The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-15

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tactics he pleases and that there is no law. moral
or international, to compel soldier to stand
just in the position his enemy wishes in order to
allow himself to be shot down with greater facility.
Each Spanish soldier Is provided with 40 rounds
or ammunition, besides having reserve supply on
the mules, while have no doubt there are mo-
ments when there are not thousand ROUNDS OF
ammunition in Cuban battalion. This fact may
have something to do with
THE TACTICS OF THE CUBAN TROOPS. a
A Spanish oficer related an incident to me the
other day which illustrates this volunteer IN
the direction of Cerredero suddenly found himself
confronted by four Cubans, who presented their
rifles, ordering him to surrender. Not relishing
the idea he declined, and prepared to defend him.
self with his machete. The position became at once
complicated, for the Cubans had not single
cartridge between them, and were obliged
to cut the volunteer down with their
machetes. The appearance OF a party OF troops
prevented them finishing the work and the plucky
volunteer escaped with severe wound on his
lower Jaw Little Incidents OF this kind enable one
to form pretty accurate estimate OF the condition
of things III Cuba Libre II the insurgents could
be completely cut or from communication with the
outer world their position would indeed be des-
pcrate but the arrival from time to time OF even
small supplies will enable them
~ TO HOLD OUT INDEFINITELY.
In order to note how these expeditions were re-
garded by the Spanish army informed number
OF Officers dinner OF the safe arrival OF General
Aetiero with considerable supply Of munitions
OF war. taif fflH ~
ae THE EFFECT WAS ELECTRICAL.
The oficers had been chatting and joking in quite
merry mood, but the news acted like an ex-
tinguisher on their good spirits. There
was not much said. but pretty decided
opinions were expressed as to the value
and activity OF the navy. One officer
stated his firm conviction that II he lived he would
see the twentieth year OF the independence Of the
Cuban Republic as he had seen the fifth. Unless
things change considerably am very much in
cined to agree with him. The Spaniards constantly
assert that the nsurrecton is contemplate so far
as its means OF resistance or power OF aggression
Is concerned; but when asked why they do
not suppress 1t they point to the difficulty
OF the country and the impossibllity OF
crushing on enemy that only fights when he
pleases. In this lies the greatest danger to the
dominion OF Spain, for it is impossible to conquer
an enemy that can accept or refuse combat at will
1t is now pretty generally felt that in attempting
to reconquer st. Domingo Spain has brought upon
herself severe punishment. 1t was that CAM
paign that taught the Cubans how they could rree
sula. From whatever point of view this struggle
is regarded there seems to be escape
from o disastrous ending for the Spanish arms.
Ii the question were to be settled by an open war
the Cuban Republic would soon be counted among
the things Of the past; but 1t must be decided by
the power of endurance Of the hostile parties. The
position Is this. The Cubans possess o small army
in the field. but behind that army are hundreds Of
thousands Of sympathizers from whom the losses
by disease and death are constantly repaired. AS
the natives do not suffer much from the diseases
that are fatal to Europeans the principal gaps In
the ranks are made by the
BULLETS OF THE SPANISH SOLDIERS;
but as these, according to their account never
see the enemy, even when engaged with him, the
losses from bullets cannot be very heavy and are
easily made good. On the other hand, the Spanish
troops are constantly on the march, exposed to
the incemency OF the climate and the special dis
eases of the country. How fatal these prove,
aggravated by the fatigues undergone by the
troops may be judged from the statistics furnished
break OF the rebellion it appears from the ofical
record that 100000 men have been sent to Cuba.
or these there remain to-day some
TWENTY THOUSAND AT A VERY LIBERAL CALCULA.
TON.
Six thousand officers have fallen victims to disease
and bullets in the same period. These are not the
statistics OF Cuban sympathizers, but have been
furnished to me by officers in the army, the most
determined In their resolution to suppress the in
surrection. From this it will be seen that II the
power OF the insurgents in the field has diminished
the means at the disposal OF the govern
ment for their suppression have dimn.
ished to still greater extent. There
is another reason. also, why the chances of put
dOWn tho insurrpcftOu leaqpnpd m
In the beginning the Cubans knew little about war;
and, though numerous, were by no means formida-
BILE enemies; now however, the men in the field
have acquired considerable skill in the of their
arms and the habits OF obedience and control SO
necessary in warfare The troubles In spain, 1t is
felt will 30 parayze the government as to prevent
the despatch Of reinforcements to Cuba In view OF
all these difficulties 1t Is no wonder that even
among the Spanish officers there is growing up a
feeling that the war Will be Northumberland is
II Spain can find the men and money to continue
the struggle. 1t is a strange commentary on human
intelligence that under the specious plea OF patri
otism q people can be induced to make so great
and so appalling sacrifices in order that some few
hundred men may continue to enjoy their ill-gotten
wealth for there is escaping from the fact that
THESE CATACoMBs OF SPANISH DEAD
and the wasted millions wrung from people sunk
defence of few hundred slave-owners. The Span.
ish nation derives no profit from the connection
with Cuba; at most few government employees
become rich by stealing from the government they
are supposed to serve. These people are the very
loudest in their professions Of patriotism, and
all the time they are gripping their coun-
try by putting no inconsiderable portion OF
the revenue into their own pockets. This
is fact so notorious that l do not
suppose the gentry in question will even be angry
at my stating it. My authorities are almost every
man who has any dealings with the government
employees. On the question of their rapaciousness
there is no second opinion. Men have told me of
transactions In which they were themselves en-
gagged which appeared to me incredible, but COM
ing from sources beyond suspicion, have no alter
native but to believe them. or course have no
means OF verifying the allegations made on this
head, but the testimony on the point comes from