River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-01-17
THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA.

The Cubans Stronger than Ever Arms
Alone Wanted--Eood and Ammuni-
tion PIenty--The Republic Founded
on Equal slant Fighting.
Prom the Cuban Correspondence OF the New York
Herald.
At signal from one of the officers a
few soldiers came up and took charge
of our horses. There was no ceremo-
ny, no formality, nothing of preten-
tious character around the place, to in
dictate that in this lovely spot the Pres
ident of the Cuban Republic was at
hand. AS we approached the group
all rose from their recumbent position,
and foremost to advance was Cespedes
himself, and without much ado / was
kindly presented by Major Reeve.
CARLOS MANUEL cEsPEDEs,
President Of the Republic of Cuba, is
n medium-sized, broad-chested man of
apparently fifty years OF age. His fair,
full, closely shaven face beams with
amiability and good nature. With
dark hair which time is Just beginning
to silver, undimmed dark brown eyes,
and a perfect set of teeth behind lips
whose compression often shows the
fire and determination of youth, his
years appear to sit lightly upon him.
He was arayed in full suit of the
same brown linen worn by his officers.
and boots reaching to the knees with
silver spurs. He was armed with a
sword and revolver.
After a few salutations the officers
who had accompanied me threw them
selves on the bank hard by the stream.
was not slow to follow their example,
and beneath the thick shade of the
trees President Cespedes spoke his
mind freely on the subject of Cuban in
dependence. Nor was the conversation
marked by any subtlaty on his part,
for he uttered his views without hest
tatiOn, and conversed with a sincerity
that could not be mistaken. Strange
enough, the first topic TO which he al
hded was that of the Presidential
election-asked almost the same dnes-
ton that had been put by Gen. Agra
monte, "Who is going to he the next
President of the United States ~
made almost the same response | had
previously given, 10 the effect that
Gen. Grant would be the successful
candidate.
THR STRENGTH OF THE INsURGENT
FORCES.
81 am glad, SIR" remarked Presi.
dent Cespedes, after a brief pause,
that you have come here. What the
result of your mission may be cannot
tell, but II will be source of consola.
tion 10 the patriots of this sorely dis
tressed country ii you canlet the world
know the actual condition of the Gu.
ban patriots Full well You know that
stories were spread abroad with no in
tent other than TO dlshearten our SYM
pathizers. But now You may see for
yourself, and for once let the truth go
forth.
President Cespedes spoke these
words in slow, yet earnest tone, all
the officers, meanwhile, listening with
wrapt attention, and | could see that
every eye was turned toward me Ia
watch what effect they might produce.
Mr.. President" | observed, envy
mission to Cuba has been Go ascertain
the actual condition of affairs, and. le,
me assure you, il will bo no fault OF
mine should the truth not be made
known. would like 90 ask, in
he first place, what the strength OF the
entire insurgent army is at this present
timeln
Well, sir" replied the President,
Il underestimate our forces when |
say we have 1900 men, cavalry and
infantry, at our command; but il we
had arms enough the insurgent troops
IN Cuba would number 10000 men.
Let me explain 10 You. We have now
waged the war OF independence for
four long years. Those who have seen
service during that period will always
stand by our colors. Long ago many
surrendered and were pardoned by the
Spanish authorities, believing at the