San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-03-22
CUBA WILL NOW Be FREE.
Even The Royal SpaniardS
Favor This.
THE PURCHASE SYSTEM RE-
GARDED IN A FAVORABLE
F LIGHT BY ALL.
Weyler'S Fertilization Policy DenOun-
ced As One OF determination
And Butchery--- Hair Rails
ing Stories of Brave
American Officers.

New York, March pa dispatch to
the World from Havana says:
Only n few of the more eXcitable
Spanish officers refused to admit that
Cuba is lost to the crown. Resident
Spaniards confess they con see no
other outcome. In fact, the evidence
that Cuba may soon be freed by the
Spanish residents themselves are
many and strong.
The calmest minds predict the end of
Spanish rule within two years. Some
say not so soon, others say within a
year.
The proposition of Cisneros and Go
meZ, sent in writing to the New York
World, to buy the island is rapidly
growing in popularity here. Its
warmest advocates are Spanish res
idents heretofore loyal to the crown.
They are the financial and business
men of the island, the owners of eight
tenths of it's wealth and its sources
of wealth.
The Spanish element is condemning
with more and more emphasis, the
fruitless, exhausted policy of General
Weyler. They see his idea of paci-
fication is depopulation and his plan
for peace devastation. Farmers, la
borers and all wealth-producing men
in the country are driven to their
graves or to the rebel ranks to de-
stroy what remains. Wealth already
produced is given to flames.
The also see Capt.-Gen. Weyler is
making no military progress. The
Cubans are being left more and more
in possession of the country. They
frequently sack small towns close to
Havana They are in force in cities
of the fourth and third classes once
or twice a month. Such raids grow
more common.
New York, March 22.-The Herald
this morning publishes the following
special correspondence from Los VII
las, Cuba:
Among the Americans in the Cuban
army there is only one who has had
previous experience in military affairs.
This is Capt. William Smith, former
~ in the United States cavalry. He
Is at present second in Command to
Gomez personal escort, and is consid
cred as the bravest soldier In this
body Of picked men.
Captain Smith is probably the only
officer in Gomez command who thor
ougly understands ranking Of cavalry
and other military matters. Yet he
is kept down to his present rank,
while others, who are his niferio in
every respect have been promoted to
the rank of brigadiers and colonies.
AS in the case Of other Americans
jealousy is the obstacle to his promo
ton.
Colonel Charles Gordon disembark-
ed here in Cuba last June and was
granted the rank Of major. His re-
markable shooting in the battle of
Vista HermOsa, in the province Of Ha-
vana astonished the Spaniards and
Cubans. He crossed the trocha and
Joined MaceO, as he did not care to
stay in a province where the Cubans
did little else but dodge the Spanish
command.
Maceo promoted him for bravery in
the field and thought so much of him
that he was selected as one Of the few
to cross the trocha in his company.
Gordon was wounded at the same
time that Maceo was killed. He ar
rived last week at the headquarters
of Gomez and was placed on waiting
orders until he should be thoroughly
cured, when he Is to be sent to Man
tanZas or Havana to organize an in
fantry force.
Major Funston, Of Kansas. Is a
young man who made the trip to AL
aska to collect specimens for the
institute. He landed
with the expedition Of Braulio Ten
ainco with several other Americans.
who, came to form a battery.
On the death Of Major 0sgood. dur
ing the siege Of Guayamaro, he re-
ceived command of a twelve-pounder
and out OF 40 shots he only missed
his mark once.
Gen. Gomez. in recognition OF his
excellent record, made him chief Of
artillery and at present he Is with
Calixto Garcia in the east.
Some Of the most striking examples
Of American pluck and courage was