San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-04-23
THE WAR IN CUBA.

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The reported skirmishes between the
Cubans and the Spaniards read rather
tame in comparison with the stand
up and knock down fighting on the
Greek frontier, but nevertheless ii is
in evidence that the Spaniards are
getting the worst of it all the time.
The 'Spaniards have a larger army in
Cuba than the Turks have on the
Greek frontier, yet they are incapable
of dislodging the Cubans. Gomez has
a well known headquarters but Wey-
Ter is careful not to get too close to
him. A special dispatch from Havana
to the Globe-Democrat gives an &C
count of the aiding of a town gar
risoned by the Spaniards as follows:-
The town OF Foisoi il Matanzas
Province was raided Thursday after
noon by a Cuban force of about 800,
supposedly under one Of the officers
from Gen. Lacrets army. The place
has three block houses and garrison
of about 800 Spaniards. The Cubans
CIeDI DGlNGGll lhS plOSh AlOoo-
es early in the morning, and before
the SDaniards were aware of their
presence they were entrenched in
stone church in the center of the town.
They sent word to the Spanish officers
that they had come there for supplies,
and if they were permitted to get them
and retire without trouble, that they
would not attack them, but they added
if the Spanish troops disturbed them
they would burn the town and capture
and destroy the block houses. This
bluff succeeded and the Spaniards did
not dare to attack them. The Cuban
force looted seven or eight stores near
est the church, taking large quanti-
ties of provisions and other supplies.
Before leaving, they compelled the al
calde of the town to have tables spread
in the church. when the officers sat
down to a feast, to which large num-
Der of persons attended. After re-
naming in the town six or seven hours
without disturbance the force retired.
The Cuban officers sent a polite mes
sage to the garrison commander,
thanking him for his courtesy. This
is the talk of the town here today and
IDS OCCdSlOllGl llluCil ''ll IClSIlC Gull
ment. An investigation has been or
dered by the Spanish officials"
This illustrates the kind OF warfare
now going on in Cuba. But equally
bad are the reports about the cOrrup-
ton in the management of the affairs
of the island. The same special says:
1T is said that the disclosures made
by Weyler's Investigations will cause
a great sensation soon. 1t has been
learned that nearly all the military
officers have been specializing in gov
eminent money, gambling and other
houses having to pay tribute to them.
Many officers have sold appointments
to posts of high responsibility and
trust. Cattle privileges against Wey-
ler's orders have been trafficked in,
dead soldiers have been continued
on the rolls and their pay pocketed by
the officers. Rich Cubans have been
obliged to pay tolls to save their lives;
and, in fact, according to inside palace
information, the administration is rot
ten inside and out. Two of the COVER
nOrs sent to Havana by TWeyler, elud
ed the Havana authorities and skip
ped to the United States on a steamer
taking with them over $4,000 stolen
funds. 1t is the talk of the town, now,
and will cause a sensation when full
ly knOwn."