The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-14
.iBOET CLE.f

Spanish forces in Cuba and compelled
to LEAVE the island. wa, interviewed bE
tie Atlanta Constitution Oh hi- arrival
III Atlanta. We clip the following
A.kcd a for hi opinion Of the ont
come 5t tie struggle Tor tie islands in
Dependence. Dr. Diaz replied It ii
iudependence or death with the pa
trjotz. They will never consent T. any
thing short Of complete Independence.
The day a passed for a compromise
with home rule 1t is simply a que--
ton Of which can hold out the longest,
spain or Cuba. think that the Gu
bans viii win Soon noW the RAINY
season viii come on again. and the
@paniardS will not be able 70 do any
thing in the field. 1t is true that the
patriot armies will not be able 10 get
about a. easily as they move now, but
they can more than hold their own.
Weyler has made no progress. lie has
established 4 fortified line across the
island. but the Cubans pass and repass
1t viii. | i manned BY perhaps 3D.
600 soldiers, who are thus taken from
other. points They do no harm on
the trocha, and they certainly DO not
worry the insurgent armies. The Gu
bans prefer death to government by
SPAN. Eventually Cuba viii be safe.
If the United States would only allow
the insurgents to buy arms and amnu-
milton IN her markets, the war would
soon BE over.
"a large part OF the Cuban army IS
armed only with the nachete. The
equipment OF the men IS very hight.
some carry gun. Others pistol and
many have neither. he instWgent
trusts to luck for bis food. If he can
get nothing else he makes 4 meal on
sugar cane Beef and sweet potatoes
are often obtalnablc though. Coffee IS
almost unheard Of, but guarado' sweet
enei water. IS used for beverage. The
citizens of the interior towns chez
fully share what they have with the
patriots. II is because of this sympa-
thy that the Spaniards are 50 cruel
when they do capture q small interior
town. The Spaniards, however, do not
attempt to hold any cities except those
on the coast.
Tine history of this missionary is
full Of interest. As remarked above, it
Is largely due to his individual exertions
that the Baptist church has 27,oOO
members IN Cuba. He has more than
twenty missionaries under him on the
island, and church property valued at
$40, 900 IN Havana. Dr.. DiaZ was
born III 1882 the oldest Of twenty-iOu1
children born to one mother, who was
married at the age of twelve years and
Is now in good health, most valuable
and hearty coad tutor Of her son and
the other members OF her family His
father was 4 pharmacist living in Gu
analacOa, a town of 1900 inhabitants
lust across the bay to the eastward Of
Havana. After i good education in
! the schools of his native town, Alberto
+ became 4 student in the University OF
Havana he, after graduating, studied
medicine in the same city, and IN due
anne was admitted to practice as a ply
siclan Though his father was not
rich. the education 81 his son was ac-
c0mpiiShed at cost Of $4,000, contln-
uing through twelve years.
In tie rebellion Of twenty years ago
he Joined the insurgents and was made
captain of a company.
"One afternoon he was sent ahead
with companion to find q suitable
spot for an encampment. While thus
engaged tho two men were surprised BY
Spanish troopers and found themselves
IN danger OF immediate capture or
death. They rode their horses hurried
~ into thicket ard springing from
the saddles piled the whip to the loos-
ened ANIMALS driving them out Of
reach, in hope that the Spanlards would
90 after the horses ana forget the riders.
They were on point of lind running
out into the sea on the southern coast
Instead OF following the horses the
Spaniarde chose 70 find the men, if pos
sible but. as the shades of night were
gathering around them, they determin-
ed to encamp and keep the rebels on
the point all night and then take them
IN the morning The young men had
seen enough of Spanish treatment Of
prisoners to know that their lives were
worth but little to them if they were
caught. 50, during the night, obey
procured 4 plank and knowing that q
current was sweeping along the coast
they thought to get into it and thus lie
borne beyond the Spanish lines to q
place where they might land IN safety.
d..