The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-11
5.wt1y s,.AIs rArLEp N cuu.A,.
EoSr6snondrH t AfOras hntcscsiiiss:
a riiri. t,, She Juiy Forum

hriiein intbcJniy Forum
''.Nhy Spain has is.iie. in Cuba" Is the
stislc Of an Misunderstanding article OF some
lengthin ihe.curlsnt issue ufrihc Forum
by Ail'. Thomas e. Alvord, Jr., the well
Known Washington correspondent,
WhoGa work "a! the NcW York World, a.
is representative OF the island during
the first four months OF The year at
traciel wide attention. The article. is
not only written iii excellent style. Civ
ing striking sketches at the Insurgents
and thcir ioUs and graphic pen pictures
Of conditions in The field, but il Is CT OK
ceptihnal value Tor the suggest TONS It
contains touching tic pr0longution OF
ths we rfara.
Nh. .tlv0rG, after a careful anu inn
partial study OF tho origin and develop
nrnt oi the strife SAYS that Gen. Wey-
lar should hnva subducd tho rebellion.
within FIlnety days. but that. this nbvi-
uusiy has not besn his purpose. In proof
Of this Indictment. he gives Il recital Of
experiences IN Tile field, an explanation
oftiie methods employed By tic Spanish
officers. and al account OF the poor re-
suits achieved 10 which he AIDES: II Il
hc admitted that Gen. Weyler has the
slightest military ability. the situation
N Cuba today VIII convict him
lie says !. Is no reflection upon the
valor Of the Insurgents 70 say that Gen.
VIEWERS tactics have made il campar.
ativcly easy FOR them 20 keep uD the
strife. The private soldiers Of spain are
but little better drilled than those OF
Cuba, though the forlnC, are courage
gus, 'nc0m planning anu ready t. an
swcr every demand uD0u tilrir cutiur-
ancc bH their officers Bat they DO I,
For Spain and spain alone" says Mir,
Alvord. THE WaStcI patriotism ut
chose ignorant. stout-hcartcd. abused
soldier lads IS pitabla. Their officers
seem 70 lave nothing in common with
item" Last April thorC We're II, Cuba
forty-SeNen generals, while tho field ant
rnnp@ny officers number nearly II COZ
There We're, amazing nsi it may seem
So'0Qo officers, privates and military ut
incheS doing special duty and thus pre-
vented from taking amy part In active
operations. ".lhc hotels cafes and
parks Of every city and town on the Is
land are constantly filled with officers
smoking, dining and idling their ti,ue
away they arc tcmperate only IN
drinking.
Mr.. Alrord phys 4 tribute to Cen Co
lnc@ saying that il is doubtful II, rs .
master Of guerrilla tactics, he has a,
equal.
"li"lred ~ the corruption OF tho span
ISM he says, "thc Cuban inStirgcnts
lave haan Nhlc 10 establish ana main
iain The capital OF their republic at Gu
hitus This Is z smnll village on tn,
top OF mountain only twenty-five mile.
from the city OF Puerto principe ]
would be difficult 70 carry It by storm
put r.. SeneI&l Wnyler had laid Seig,
on his arrival It Would have fallen he
fore this. Whore u Cuban can 30
SpanihrA ought to be able to follow"
~ conelusinn, MI NiVord SAYS: '.I
recnSniIcu rs heligCrcnts, the Cuhans
without furilicr aid, can win their in
dependence. these well carne
rGhts arc not accorded, tlc siCHcuin
Sirus;sle vii 70 on until the subject o
Il IS destroyed. In the end the ruin
VIII be lost 10 Spain. Her. nrmy In
&etltGd uppn tile country like htin.r
wolves unon 4 wourded fawn. Tier. SOY
,ereien. like Il tree doomed tn fail, j
tempting, not from the machetc blow
upoh rs trunk but from the germs .
| ccrruption That are rot;ins away il
| roots"