The New York herald., 1868-12-16
CUBA.


CUBA.
--~,>.>~~~-~>~~--~~~~~~~
The Origin, Intent and Progress Of tho Insur- |
recti0n-
HAVANA, Dec. 0, 1858.
While the HERALD has furnished Its readers with |
much valuable information concerning the insurrec
tion now going on in this island, wishing them to |
form an idea approximating correctness OF its i'm
portance it has been for not necessary to
explain an extremely difcult matter to prepare any
succinc account Of its oragn intent and progress.
1t is the purpose OF this communication to do this
The information though from sources which cannot
be mentioned, is Of most reliable character, and
though on account Of the great secrecy thrown
around al government movements, not q complete
as reader Of history might desire. Is as near a.
the present stage OF the revolution win permit Of.
In the Island OF Cuba the agitation and movements
In favor OF liberal ideas did not ct the
time rs in the other Spanish colonies But In
1928, when its population was comparatively
Insignificant, the Cubana formed extensive con-
spiracics which were discovered by the supreme
government The one styled Los Soles de
Bolivar, another the A0,lla Negro and many others
win always be remembered in the "Ever Faithful
Isle" Some Of the conspirators were executed ana
others were sent to prison. with the loss OF their ior
tunes. General vives VINO was Captain General OF
In the work OF pacfytng the country. He was man
OF great intelligence and knowing the Cuban charac-
ter at that time he favored all public games, the
establishment Of gambling houses, the dance, musi-
cal societies and general immortality OF naoits BY
this policy he amused the people, caused them to
forget their liberal IDEAS and without army lhav-
ing but 1000 regular soldiers In the island reduced
them to quiet submission. When General Tacon
took command OF the country Cuba was, In its social
AoSAN i1nA II fn0tt tAvHk~
vigorous measures against thieves and assassins
and established order; but he favored the Spaniards
as against the Cubans ana from this time there has
been an intense enmity existing between them.
In the Panama Congress the Spanish American re-
publics proposed to liberate Cuba and Porto Rico,
but the policy Of the United States prevented It, In
1925 Mr. Clay then Secretary Of State, wrote to Mr..
Everett American Minister ct Madrid, the following
remarkable words:"It IL not for the new republics
referring to the Spanish American republics) that
the President wishes to urge upon Spain the expo.
diency Of concluding the war. II II should continue
and those islands-Cuba and Porto Rico-should be-
the object and theatre Of their fortunes have
such connection with the people Of the United
States that they could not be Indifferent spectators
and the possible contingency Of protracted war
might bring upon the government Of tho United
States duties and obligations the performance Of
which, however painful 1t would be, they might not
be at liberty to doclinen Similar declarations have
been made BY American dipomatists since that
time. Mr.. Van Buren,, In tho name OF General Jack.
son, wrote to the American Minister in Madrid In
1885 as Observation-Disclosures connected with
certain class Of population make it the interest Of
the Southern section of the Union that no attempt
should be made in that island (Cuba) to throw on
the YOKE of Spanish dependence the nrst eject Of
which would be the sudden emancipation OF nu-
merous slave population the result OF which could
not but be very sensby felt upon the adjacent shores
OF the United States.o This idea of opposition from
the United States destroyed all the hopes Of the
Cuban republicans and they did not dare take up
arms for their independence
In 1S4s the shareholders In Cuba were numerous
and influential, and an arrangement was entered
into by them with the democratic party having in
view the annexation OF Cuba to the United States
The Ostend conference, the Revolutionary movement
OF Aguiero at Puerto Principe, the nlibusering OK.
petition and sad fate OF Lopez in the memory Of
oil. stu the desire for independence not dead
In the Cuban heart and II ultimately found vent In
singular manner. In 1859 Mr.. Andres Carrard, o
member Of the Masonic fraternity, was authorized
by the supreme Council Of Charleston to establish
psh this work MI. Vicente de Castro came in 1851,
by order OF the same supreme Council to make re-
port Masonry in Cuba. On his return he reported
that Mr.. Carrard had no authority to depute q
friend to establish the Masonic Brotherhood In
Cuba. He himself founded an Independent .Su-
preme Council Of Cuba and all the West Indies"
An antagonism has since existed between the bodies
thus established on the island but Masonry, either
regular or irregular, has extended all over the
island.
Two years since Don Carlos Manuel Cespedes q
advantage OF the Masonic organization ana began to
prepare large conspiracy to withdraw Cuba from
allied with Don Pedro Fiauerdo Don FrSnciscc Cisco
Aguilera and Don Pedro Aguiera, all men OF wealth,
he csme several times % = Havana 10 ioos or ~
sources money, arms, &c. but the liberal junta OF
prominent Cubans In this city did not assist him.
pedes resolved to work alone and returned to
on the 10Th OF September last Isabella II, was
driven rom the Spanish throne. The news reached
here Few days later, and the people awaited In
would be accorded 10 them The ntenssss 20 r Span
lsed telegram never arrived. Cespedes waited until
the sth oi October, and then concluded time 70
strike. He Immediately emnncpated his two hundred
slaves, but informed his coaborers that he had no
intention whatever OF interfering with their property
mentioned at Yara, In the Jurisdiction Of Manzanlo,
at the head OF 500 men, he declared for independence
and sent out his proclamation through the various
lodges Two days after his forces had Increased to
1000, and he TOOK possession Of Bayamo. ON the
The als m aDS O % Win Win Us Bswssn
vana and others which had been stationed In the
east reached Las Tunas from Maniti, and then began
series or encounters, description OF which, taken
from oficial sources, has appeared In the HERALD.
La these encounters the troops suffered fearfully by
tne persistent and annoying attacks OF the insur-
gents, who, though constantly nying before them by
tner knowledge oI The country aud the celebrity OF
their movements, were enabled TO do them great
damage. ON the 20th Lolo returned to Tunas from
MS pursuit OF the rebels Soon after commenced
preparations for leaving and on the ID oil November
started for Manat.
Meanwhile column OF 1900 men under Colonel
Quiros, consisting OF old and highly disciplined
troops, went out from Santiago de Cuba, and on the
10th OF October had severe fight Ia Bayrc result.
Ing In gaining considerable advantage and taking
Possession of The town which the Insurgents mad
heid. lie was afterwards repeatedly attacked with
great bravery by the luoans, who were but poorly
armed and mostly with machetes. aud was finally
obnged 10 retreat TO santiago with the loss Of half
MS force. Immediately after his return there being
nothing 10 oppose them, the insurgents extended
their lines 10 within close proximity Of that city
there as elsewhere constantly Increasing In num-
bers.
On the ed OF october Colonel Camplllo who was
In command AZ Manzanio, started out 20 attack |
Bayamo. He had but an I'll appreciation OF the