The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-08
Srain and Cuba.


gemain unanswered.
Spain and Cuba.
The insurrerction in Cuba still con-
tinues. with all its perplexties. 1t is diff
fcult TO perceive that any progress mas
thus for been made towards the pacin-
cation of the island or that the situation
of affairs as depicted in my last annual
message has in the least improved
Spain holds all the seaports and all con-
siderable towns; the insurgents sun
roam at will over at least two-thirds or
the island country.
If the determination Of Spain to put
down the instruction seems but to
strengthen with the lapse of time, as Is
evidenced by her unhesitating Devotion
Of largely increased military ana naval
forces to the task, there is much reason
to believe that the insurgents have gam
ed in point of numbers, character ana
resources, and are none the less lnileNi-
BILE in their resolve not to succumb WITH
out practically securing the. great pro-
aects for which they took up arms.
NEITHER HAS SUCCEEDED.
If Spain has not yet re-established ner
authority, neither have the insurgents
vet made good their title TO be regarded
contest has gone on, the pretense that
civil government exists on the island,
except 80 far as Spain is able TO mann
tain it, has been practically abandoned
Spain does keep on foot such a govern
n1ent, more or less inpertectly, IN Inc
large towns and their immediate su-
burbs. But that exception being made,
the entire country is either given over to
anarchy party or is subject 10 the mil
tary occupation of one or the other.
II is reported, indeed, on reliable au-
therity that at the command or the COM
1nander-in-chief of the insurgent army,
the putative Cuban government has now
given I'D all attempt to exercise ats func-
lions leaving that government confess
edly (what there is the best reason LOT
eupposing it always TO have been IN 1acp
a government merely on paper.
BUSHWHACKING TACTICS.
We're the Spanish armies able to
meet their antagonists in the open, or IN
pitched battle, prompt and decisive re-
s,lts might be looked for and the I'M
mense superiority of the Spanish forces
in numbers, discipline and equipment,
could hardly fail 10 tell greatly 10 thelr
advantage But they are called upon 10
face a foe that shuns general engage
ments; that can choose, and does cnoose,
Ats own ground; that, from the nature VI
the country, IS visible or Invisible al
pleasure, and that fights only from am
bush and when all the advantages of po-
sition and numbers are on its side. In a
country in which all that is indespensa-
Bile to life in the way of food, clothing
and shelter is 30 easily obtainable, espe-
cially by those born and bred on the
soil il is obvious that there is hardy a
limit to the time during which hostiiltles
Of this SORT may be prolonged. Mean
while. as in all cases of protracted civil
strife the passions of the combatantS
grow more and more infiamed and ex-
cesses on both sides become more ire
ouent and more deplorabie. These also
are participated in by bands of marau-
ders, who, now in the name of one party
and now in the name of the other, as
may best suit the occasion. harry the
country at will, and plumber its wretched
inha bitants for their own advantage.
Such a condition of things would in
evitahly entail immense destruction of
property, even if it were the policy of
both parties to prevent II as far as pos
sihle. But while such seemed to be the
original policy Of the Spanish govern
ment, /. has now apparently abandoned
II, and is acting upon the same theory
as the insurgents, namely, that the eX-
igencies of the contest require the whole
sale annih;lation of property, that it may
not prove of use and advantage to the
enemy.
RUIN OF THE ISLAND.
II is 10 the same end that. in pursu-
Rnce of general orders, Spanish garrisons
are now being withdrawn from planta-
lions and the rural population required
TO concentrate itself in the towns. The
sure result would seem to be that the in
dustrial value of the island is fast dimin-
ishing and that unless there is a speedy
and radical change in existing condi-
tons it will soon disappear altogether.
That value consists very largely, of
course. in its capacity TO produce sugars,
q capacity already much reduced by the
interruption 10 tillage which has taken
place during the last two years. 1t is
reliably asserted that should these inter
ruptions continue during the current
year and practically extend, as is now
threatened, TO the entire sugar-producing
territory Of the island, so much time and
so much money will be required to re-
store the land TO its normal productive
ness that IL is extremely doubtful if cap
ital can be induced to even make the al
tempt. The spectacle of the utter ruin
of an adjoining country. by nature one
of the most fertile and charming on the
globe, would engage the serious atten-
ton of the government and people of the
United States under any circumstances
in point of fact, they have a concern
with it which is by no means a wholly
sentimental or phiiantnropic character.
il lies So near to us as to hardly separate
from our territory. and our actual peeu-
mary interest II ii is second only to that
of the people and government of Spain.
1t is reasonably estimated that at least