The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-13
The Patriots on the March to the
Central Department.
A GREAT SCARE in HAVANA.
The Public Mind Being Prepared
for the Draft.
Death Of Francisco MaceO-I Interesting
Letter from Cuba Libre-The Ova-
tiOn to Lucca in Havana.

HAVANA, Feb. T. 1874.
The Voz de Cuba this morning publishes the
letter Of volunteer OF the Fifth battalion, in
which he communicates that reliable intelligence
has just been received from the Eastern Depart
ment that the greater part OF the rebel forces OF
that district, with the Marquis OF Santa Lucia at
their head, are on the march TO the Central De-
partment. The reliable parties who furnish this
news declare that 1t Is the intention Of the
insurgents to strike one or two effective
blows In the Central Department, pass on
TO the Cinco Villas, raise that Jurisdiction and
then commence their work OF destruction in the
Western Department.. The writer OF this COM
municaton calls this project simply diabOlicai, the
realization OF which, BY bringing the war into
this, the Western Department, would be the def
mite ruin OF the island and should be opposed, at all
hazards, by every loyal Spaniard. Then the writer
declares the decisive hour, so often announced
has arrived, and urges the necessity for every
good Spanard to comply with his duty for there ia
NO other remedy 60 prevent the loss OF Spanish
nationality in Cuba within O short time.
As proof that this letter Is but one step in the
many preparatory to
A GENERAL LEVY,
the writer goes say that 1t is publicly declared
that the prepar atoms for general armament
which everybody demands already terminated,
II is declared to be the only salvation Of the coun-
try; for says he, 'it is vain hope to expect any
further reinforcements from Spain for, even should
they arrive, they would be few in number and OF but
kttle Importance" Meantime the writer proposes
that while the new levies are receiv-
ing necessary instructions and drill the
different corps OF volunteers shah 60
into campaign, distributed, may be fOuna
necessary, throughout the different departments.
THE forces OF the enemy are not numerous, and
q few thousand men would be sufficient to ami.
hilate them," confidently adds this bold volunteer,
forgetting that since the beginning Of the insur-
rection the forces OF the enemy have always been
despised, and already many times has it been de-
clared that the insurrectiOn on its last legs,
and that few more thousand men would bring
about Its complete annihilation. Already so 600
men have come from Spain for this pur-
pose within the past nve years, and the
instruction to-day IS stronger tnan ever, as
10 acknowledged even by the Spaniards them
selves. This volunteer adviser although admit
ting that he IS not military man, says that every
enort should now be directed to preventing the
instruction from passing the trocho military
nne) between Jucaro and Moron every sacrifice
should be made toward this end; the instruction
must be finished without being allowed to pene-
trate INTO the rich districts OF the West which have
long supported the army and the cause Of spain
In Cuba.
The Voz de CUBA declares that 1t is entirely in
accord with this letter, and ADMITS that the
concentration OF the enemy is already Of long date
and to this concentration is due the two three
advantages which the insurgents have obtained
by attacking isolated columns Of government
forces. The Toz admits the necessity for number
Of forces almost as large as those already in the
neld, as the force OF circumstances has caused
large bodies to be stationed at places wherever an
attack from tnsurgent forces might be expected,
thereby leaving but few men available for offensive
neld operations. The insurgents, remarks the
Voz, have nothing to Feep watch and ward over;
they have parks OF artillery to guard, military
stores, not even hospitals to iooE after their en-
campments are built in a lew hours, OF palm
branches, occupied perhaps as long, and easily
abandoned, and in this respect they have an i'm
mense advantage over the SpanIards. 1t calls for
vigorous campaign To wipe out at once the insur-
past ave years. and declares that the great neces-
sitv OF the moment IS that when the voice OF
authority shah be heard calling Tor the indis-
pensaDle ana necessary forces TO carry this pur-
pose pto eject II shall be ooeyed.
1he foregoing, from the Vos de CUBA is given to
surrecton and tacitly confessing the impotence OF
the Spanish forces against it, strenuous efforts are
public is being gradually prepared by YIN means Of
editorial articles, letters, supposed communities.
lions. rumors, &C., LOT the draft to when public
1t ls probable, should this extreme measure be de-
creed, that 1t Will be resisted by the volunteers
themselves, even those who are the most clamor-
lor 1t, believe in the Artemus Ward style OF
warfare, call their relations, but not themselves."
The following extracts, taken from a letter dated
December "a, 1873, written by prominent insur-
gent chief in the district Of Bayamo to his parents,
are not only interesting On account oil showing
THE CONFIDENT AND HOPEFUL SPIRIT
prevailing In the insurgeDt ranks, but because
they confirm important news already previously
furnished to the HERALD In reference to the dest
tut ON OF President Cespedcs, the conduct Of mill
tary Oper ations and the general state OF affairs in
the tnsurrecton:
To-day have the pleasure of announcing to you that
sndrey cured D Of my ToqnS ana that win
con niue asssn So with moral and poWer
eheern % eSd which, u av nav NAVE
ior me; there will see IN union with my COMPANIONS
aAy feese sVSap the
glorious death Of the patriot am prepared for any
iTay sss
az. w.uS sec g. YOU
ee SSuSVi lie
the Sa,s: -; sr9una forming with many Others holo
II q {. to- IA ssss
hsa requested TO be ordered q duty here asa;
lives knows where the govern rU.
ne 81 Pink Of nase 81 me- e
has
VIII be sent santiago de Cuba to the district Ho
and for reason the IN psa
no. ne NIB nj s yUu in
haceo. you know, he devoted his services the
revolution to which he gave all his support. He died
while smiled on him, when. as Secretary Of Foreign
Affairs he hoped to labor with zeal in the new govern.
went Cuba lost in Maceo Of her most useful |
men and his numerous friends a good comrade and |
brother As myself his disappe from CIRCLE
has been most painful tor me. He always treated me
with favor regard has been often
by deeds When Carlos Manuel Cespedes was deposed,
and he ecame the head OF the Cabinet he offered
20 me the OF Treasury post which
did wish accept but which he kept vacant for
until his DEATH Peace the ashes OF this good
want OF our afflicted country.
OUR MILITARY OPERATIONS
continue to be carried on activity Caxto Garcia
has been appointed Chief Of the Eastern department.
which to-day extends to Las Tunas, and with several
thousan his orders the will not grow
under his feet have said nothing about
vIRCrNrus DISASTER,
because you are Of course better advised than We are
enough undoubtedly loss of some consideration, that
nave done nothing beyond regretting the fate Of our
Letters nom the insurrectionary district dated |
on the 10th OF January say that few days previ-
ousy General Catxto Garcia attacked the village |