Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-10
Or. @. n. THOMAS HERE IN THE
INTEREST or THE PATRIOTS.
IRalSGIHG FOR 4 MASS-NEETING.
lie wa: Tell OF His Experiences I'm
the Island. aud Local Speakers
VIII Tails--something About the
Prospects for Freedom.

.sIlt Oh lnN iSlttu OA 1Abdf N't 'f'''N
here made a number Of trips into the
Interior OF the island. lie was at Mariel
IN December 81. and Maeeo was killed
here on the following day.
He went 10 Cuba for the purpose OF
making an unbiased study Of the situa-
ion. and since his return has connected
aimself with the Cuban League OF the
United States. of which Ethan Allen is
chairman and such prominent men as
Charles A. Dana, Chauncey NJ. Depew'
and Ex-Governor Flower are vice-presi-
dents. He comes recommended by the
chairman Of the Cuban League as man
Of fine education and extensive travels,
and as a very able and forcible speaker.
Or. Thomas has already received excel
tent encouragement from citizens OF
Richmond to arrange mass-meeting
nere on Friday evening at the Young
Mems Christian Association building.
Several PROMINENT citizens will make
short speeches. DR.. Thomas called on
Governor O'Ferrall last evening, and the
Governor consented. if his health per-
mits, TO be present at the meeting and
make n rev remarks.
TALKED TO A REPORTER.
Last evening a reporter Of the Dispatch
called on Dr. Thomas. at the Lexington
Hotel. and TO him the Cuban sympathizer
spoke freely about his recent trip TO the
usland
Did you have any trouble in getting
INTO the interior Of the islandy' asked the
Jcribe.
Yes, good DEAL" was DR.. Thomas's
.eply; SONG places more than others. Be
lore passing through the trocha l had TO
ret a Spanish passport. Before Spanish
,ficers granted the pass they asked me
nnumerable questions. Among them they
lsked, What are you doing here at the
present timer 1 replied 1 was 3. land
agent; that land now could be purchased
IT low figure, and soon after the war
would rise in value. This answer seemed
quite satisfactory. L was somewhat
amused while being examined. The report
cot out that they were examining an
American. In less than thirty minutes
several hundred persons gathered about
he building 10 see that rare curiosity, an
American"
what is the trocha?''
1T Is a fine wagon road extending across
he island from Mariel to MALARIA, dis
lance OF forty miles. To the right ana
~ thin boards and covered with palm
caves. In these live the Spanish soldiers
About 5000 Spanish soldiers are along
his line, about 800 TO the mile. and about
90 10 80 In each fort"
SREAT SUFFERING IN THE aNTE-
RIOR.
els there really much suffering on the
sland?'
mot a great deal in Habana, except
IL, he hocvffQlc
some parts OF the interior the suffering is
something awful. While crossing through
he trocha saw hundreds Of Spanish sol
siers sick with yellow-fever ard the
smallpox.
at Mariel noticed as many as six,
sight. or ten lying before porches sick
With fever or smallpox. The Spanish
Government acknowledges that there are
as many as 1900 Spanish soldiers sick on
he island. It is safe TO say that there are
5000. Every hospital is overcrowded.
Hundreds Of private homes have been
turned into hospitals They have poor
aursing and medical aid. These di-eases
10 not affect Cuban soldiers.
can edict which General Weyler Issued
some time ago compelling all farmers on
The island TO move into, large villages or
stiles has caused great suffering among
the women and children. They are not
allowed 10 leave villages 10 get food.
Money they have none. and the suffering
ior lack OF food and clothing is awful.
Their husbands are away in the army,
and General Weyler's aim in Issuing TINS
Drder was to keep the country people from
assisting insurgents. This edict Is inhu-
man, and has caused great SUFFERING
REVOLUTION BOUND TO SUCCEED.
do you believe the revolution will sue
.eed?" was Intercepted by the reporter.
Yes: men who are as determined as
the Cubans never fail. II is liberty or
death with them. They will surely win.
IL may take five or ten years TO do 1t
without outside assistance. Peace will
never hover over the island Of Cuba until
he island is free"
"Do the majority of Cubans in Habana
and other large cities sympathize with
the rebellionT'
1T is safe to say that all the C,abans
IN the country are in sympathy with re-
oellion.
I'm cities Cubans are very cautious in
expressing sentiment. They are watched
by Spanish spies, and the simple ex-
preston OF Cuba Libre' means arrest.
Yet, on better acquaintance. found near
" all Cubans heart and soul in sympathy
With the present war"
what are the Cubans' chances Of
winning"
Decidedly good. They will surely win.
II the United States assists Them the
war will soon come to a close. They
will win. however. without our assist
ance. II may take then ten years to
gain liberty. My reasons for saying they
will gain independence are the follow
ing:
81. Spain has had an army OF POS
100 on the island. These soldiers so
far have accomplished nothing in sup
pressing the rebellion In fact. Cubans
are stronger than ever before.
"2 Spain's expenses are 100000
daily. Spain is poor. She can't borrow
money from any European nation. Her
people are patriotic, but poor.
"S. The fact that the Philippine
Islands are also revolving compels Spain
TO divide her forces.
~. The Cubans need not fight or
win any great battles. Yellow-fever and
smallpox are killing OF Spaniards fast
enough. But chiefly Cubans are in the
right. This fact inspires them with true
courage. Their sentiment is that OF
Patrick Henry--Give us liberty, or give
us death"
A GREAT FUTURE FOR CUBA.
'Tn your opinion. has Cuba much OF a
future, II she should become free?"
Eyes decidedly so. The island is only
a trifie larger than Illinois. Cuba now
has a population OF about 10000. Only
one-sl1!h OF the entire island is under
cultivation. and that is poorly cultI- |
waited. The entire island is fit for cul-
tivation. II Is capable OF supporting |
10. Oo0.0 600 people. The minerals are there |
In almost unlimited quantities. The soil |
Is not only extremely rich. but capable !
OF raising almost everything. The is
land could be shut off from the entire /
civilized world. and stu have almost |
Co.. ll.tf. u.