The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-26
CUBA'S YEAR OF WAR
A RESUME OF THE OPERATIONS OF
THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS.
Slow but Stendy Growth Of the Revo-
luton. Despite the Efforts Put
Forth by Spaniards.
New York Sun.

New York Sun.
Tt was the 23i of February last year
that the State Department at Washington
received dispatch from the American con-
sui at Santiago de Cuba conveying the in
formation that grave apprehension or
trouble existed there. 1t was the day fol-
lowing, of which this day of the month Is
the anniversary, that the first outbreak &C.
CURED. that the first signs OF the insurrec-
ton which has ragged all over Cuba during
the past twelve months became visible. and
that the revolutionary challenge TO Spain
was given out by a small body of valorous
Cubans. Previous to that time the Spanish
authorities at Havana had made oroclama-
ton that the province in which the city of
Santiago is situated was disturbed by re-
bellious subjects, who were called upon TO
surrender within eight days; but none of
them had surrendered up to the date Of the
Santiago outbreak at which time the Cap
tain General of Cuba began to realize that
severe measures were necessary.
He put the province under martial law,
increased the garrison by which it was held.
arrested many suspected citizens. and pre-
pared to maintain order after the manner
that has for centuries past been customary
in Cuba. Very soon there were disturbances
in various parts of the province. and num-
Der of fights between the troops and the in
surgents. all of which. according to the
official reports sent to this country, ended
in favcr Of Spain. 1t was said that the
rebels were a motley crew of whites and
blacks. who were opposed by the property
holders of all classes. among whom the
hat rr
such reforms as would put an end 10 any
grievances that could be complained OF.
The American consul at Santiago notified
the State Department that the rebellion
lives were lost or much property was de-
stroyed. 1t was not thought by any or the
officials that the trouble would spread. 1t
seemed to them but small affair. of
kind very well known in Cuba, the end of
which would come after proper number
of executions under court-martial
The trouble, however, grew more for
midable day by day. The insurrection
gained recruits in all parts of the province:
the Spanish troops were attacked at every
reported; the machete was used by the in
surgents in every encounter; the Spaniards
complained that they found difficulty in
dealing with their adversaries who would
suddenly make an attack, and then retreat
to inaccessible places in the forests. the
struction was impossible Nevertheless, all
the official reports from the Spanish side
told of victories only, and promised a
speedy conclusion of the disturbances.
SPREAD OF THE REVOLT.
Before the close of the month of March
the instruction had spread far beyond the
place at which it started, and thousands
Of men had taken the field in it's behalf.
Report was made to Washington by Consul
Hyatt that all the territory lying along the
Canto river. between Santiago and Man.
/ oily inc, &c rt<,
were reinforced from every sugar planta-
ton and every town by both whites and
blacks. Fighting by that time had become
more serious, and there were a good many
affairs in which the lists of killed and
wounded were larger than they had been
at the first. Yet up to the end of March
the Spanish general could not be con-
WINGED that the time for him to strike a
decisive blow" against the rebellion had
arrived.
rebel forces in attachments than to crush
them at once, more especially as he could
not induce the captain-general to send him
all the troops that were needed. His prime
object was to catch the leaders and dis
pose of them, after which would be the
time for putting to death such fugitives as
might come within reach.
Early in April the instruction began to
take on a revolutionary aspect. The rebels
seemed to be more determined than ever,
and better prepared for the conflicts which
frequently occurred. They had captured
thousands of guns in the many combats
with the Spanish troops which had occurred; ;
their stragey and their manoeuvring seemed
to be under exceedingly skillful direction,
and the whole of the native population was
evidently in sympathy with them Thus
things stood, or rather moved, in the OPEN
ing days of April last.
About this time the Spanish government
became alarmed, even while declaring that
there was no cause for alarm. They de-
termined to send to Cuba the greatest OF
Spanish generals. Martinez Campos. who
would undoubtedly make short work or the
rebellion. Heavy bodies of troops were sent
from Spain to Cuba, that Martinez Campos
might open the campaign and overawe the
rebels with an army 900 strong, and with
a naval force sufficient to guard the whole
seaboard of the island.
1t was well along in April when the great
General arrived at Havana, and was well
coined with salvos of artillery from all the
forts and from the fleets. He surveyed the
situation, got his army in readiness for
action, strengthened the garrisons or the
chief seaports and island strongholds, called
large body of volunteers into his service
and issued proclamation ordering the
rebels TO lay down their arms, submit TO
the authority of Spain, and accept such
terms as he was prepared to offer Them
under the imperative sanction OF the royal
government of his Majesty, Alfonso XIII.
The insurgents gave no heed to these
things. They continued TO gather in recruits
of all colors; they fell upon the Spanish
| the opportunity to do so a President of the
| Cuban republic was chosen; Maxine Gomez
soldier of high repute during the ten
| years war in Cuba. was in the field as
| chief of the forces of the revolution.
While yet Martinez CampoS was Drepar-
| ing to crush the audacious insurgents, the
| month of May arrived, and ii is this month
| that usually marks the opening of the
| rainy season, when it is impossible for
| Spanish troops to carry on campaign
| in Cuba. He determined to wait until
| tumn, at which time he would put his army
| in the field and force the enemy to fight a
| decisive battle. The insurgents, however,
would not give him rest during the summer
| months. They harassed his troops, drove
them from many places, secured more arms
| by capture and lived upon such food as the
| country afforded. Martinez Campos ap-
pealed to them again and again, but with
| out effect. They got possession of more
| and more of Cuban territory. The summer
was lost for Spain, but not for the In
| surgents.
CAMPOS'S CAMPAIGN.
| September arrived, and Martinez Cam
| pos's Plans for immediate action were ready
| for execution. At number of points he
| moved with exceeding caution, but met
| with reverses which compelled him TO be
yet more cautious. AS offensive movements
| were dangerous, he determined TO act
| chiefly upon the defensive. with headquar-
| tiers at Havana. at Matanzas and in the
| field not far from these places.
In October he learned that the insurgents
| had between IS. eco and 10000 men in their
| ranks, but were poorly armed. and were
| caffered over hundreds of miles of terri