Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-30

wood for his own use. Indeed, 1t is Match
ct and knife combined for him. Every
man III Cuba possesses a machete, no mat
ter what else he does not own
1t is not generally known that most of
these deadly weapons are manufactured In
The United States. New York city il the
chlef market for the machete 1t is not
however, used exclusively for purposes of
war 1t is a Useful instrument of hus-
bandry in all ar-growIng countries
There are over one hundred varieties OF
machetes. About $3.50 Of them are shipped
from New York city every week to Central
and South American countries Many Of
them are shipped to Cuba, though Spain
has declared them weapons OF war and
contraband goods. Since the Instruction
IN Cuba they are. of course not sent d.
recuy to that country by the manurac-
turers, who would then be responsible 10
the United States government for breach
or the neutrality laws. They nevertheless
md their way into the hands of the in
surgents They are also shipped to HaytI.
Brazil, Mexico, San Domingo and Eene-
zuela.
Most Of the American machetes are made
at Collinsville, Conn They are made Of
the finest tempered steel, and great skill in
workmanship is required in their manufac-
ture Each country uses a different FORM
but the difference is usually only in The
curve of the blade, which is long and
widens toward the point. 1t is exceedingly
sharp, and the haft is very short Thus
the macEete Is a mUrderous weapon, de-
spite the agricultural purposes to which
IL is applied. Every country has a sword
OF Its own, but cuba is perhaps the only
country whose sword is at the same time
her reapiag hook
The rank and file of the Cuban insur-
gents, who come from the plantations. are
not skilled in the use of firearms; but they
make up for it by the feroCity with which
they engage in close Encounters with Span
ish soldery with the deadly machete
When this happens the Spaniard is likely
to fare badly.
The mode Of using the machcte is en-
tirely different from that which is usual
with the sword. The thrust is not en-
ployed at all. The aim with the machete
Is to cut and slash The inSurgent or
dinarily carries the weapon in a scabbard at
the left side of the belt or dangling from a
chain attached to mis- right wrist. In any
case the weapon is not held in position for
Use until the lines are within a few yards
of each other.
When the word is passed the machete
is pulled from The ScaDbard with an up
ward stroke jiagonaiy 10 the right, with
the long sharp edge toward the enemy.
The stroke IS aim,-l Al Inc abdomen of the
person attacked, with the intent OF wound
ing the body below the waist. Then, with
the weapon raised % the full length Of the
right arm, the wrist is simply turned over
and the machete makes a stroke back TO
the left, so as 10 slash the victims reck,
and, if possible, partially behead him.
With one more turn OF the wrist the edge
the body again.
This is done with wonderful deXterity,
and these strokes are thc easiest to learn
of all made with -dSnd weapons. In the
hands of the insurgents, habituated TO the
use of the machcie and who are very
strong, these blows are frightfully ef1ec-
tive, and mach"te wound Is usually fatal.
The maChCte used at pressn: 10y the
Cubans is very cheap. costing less than
dollar. The fayoTite, and the one that has
Gone mos damage 10 the Spanish forces,
has thir.y-inCh blade. about three inches
wide, long and nearly straight, with the
end cut off diagonally to a point, as a mil
liner cuts the ciUs OF ribbon. The handle
is of rough hone. There is no guard at all,
and the Nielder Of the machate often gets
his fingers wounded. The officers weapon
Is shorter and male of better material than
that of the prlvatcs.
When the Cuban husbandman receives
his machete II is not az all sharp but he
whets and sharpens Ii until II cuts like
razor. The great execution OF the maChete
lies in his wonderful skill in handling IL.
An army of the most skllful fencing
masters in America could not stand up be-
fore an equal number of Cuban cane cut
ters