The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-05

he Tll OF luck NAse1 S%ssStfS- ~ tN
started IN favor OF me Cubans has been
checked There can be no doubt now tnas
the expedition OF the Three Friends vas
worse than a failure. because ths aranu:
milton IL landed fen into the hands o. the
spaniards. The loss OF the Com modore.
following so soon after, viii not only oe
serious III the cost. but may deprive the IN
surgents OF rnuch-nesded ammunition
TIE boast OF the SPaniards that the coast
Is now vel pafrosled seems 20 be Justi-
fed. and BY means OF signals any cargo
landed is liable 70 capture. The fact that
one expedition has been so checked Is re-
lied upon as proof. although Il is not esn-
elusive, because II vas claimed by the
officers ia command or the Three Friends
that the attempt 10 land AZ the mouth OF
san Juan river was made under sealed or
ders and against their better Judgment
The cusAns are not Iikely TO be dauEted by
these nlIsfort1Hes, any more than they
have been in the past. The wrecklng of the
Commodore, however. calls 10 mind SIM
Tar misfortune which befelI them last
year and suggets review of the progress
Of the war.
A year ago Campos was recalled 70
Spain, his humane methods giving dis
satisfaction TO the home press. Weyier's
coming was preceded and followed by
fearful threats or the consequences to
those who would not throw down their
arms and accept the mercy of the new
commander. There was no sign OF sur
render and the threats were carried out
wherever the opportunity offered. The
outrages are such as can be conceived
from a knowledge OF the ways Of brutal
savages. and there is nothing TO choose
between them and those perpetrated by
the Rurds. In all the stories Of butchsry
and burning. there is scarcely one more
pathetic than that OF the fogging on the
bare backs OF two young women. The
other women OF the village. Infatuated by
the screams, forgot their weakness and
attacked the soldiers, only 10 be shot down
like beasts for their act Of humanity. The
utter helplessness OF these poor wretches
was pitiful. The punishment the girls
suffered was. probably. less 10 them than
the disgrace immunity from Il meant;
but most men can more readily under
stand the prompting to one offense than
the brutal instinct which permitted these
massacre OF wounded inmates OF hospitals,
the burning alive in their beds Of helpless
sufferers. the coid-blooded murder Of chill
dren, make up record which thrilled the
world with horror and stirred the Ameri-
can blood almost to indignant rashness.
Weyler soon realized this. and although
the horrors OF war continue. the instances
of brutality are either less frequent or
they are kept from the papers. He changed
his tactics and limitations came that re-
forms would follow suppression OF the
rebellion"
During the year so far as the oniooker
can see there has been little change in
the situation. On January 5 Of last year
II was reported that Gomez had arrived
within fifteen miles OF Havana, and that
after burning the plantations around the
city he intended 10 attack IT. For twelve
'hDA4ttA@ NV tHC MANA bSAS W MS AVtEo
has been in the small province OF Pinar
del Rio. and although they have not been
dislodged there has been no decisive action
on their part. On the other hand. the Span
iards have 10000 men on the island, with
plenty Of munitions and no lack of money.
yet they have been kept at bay by the in
surgent force. which has to be maintained
and kept In provisions IN face Of the most
discouraging difficulties.
The reported death OF Maceo and the
failure Of two expeditions puts the honors
ot war on the side Of weyler for the mo-
ment. hut should II turn out that Maceo
Is alive. the tide would not only turn. but
II would be sweeping. II would discomfort
the spanish authorities and Inspire the
cubaas with new hope: and no considera-
ton Of international comfy could prevent
the American people subscribing freely and
persistently FOR new expeditions.
Upon such chances does success turn. The
cause o. Cuba IS as just whether Maceo
be alive or dead. the need of aid,bythe Gu
bans is even greater II he is dead than IL
he Is awe; yet the sentiment aroused by
the story OF his betrayal and killing. sue
ceeded By his temperance, would do
what all the appeals on behalf OF human
lty only partially accomplished.