The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-24
CUBA.

in the world OF Journalism, mas Deen
all1ng to Colonel Rafael Quesada, brother of
he General who leads the patriot forces in dis
luieted Cuba. The Sun reporter is active, but
mas leaning so palpably towards the Cubans,
hat his statements about facts and figures are
sometimes just the 'littlest-bit' unreliable.
However, this is a part of his version of the
interview with Colonel Quesada:--
HOW THE COLONEL LEFT THE ISLAND.
Reporter-How and from where did you leave the
island?
at Punto de Nuevas Grandes on the 14th OF last
May, / also landed a large fe-boat, am carried it
into the interior with the supplies OF war which
brought. The boat was taken across the island a
few days before left the seat OF government, and
Kept in readiness for me at the mouth OF small
the afternoon of the 10th OF July, three Cubans-
Don Jose Ricardo, Don Pedro Casanova, and Don
Antonio de la Torre-joined me- We four embarked
in the lfebOat, with supply OF ten days proylsons
and made for the island OF Jamaica.
KseporterIls II true, as reported in Horace Gree
Colonel Quesada-No, for by aid of a small sail we
crossed the channel between coast and Jamaica
IN nVe Gays, arriving at Montego, on Mohtego Bay,
at p. NJ of the 25th having met no yessleis on the
way; remained in Montego three days when parted
with my daring companions and took passage for
Aspinwall in an English brig. From that mort /
came here on the Arizona.
Reporter-What was the situation of affairs i'm the
immediate neighborhood OF the seat of government
when you left?
THE CUBANs CASTING THEIR OWN CANNON
Colonel Quesada-President Cespedes is there al
also are Don Francisco V. Aquera, Minister of Wark
Don Ramon Cespedes Minister of State and Foreipn\
Affairs; Don Eigo Izaqurre Secretary of the Urea
Sury; Don Eduardo Agramonte, Minister of the
Interior; Don Salvador Cisneros President of the
House of Representatives and Don Antonio Fam
orana and Ignacio Agramonte, Secretaries The
Government has a foundry in the Sierras near by
which is now turning out frst-class cannon of six
ten, sixteen, and twentyfour pounds calibre There
Is well-appolnted printing establishment there, at
which are printed the BoLein official of the Govern
ment and political paper called the Cubano Libre.
the immediate neighborhoOd. The number of the
command is sometimes varied, according to the ope-
ratlons going on at surrounding points.
THE PATRIOTS WELL ARMED AND EQUIPPED.
and their discipline?
Colonel Quesada-I musi tell you frankly that our
troops are well armed and disciplined those of that
department / mean who are under my brothers
command. OF them only can speak from personal
observation The men have good arms, abundance
OF ammunition, but are much need of clothing and
Shoes
SCARCITY OF CLOTHING.
Repcrter-Hou do not mean to say that General
Quesadas command is in absolute need of clothing
and Shoes do you, Colonel?
Colonel Quesada- 1 must say that no people ever
needed those articles more. What | can tell you is
that there are camps OF our brave troops which
ladies cannot visit because the men are so scantiy
dressed, and also, there are near Savanilla full
twenty-five hundred Cuban ladies who are as naked
as some OF our men, They are there with their chill
dren, preferrng to share every privatiOn in the
field to remaining in their elegant town homes away
from their husbands fathers, sons, and brothers,
and be subjected to the insults and oppression of the
officers and men of the army of Spain. They have
plenty to eat, and money also, but there is great
want Of clothing, since our men, well as their
families, have in most instances had to flee their
homes with the single suit on their backs.
Reporter-Is the same scarcity prevalent in Gene
raj Quesada's and General Jordan's departments?
Colonel Quesada-NO, it is not 1t was expected
that Holguin would fall into our possession by the
25th ultmo, from where supplies of clothing and
taken.-FD.) The men bear it cheerfully, and are
ever on the alert and anxious to meet their Spanish
foes.
THE PATRIOT FORCE.
Reporter-About what number of patriots are now
under aims?
Colonel Quesada-There are from 10000 to $4,000
men who are regularly supplied with modern arms,
mostly from the United States. These belong to our
regular army. Then there are about 5000 men in
separate commands of various Sizes who are but
indiferently armed with shot-guns, revolvers and
mdchetes, sort Of knife between butchers meat
axe and huge bowie knife
ARMS LANDED IN SAFETY.
Reporter-Have any arms been landed on the
island recently?
Colonel Quesada-Two schooners made a landing
near Tuna river on or about the 10th ultlmo They
Cavada's force near Villa Clara. They also brought
twelve pieces of artillery. A.vessel was daily eX-
pected when left, with dozen siege pieces, which
were more needed than any other arm
PLENTY OF PROVISIONS SECURITY FOR CUBAN
BONDS.
RepOrter-And provisions for your troops, have
YOU abundance?
Colonel Quesada-Yes, and in great excess of all
our wants.
Reporter Have you any products of the island in
Colonel Quesada- There are millions OF dollars
worth of sugar, tobacco and wax ready for ex,
portation and exchange, which VIII be sent ABROAD
for supplies at the first opportunity.
.RepOrter-Are your means OF communication with
General Jordan and other Generals kept open?
Colonel Quesada-President Cespedes, as also my
brother have daily reports from both General Jor-
dan and General Cayada, the two department COM
manders.
FREE CUBA.
Reporter-What about slavery?
Colonel Quesada-Slavery is dead in Cuba. There
are thousands OF negroes who have been voluntarily
freed by our people and Government ana other
thousands who have escaped from Spanish masters
on different parts of the island. II we had arms for
them all, there would not be a vestige OF Spanish
authority fory-eght hours after they mad the use Oh
them.
Reporter-Ihen, Colonel, counting your freed
slaves and all, how many men could you depend
upon at an early date if yon had the @ arms Of ,ooo+
many thousands more than we require to gam our
freedom.
THE COURSE OF GENERAL GRANT
Reporter-What did your people say over the
SEIZURE of your men by our authorities?
Colonel Quesada-Many at the time were greatly
disappointed and saddened, and some were quite
bitter. But it only nerved them to bolder and
bTaver deeds. think when they learn OF the gun
no at seizure all the old feeling will TeturA.
Reporter-What would be the probable effect
should these gunbOats be allowed to go TO sea?
Colonel Quesada-ltw VIII be looked upon as the
signal for desperate lighting part, proOnga-
ton of our struggle which is now speedily closing,
and as direct injury from the hands of the Admin
istration of General Grant | do not wish to be un-
deretOOd that say that it would be blow to our
cause from the administrators of this Government
but so il would he considered for our people ali
know perfectly well that the masses in the United
States are with us. The press they know are with
us and our cause and if the struggle is annecessa-
rly prolonged may safely say that the great majo-
rity of patriotic Cubans viii lay at the door of your
President and his administr alton the loss Of Cuban
independence from a tyrant's yoke.
CuRA NOT FOR SALE