The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-19
A YEAR OF THE WAR.
Glorious Results Achieved by the Cuban
Patriots.

| Glorious Results Achieved by the Cuban
| Patriots.
John Swinton in New York Sun.
The outbreak of the Cuban revolution
occurred February "a. 1895, at Santa
| go. For the revolutionsts the year
has been truly a great one, filled with
heroic deeds and warlike achievements
1t has been for them a year of the Sc
verest hardships and trials, all met
with unyielding resolution. 1t has
made plain the advancement of the
greatest cause for which man can live
or die. 1t will ever shine in freedoms
annals.
Many thousands of the patriots have
fallen in battle during the year; but
others sprang forward to fill their
places. Thousands of wounded men
have died in the rude hospitals or In
the solitude of deserted places; but
even their woful experiences have not
discouraged their living comrades.
Many have been subjected to cruelties
such as Spaniards so often inhict upon
an enemy in time of civil war; but
the patriots have taken all the risks
without quailing.
The result of the years struggle. as
we survey them to-day, are full of
hope for gallant Cuba. 1t has seemed
to us at times as though the patriots
were almost within sight of the prom
Used land.
They have striven alone all through
the year. without help from any quar-
ter. We have given them our SYM
pathy, which has a moral value, but
they have nothing else to thank us for.
They have asked us to recognize their
belligerent rights, but the request has
not been granted. They have striven
at times to obtain some supplies from
this country, but we have prevented
even provisions from reaching them.
They have held out their hands to us
without receiving a friendly grasp
even though they were fighting for
republican government and against an
intolerable despotism. Isolated upon
the island of Cuba, which is surround
ed by armed ships of the Spanish navy.
they have fought through all the IL |
months of the year an army far out |
their own.
We do not know of any war for lib |
erty more grand in its character than |
that of the patriots of Cuba.
All the year they have had to live |
upon the country" They have chewed |
the sugar cane. eaten roots or herbs. |
got flesh meat OCCASIONALLY, and some
times secured a scanty stock of bread |
or groceries at such places as fell into |
their hands. They have been but half
clad in rags. They have had to get |
their guns and ammunition from the
enemy They have had to fight with
the rude blades used in the sugar in
1ustry. They have been ever on the |
tramp. day and night.
1t has indeed been a war of trials, |
rs well as of triumphs, for the cam
oaigners for liberty in Cuba.
One year ago. when the first outbreak
If the patriots took place at Santiago
lie Cuba, there were but a few hun |
ired of them in arms. and the province
vas under martial law. Their num-
)ers grew to thousands, their Skin
nishes were of daily occurrence their
progress westward was slow but
steady. month after month. Spain grew
more desperate. combats increased in
magnitude. leadership was improved
~ experience. successes for them were
many. While yet months of the first
rear of the war were left, the guns of
he revolution could be heard at the |
apital; the Spanish army was cooped
Up in few places; the most of the
country was under patriotic control,
md the native population was united
or the revolution. At this time Spain
lolds only Havana and a few other
trongholds, defended by the army and
he fleet. The third of the series of |
spanish commanders calls for yet more
roops. and forces the negroes to come
o his help.
Such is the record of the first year |
4 the patriot struggle in Cuba.
We know not what will be the issue |
f the war. But assuredly, If the rev.
luton shall proceed for another year,
here is good reason for believing that
will be successful, and that Cuba
yill win the prize of freedom.
Victory to the army of the revolu-
lonary patriots!