The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-09-17
HAS JUST RETURNED FROM CUBA
Escaped Scotchman Thinks the Nh
tives VIII Eventually Win.

Omaha. Sept. l3.-Arthur Mcpherson,
n native of Scotland. has returned to
Omaha after having spent a most event
full two years of his life among the Gu
bans. He was sent to Cuba to put up
some machinery by a Glasgow iron firm,
and taken prisoner by the insurgents.
He and his companions were charged
with being Spanish spies. The party was
given a sort of courtmartal and given
the option of death or serving in the Gu
ban army. They could do nothing but
accept the situation.
For the next is months Mcpherson
saw a whole lot of the Cubans. They
say that every once in while the Span
isrds take out batch of insurgent pris-
oners and shoot them down in their
tracks. This is undoubtedly true. But
l have witnessed deeds of cruelty on the
part of the insurgents that fully eaualled
that" said Mcpherson. II have seen them
frequently turn over the women, and par
ticularly the young girls. found in the
houses that were raided. to the negro
soldiers In the army, who were allowed
to do with them as they pleased.
The whole island is wrecked and ruin
ed. There are no plantations and no
ranches. Everything has been destroyed.
Finally an opportunity for escape offered
Itself and he seized 1t. He was unsuccess-
full. Being recaptured. he was placed
in stocks and kept In them for six long
weeks. If he asked for n drink of water
a pailful was thrown over his head
AT last the prisoner was brought before
the famous Antonio Maceo. He threw
pride to the winds. He told the general
he had renounced any further attempt
to escape. and would continue In the ser
vice of the army. Maceo, whom McPher-
| son said was much less cruel than his
br other. Jose. released him.
There is little in this talk that the re-
hellion is inspired by patriotism said
| Mcpherson. ''rhe leaders are almost
without exception inspired by Interested
and personal motives, and so are the sol
diers Maceo himself Is not urged on by
any patriotic feelings He Is lighting for
| revenge. He said as much when he told
me his history. He said that he was the
son of a wealthy Spaniard by IA negro
mother. When his father died he and
| his brothers were euchred out of tie
property by their Spanish relatives. Tne
sons were angered at the insult and con
| spired to set on the rebellion Antolio $
desire for revenge has been further in
famed by the fact that every one of his
six brothers has been killed in the war.
Mcpherson and his companions event
ually escaped by seizing a naphiha
launch which had landed some Spanish
officers from warship. and were picked
up by the steamer Vera Cruz and landed
in Mexico
THE Cubans will win," said McPher
son. "rhey must win. The Spanilrd.
have not the revenue to carry on tn,
war. Their armies must carry everything
with them on expeditions. There are ne
provisions to be obtained in the interior
All has been destroyed. Spain can 10
stand the expense Of such warfare. rhe,
can not change the method of lighting
for the insurgents will not enter into :
battle.
Il have one ambition" he continued. a
the interview came to n close. II wan
to meet a Cuban in Scotland; ] will xii
him