San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-09-18
A JAPANESE SPY.
MAKES HIS REPORT ON OPEN AO-
TIONs IN CUBA.
He Says the United States Is Secretly
Aiding the Insurgents For Her
Own Gain.

the World from Havana says: "Es-
quiel Murata, d japanese doctor, who
came to Cuba few months ago os-
tensibly to inform himself on the sani-
tary condition of the Island, has proved
to be a spy He was so imprudent as
to mail his report, and it was seized
and delivered over to Capt General
Weyler. On being translated it proved
to be report to the japanese govern
ment on the military condition of the
Island. Murata was looked for too
late; he had already sailed.
The report is a plain statement of
the progress of the Cuban revolution,
accompanied by a map showing the
places occupied by the rebels and loyal
troops The report winds up as fol-
lows:
In conclusion will say that the 10y
al troops number IA, 900 of which there
are 1000 officers. They hold the prin-
cipal cities and towns, while the rebels,
numbering $4,000 in all, hold the woods,
hills and plains. 1t seems there is an
understanding between Weyler and his
soldiers to do no fighting. The former
is too busy making out his profits on
big contracts for supplying the army
with food and clothing to attend to
military operations. He never goes
out of the city walls and is Captain
General in name only; acting as gov
ernor, in arresting unarmed citizens,
and giving out civil orders"
THE army is run on the go-as-you-
please plan. Occasionally the troops
go scouting and return, having killed
some stray peasants. They then make
out false report of a supposed fight,
with the object of getting promotion.
Since the rebellion started over LOO
promotions have been made and about
5000 medals and decorations awarded
for supposed defeats of the rebels;
nevertheless these have continued I'M
molested in their work of invasion and
destruction.
THE insurgents as military organi-
cation, are very deficient. They are
poorly drilled, badly dressed and bad
shooters. They avoid fighting but
fight desperately when forced to. In
open battle they would meet with sure
defeat by the well drilled Spanish SOL
diers, but their warfare is one of STRAIT
egy and tricks. Wells are poisoned,
also fruit and food. Dynamite is
sowed broadcast Every scheme is
resorted to except real fighting.
In view of this state Of affairs, we
might without fear, accomplish the
seizure of the Philippine Islands, but not
by force, as did the French in NADIA
gascar, but with tactics and underhand
aiding of the natives, like the Ameri-
can states with the Cuban rebels.
ITO avoid international complications
the Americans feign neutrality, but Sc
cretly aid the rebels in fighting the
Spaniards and are ready to step in and
annex the Island at the proper time.
Following the methods of Americans,
we might easily secure control of the
PHILIPPINE Islands without bloodshed
and complications with Spain"
Commenting on the above, the World
says: Or. Murata came to America
with Yalatata last summer, and went
direct to Cuba, as stated in the dis
patch, ostensibly to study yellow fever.
He explained that it was of great i'm
portance to Japan, in view of the fact
that the disease frequently made its
appearance in Formosa. In the begin
ming DR.. Murata's presence in Cuba
was marked by the Spanish authori-
ties with more or less suspicion, but,
nevertheless, he was treated with much
courtesy and afforded every opportuni-
ty to make observations.