San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-12-27
CUBA'S GOVERNMENT.
SHE Is WISELY RULED IN EVERY
RESPECT.
Description of How the Suffering Little
Republic is Ruled-The Cause
Of the Revolution.
Special Wire to Sunday Light.

young man, formerly captain of q
militia company of one of the large
cities, but now lieutenant colonel in
the Cuban army, has arrived in this
city, but for various reasons wishes
his name withheld from publication
until he has accomplished particu-
lar mission which he is on to this
country and which he also keeps to
himself as he does his name.
In reply to the question of how the
insurgents were organized to fight he
said:
This is question which all AmeTi-
cans wish to know, the majority be-
lieving that the insurgents are lot
of undisciplined men, chiefly negroes,
who are only able to wage war from
behind rocks, trees, etc, and then re-
treat to the mountains, but as has al
ready been proven, this is not the case.
Months of active military service, eX-
tending from the Occident to the ORR
ent, entailing utilization with those
destinies of Cuba, enables me to truth
fully answer that they are well organ
lied as a military body as well as a
governmental one.
Their executive department is sim
liar to that of the United States. and
though their edicts are issued from the
saddle they are as pertinent and man
datory as those emanating from the
trained functionaries in their gilded
sanctuaries at Washington, and are
obeyed with the same promptness de-
manded from disciplined army or
corps of civil subOrdinates necessary
for the government of an organized
people, even though the latter have
the advantage of years of civilized eX-
perience, and their country command
ing the worlds respect, while the for
mer, poor people, are largely ignorant
of all things beyond the confines of
their primitive homes and are bat
time against tyrannical power whose
grasping propensities made them
SUCH
Cuba is partitioned into districts I'M
der rule of governors, each district be-
ing divided into sections under prefec-
tors (agents) and subdivided under
sub-prefectOrs. the latter being locat-
ed within easy access of each other
for prompt convenience of the shift
ing army. Each of the officials has
a force of explorers and prachOiS
guides.
.The sub-prefectors have jurisdic-
ton over each camping place, but their
entire resources are at once at the dis
posal of the military department.
They are responsible for subsistence
for the army, see that cattle raZe near
each camp, that pacificos tfarmers)
till the ground for potatoes and other
vegetables, manufacture ropes for bri-
dies, lariats, etc., tan hides, keep
themselves thoroughly acquainted
with the movements of the enemy and
all things of Importance Transporting
within their province. The explor-
ers serve not only as their guards.but
are continually patrolling the district
for information. The prachois know
every foot of their assignment, and
must safely conduct, day or night, the
troops. How they accomplish this al
most daily with the country infested
with the enemy are facts only too
painfully appreciated by the Span
iards.
Hence the insurgents can safely
travel anywhere, fighting only when
or where they please, and go into
camp cOnservant of all information,
besides having a substantial commits
sary of good fresh meats, vegetables
etc.
sGrrha nrafactorS GRO raSnnnsihlo for
the adequate performance of these
duties, as well as the execution of all
orders Of the governors, must superin-
tend the manufacture of brides. sad
dies, cartridge bags, shoes, leggings,
etc, and supply those articles on prop
er requisition. They report direct to
governors, whose duties, as far as pos
sible, are similar to those of this coun-
try.
"The mail and dispatches-eXcept
those of a very important character,
intrusted to special commissions, are
transmitted by a system of post car
riers, post houses being located some
two leagues apart. Trips are made
between them on prescribed schedules
and interchanges made without de-
lays Each carrier is furnished list
of the matter entrusted to him which
is delivered with the matter and re-
ceipted for, preventing undetected loss
and insuring a perfect system at the
minimum for horse traffic.
"All these things are done in perfect
order, despite the presence of an over
towering and cruel enemy. No doubt
this will be a surprise. 1t certainly
was to me.
''The army is under supreme control
Of Maxine Gomez, assisted by his
lieutenants, Maceo's successor, in the
Occident and Garcia in the Orient,
with lesser lights commanding corps
of the various districts. The corps are
oranized similar to the United States
regulations, except that the number
of men under an officer would not in
dictate his rank, the fighting being of
a "go-as-you-please" order. Thus,
when operating independently a cap
tain may have two hundred men, a
major fifty, while colonel will do his
best with twenty. Yet when concerted
action is desired all report to the rank
ing officer who assumes entire COM