San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-08-23
OUR TEXAS MOSES,
W, Il. ELLIS THE OOLORED COLON
IZER
Returns To Mexico, and Tells the Papers
About His Big Schemes and His
Visit to Cuba.

w. III. Ellis, who has been on a trip
to New York via Chicago, returned to
this city yesterday on the New York
steamer via Vera Cruz and Havana.
While east Mr.. Ellis made arrange
ments with capitalists in New York
and Chicago for the purchase of GER
tain lands in Oaxaca and Yucatan on
which he holds an option. The land
comprises about 100000 acres, and in
the next four or five days an engineer
and two representatives of the pro-
posing purchasers will be here. If
their report is favorable the lands will
be purchased and developed by colon
| izatiOn, etc.
You can say for me-" said Mr..
Ellis when seen at the GilloW, that
| Mexico was never in better position
than since the reelection of President
DiaZ. Such an event has given re-
newed security to American invest
ments, and increased and strengthen
ed confidence in Mexico"
1t was understood that Mr.. Ellis had
J gone east partially on business con-
/ rected with the placing of railroad
concession of 500 kilometres of broad
gauge road in the southern portion of
this country. 1t is said that his mis-
sion in this respect was successful.
Did you stop off at Havana?" ask
ed the Herald reporter.
Yes, but had to hurry back to the
steamer, and had but a very short
stay in the city of Havana. From
what L could hear while in Havana
and on the steamer l gathered that
the struggle between Spain and Cuba
had reached desperate and acute
stage. On arrival at Havana we
found that city under martial law,
and fast being crowded with poor peo-
pie coming by hundreds from the
country. Men, women and children
are leaving Cuba for the United States
and Mexico as fast as they can get
money enogh to fly, most of them Of
course going to the states"
Did you hear of heavy fightingY
From what l could gather from
friends l saw in Havana, during the
last week in July there were engage
ments all over the island. The insur-
gent troops, under Garcia and Gomez,
about the 2Sth Of July united forces
and gave battle to the Spaniards in
Matanzas; and it was reported that
the Spaniards were dispersed and left
hundreds dead on the field"
How about yellow fever?"
There is but little fever in Havana
now, but is said to rage in the interior
of the island, and especially along the
trocha or Spaniard wall of defense
across the island. There are some
$4,000 Spanish troops along the trocha
and l was told that $4,000 more were
expected daily at Havana. Many
Spanish men-of-war are cruising
along the Cuban coast, but among
them the Alfonso XIII, which / saw
floating in the the harbor, is the fin
est war vessel ever saw; it is said
that are only two war vessels in the
! American navy, the Maine and an
other, which forgot, that are larger.
They seemed to be splendidly equip
ped"
How was President Cleyeland'S
neutrality proclamation received?
ut does not seem to prevent the
dispatch and landing of armed expe-
ditions on the island. Now, as a NOR
al standpoint it is not we'll received
by the Cubans, but it has strengthen
ed the impression held among leading
|
States government is sincere and act
in good faith with their treaty with
Spain. But the cruisers of the Span
ish government are keeping close
watch on the coast, while the Cuban
expeditions keep close watch on the
cruisers. The government is fortify-
ing the port at Havana and construct
ing brick Notifications in a northeast
erly direction from Moro Castle.
What looked to us from our steamer
like new cannon had been placed on
the Notifications"
'What is the strength of the Span
ish armyT
Il learned there were on the island
about 100000 soldiers, including the
civil guards and volunteers. But we
were also told that the troops were in
arrears of pay for three or four
months and there was some discon-
tent"
"How many Cubans are under
arms?"
1--WE were told that there were 49,
900 Cubans engaged in the rebellion,
of these some 10000 were well armed
and equipped, while 5000 or 5000 car
ried machets and small arms. The
rest carry small machets, bowie
knives, etc. The result of such an ex-
terminating war is evidenced in the
falling off in the crops collected. The
sugar crop. will be about 80 per cent
and the tobacco about 20 per cent of
the usual amount. In the way Of veg
etables nothing is being raised. Our
steamer took 900 barrels of potatoes
into Havana, besides cabbage, bacon,
etc."
eff arms and ammunition could be
secured, how many men could the
Cubans put in the field"
"They could muster $4,000 to 10000
men. That seems to be the only
trouble, the lack of arms and ammu-
milton. They have good living sup
| plies"
slow long will the war probably
last?"
Remembering the fact that in the
| last war the Cubans fought fourteen
years, and then only laid down their