The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-29
FArnIor D1ro1rL1xr IN oUsA.
Al 1sside View OF the Array OF Liberatiou
Nnner NIn.t Erninn Cennitions.

Under Most Trying Cenditions.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s.-Tho appended letter
written by Gen. Diaz to Senior Estrada Palma
was found in camp somewhere in Cuba, sent to
Havana, and sent TO this city by o Government
official. The original manuscript reached
sehor Palma and has novcr been published. 1t is
noteworthy evidence of the efficiency Of the
patriot organization In Cuba. Tho letter fol-
lows:
DEAR SIR: In n former letter addressed to
you, on my taking command OF this corps OF
the army, 1 informed you Of my having crossed
tho trocha from Mariel to Magyar on the 9th
ultimo and OF the satisfactory situation in
which l found tho forces intrusted TO me.
'"Thc capture Of Gen. Ruis Rivera naturally
caused CONSERVATION. So unexpected a blow
strongly affected our tried veterans who have
been sustaining q severe campaign in this
province and who had mot the recentsond irrop-
arabic loss OF Gen. Maceo. A sort of Btupor
fell upon our forces serving in this province.
the most interesting field Of the revolution, tho
ono most bathed in blood, most consccretod by
our faith, and most costly to the Government of
the opprossor. At that moment of severe trial
the division Of Pinar del Rio presented an
edifying example OF patriotism. Organized as
hey wero by mo under the immediate instruc-
tions Of the Licutenant-Ge General during the past
bcNeTS campaign VI 1880 IL was u kTcut u
faction to me to see tho military discipline and
subordination which they maintained at tho
critical moment of tho capture of their leader.
Each brigade remained in its district OF OPP
erations under the plan outlined by Gen. Maceo
and maintained by Gen. Ruis Rivera.
THE entire forco was melted to make an i'm
preston upon the enemy, and the first stupor
quickly disappeared. Two causes contributed
diers Vidal Ducasse, Juan Ducassc. and Juan
L%orcnto, in command of the three existing
brigades, and the spirit of discipline In our
beloved leader, felt reflected in themselves the
glory Of the hero OF San Pedro, inspiring them
to become his most determined avengers. Their
battles. revived, and when I crossed tho Dor
rsas n a as I am %Vt to 1 day, by y'dde etermIned war.
riors who will give new glory, to the country
and !r SseeIcr r the triumph ri ,he S The T rsyolnt n3 Tho
Army Of Liberation, comprising. the forces
then existent in the province OF Pinar del Rio
ritory of the province, was a task confded to
the captured General, but this he was pro,
TT!g nasq t6 by o mis- m nafsorits f Of the dtGse ehsFSi!iss:
Chief and commander OF this division, p! occu.
pied myself, Immediately on my, arrival. with
tion, three divisions, First, Second. and Third,
mandins officers are professionally appointed.
First division, Brisadier Vidal Ducasse;
First Brigade, Col. Manuel de la o; Second
Second Division, Brigadier Juan Ducasse;
First Brigade. Col. Adolfo Peha; Second Bri'
gade, Col. Francesca Peraza-
Third Division, Brigadier Juap Lorente;
First Brigade, Col. Bernardo Comacho; Second
Brigade, Col. francesca Vial.
"1n another communication / will give you
the plan of formation Of the regiments and bat
talions, with their commanding officers. In vain
do the craft and the falsehood Of an adverse
press conceal the daily occurrence Of battles,
while our mountains echo with cannon. and we
hear tho frequent ~proclamations of tyranny
which infame our minds. Our answer is a
voley of bullets, for our armed hand shall know
no rest In this contest.
''The other conditions Of the campaign arr
favorable to us. The subsistence supplies Of
the army are ample and suitable, offering q
favorable contrast to the condition of our anx
ious enemy. In order to sustain their large
earrisons they have to serd conyoys,. under
and hrrassed by our attacks. Many Of thu
forts have been destroyed by the Spanish them
selves, the garrisons being withdrawn; In thu
towns of the province the situation Is insup
trat"d there, since. in addition to the s~ufrerint
from scarcity OF provisions, they are ravaged By
the epidemic yellow fever, malarial fever. anc
smallpox. The farce Of pacidcation by thu
approaches a conclusion. They will soon NEE
with disasters at different points, and we shall
gee whether this deception Is to continue or the
actors in It withdraw. lamenting, from the scent
BY us. Our fighting outfit Is sufficient, but dc
not on this account fail to send another expedi
ton, rs l have written to the commanders o
tho Habana and Matanzasd division oferint
them supplies. Another expedition would b,
desirable, sent at the time and to the place con
sidered opportune by you.
with the highest consideration and respect
M~ajor-General of the Army Corps.
General Headquarters OF Aranjuez, jun
IL, 1897"