The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-19
CUBA.
The Island in State Of siege-Efect of the
Captain Generals Decree in Havana-Its
Favorable Reception in the Island
The Operations Of the Insurgents
Result of Five Years Struggle

HAVANA, Feb. II, 1874.
Like bombshell dropping into the camp Of the
volunteers came the publication, the It'll inst,
in the Oic0l Gazette and the evening extras OF the
Havana journals, of the captain Generals prOcla-
mation-a complete resume OF which was tee.
graphed to the misunderstanding the island to be
in q state OF SIEGE and prefaced by an address to
the inhabitants Of Cuba and supplemented by
number OF decrees-the first ordering general
draft in the proportion Of ten per cent OF the male
population OF the island, and exemptlng none.
The shadow OF this event was forecast in my
previous letters, and this decree has caused an
immense excitement among the volunteers, as
well as among the Cubans, who had 80 far consid-
cred themselves safe from shouldering musket in
the defence OF Spanish or national integrity, as
the thing is called here by the 'uncondtionas.n On
the evening of its publication it was the general
topic Of conversation, and groups of the first
named gentry, wearing on their hats the red and
yellow rosettes peculiar to their corps, could be
in the cats and all other places where voun.
teers most do congregate, discussing the action Of
the Captain General.
On every hand he was condemned, and the gen.
eral opinion was pretty plainly seen to be one OF
opposition to the idea. All seemed to agree in one
thing, that they would not go, when 1t to the
point OF being forced by the government, but that
string OF pr0testations ana vain boasts that they
were ready at a moments notice, but the entire
WITH THEIR OWN OFFICERS,
or they wouldn't go at all, &c. This, OF course,
means that they don't want to go, but prefer send
ing their wives relations, while they remain IN
Havana making professions OF patriotism which
have been SO freely INDUCED In Tor the past five
years, but with which 1t has been found impossible
by the superior authorities to wipe out the in
surrection
Meetings were called at the various volunteer
headquarters and the question thoroughly dis
cussed, resulting in the visit, by a deputation of
the colonels of the various battalions, the Cap
tain General, last Monday, to state their case and
see ii some modification OF the decree would not
be made, so as to allow the volunteers, needed Tor
service, to go in battalions, each commanded by
its colonel and other officers.
1t is asserted that the Captain General listened
patiently, and then informed the colonies. who had
on former occasions found some OF his predeces-
sors pliable as wax, that he
COULD NOT ALTER THE PROCLAMATION;
that he had carefully examined the whole question
rom every point OF view, and weighed beforehand
all the arguments they now advanced, and he
could not change his mind: that If he found his
orders were not Obeyed or had any resistance to
them, he should resign the command OF the island
and leave for Spain.
Dtdrto and the voz de CUBA of this morning that
the decisive dec We attitude Of the Captain General
decided . to accept the inevitable with
grace. These journals refer to a conference held
YESTERDAY by the fifteen principal chiefs OF the
they stated he could count upon them for their
most decided support. as well as that OF the corps
Saving" measures he had decreed.
In an editorial on these recent DEGREES of the
Captain General the VOz de CUBA sums up, as
THE RESULT OF FIVE YEARS. STRUGGLE,
the complete destruction OF the wealth in the
Eastern and Central Departments and the loss OF
hall OF the 1oatlng wealth OF the Western De- |
partment. The VOz also calls for a general up
rising, and declares that the defence OF the TOchd,
or military line between Jucaro and Moron, is |
question OF life and death.
The Dtd'1O pubshe, under the head of "Rebel |
Plans" with sort of apology for writing the
III.
THE PLANS OF THE INSURGENTS,
and confesses that the removn of Carlos Manuel |
Cespedes anu the appointment to the Presidency |
OF the Cuban Republic of Salvador Csneros, Mar |
gus or santa Lucia, has put at the head OF the |
reDe parties tue two most active men among them.
and Maxine Gomez in the Central Department.
Neither mas an army, division; not brigade
even," says the DldffO but both have collected to-
gether number OF men Injured to fatigue, ac-
custOmed TO guerilla warfare. and well adapted Tor
the commission OF all kinds OF depredations by
cannot md among the mountains of the Eastern
Department" states the DGariO, ''tne means of
they attack our towns and villages,
retiring generally after sacking few stores or
driving of q few CATTLE"
According to official advices 1t is the intention OF
trct, and at the same time Gomez Will
RECONN0TTRE THE TROCHA,
from Jucar0 to Moron. Should the insurgents |
succeeu III passing TINS military line he Dtdri0 |
will arise.
Reports from the inland cities of this island indi-
cate that the Captain Generals late orders have |
been very iavoraby received by the loyal Span
ards; but private reports add that many Cubans |
nave leIt the CUES 70 swell the ranks Of the tnsur