The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-25
Only Alternative Consid-
cred by CubanS.
News, Facts and Figures of
the Rebellion.
Progress of the Struggle From It's
Inception to Present Time.

New York. May ga gentleman, 4,
sears resident OF Cuba. In an inter-
view yesterday, gave the following
timely resume OF the past and present
of the Cuban rebellion Of today. or that
initiated Feb. "a, 1895. Owing TO his in
forests in Cuba, and his strong SYM
Iathy for the Cubans, ne refused to allow
his name to be used.
The present rebellion, he said, was de-
vised and planned by Cubans in New
York. Following its inception. a care
fully worked propaganda was made
IN eastern Cuba. 1t was conducted with
great secrecy. 1t had many active agents
among the best classes in central and
eastern Cuba TO them the outline Of
the whole scheme was entrusted. Six
months before the outbreak, rumors OBJ
tanned in the island Of an impending re-
volt. Many not in the secret refused to
credit them, as they deemed the island
wholly unprepared for a new struggle
with Spain. That q clash with the
mother country would follow was in the
minds OF all.
"It had to be-" said this informant,
"as the first war had given the masses
an idea OF perfect freedom and the rights
of men While the 1S6S-iS7S rebellion
was on, the masses did not understand
the whole issue. Then many Cubans In
the employ OF Spain in Cuba sided with
the former. They held small salaried
positions. Since the close OF the last
war. the very active propaganda of the
autonomists has educated the masses.
Today they want equal freedom for all.
ITO the blacks in central and eastern
Cuba, where they outnumber the whites.
the new doctrine came as revelation
Their experience previous TO the last res
bellion, In the slavery days, was one of
depression. AN were looking forward
to the time when Spain would accord
Cuba seifrgovernment Everything was
done by the masses through their rep
resentatives In the Madrid senate and
cortes to persuade Spain to grant their
demands, but the long promised reforms
were deferred from year to year, first,
for one assigned cause and then under
another: that they were being studied
or their claims investigated.
more than II years slipped by. The
masses in central and eastern Cuba had
become restless and anxious: Senor
Maury, at one time minister for the col
Cnies, proposed a series of reforms.
Their discussion gave the Cubans re-
newed hopes; soofthey hoped that they
would become a working reality Then
Senior Abarzuza took the proposed re-
forms in hand. His notifications so
changed their character that their mer-
its were eliminated. Had they been en-
acted the old status quo would have
continued.
Waiting seemed vain. Early in 1896
many OF the colored or working classes
were idle. Then on Feb. "a. 1895. a num-
Der raised the flag OF rebellion and de-
manded Cuba 1ibrc, or free Cuba. The
standard OF revolt was set up in a num-
ber OF places in eastern Cuba, rich
province, in whfet the blacks greatly
outnumbered the whites The blacks
Joined the petty leaders.
simultaneously, in central Cuba.
small parties formed, AT that time the
movement was not deemed a really
serious one. Then IL did not indicate an
effective rebellion. Many influential
people who sympathized with them held
back. However, the small parties MAIN
tained their independence and grew in
number and strength. Then they had
few or no arms, but all had the DEATH
dealing machete. a species OF native
eword that they used with effectiveness.
IheSe parties OF IcDelS commenced Il
systematic search OF the country. seizlng
all the fowllng pieces. rcvolvers, ammu-
milton and machetes that could be found
During the carly days OF the rebellion
the small parties were without leaders
of military skill, when Maceo. in Ba-
yamo. gave an impetus to the movement
ty raising body OF men. who instantly
took the field, ready for aggressive work.
"The Spanish officials. not believing
that the movement was serious. so in
formed the government. and made little
of the whole uprising. The Spanish
officials did not want any disturbance
that would upset thCi- own moncy-mnit-
Ing plans. Later. the rebellion iii-
creased. when Spain became alarmed
and sent out General Martinez Campos.
who. instead OF granting the long prom
isod reforms brought soldiers, where"
ssid this informant, "if he had came
alone. duly authorized 10 adjust all the
differences, the extension OF the rebellion
would have been prevented. and a set
Osmsnt reached. But no. the bad faith