The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-25
FIRST EDITION N
THE NEW REPUBLIC.

Cnban and Spanish Warfare ConIpared-NO
Cuban Precedent for VRlmascdn's Inhumnn
Order-The Patriots Compelled To war TO
the Knife.'l
The Cuban Republican Junta at New York has
issued the following:-
Among the teegraphic news published satur-
day the god Instant there is despatch from Havana
containing extracts from decree issued by General
Cespedes ON the 18th of February, and in which
several rigid resolutions are proclaimed by the Cuban
leader. The Spanish authorities 10y publishing those
r extracts now, evidently desire To- coqnteract the
feeling of horror oCcasioned Ivy Valmaseda's infa-
nous proclamation of the 4th of April the latter
being made to appear as necessary and excusable
consequence OF the former. With that object the
despatch only mentions the orders contained in
Cespcdes edict and artfuy avoids making any
allusion to the circumstances which gave rise TO
them and which are expressed in the proclamation.
The Juuta therefore consider it their duty to make
truthful statement of the case, thereby unmasking
the arti1ce employed by the Spanish Government
with the object of Disgusting its iniqutous conduct
vt the cost OF Cuban reputation and honor. General
Ccspedes decree OF the lsth OF February is now
brought TO life by the authorities at Havana, who
perversey inform us that il was issued five weeks
before that of Vamaseda; but the former proclama-
ton, far from having given occasion to the promul
CATION of the latter was precisely he SAD and newt
able consequence Of the system OF war to the knife
declared against Cuban patriots by the Spanish COM
mander The following is a complete text OF Ces-
since the first acts of the Cuban revolution, since
the taking of BayamO and Tignani in this depart
ment, and Guaimaro in the Central department,
when generous capitulat0n was offered to the gar
risons on which could have enforced an uncondi-
tional surrender as is well known, the principles OF
humanity civilization, and generosity were dis
played on the part of the Cubans, showing the man.
ner in which we willing to carry on war with
our Oppressors More than four hundred prisoners,
whom those successes and following ones placed
in our power without any risk of life, have
tinued to reveal our purpose, while the enemy
violated in base manner at Puerto Principe
the capitulation of Guaimaro, arming anew against
us the civil guard, who had been sworn
by the terms OF the above-named captulati0n never
q take up arms against the Cubans. And they not
only denied quarter to the few prisoners they
ceeded in taking but with bloodthirstiness and fero
city worthy Of their antecedents IN America, where
fbnuI Inatth nOxVa nv brutality
they shot, without Judgment, peaceable citizens for
mere suspicion of connivance with the revolution
AIRY troops. They did more. While our troops not
only respected the mortal remains OF the enemys
soldiers, and buried those who were inhumanly
abandoned by their companions, ana took care Of
their wounded, our dead were barbarousy abused
by the Spanish soldiery, their bodies mutated and
otherwise subjected to the most horrible atrocities
The Iiberating army has not made reprisals. We
wish to avail ourselves Of every means in our power
and less ferocous system Of warfare. With that
object had addressed in the first days OF the revo
luton despatch in that sense to the Spanish Gov
ernor at Manzanillo That despatch obtained no
swer, and the shooting OF Cubans found in arms and
the desecration of our dead were continued by the
Decided nevertheless, to await the last extremity
before giving way to the horrors OF re&pfsas & sent
last, to the Commanders General OF cuba, In which
entreated that the Spanish @ should
and were observing. In other words, TO stpulate
quarter for prisoners and wounded as all civilized
6egerents do, even when not united by ties of
similarity in origin, religion, and language, and
naming period OF fifteen days for its answer, de
claring that after that time, If unlapplly received
no satisfactory answer that they would cease to
shoot and commit the before-named crueltles,
would adopt al last the nourul ouU dosoluVe heces
The Commanding General, Brgader Garcia
MunoZ after having maltreated by words and
miserably insulted the envoy by bearing with his
own hands the insignia and devices OF the defenders
Of the country, said, in answer, that he could not
condescend to take my despatch into consideration
Notwithstanding true to my Word, resolved 10
take steps whatever until the period should have
But, to-day, the permit being at an end and the
conduct OF the enemy being not only unchanged, but,
on the contrary, aggravated by new acts OF cruelty
and barbarty have been obliged TO accept the war
to the knife, with all the determination with which
Therefore, decree reprisal against the enemy in
III most ample terms from To-day, wlLlout iestIlc-
ton OF any kind. Blood for blood; execution for
execution; determination for eXtermination.
January 1869. CARLOS MANUEL DE CESPEDEs.
The decree issued the 18th OF February was the
sequel and practical expression OF me above decia-
ntion and proof OF this statement we give the
heading which accompanied the pI0clanaIoh ana
which was very carefay suppressed 10y the Spanish
censor. e. -, -,
Cuba by the Spanish authorities IN several edcts,
executed indeed by their troops operating in this
territory, and reprsals being admitted as rule OF
their warfare ], Captain-Genefa Cespedes, am
obliged to dictate the necessary course to be followed
% our part to avoid confusion, ana to attain uni
fOrmity OF action in the army under my command.
p Whereas, All who are waging war against us are
not similarly crcumstanced;
Whereas, According TO the laws OF humanity, ana
he elementary principles OF sound policy a distinc
ton should be established among our enemies and
Whereas II is in accordance WIFI the spirit and ma
nre OF the present of Independence, decree:-
Here follows the proclamation, OF which an eX-
Fact has been already published IN the cable des
ntch 10 which we refer.l
With the above explanations the trckery OF the
Sanish Government will be made manifest as they
clearly prove not only that Namasedas procama-
ion Of the 4th of April had connection whatever
with Cespedes' decree Of the 18TH OF February, but
also that the latter was adopted IN consequence of
IL SIMILAR proclamatons issued by the Spaniards and
TIE acts of cruelty and barbarity perpetrated by their
n Neyertheess let Cespedes proclamation be COM
nared with that of Valmasedas, and IL will be seen
Al once that the same Judgment is not applicable TO
holm even il considered in the abstract
Cespedes establishes difference between ms enc
mics grants pardon to the Spanish soldier, and pun
shes neutral Cubans, according 10 circumstances.
Vamaseda orders that young men over niteen years
Of age shall be shot for the slmpe crime OF pelng
awsY from their homes without a plausible excuse,
that all dwellings uninhabled OF NuproIeSle1 VIII
white fag shall be reduced to ashes, ana nnaly mat
a11 women who arc not found IN their respective
hOuses or in those Of their relations sha pe taken
n by force to Jignani or Bayamo. ,
The Cuban leader, in obedience 10 Jne principles
Of civilization, when driven 70 reldllaIe III conse-
mence of the atrociOus acts OF his oney ehdeavors
Il nor 10 he absolute in his severity. The Spanish
Il r6eftain vents his fury not only upon those VINO
resst him with arms but also upon peaceaDe lnlabl-
4 <lsnts children women, and even farm houses
Fl et tr1th therefore, come 70 our ald, ana place
W facta in their right place Naimasedas proclamation
admits OF no excuse, and Will stand forever as a
testimony of Spanish ignorance IN the island OF Cupa'
III +. j. BASORA. Secretary,