able to fight their country's foes, have not died in vain, for it
is their death that will be remembered as the culminating
influence for American intervention and the salvation of scores of
thousands of lives of starving Cuban women and children. Vessels
were loaded with supplies of provisions and clothing for the
suffering and were sent to the harbors of Cuba, where distribution
was made by Miss Clara Barton and her trusted associates in the
American National Red Cross. Some of these vessels were merchant
steamers, but others were American cruisers, and Cubans were not
permitted to forget that there was a flag which typified liberty,
not far away. The strain upon the national patience increased
every day, and was nearing the breaking point.

PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS ACT.

After a period of restlessness in Congress which was shared by the
whole country, the President finally transmitted an important
message. It included a resume of the progress of the Cuban
revolution from its beginning and considered in some detail the
workings of that devastating policy of General Weyler, known as
reconcentration. The message related the progress of diplomatic
negotiations with Spain, and disclosed a surprising succession of
events in which the Spanish government had submitted to various
requests and recommendations of the American government. The
message ended with a request that Congress authorize and empower
the President to take measures to secure a full and final
termination of the intolerable conditions on the island of Cuba.
Having exhausted the powers of the executive in these efforts, it
was left to the legislative authority of the American people to
establish such policies as would be finally efficient.