New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-02
CUBANS HOPES HIGH.
THEY THINK SPANISH POWER BROKEN.
A CUBAN WAR COMMISSIONERS REVIEW OF THE
STRUGGLE.

and mem Der Of the new War Commission represent
in the Cuban in tins country, IN conversation with
TRIBUNE reporter days ago, said that the Amer
can people not at an acquainted with the actual
condition " affairs I'm fhe island OF Cuba.
At no time since the first blow for liberty struck.
nine years ago" said the Colonel have Cubans been
near the realization of hopes at the present mo-
mcnt and It is mater Of regret to rs that America
should be- Indifferent fate. and more especially
your colorcd population, a. we are not
only fighting for liberty and independence, but
also for tine abolition OF slavery. Whatever
may be the policy OF the American Govern
mcnt, 70 strange that the Republican party, which has
done much freedom in this country, should con
slider the neutrality laws superior 70 the laws OF human
ify. and abstain from urging the Administration To
recognize Cuba Now. more than ever We need assist
ance in arms and ammunition We cannot get them
here even with cash n hands. The other day de-
sired 70 purchase two Krupp guns and offered 10 pay for
them ot once. but the Of krupp refused 20 sell
them to Cubans Everywhere met by obstacles
I'm this country, due solely to a mistaken idea Of our
struggle, which would bee end N very few weeks
could we place arms hands ~ those anxious to
fight in our cause. We do ask for dlibusters we
have enough Cuban the island and in exe-moro. In
deed. than we ueed-tO pllnt the Cuban flag even In
Havana itself II only had arms aud ammunition
For the last three long years we have not received
single OF ammunition from outsiders We have to
fight it take from the spanarls. Fortunately
have lately received some ammunition from outside,
bur from tins country"
The Colonel declined to give the Of the country
whence piles had been rec'fyei but continued:
1--WE however maze a good deal 81 powder on tine
island and then refill the cartridges picked mp from the
enemy This sa slow process. Stll, our little army OF
l. 900 wei cothed-s in fact in better CON
dton than have ever before seen tand this has ena-
BLEED during the past year to maintain the offensive
with considerable success"
Pointing to a map Of the island Of Cuba, Col de Que
rata -aid
"Twoihirds OF the island are ours to-day. The Span
iars only occupy the towns the coast and IN those
towns the natives openly sympatnizc with they
continually do an they send clothing and other
equipments or 900 square miles the island
the authority Of the Cuban Republic extends over NJ
least 10000. We can go in the towns when.
choose, but prefer TO make raids
on them only and fan back each time
To the Interior until have enough % maintain
ourselves the Our troops continue 10 be iu ~
enthusiasm. Notwithstanding the Disadvantages under
which they labor have Information that after the last
fight LIS yers, Esprtu santo, the insurgents
followed the spaulars into the city, took everything
they could and entered the Governors house u
by raids ike these that orr poor has maintained
itself fully for nine long years Our men get no pay
and live upon country and upon enemy. All our
raids upon made at night time, when. unon
the alarm signal being sounded the span forces, In
stead Of coming IN the streets and lighting US rally
IN their forts, 50 70 fire upon us when
we leave. but we always manage to eude
their vigilance and succeed in obtaining an
exit from the towns quite out OF the range OF
their guns our troops now are right around the city OF
Puerto Principe The railroad runs from Nuevitas into
thai town. aud the OF the extraordinary raids
OF s0newall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley during
American civil the insurgents generally attack
a train whenever they need its contents, but never
destroy the track, regular OF these trains
| A IN he
why W. make the attacks the towns az night is be-
cause the Spanish troops then usually fatgu and
weary though it is strange that after such raid
they even come out Of their forts
and pursue rs. In the country proper the
people are all friendly to Us. They grow our
bananas sweet potatoes, and rice, and keep the army
well supplied with food This important 10 us rs #
they were m the ranks where could not give them
arms If We would IL Is IN this manner that We nave
maintained oui selves the lOth of October,
1865 wIen the first blow struck az villa Clara We
have continually advanced until nothing the island is
left now the Spanish Crown except towns on the
coast Ike Maauzas, Havana santiago de Cdha. Trni-
dad Puerto Principe, Cenfuegos, and Cardenas, and
q few small towns IN the interior since that
time the Republican army has destroyed j.
towns burned 2JO coffee and sugar plantations, and
made 100000 spanish soldiers bite the dust Eleven
have yainy endeavorcd to suppress the
instruction. The Republic continuity grows Last
Autumn Martinez Campos offered crush the rebellion
IN nine months II the spanish Government would only
give him $4,000 troops. He 10000 soldiers,
and loan contracted with bankers at Madrid and
Havana to pay for that army The money has been
pended the nine months have passed, and the insur-
rection Is stronger TO diy Now he asks FOR
10000 They coming, but 1t is all Of
no use With exception OF the spanish storckeepers
Havana the population OF the entire island is
side. There Creole anywhere who does not sup
port our cause else with all endurance would have
been difficult TOR have maintained ourselves 80 long
aud so successfully"
WHAT THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT Is DOING.
In regard TO the communications between the various
posts Cuban army and the Cuban Gov
eminent, Col. dc Queralta said:
There are few il any railroads in tie section Of the
island covered by the patriot army, aud IL takes many
DAYS 10 commmcate between the various commands.
We could keepup Communication but for the friendly
disposition o. the people. our President, T0macz r.
trada nc the seat OF Government Camaguey, recev
:, ,,1ic,n CHAMBER az Represent tfives cOnpos II
l6 members, IN permanent ssiou at C.mt guey ana
cent il maid TO any member " the Government
Tor his services All devote their entire existence
O. the cause, do every private and every
officer in the army. The President. about A.
years OF age, exceedingly popular matters having
gone very satisfactorily ever since the executive rune
lions OF the Government were intrusted To bin two
years ago. Our army composed OF infantry and
cavalry, about 5000 men already stated. hui we
nave only TWO pieces OF artillery. Mhir theIe are
maiOr-gruertls 60 nmdnd or ccrtah DIVISIONS ol ths
army. Tie President commandments selects,
whenever an emergency requires 10, commanding
general the occasion. Ordinarily however, the
divisions independent bodies. Ils 4 qurtd Dy
the nature OF country, ana tn commanders send
firiu unity reports TO the President al Caua-ueF.
since G. beginning OF tnt instruction 10000 Cubans
have sacrificed THEN lives and property sacIi
feed il must De- counted by the millions. Burned aui
sacked Oh nations every where, whence tine Government
once derived enormous taxes, attest the earnestnrss
with which tine native, OF Cuba fighting their way
toward independence. The loss 70 TIE Island, though
severe is ony temporary however but 10 tne spanish
Government Is serious that when recently &c con
rrrrd the -2J.OOOOOD for the support OF tine
armv had hN pqtecte the customs OF the Island or
Cuba before could get the money, aud the price of
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