The times., 1897-04-08
THE SITUATION IN CUBA
Mr.. ]. H. Paine Describes the
Conditions Which Prevail.
GREAT DISCONTENT IN HAVANA
A Crisis Impending-Tr Lam
guishcs, Supplies Are Growing
Spain's Task Hopeless One-The
LOSSES TO American Citizens.


Spain's Task Hopeless One-The
LOSSES TO American Citizens.
Mr.. j. II. Paine, general manager of the
Permanent Savings and Loan Company OF
Cleveland, OHIO, who has been with his
family on tour through Mexico, is in
Washington.
Mr. Paine came from Mexico by steamer,
touching at Matanzas and Havana, anu
spent "a day or two at each place. lie is
"a personal friend OF Gen. FItzhugh Lee,
aud was cordially received by him at
Havana. Mrs Lee and daughter left
Cuba by the same steamer with Mir. Paine
and left New York Monday evening for
charlottesville, Va. Upon their departure
from Havana a large party, comprising
Americans, Spaniards, and Cubans, accom-
panied them out OF the harhor in a tug and
gave rousing cheers for Gen. Lee and his
family The passage to New York was
rather rough, but all arrived in good health
During his stay in Cuba Mr.. PANE had
exceptional facilities for observation ana
he gave the results in an interview with
a Times reporter today. He SAID, In part:
at is safe to say that as long as Gen.
FitZhugh Lee represents the Cnioed states
in Cuba, and receives the support or THIS
Government, the lives and the rights of
American citizens will he absolutely pro-
tected. In the interview which he granted
uie at Havana | was thoroughly impressed
with his unmistakable earnestness and
determination To uphold every American in
terest with infleXible thoroughness. lie
is eninently the right man III the right
Mace He has won the respect OF all
classes by his marked sincerity, courtesy
and firnness, and the flag he represents
carries greater weight in Spanish councils
today than it ever has before. y
The situation at Havana portends a
crisis Trade IanguiShes, supplies are grow
ing tlearer, disease is rampant, paper money
is received with increasing distrust, and
all cIasse view the near approach of the
unhealthy rainy season with grave appfe-
hension. If the Spanish military opera
lions for the ensuing month prove barren
of tangible results, as they are almost GER
tain To do, this apprehension viii increase.
to such an extent as to cause overt eS-
pressonS of diScOntcdt, OF which there are
now subdued but unmistakable mutterinsS.
There will inevitably co ne demand for
change in q situation which is so utterly
hopeless, aud OF which the outcome can
only be complete ruin and destitution.
1t seems 10 he generally admitted by
many of the candid II lends of tie Spanish
cause that the permanent subjugation OF
the inSuIgent forces and territory Is almost
q hopeless task under the present methods
and conditions, and that the destruction or
the material resources and Tevenue-pro-
ducing capacity of the island VIII be so
complete as to render further sacrifices of
men and money hopeless of adequate re-
suits The guerrilla policy of the Cuban
leaders prevents the possibility of any de-
cisive engagements The insurgcnt forces
arenuw fairly We'll supplied with arms and
ammunition, and new supplies are still
coming to them, despite the stringent eff
forts of the Spanish cruisers to prevent the
landing of expeditions. AS long as beef and
sweet potatoes can be obtained for the
maintenance of their guerrilla forces, it is
almost certain that they will keep the
field and continue the policy OF halaSsing
aud eXhausting the Spanish forces.
ION the other hand, ii Is admitted by
candid friends of the Cuban cause that
of insurgents to achieve any decisive sue
cesses in the field against the prepon-
deratinr forces of the Spanish, and that
their only hope of final success lies in the
gradual depletion OF their enemies through
sickness and desertion and the exhaustion
of the financial ability Of Spain to sup
port further military operations. In one
instance, near ManZanillo, within thirty
days, nearly one hundred Spanish SOL
diers deserted to the Cubans, prefefring
the free air of the interior to the sickly
atmosphere of their confined quarters in
the seaports. The neglect and brutality
of the Spanish officers, coupled with the
failure of pay and subsistence, Will nee
essarilv have the result of increasing this
tendency to desertion, and it may soon
ass ume formidable proportions.
"Ip the vast tent of the oriental depart
ment and a great portion OF the central de
partment, comprising over one-hair the
island, the authority of the insurgent gov,
ernment still remains virtually unshaken.
Revenues are collected, civil courts adj
minister justice, public schools are open
and the DEGREES of the provisional repub-
lican government are obeyed throughout,
except in the few seaports and fortified
towns still held by the Spanish.
I'm the western, or occidental department,
the Spanish poweris still inthe ascendancy,
though scattered bands of insurgents
constantly harass the lines of communica-
ton, and guerrilla dashes at Spanish
positions are OF almost daily occurrence.
The recent capture of Gen. Rius Rivera
at San Cristobal, In Pinar del Rio, while
a severe loss to the insurgents, is by no
means of vital importance, as the Cuban
army has many brave and tried officer
competent to take his place.
The inhuman policy of Spain in treat
ing this widespread rebellion as local
riot. and refusing to accord any of the
rights of civilized warfare to the Cubans,