Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-10

this recognition we will lose no time IN
supplying this need. Spain would nc
longer have her present great advantage
over us, and would be unable to maintain
an effective blockade of Cuban ports. W,
should no longer.be declared from openly
purchasing supplies and munitions of wal
IN this country and would be able to land
them upon the island without serious
difficulty
In what condition are your land
forces:n
Very good indeed The men are well
supplied with small arms of good make,
anu have ammunition enough for effective
work. A considerable portion of our
troops are mounted. They are fighting
on their own soil, know the country
thoroughly, are accustomed to Its climate,
ana from every point of view are vastly
superior TO the raw young recruits-many
OF them mere boys-that make UP a con
siderable portion Of the Spanish army.
1t IS true that our forces are deficient in
artillery. but here again is want that
will be speedily supplied when the United
States grants us belligerent rights.
| The Spaniards have labored assiduously
| to create the impression that the Cuban
army Is mere mob, composed largely of
negroes, and possessing neither organiZa
zion nor morale. Let me say to you, of my
own personal knowledge, that this report
Is absolutely false. General Gomez is one
OF the ablest military commanders of the
present day. He has wonderful executive
ability His army is thoroughly organ
| ICED, Is in perfect state OF discipline, and
well drilled III modern military tactics
Ii Is true that some negroes are fighting
under the Cuban flag, but they have
shown their courage and devotion in
mole than one holly contested battle
| Our men have endured every hardship
without complaint. They are animated
| ny the same spirit that inspired the
fathers of the American Revolution, and
they will win. The struggle may be a
protracted and desperate one; but there
can be no doubt of the final outcome"
We suggested that the capture of Havana
| by the insurgents would hasten the
granting of belligerent rights by the
United States. To this he replied
"There hasn't been time for some
weeks past when Gomez, by a concentra-
ton of forces, could not have captured
the city of Havana but what would such
would be absolutely impossible for us to
hold it,. To take the city and Immediately
evacuate it would involve not only
needless sacrifice of life, but also an I'M
mense loss of prestige. Such victory
would be far too expensive for us. We
can afford to play u waiting game. Spain
is not rich country and it is costing her
81 to our 81 to carry on this war. Again
in ii few weeks our rainy season will be-
gin and the yellow fever, typhoid
fever and malaria will tell even more
severely upon the Spanish forces than
Cuban bullets. Meanwhile you may rest
assured that the Spanish revenues from
Cuba will be exceedingly limited.
By this time the Olivette had drawn
along side the pier and we took leave of
our Cuban friend to watch the passengers
disembark Among them were no less
than $50 Cuban refugees. From some of
these we learned that General Campos
had sailed for Spain and that his successor
was man noted for his vindicative
cruelty. The change they said had led
many people who had hitherto been
neutral to espouse the cause of the insur-
gents. The wealthier citizens were making
all haste TO remove their families from
the island before the Inauguration of the
new regime.
After the new corners from Havana
had taken their departure we fingered
for an hour watching the operations
of flock of pelicans that were fishing
about the pier. They were more success
full than most anglers, for it was rars
indeed that they missed their game No
shooting is permitted about Tampa and
as a result the ducks, pelicans and other
birds, that congregate there in large
locks, are perfectly tame
1t was dusk when orr party started on
its return to the Tampa Bay hotel, where,
soon after dinner, all were ready to retire
for a good nights rest.
Early Monday forenoon the larger part
of our party left on the Oiivette for "A sail
on the bay. Those Of the party who
remained in Tampa were shown every
possible courtesy by its citizens.
A large number of them, under the
guidance of Mr.. A. c. Moore, of the local
reception committee, visited "a number OF
points of interest in and about the city
Mr.. Moore is one of the live business men
OF Tampa where he has resided for the
past fourteen years. He is native of New
York state
The phenomenal growth of Tampa,
is almost unexcelled in the history
of any American city. In 1880 it had
about 500 inhabitants In 1885, it had a
population Of 1900. This increased as
follows: In 1890, 5000; 1892, 10000;
1898, II. 600; 1894, 10000; 1885, 81, GOO.
This remarkable growth was due, in
large measure to the extension of the
South Florida railroad into the city in
1854, with an accompanying steamer con
nection with Cuba The mild, humid
climate of the city, and the ease with
which tobacco can be secured, under ex-
listing conditions, from Cuba, gives it
peculiar advantages for the manufacture
of cigars. BY building number of fine
factories, and presenting them, upon the
condition that certain number of hands
be employed. the people of Tampa have
had no difficulty in inducing number of
firms to remove to their city from Key
West, where labor agitators are more
numerous, and the facilities for trans
portatiou vastly inferior. As result of
this liberal policy there are today in
Tampa one hundred and thirty six cigar
factories with a yearly production exceed
ing 1000, 900, and employing six thou
sand hands.
The shipment of rock and pebble phos
phate from Tampa is also beginning to