The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-26
CUBA.

statement Of Gentle. uan Drect from tho
Revolutionary District-COnditios of the
Opposing FOrces-Wants of the Revelation.
ists-Inducements to Blockade Running.
very Intelligent American gentleman, who has
resided for some time in the revolutionary district
OF Cuba, and whose acquaintance with commanding
ofncers OF both parties on the island enables slm to
Judge accurately Of the state Of affairs among the
spanish and patriot armies has just arrived from
cuba, and gives inter esting statement or
the condition, necessities ,and operations OF
the belligerents. The revolutions which conf
menced In October last In the tl'wn OF Yara now
extends throughout one third OF the island in which
so~rs 1pe Spanlards only hold few Isolated
eminent, consisting Of regular executive legislative
and judicial branches is estab lshed at sibsaicu
Town In the interior about thirty mites from Nue.
vltas, and the revolutionary army numbering about
40, 900 men, s divided into several commands opera
ting az various points IN the eastern portion CT the
island The patriot army Is being organized into
infantry regiments ana brigades preparatory to MIL
sufficiently formidable to give the Spaniards
an they can do to hold the towns now in
@ sOns the railroad rpm sueV s %
Puerto Principe although the patriots are In large
force and occupy several cities between the spanish
troops on this line and Havana The Spanlards con-
fine their operations to the vicinity OF the towns
held by them, and never venture outside except in
defensive against advances constantly being made
by the revoutonists. The sentiment OF the Cuban
yersally manifested wherever presence of Span
ish troops does not render 1t perlOus to n-com-
Inc cities held by the Spaniards are governed
BY Spanish officers and garrisoned by troops from
spain, augmented by volunteers composed OF Span
ish residents on the island. Such towns are almost
entirely deserted by the patriot families who have
retired to the plantations OF their friends, where
ranches are erected for the accommodation OF al for
whom 1t Is dangerous to remain within reach or the
Spanish sodery. In fact, the whole eastern portion
OF the island including nearly one half OF Cuba Ii
States were during the first three years OF the rebel
lion being entirely in the possession OF the
tionists ana wholly devoted to the cause, with
exception OF few towns he'd by military
as 1ur aoS nsd scattered points
entirely unguarded by the Spaniards A few small
gunboats capable or making about seven knos per
hour, cruise along the coast, and occasionally q
higate appears al one point and another; bur
nothing like a blockade Is maintained.
Inc revolutionary forces display much more
tvity than the Spaniards and are constantly max
ing RAIDS and otherwise harassing enemy. There
usually connected with military operato ns aud
private individuals travel from place to place
rom tse supplies t are
very productive, both parties have an abund-
ance or provisions. The principal wants Of
the revt tionists are arms medicines SALT clothing
and shoes. There Is no lack OF men, and the patriots
have ammunition enough OF all kinds to last them
many months. They also have arsenals established
for the manufacture OF cartridges and repairing
arms that may become disabled In action. Tne
patriot leaders state that they do not need any men
from abroad and care particularly for arms with
which TO equip the large number OF patriot voun-
teers constantly presenting themselves and whom
they cannot organize into regiments until muskets
are procured. Great inducements are held out to
blockade running. A fast steamer, such al
were employed by the Confederates, would
have no difficulty in landing cargo,
and, in addition to her receipts from her regular
cargo OF arms, she would make immense profit
on medicines salt, cotton cloth, rubber goods and
shoes. and would be given, free OF charge, cargo
OF sugar or tobacco with which to return.
The reroutOnists sanguine OF success de-
pending as they do upon the well known sympathy
OF the whole native element, and the belief that
yellow fever and cholera, from which the Cubans
suffer comparatively little, will decmate the
Spanish ranks as to render them powerless against
the rapidly increasing Revolutionary forces. they
90 not SO much expect to progress by means OF bri
liant successes on grand scale by the Influences
OF climate and delay upon the Spaniards who,
walled up In their dlsease-smtten towns, must they
predict, sooner or later succumb.