Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-31
A CUBAN PATRIOT
Gonzalo de Quesada Talks About the
Present Situation.
NOLAWLESS DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
Only Such as is Necessary for
Only Such as is Necessary for
Military Purposes.
THE MEETING TONIGHT T

most active leaders IN the CUBAN feVOlu-
.ion, now engaged in working up sympathy
for the island of his birth in this country.
has arrived in Washington, accompanied by
Senior Fidel G. Pierra, also an active Cuban
sympathizer. The purpose of the visit of
these gentlemen to this city is to attend
the Cuban mass meeting at Metzerott Hall
tonight. Senior Quesada was seen by Star
reporter today and he spoke in very en-
the Cuban revolution.
An Erroneous Impression.
1.-The newspapers of this country said
Senior Quesada, have contained many ac-
counts Of the destruction of property in
Cuba by the revolutionists. I am anxious
to correct an erroneous impression that has
gone abroad, in effect that the revolutionists
are destroying property in lawless way
without purpose except giving vent to
desire for destruction The fact Is. no
property in Cuba has been destroyed ex-
cept to forward the interests of the revo-
luton in very important way. The rail-
roads during a revolution such as is now
going on in Cuba are the greatest enemies
of the revolutionists. While the people are
highly in favor Of these enterprises and
desire to forward them in times of peace,
for the time being it becomes necessary
to cripple them SO as to cut off Spanish
troops. The SpaniardS can not move
about to any effect except by using the
railroads, whereas the revolutionists have
no use for them whatever.
Why Property is Desti Dyed.
1T is for the same purpose that mills and
m; ny houses have been destroyed. Senor
Nunez of Las Villas destroyed his own
house, in order to prevent it. from being
turned into barracks or fortified arsenal
by the SpaniardS 1t has lately been stated
in the newspapers that the Daiquiri mine
has been interfered with by revolutionists.
This interference was also purely for mill
tary reasons and not at all inspired by any
desire to injure property. The brother of
Mr.. Ferrer, present manager Of the Dali
quiri mine, during the ten years war in
Cuba was one of the most bitter enemies
Of the Cubans. Mr.. Ferrer, upon the open
ing of hostilities on the island some time
ago, applied to the Spanish authorities for
projection. The Spaniards built series of
Notifications leading from the seaport to
the mine, constructing what proved to be
an important military work. greatly to the
detr.ment of the Cuban cause. 1t is these
fcrtifications that have been destroyed, and,
Of course, the work of the mine has been
interfered with But, on the other hand,
the mine Of Juragua is managed by friends
of the Cubans, who asserted that they had
nothing to fear from the revolutionists and
Who made no overtures whatever to the
Spaniards for protection. These mines have
rot been interfered with at ALL 1t is the
easiest thing in the world for the Spaniards
to turn substantial houses on plantations
vent them from doing so, it became neces-
sary to destroy many houses that were SO
situated as 70 prove greatly annoying to the
Subans were they In possession of the
Spanish forces. The Cubans do not wish
to destroy property. The railroads, mines
and houses of the island are objects of
wealth and progress, and their preservation
would be desired, but the exigencies of revo-
luton are such that they cannot be allowed
to remain without threatening the cause of
Cuban liberty.
The Present Situation.
The situation on the island at present is
that the Cubans have 10000 in the field,
half of whom, are fairly well armed. The
island, with the exception of the province
of Havana, is practically in a state of revo-
luton. or course, this province, in which
| Is located the city of Havana, will be in the
hands of the Spanish until peace is declar-
ed and the island is free.
THE Cubans have formed a complete gov
ernYnent, and all its branches are being
rapidly gotten into working order. AS an
| indicat.on of the universally OF the revo.u-
ton, news has lately been received of the
acts of guerrilla bands of CubanS in Matan-
zas, only ninety from Havana. This is very
cl Sc to the only important stronghold OF
the Spanish OF course. a number of sea-
por.s throughout the island are still in the
hands of the Spanish, but the troops do not
venture from these ports into the country
Government Employees Hesitate.
Mr.. SIMON Wolf, speaking of the present
| movement in this city in favor of the Gu
! bans, said today:
i q have received information of con-
| siderable number of government employees
| who sympa thize with the Cuban revolution,
and who have offered financial assistance if
needed, but who especially desire not to
have their names mentioned In connection
with our mass meeting tonight. OF course,
do not blame anyone in government en-
| p:oy who thinks It necessary to take this
precautfon in order to make his position
secure but it does seem strange that such
| a condition should exist here. We have
| symp ,thizad with Ireland in her efforts for
| self rule; we have shown great indignation
| over the treatment of missionaries IN Ar
| menia; have sympathized with starving
and persecuted Jews in Russia. and nave
| even gone So far, iR- some of these cases
| that Congress has passed resolutions OF
| sympathy Now here is an island just of
| our cwn coast in which the people are op-
pressed and some OF the people among u u
| the effect it may have on their positions as
employees of the government DO nor
| b,ame them, but it does seem strange tha'
| th's condition should exist.
| ~ ,rh;s fear on the part of some persons
| occupyipg government positions mas caused
| the committee having charge OF the mass
meeting tonight to feel niue oeicacy :, ~
regard to sending out invitations and max
| ;nt. annointlnents on committees. But II
has teen decided that no harm can come
| to a government official If he snouid re-
ceive an fnVltauon 70 sueu q nieSe sn. " IL a.
he has the liberty to either accept or de-
| cline IL. In addition to the speakers al
| resdv announced for the mass meeting TO-
night. it is expected that Mr.. L. W. Haber.
| ctm. late fifth auditor Of the treasury, Will
be present AMI address the meeting.
Mrs. Logan Will Not Attend.
Mrs, John A. Logan requests The Even
ing Star to deny the widely published state
n.ent that she would be at the Cuban meet
| ;r ,+ Natzerott Hall tonight. The use Of
| bar name was without authority, and has
arnoyed ter very much. Mrs. Logan say.
| that she has no desire for any such noto-
| riety in a matter of this kind. She thinks
| i,.stment of all these differences without
| Excitement and deems it most improper
| for her to be conspicuous in connection
| with such meetings or affairs.
Consuls Recognized.