The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-25
Condition and Strength of the Patriot
Army. and How the War Is Con-
Quoted Against Spain.
BLACKS ARE GOOD FIGHTERS
AND USE THEIR MACHETES WITH
TERRIBLE EFFECT ON THE ENEMY.
Filibuster Steamer Bermuda Fired ON
Landing Her Last Cargo.

Copyright, 1896. by the Associated Press.)
NEW YORK, May 24.-A gentleman, for
twenty-five years resident Of Cuba, in an
interview to-day. gave a timely resume of
the past and present Of the Cuban rebellion
of to-day or that initiated on Feb. "a. 1895.
Owing to his interest in Cuba and his being
in sympathy with the Cubans, he refused to
permit his name to be used.
The present rebellion" he said, twas de-
vised and planned by Cubans in New York.
Following its inception a carefully worked
out propaganda was made in eastern Cuba,
and was conducted with great secrecy. 1t
had many active agents among the best
classes in central and eastern Cuba. Since
the close Of the last war the very active
propaganda OF the autonomists has educated
the masses To-day they want equal free
dom for all. Everything was done by the
masses through their representatives TO per-
suade Spain to grant their reasonable de-
mands, but the long-promised reforms were
deferred from year to year.
Early in 1895 many Of the colored or work.
ing classes were idle. Then, on the oath of
February, 1895, a number raised the flag OF
rebellion and demanded a Cuba iibre,' or
free Cuba The standard Of revolt was set
up In a number of places and the blacks
Joined the petty leaders. simultaneously, IN
central Cuba, small parties formed. At that
time the movement was not deemed really
serious one. However, the small parties
maintained their independence and grew in
number and strength. Then they had few
or no arms, but all had the death-dealing
machete The Spanish officials, not believ-
ing that the movement was serious, so In
formed the government and made little Of
the whole uprising. Later Spain became
alarmed and sent out Gen. Martinez Campos.
who, instead of bringing the long-promised
reforms. brought soldiers, whereas, II he had
come alone duly authorized to adjust all the
differences, the extension OF the repeiiion
would have been prevented ana settiement
had. ,,,.,,,,,n
Gems. Maximo Gomez and Antonio Maceo
landed with a considerable following. Ihey
were joined later by the late Jose Marti.
Then General Crcinbet and his party LANDED.
They were ambusned by the Spanish, Crom-
bet was killed, the survivors were mace pris-
oners, and to-day are in the MORO Castle at
Havana. When 1t became known tnat Go
mez, Marti and Maceo had landed hunareos
them. Generals Gomez Alarti and the others
commenced organizing their respective COM
mands. Later reports came or skirmlshees
many prisoners and thus secured arms.
Ho, THE REBELS LIVE.
'The rebels foraged for all living supplies,
Next the rebels made the owners Of estates
pay tax on all cattle slaughtered for gen.
ereal or private consumption. Herds were
driven into the mountain Businesses for fu-
ture supplies. Then. as now, they had more
men than could be armed. The best men were
selected and armed as tirradores, or sharp
shooters. The men without arms, save the
machete, have cultivated large tracts of rich
mountain lands, growing corn, pumpkins,
sweet potatoes and plantains. Thus food
supplies and commisariat departments are not
lacking Eastern Cuba has been and re-
mains the main center of the rebellion. The
people in central and eastern Cuba, who are
not openly on the side OF the rebels. sympa-
thize with them, and keep them fully ADVISED
of every movement Of the royal troops.
In reply TO a question regarding the reb-
els strength. the gentlnnan, said that fully
fifty thousand men are in the various rebel
commands of whom say, three-fourths nave
arms "Quite recently" said he. when Gen.
and blacks instantly Joined his standard.
many Of them In excellent social position:
The men in the rebel army are about hall
whites and half negroes; the latter make the
best soldiers. As a general rule in fights
they fire two or three volleys, close with the
enemy ard rush in. machete in hand. shout
"A
of danger seems to disappear. and they fight
like demons and make fearful adversaries
Arms are cut of at blow and heads split
oRisn oRficered &c by by whites and blacks Discipline
is rigidly enforced. Robbery In the broad
sense, also Is punished"
When asked as to the rebel method of at
tack. the speaker said that it was of the .usu
or or sharp sharp-sSooters he said, I'm parties O
of f'g ihe royaiists I from ambush. firing on then
and producing panic and death. If crowded
too much that party will fall back, while {
aeS so one they Simply haras. the
expose themselves as little as possible. The
Cubans are AS crafty in ambushing as In
the tirradores fall back when outnumbered
Spanish victories. The policy of the Spanish
search and battling with the Cubans. Th'
real lighting to-day is in the western part o.
central Cuba, and to that part the rebels art
hurrying forward every available man.
TRADE AT A STANDSTILL
s'In many coast cities and towns trade /.
at a standstill, and there is much misery AM
want, milk selling at 81 gallon. No vege
tables are available, and there is great din
Guilty in getting meat. But for breadstuff
received from the United States and else
| where famine would follow. Despite al
| the trocha whenever they please. The con
| tinued presence Of Antonio Maceo in tn,
province of Pinar del Rio is of his own vo
| Iition. His followers to-day are we'll armes
and have ammunition.
THE Cubans have orders to release al
prisoners captured after securing their arm
| and supplies. On the other hand, however
| Spanish commanders are responsible for TIL
shooting of hundreds of defenseless person
| and reporting the affair as a Spanish victory
| Early in the rebellion women were not al
| lowed in the Cuban bands. but since the de
| cree ordering the abandoning of rural town
| and hamlets has been put in force, thou
| OF them taking their families with them
! One mother left her Spanish husband an
| took nine sons into the Cuban army. TIL
| Spanish destroy everything as they march
| 1.-THE Cubans do not now hold any town
! village or port. When advised OF the exped:
| tons the rebels concentrate near the coas
| and cover the landing of men and arms. hav
| land at night outside of the marine league
| Boats painted light drab are swung owe
| the side, when they are laden with men an
/ arms. IL maE-of-war appears she seize
| the steamer, while the boats, without lights
| make for the shore. All the expedition
| dispatched to Cuba have landed except tha
| of the Competitor. Nineteen expedition
| have made successful trips. Thousands O
| rifles and machetes and tens OF thousands o
| cartridges have reached the rebels includin
| some cannons. dynamite and hospital stores
THE climate to-day. between rain an
| moisture. Is an Invaluable ally 10 the Cutanl
| II pens up their enemies. while the Cuban
| can recruit and get ready for the dry sea
sons campaign.