The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-08-11
The Crisis at Havana.

Reports from Havana Indicate that
spain's inglorious campaign Of massacre
aud oppression iu Cuba is rapidly ap-
preaching tragic climax. The city is
beleaguered and terror-stricken the sub
urbs of the place are nightly invaded
by armed bands Of revolutionists. who
seize supplies, destroy property and
root the Spanish soldiery within sight
of Weyler's palace windows The in-
surgeut forces in the province of Ha-
vana are rapidly increasing the basis Of
their operations has been transferred
almost to the gates Of tie capital city.
aud apder the resolute advance of the
revolutionary leaders the one great
Spanish stronghold ia the island is
virtually in state Of siege.
It is needless to recount the causes
which have led up 70 this supreme
humiliation for the Spanish arms. 1t
is due 10 about equal degree to the
brilliant military genius Of the Cuban
generals and the glaring aud cumuls-
tive inccm potency Of the Spanish com
msraers. But it is the situation itself
that now rive,s the attention Of
those who have followed the progress
Of the Cuban war for independence.
lis salient features may be des-
cribed in this way: More than i've
sixtbs of the total area Of the island is
now controlled by Cuban influence, and
in that territory there is 40 adequate
civil administration. order prevails, the
farmers are again tilling their lands,
apd the authority Of the Cubaa repub-
lie is firmly established. In the re-
naming sixth Of the island Weyler's
bloody tyranny is still pursu-
ing its barbarous crusade Of
buchery AID anoihilation. Maddened
by two years Of unbroken defeat 10 his
military purposes, distrusted by bis gov
eruuent. despised by his starving
taoops and with the certainty of final
catastrophe staring him in the face,
the Spanish Captain. General has per-
verted his campaign into savage
carnival Of slaughter aod desola-
ton
The resolute progress of the rev
olutionary cause. the unfailing valor Of
its followers and the steady growth of
its military power have driven Weyler
into position which is disgracefu
alike to himself and Spaiu. He is
compelled to aduit either that the 200,.
600 soldiers whom the Spanish Govern
meot has poured ;nto Cuba have been
aonibilated b. bullets. disease, deser-
tion and starvation. or that they have
beeo ANONYMOUSLY batflsd and beaten
by an enemy which at its highest en-
roIlmeut never exceeded 60,000 men.
One or the other Of these confessions is
inevitable, ard either will brand Wey
Ter With lasting infamy His army has
pever won battle worthy of the name
His strategy is the sport Of Gomez, aud
his operation from first to last have
been fantastic and clownish, excep,
whcn they have beea brutal and blood
thirsty
|, looks as though sbe
6ual act iu this cruel tyrant's
mons:rous campaigo were Lear
a; bapd. AID that II would take palace ct
the threshold of bis owu palace. The
thunder Of revolutionary cannon is
heard daily in .he capital city Of the
;slaad TIE Inhabitants Of the place,
cvco tie loyal Spanish subjects. realize
tia; the end is approaching. and that
Do resnl, wbico may follow can be as
dreadful as continuance Of Weyler's
despotic rule.