New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-08
THE CUBAN REVOLUTION.
A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR THE SPANISH
GOVERNMENT.
TESTIMONY OF AN IMPARTIAL OBSERVER
WRETCTIED AND DISHONEST ADMINlsTkA-
TIoN-THE TWO COURSES OPEN TO SPAIN.


wRErcTIED AND DISHONEST ADMINIsTRA-
TIoN-THE TWO COURSES OPEN TO SPAIN.
War news from Cuba has been uncertain and con-
Trajectory That coming through Spanish sources
has been subject the military censorship that,
II II has not exaggerated Spanish successes, 1t has
probably not given full credit to the insurgents for
their gains. More than month ago General Cam
DOS issued decree absolutely forbdding the pubi-
cation of any news whatever excepting that OF
official origin adding THE Offices of the headquar
tiers Of this Captaincy- General will assist the press
with such data and news. the publication of which
does not offer any Inconvenience" In Havana this
was interpreted meaning that the Government
cause was not prospering, end that all war news
henceforth must be taken with considerable grain
OF salt As for reports from the Cubans themselves
they also under some suspicion Of Partially,
and Of unduly magnifying patriot successes.
There seems the best OF reason for believing, how
ever that despite the efforts of the Captain
and the Madrid Government. the revolutionists are
gaining ground. That is the opinion of London
Times correspondent at Havana, who has made
careful study OF the situation According to him.
1t was not until midsummer that General Campos
realized what serious job he had on hand His
fight near Rayamo opened his eyes to the fact that
the insurgents armed and disciplined. and, more
over, have considerable supply OF ammunition for
fighting purposes. At first he believed that attack
was made by the main body of the rebel forces I'M
der the personal command OF <iHlolo SldSeO, Dut
when the truth was known that the attacking party
was only a comparatively small part OF the insur-
gents under the leadership OF one Rab. the true
state of affairs became clear to the COMMANDMENTS
chief He teegraphed TO Madrid for rein
forcements of $1,000 be sent with ali speed
thus increasing the army in Cuba 10 $4,000 men,
With this extra force an active campaign is to be
undertaken in October and the succeeding months,
II official reports to be credited
Then the general officers commanding the brigades
In the Province OF Santiago were changed. General
Salcedo went home to Spain, General Lachambre
went TO Havana as inspector of artillery, and
General Bayan ordered to Pinar del Rio. Two
new arrivals, Generals Linares and Gonzales Munoz,
took two OF the vacant commands. At first 1t was
thought this shutting Of the cards meant a more
active policy. Such, however. is not the case, and
no attempt at offensive operations will be made be-
fore October. or course fight may be forced by
the rebels was the case at Bayamo. but 1t Will
be sought BY the troops. 1t is now the most
scky Of the year. and until october comes
round yellow fever and dysentery will continue to
play havoc with the soldiers now in Cuba and show
still results on the men who are just landed
from Spain
The manner IN which the troops now In Cuba are
treated is enough OF itself Invalid large portion
OF the army without any help from epidemic dis
ease. They are marched aimlessy from one place
to another then brought back again on account OF
some scare; and this marching and concentrating
has been constant for the last three months. No
wonder that officers and men die by scores.
highly significant feature of the situation Is the
spread OF the Instruction through all classes There
is says this observer widespread evidence that the
spirit of rebellion Is bubblng up from the lower
classes and reaching the higher strata of society.
From the first all sections Of the community were
implicated In the movement but the fighting
strength lay In the support accorded by the lapornS
classes. Now of good position are constantly
Joining the insurgent ranks This fact holds true
he
cause. A number of people in Havana. more it IS
said to curry favor with the Government than from
any patriotic motives, busted themselves In obtain
ing subscriptions from merchants and others to
raise and equip regiment OF cavalry. The FUNDS
SO obtained amounted to $4,000. With this money
120 clothed equipped and horsed A fur
Their subscription Is now solicited for their mainten-
ance during the Much fuss was made by
few people over the sense of patriotism that prompt
the subscription for this object The correspond
ent spoke to OF the largest subscribers to the
fund on the subject and his answer was that he had
no wish to give anything. but refusal would proba-
bly, have led TO many petty annoyances and irritat-
ing difficulties whenever his business brought him
| In contact with Government officials Another
somewhat interesting fact in connection with this
troop OF 100 is the cost per head for the equip
ment The average is about 200. The horses cost
some $50 per head; the men dressed In blue
! ton Jeans, with straw hats, and armed with car
| blnes machetes and reviewers. How this outfit
can cost 81 POO will never be explained Somebody
| has benefited and this somebody is certainly not
/ the trooper.
| A typical case bearing on Spanish Administrative
| I'm Cuba has come under notice. A ship called the
County Down loaded cargo Of $500 tons OF coal in
] Sydney Cape Breton and cleared for Havana. The
| Spanish Consul In sydney signed the clearance pa
| pers reducing the weight OF coal to kilogrammes
but unfortunately. wrote $4,000 In place OF 10000
! On arrival at Havana the master OF the vessel
pointed out the mistake TO the authorities. and
stated that It clerical without intention
| 10 defraud. The agents TO whom the vessel was
consigned wrote TO the Consul at Sydney, and re-
ceived reply that the error entirely his
part. The matter duly laid before the Govern
ment and first II was informally notified to the
consignees that some $50 would have TO be paid TO
cover certain expenses caused by the mistake Eight
months later the conslgnees were notified that a fine
OF ST. 800 had been imposed on the County Down for
irregularities in the ships manifest regards the
weight In kilogrammes OF this coal. This notwith-
standing the fact that the correct number OF tons
was given The for this course Is not sufii-
! cult 10 fathom A customs official In cuba dscov-
ering any IRREGULARITIES In ships papers and
| porting the same Is entitled to half the fine I'M
| nosed Such a system In dishonest hands leaves
| ANAL scope for any Just or fair treatment
| one excuse Invariably put forward for the inac-
! tlyty Of the troops Is the complete lack OF made
roads In the provinces 10 the east or Havana ms
| induced the correspondent to make some inquiries
] ~ to the amount OF money spent annually W 'hs