Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-07-02

things, the island falling into ruin as
the result OF conflict which OF necessi-
~ cannot end except with the ending OF
the conditions which have bred 1t.
The situation In Pinar del Rio Pro-
vince Is appalling. In addition to the
horrors of barbarous warfare waged
by Spain, famine and pestilence threat
| en-.
San Cristobal Is overcrowded with
people who have fed from the country.
Families In the town share their homes
with these refugees. One man had
eight families under his roof.
People are living In corridors and
even under the trees In the plaza, while
some are building palm leaf shelters
wherever they can find few feet Of
vacant ground.
commission was sent to Havana to
seek Government assistance for these
poor people, but the commission has re-
turned, bring word from Gen. Weyler
that the government can do nothing for
them.
Day after day Maceo's bands have
been riding through the country, driv-
ing the people from their homes and APP
plying the tourch.
"To the trenches or to the noun
tainsw is the cry. "This land must re-
main clear. You must be with us or
with Spain.
BY 'the trenches" is meant the towns
In actual possession of the Spanish. On
the southern coast Of Pinar del Rio the
Spaniards hold but six towns, which
are surrounded by fences of iron rails
and bitches, with forts at intervals.
Nearly all the other towns have been
burned, some actually wiped out of ex-
istence. Some thirty have been de-
stoyed by the insurgents, while few
smaller towns have been destroyed by
the Spanish troops on the same plea the
insurgents urge-that they offer shelter
to the enemy.
Spanish column came into San Girls
tobal a few days ago bringing load Of
Singer sewing machines and some bags
Of clothing. The troops claimed to have
captured an insurgent camp. AS the
Spaniards made no boast Of any COM
bat the general impression is that they
raided town.
The Spanish columns are in action in
Pinar del Rio all the time. Gen.
Serano Atlanta returned after five
days campaign, with great many of
his men missing.
farmer going on horseback to his
potato patch, near Santa Cruz, fell in
with squad Of insurgents. Being or
dered to tell where he was bound, he
said he was going after some sweet po-
tatoes, which was the truth. He was
told to go on, and the insurgents con-
tinued their way.
For some reason the farmer became
frightened and turned back, again meet
ing the insurgents. When asked il he
had not come from San Cristobal, he
replied that he had. Then some one
recognized him as the man who short
time before said he was going for po-
tatoes. He was denounced as spy and
a hasty trial was held.
The frighten man failed to give
hanged.
These, in brief are typical instances
Of the present state of things in unhap-
py Cuba.
In an elaborate publication issued by
the War Department regarding the
military strength of the powers of the
world, chapter is devoted to SPANS
forces at home, her army of operations
in Cuba and her military resources.
Some Of the attaches of the Spanish Lee
cation in Washington take exception to
a chapter in regard to the army of oper-
atoms in Cuba and 1t may be that when
the publication is received and consid-
cred in Madrid, the Spanish Govern
ment may have something to say about
it to the United States.
According to the publication. Spain
has now in Cuba 11S. $50 men, of whom
10000 sailed from Spain on February
u, 1896, and composed the ninth ex-
petition. The eighth expedition con-
sisting of 6,317 men, sailed in December
last.
The total number of Spanish troops
in the island on December 1, 1895, was
81, Alb divided in this way:-Infantry,
80 battalions, one disciplinary brigade
and some Independent companies, TO-
600 men; cavalry, two regiments Of the
Cuban establishment, with Is squad
rons, furnished by certain designated
regiments of the home army, 1000 men;
artillery, one fortress battalion raised
in Spain for Cuban service; one noun
tain artillery regiment raised in Cuba
and six mountain batteries raised in
Spain, 1900 men; engineers, 1,65S;
transport companies, 1865; sanitary
brigade, 700; local guerillas, 700.
Now, word as to our obligations In
the matter Of filibustering. In the first
place the report that Spain would de-
mand the extraditions of filibusters
who fit out expeditions from this coun-
try to help the cause Of Cuba excites
only amusement in diplomatic circles
in Washington. We have no extradi-