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The Record of Desolation and Despair: Murias

Quite recently we learn that the rebels have burned all the tobacco plantations belonging to Pedro Murias, near Dimas, in the Pinar del Rio province, together with other property. Over 300 houses and 40,000 bales of tobacco were destroyed. The loss is estimated at over $1,000,000, that of Murias alone being $700,000. The misery resulting from the firing of the plantations is terrible; 3,000 persons are rendered homeless. They are being protected by the government as best they can be, and fed with military rations.

Among the documents found on the body of Jose Alfonso, the rebel leader, who was killed near Cardenas, was a circular ordering him to respect the property of Americans. These are the leading items in a recent news summary: "The rebel leader, Juan Suarez Gonzales, who was killed in an engagement at Jesus Maria, had on his body a communication from Lacret, ordering him to hang the owners of sugar estates who were proceeding with grinding operations, and all marauders, as soon as their identity is established. "Fear is expressed in Matanzas that an epidemic will result if the slaughter of horses is continued around the city. The newspapers in Cienfuegos clamor for precautions to avoid the spread of the smallpox. The city is now filthy. "At Jaguey la Grande, in the Remedios district of the province of Santa Clara, the insurgents have burned the machinery houses of the Rosario plantation and the railroad station at Guanabano. The machinery houses of the plantation of San Narcisco, near Guira Melina, this province have been burned, and the cane plantations of Loteria, Carmen, and their colonies destroyed, with 22,000 tons of cane."

A late letter from Havana states the deplorable condition of the people of the country districts in these terms:

A very large proportion of the working class is absolutely destitute of ready money. The men, knowing there was no work for them in the towns, hesitated about going with their families, while they feared to remain in their poor homes, where, at least, they could be sure of food. The time for obeying the decree ended yesterday.