The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28

unreasonable In requesting q man In Cuba
10 interview Gomez, Weyler and Maceo,
and set his matter within ave days for .
special spread on Cuba Such \ dis
ent here.
Some correspondents who tried to do this
and similarly impossible things soon got
into trouble and were surprised and indig-
nant over IT. All of them have left the
country before now. some suffering with
fevers bred by the exposure In the
swAmps: some of them are dead, killed ia
trying 20 cross the lines; some have been
expelled from Cuba by the government.
and some have been discharged by their
papers. One young fellow who had sue
ceeded IN reaching Comes. at the imni-
nent ana constant peril OF his life, re-
turned to Havana safely, only TO find
awaiting him a letter stating that he had
not been heard from for two weeks and
had consequently been struck on the pay
roll.
At about this time. however. our Jour-
mails awoke to the badness OF their Cuban
news ard decided to try fresh plans. Dur
ing January, most of the papers having
correspondents in Cuba changed them,
sending to replace them. In many cases.
the best men on their stats. men. who
for the most part did not speak Spanish.
and who had little war experience, but
different situations and were trained for
nearly any service that could be exacted.
When these had fairly gotten 10 work in
Cuba, the true situation there was rapidly
brought out in the United States. Their
reports were confirmed later. In almost ev-
cry particular. by the consuls and COM
missioners sent TO the island.
On my arrival. the New York papers
were represented by George E. Bryson.
ichA Ard IA
G. b. Rea. Sylvester Scovel, and T. g. AL
word. Later arrivals were Karl Decker.
e. NJ. McCreedy. r. G. Dawiey, c. K. Cros-
by and w. B. Stevens. T. w. steep was
already in Cuba, but not in Havana.
OF these men. seven tried TO join Comes.
Davis was turned back by a premature
publication of his intentions; Scovei was
arrested and had a narrow escape from
execution; Crosby was killed in Gomez 5
camp; Decker. Rea, Steep and Dawley
were the only ones to return unhurt and
without serious trouble. though they all
had narrow escapes. or earlier corre-
Spondents in Cuba, GOWN was captured
and butchered in cold blood, Delgade died
in the hospital, and Melton was kept in
prison for over two years.
CHAPTER II.
The foregoing win show the dangerous
were by no means confined to the rebel
correspondents. Nearly every Havana
correspondent was arrested at least once
and sometimes had considerable trouble in
securing his freedom.
As a Filibuster.
If a correspondent or volunteer insur-
gent goes to Cuba with a filibuster, he
stands a fair chance of reaching his des-
tination. II he goes by any other route
his chance is very slight unless he has un-
limited money.
In going as filibuster he violates, first
of all. the laws of his own country. He
runs great peril from shipwreck. the fill
clustering craft being small and likely to
encounter rough weather. When he lands
he finds himself in much danger from the
Spanish troops and ships. If proper con-
nections be made. the insurgent forces
which received the goods will hastily run
them into the mountains, probably having
to fight their way. Sometimes there are
many days Of peru before this connection
can be made However. he may get
through by this means If he can find a
party to join--not an easy thing to do
nowadays.
The other route IL the one usually tried.
and at first Il seems easy enough. 1t Is
quite easy to leave Havana by rail or by
coast steamer for any place. The police
stranger can visit every city In Cuba
without any danger. The police. however,
search his baggage wherever he leaves at
the train, and oonfiscate all clothing that
would be Of use in the field. Unless he is
very fortunate In concealing them, he will
lose his cavalry boots. leggings, water
proof. saddle-bags. and the rest
Then, too, when he lands at a city from
which he expects to reach the insurgents.
he is at once a marked man. have Wis
tied every city Of Importance In Cuba, and,
outside of Havana, have never found more
than five native-born Americans in any OF
them. There are usually about a hundred
more naturaiized Americans OF Cuban par
entage but that Is all. 1t can be mag
ined how conspicuous an American ar
rival. especially one who does not speak
perfect Spanish, will necessarily be.
spies surround the Stranger.
Unless the adventurer has friends to
guide him, he must go to hotel. where
every one spies on him. and where he
must state his name and his business.
Moreover. he cannot buy a horse without
a great deal OF intrigue. and must pay at
least $50 for one. To go on foot would re-
suit In certain capture. Only a few per-
sons are now allowed to own horses, the
government having confiscated all the rest.
He cannot leave town except by certain
designated roads, each OF which Is de-
Tended by a fort. at which he win be
stopped unless he carries a permit from
the military chief OF the town. If he goes
by rail to fortified sugar estate land he
cannot go without permit to any except
a fortified place.. he cannot leave that es-
tate without permission from the COM
mandante. To get such permit, he must
usually be vouched for by some resident
of the town, must pledge himself to return
and not to communicate with the rebels
His indorser with be held responsible and
severely punished II he breaks this pledge.
There Is ditch and circle of small forts
around each town and sugar estate. It is
comparatively easy to slip out at night on
foot but the whole country is patrolled by
bands OF guerrillas. who will demand ia
see his permit II they meet him. and will
arrest or kill him If he has none. They
have ample authority to kin man In
such n case and II IL turns out TO be a
mistake they report that they found his
dead body. killed by the insurgents. There
are dozens OF such cases on record A
stranger would find II almost impossible
TO avoid these patrols. and some OF the
tales OF tneir doings make tho blood run
cold.