Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Señor Polo de Bernabé to Mr. Day.

Legation of Spain,
Washington, April 5, 1898.

Dear Mr. Day: I have received this afternoon General Blanco’s order, that I herewith inclose, suppressing reconcentration. I see that this measure comprises the whole island, and the mistake was in the wording of the telegram. The preamble spoke of the four western provinces as nearly pacified, but article first clearly says that concentration is at an end in all the island.

I have felt rather unwell to-day, and for that reason I have not gone to see you this morning as I intended.

By General Woodford you know undoubtedly the good disposition of H. M.’s Government to do all that is compatible with its honor and dignity in these most difficult and trying circumstances.

With highest consideration, I am, dear Mr. Day,

Very truly, yours,

Luis Polo de Bernabé.

[Inclosure.—Translation.]

order.

Don Ramon Blanco y Erenas, Marquis of Pena Plata, Governor-General, Captain-General and General-in-Chief of the Army of this Island:

The pacification of the four western provinces of the island being considerably advanced by the comprehensive military operations and by the natural results of the establishment of a new régime, the work of the harvesting of the sugar crop being effected in the open country under conditions of security, the cultivation of tobacco having acquired great impetus, and the near approach of the season which offers especial advantages for the minor field work, on which depend in large part the public subsistence, I judge the time has arrived for completely restoring the normal conditions of life in the rural districts and for causing to disappear the unfortunate conditions under which the country people suffer while gathered in the towns and suburbs, thus putting an end to the reconcentration of such country people and leaving them in full liberty to return to the rural district and to engage themselves there in labors which they may deem practicable.

As, notwithstanding this ample authorization, there will necessarily remain in the old centers of reconcentration a remnant of country people and their families, who for lack of means, resources, or farming implements may not be able to make a living by agricultural labor, the cabinet council (consejo de secretarios) will submit to me, with the urgency which the case demands, means of initiating and establishing a system of public works which, while seconding the aid afforded by the magistrates and protective juntas (juntas protectoras) and by the establishment of economical kitchens, shall accomplish the double purpose of bringing reconcentration to an end and remedying its effects and consequences, thus restoring the normal condition of rural labor and relieving the misery of the masses, as well as making reproductive and of use to the country the expenses which the fulfilment of these arrangements may occasion.

With which purpose and in virtue of the extraordinary powers which are conferred upon me as Governor and Captain-General and general in chief of the army, I have proclaimed in force the following:

• Article 1. From the publication of the present order in the Gaceta de la Habana, the reconcentration of the inhabitants of the rural districts is abolished throughout the entire island, such country people and their families being permitted to return freely to the places which they may deem convenient and to engage in all kinds of agricultural work.
• Art. 2. The protective juntas and all the civil and military authorities shall facilitate by all the means in their reach the return of the rural inhabitants to their former places of residence or to those which they may newly elect, extending to them all the assistance which they can respectively command.
• Art. 3. Under direction of the cabinet council (consejo de secretarios) and through the secretary of public works shall proceed the preparation and immediate establishment of all the public works necessary or useful to give employment and subsistence to the country people and their families who, for lack of resources, opportunities for work or farming implements, are not able to return immediately to the country; as also for the establishment of economical kitchens, which may make normal and cheapen these labors.
• Art. 4. The expenses resulting from the execution of the regulations of the present order, so far as they may exceed the resources at the command of the protective juntas, may be charged to the extraordinary war credit.
• Art. 5. All the orders heretofore published upon the concentration of the rural population, and all those which are opposed to the execution of this order, are hereby abolished.

Habana, March 30, 1898.

Ramón Blanco.

Weyler’s reconcentrado proclamation of 1896.

[Translation.]

Don Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau, Marquis of Tenerife, Governor-General and Captain-General of this Island, and General-in-Chief of its Army, etc.

I order and command:

• First. All the inhabitants of the country or outside of the line of fortifications of the towns shall within the period of eight days reconcentrate themselves in the towns occupied by the troops. Any individual who after the expiration of this period is found in the uninhabited parts will be considered a rebel and tried as such.
• Second. The extraction of provisions from the towns and their transportation from one town to another by land or water without permission of the military authority of the point of departure is absolutely prohibited. The infringers will be tried and punished as abettors of the rebellion.
• Third. The owners of beeves should transport them to the towns or their vicinity, to which end they will be given proper protection.
• Fourth. At the expiration of the period of eight days, which in each municipal district shall be counted from the publication of this proclamation in the head town of same, all insurgents who present themselves shall be placed at my disposal for the purpose of fixing them the place where they shall reside, serving them as a recommendation if they furnish news of the enemy which can be made use of, if the presentation is made with firearms, and more especially if it be collective.
• Fifth. The provisions of this proclamation are only applicable to the Province of Pinar del Rio.

Havana, October 21, 1896.

Valeriano Weyler.