Cuban Refugees Waiting For Rations (1898 Original Black & White Film)

Experience a poignant glimpse into history with this black and white film from 1898, depicting a group of escaped reconcentrados during the Spanish-American War. Saved from the fate of starvation imposed by General Weyler's reconcentration policy, these rural noncombatant Cubans stand in line, each with their tin dish and cup, their walk listless and lifeless after centuries of Spanish oppression. The picture offers an intriguing racial character study, contrasting with a group of officers and ladies from a nearby camp. This film sheds light on the harsh realities faced by civilians during wartime.

Source :
Paley, W. D., Thomas A. Edison, I. & Paper Print Collection. (1898) Cuban Refugees Waiting for Rations. United States: Edison Manufacturing Co. [Video] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/98500976