“Cuba bleeds at every pore, and Liberty goes weeping through a land desolated by cruel war and throttled by the iron hand of a foreign despotism.  We hold that this government would be justified not only in recognizing Cuban belligerency, but also in recognizing Cuban independence, on the sole ground of the rights and claims of outraged humanity. ...  In consequence of Weyler’s barbarous decrees the most harrowing scenes of savagery and brutality are of almost daily occurrence in this beautiful island, which is situated a hundred miles from our Florida coast line.  In the midst of these horrifying and terrorizing spectacles Cuba extends her hand in supplication to this land of boasted freedom, asking only for a kindly glance of friendly recognition.

“Shall we refuse this small crumb of comfort from our bounteous board?  Spain may have the right to expect American neutrality, but she has no right to demand indifference on our part to the fate of a brave people, whose territory almost touches our own, and is nearer to our national capital than are a number of the States of the Union, and whose heroic struggle for liberty was largely inspired by our glorious example of beneficent free institutions and successful self-government.

“Spanish rule in Cuba has been characterized by injustice, oppression, extortion, and demoralization.  She has fettered the energies of the people, while she has fattened upon their industry.  She smiled but to smite, and embraced but to crush.  She has disheartened exertion, disqualified merit, and destroyed patience and forbearance, by supporting in riotous luxury a horde of foreign officials at the expense of native industry and frugality.

“Irritated into resistance, the Cubans are now the intended victims of increased injustice.  But the inhuman design will fail of accomplishment.  Cuban patriotism develops with the growth of oppression.  The aspiration for freedom increases in proportion to the weight of its multiplied chains.  The dawn of Cuban liberty is rapidly approaching.”

Consular reports of suffering in the island.

General Lee’s reports cover the period from November 17, 1897, to April 1, 1898.  Much of the correspondence is marked confidential.  Only excerpts are given in many instances.  General Lee’s first dispatch related to the modifying of General Weyler’s concentration order by General Blanco.  In his communication he says: 

“First.  The insurgents will not accept autonomy.

“Second.  A large majority of the Spanish subjects who have commercial and business interests and own property here will not accept autonomy, but prefer annexation to the United States rather than an independent republic or genuine autonomy under the Spanish flag.”

The remainder of the letter is devoted to plans for the relief of the reconcentrados.

“In this city,” he writes, “matters are assuming better shape under charitable committees.  Large numbers are now cared for and fed by private subscriptions.  I witnessed many terrible scenes and saw some die while I was present.  I am told General Blanco will give $100,000 to the relief fund.”