The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-21
THE SITUATION IN CCBd.
Military Operations and Progress otthe
Struggle tor Independence.

Military Operations and Progress ofthe
Struggle tor Independence.
Now that approaching winter brings
good campaigning weather the efforts or
Spain TO suppress the Cuban rebellion arc
being redoubled Some 1900 additional
troops have been brought over. increas-
ing the Spanish army In the Island to
over 100000 OF all arms, Including the ir-
regular troops recruited locally. A
vigorous campaign Will, 1t Is stated, be
at once begun In the westernmost Pro-
vinces OF Pinar del Rio and Havana. For
some months Antonio Maceo. with a con-
siderable force OF rebels consisting chief
ly OF negroes, has been shut up In tho
western part Of the Province Of Pinar de-
Rio by means Of "trocha," or line OF
earthworks, in this province, drawn
across the island from tho Bay OF Mariel
on the north TO Porto Nuevo on the south.
The trocha has been strongly held. willis
expeditions have been sent into the pro-
vince to chase Maceo's guerillas from
point to point and finally extermlratc
them. The plan Is the familiar one OF
closing the door TO prevent the escape
of an enemy whom II is thought possible
TO Jverwhelm. Another trocha has been
constructed across the island In the Pro-
vince Of Puerto Principe from the Bay OF
Moron on the north 10 Jucaro on the
south, parallel with a railroad. Cuba T.
thus divided into three sections, which.
il seems it is intended TO isolate and CUB
due in detail. Some 1900 OF the fresh
troops will occupy the entrenched line
from Moron 20 Jucaro, while an equal
number will be moved from the other dis
trcts for service I'm the Provinces OF
Havana and Pinar del Rio. An addition
al force of 10000 men will thus be avail
able for active operations IN the provinces
Just named. IL Is hoped by the Spanish
that they will be able by exceptional ac-
tiVity 10 clear out first the Province %
Pinar del Rio, then Havana and Matan-
zas. and finally Puerto Principe and San
tiago de Cuba.
II success is To be had at ALL this plan.
vigorously pursued. may perhaps secure
IL. But there are various reasons for be-
lieving that it may fail. The proposed
tactics have already been tired and fail
ed. Under French or German manage
ment the desired result might perhaps
be attained, but the Spanish officers seem
to lack military capacity. They have not
organized the cOmmlssariat and transport
service necessary for the efficient pursuit
of the rebels IN a country destitute OF
food supplies. The rebels. on the other
hand, are betetr armed than they were
six months ago, and the country people
are said TO be in sympathy with thens-,
They have destroyed most OF the snail
villages which are not protected by gar
risons. Railway bridges and sugar plan
tations IN their reach are also destroyed.
Economically the rebellion SO far bias
meant devastation. the policy Of the rebel
leaders being not 10 gain their point OF
fighting but by rendering the country
worthless to Spain. They hope 20 FENDER
the situation intoierable by stopping all
commerce and production. Some month";
ago a number of nlibusterng expeditions
supplied Gomez, the rebel commander-in-
chief with needed arms ammunition and
dynamite. Recently the United States
government has prevented the sailing os
various ships laden with supplies FOR tho
rebels with the result. IL Is said, OK
greatly impairing their chances OF sue
cess. Fewer volunteers go from the
United States, the interest felt In Cuban
affairs having appreciably diminished
since the presidential campaign has be
come warm. Losses have been great.
both from sickness during the hot sum-
rner months and from the rifles OF tho
Spanish. A number OF the leading meu
have been killed in fight. Beyond ques-
| ton the cause IS now approaching a
crisis II. however II can maintain itsee
during the coming winter. ultimate sue
cess seems TO be certain.
The origin OF the rebellion may be
traced to the manifesto issued March p
| 1895. by Maxine Gomez from Monte cristi.
in HaytL In April Gomez. with num-
| nor o. negro officers and Irlvates. cross
cd the sea and landed in the Province az
| Santiago. near Cape Mayzi. Previous 70
| this time there had been some depreda-
lions which the government credited 20
| briyands. but after this time operations
were pushed with vigor. Sugar planta-
| tions and other properties Of supporters
| OF the government were destroyed. Re-
cruits were obtained from the laoorers
| on the sugar estates and from the diScon-
| tented spirits Of the towns. Cuba had for
several years been suffering from ak
tremely hard times. due 10 the fall In thu
prfce OF cane sugar. caused oY the IN
| creased German product OF beet sugar.
| Proprietors and employees were alike suf-
| ferers from inability 10 sell Cuban sugar
at a proGt As is usual I'm such cases. dis
content on account OF idle Industries and
low WAGES prepared the way Tor political
| schemes fos,ered by the exiles OF the
former rebellion OF 1858. In New York
| and Florida were many OF these exils-
who saw that the times were such as 10
| cause the lahorerS to listen 10 a proposal
that they should strike for independence.
| The Madrid government was about 10 IN
troduce reforms approximsfing homo
| rule. so that IL was a stroke ~ policy 10
| begin the movement before the reforms
we're inaugurated. Trdependence. n wis
| feIt. was better than promised reforms
that would probably not be realized
There were. II Is said. in March. 1879.
| as many as 10 revolutionary clubs In
North and South America. Cuba and
| other West India islands which had h"sn
| engaged for several years In collecting
| money and huving munitions 81 war.
| The main funds were collected IN IN"
limited states So far the rebellion hos
heen successful In this-fhat the guer-
rillas have been able 10 pursue their de-
structlon OF property all over the island
outside OF the towns They have not
heen able 10 occupy permanently any
ror, or town but they have hari~d the
| Sran'sh army and are rs'r"ing Sns'n 70
harkru,cv. The distress for funds fs sucf
! that tho cnarfsh gOvorrrnent has 'ssres
I'm cuba sfSoNo 000 OF pao~r currency,
which Is insnfrciertiv secured and Is ~
n discount OF PIP per cent. II Il sigu
thar cnain's resources are being eN'
haustea. baltimore Sun.
|