New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-07
FIDEL G. PIERRA.

since the revolution was started. and in addition
gave some facts not hitherto generally known.
"It Is plain" said he that the collection of
money and the shipment Of arms. considering
our limited resources. have teen the most difficult
NJ all our work. Already some sixteen eXpedi-
lions have been sent TO Cuba.
.cTwice the number might have been sent with
the money that has been expended. but the SELF
IRE OF several of the expeditions by the Govern
ment of the United States has entailed great eX-
penditure on u.s. to the extent sometimes OF
trebing the cost In regard to the expeditions. 1t
Is proper TO say that although Spain has some
forty-fve war vessels patrolling the coast, we
have not had any trouble to land them. Not one
has been captured by the Spaniards. Practically
our only trouble has been to get the arms outside
the jurisdiction of the United States the
Cubans have always been careful not to commit
any nfraction Of the law In this country; but at
the beginning of the revolution so much weight
seemed to be attributed to the information fur
nished by the representative of Spain, so little
attention seemed to have been paid to the pro-
visions of the law and 50 fearful were the Off
Gals Of mourning responsibility in the matter OF
shipments Of arms that they went beyond the
law in making the seizures. In every case. as
soon as the matter was carried to the courts Tor
adjudication, the arms were ordered returned 10
US. and IL any men had been imprisoned they
were set at liberty. These seizures, besides en-
falling very heavy expenses, caused delay In the
| remittances OF arms which are so much needed
/ IN Cuba In many cases the shipments had to be
given up altogether. at least for some time
Il am confident that the 81. 100000 which would
place our cause on a sound footing will soon be
forthcoming from the American people ~ per
cent Of whom favor us.
SOME ERRORS CORRECTED
There have been some popular errors prevail
ing In this country in regard to the rise OF the
revolution and the personnel Of the Cuban army
together with the extravagant Spanish reports
Of overwhelming successes which Mr. Plerra SAID
he wished TO refute. To begin with, the armies
Of Maceo and Gomez were not made up prnci-
pally Of colored men, commanded by colored Of
fcers. as many Americans have been led to be-
lieve.
ITO quote history" continued Mr. Pierra, ''the
rising took place in the Province of Santiago de
Cuba on February "a 1895. During the first
month the success Oh the movement was rather
doubtful, and 1t was only saved by the firmness
and resolution OF some Of the chiefs. especially
by Bartolome Maceo and Guillermo Moncada
On March 81 Maceo, with his brother, Jose, and
twenty-five others. landed at Cuaba, near Bara-
coa The news Of their arrival spread TO Santi-
ago and other cities. and then the aspect of az
fairs began TO change. Until then the movement
10 resist Spain had Jagged. On April II General
Gomez, with Mr. Mart and others. landed at
the southea stern extremity Of Cuba. and. having
Joined Maceo, general plan was arranged
whereby General Ma.eo to remain in Santi-
ago. and General Gomez was to proceed to
Camaguey as General-in-C Chief Of the Army.
Now here Is the point. Before the landing
OF Maceo and Gomez the majority Of those In
arms were colored men. but Immediately after
yard the proportion Of whites began to in
crease and although in the Province Of San
tiago the coored element always preponder-
aed In the rank and ME- u1e saese as
Standards to-day have the world be-
lieve. 49,
the beginning was composed almost altogether
OF white soldiers. Since then white men have
locked to our standard Overwhelmingly In ex.
cess of the blacks and there are to-day 4o'ooo
white men true Cubans. OF Spanish descent,
who are only awaiting arms ana ammunition 70
join in the movement
SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT REPORT.
Mr. Pierra then referred to the engagements
Of the Spanish and Cuban forces from the De-
ginning. and showed a carefully prepared report
which he said refuted entirely the extravaganza
claims made by Campos and Weyier OF 'he
success Of Spanish arms. 1t has never De-
fore appeared except in detached fragments.
as made up by press dispatches, which had
passed under the censor's eye. Mr. Pierra con-
oensed TIE report in this way: .
"The first encounter between the Spanish army
and the Cuban forces took place in the Province
Of Santiago at Los Negros. The Cubans were
led by Jesus Rabi. now a brigadier general, ana
although the Cubans were poorly armed. the
spanish forces were routed. The second ehcoun-
ter was at Ell Guanabano the Spaniards com
manded by Santocdes and the Cubans by Gen
eral Masso. The Spaniards were again routed
having lost 206 men. The Cuban loss was thirty
nve. The next important move made by the
Cubans was the simultaneous attack on the WI,
lagos Ell Cristo and FL Caney, and OF railroad
train carrying arms and ammunition. Both VII
lagos were captured by the Cubans and the bar
racks destroyed The train was also captureu
with 200 rifles and 10000 cartridges. These oper.
atoms were directed by General Maceo. Next
Ramon de las Yaguas. where the Cubans took
possession OF $50 rifles and 10000 cartridges
shortly after this they captured the small por'
o. Campechuela which they held for two or three
aays Another important encounter was that OF
turaguanas, where the Spaniards were routed
,eaving on the field seventy dead and a
urge quantity OF arms, ammunition and bag
Sage. After some other minor encounters. the
important battle Of Peralejo was fought The
Spaniards were commanded by General Campos
elmself and the Cubans by General Maceo The
.ormer were utterly routed losing over 400 men
ana one OF their generals, and Martinez Campos
himself came near falling into the hands OF the
<upAns. Next came the capture OF Barre by the
Suoane Afterward the battle Of Decanso del
sSuerto where the Spaniards suffered heavy
ses and abandoned arms, ammunition and
asgage
Thus you see" continued Mr. Pierra. "our In.