The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-12
Is Alive and Well His
Physician Declares.
DR.. DanfOrth Returns to This
Country on Leave.
Says Insurgents Have From 10000
to $4,000 Men in Field.
Favors the Recognition of the Belli-
gerency of the Patriots.

New York, June 12.--Among the pas
sengers who landed in New York today
on the steamer Valencia from Cuba via
Nassau, n. p, was DIR. III. w. Danforth
OF Milwaukee,, Wis, who for the past 15
months has been the personal physician
of the president OF the Cuban Republic,
the Marquis of Santa Lula. IRE doctor is
In the United States on six months
leave OF absence having left Cuba in
small, open boat on May 90 for the
Island of New Providence After much
suffering and exposure he reached Mas
sau, ana there awaited the trial OF the
Valencia.
According to Spanish records, President
Cisneros died In February I, and this
news was scmi-oflicially confirmed in
March last. But DR.. Danforth was with
the president as late as April 4, last and
mas In his possession a letter, which he
showed To the reporter of the Associated
Press dated April 10. From the letter it
appears the president is not only alive but
when DIR. Danforth left him, no was full
OF quiet enthusiasm and animated by the
confident feeling for the eventful success
of the Cuban cause. ..s
Questioned as TO the seat of govern
ment of the Cuban Republic Dr. Dan
forth said IL was mt Augira, Province of
Puerto Principe, where the insurgents
have erected capital. The president,
however. Is not now at Aguira but Is in
the Province of Santiago de Cuba.
strength of the Insurgents.
DIR. Danforth was asked to express an
opinion AS TO the number and strength OF
tho Cuban insurgents, being informed
that late advices from Cuba placed the
number at 5000 men, He said:
II think the gentleman who made
that estimate could have made little
more careful enumeration. but he would
ina IL difficult TO arrive at correct esti-
mate. You can say that the Cubans for
certainty have mt least 80, 600 to 81, 600 men
today armed and in good shape The
Cubans have not been idle during the
course Of the last few years and have
been importing arms and ammunition.
The Cubans are lighting "A desperate fight
aud are in good condition to continue IL.
The Spaniards are also engaged i'm des-
perate contest but they are exhausted or
almost so. The Cubans will fight until
the last and will fight hard. -
DIR. Danforth said: 1.-The position
which / occupied with the insurgent
forces necessarily precluded my obtain
ing personal knowledge of the Spanish
atrocities complained of, but from tho
reports received at headquarters / have
absolutely no doubt of their existence.
Zones of Starvation.
"Men, women and children have been
most outrageousIy treated by the Span
iards. Their homes have been burned,
their property destroyed and they have
heen relegated To Weyler's zones of pro-
tection-zones Of starvation. That's what
they should be termed, instead of zones
OF protection"
what in your opinion. will be the
next step taken by the Spaniards in
Cuba?'
''It is difficult to answer that question.
But t is to be presumed that Weyler will
continue wandering about the island. cer-
tifying TO the pacifcation of the provinces,
moving from one To the other and that he
viii finally cable TO Canovas saying that
all the provinces are paoiied and that
things are in readiness for putting in
operation the Spanish premier's home rule
scheme Campos will be the man who
will succeed Weyer and he will be- in
structed, broadly. tn do the best he can
under the circumstances.
Cubans Cannot Understand IL.
"It is generally admitted that Spain Is
very hard up, but in spite of this she
seems able Co get all the money she needs
and the Cubans are at a loss TO understand
how 10 Is done. ~
"What is your opinion as TO the possible
Intervention Of the United States?"
1his question seemed To arouse all the
fiery energy uf the American physician.
Ills eyes flashed with excitement and he
replied:
II, sir know nothing OF your politics.
But you can say this ten. Fitzhugh Lee
Is looked upon with the greatest respect
and admiration 10y all true Cubans It is
a crying shame, continued Dr. Danforth
with energy, that United States citizens
are not moro thoroughly protected. AS for
tie Spaniards, why they shoot first and
inquire after as TO tho standing Of the
man American or Cuban and then they
say he was shot by his own friends.
Trusting in the United States
"When left the president and his party
they were all filled with hope and trust
ing i'm the United States Should rho United
states intcrvenel Most empha:ically yes.
| sincerely hope President Mckinley will
assist these struggling Jubans In the way
they desire IL seems TO be fact among
politicians in the United states that Cuba
Is to come up for discussion every now
and then and he as regularly turned down
again. but trust that the president tho
senate, the House or com binntiOn OF all
three will decide To recognize the belligsr-
ency OF the Cubans"
What Is the present condition Of the
Cuban insurgentsy
Their condition Is satisfactory. ft IA
true they are hard pressed I'm the provinces
on account OF want Of rations; but as =