Relief of suffering in Cuba.
Washington, January 8, 1898.
To the Public:
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, had the honor on the 24th of December to make known to all charitably disposed people in this country the appeal of the President for aid, in the form of money or supplies, toward the speedy relief of the distressing destitution and suffering which exists among the people of Cuba.
The gratifying interest which his countrymen have shown in all parts of our land in that humane appeal has led the President to recognize the need of orderly and concerted effort under well-directed control, if timely assistance is to be given by the public to the sick and needy of Cuba. He has, therefore, appointed, with the cooperation of the American Red Cross, the New York Chamber of Commerce, and one of the leading representatives of the religious community, a Central Cuban Relief Committee, with headquarters in New York City, composed of the following members: Stephen E. Barton, chairman, second vice-president of the American National Red Cross; Charles A. Schieren, treasurer, a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce, and Louis Klopsch, proprietor of the Christian Herald.
It will be the office of the committee so organized not only to receive and forward to the United States consul-general at Habana such money and necessary supplies as may be contributed by the people of the United States, but to invoke, in its own name and through the three great interests it fitly represents, the concurrent effort of local relief boards throughout the United States and to invite the kindly aid of the transportation agencies of the country for the prompt conveyance of contributed supplies to the seaboard and their shipment thence to Cuba.
The consul-general at Havana is, in turn, assured of the effective cooperation of every available agency in the island of Cuba in order that life may be saved and suffering spared. The Spanish Government, welcoming the aid thus tendered, will facilitate the work, and to that end will admit into Cuba, free of duties and charges, all articles otherwise liable to when duly consigned to the consul-general.
[Page 656]By direction of the President, the undersigned appeals to the people in every city and town, to the municipal authorities thereof, to the local boards of trade and transportation, to corporations and others producing the necessities of life, and to all whose hearts are open to the cry of distress and affliction, to second the generous effort now being made, and by well-directed endeavor make its success truly responsive to the sentiments of charity that have ever characterized the American people.
Secretary of State.