New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-17
NE THINKS THE REBELS Will VIM

JAMES ruEMANs OBSERVATION or THE slrrA-
TIOX ~ CUBA
James Prrman. who for seven months has been
connected with the Das Hcrmnnos sugar mills ~
Las Cruces. one of the central districts Of cuba.
has just returned from that b,ligcrent little Isle
and gives som" interesting Information concerning
the progress OF the rebellion agaius' Spanish rule
According 10 his account General campos has Il
herculcan task before him IN bringing cuba to Il
state Of subj, ction Mr. Purman travelled pretty
much ali over tho country in the course OF his
business. lie was able 10 the strength Of the
troops. and also. through conversation with IN"
people on the island TO learn how much sympathy
the Insurgents are receiving and what IS their
chance for ultimate success.
Mr. Purman says tina. there - some shrewi
schcnine being done by the leaders Of the revolu-
ton. and that the present ull in III" lighting ~ Il
result Of this. Mr.. Purman said:
Every hing points 10 the ul;imat" success 81 IN"
uprising | am not 4 Cuban and speak Impair
italy. The war does not 70" seem T." nave al
tanned formidable proportions. but expect {" near
inside OF "a month mat the whole island has Is'n
in revolt against Spain. This month ushers in the
drcadc! yellow fever. and rs ravhgos VIII severely
depe'c the ranks of the regular troops, VINO are
unaccustomcd TO the climate. ANA who are a us
soute. careless lot of men. Th'n the sugar ia't"-
ries will be closed and the thousands OF idle Gu
bans VIII naturally drift into the army. Tn" senti-
ment in favor Of the rebellion is growing steadily.
and the insurgent leaders will be s,onty sup
ported"
Referring to existing conditions IN cuba. MI f"'-
man said
''rhe ISLAND Is full OF robbers and bandits par
ticularly In III" eastern and centra portion ne
troops who are sent to watch them IN many III
stances concerned in the robberies. anu u 80
hard with any who Il fooIish enough 10 III "a,
! forth alone after dark The troops WORK ~ WIN
the road agents who really WORKING for tn. 1nc
good Of the cause and divide the plunder Idrs'
amount OF the money received ~ IN" inhu' X w
| leaders comes from ;his source. When rich man
il robbed a large portion Of the Dooiy ~ al once
dedicated to the cause. -, ., -
THE Spanish troops are undried. unpaid ana
wofully lacking In .oyaty. They go wherever
thcre Is money ard spend II over the gaming table
and in drinking bouts. The troops IRON SPAN are
mere Youngsters and the last lot that landed were
M I'm Havana TO buy them uniforms on the
other hand the insurgents are well fei ana clothed
They are in hiding to large extent Dut me noun
tans are fun OF arms and ammunition mat can
| be readily brought into use. General tanPos mas
| all the passes and roads guarded ana large re-
wards are offered for the capture or arms ana sup
| plies as well as for Information concerning tho
| movements Of the rebel forces. " IL largely a
| guerilla warfare now. but when the sugar mills
close and the yellow fever gets In rs work; blow
Will be struck that will stagger the royal troops
| and drive them into a retreat where their sole
| aim will he the defence OF their own lives The
| people are waiting for some leader TO come TO thu
| front His appearance can be looked Tor any day
now and II the Spanish troops are not routed and
| the Insurgents In complete control month from
| now. / have been misle1 BY my observations"