San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-12-10
CUBA DIES NOT WITH MAcEo.

CUBA DIES NOT WITH MACEO.
The reported death of Maceo, under
conditions that give at least strong
color of probability to the rumor,
casts shadow over the hearts of the
Cuban patriots and their sympathiz-
ers in all lands. 1t may be, however,
that the circumstaniality of detail
with which the report is given out,
coupled with the fact that it is a Span
| ish report, leaves reasonable ground
to doubt the fact, and that it is only
clevery devised Spanish trick ia dis
| hearten the insurgents in Gomez
army, which is seeking to effect a
junction with that of Maceo. In any
event, the struggle for Cuban indie
pendence will by no means end with
the death of any military or civil
leader. The Cuban patriots are too
thoroughly alive to the gravity of the
situation to tempOrize, too deadly
earnest in purpose to step aside on ac-
count of the death of any one leader,
and the war will be fought out to an
end. There is no doubt that Maceo
is an able and a skillful general, hav-
ing the wisdom of patience and the
courage of conviction. No tempta-
ton has been strong enough to lure
him from his stronghold, where he
has been preparing such reception
for Weyler, when circumstances and
public clamor should force the Span
ish leader to seek to drive him to bay
and to a final surrender. That the
key of the situation has been firmly
held by the insurgent leader is appar-
ent. Weyler's first attempt to drive
him out has already been known the
world over as failure. His recep-
ton was so hot then that had it not
been for the imperative need of ac-
comprising something, without which
the recognition of the Cubans would
speedily follow, Weyler would gladly
have remained in Havana, for the
touch that he had of the tiger of the
trocha was not to his taste. That ex-
petition proved Maceo a long-clawed,
strong jawed fighting devil, and the
mark Of his claws on the Spanish
forces told it's own red tale of blood
and death. That this second attempt
has resulted in disaster to the Spanish
forces is certain, for the Spanish gen.
eral acknowledges that he met a
bloody reception. Enough is learned
from other sources to show that Ma
Geo outgeneraled Weyler, turned his
flank, got in his rear and was in posi-
ton to surround the Spaniards as soon
as an effective junction with Gomez
was made. As to the issue, that is
not any clearer than it was a month
ago. This is true, the insurgents
have shown their ability to withstand
all the force that Spain can send for
their subsection; sympathy for them
grows in every corner of the United
SldleS, COuSTeSS 10 III SeSSlOH anu EeS-
olutions and bills will be offered in
both houses that will clearly show the
sympathy of the American people,
and may lead to actual recognition
of the insurgents. For the indepen-
dence Of Cuba all good partiots labor
and pray. Only the head Of the GOV
eminent Of this liberty boasting re-
public is in line with the despoilers of
the right of the people Of Cuba to self
government and home direction. This
also will come to an end. Cuba has
shown such a front to Spain as to
convince the open-minded that she
cannot be Ion retained as a vassal Of
the Spanish crown. Her independ-
ence is certain. 1t may not be now,
but it will be.