Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-02
SENIOR DE QUEsADA.
Talk with the Charge d'Annires of
Cuban Legation.

Cuban Legation.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. December L.
Senior Gonzalo dc Quosada, Charge dA-
flares Of the Cuban legation who has re-
established the legation az the Raleigh IN
this city. was interrogated by reporter
this morning on the conditions in Cuba.
and the progress Of the revolution. senior
Ouesada said that the Spanish authori-
ties had evidently become alarmed over
the constant publication In American pa
pers of true stories OF the atrocities prac-
tlced by their troops i'm the Island. ana
were now engaged IN sending emissarles
through the country under the guise OF
impartial Observers who secured the pub
LEGATION Of interviews with themselves pur-
porting TO bee correct views of the real
facts. and seeking in this way TO over
come the indignant sentiment OF the
American people.
"The murderous policy being pursued by
/ Weyler and his agents in Cuba, SAID
Senior Quesada, "has been indicated by
the reports of every newspaper correspond
ent who has gone there from this country.
These correspondents have given the
names OF persons brutality tortured and
killed, the places where IL was done. and
the dates of the occurrence. Not Cubans.
but Americans, have been the worst Wit
nesses against Spain in this regard. The
Spanish official reports, TOO. tell every day
OF the shooting Of prisoners the majority
Of whom are only suspected OF sympathy
with the Cuban cause, while hundreds OF
others are sentenced TO penal servitude.
which IS worse than death.
"The recent DEGREES of Weyler' con-
tlnued Quesada "au show that cxtermi-
nation is the purpose Of his policy BIT
Weyler rs merely carrying ont Span's
sued In The Philippine Islands and scores
Of reputable English witnesses have testi-
fed I'm the Philippines am of tho fortunes
of the inquistiou have been brought into
requistion. and the proof is positive that
sixty rev1lutioni8ts We're put In the black
hole at Manila and asphyxiated.
THE MILITARY SITUATION.
what is the military situation in
Cuba" inquired the reporter.
In the past few months was the re-
ply. "the Cuban army has been strength
enol and made ready for the active Win
ter campaign by the landing of over
800 rifles and several pieces OF artillery.
A large supply of ammunition has also
been safely landed. as well as quantity
of medical and other necessary supplies.
We have now about 5000 men fully
armed and equipped. and twice that num-
they can be supplied. The stories OF
sickness ravaging our forces are pure
Spanish inventions our men are In the
best OF spirits. and. being thoroughly ac-
clmated are in good health. and are de-
termined to keep up the fight indefinitely,
If necessary
How about the food supplicsw
eve have abundant food supplies
answered Senior Quesada, the Cuban
generals having long ago taken the pre-
caution TO drive the cattle I'm the terri
tories of their operations into secure
places. Even MaceO who occupies the
least favorable province-that of Pinar
del Rio-has cattle enough 70 last his
forces for two years. Besides this, the
Cubans who have no weapons and are
living under various projects in the three
eastern provinces. are culuvatng large
areas in all kinds of vegetables The
Cubans have also established salt-works
AZ different point ON the coast, and there
il a complete interchange of products.
"It must be remembered continued
Senior Quesada, that more IMAM thtee-
fourths Of the Island of Cuba is In the
hands of the Cubans and under the con-
troll of the civil government. public
schools are being established In the lnte-
rior and the first book published has been
a primer containing the primary lessons
i'm The language. In the provinces of SAN
tiaeo de- cuba and Port au Principe the
spaniards hold but five or six inland
towns. and they are heavily garrIsoned'
some of these towns ale now being be-
sieged by the Cubans, the last one taken
by the patriot forces being Guaimaro.
CAPTURE OF GUAIMARO.
General Calixto Garcia took this town
after a twelve days siege. There were
sixteen forts protecting the towns, ana
one by one they were disabled by our ar
tulery. and abandoned by their Spanish
garrsons, who took refuge and baucaded
themselves in a large stone church in the
centre of the town. General Garcia or
dered twelve-pounder and siN-pounder
guns to be used against the massive old
building.
The Spanish sent messages TO General
CastellanOs for achievements. but We're
compelled 10 surrender before help arr
rived. One captain. four ieutenants,
twenty-five subaltern officers. and nearly
300 privates surrendered. Weyler's policy
OF shooting prisoners was not carried ont
by General Garcia, who sent nineteen
wounded TO the Spanish ranks The
Spanish commander. General Castellanos
sent six carts 10 get the wounded thus
accepting the prisoners. who were deliver
ed by the Cuban General, Lope Recio.
Thus IL will be seen that the Cubans are
recognizing the humanitics OF war. despite
the murderous policy OF their enemies
In Guaimaro we captured s2i coo IN
Spanish gold, over 800 Mauser rifles, l2j.-
60 rounds Of ammunition 800 machetcs,
and a large supply OF clothing and mCdi-
cal stores. An active campaign viii be
continued By eur forces while Weyler Is
fruitlossly attempting 10 catch Maceo."
DO you think Habana VIII he besieged
this wlnter?' asked the reporter.
III we can send enough artillery. in
GLIDING our dynamite guns. 10 uabana
which is probable. | think the invest
ment Of Habana VIII be possible"
"Do you expect action on the part OF the
United States?'
II will answer that question replied
Senior Quesada, with smile, when Con-
gress meets and the Presidents message