Mr. Woodford to Mr. Sherman.
Madrid, November 20, 1897.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this day of your dispatch No. 61, dated November 8th, instant, inclosing for my information copy of the Department’s note of the 6th instant to the Spanish minister at Washington, calling attention to the suffering inflicted upon the rural population of Cuba who have been forcibly concentrated in the towns; also inclosing copy of a dispatch from our consul at Matanzas relating to the same subject.
[Page 603]I have steadily and repeatedly called the attention of the Spanish Government to this subject. The present ministry assure me that they are doing their best to change the methods of warfare in Cuba and to ameliorate the horrible conditions against which our Government has believed it to be our duty to protest so strongly and constantly.
The Spanish Government assure me that these conditions will be improved promptly. You hear from Cuba each day and know just what is being done. I am prepared to act as promptly and as energetically as you may desire, and trust that if at any time very prompt action is required you will telegraph me to that effect.
Very respectfully, yours,