The San Francisco call., 1897-03-20
STORT OF THE STRUGGLE.
Sonte of the Ontrages Which RaUe Kfndled
GenernE HrnIh

Sonre of the Ontrages Which RdUe Kindled
GtneraC Erath.
\ brief epitome of the Cuban struggle
for freedom during the last eighteen
months is rs follows:
By the 1st of October, 1895, a provisional
government had been established, constitu-
ZION promulgated and flag adopted, On the
ION OF october Baracoa, an i'm portant seaport
IN Northeastern Cuba, was blown up by the
rebels, and on the same day division OF the
Spanish army under Cortina and Diaz was
completely routed.
The biggest battle of the month was Mt Mount
Mogote between Maceo with 800 Cubans and
Navarro and Linares with 1000 Spaniards.
In spite OF these great odds the Spanlards
were defeated after five hours fighting. A
Dumber OF successes followed, which gave
promise that the Cubans would soon win, but
General Pando was now sent from Spain with
10000 fresh troops, with instruct tions to push
the war with vigor.
Early in December the patriots suffered two
defeats, but by the 10th of the month re-
deemed them with the victory of La Virginia
On the 23d the Cubans entrapped 5000 Span-
iards al Palmarito and nearly obliterated the
entire force. The insurgents were now en-
boldened by their successes TO invade the
province OF Havana, but they were driven out
by two severe defeats.
The close OF 1895 found the Cubans in pos
session Of more Than one-half the island and
vaiiantly disputing the possession of the other
half with the Spanlards.
The year 1896 opened with bright prospects
for the insurgents, and by the capture of q
number OF garrisoned towns they obtained
quantities of arms aud ammunition. ALL the
railroads leading from Havana were DESTROYED
and Gomez had his cavalry finely mounted
and the Spanish infantry could accomplish
nothing against them.
On the 18th of January General Campos was
recalled to Spain. He had been employing
100, 900 men in the fruitlesS attem pt TO put
$l9 100000. General Weyler was appoin ted
10 take his place, and reached Cuba On the
10th OF February.
On the 1st of February Cisneros Betancourt
the President of the Cuban repu bile, issued
an address 10 The people of the United States
in which he stated that he sele cted the United
States to make the appeal to because they had
themselves suffered oppression and felt the
iron heel OF the tyrant. II closed with these
words Cuba, the bleeding. appeals to her
American sisters. She does II in the name of
God, of justice, OF civilization and of Amer-
ica."
This address produced profound sensation
for the Cubans in the United States.
General Weyler reorganiZed the military
forces as soon as ne arrived and placed the
country under martial law. He added to the
long line OF fortifications called the "trocha,"
and manned them with 10000 troops. The
trocha is three miles in width and twenty-five
miles in length, and extends across the island
1t has frequently been pierced by Cuban
forces
. Early in March Gomez invaded the province
Of Havana with 1900 men and DESTROYED
railroads aud bridges up to a few miles of the
In March a Spanish column was defeated by
the Cuban general, Maceo. At this time the
whole insurgent army OF Cuba was estimated
ct &c, 600, and the Spaniards had 20O, 900 on
the island.
One OF the most desperate battles of the war
was fought in April in the province of Pin ar
del Rio, in which Maceo was victor over the
Royalists, but was defeated with heavy loss
when he attempted to take the city OF La
Palma.
In May the rainy season began and impor-
taut military operations were practical sus-
pended Early in July serious battle was
fought at Najosa II lasted forty hours and
was a drawn battle. In hghi near Santa Ana
the rebels under Garcia were badly defeated.
In August the Royalists met disastrous de-
feat at Bayamo.
In September there were some unimportant
skirmishes The Spanish soldiers were in bad
health and 10, 1000 of them were in the hos
In the month OF october weylsr made an
elaborate plan to capture Maceo lin the pro-
vince of Pinar del Rio, but miserably failed.
The Spanish commander now determined TO
take the field in person against Maceo. The
province OF Havana was now almost entirely
surrounded by the re bells and attacks on out
posts were frequent. In the first encounter be-
tween Weyler and Maceo the former was se-
yerely defeated. This brings the history down
to time when the events are closer and fresh
in the memory of those most interested in Gu
ban affairs.