The herald., 1896-09-14
an |NSURGENI COASCR|PT
Tells Tales of the War in
Cuba
AB0MINABLE BARBARITIES
Practiced BY Both the Spaniards and
the Cubans
All the Leaders Are Inspired by lznobis no
tives. But the Insurgents win Win.
McPherson's Ambition
Associated Press snec,al Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 13.-Arthur Nc
Pherson, a native of Scotland, has re-
turned to Omaha after having spent a
most eventful two years of his life
among. the Cubans. He was sent to
Cuba to put up some machinery by
Glasgow iron firm and taken prisoner
by the insurgents. He and his compan-
ions were charged with being Spanish
spies. The accusation had touch Of
the ridiculous about it, as not one of the
men could speak word Of Spanish.
The party was given a sort of court
martial or given the option of death or
serving in the Cuban army. They could
do nothing but accept the situation.
For the next eighteen months McPher-
son saw whole lot of Cubans.
They say that every once in a while
the Spanish take out a batch Of insur-
gent prisoners and shoot them down in
their tracks. This is undoubtedly true,
but I have witnessed deeds of cruelty
on the part of the insurgents that fully
equaled that. l have seen them fire.
quently turn over the women and par
ticularly young girls, found in the houses
that were raided, to the negro soldiers
in the army who were allowed to do
what they pleased with them. The whole
island is wrecked and ruined. There
are no plantations and no ranches. Ev-
erything has been destroyed.
Finally an opportunity for escape
offered and he seized it. He was un-
successful Being recaptured, he was
placed in stocks and kept in them for
six long weeks. If he asked for drink
of water, pailful was thrown over
his head.
At last the prisoner was brought be-
fore the famous Antonio Maceo. He
threw pride to the winds. He told the
attempt to escape and would continue
in the Cuban army. Maceo, who Nc
Pherson said, was less cruel than his
brother Jose, released him.
There is little in this talk that the
rebellion is inspired by patriotism"
said Mcpherson. 1.-The leaders are al
most without exception inspired by in
terested and personal motives, and SO
are the soldiers. Maceo. himself is not
urged on by any patriotic feelings. He
is fighting for revenge. He said as much
when he told me his history. He said
he was the son of wealthy Spaniard
by negro mother. When his father
died he and his brothers were euchred
out of their property by their Spanish
relatives. The sons We're angered at the
insult and conspired to set on the re-
bellion. Antonio's desire for revenge
has been further infamed by the fact
that every one of his six brothers have
been killed in the war;"
Mcpherson and his companions event
ually escaped by seizing a naptha launch
which had landed some Spanish officers
from a warship and were picked up by
the steamer Vera Cruz and landed in
Mexico.
THE Cubans will win," said McPher-
son. 'They must win. The Spaniards
have not the money to carry on the war.
Their armies must carry everything
with them on expeditions. There are no
provisions to be obtained in the inter-
ior. All has been destroyed. Spain can
not stand the expense of such warfare.
They cannot change the method Of fight
ing, for the insurgents will not enter
into a battle.
II have one ambition" he continued,