Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1896-12-10
wsAT cuea COSTS SPAIN.
Extraordinary War Measures Resorted
Tn Rer~uffv.

The well-iufor and accurate Ma
drid correspondent ofthe London Stand
ard. 10 whom the world is much in
debted for news of Spanish govern
mental doings, gives most interesting
account of the strain to which the gov
eminent is subjected on behalf OF the
Cuban campaign. The war minister,
Gen. Azcarraga. has displayed great en-
ergy in providing troops. but he has
been forced to resort 10 some extraoS-
binary measures. At the outbreak OF
the war he called in some 10000 men of
the frst-claSs reserve. and men OF the
classes Of is94 and 1895. and even some
ot the class Of isa3, who, after a few
months OF training, had been dismissed
to their homes in order 20 lessen army
expenses. Then he called for $1,000
cGnscripts af is95 some months before
the usual time. These were boys OF less
than 70 years Of age. fine subjects for
an arriuous foreign campaign in an IN
sanitary country. No wonder many Of
those drafted were found to have feel
from the country. No wonder too. that
NJ less than l.. 100 Of those who re
manned chose 70 pay She government a
forfeit of 5000 ench rather than be sent
70 the AntilIean slaughter pen Tbs
latter fact was. of course. a fine thing
for the well-nigh bankrupt Spanish
treasury II meant windfali 70 II Of
s5,430,Oun. or enough 70 pay the cost OF
the war for rs much as two or three
weeks. But il meant a military force
Of inferior quality, the vacancies being
filed with sevond-rate substitutes.
This year there will probably be a
similar harvest Of forfeit money. The
minister has called for 1896 conscripts
several months in advance. and thou
sands OF them viii seek release from
duty which means probable death
The military census shows this veaT
fs2.7I7 men~-all lads under ~ wears
Of agp-liable 70 be drafted into the
service. OF these e0.1TT are exempted
for physical disability. Z.t1+ are tenn.
rorarily exempted. 6.26s are missing
e3.053 are held couditionalIy. liable for
service. and o0.525 are actually sum
moued for active service. The place.
Of such Of these latter rs purchase ey
eruPtion-s1gO from home service ant
500 from colonial sprvicp-wiIl be fillec
from the ranks Of those condftionaIIy
drafted No less than 10000 of these un
seasoned lads. after two or thre,
months Of drill. are to be sent to Cuba
the first Of them arriving there befor-
Christmas. Such are the troops witt
which Weyler hopes TO crush the vetrr
an legions Of Gomez and MsceO, p,
such measures Spain has swelIed he
army to 100000 men and bows in tw,
years In 10 months she has sent f65.
DOL OF them TO Cuba. There were al
really there some L. 600 and Is. 900 NOR,
volunteers. making total Of fg2. 5sl
This number has now been reduced Z,
less than 10000. showing a fearful
number OF deaths and disabilities OF
the field and in the hospital.
Besides this appalling drain upon III,
young manhood Of the nation. there &
a corresponding drain upon the treas
ury- Nineteen months Of var hav
cost fully s9o.0O0O0O and the prrseu
rate OF expense is stt.000.00 Il month
And still the end is not in sight. Tn,
insurgents are actu~lly stronger than
ever before, in spite Of all the wpaltl
and blood spent upon their subiection
lhey have says this correspondent
IN unlimited recruiting ground in m,
majority Of the Creole population
whites and eolored people alike. and a.
inexhanstibie supply of arms. none,
and ammunition from their friends an,
sympathizers in the United St,tas
mat IS quite true and they will doubt
less continue to enjoy these advantage
until the waning resources of Spain ar
completely exhausted Y ,r-;l,,,,,,