The record-union., 1897-07-11
WHY THE CUBANS ARE NOT SUB
DUED.

Thomas G.. Alvord, Jr., discusses in
the last Forum the question why
has Spain for two years and a half
failed in Cuba?" Mr. Alvord spent some
months in Cuba, was in both camps and
was all over the island. He had good
opportunities to observe, and he has
given the result of his experiences
clearly and fully. That Spain TO this
date, with an army larger than that
with which the United States invaded
Mexico, well-equipped troops, modern
implements of war, plenty of money,
has failed to subdue a handful of in
surrectionists, has been mystery to
military men and civilians alike.
His solution of the problem is very
long and very detailed, but it's more
salient points may be stated somewhat
briefly The country does not to-
geographically present serious obstacles
to military progress. The extent Of ter
ritory is not large, the scene of opera
tions is an island, and the foe is i'll
equipped and has no navy or means of
escape from the island. Why, then,
are not the insurgents whipped speed
ily?"
His answer is that the situation in
Cuba convicts Weyler of the charge
that he has not military ability, for in
the two eastern provinces the rebsls
have a complete Government set up
and maintained without disturbance. In
all the other provinces they practically
dominate outside of the large cities.
They are not well armed, while in
strength they are outnumbered by
Spain's soldiers about three to one. They
are confined to a long narrow, island,
have but little money. poor, or no cloth
ing worth mentioning, live very meager-
ly and endure keen privations. Yet
they are not subdued-
The reasons are: Weyler started in
by building a host of small forts widely
separated. in which soldiers shelter
themselves. and which they rarely
leave This takes out half his army
from active service. The other half
surrenders a large force to do clerical
and staff duty, and the remainder march
with little purpose from one fortified
town to another, never camping al
night in the open field, and having nc
tents or commissariat These columns
always return at night to the point
from which they moved or take shelter
in towns or fortifications. They are
thus constantly changing the base OF
supply
On these marches they burn the huts
of pacificos, and peaceful folks who are
not killed are driven into the towns;
crops are destroyed and nothing left
that will contribute to the support OF
the insurgents. Occasionally a band
of rebels is met and there is a con-
fiict Both sides fight braveIy. but
neither shows tactical skill or good
judgment. The Spaniards understand
only formation in hollow squares to re-
sist assault, and the insurgents charge
on horseback with few ideas of forma-
tion. If they break through the square
they never return to prevent its re-
formation. IF the rebels are repulsed
the Spanish fire a few shots after them
and let them go.
Neither side knows anything of a well
sustained, we'll planned, long continued
battle The Spanish officers are ineffi-
cient. The plow boys of Spain are brave,
but are undrilled as soldiers. The insur-
gents are also brave; they fight, how
ever, by sudden dashes, and sudden re-
treats, and catch the Spanish so fire.
quently from ambush that the soldier
of Spain breads the very word. The
Spanish fear to pursue to rebels as
they escape to passes and wooded
mountains, where the trops would be
at great disadvantage.
Gomez, the -old fox" moves with i'm
punity where he lists in small stretch
of country in the vicinity of Sancti
Spiritus. He is a splendid bush fighter
and ranger, and is famous for directing