The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-08-26
Will Advance on Habana.
The Cuban Patriots Prepar-
ing for Business.
Special to The State.

CtdtcS SOVCAuUCus III VIC Ao"sSSA Va
the war in Cuba. the red triangle
with it's single white star and its
blue stripes is still being borne aloft
upon the battle field by the patriots,
who are at this moment, to Judge
from what the leaders say. more con-
fdent than ever of an ultimate vic
tory The revolutionists now conf.
dently say that the republic of Cuba
will be proclaimed on the 4th Of
July, 1897. They wish to have the
republic established and begin it's
career on the anniversary of the
Declaration of independence of this
great country. They they now re.
gard the single white star 80 fixed
among the flowing emblems of the
nations of the world as the north star
is among its fellows in the firma.
ment.
Tha. the cause is prospering with
the cid of the yellow fever which the
Spaniards dread 80 much can easily
be surmised from the confident de-
meanor Of the men who are the real
sinew Of the revolution on this side
of the straits, the men who send out
all the flibusters and get the soldiers,
the arms and the ammunition through
to those who are at the front battling
for the liberty of the island These
men do not seem afraid of the close
patrol of the war vessels along the
Florida coast, but are moving right
ahead with the expeditions
Senor Fernando Figueredo, the
prominent patriot to whom | have
talked before, is very confident Of
the ultimate success of the revolu-
tion In speaking about the present
situation and the outlook few days
ago this leader said 81 can only say
that our war in Cuba is every day
strengthed, both morally and materi-
ally, by the opinion Of the nations on
account of the American principle
we maintain. and in consequence of
the aids we send so frequently to our
army i'm materials of war of every
description
"We sent them with perfect sue
cess four expeditions last month and
by them >our army-princpally Ma
ceo's, who is cut off by the torcha
and must fight by himself-was rein
forced by nice lot of rifles and half
a million rounds of ammunition. The
very presence Of Maceo in the Pinar
del Rio province, right in the face Of
Captain General Weyler and his
army of $4,000 mel proves evident
ly the strength of the revolution
"Maceo, with these little presents
of arms and ammunition for his peo
pie. is perfectly prepared for the
winter campaign aud awaits in per.
fec. shape the arrival of the 10000
men that will commence to embark
at the Spanish ports at the end Of
this month
"Ano,her source Of national salts
faction is the desertion of thousands
Of Spanish soldiers to our ranks
this has caused in the enemy's army
the worst of results
General Gomez is still in the
eastern department, waiting tor the
resources that will reach him very
soon from us, and then he will con.
cpn,,ate his army from Santiago,
Camquey, Santa Clara and Matanzas,
and seconded by Maceo in the west
will meet with 10000 or $1,000 men.
General Weyler in the nelghborhood
of Habana
The fever is making such inroads
upon the Spanish troops that it is be
lieved that during the months of
June. July aud August they have
had 10000 out of duty
Our situation is most encouraging.
If we have to fight for our independ
ence by ourselves-and it seems
such Is the case, With winch we 1eel
perfectly satisfed--we calculate that
the struggle will be ended before
next summer 1t is my OWL belief
and communicate 1t to my friends
that the republic Of Cuba will be
proclaimed on the 4sh July, 1897 TO
which event you are most cordially
invited -
Most of the other leaders under
stand express pretty much the same
views Of course field operations
have almost ceased during the heated
and rainy season, but now and then
the revo!utionists make sally often
getting excellent results The pa
triots are rot weary of the war, but
rally round the flag of "Cuba Lbre"
with all the zeal that our forefathers
did over century SO.
Z. J. Watson.
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