Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28
March. It came in the regular way and

We have known for some time that the
Spaniards were thinking Of an attack upon
Cubitas, but We have not allowed the
thought to worry US in the least degree.
You are aware of the strength and safety
Of our position, and will not need to detail
all the reasons for the feelings Of security
we possess.
There are less men at Cubitas now than
at any time within three months but the
number will not be increased. q, q,
Should the Spaniards make an attack,
something doubt very much, indeed, as
sure you we will be prepared to give them
such reception as hirel;ngs attacking
republican capital deserve.
Still 1 am confident you should not give
the idea of Spanish attack any thought.
There will be nothing of the kind for sew
eral reasons, but principally because Spain
has not enough soldiers in Cuba to capture
this position, and, secondly, because she
finds her time very much taken up by our
gallant men in the field.
No Uneasiness Felt.
OF course, We have fully understood the
concentration Of large force Of the enemy
at Puerto Principe, but. as have already
stated. We feel no uneasiness whatever.
On the contrary, an attack would be most
~
convince the American people, and espe-
c:ally Congress, that we not only have an
established seat of government, but one
that We can hold against all Corners.
1t has panied me to considerable degree
to learn that incorrect statements regard
ing our capital were being published in the
United States, and that such statements
were used against the holy cause Of Cuba
In the legislative halls at Washington.
would rot for a moment think of CRITICS.
1Lg the words or works of the American
Congress, or a member thereof, but do
know that several misstatements have
been made Of late on the floor of the Sen
ate. They were undoubtedly unintentional-
ly made, and arose, perhaps, from a lack
OF correct informal ton. 1 am sure no men,
Der of that very honorable body would will
ingly and deliberately injure US in our
struggle for freedom.
You ask what was thought at Cubitas
When the news came of the resolutions ia
vcring bellgerency passing Congress. You
can Well imagine what joyous news it was
many months that the great American peo-
pie would give us the recognition we de-
served.
Looks for a Proclamation.
At this time. the Cuban republic can
rightly claim recognition as an independent
nation, and I feel certain that before an
other three months passes President
Cleveland will issue proclamation to that
effect. We rule large extent of territory,
more than one-half of the total area of the
island, by civil laws; something Spain does
Lot do with the other half portion.
Taxes for the support of the republican
government are collected regularly in four
of the six provinces. We are not COM
PEELED to use force or to sell out estates in
making the collections, because the people
are willing and anxious to support the Gu
ban government. On the other hand, is
Spain not using threats, force and such
means to draw from the people their I'M
willing tribute?
As an argument against the recognition
of belligerency or Independence the state
n'ent Is made that we have no port That
is true. We Rave taken many ports just
as We have taken hundreds of towns of the
interior, but because of lack of artillery
Cur armies have been unable to hold them.
1t is not full justice to use such an argu-
rlent to delay recognition from the United
States. All the people of Cuba ask at pres
ent is the opportunity to arm themselves;
and it would then be but the matter of a
very brief period when Spanish power
would be wiped from the soil of the island.
There are today a score of nations with
out a port or a seacoast Why should not
the other nations of the earth declare the
former unworthy. Of or at least not entitled
to the independence they possess and rob
them of it?
Extent of the Republic.
which are controlled by the republic, and
where our civil laws are in force, are en-
| tirely free of disturbance and-one could
rot believe, riding for 200 miles through the
interior, that war existed. The fighting
RACES in those sections which the spaniard
claims to control, and summing up Of the
matter could be stated in the sentence
that peace reignS in the republic of Cuba,
but war exists In SPANS 60 portion Of the
island" Upon leaving Cuba, Gen. Campos,
for whom all Cubans have profound re-
ST ect, remarked that he carried the Spanish
flag with him. He knew that flag no longer
waved over the greater portion of the is
land, and that with the Inauguration of
barbaric methods against our patriotic peo-
pie the whole world would be pleased at
the downfall of tyranny in Cuba.
By no means have We lost hope in the
matter of full recognition from the United
States. For several reasons the legislative
and executive branches of the American
government may be inclined to give Spain
as much leeway as possible, Ryt We have
confidence in their ultimate action. We are
certain that cur American brothers and
sisters are with us In our battle for free
dom, and being certain We have no misgiv-
ings for the future.
Spain has surely made great effort to
crush the Cuban rebellion. In all her wars
with her former American dependencies
she did not send as many troops across the
Atlantic. This fact is all important when
1 iS COuSluereu lndt Spain was lnHnltely
more powerful three generations ago. 1t
goes to prove that her present efforts are
herculean for her, and that no stone has
been left unturned in the endeavor to whip
Hberty's defenders.
Spanish Resources Exhausted.
The Spanish government has practically
exhausted the sources Of physical strength
for it's army, to say nothing OF its wretched
financial condition. Spain has been literal
ly drained Of young men for the army and
she has of late been compelled to draft
| soldiers from her African possessions, as
well as from the PHILIPPINE Islands, in the
| distant Indies.
The Spaniards pretend to be OVERLOOKING
as it were, with patriotism. All through
| their proclamations, speeches and editorials
| runs very prominent vein of wordy ardol
| and love for country. Spanish students can
| sing loudly in the streets, swear vengeance
| against the United States and stone Ameri-
| can consulates, but when they are asked
| to cross the ocean and take up the sword
| for Spain in Cuba they hastily and respect
| fully decline One scarcely knows what in
| ference to draw from this but am in
| Clined to believe that they know the cause
| of Cuba is blessed by heaven, and they dc
| not care to oppose US.
| You ask me for my views regarding an
| nexation. The fact that I am, and fol
| nearly twenty years have been an AmerI
u nst IL