Evening star., 1896-01-25

could have made better military DISPOSE
ton Of the troops at his command than he
did. His columns seemed to meet US at
every turn in all our march from the
Oriente; but the fortunes of war favored
us. and we succeeded in our original plans.
"As to the charge that he lacked force
of character ana decision, we all know
| what that means Had he been possessed
Of those requisites dubbed force of cnar-
acter. he would still be the captain gen.
eral of her majesty's forces in Cuba, and
| the plaudits of Spain would be echoed
across the ocean to him. But he lacked
| them. He lacked the desire to shoot, hang
and imprison men indiscriminately. He
| lacked desire to break up homes and scat
ter misery and ruin abroad. His loyalty to
Spain cannot be questioned, but he was
more loyal to his God and his manhood.
Gen. Gomez seemed much affected by his
| own words. He turned to the members OF
his staff. and each acquisced in what their
| chief had said. and expressed regret be-
cause Of Gen. Campos' retirement
| do not misunderstood me-" again went
| on Gen. Gomez, 1T is not from a military
point Of view that we are sorry. He was
! the most efficient general Spain could have
| placed In command of her troops. and for
| that reason We should rejoice. But as men
| &c SoIiiioi, lOI we iONtu diiO EtspcCltl iiAis
More Blood and Misery.
| I'VE IT gret because the change will mean
| more bloodshed and misery for Cuba 1t
| will mean the secret hunting of suspected
| revolutionists in the cities; the sending to
| Ceuta of hundreds of innocent men, and
perhaps the numbering of prisoners taken.
| But the Spanish government must be-
ware. She cannot ride iron-shod over Gu
| ban nearths as she did in the years from
| 1873 to 1878. Then the forces in the field
| were weak and we could not IL we would,
| retaliate. Not so in 1896. The revolution is
spread from one end Of the island to an
other. We have a total force of about
$1,000 men, ard We have the eyes of the
civilized world upon us.
| "It would not be well for the Spaniards
| to make war upon the defenseless in the
cities, for in that case liberty will demand,
and the world will sanction, an eye for an.
eye and a tooth for tooth
I'm this war we have made prisoners over
LOO Spaniards while the Spanish govern
ment has not captured one-quarter that
number from US. This ratio can. and will
be. maintained; and 1t is easy TO see how
we could doubly aver ge the cold-blooded
numbering of our comrades and friends.
But will the American people close their
eyes to Cuba while atrocities are perpetra-
ted? And will they continue to listen for
cries from far away Armenia while the iron
lsheel of The oppressor is upon the neck Of
a weak sister at their very doors? i trust
rot pray it will not be So"
The Question of BelIieerency.
Then the question Of belligerency was
brought up. Gen. Gomez prepared a smile
on his thin face before he said: ''Oh, ] am
so tired Of that subject, and have heard so
nuch about it that 1 fear discussion on
the topic more than a battle with the Span
iards"
And the whole party laughed at the little
ger erals little speech. Then he said he
didn't know what to think about the mat-
ter. He could not blame Congress, he said,
wren the revolution confined solely
to the eastern third Of the island, but since
it had become widespread movement, and
since the rebel army was able to take pos
session of nine-tenths of the island, and to
become complete master of at least two-
thirds, he could not see why Congress
should delay.
Il know the Americans are a great peo.
pie, but I fear that few million dollars
of American gold invested in Cuba has
, much to do with the inactivity of Congress.
, That body thinks that IL we are not recog-
nized Spain will be responsible and pay for
: American property destroyed. Perhaps that
I | is true; but could not Cuban republic
, do it as well as financially decrepid Spain 1?
Certainly 1t could and there would not be
single objection to it.
But as a matter Of fact no great
amount Of American property has been de-
stroyed. Indeed, the amount is SO small
| that two nations would not bubble cons
! cerning it. Our officers and men in all
{ parts of the island have scrupulously re-
spected American interests, and will con-
| tinue to do
do you not think we always consider
! well what doing, and weigh well
the facts before We make a move? Did we
/ go into Pinar del Rio and destroy the to-
| bacco crop? Oh, no: we nave too much con-
, sideration for our friends in Havana, Key
} West and New York.
Insurgents' Plans.
, Speaking of the movements of the differ
, ent divisions of the army, Gen. Gomez said
, that Gen. Maceo would remain for some
, time in Pinar del Rio, where he was gaining
many adherents: Banderas would keep the
troops in Havana busy, and Jose Maceo
was giving good accounts of himself in the
. far east.
, And you see," said Gomez, II am now
going to meet re-enforcements from the
, | Oriente, who are now near Sanct Spiritus
under Sanchez. We will leave our wounded
at the hospitals Of the Cienaga, obtain new
= supplies. and return to Havana provinci
with an increase of 5000 men,
!. do you intend to attack Havana, gen,
eral?'
That remains to be seen"
WIN. F. MANNIN.
ID. AND O. RAILWAY PLANS. ,