Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-11-18

HsllSC MI. <AhCTS ~ tkHAll uIu not raw
orably consider 1t. BY that time the
kingdom will have probably exhausted
its present financial resources avail
able for the suppression OF the revolu-
ton, and, if the reports from Europe
are true relative to the difficulty the
is experiencing in nego-
tiating new loans, it would then treat
in much more friendly manner such a
proposition than it would today.
A GOOD INVESTMENT.
Mr.. Akers considers the purchase of
Cuba by this country splendid in
vestment. The total exports of Cuba
are in ordinary times about 1926. 600. 900
This year they will be only about
$1S.000,00O. owing to the revolution. In
1894, before the revolution began, out
of the production of 100000 tons OF
sugar this country took 97O,0O tons.
Practically all the money that was
paid to Cuba in good times for sugar.
as well as tobacco, was spent in this
country for food supplies and manu-
factured articles. The hope of Cuba.
if the island continues as a Spanish
dependency. or in case it achieves in
dependence, is reciprocity with the
United States. With peace prevailing
throughout the island, In fairly pros
porous times Cuba will produce ex-
ports equal to 100000. OO0 he said in
Guiding 100000 tons of sugar. $50, 000.-
600 worth of tobacco, and an output
of iron ores used in Bessemer steel
equal to at least $3000,000. In addition
to this is the great yield of fruit, which
ia large even now. With careful at
tention, it would be enormous. The
same is true of lignum-vitae. cedar.
mahogany and other valuable woods.
Most of the Cuban trade is With the
United States, and if a reciprocity
treaty were in force. Mr.. Akers stated.
the products of the island would large
ly come to this country. and the money
paid for the same would be spent here.
In speaking of the actual condition
OF affairs in Cuba today. so far as the
success of efforts to suppress the revo-
luton is concerned. Mr.. Akers dis
aNowed any intention of criticising
Captain General Weylerand his subor-
dinate officers. On the contrary. he
spoke in a complimentary way of their
ability and industry. In his opinion.
however, under existing conditions.
the insurrection cannot be put down.
Spain has in Cuba 1S0, 600 regular
troops and $4,000 volunteers. There
have been number of small engage
ments hardly any more serious than a
skirmiSh. In some of these the Spanish
arms have been successful, in others
the insurgents have won victories
From q military point of view. the
trouble seemed to be that the troops
did not follow up advantages gained.
In the earlier stages of the insurrec-
lion. when the Spanish funds were
more plentiful. the commissariat ar
rangement was fairly satisfactory.
Now it is bad. and is growing worse
The rule is for the national troops to
start out from their fortified places on
an expedition with only limited
quantity of ammunition and rations.
1t is the exception when they carry
supplies sufficient to. last for more than
three days The TROOPS make a dash
On the insurgents. and. whether vic
torious or unsuccessful, retire to their
camps at the end of two or three days.
Formerly they We're able to live on the
country. This they cannot now do, as
the territory they make forages in can
furnish no food, and the troops must
subsist on the rations they carry.
RAW AND UNFRAMED SOLDIERS.
AS to the Spanish soldiers, Mr..
Akers said that, generally speaking.
they were young nlen,wh were hastily :
in Spain and hurried off to
Cuba. They are lacking in discipline
and training: few of them are good
shots. 1t is not an unusual thing TO
see men in the ranks fire their muskets
without raising the butts to the shoul- !
der or without taking aim.
1t is remarkable, under the circum- !
stances. the amount of content that
exists among the troops. Mr.. Akers
found no complaining. The men are a
lot, and subordinate to
highly commendable degree. Until the !
system now in force in Cuba is
changed until there are more concerted
aoVements on the part of the national !
troops, Mr.. Akers entertains no hope |
Df Spanish success. Just now the
Efforts of Spain are confined to the
western part of the island No at /
empt has been made to conquer other
sections. Even in the west, Spain has
,iade little headWay in suppressing the
evolution. The policy of the nsur-
rents is that Of inactivity. They are
ying on their arms. waiting for the
ime to come when the Spanish treas
lry will be exhausted, and go into
tction only when put on the defensive.
CUBAN DESIRE FOR INDEPEN-
DENCE
An interesting part of Mr.. AkerS'
ak related to the sentiment in Cuba
the independence of the
sland He said that he found as a re-
'ult of inquiry and observation that
aost Spaniards on the island INDUCED
he hope, based largely on reasons of
1atriotism or sentiment, that the ma
ional flag would continue to float over
-uba. Among the Spaniards there is
o be found a considerable number
YhO looked with no little favor upon
he idea of the United States ultimate
Y controlling Cuba. These are Of the
opinion that if this country gets pos
session of the island, either by pur-
,hase or annexation, or If it establishes
l protectorate over Cuba. permanent