Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-05
CONFIDENT CUBANS.
Gen. Castillo Describes the Conditions
in the Island.
SPANISH SOLDIERS DISCONTINUED
GonzaIoDe Quesada Warns Persons
Against Misleading Notices.
L AN D G. EXP EDITIO n S

The Cuban sympathizers resident in
Was shington and particularly those who
are actively engaged in furthering the
cause of freedom in the island, are natur-
ally feeling quite exalted over the recent
landing Of Col. Rafael Portuondo's expedi
ton on the Cuban coast This morning, at
the Raleigh, number of Cubans called
upon GonZalo de Quesada, the charge daft
faires of the Cuban republic here, and
talked over the present state Of affairs
with much animation. Gen joaquin Cas-
tillo came over from New York last night,
and was present at the gathering this
| morning and conversed. before his depart
ure for Gotham, with a Star reporter. The
latter expressed surprise that such an i'm
portant expedition as that of Portuonjo
could be SO easily landed upon the Cuban
coast when Spain claimed to have estab-
lished a complete Gordon in the shape of a
blockade around the island. Gen. Castillo
laughed at this.
IseIessncss of the Gordon.
Why" he remarked, ''it is the easiest
thing imaginable for us to land expeditions
bearing arms, munitions and men on the
coast of Cuba, and be assured of their
safe reception by our friends there. 1t is
true that the Spaniards have forty-sx or
forty-Seyen gunboats patroliing the waters
around the island, but they do not amount
to an obstruction, so far as We are con-
cerned. OF course, if cruiser should
come across one of our boats it might
prove disastrous, provided they came into
close enough quarters. but, you see, it is
a part OF our plan TO prevent any such
possibility, and SO our efforts to keep
friends in Cuba supplied with the neces-
n - h..N lly-
cessful with but one exception.
"Inat was in the case of he Compel
1tor, which was a small expedition, and
although two of the Competitors men were
killed and five We're captured, the forty
seven Others who We're aboard of her We're
safely landed together, with all the arms
and ammunition that she carried. Gen.
Antonio Maceo recently sent .eIter which
l have read, stating that by reason OF the
Competitors cargo he was enabled to win
an important victory.
Every Property Owner Rebel.
The conditions in Cuba continued Gen.
Ohstillu are growing darker for the
Spaniards every moment, and correspond
ingly brighter for the Cubans. There is not
a property owner in the Island of Cuba
and 1 say it with full appreciation OF
its significance, who is not d rebel
The Spanish soldiers are sick and dis
heartened and disccntented. They have
prosecuting d Successful winter campaign
were worse than Unfultlled, and now they
are confronted win the fear Of the pesli-
ient'al 1lscaseS that rage IN Cuba during
the summer months The Spanish army
EaS not been paid any wages for over
four months, anu the owners of property
occupied by the Spaniards for military
headquarters and similar purposes have
not received any rent from the Spaniards
Tor two or three times that long. So you
see that the soldtery and the civilians
within the spanish lines alike aGe chaHng
under these conditions. DeSertions from
tie Spanish ranks are of almost daily &C.
cuFfence, ana I OF l0hg since Two entire
companies deserted from the Trocha and
Joined the insurgents. From what 1 have
told you 1t is easy to realize what en-
coLragement We Cubans feel over the in
eVitabIe success of our cause"
\ Very Timely Warming.
senor Quesada was asked by The Star re-
porter if it were true that many Americans
We're members of the recent expeditions
| landed in Cuba and if there had been any
| change in the policy of the Cuban republic
which had hitherto been opposed to the en-
lstment of men for service in the island
in the United States.
Il told you some weeks ago." said Senor
Quesada, when You showed me an adyer-
tisement calling for men and funds in be-
llshed without my authority, that no one in
the United States was authorized to enlist
a man Tor the Cuban cause, and that no
cne in this country save Benjamin Guerra
OF New York was authorized to accent q
siEge cent on behalf of the Cuban repub-
lie. If there have been Americans among
the members Of the recent expeditions thai
fded IN cuba you can rest assured that
their presence was desirable to those hay-
ing the expeditions Immediately in charge
nave written several letters to magazines
and newspapers which are publishing the
advertisement l alluded to a few moments
ago, and which L denounced in my former
interview as entirely unauthorized repeat-
ing what l said to The Star through YOU
Senor Estrada Palma was compelled to
make the same statement in New York a
few days ago.
Cnmfstakably Emphatic.
mo one has any right, 1 wish to repeat.
to enlist men in the United States for duty
In Cuba, while persons who desire to Aid
the Cuban cause by financial assistance
| and who send their subscriptions to anv
person but Benjamin Guerra in New York
| will, l am confident, support something
very closely allied to a swindle Mr., Guer-
ra has no agents, and only Tuesday, when
a check was sent to me for $500. to he an.
Piled to the benefit Of the Cuban cause. I
returned 1T to the sender. with the request
that he make 1t out in favor of Senior Guer-
IA, because he was the only authorized
agent to receive it. In dwelling as do upon
this point, l do not wish to be regarded
as making plea for money for the Cuban
cause. l merely desire to prevent any per
sons from being misled by any advertise
ments they may see in newspapers or
magazines, reputable or otherwise They
are apSolutely unauthorized in every in