The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-09
CUBA.

The Question Of AFms-COmDarison Bseweeo
the Spani,rds and Patriots-The NewGRss
ports--C0usinued Call for Reinforcemcnts-
HAVANA. April 8, 1895.
Cespedes the originator and leader OF the existing
revolution in this island. remarked that The question
Of the termination Of the insurrecon is one OF arms
entirely. Whether or not correct therein, he GER
talnly las the credence OF the Spanish government,
which. In lively appreciation Of the fact. Ia Furnish
ing her forces with the approved arms with a.
much CELEBRITY as her limited exchequer will permit.
The troops Of Spain here and elsewhere have been
and for the most part still are armed with what IL
known as The Spanish Enneld. IL much resembles
the English Enfield, having the same calibre.
1t is very inferior arm, even among muzzle-
leaders and Is poorly constructed. There
are some thirty or forty thousand OF these In the
island; most OF the troops are armed with them, and
they have furnished to the volunteers for duty
In the cities and FORTS Since the commencement OF
the revolution about ten thousand improved breach
loading rifles have been imported by the government
from New York, and the volunteers have purchased
some 1900 or 1900 additional
In the matter OF the importation of arms the
thorties manifest the EXTREMIST jealousy, prompted
IN good part, as am informed from high authority,
by their desire for uniformity IN the armament OF
their forces but suspect through fear OF their
ultimately falling into the hands of those Inimical to
the government. They would much prefer that all
such importarions should be done through them.
and as have been informed, will undertake to dis
pose TO the volunteer organizations such may be
consigned to them ana meet with their appreciation,
accounting to the importers. Az, however, the credit
Of the authorities here is not OF the highest order
do not learn that any very extensive arrangements
Of this character have been entered into.
AS to the arms OF the revOlutionsts, on the other
hand, but little Is known with certainty. The insur.
recton was started practically without arms. Until
recently it has been carried on with few old ries
such as were found the estates and ranches fowl
ing pieces and machetes. The common people have
very generally made lances for themselves out Of
anything that was at hand, and few small cannon
have been manufactured by banding pieces OF cast
iron pipe with NE hard woods OF the country and
can obtained 1t Is evident that not than
fourth OF the revolutionists now In the field arc
armed with firearms. The first invoice OF arms Of
| any importance was brought by Quesada In Deem
Der last consisting Of 5000 rifles. Since that time
various expeditions have landed; but even after
| being successfully accomplished great secrecy 10
maintained in reference to them for fear OF cOmpro-
missing those having connection with them here and
in the United States and preventing similar landings
| in the future.
Although through the barrier of falsehood and
INSTRUMENTATION which the Spanish authorities
throw around operations In the interior the truth
finds its way but slowly, yet from time to time
enough Ia known justify the conclusion that the
troops are maGing no headway in suppressing the
nsurrection; that on the contrary matters going
on from bad to and that the ultimate success OF
the Cubans is probable. Nothing more would be
needed to show the fasity OF the reports made by
Spaniards in reference TO the various encounters
than their complete uniformity. General or Colonel
somebody finds large number Of rebels entrenched
on an estate. attacks them at the point OF the bay
one, dslodges them, killing 200 and dispensing the
rest ..Our loss was one wounded or "a party OF
surprised at breakfast on the cattle farm
La % oy SIX , ana bst Few OF the
| tured and instantly shot" Such are the stOrtes
| varying in no one material point, which take up
| whole columns Of the Dtdrto and other city
papers, and In which 1t u as difficult to
| md one grain OF truth as that well known
| 'neede in haystack." Occasionally, through q
| soldier returned wounded, letter from an oficef
chvalrlc to lie or the arrival OF foreigner fom
the scene OF operations we get slight glimpse be-
gents killed and one Spaniard wounded" Some tune
since we had accounts Of fight near Jaguey Grande,
In which piles Of rebel dead were heaped mp. TWO
members Of the cavalry militia returned here report
that no than 100 Of the troops were placed hors
advantageously posted In wood from which they
could not be driven out, though several tunes
be ascertained. Doubtless many Of the encounters
which take place have somewhat similar result,
accounting for the TACT that with an their reported
Information has reached here from the vicinity of
| Ctenfuegos that the Insurgents have commenced .
duct Of the volunteers on the occasion Of the de-
parture Of the political prisoners from Havana they
from Puerto Principe after stating that the city 4
almost abandoned by the population, that only
troops are seen complains Oh the manner IN which
perpetrated. The rebels are made aware Of every
execution, and Immediately after Spanlard and
perhaps more are shot IN retaliation He says that
sooner or later every captured rebel win have 70 bo
treated prisoner OF war; and 1t would be far
grazing ourselves In the eyes Of the world and at
the same time causing an equal slaughter OF our
countrymen, who fail into the hands OF the murder
ing insurgents in great numbers, ana some Of whom
are ruthessly shot down after every execution. He
states that three or four rebels are shot every DAY
in that city, and the officers are becoming horrfed
ut so many blood scenes.
Forces continue TO be sent 70 the interior. Eight
hundred recently left here VIA Batabano to reinforce
valmaseda. Adv1ces from ManZanillo state that q
column had arrived there nom Bayamo ana was to
return soon with convoy Of provisions and ammu-
milton.
Tne steamer Moctezuma which left here on thu
I'd, carried q few hundred troops for Nuevitas.
The war steamer Pizarro, from Cadiz via Porto
Rico arrived on Thursday with ia troops
On the LIST arrived here Colonies Acosta aud Chin
chila, the first commanding the volunteer battalion
Of Order and the latter the battalion OF Quintn
regulars. They come 70 consult with General Dulcs
regarding the campaign and ask for reinforce
ments.
Batabano, having In tow sloop mag not stated
found abandoned. she was picked up front Of
Sguanea. II officially known that she had landed
her arms
The coasting steamer villa Clara, from Batabano
1--WE days SINCE, had not arrived at Clenfuegos, and
fears are entertained OF her capture.
captain recently from Manzanio, reports
that he saw nghting every day from the harbor
All Mexicans who have served In any army resi-
dent IN Cuba received their passports 70 leave
by the first steamer Tor their native land, obging
them TO 70 there and not elsewhere.
committee OF volunteers from Matanzas has
arrived mere with view Of arranging "A celebration
with their conf eres here. That bo1y in Matanzas
are represented as still more insuDorliDate than
those here. threatening and malreating citizens and
carrying matters with a high hand
Mr. A. II. SrEPuENs.-The Co,lsttt,ittondtist Of the
0th ul regrets 10 learn that this distinguished gen.
teman is still very feeble, and that the accident
which Frustrated HIN has had effects much more se-