Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-12
CUBA ALL ABLAZE.
The Insurgents Are Destroying All the Sugar Estates-A Private Letter From
 the Island. '

Augusta, Ga., Jan. 1.-The Chronicle will tomorrow publish the following pri- vate letter from Cuba:
 Cardenas, Cuba, Jan. 8, 1S96
 -: If you see the papers with Gu ban news you must be worried, for really the island is in a very terrible state. You would be aghast to know the rapid strides the insurgents are making. You know Maximo Gomez gave orders that no cane should be cut or ground, but these foolhardy people must always try to be too smart. Some prepared to grind, some put troops on their estates some talked very grandly of what they in tended to do, and the consequence, ruin, terror and devastation. The heavens in the day are obscured by darkest clouds of smoke, and at night lighted by reflec- ton of burning estates. The cane fields, which were more luxuriant than for are but heaps of ashes. It is wonderful, the stoicism of the people. MT. - is simply ruined; has lost thousands upon thousands In so many estates that are burned. The insurgents are all around us, and last night the Spanish troops were on big debauch and the insurgent party came down on our town as far as the hospital. All communication is cut off by rail and by telegraph with Ha- yana. Mantanzas, Mavajaros and Colon by steamer our correspondence now goes. God help us, say. feel very sorry for these poor Spanish soldiers, who are dy- ing here by the thousands, who have no interest in Cuba and some of them even do not know where Cuba Is. It is dread ful. Maximo Gomez Is better general than any of the Spanish generals. Ma eco is a colored chief. SO is Quintan Ban deras, whose men carry clubs attached to their left wrists by leather straps and immense machetes. q knife like those used for felling cane with, with sharp ened edges on both sides. in their right, and with these they fight like tigers.
 All happens for the best. God only knows now when Cuba will again be re- instated to her former glory, as all is shrouded in clouds around us. We have had no Christmas or New Year. It was simply Impossible to say happy" to any one On Christmas day all the fields of Deputy Toeortez-Amblard were burned. and the flames communicated themselves to the dwelling of Carridad San Martin; everything was burned. Her sister, Con- chita. Is married to the administrator of the estate. They all went to the home of neighbor on Christmas night, with out having eaten thing that day and in perfect frenzy. These are friends of ours, you know. It is terrible; turn where you will. 1t Is all ruin
 Cuban 5ympathiaers
 Lake Charles, La, Jan. 11.--A well at- tended meeting of Cuban sympa thizers was held here today. Resolutions were adopted expressing heartfelt sympathy for the Cuban republic and requesting the Louisiana congressional delegation to support the pending resolutions in con- gress and to use all possible efforts to secure the Cubans the recognition of their belligerent rights
 Many warm speeches were delivered by distinguished speakers and great enthus- iasm prevailed.
 Doings of the insurgents.
 Havana. Jan. 11.-A rebel band entered Cabanas yesterday and set fire to a num- Der of houses.
 Railway communication between Guines and San Felipe has been inter- rupted. One hundred and forty rebels made an attack on train, perforating the cars with bullets. So far as known nobody was hurt. The leader of the band is unknown.
 Tho village of Benavides has been burned by insurgents, and five houses in Merchu have been destroyed by fire. The rebels. after. setting fire to the village
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