The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-01-29
STRONGHOLD OF THE CUBANS.
President Cisneros and his Cabinet safe
In a Natural Fortress.

CuBrrAs MOUNTAIN, CAMAGSEY,
VIA TAMrA, FLA, Jan. 23.-For six
weeks the executive headquarters Of
the Cuban revolutionary republic has
been located in these mountains, 25
miles from the city of Puerto Prin-
cipe, with its Spanish garrison of
5000 men.
Not even an attempt has been made
by the Spaniards to dislodge them,
and President Cisncros and his cabi
net are as secure from the enemy as
they would be in the main citadel of
Gibraltar. Indeed, the great modern
guns that could in time play havoc
with the almost impregnablc "key of
the Mediterranean" would avail moth
ing against the Is miles of rocks and
ridges that encircle and hide the very
modest wooden buildings that compose
the executive mansion and chief de-
partments Of the as yet unrecognlzcd
republic Of Cuba.
It is three days journey from lla.
bana, attended with great personal
risk. After 25 hours sail to llievi-
tas the trip is by railroad to Puerto
Principe in steel-guarded cars, slow
and tedious, because of frequent in
vestigations Of bridges and the track.
In Puerto Principe, by arrangement,
I met my guide at mass in the cathe-
dral, and assuming different disguises
we journcyed by darkness Of night to
the base of Cubitas mountain, being
frequently held up by the alert Span
ish guards, and one occasion two
threatened to kill US, but silver in the
palm saved our lives. For hours We
iourneyed on horse until we reached
the base of the mountain, and by a
narrow path climbed its steep sides.
On reaching the summit there is no
trouble in figuring out for ones self
why the Spaniards have made no at
tempt to dislodge the rebel govern
ment. Spain might send every sol
dier she at present has in the island
of Cuba (ll9,000 regulars and 5000
volunteers, and she would be unable
to cope with the 800 men who form
the guard of President Cisncros.
Nor could she starve them out, for
the top Of Cubitas mountain is fer
tile plateau of 5000 acres, where po
tatoes, corn and other vegetables and
cereals thrive. Even should Gomez,
Macea and the other leaders in the
field be killed or captured, and the
revolution otherwise be put down, the
garrison at Cuban headquarters might
hold out for years, and the roof of this
natural fortress could remain little
republic over which the ''Lone Star
Flag" might flow in fearless and inde-
pendent immunity.
Passing through small grove the
four large buildings comprising the
executive quarters came into view.
Two companies of soldiers were going
through the manual of arms, and sew.
eral small squads were marching and
facing. Around lying on the grass
we're several hundred men smoking,
playing games, etc. A little cannon
at the farther end of the green boom
ed a welcome, and President Cisneros,
emerging from rustic little house,
greeted all warmly. He said he was
very pleased to see the representa-
tives of an American newspaper in the
"Washington of the Cuban republic. v
President Salvador Cisneros- Betan'
court-that is his full name-is very
democratic man despite great wealth
and the honors that have been be-
slowed upon him by the Spanish crown.
He has lived part Of his life in the
United States, and few years ago
became a citizen, renouncing his title
of Marquis of Santa Lucia for that of
plain Mr.. He is a great admirer OF
| the American nation and people. Here
he is surrounded by his cabinet Off
GERS, and directs from Cubitas noun,
tain all the diplomatic work of the
movement. His secretary of war, IL
nance, etc., have charge of the differ
ent departments under his guidance.
The headquarters is in almost unin-
terrupted communication with all parts
| of Cuba by means Of courier mail
system, supplemented by quite num-
Der of carrier pigeons.
General Roloff, acting secretary Of
war, is here in charge Of the executive
guard. From the General down to the
| privates all sleep out of doors in ham
mocks hung in some clean grove. The
air is pure, and, at this time Of the
year, cool; and a generally healthier
body of men it would be hard to find:
"We are quite secure here, said
President Cisneros, ard all the men
are contented. We figure on keeping
about 600 men at headquarters, for
| it would never do to let the Spanish
government capture our head officers,
take our papers and money and turn
to their own use our military stores.
The military stores are not, of course,
very extensive, but the dynamite that
has wrecked scores of trains and torn
up most of the railroads of Cuba was
made at Cubitas mountain. The sys-
tenn of manufacture is naturally very
crude, but the dynamite appears to do
effective work.
Regarding the revolution and the
prospect of success President Cisne-
ros said:
"You may tell the American people
that the cause Of republicanism in
Cuba will win. This is no idle boast,
but recent events plainly demonstrate
the inability of Spain to cope with the
movement. Unlike the war of 1868
1878, the present struggle is not that
of a quarter of the people Of Cuba,
but the fight of the vast majority for
freedom which is the birthright of
men worthy of being free. 1t is a
movement blessed by heaven, sane.
toned by the enlightened world and
praised by all lovers of liberty and
Justice. Barbaric, tyrannical and ff-
teenth century Spain has thousands
of soldiers and plenty Of arms and
ammunition, but her army has no
heart in the oppression Of Cuba. " hat
little fighting her soldiers have done
was for the gold they have not, and
perhaps will not receive. How differ
ent with the Cuban forces. Thousands
of men have given up their homes and
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