The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-22
THE CUBANS PLAN A COUP
To Strike Simultaneous Blows at
Three Big Cities.
HAVANA is AMONG THEM
Matanzas and Cienfuegos the Other Two Points
Selected for Attack-A Good Account
of Themselves Is Promised.

New York, Aug. 21.-There is an un-
dercurrent of great activity among the
Cuban insurgents and their supporters
in New York and Florida. All signs point
to mighty blow for independence in the
near future.
The Cubans in the field have, within
the last few weeks, sent the most en-
couraging reports to the local patriots.
Many of these have not been made pub
lie for the very good reason that a STRAIT
egic move is about to be made which
would not benefit by publicity.
The death of Spain's great leader, Can
ovas del Castillo, will very likely hasten
events. A letter received in this city
from colonel in the Cuban army who is
now in Florida points to this probability
and shows clearly the state of affairs.
This officer is an American, and went
to Cuba for the first time a year ago.
He was rapidly advanced for experience
and bravery. In part, the letter reads:
1 have been to Cuba twice and am
going there again. I may be able to
send you some startling information be-
fore the rainy season ends.
1t is more than probable that Havana,
Matanzas, and Cienfuegos will be at
tackled simultaneously by US, and when
we do enter into the combination we
shall give good account of ourselves. We
have all the men we need SO far, and
our supplies of arms and ammunition are
increasing daily.
1t is absurd for any of the papers
as you know, to even hint that we will
accept anything absolutely but our inde-
pendence The time is long gone when
home rule could have been accepted, for
the simple reason that thousands of men,
women and children have had their blood
shed for this cause, property has been
destroyed and the island razed from one
end to t. other, and the blood of the
martyrs all call for nothing but free
dom.
1t seems tonne that the time is passed
for resolutions of sympathy to be ex-
pressed, and that If the American peo-
pie are going to do anything, now is
the time for 1t. 1t seems to be the idea
of our politicians at Washington and
elsewhere that no nation should be al
lowed to govern themselves until they
understood how to do 1t. should like
to know how long they would learn it
under such a man as Weyler. 1t reminds
me somewhat of hte adage of the man
who decided that he would never go into
the water until he learned to swim. The
island is lost to the Spaniards, and when
the fall of. 1897 ceases to be, then think
that the lone star will soon be floating
not only over the whole island, but on
top of the Morro Castle itself.
Relative to the assassination of the
prime minister there is no doubt in my
mind but it has been the cause of a
great deal of harm. We are not a ma
ton of assassins, but are fighting a war
Of independence, and therefore we can
have no sympathy with assassins and
murderers who really are beasts of prey
stalking about and who should be dis
posed of at the very first opportunity
OF course, in some instances, the means
justifles the ends and it is q wonder to
| me that Weyler has not met his death
long before this, for the atrocities that
are being committed under his sanctions
equal, If not surpass, those of the mon
ster Alva. Directly 1 arrive IN the is
land will try and get you some news as
personal favor. -