Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1896-09-24

dispatch

from Hnvana says
Esquiel Murata, a Japanese doctor
who came to Cuba a few months ago
ostensihly to inform himself on the
sanitary condition of the island, has
proved to be a spy. He was so i'm
prudent as to mail his report and it
was seized and delivered over to Capt.
Gen. Weyler.
On being translated it proved to be
report to the Japanese government
on the military condition of the island.
Murata was looked for too late; he had
already sailed.
The report is q plain statement of
the progress of the Cuban revolution,
accompanied by a map showing the
places occupied by the rebels and 10y
al troops. The report winds up as
follows:
I'm conclusion l will say that the
loyal troops number 147 900, of which
there are 1000 officers. They hold the
principal cities and towns, while the
rebels, numbering 43,0O0 In all, hold
the woods, hills and plains. 1t seems
eAASAS 10 III hAutl DGLMtGA
Weyler and his soldiers to do no fight
ing. The former is too busy making
out his profits on big contracts for
supplying the army with food and
clothing to attend to military opera
tions. He never goes outside of the
city walls, and is captain general in
name only, acting as governor in ar
resting 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
100 promotions have been made and
about 5000 medals and decorations
awarded for supposed defeats of this
rebels; nevertheless, these have con-
tinued unmolested their work of inva-
sion and destruction.
"The insurgents as military Or
Ganization 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-drssed Spanish SOL
diers, but their warfare is one of STRAIT
egg and tricks. Wells are poisoned.
also fruit and food. Dynamite is sown
broadcast. Every scheme is resorted
to except real fighting.
I'm view of this state of affairs. w.
might without fear accomplish the
seizure of the Philippine islands, but
not by force, as did the French in
Madagascar, but with tactics and I'M
derhand aiding of the natives, like the
American states with the Cuban reb-
els. To avoid international complica-
TONS they feign neutrality, but secret
~ aid the rebels in fighting the Span
iards, ready to step in and annex the
island at the proper time. Following
the methods of the Americans we
might easily secure control of the
Philippine islands without bloodshed
and complications with Spain"
Commenting on the above a paper
says:
DR.. Murata came to America with
falatata last summer and went direct
to Cuba, as stated in the dispatch, os-
tensibly to study yellow fever. He ex-
planned that it was of great impor-
lance to Japan in view of the fact that
the disease frequently made its ap-
pearance in Formosa In the begin
ming DIR. Murata's presence in Cuba
was remarked by the Spanish authori.
ties with more or less suspicion, but
nevertheless he was treated with much
courtesy and afforded every opportun,
ity to make observations.