The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-06
WEYLERAND THE PACIFICO
SOME CONSEQUENCES OF MS FAx
OF MAKING VAR.
Three Months In Cuba Under tho Foley or
Observation-Disclosures the Resources OF the
Island Arc Crippled stnrvntion and Plague

Cubans homeless. IL mas taken AWAY from them
their only means Of support. 1t has placed them
where thoy arc entirely helpless. This that pol.
Icy has done at tho worst season OF tho year.
Tho pacinco is the peasant, the agricultural
laborcro of the island. He is a man OF various col.
ors. He has been accustomed to 1.-Two In n
matched house on II little piece OF land rented or
leased from one Of the great estates OF the island.
There no has had his garden or modest patch OF
fruit, and during the busy season has furnished
the labor on sugar plantations. Tho pacifco Of
Cuba Is all that the name implies. He has been
content to let others do the voting and the office
holding. With his fruit and vegetables and
chickens, and with his occasional employment
on tho plantation, he has led a simple, peaceful,
contented life. In the 400 years that Spain has
had. this island not n public school has been
established, and yet many Of these pacitlcos con
read and write a little. In a country where
nature docs 80 much 1t has never occurred to
tho pacinco to be provident. He has laid by moth.
ing for n bad day. So 1t is that when he turns
from his ruined crops and burning thatch he
and bis are face to face with absolute want.
Gen. weyler three months ago began the on
forcement of the orders OF concentration. Al
| the time he did 30 no announced that the Span
ish officers in charge Of the cities and towns to
which the pacifcos were driven would DO in.
structed to issue ra tions to them. Possibly the
Ca~ptain-General had that intention. For a short
time some provision was made to distribute
food, but It was little more than farcical. To-day
the ~pacincos are receiving nothing at most Of
the points of concentration. Food supplies are
running SO short that regular residents of the
| cities and towns are not always able to get what
they need. In a town of Santa Clara a few
days ago tho commander of tho garrison
sent around a detail and took possession OF tho
-four In the stores OF the loyal Spanish mer-
chants. saying that he needed It for the troops.
A recent order of Wcyler's TO the district com-
manders directs the slaughter Of all cattle. This
is In line with the policy to starve out the insur-
~rection. That the Captain-G General means to en-
force 1t WAS shown by what took place while he
was on his way through Santa Clara province
recently. From the car window. as the train
moved along. Gen. Weyler saw some cattle feed
ing: Turning te the officer in command of the
Didn't you receive an order to kill all cattle
in the country
Then what docs this mean T. the General de-
mandcd.
order generally. but that the cattle were reserved
for the troops, as food was running iow;
tho c@ esftIe for 5n the s immedi sted use s Of Il the en soiSiet q
and kill all that remain"
II the soldiers arc in straits. and the residents
of the cities and towns can with difficulty buy
the ncccssaries. what must be the problem Of
sustenance for the ,pacihcosf Gen; Weyler's
measures are demanded to crush the rebellion.
The truth OF the situation is that, Of the insur-
gents. tho Spanish troops. the residents OF the
towns and the paciicos, the first mentioned are
feeling the starvation tactics least. Weyier,s
destroying columns cannot reach the little
the Insurgents can subsist indefinitely. There
is not Eluch meat to be had. but the natives;
liberation. can exist without. II the policy Of
survivors. The poor pacifcos arc the first TO 60.
and with the sicEly season only Just beginning
they are being dccimated even now.
| This island, which in normal times sells yearly
to other countries. 500. 900. 600 worth q its
day is drawing food from without. The exces.
siyc vegetation of the uncultivated millions OF
o oft cat, tSsme Cuba se eseor tea b ssefeh @it fiea a e oefdo
q weeks contracts have been let in Florida for
Spanish army. slanshtering in the towns and
cities of the island Is almost at. an end. Tho
se4pin!% phi rs the vo afs ems'g yc,u a tSyH 10 f r. fara
and found his yoke Of oxen gone. he was told
town and complained to the officer;
The soldiers must have meat" was the an
I am loyal" he argued. THE oxen are
all have TO make my crop
The commander shook his head and said he
conld do nothing.
Then give me receipt that I may at least bs
willing TO do so much for your country" tho
officer replied. and that was all the satisfaction
Only three months ago the authoritative an;
houhSCIhCIt MAS lldGt lTDiu havana Ina III
owners Of cattle and other property who were
able TO show tax receipts would not suffer loss
it was worth something to be loyal to the Crown
and to have contributed to tie revenue. But
yond tho p~acihcos, and Spanish soldiers no
longer distinguish between loyal and suspected:
Havana S"%%sJ proytn ss' Pee People Hs or efG means Sae ' %SO did ID
business In the city lived here because they con-
stasTSd ts h 1or min:ra The @, ,Swn also ES.d had i, some IN,
serves a visit only for tho revelations OF the war
market house ss1s and the ' plaza Si@ Of Gn %%iafl"sS, arc
upon elevated ground in the centre OF the city,
As one approaches there is the appearance Of
ing toward the centre. The fences are double.
They are made OF heavy plank, The space
is flled in with gravel. About four feet
from the ground an open slit OF three inches 10
mand every street leading toward the centre Of
the town. The plan OF defence is tina, al the
~fications and hold them agains: the insurgents.
Besides these central preparations, Guannhacoa
has a n9mber OF small forts on the surrounding
hills. But. Notwithstanding this elaborate pro.
vision. the INSURGENTS u few weeks ago passed
several stores and burned a number OF houses,
In the cars which run between Havana and
Guanabacoa soldiers are on guard duty al all
times. Their loaded muskets are stacked in tho
corners OF the coaches. With snch conditions
surrection has not been suppressed. One sido
doesn't wish TO end the war: the other cannot
hopelessncss for the great population Of nom
combatants unless there is interference in the
name OF humanity.
Guanabacoa is n place OF sufficient Importance
TO have both electric and gas lights. Yet when
night comes there is 10 be witnessed the %cxtraor-
binary spectacle OF every householder hanging
beside his front door an oil lamp. From end 10
end each street shows as many lamps burning rs
there are houses. Ii is the order Of the military
governor, whose explanation is that the .insur-
gents In q night attack might cnt the wires or
turn of the gas, in which event tho spanish sol.
dicrs behind the barricadcs could not see 10 shoot
them. This is the military, necessity for the
| lumnS. IL Is town talk TINT the governor is n
partner in a store which does the principal busi-
ness In oil and lamps, lfthis Is not true, then
the governor OF GuannhACoL Is far behind tho
other Spanish officials ~ Cuba in private enter
prise.
The sight OF Guanabacoa which most sadly
impresses IL the yellow flag.
"What did you see over there q an American
was asked in Havana after his return from o
visit to GuanAhaCOn.
Lots OF yellow Hays was the reply.
In a drive through the streets Of the town the
yellow flag is never ont OF sight. In the poorer
Quarters. whore Tho n~arifcoS hANn rrnMlrh lha