The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-10
THE NEWS FROM THE FRONT
A World Correspondent Inter-
views Gen. Camp0s
THE REBELLION IS SERIOUS
An Active Campaign VIII Begin 10
November
The Cubans Are Like Indians, Fighting When
Opportunity Offers and Running
Away When Pressed
Associate d Pless Special Wire

NEW 1ORh, oct. y. line world, copy
right, from Santa Clara, Oct. g. via Key
West, Fla, will say tomorrow:
Capt. Gen. Martinez de Campos con-
versed with me two hours today at the
general headquarters of the Spanish
army in this city. The Statement which
follows is what General Campos said III
response to a series of questions | ad-
dressed to him verbally as the special
correspondent OF the World:
At the present the military situation
in Cuba is satisfactory. The rebellion in
Cut has attained greater scope than l
anticipated when l embarked from Spain
At the present time there are numerous
small bands Of insurgents scattered about
the country in the provinces of CANA
quay and La Villas. In Matanzas there
are only a few rebels against authority.
The insurgents are not we'll armed and
their supply of ammunition is deficient
IN some districts.
There is considerable number of
Spanish troops on the island, though it
islnot as large as the conditions warrant.
l have given orders that prisoners shall
not be cruelty treated and that wounded
insurgents who may fall into the hands
Of the troops shall be well cared for. If
do not kill prisoners. The country pat his
are generally too bad at the present time
for persistent campaign. Again, l do
not wish to expose the soldiers continu-
ously until the season is improved.
In November there may be looked for
as active and aggressive campaign as
| can make.
My plan is to divide the troops into
small detachnents, the number of each
column varying according to circum-
stances. We're l to send each column of
say 5000 men they would have their
march for their pains. They would see
no enemy. The insurgents would melt
away into the dense and difficult country
which is their shelter.
About this portion of Santa Clara
divide the soldiers into attachments of
200 or 300 men. If the enemy were to
suddenly assail one of these small bo1ies
in greatly superior numbers they might
do mischief, but there generally would
be another detachment somewhere that
could go to the relief OF their friends. In
the Remedies district and in Santos Es-
pritu. the columns are largerH6oo or 200
men-as the rebels, especially in the
ormer district, are in greater numbers
and better armed.
In Santiago the largest column of all,
say 1000 to 1900 men, is required.
AS an example of the futility of large
columns at present, | refer to the expe-
dition led by General 6urez Valdez, who
left this city a few days ago, going first
to Maniguaragau, in the direction of the
Trinidad FOUNTAINS. with a provision
train. General Valdez took 5000 sol
diers. The insurgents expected only 300
and were armed to the number of over
1000. They hoped to capture the tram.
When the size of General Valdez force
became known to them, the insurgents
melted away like snow under the sun.
General Valdez divided his forces into
four different detachnents. When he bad
divided his men the rebels reappeared.
and skirmishing has gone on since.
l do not understand Gomez. the rebel 5
course. l think highly of his military
he is restricted by the orders OF the junta
in New York, which is. l am informed,
ordering Fabianapolicy: Or he may be
very short of ammunition. An army
cannot iighS without cartridges.
The Spanish blood does not naturally
seek fight. 1t rather avoids one. But
when compelled to hight the SpanlardS
become heroes.
The regular troops have an advantage,
for the officers control their len; they
are disciplined thoroughly. The insur-
gents are without discipline, and are
rarely aggressive fighters. But drive a
Cuban into a corner, with his back to the
wall, and he will fight like hungry wolf.
Witness the action OF Amador Guerra and
twenty men, when they were forced to
fight sixty Spanish soldiers near Man.
zanillo. Guerra showed his Spanish
blood and he met his death like brave
man.
If our soldiers became too much scat
tered in the forest Businesses they would
be in danger, for the insurgents know ali
the paths and by-ways. During the last
war the Spanish troops were at times
placed at great disadvantage because
they did not find the best river ford.
This war is like the Indian wars IN The
west. The Indians only fought when &
good opportunity occurred and ran away
when pressed. There are many more in
surgents than Indians, and there is avs'
extent of territory to cover with the
troops deep ravines, impen
etrable virgin forests and deep lungles
In conclusion. in war under Euro
pean conditions 1000 soldiers Will do At
much as 5000 here. The lack of ANN IT,
milton has always been drawback te
the insurgents. They usually have near
ly as many unarmed men as armed ones
When there is an engagement the un
armed men carry off the dead and wound
ed, taking care to secure the fallen man s
arms first.
have been satisfied with the sanitary
condition of the army during the pas
summer. During September there wa
less sickness than l expected. yellow
fever has not been epidemic, except in ;
few localities. and the losses from tina
cause have been comparatively small
Some OF the newly arrived battalion
were landed toward the end Of the montl
and had the yellow fever.
Havana has escaped an epidemic, ant
| in MatanZas and Las Villas there ha:
| been only little fever.
The soldiers are having palucial Una
| lariaD foyer now, ana are likely to hav'
more during the next two months. l ex
pected this.
The insurgent torpedoes are very rude
| ly constructed and not as effective.as the,
ca n be made.
do not regard hidden torpedoes a
especially dangerous to our side. The.
may prove like two-edged sword, heal
of no injurious moral effect on the sol
diers caused by the fear of contact witt
turpedoes. I have not as yet any conf
dence in the use of dynamite or any O
the similar high explosives in projectiles
| or eat or small.
| Insurgent Notes
QUINCY, ILL.,, Oct. ga meeting o