New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-08
WEYLER'S VAGERY IN CUBA
Az ENGLISH OBSERVERS VIEW OF
SPANS SLOUGH OF DESPOND.

! SPANS SLOUGH OF DESPOND.
From The London Chronicle.
"A correspondent, writing from Saglia Santa
cara, CUBA, seLds us the following details con-
corning the unspeakable savagery of General
Weyers attempts TO rcpress the rising of the
Cubans against Spanish tyranny:
me more one sees Of the struggle and the
fearful devastation occasioned thereby tho
stronger grows the conviction that Spain is
plunging deeper and deeper into Slough Of
Despond which threatens to engulf her at every
Step ana rom which her chance of emerging
VIGOROUSLY seems hopeless. The accumulated
deDts VIII be fearful load for country in
SPANS position. Intrinsically the island is not
worth the struggle. the price in blood and money
mas peen tar too high Tor the island in pros
perlty, and now it is ash heap from Cape
Antonio In the extreme west to the Great Trocha
FOR the present General WeyIer ignores the
eastern district. where Cuba libre' is an accom-
pushed fact True, he holds a few towns there
at great cost. but they are in reality beseged
In the west. this bowling waste once the best
ana most prosperous portion OF the island the
insurgents roam round at pleasure, lodging the
heavy columns, and the 'pacfcos' are still dying
Oh starvation, yellow fever smallpox The
position of these unfortunates is heartrending
IL seems impossible to find one redeemins- feat
ure In the barbarOus order which comrcls them
on pam or death to abandon their homes and
property 10 the torches of the soldiers and seek
protection In the Spanish towns. this nrotection
so-cailed. provided them with reservations. any
waste lahd near the cities, where they could
Dulid as palatial a residence as they liked with
pam leaves The thoughtful care that provided
them with these crude materials for a shelter
after burning their homes. took no trouble to
provide them with food: that was a superfuity
mere detail and it is this act a compulsory
starvation of thousands that will add another
oiot TO the bloody escutcheon of Spain. and is
uiSSuStinS many or the leading officers in thc
colony, who are not slow now in condenning
the fatuous policy Of the Captain General
Inc scenes daily to be witnessed in the filthy
rocking settlements of the reconcentrados are
so utterly revolving that the Spanish soldiers.
hardened az they are by rough treatment and
scenes of blood. are often touched by the misery
or THESE people. and give their sorry ration OF
bread to stop the mOurnful walls of the children
tor FOOD Yet there is no hope for them no
chance of the famine being assuaged Where
can food come from with the barren inferior and
blockaded coast?
Smallpox is rife among these poor wretches
with every precaution dsregarded while yellow
FEVER dances a CHASTITY attendance The condi-
tlon or the Spanish troops is nearly as pitiful-
poor, ragged Spanish boys, enduring hardships
poddlng YEARLY on in straw shoes and torn
harsh linen suits. till they fall exhausted and
perish by the roadside for lack of care i'm pro-
viding ambuiances or proper medical stores by
The authorities. who have torn these youths from
home and forced them TO fight in these noisome
Swamps.
Lastly. the insurgents, many Of them driven
to desperation by aggression. their homes de
stroyed their women wrOnged they have per
haps on the whole. better time OF it than the
spanish soldier, but when captured there is little
left for them. General CampOs applying the
laws Of civilized countries in time Of war, shot
no prisoners. He is too lenent' said his critics
and so they recalled him. Weyler nicknamed
the butcher entered the arena to crush out the
revolution with an iron hand Neither mercy
nor quarter has he shown. and he has turned the
Cuban struggle into 4 near approach 20 the cam
paign of Alva in Holland Every day prisoners
are executed for the crime of rebellion. and be
fore the final scene. hear, on the authority Of
eye witnesses. that inquisitorial tortures ne
sorted In if the victim is suspected Of withhold
ng information
The executions take place with due ceremoOy
The soldiers look on ii regular parade TiS
band plays lively Spanish quickstep, thu
doomed men, piniored strongly are placed kneel-
ing against the wall. the priests in attendance
to throw a veil of religion over the official MUIR
der. Some die bravely shouting Cuba libre' AZ
the signal is given; others die gladly. Sickcnet
of life by confinement and i'll treatment; others
again. have to be supported to the place OF
cution. Recruits are usually placed parade
to accustOm them to the sight Of blood. The off,
GERS sword is raised-'Tira,' The blade falls
then Alto! QUEEN Va shouts the sentinel. as IL
in irony. as tie CHASTITY burden is allowed to
pass. while outside the walls stricken women
crying and praying. driven to despair by the VOL
ley that has robbed them of husband Brother,
And is this war;"