Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-04-15
THE CUBAN REVOLUTION.

A review of the situation In Cuba as
it is understood at Washington, is sum-
med up as follows: The best proof,
however is found in the steady progress
of the revolution itself. Since its incep-
tion it has received not one serious de-
feat. but on the contrary has daily
enlarged its active boundaries and more
seriously impeFiled the Spanish rule
The Provisional Government of Cuba is
at this moment master of at least three
fifths of the entire area of the Island; it
commands all the interior lines of com
munication within this revolutiOniZed
territory; it threatens the control Of the
Spaniards over the remaining two-fifths
it has confined the troops operating
against them chiefly to the seaboard and
to the walls of few principal towns; it
has an organized semi-military Govern
ment whose authority is readily and
seriously respected by the people; it has
to-day an army of over 10000 men in
the field, and could easily double that
number if in possession of arms and
proper equipments. So much the Rev.
oiution has practically accomplished. 1t
has in reality done much more, for from
the outset it has established the policy
of Emancipation and full enfranchise-
ment of all its citizens as its purpose
The moral value of this unqualified posi-
ton has been immense. There is another
notable feature in the success so far
achieved. 1t is that it has been gained
by the almost unaided exertions. of the
Cubans themselves. In spite of all re-
ports, there has been but very slight aid
given from the outside, either from our
shores or other of the American States.
A few small cargoes of arms have been
run in, but even these are of recent date.
Another point is, that from the outset
the movement has been regular and or
derly, carried forward under organized
direction, and with definite policy to
guide. The Provisional Government, of
which Cespedes is the known chief, has
been everywhere recognized by the
Cubans. Whatever differences and
jealousies may have existed, and 1t is
presumable there have been such, they
have never been allowed to impede the
patriotic work. At the present moment
the entire Eastern Department, with
| the exception of the seaports, and two
or three interior places of Importance,
like Puerto Principe. are controlled by
the Republicans. About one-third OF
Ethe Western Department is also really
held by them, the Spanish forces being
confined to the Cinco Villas five towns)
of Remedies, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos,
Sagua la Grande, and Trinidad. Ac.
eording to authentic information receiv.
ed here, the Patriot forces are distribut.
4 ed as follows: In the Rayamo and May.
lari section (the last named place is now
the seat of the Provisional Government,
Gen.. Cespedes has under his contro
and that of his immediate second-in
command, Major General Donate de
!, Marmol, about Il, 600 meE. This fore,
could easily be doubled or trebled i
arms were attainable.. In the. uppe
portion of the "Oriental" Department
:, Quesada is operating with about 400
! men, of whom one and the larger col
umn in the neighberhosd of Puert,
Principe, under the immediate direc
7 tisn Of Quesada, 10 quite we'll equipped
r In the Cinco Villas district the patriot
: have fsrce of about Ii, 600 men a con
q siderable portion Of which is tolerabl,
iYell armed. Every week makes ia
tvorable difference in the armament. Ii
D the last named region one of the princi
/. lpal Generals is Pueblo, a Dominican
/ mulatto, who fought with considerable
icredit against the Spaniards in 1s81-62.