The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-10
CAMP OS' TALK.
Shows the Spanish General to sc Of a
Minded Disposition.
CUBANS FIDELITY TO FRIENDS
Materially Aids Them In tho
Struggle For Freedom.
cuBANs' FIDELITY TO FRIENDS

Captain General Campos conversed with
your correspondent two hours mt the gen.
crel headquarters OF the Spanish army in
this city. This is General Campos state
ment:
"At present the military situation in
Cuba is satisfactory. The rebellion in
Cuba hns attained greater scope than
anticipated when embarked from Spain.
At present there are humorous small
bands OF insurgents scattered about the
country In tho provinces OF Santiago,
Camaeuey and La Villas. In Matanzas
there are only n very few rebels against
authority. The insurgents are not all
armed, and their supply OF ammunition is
deficient in some districts.
"My duty Is 10 uso all the means In my
power to suppress the insurrcction. Po-
litical considerations do not weigh as
much with me as purely military ones do.
am soldier, and my profession is first
with me.
"Thcre IL considerable number OF
Spanish troops on the island, though IL Is
not as largo as the conditions warrant.
The country Is very difficult one TO oper-
ate i'm, more difficult than European
army is ordinarily called on 10 campaign
in. Were the roads as they are In Spain.
In short time.
"Thc insurgents are familiar with the
regions in which they operate, and they
generally have the active sympathy of the
country people Fidelity to their friends
is a Cuban trait.
"The country people allow their sym.
pathy for Cubans who come In conflict
with law to go too far. Bandits like
Mlrabal, in Camaguey, and Matigas, in
the region known as the Zapata, have been
able to go at large because of their sym
pathy People, not criminals themselves,
and not in league with the bandits, have
sheltered them against law. 1t cost the
government $500, 900 in one year TO capture
the criminals named.
Prisoners Humancly Treated.
'I do not class the insurgents as crim.
nails or bandits. They use every means in
their power to attain their end, and who
can blame them when their limited re-
sources are remembered. l do not pro,
pose TO treat the insurgents as IL they
were OF the class mentioned. / hnvo
given orders that prisoners shall not be
cruelty treated, and that wounded insur-
| gents who mny fall into the hands OF the
| troops shall be we'll cared for. do not
| kill prisoners.
"The war will be conducted on different
| lines from the last one. have a definite
policy in my operations. The country
paths are generally too bad at the present
time for persistent campaign. Again,
| I do not wish TO expose the soldiers con
tinuouSly until the season is improved.
In November there may be looked for rs
active and as aggressive campaign as
can make.
| my present plan is to divide the troops
into small detachments. the number of
each column varying according to circum-
stances. Wcrc to send ont column of
say 5000 men, they would have the march
for their pains. They would see no
enemy. The insurgents would melt away
in the dense and difficult country where
they find shelter.
"As an example of the futility Of large
columns at present ] refer to the expedi.
ton led by General Suarez Valdez. who
left this city a few days ago, going first to
Maniguaragua, in the direction of the
Trinidad mountains, with provision
train. General Valdez took 1900 soldiers
The insurgents expected only 800 soldiers
and were assembled to the number of ovel
5000 They hoped to capture the train
When the size OF General Valdez's fore,
became known 20 them, the insurgent,
melted away like the dew under the sun
General Valdez divided his force int
four different detschments when he hat
placed the supply train and is now neare
the Seguanea valley AS soon rs he di
vidcd his men, the rebels reappeared, ant
skirmishing has gone on since.
Fighting In n wilderness.
"This war makes me thluk of the In
dian wars in the western United States
The Indians used 10 fight when good Oh
portunity occurred anl ian when pressed
The United States army sometimes had
lively dance aftcr the Sioux and tn
Apaches Our officers understand wha
caInpligning in difficult wildernes
means.
zine lack OF arms and ammunition ha
always been n drawback 10 the insur
gents. The usually have nearly as man
unarmed men as armed ones. Whel
there is an engagement the unarmed mel
carry off the dead and wounded, takin
care 10 secure the fallen mans arms first
The wounded are n clog on the Spanis
column during an expedition; they hav
TO be carried.
'Of tho insurgcnt leaders In the presen
war Antonio Maceo has done the bes
work for his side He is ambitious an
has a reputation which he desires 90 in
crease. Although not the equal to Mas
i:no Gomez, speaking from a militar
standpoint, Maceo has led In the presen
war.
'I have been satisfied with the sanitar
condition of the army during the pas
summer Until September there was les
sickness than / expected. Yellow feve
has not been epidemic the present yeai
except In few localities, and the losse
from that cause have been comparativel
small.
Had the season boon unhealthy, thou
sands OF men yht have succumbed to th
effects OF the climate. Dysentery an
kindred diseases have not prevailed to a
unusual extent"
Cuban News.
HkRANA, Oct. i0.-A band Of insurpent
has appeared In the province Of Habani
where IL has created CONSERVATION. III
troops hrve succeeded In driving the IL
| surgos,vs a m the vicinity of Remedies