The evening times., 1896-12-17
NEEDS GUNS and NOT Men
Junta Says Americans Should
Not Enlist For Service.
LAWS MUST BE RESPECTED
Revised Statutes Prohibit Anyone
From Accepting a Commission or
Enlisting to Fight Against SPAN
Heavy Penalties Prescrfbed-Ihe
President May Act.

The widespread sympathy for Cuba, ana
the hourly increasing number of men, vet
Grams and civilians, who are ready TO die
for the unhappy little islands sake, may
cause prompt preventive action by the Pres
ident.
severe peEaltes are provided for per
sons who violate the neutrality laws, and
the enlistnents going on ir all parts of the
country are regarded by officials here as
constituting breach OF them.
1t Is probable that the Department or
Justice will issue instructions to all its spc-
cial agents and attorneys, calling their
attention to the Presidents proclamation
issued last spring, directing him to insure
strict enforcement OF the neutrality laws.
The enforcement Of these laws falls
within the province OF the United states
officials, and the government VIII doubt
less be forced into some action as a mani
festation OF its friendly relations With
Spain
TIE PENALTIES.
Under the revised statutes $1,000 fine
and three years imprisonment may be I'M
posed upon all persons who accept a coiu-
mission To fight Spain. and for enlisting or
hiring anyone TO enlist against the other
nation the fine may be 81 900 and the term
in prison three years.
The Cuban iunta here is not encouraging
THESE. pdtilOliC Ssthis pe'uuS'r III
the first place, there IS no desire to an
tagonizc the President, and, too, the IN
surgents need guns and ammunition more
than rc-enforcemeDts Of men.
Senior Quesada and Senor AlhertIni insist
that they have always advised strict
observance by Americans of the neutrality
laws, and also they have stated that
the junta could not afford to transport
large bodies OF men to the island.
II is estimated that there are $1,000
men in Cuba who are available for field
service. but only $4,000 can be used, be
cause there are not enough guns for
larger number.
ENOUGH CUBANs.
There are now in the United States
5000 native Cubans anxious TO fight for
their cause, and who would willingly go
home If they could afford to leave their
business and secure the necessary funds
To pay for the transportation and exist
ence while in the ranks.
SeDor Quesada says II would be out
rageous to enlist Americans to light when
Cubans are available here. The Americans
are not acclimated, could not stand the
ha ardships Of Cuban warfare, and, besides,
natives OF the island should fight their
own battles rather than citizens of this
country, no matter how far the sympa-
tbics OF the latter might extend.
lie 81 VS. there is no question that thousands
of men in this country would be willing
to go to Cuba a nd fight for her independ-
ence If proper means OF transportation
could be supplied, hut this the representa-
tives OF Cuba in the United States cannot
provide. If the Junta could arm every
Cuban sympathizer Oh the island il wouldb be
satisfied. Any friend OF Cuba should pro-
vide a gun'and ten rounds OF ammunition
rather na II to endeavor to seek recruits here
for her. The agents OF Cuba here are not
desirous in any way OF offending the neu-
traiity laws, and do not propose doing so.
Cuban relief funds are being started in
nearly all the large cities. In some In
stances generous sums have been given,
which Will be devoted to the care OF the
sick and homeless on the island. and also
to the help Of those who have lost all their
property for liberty's sake.
1t is also proposed to establish branches
of the JuntI in the cities, so thai greater
work can be accomplished and more COM
pact organization formed.