, but the comfort and happiness of his passengers and crew, and it is a great pleasure to know that my efforts in that direction, combined with the propitious conditions of the elements, have met with your approval, and I shall always treasure your approbation as one of the bright spots in my rather monotonous calling. I esteem it one of the greatest honors to have as passenger and friend one who has so distinguished and endeared herself to all the civilized world by her many years of faithful and never-ceasing devotion to suffering humanity, and it is my sincere hope that God may grant you many years more in which to continue your work of love, and that every success may crown your efforts. I have the honor to subscribe myself,

Your devoted friend, P.C. WERTSCH, _Captain_.

We arrived at Egmont Key on the morning of September 3, and the party went into camp for a five days' quarantine, which, barring the heat and mosquitoes, was rather a pleasant rest after the worry and suspense of the past week. Dr. Geddings, of the Marine Hospital Service, the surgeon in charge of the quarantine station, did everything in his power to make our stay agreeable, and he succeeded far better than we had anticipated.

As our party was about to break up, after a pleasant union of seven months, in which we had become like one family, and had conceived a mutual esteem and regard for each other, it seemed fitting that some little expression of good feeling should be manifested in a way that would be lasting and memorable. The following address to Miss Barton was accordingly drawn up, signed by all the members present and read to her:

TO MISS CLARA BARTON.

Now that our work has ceased for a time, and our party which has labored so long and so harmoniously together, is returning home, we, the members of the Cuban relief expedition, desire to express to you, our leader, as delicately and fittingly as may be, our unbounded confidence and admiration, and our sincere and heartfelt gratitude and love. As we look back over the past few months, and recall the many scenes of suffering and death that we have witnessed, and remember how ceaselessly, faithfully and tirelessly you have worked, and how much you have accomplished under the most unpromising circumstances, our wonder grows and we cannot help but reverence and admire your wisdom, patience and industry. No more trying position than you have occupied during the past seven months, could well be imagined, and no one not possessed of nerves of steel and of ripest wisdom and the rarest judgment, combined with a purpose as fixed as the stars could have made the great success that you have made of the work we had in hand. When it is remembered how many thousands of brave soldiers have been saved from suffering and death through your efforts, and how many starving and sick people have been brought back to health and happiness, and all with so little cost of actual money, our warmest admiration is excited, and we cannot withhold that praise which you so justly deserve.

Personally each of us wishes to express his or her acknowledgment of your unfailing kindness and interest in our comfort and general welfare, and we have to thank you for thousands of those little considerations of word and look that go so far to brighten one's thoughts and make life a pleasure. We all have the greatest satisfaction in knowing that all the work we were permitted to do has been done with thoroughness and economy, and we are vain enough to think that no one could have done more under the conditions that existed. We shall soon separate and go our several ways, and it will be with the deepest sorrow and regret that we shall say good by to our leader; but throughout life it will always be a pleasure to call to mind her image and remember all the happy moments we have passed with her. So in parting, it will no doubt be a satisfaction to you to have the assurance that you hold our warmest love and good will, and that at any time each and all of us will be ready to serve you in any way that lies within our power.

A. VON SCHELLE, _Membre du Comité Directeur de la Croix Rouge de Belgique, Membre de l'Association Nationale de la Croix Rouge des Etats Unis l'Amerique_. J.B. HUBBELL, _General Field Agent of the American National Red Cross_. E. WINFIELD EGAN, _Surgeon American National Red Cross_. C.H.H. COTTRELL, _Financial Secretary_. LUCY M. GRAVES, J.A. MCDOWELL, CHAS. R. GILL, M.D., C.D. COTTRELL, ANNIE M. FOWLER, J.K. ELWELL, GEO. J. HASSETT.

At the conclusion of this kind and just tribute to our beloved leader there was a moment of profound silence, our feelings being too deep for utterance. At length, when Miss Barton had subdued her emotions sufficiently to speak clearly, she responded in most graceful terms, expressing her warm and sincere appreciation of the work performed, and the loyal support that had ever been accorded her; that no words could fully express the gratitude she felt for this thoughtful little memento of our comradeship, and she should prize it quite as much as any badge or decoration she had ever received.

Farewells were said, and the party separated, going to their several homes; and so ended our first Cuban expedition.

FINANCIAL.

It is a very hard matter to express in dollars and cents the value of the relief distributed, as it was all donated in either material or money which was turned into material; and the kinds were so varied, the market value so fluctuating, and the data so scattered, that only an approximation can be ventured. It is probably underestimating the amount of relief stores that have been sent to Cuba by the Central

Cuban Relief Committee and the American National Red Cross to place it at six thousand tons, approximating in value half a million dollars in New York. Had these same goods been bought in Cuba, their cost would easily have been doubled.

In estimating the cost of distribution great difficulties present themselves, as large numbers of laborers, sometimes as many as two hundred per day were paid in food taken from the stores; but such labor can only be paid in that way while the need is extreme; and the moment the direst wants are satisfied money is demanded for every service.

We found a considerable number of people who had once been wealthy, but who were utterly helpless after being despoiled of their riches, and gave up in despair, and would have died without making any adequate effort to save themselves, had not relief been brought to them. There were, however, many sterling families who had cast their fortunes with the revolution; had sacrificed everything for "Cuba libre," and were willing to give life itself, if necessary; these people accepted relief reluctantly and sparingly, and with warmest gratitude.

For nearly two months after our arrival in Havana the entire expenses of the relief work were borne by Miss Barton from her private purse. It is but just to state that when this fact was discovered, by the committee the money was refunded. Then the Central Cuban Relief Committee began to furnish her with means which came thereafter in abundance, and nothing that was needed that money could procure was ever omitted. Volunteers for work were plentiful, but they were generally without experience and therefore not available. For this reason, and considering the magnitude of the work to be attempted and the celerity with which it must be carried on in order to be effective, it was necessary to override a time-honored precedent of the Red Cross, and pay salaries to certain grades of professional workers who could not be obtained otherwise. It should be stated though, that all these people who were engaged required no more money than was sufficient to meet the necessities of those who were dependent on them; and the few salaries that were paid were very low considering the high grade of ability that was secured.

The first funds sent for our use were in drafts payable in Spanish gold at Havana. Gold was then held at a premium of about thirty-five per cent over Spanish silver, with which the greater part of the ordinary business of the country was carried on.

On entering Santiago we found both American and Spanish money in circulation, and consequently considerable confusion resulted on account of the fluctuation in values, there being no established standard. The military governor made an arbitrary ruling that there should be a premium of one hundred per cent on American money over Spanish silver, or, in other words, that one dollar in American money should be worth two dollars in Spanish silver. Spanish gold and American gold were on a par in ordinary transactions of limited amounts, but in large amounts American gold was worth a small percentage more than the Spanish.

While we were in Santiago our supply of condensed milk ran short, owing to the large amount that was used in the hospitals. Fortunately there was at that time in the harbor a merchant ship loaded with groceries which could not be disposed of satisfactorily, and we were able to purchase at a very reasonable figure quite a large amount of that greatly needed delicacy, and continue filling all requisitions.

The following is a statement of our accounts at the end of the expedition:

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.