The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-18

NEW YORK, Jan is.-The World this
morning prints an interview with Gen.
Ruis Rivers, obtained on the fed near
Cameo. Pinzr del Rio. In this interview
Gen. Rivera says:
II do not wish 10 criticise our friends IN
the United States, for / believe them ire
ferring TO the tunta) patriotic men. and
striving 10 do their best for Cuba. but We
here In Pinar del Rio have been somewhat
neglected.
Great reliance was placed upon Gen.
Maceo. our beloved commander. and IL
was thought that he could not only defeat
the army in the province. but finally make
a junction with Gomez. But ne knew.
and our friends should have known also.
that 400 or 1000 men. poorly arm
ed and most OF the time but scantily NUM-
toned. could not prevail against o.ooo well
armed and well fed troops. One or two
small expeditions landed. one at Corrien-
tes bay, but otherwise for nine months we
have been depending upon our strategy
and knowledge OF the province 10 keep Us
out OF a pitched battle"
Speaking with reference 20 cannon. he
said: 81 wish IL could be communicated 20
our friends in the United States that can
non are more in the way of ourselves than
that Of the enemy in this province. In the
first place they are inconvenisnt TO take
about over the hills. through the district Of
Managua and among the woods. The
cannon we have now represent an outlay
OF $1,000 or s5.9fo, and yet almost 1908 rifles
could be purchased for that sum. OF
course. when we are in a position 70 as
sault Havana heavy guns viii be neces-
sity- Do We expect to do so2 No. not
very soon. About the end OF the winter. I
hope.
There is certainly nothing TO be gained
by making statements that are untrue. or
that don't believe in myself. It would be
wrong for me 10 give our friends in the
United States the idea that we are perfect
~ able 10 take care of ourselves, no maj
ter what happens. Indeed, now that you
are here representing a paper that has
been true to us from the beginning, hope
my statements will reach those who are
endeavoring 10 aid US directly and assist
them in arriving az proper conclusions.
Some of my best friends may criticise
me for speaking so plainly, but / wish
the Cubans OF New York Philadelphia.
hare in Pinar del Rio. are willing TO die
for Cuba or 10 win. We can't fight alone
with our hands, or even with machetes.
against an army that is equipped, fed
and drilled. We do not need men. and
above all We do not want foreigners to
come unless they are men OF military
science. II is not. as you know, because
PATTY or assistance of the foreigner. We
thank God that the American nation ex-
lists, and we know and appreciate the
great help il has been to us.
We do not want young Americans to
come TO Cuba as fighters. Not one in ten
knows word of the language OF our
country-a language we would change IL
we could. since we dislike everything
spanish. There were perhaps forty or
nifty Americans with Maceo in this prov
ince, but do not believe there are half a
dozen or them left / do not know how
Gen. Gomez feels in this particular but
as far as l am concerned ! do not want
any foreigners. There are plenty Of Gu
bans in the United States who should be.
and presume are, willing and anxious TO
come TO the assistance of their fighting
brethren. II men are to be sent, let Gu
bans be the men.
But as matter OF fact, we are not in
need of men at all. The whole native
population is with us. and I am confident
that an army of 50.0oO could be placed in
Havana province before the winter is
over IL we had but the arms and ammu-
milton. Our Cubans are brave and pa-
triotic and willing to die for our republic;
but they are not strong enough TO face
an eneInys bullets with empty hands
Tell the American people TO give us rifles
and supply Of cartridges, and we viii
whip Weyler before the winter ends. We
nave plenty men waiting in the province
which was the last to take up arms.
You must not think the force with
which Maceo entered the province has
been killed off by the enemy. No; his
men are still in Pinar del Rio and are
only awaiting the ammunition. None
have surrendered. They are more in
earnest than ever. In various places
throughout the province we have guns
and machetes hidden; perhaps there are
2.ooo OF the former and 1900 OF the latter
but ammunition is wanting and We must
wait.
Gomez VIII enter the field with A much
larger number OF men than were the com
hinea FORCES last year, and mark me. he
will sweep Havana well