Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-11-23
BT MAIL.
HISTORY OF THE CUBAN INsURREC.
TIONS.

HISTORY OF THE CUBAN INSURREC-
TIONs.
RI, : Chicago Tribune says the history
oF the resurrection against Spanish rule
in C,uhs throws much light upon the
acts of fire Spanish authorities in con-
naction with the treatment Of the crew
nj fine Virgipius. The white pOpula-
tion of the island of Cuba, may be con-
sidered composed Of two classes, the
Pg,,iqslRares, or Spanish immigrants,
and Creoles. or native CyIbans. In nlo6S,
fine total population numbered J, 1896, $50
persons. of whom about One-halt were
slaves. The causes which led to open
insurrection in the island were enumer-
ated in the DTOnuRcioIIle5stO hrst issued
October 10, 1865, by the insurgents at
Yara, q small place in the Province OF
Napzanillo. They asserted that 1t was
well known that Spain governed CUBA
with an iron and a blOOd-stalned hand ;
that Cubans We're deprived Of political,
civil and religious liberty; that they
were not allowed to hold public meet
ings, nor to write upon affairs OF State;
that they were excluded from all share
in the government, and were plundeTed
by the Spanish officials; that restrictions
were placed upon public instruction;
that they were ground down with taxes
which would ruin any community with
a less fruitful soil; that they were con-
trolled and Overawed by an immense
standing army and navy, whose cost
they were obliged to pay; and that white
immigration was discouraged and slave
importation aided. Finding all appeals
vain, and that their protests only
brought upon them the name and treat
ment of rebels, they issued this procla-
nation 10 the friends of CUBA Lt6Td,
setting forth their purpose to obtain in
dependeoce from Spain, to gradually
abolish slavery, and TO establish uni
versal suffrage. The proclamation was
signed by Carlos Manual Cespedes, a
wealthy planter Of MszanillO, and by a
large number Of other patriots. Ten
days later Cespedes. who had been made
provisional president Of the Cuban re-
public, petitioned the United States
government for recognition OF belliger-
ent rights, claiming possession OF hfty
leagues Of the eastern and central parts
Of the island, having a population Of
over one hundred thousand persons, and
the cities of BayamO and HOlguin. At
the close Of 1865, Cespedes issued pre-
liminaTy proclamation OF emancipation,
and during the whole time the insuT-
gents were extending their territory and
fighting many small battles in the
vicinity Of Puerto Principe and Nuevi-
tas. The possession Of these two cities
was very desirable 10 both parties,
the latter being a seaport connected
with Puetr0 Principe 10y rail. In Feb
ruary, 1869, Captain-General Lersundi
was superssded by General Dulce, who
had previously made arrangements for
the shipment 70 Cuba Of all the hard
characters in Spain that could be per-
suaded OF forced to volunteer" Cen
eral Dulee Immediately declared martial
law throughout the island, and, as
steamer after steamer arrived with the
volunteer reinfOrcements, more activity
was manifested in the field. A series Of
guerrilla encounters then commenced,
and have continued without interrup-
ton until the present time. While the
insurgents have generally 6eea forced
to retreat with considerable loss, the
Spanish troops have been SO constantly
haITassed that they have rarely been
able to obtain any decisive advantage,
in spite Of their superior numbers and
arms. The insurgents of the central de-
paTtment Of the island elected delegates
10 a house Of representatives, which, 10
the early part Of 1858, decFeed the sbsO-
/ lutte emancipation Of all slaves in that
department, and also sent an address 10
President Grant, on his Inauguration,
asking recognition as belligeTents.
About this time heavy force OF ships
of-war and tgcops succeeded in capturing
La Gusnja, the only gori in the posses
si9;, of the insurgents. An Aprsl, repre-
sentativSs from all parts Of the islapG
NET at GuayhGEo and formed the first
iegislative body o. the Cuban republic.
f-Sspedes was elected president for six
'1es7Ts ,-ud Quessda was appointed gen
srsI-in.chief of the Cuban forces. The
SnsnisTds :, now c6Tnmenced their bar
baToug policy Of killing all "patrlot
C1bsns and destroying 81 their proper
tv. In the early part OF Apsill 1903,
Count ValmSesda issued proclaim atioa
nom Bayamo, after its capture, in Whleh
he gave notice of the following out
rsgeous DEGREES; every man. tFom the
age OF fifteen yesTs and upward, found
bsyond the limits OF his farm, shall be
shot, unless q Justification Of bis
absence he proven. Every hat
that il found vacant viii be
burned by the troops. Every hsnilet
wheTp 2 white dag Is not hoisted IN