The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-08

No feature Of the conflict now going
on in the island of Cuba IS more sus-
gestive than the tremendous efforts which
Spain las been compelled 70 put forth
in order 10 make any head at all against
the revolutionary movement
When IN broke out she had there, ac-
cordine 10 A good authority. the Ejercito
Espanol. 400 officers and $3.50 men, of
all arms. She hurried into the island
form Porto Rico 1ol officers and $3.50 men,
and then from time 10 time dispatched
across the ocean seven battalions of IN
fautrv Of tn line and three Of marine
infantry. with ten squadrOns OF cavalry,
making $40 officers and ly,Zlz men, Even
these were not sufficient, and she 1ol-
lowed them with ten more infantry bat
talions. comprising go officers and s,lO4
men. in Cuba itself she raised NV
men. All told, according to the authority
lust mentioned, she had in the island,
on July l, 2O9i officers and $3.50 men.
This was the reckoning fully two months
ago.
In her naval preparations Spain has
likewise been driven to extremes.
Although her strength has long con-
sisted Of vessels of the cruiser, gun
boat, and torpedo classes, partly on ac-
count OF the requirements OF her colo
MES. she has been ordering new ships
for the patrol of the Cuban coast lit
orally by the score. They have been I'M
der construction in other parts OF Europe
as we'll as in her own shipyards. ana
she even bought three steamers in me
United States. AS nearly as we can
make out forty or fifty vessels. most OF
them small it is true, are 10 be DC
voted TO this service.
But against the herculean efforts which
Spain must make. are set off the heroic
sacrifices which the patriots are endur-
ing 10 secure their freedom. IL is re-
markable, since Spain guards the coast
and holds the principal cities and INES
of transportation by rail, that the rebels
have been able to maintain the conflict
so long. and 10 put Spain 10 greater
and greater trouble and cost IN keeping
up her part Of IT,
So far as can be seen, the warfare
they are waeing may be continued for
the next ten years, If need be. Spain >
NEGLECT and abuse Of her splendid pos
session are bringing her bitter fruits,
and may cost her the control OF IL
for the vast areas IN the interior that
have never been improved by her or
supplied even with ordinary means OF
transportation. furnish the places OF rel
uge for the patriot troops from when
they can make their raids upon thc
territory held down by Spanish troops.
1t may be said that this Is partisan
warfare; but II was partisan warfare
that Sumter and Marion resorted TO, IN
the Carolinas, when the enormously
greater power Of England enabled her
TO hold the coast cities with her fleets
and her troops. IL seems possible for
the patriots OF Cuba IA like manner 10
keep up such a conflict until Spain IS
weary of it. With the ruin wrought In
plantations. the depression OF business
interests IN tho island, the diminution
Of receipts from it, and the taxes the
people of Stain will be compelled to I'M
dcIgo in order TO maintain. year after
year, q great force of troops and ships,
Spain may be ready al some future time
10 renounce her hold on the island she
row clutches so desperately.
The very fact that Spain has used
cuba as a mere means Of income for
her. and Imposing all sorts of burdens
upon the island, stands in the way OF
any compromise I'm the present strug-
gle The patriots have learned that no
reliance is TO be placed uIon her pro-
LESSONS Of a desire 70 deal more lenienuy
o. more justly with the Cubans and
that In any case Spanish administration
W Ct.ld make impossible any ameloration
attempted by the laws. Free Cuba rs
their cry. and with that as their motto
they hope 10 conqUer-New York sun.