The morning times., 1896-06-21
Copyright, 1867

made to Cuba by Cuba's friends and sympa--
thizcrs will take Oh the dignity of the May
flower and her sister ships. Situated diff
ferently, both for love of country left and
gave ali-for country! Right or wrong,
there is a parallel there
Thirteen expeditions called filibusters.
which have started out from the coast.
have landed in that part of Cuba which now
belongs to the people whose name IL bears.
They began at one end OF Cuba and grad
ualiy landed nearer and nearer To the heart
of the enemy.
In March, 1895. Maceo and Crombet land
ed on the island with 800 rifles and fine
spirit TO start the mutiny. A month later
Gomez and Marti-one now dead and tile
other famous geDeral-followed them.
Then came Roloff. Sanchez and ROdri-
gucZ. and after them many others. all
filibustering expeditions down to the pres
cnt day. when the news of the gre, est
successful one in history is told by tele-
graph.
THE FIRST FILIBUSTER.
The plan for Cuban filibusters is a deep
laid one. 1t began in 1887. Cuba's pa
triots who had fought in the uprising in
Cuba in sS5, and were defe;..ed, saw why.
1t was because Of the lack OF organization;
and lack of organization with any little
country III ulStEtss llc.ihs itith VI oulSitO
aid. Marti specially saw it and decided
that ne must get help some where. He did
rot delay long. but set out upon tour to
see Cubans all over this part OF the world.
In New York city Marti was aided by
Juan Fraga. who founded the Club de los
Undergraduates. and in Mexico, Central
America and the island Marti fcprd many
friends and sympa athizers. 1t took him eight
years to get ready to fight. But at the end
of that time. in 1895, he saw that Cuba
could and should be free.
The next step was the filibuster. the ally.
This was an element unknown in the war
fare of acknowledged powers for il means
a ship sent by stealth to do what it can
without being stopped. But il itmeant a great
deal to Cuba. From all the countries where
Marti had established his clubs there came
word that there was money waiting for
him, and inquiries whether they should pur-
chase ammunition and supplies and start
them southwark to Cuba in beats. To these
Marti replied favofably. and the fiiibusters
began to go cut. Marti himself was on the
second one that arrived in Cuba. He died
soon after in almost his first battle. but
Gomez and Crombet and the others were
left.
Although the clubs in the cities had un-
dertaken the task of equipping the fill
busters. there was great de al of difficult
work to be done. The getting of ammunition
was hard task. The United States govern
me mt is not at liberty to sell ammunition to
filibustering expeditions. and rifles and
cannon. carhines and cartridges must be
picked up here ard there until there is
enough. Then. at the dead of night n Of a
sunny unsuspicious day. the steamer starts
off loaded with its deadly cargo. To I've de-
tected IS death or long imprisc nmeat to al
on hoard.
FRUIT FILIBUSTERS.
The rlibustering ship is not peculiar in
shape. a common fruit steamer isthe chos
en- nlihuster. as that arouses no suspicion
In sight is every indication that fruit is
to he brought back and the crew are the
most harmless of sailors in appearance. OF
course. they are tried men and true, armed
to the teeth and as ready to die as to shoot.
When the Three Friends made its success
ful expedition in March with Braulio Pena
and his men. it was decided al the Cuban
mort near Jacksonville to send her again.
Though only a tugboat. she has good carry
ing capacity and would hold enough to re-
enforce the Cubans at Santa Clara nightly
Her speed. her very commonplace appear
zee and her excellent engineering works
recommended her: and when Capt. Broward
and Lieut.. Rafael Portuendo offered to man.
age her she was quickly rugged up again
for her perilous voyage to Trinidad. She
has made three successful trips.
1t takes about six days for steamer
like the Three Friends to get from Jack
sonvile to the southern coast of Cuba,
counting the circling tours she must make.
She sails toward the island by day. circles
round osea heads for the island waits
for the signal This is always determined
upon before the expedition starts. With
the last expedition nf the TT roo Friends
rocket was to be the note to approach.
When the Three Friends saw the coast
clear she sent up q rocket. And as all was
we'll off the Santa Clara coast rocket
flew skyward at the coast. Then the boat
pulled for the shore and landed her cargo
and men and stea med away for ia jacksonville
again. Soon a telegram arrived in New
York announcing the safe return to Jack
sonville nf the ship and crew.
Several of the fllibusters' boats that have
gone out have been little tugs. One was
launch. and yacht made another very
capable little filibuster in the early days
of the trouble. The loading OF these boats
takes place anywhere along the coast. Sup
pose you have Cuban blood and want to see
Cuba free. A secret agent of Cuba COM
with you that filibuster boat
lies in the bay and needs certain equipments.
III NOu ITC an eHSl1teT tilt Ets-s
wants telegraph wire and mechanical con
trivanccs for warfare. You donate the
goods. and next night, If you are interested,
you sail down the bay past the innocent
looking fruit steamer that is receiving sucha
bulky cargo of Northern grains and North
ern produce for the South" II is the fill
buster and the bags and barrels cnntain
your wire. But NUNS the word for fill
busters,
COSTLY CARGO.
The cost OF sending out a filibusterinC
vessel may he S1O0. 900. 1t must he remem-
bered that as much valuable material as
possible is TO be stored in the smallest
space One single bale may contain 200
silk balloons for signaling. And another |
90 cases of surgical Instruments. And an |
,thcr 5000 rubber coats. Picks shovels. |
electric shells. telegraph wire shears, wire |
and apparatus for tclephoning and mounts |
for cavalry must all be packed closer than |
,ardincs in a box. When complete the lit |
lie filibuster. il captured by pirates. would |
be the most valuable haul in centuries In |
one ship are all the accoutrements of a civil |
zed town. On Il fiibustering ship part OF |
Inc ships cargo is the men to handle these |
engineers. etc.
The complete list OF successful filibusters |
and their commanders. beginning with the |
fourth one-the one after Rodriguez and 1
Sanchez. who went on the George W. |
rhilds tuCbOat starts with Frfncisco SAM