The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-25

tinue, they assured each other.
while the insular events were null
tiplying, Generals Maxine Gomez and
Antonio Maceo arrived with a consider
able following. They Joined a small
party OF rebels, under General Jose
Maceo, a brother Of Antonio. They were
Joined later by the late Jose Marti, who
had been the life and chief organizer of
the Cuban junta, or advisory board. I'm
New York. Then General Crombet and
his party landed. and were ambushed
by the Spaniards. Crombet was killed
in action, the survivors were made
prisoners and today are I'm the MORO
castle at Habana. All the men named
had been prominent in the 1S6S-1s7s re-
bellion. Marti was a Spaniard, Crom-
bet Cuban. Gomez is a native of Santo
Domingo, West Indies; the Maceos are
blacks from Santo de Cuba.
"At that time the general rebel rem
devious was in the lofty mountains
east of Guantanamo, in the extreme east
Of eastern Cuba. When II became
known that Gomez, Marti and Maceo
had landed, hundreds of Cubans aban-
bonded their homes and Joined them.
The recruits were blacks and whites.
Generals Gomez, Marti and the others
commenced organizing their commands.
They seized horses. supplies. etc. Later
reports came of skirmishes with the
Spanish troops. In the early encoun-
ters the rebels wanted arms and ammu-
milton. BY capturing the regulars they
supplied themselves. The Cubans are
very crafty and adroit. Often supplies
were sent. packed under whole load Of
household effects. parrot cages, etc.
often they were sent under the very
eyes of the Spanish officials. BY this
and other methods gradually the rebels
were armed
THE rebels foraged for all living sup
plies. Next they made the owners OF
estates pay a tax on all cattle slaugh-
tered for private consumption. Herds
were driven into the mountain fast
nesses for future supplies. Then, as
now. they had more men than could be
armed. The best men were selected and
armed as tiradores. or sharp shooters.
The men without arms, saving the
machete, have cultivated large tracts of
rich mountain lands, growing corn,
pumpkins, sweet potatoes and plantians.
Hence a supply of vegetables and meat.
as well as corn for the horses. Sugar
cane makes excellent fodder for the lat
ter. In word food supplies and COM
missariat departments are not lacking.
Friends send them salt. etc, and when
In need they simply raid town, taking
whatever Is wanted.
Eastern Cuba remains the main Gen.
ter of the rebellion. There, the blacks
and their descendants are banded to-
gether like the old-time carbonari of
Italy. To "A man. they stand together as
woodsmen. The vast tropical forests
are their home. To Cuba they are what
the early day Indians were in the North
American continent-a handy and crafty
enemy, abounding in skill and endur-
ance, living under circumstances where
ordinary men cannot live and maintain
health.
''The people in central and eastern
Cuba who are not openly on the side Of
the rebels, sympathize with them and
keep them fully advised of every move
ment of the royal troops. They consti
tute themselves into an intelligent corps,
in whom the rebels can and do rely.
Even the old negresses will not give any
information. not even under threats.
One and all. male and female, in east
ern Cuba deem Spain their cor mon
enemy"
In reply 10 a question regarding the
rebels strength, sle speaker said that
fully $4,000 men are in the various rebel
comman-s, Of which, say three fourths
have arms. The rebel army is made UP
of army corps under various command
ers.
THE men in the rebel army are about
half whites and half negroes-the latter
(yYfal lxn 40
strong race, large limbed and muscular,
familiar with hardships and life in the
forests. They sleep in the open. and can
march a whole day without food. Their
wants are few, and their native forests.
abounding In small game and fruits,
supply many of their wants."
When asked as 20 their conduct under
fire this informant said that they are
brave and cool. AS a general rule they
FIRE two or three volleys as they close
with the enemy and then rush in,
machete in hand. Many OF the negroes
stripped to the waist are fighting. All
sense OF danger seems to disappear, and
they fight like demons. and make fear
full adversarics. on several occasions
a blow from n machete has cut a rifle
barrel in two Arms are cut off at
blON, anu lWdus Splll open 10 tne very
chin. Tho negroes and whites alike
realize that they have taken their lives
in their hands and that no retreat is
possible for them.
The rebel army is officered by whites
and blacks. The latter prefer men OF
their own race. Discipline is rigidly en-
forced. Any disobedience of orders Is
severely punished.
When asked as to the rebel method OF
attack. the speaker said that IL was of
the usual Cuban type. When the rebels
are advised that q Spanish column is
advancing upon them, they post their
sharpshooters i'm parties OF 30, flve or
six parties Of them. First, they engage
the advance guard Of the royalists. firing
from ambush. II crowded too much,
that party Of 20 will fall back. while
new one OF 20 Will make a flank attack,
and so they simply harass the Span
tards and expose themselves ss little