The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-05-06
The Prospect for Cuba,

The two main divisions OF the revolu-
tionary army have been separated from
each other for several weeks, during
which time the division under General
Gomez, who is east of Havana, has
been unusually inactive, while the one
under General Maceo, who is west of
Havana, has been in constant combat
with the greater part of the effective
force of the Spanish army. 1t had
been the plan of Spain, after Gomez
moved his division in an easterly di-
rection, to concentrate an overwhelm-
ing body of troops against Maceo's d.
vision, crush it compile tely, and put an
end to the revolution in one half of the
island. For this purpose the great
Spanish military square was formed
around Maceo, and was strengthened
with earthworks, trenches, barbed-wire
barriers, and an abundance of artillery.
The Spanish military experts decided
that the square could not be broken,
and as the revolutionists were inside of
it, it was only necessary that Spain
should wait for the fitting time to fall
upon them. Hence when Maceo took
the offensive few DAYS ago, attacked
and broke the Spanish line, fought
pitched battle in which he was success
ful, and routed the large body upon
which he had fallen, he performed an
act which Spain had not been prepared
for. 1t was the most sanguinary en-
gagement of the war which was fought
at Lachusa on April IS, and at the end
of it Maceo retired to a stronghold in
The mountains near by, which Spain is
not likely to try to capture. The de-
feat of Spain upon this occasion was
very serious incident for her, not only
because many hundreds of her men
were killed or wounded, but also be-
cause it demonstrated the worthless
ness of the Spanish plan of campaign
against the western division of the revo-
lutionary army. Numerous detach-
ments of Maceo's cavalry have recently
crossed the Spanish strong wall in
every direction, and have so often put
the enemy upon the defensive as to
give the $4,000 troops along the wall a
facilitating sense of insecurity. Maceo
has given proof that he is not fenced in;
the enemy have learned that the war
must yet go on for no one knows how
long.
Such is the condition of military af-
fairs to the westward of Havana at this
time.
1t is very unlikely that the Spanish
generals will again seek for battle there
before the arrival of the day, which is
close at hand, when the Spanish troops
must retire to their barracks for the
summer
The spring campaign has closed dis
astrously for Spain, and dscreditably
for Weyler. 1t has closed with the
revolution on the offensive, Spain on
the defensive. There has not been bat
tie or fight that Spain can claim as
victory. The course of the revolution
has not been checked in any of the
provinces of Cuba. The result of last
weeks engagement ought to put an
end to Spanish boasting for the time.
We cannot look ahead; but we have
it upon the authority of the two chief
revolutionary leaders that they do not
mean that Spain shall get rest during
the rainy season. 1t is their design to
wage war all through that season, to
attack the enemy wherever assault is
possible, to strike at every opportunity,
to engage in man9uvres and surprises,
and to continue at the work of DESTROY
ing SPANS resources. In nOle of the
Spanish campaigns in Cuba have the
Spaniards fought during summer; but
they will have no choice in the matter
during the next three or four months.
AS to the recent quietude of the d.
vision of the revolutionary general-n-
chief, Gomez, who is to the east of Ha-
vana, there is doubtless satisfactory
reason for it, and that reason is not to
be found in any fear of Spain. We
have heard that he has been engaged
in recruiting his army in the province
of Santa Clara, and in bringing under
his immediate command the forces that
have been scattered through Puerto
Principe and Santiago, and in gather
ing munitions of war for wet weather op-
erations, and in making all preparations
for direct corporations with Maceo
near Havana. We shall not be sur
prised to |, arm at any time that there is
truth in the reports about him that
have reached us. Before long he may
possibly have full $4,000 men for SER
vice against the enemy. With such an
army before Havana, Weyler could
hardly be made to believe that he was
safe there.
Reviewing the situation, with the
help of our latest advices from both
sides, we think that the prospect of
brave Cuba is good, and even better
than at any ether time since the de-
claration of Cuba's independence, a