The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-21
FROM CUBAN SHORES.
Capt. Slamm. of the Grant.
Talks of the War.
THE PATRIOTS A slcKLY LOT.
But the Spanfarsis Are Worse Yet and
Are Constantly Worried by
Imaginary Ffisbusters-

Capt J. A. slamrn. who Is to succeed
Capt. Tozier on the United States
revenue cutter Grant. arrived tn
the city Tuesday. and took form
al command yesterday. lie has
been connected with the revenue SER
vice for number Of years. and has made
a record as a gallant and efficient officer.
During the Cuban troubles. until eight
months ago. be was stationed at Key West.
The captain has very poor opinion OF
the cubans, physically and morally. and
says they are sallow. hollow chested lot,
who sit in the sun and cry long life for the
republic. In Capt Slamms expressive Ian
giages Cuba - the teat OF
Spain. and the insurgents by hs-
ing the mother country an enormous ex-
penditure in keeping up the war, is suck
ing at the very heart Of the government.
His experience with the Spanish consul
and collector for the port at Key West
led him TO form a very poor opinion OF
these gentlemen.
They we're constantly notifying me OF
filibustsring expeditions" he said. that
had no existence save in their heated inn
aginations. One day both came aboard the
cutter OF which l was in command. and
the consul said
{" raptaine. I have receive re informa-
zhun of re filbustaire at Bahia Ahonaa. an
] would have you look for Gem
II didn't believe there We're any flihus-
tiers there because I had passed by that
point but a few days before. and saw moth
ing bat a couple OF haif-starved Cu1ans
who hadn't the energy TO filibuster or any
thing else Nevertheless. I steamed up
along the reef. and on arriving at the point
named. noticed small schooner, or spong-
or. as they are called there. lodging about
the reefs. The coast there is peculiar. a
long series of tutting reefs inclose body
OF water that Is only about three feet deep
while on the outside OF the reef spreads
the Atlantic ocean. AS the cutter drew
thirteen feet OF water. ] was unable 10 go
inside.
Uncle Sam is not very rich, and had
no launches. so | sent two rowboats. with
armed crews, one 10 go inside the reef. and
the other outside, hoping 10 cut him of.
instructed them 10 fire into him If he re-
fused 10 heave TO, and TO make things
more interesting sent few shells splash
ing abou; him. Before the second boat was
started ] noticed the sponger making for
the outside. and Immediately steamed
around after him. Seeing me coming he
hove to- and | went aboard prepared for
war 1 found one lonely. weak-looking
man, who was too badly frightened 10
speak.
when I returned TO Key West and an
Spanish consul was firm in the conviction
iaat had seen one of the rebel generals.
They are all generals In that country. as
the soldiers of the Confederate army were
all colonies.
"Of course. most OF the aid rendered 70
the Cuhans comes from noEthern ports of
the United States. There are capitalists
in New York and Boston vastly interested
IN Cuban sugar plantations. who are back
a ana.
from the Florida coast. as from Tampa
bay south the country If such that no ex-
petition could stay long without dying of
fever or being carried away bodily by the
swarms Of mosquitoes.
What Is the true condition of affairs?
Well that is hard 10 arrive at There
have been some laughable reports in the
papers They have no reliable source of
obtaining information. aud they gather IL
from the big talk INDUCED in by some OF
the CuhaBs. The Havana papers do not
dare To cali their souls their own. and a
body of Spanish officers appointed for the
duty. scan every piece Of news before it
Is published rejecting anything consider
ed against the interests Of the government.
The way reporters Of the big Eastern
dailIes get news Is through the tramp
port at Havana. and not being allowed 10
dock at the pier for sanitary reasons. ties
up 10 one OF the buoys. It does not drop
anchor for fear OF stirring up the sedl-
menf wing at the bottom that would
breed disease. The passengers Of the tramp
steamer are taken ashore in boats. and as
they stand in lunches OF forty or fifty on
the shore talking the reporters walk about
among them. and gather in everything
said. and rush of 70 the nearest telegraph
Office 20 send the news all over the world.
] have seen them doing II a number OF
times and when one is well posted on the
true state Of affairs. some Of the reports
are ridiculous Much news is undoubtedly
gotten through IN cipher"
Captain Tozler. who resigned command
- the Grant yesterday, viii 90 TO Port
Townsend. where he H. assigned to shore
duty for she next three years