Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-10
The Republic Established.

miles in the interior of Cuba that Spanish
soldiers have never trod, and for that mat
ter never SHALL
The Republic Established.
IF we could not justly lay claim to hay-
ing republic here established. how is it
that our president, with an escort Of only
400 men, can be away from Cubitas for a
fortnight, traverse distance Of 300 miles
by the main highway of the island and
never shot be fired by friend orsfoe? How
Is it that we have civil officers all the way
from Puerto Principe to the very shadow
of the castle at Santiago de Cuba; and
again, how is 1t that in the Sierra Maestro
mountains we have working upon the farms
OF the republic over seven hundred Spanish
soldiers who were made prisoners of war,
and who, not caring to return to their
ranks, are protected by Gen. Jose Maceo
and his men? This latter feature NAV be
news to the American people, but the Span
ish government knows 1t full WELL and has
made attempts to recapture its men, al
though at the same time it has denied such
a state of affairs"
The sound of bugle coming from up the
road told Col. Menocal and the other Off
GERS at the hotel, among them DR.. Orles,
chief of the insurgent hospital corps, and
who, by the way, does not speak a word of
English that the hour for taking I'D the
march had arrived
Getting into the saddles and galloping up
inc IOdu, TTeSiOenL ClSnerOS was Standing
at the door of the prefecto's house, bidding
goodbye to that important official and the
family and friends who had gathered
about. There was a general handshaking
while men, women and children were hur-
rying from other sections of the little ham
let to say "Adios!' to the untiring little
man whom they know as their chief mag
istrate.
simplicity, very pretty, not to say affect
ing.
Then his eye caught The Star correspon-
dent. He left the group and came out
"Ah! you were late, were you not? You
should have been at Las Tunas, and wit
messed the march of our little band through
the town, unmolested by the Spanish garri-
son. Yes; 1t was very significant"
The column was already away up the
road, followed by large crowd of villagers
who were shouting themselves hoarse with
cries Of Cuba Librer' give Cuba! and
. NlVe President Cisneros!'
With the President.
Your correspondent rode alongside of Mr.
Cisneros, who sat jauntily in the saddle
and appeared happy as he conversed on
commonplace topics. intermingled with
matters Of greater import. Col Menocal,
who rode ahead with DR.. Orles, OCCASION
ally addressed remarks to the president or
his companion. Behind us rode six or eight
horsemen
President Cisneros, are you not exposing
yourself and the government by making
such journey as this?'
"Oh, no." he replied spiritedly; "this Is
our section of the country. you KNOW" and
he emphasized the our as though there was
no doubt about it.
indeed, 1t appeared so. From the little
village Of Guanaro along the main high
was reached there was nothing to indie ate
the existence Of Spanish rule in Cuba On
the contrary, there was every evidence not
alone OF sympathy with the Cuban govern
ment, put of Its actual application in a civil
as well as military sense. People gathered
at the small settlements and cross-road
corners to greet thel little army Of we'll
mounted, well-armed and intelligent men
on his march, certainly to him a triumphal
one, from central Cuba almost to the ex-
IRENE eastern ehd Of the island, and re-
turn. Re
No Fenr Of Attack.
mo, we have no reason to fear an attack
here" said Mr.. Cisneros, in answer to q
question, as the lights of Puerto Principe
shone six or seven miles away. for the
force In the city-has been reduced almost
to nothing during the past two weeks, the
Spanish government evidently deciding
that the 5000 soldiers could be used to bet
ago they were afraid Puerto Principe would
be captured. Then their fears rested on
Matanzas. Now they are massing thou
sands Of troops before Havana, and fortify-
ing the city with heavier Krupp guns. The
Spaniards act as though they thought we
wanted Havana, when, IS q matter of fact
We are satisfied with our little mountain
capital for the time being"
Last night was passed at Tres Camnos
eighteen miles from headquarters, and
with the president I journeyed to Cubitas
the mountain capital. Before left Cubitas
news of victories in Havana province ar
| rived, and there was general rejoicing at
the cloudland capital of the republic.
VIM. F. MANNIX
Ordered to Leave.