National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-31
Valmaseda's System.

From the Philadelphia Times
''LoraI men and rebels have had opportunity
heretofore to know my system of command in
Cuba So says Captain-G eneral Vslmaseda to
the people of the Cnco Villas district in his re-
cent proclamation. The people of Cuba do know,
and will not soon forget the system Of rule and
command adopted by General VaImaseda. He
butchered men and women. He ordered boys to
be shot. He destroyed property in the most reck-
less manner. He imposed heavy military drafts
upon the people. He confscated estates.
He plundercd private houses. He allowed
the volunteers to dictate the policy of his
government in relation to most important affairs.
He permitted "lOyal" men to insult ladies in HaV-
ana, and when their friends complained they
were treated as persons unlriendly to the Govern
ment. All these things and even worse were done
or permitted by General NRlmaseda, and that
was his system OF command in Cuba" And
now, when reappointed to command by King AL
fonso, the CaptaiI-General announces that this
policy will be continued as long as govern this
Island in the Lame Of the King"
This means that there are TO be more murders
committed by the Spanish troops, more women
insulted, more children sacrificed in the name Of
loyalty to the dissOlute and profgate branch
OF the Bourbon family which now rules and dis
graces Spain. And yet General Valmaseda calls
his system a "fght between civilization and bar
barism," and he is the representative Of the for
mer element. And all this in face OF the fact that
since the dark ages there has been no contest car
red on so wanting in all the essential principles
Of Christian civilization as that waged upon the
people OF Cuba by the orders Of General Nalma-
seda. When the British Government used the
red men Of this continent against the people OF
the colonies the world protested, and the protest
was repeated in the British House Of Commons.
But that outrage was not so fragrant as the en-
plOyment OF Spanish troops TO hunt down, shoot,
stab and hack Cuban men, women and children,
and then have their wounds salved by the heart
less, barbarOus declaration, you know my system
OF government in Cuba" That system has been
tried, and with what results? 1t dotted the land
with Eew-made graves. 1t blaCkened roof-trees
ard cesecrated family hearthstones. 1t drove
men 10 the mountains. 1t broke the hearts of
women and sent children to bloody graves. But II
did not conquer Cuba or qUench the fires on the
affairs Of liberty erected in scores Of valleys and
on hundreds Of hillSides In all parts OF the Island.
Nalmaseda tried his system. He was recalled
and now comes back to find the patriots in full
force in the western portion of the island, and
even menacing the leading seaports Of the Gem OF
the Antilles. But these events have taught Gen
cral Nalmaseda nothing. He still talks Of ciyili-
zatiOn, while acting like a barbarian and promul-
eating barbarous system. But his proclamation
will only nerve the Cuban patriots to deeds OF
greater daring. They have drawn the sword and
flung away the scabbard. That is their system,
and with Fl they will meet the movements Of the
new Captain General. His system is that Of bar
baTism, and in opposing 1t in determined, heroic
manner, the Cuban patriots are entitled to and
will receive the sympathy and commentator Of
the friends OF liberty in all parts Of the world.
General Nalmaseda could not have made a more
fatal mistake in the cause Of his "rOyal master
than reminding the Cubans of his system OF
command" in that island,