The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-25
REBELLION IN CUBA
An Interesting Resume of the Past
and Present Situation.
CAMPOS DID NOT REFORM
Instead He Brought Soldiers and
Stirred Up a Dreadful Fuss,
Which Continues In All
Its Red Handedness.

Copyright 1896 by Associated Press.
New York. May PA gentleman, for
45 years resident of Cuba, in an in
terview with a representative of the
associated press to-day, gave the fol-
lowing timely resume of the past and
present of the Cuban rebellion of to-
q or that initiated Feb. "a, 1895. Ow-
ii, to his interests In Cuba and his
being In sympathy with the Cubans,
he refused to permit his name to be
used:
The present rebellion" he said, was
devised and planned by Cubans in New
York. Following its inception. a care
fully worked-out propaganda was made
in Eastern Cuba, and was conducted
with great secrecy. 1t had many ac-
tive adherents among the best classes
in Central and Eastern Cuba. Since the
close of the last war the very active
propaganda of the autonomists have
educated the masses. To-day they
want equal freedom for all Every
thing was done by the masses through
their representatives to persuade Spain
TO grant their reasonable demands. but
the long promised reforms were de-
ferred from year to year. Early in 1895
many of the colored, or working
classes were idle. Then. on the oath of
February, 1895, number raised the
flag of the rebellion and demanded
Cuba Libre,' or free Cuba. The stand
ard of revolt was set up in a number
of places and the blacks joined the
party leaders simultaneously in Cen
trail Cuba small parties formed. At that
time the movement was not deemed a
really serious one. However, the small
parties maintained their independence
and grew in numbers and strength.
Then they had few or no arms, but all
had the death dealing machete.
THE Spanish officials, not believing
the movement was serious, so inform
ed the government and made light of
the whole uprising Later, Spain be-
came alarmed and sent out General
Campos who, instead of bringing the
long promised reforms. brought SOL
diers, whereas. IL he had come alone
duly authorized to adjust all the diff
ferences. the extension of the rebellion
would have been prevented and a set
tlement had. While the insular
events were multiplying. Generals Co
n1ez and Maceo landed with a consid-
erable following. They were Joined
later by the late Jose Marti. Then
General Crombet and his party land
ed. They were ambushed by the Span
ish. Crombet was killed, the survivors
were made prisoners and to-day are in
the MORO castle at Havana.
when IL became known that Gomez,
Marti and Maceo had landed. hundreds
of Cubans abandoned their homes and
Joined them. Generals Gomez. Martl
and others commenced organizing their
respective commands. Later reports
came of skirmishing with the Spanish
troops. The rebels made many prison.
ers and thus secured arms. Eastern
Cuba has been and remains the center
of the rebellion. The people in Central
and Eastern Cuba, who are openly on
the side of the rebels. sympathi0e with
them and keep them fully advised of
every movement of the ropal troops"
In reply to a question regarding the
rebel strength, the gentleman said
fully 5000 men are in the various rebel
commands, of whom three-fourths have
arms. The men in the rebel army are
about half white and half negroes. The
latter make the best soldiers. The rebel
army is officered by whites and blacks.
Discipline is rigidly enforced. Robbery
in the broad sense Is also punished"
When asked as to the rebel method
OF attack, the speaker said that IL was
of the usual Cuban type. They post
their torreadores or sharpshooters in
parties of so. First they engage the
advance guard of the royalists from
ambush, firing upon them and produc-
ing. panic and death. II crowded too
much that party will fall back. while a
new one of so will make a flank attack.
and so they simply harass the Spani-
ards and expose themselves as little as
possible. The Cubans are as crafty in
ambushing as Indians"
THE continued presence of Antonio
Maceo In the province of Plnar del Rio
is of his own volition. His following
to-day Is well armed and have ammu-
milton. The damage done to the coffee
and sugar estates in Cuba" he said,
lis almost irreparable."