as Weyler made no attempt to feed these unhappy people, but he
has forbidden them to go in search of food for themselves. Even when
they assured the Spanish soldiers that they had crops ripening in their
fields which would be more than sufficient to relieve their sufferings,
they were forbidden to go out and gather them, and were forced to stay
in idleness and starve.

The distress is something fearful. The people in the cities endeavor to
help their suffering neighbors, but gradually their own supply of
provisions has run out, until starvation stares them also in the face.
There is hardly a town in the western end of Cuba to-day where the
people are not dying in hundreds from hunger.

Among the people who have been driven into the towns are between six
hundred and eight hundred Americans. The distress of these persons, whom
his oath of office binds him to protect, having been brought to the
knowledge of the President, he has determined to take some action to
relieve it.

In his message to Congress he asked that $50,000 be appropriated as a
Relief Fund for the Americans in Cuba.

This may be but the first step toward a much more important action; but
our President seems to be a very cautious man, and one who likes to be
very sure of his ground before he takes a step.

For the present he is determined not to quarrel with Spain, and has
arranged matters so that the attempt of the United States to aid her
citizens shall be made with the full approval of Spain.

He has asked Senor Dupuy de Lome, the Spanish Minister, if his
Government would have any objection to our sending supplies to our
fellow-countrymen.

The Spanish Minister has very graciously replied that Spain will not
oppose the plan, but will do all in her power to help the United States
to carry it out.

The Minister was kind enough to add that Spain will distribute the
supplies for us, if we wish it. He stated that he fears that, unless the
American supplies are handled by the Spanish authorities, they may fall
into the hands of the insurgents, and hinder General Weyler in the
carrying out of his plan to force the rebels into submission.

This offer will not be accepted.

If the appropriation is made, Congress will order the supplies to be
distributed by the American Consuls, who are well able to tell the
difference between armed insurgents and starving women and children.

When the President's message reached the Senate, a resolution was at
once p