Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-11

VIM. F. Mannix.
tors of The Star for lecture by their cor
respondent. Mr.. Mannix upon his return
from the island-if. indeed, he ever did re-
turn-and in fulfiliment of that request he is
here this afternoon. HIS letters have
attracted attention, not only in this
city and country. but in the capitals of
Europe, and we believe that his talk this
afternoon on Cuba. Seen by War Cor
respondent" will interest and instruct this
audience
1T gives me infinite pleasure to have the
honor of addressing you this afternoon
upon the timely topic of Cuba" said Mr..
Mannix. That 1 am able to do so, l must
extend thanks to the officers and board of
managers of your society. and to his ex-
cellency, General Weyler. the captain gen.
eral of Cuba. The latter gentleman con-
tributed more, perhaps, to my presence in
the United States just at this time than
any other individual He main tanned that
did I know as much copcerning the geog-
raphy Of the Island of Cuba as l said
did, 1 should go home and tell about it,
Trip to the Interior.
My first excursion into the interior of
Cuba was with the Spanish army under
command of Gen. Campos. who has been
succeeded by Gen. Weyler The excursion
was by rail to the city of Santa Clara in
the province of the same name. The coun-
try through which the road passed was of
rolling nature, at least for many miles
out of Havana. Beyond that an almost
1mpenetrable thicket coul1 be seen for
miles and miles. This latter was the ia
Norite resort of large band of rebels at
that time, and many Spanish column
going into the thicket, or even in the palm
groves before reaching 1t, were caught in
ambnseade and sorely defeated. The reb-
els, hidden by trees OF clumps of bushes.
would pour vclley after volley into the adj
Nancing column until the latter, demon
allied by the unseen foe. would turn end
fly, leaving many dead and wounded.
mere were hundreds of yellow fever pa
rents at Santa Clara, and a little beyond
at Sancu Spiritus. were four thousand SOL
Giers down with the dreaded maIady.
strange as 1t may seem, but a fact reyer-
tnyiess. lhe interior and plateau portions of
cuba are the most unhealthy in the sum-
mer season. One would naturally believe
the low-lying coast lines were more the
nome of fever and disease, but found this
not to be so. 1t was explained that in the
interior the drainage was usually very moor
as at Santa Clara and Sancti Spiritus--and
that. owing to the peculiar formation of the
SOIL, tne water which fell in such abund-
ance during the summer did NOT Quickly
penetrate the earth, but remained in noois
In the hollows of the land. On the surface
OF these pools a slime would form and dis
ease generate Cuba is not naturally an
unhealthy country. ard am sure If Ameri-
can sanitary rules were enforced in ali the
towns and cities of the island yellow fever
and smallpox would be gradually but en-
tirely stamped out.
Destroying the Railroads..
Before had been in Santa Clara long the
rebels began to pay particular attention to
the railroads They blew up train after
traln on the Santa Clara road, and finally
blew the road up and carried a good deal
OF 1t away 1t was a pretty lively section
OF the country just at that time of year. and
with a liberal use of dynamite its geographic
and topographic features were undergoing
constant and rapid changes
"A certain man, named Maxine conaz
was tne cffef cOnSpirator against the time
tables OF the Santa Clara railroad being
assisted by Antonio Maceo and Julio Sam
gully, as well as by two other very daring
fellows. 'ie
Despite the fact that these gentlemen
nave AhteTiereu very extensively with a ma
Jorlty OF the railroad lines in Cuba. it would
appear as If they intended to arrive i'm Ha
vana about on scheduled time some of these
days-and especially since the American
Congress has recently furnished them a lit
tie coal for their engine
Now, If Mr.. Cleveland will on1v thr,o, ,
lew shovefuls into the fire box that Cuban
engine will put on full steam. and yon,u
soon hear liberty's whistle footing to the
for the cars. -0oN oo'
AT this point in the lecture some one
In the audience called out to Mr.. Man
nix to speak louder.
Certainly" he replied, quickly; ''you
see. have been in country where 1 was
not allowed to open my mouth"
a Trip to Cubitas.
Now, if you will recall the name of
Cubitas as you saw 1t on the map, we will
take little trip there to see Salvador Cis-
neros, president of the Cuban republic
Il had no trouble in finding the guide who
was to take me out to Cuban HEADQUARTERS.
The start was to be made on the following
morning, and We should meet in the Iglesia
Mayor. or cathedral, at o'clock mass.
1T was but a walk of about three-ouarters
of mile from the cathedral to a bridge
that crosses the Juno river at the outskirts
of the city. Here couple of Spanish SOL
oilers were stationed They inquired our
business. but small silver piece droDped
gently into the hand of one adjourned in
vestigation.
1--WE proceeded thence for two miles by the
main road, passing little matched cottages
here and there. There were several 81 gar
plantations, but they were poorly kept and
the guide informed me that the sugar in
dustry In the province was not an extern
Uive one.
Later, securing horses on a ranch about