In estimating the cost of distribution great difficulties present themselves, as large numbers of laborers, sometimes as many as two hundred per day were paid in food taken from the stores; but such labor can only be paid in that way while the need is extreme; and the moment the direst wants are satisfied money is demanded for every service.
We found a considerable number of people who had once been wealthy, but who were utterly helpless after being despoiled of their riches, and gave up in despair, and would have died without making any adequate effort to save themselves, had not relief been brought to them. There were, however, many sterling families who had cast their fortunes with the revolution; had sacrificed everything for “Cuba libre,” and were willing to give life itself, if necessary; these people accepted relief reluctantly and sparingly, and with warmest gratitude.
For nearly two months after our arrival in Havana the entire expenses of the relief work were borne by Miss Barton from her private purse. It is but just to state that when this fact was discovered, by the committee the money was refunded. Then the Central Cuban Relief Committee began to furnish her with means which came thereafter in abundance, and nothing that was needed that money could procure was ever omitted. Volunteers for work were plentiful, but they were generally without experience and therefore not available. For this reason, and considering the magnitude of the work to be attempted and the celerity with which it must be carried on in order to be effective, it was necessary to override a time-honored precedent of the Red Cross, and pay salaries to certain grades of professional workers who could not be obtained otherwise. It should be stated though, that all these people who were engaged required no more money than was sufficient to meet the necessities of those who were dependent on them; and the few salaries that were paid were very low considering the high grade of ability that was secured.
The first funds sent for our use were in drafts payable in Spanish gold at Havana. Gold was then held at a premium of about thirty-five per cent over Spanish silver, with which the greater part of the ordinary business of the country was carried on.
On entering Santiago we found both American and Spanish money in circulation, and consequently considerable confusion resulted on account of the fluctuation in values, there being no established standard. The military governor made an arbitrary ruling that there should be a premium of one hundred per cent on American money over Spanish silver, or, in other words, that one dollar in American money should be worth two dollars in Spanish silver. Spanish gold and American gold were on a par in ordinary transactions of limited amounts, but in large amounts American gold was worth a small percentage more than the Spanish.
While we were in Santiago our supply of condensed milk ran short, owing to the large amount that was used in the hospitals. Fortunately there was at that time in the harbor a merchant ship loaded with groceries which could not be disposed of satisfactorily, and we were able to purchase at a very reasonable figure quite a large amount of that greatly needed delicacy, and continue filling all requisitions.
The following is a statement of our accounts at the end of the expedition:
Financial Statement.
| Central Cuban Relief Committee, cash | $11,296.55 | |
| Contributions | 172.93 | |
| Exchange | 236.83 | |
| Household Expenses | $1,521.41 | |
| General Expenses | 2,040.92 | |
| Cuban Relief Expenses | 3,699.79 | |
| Traveling Expenses | 968.22 | |
| Telegrams | 105.02 | |
| Office Expenses, Stationery, etc. | 22.45 | |
| Salaries | 2,541.24 | |
| American National Red Cross Relief Committee Army | 807.26 | |
| $11,706.31 | $11,706.31 |
The expense accounts will generally explain themselves by their titles, with a few exceptions which will be noted. “Cuban Relief Expenses” covered all charges for labor outside of that performed by our own party, and for supplies, etc., that were purchased outside of those we had brought from New York. “American Red Cross Expenses” included expenses of nurses and hospitals on account of army work, as distinct from Cuban relief work; also the maintenance of forty mules that had been sent us by that organization. “Household Expenses” covered house rent, servant hire, and maintenance of the entire party, which numbered as high as thirty people at times, and averaged twenty most of the time, making an average of less than $2.50 expense per week for each person. “General Expenses” included work on hospitals and other buildings necessary to make them habitable and comfortable, and all other expenses not properly chargeable to any other account.