The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-27

ton OF the constitution of the republic OF
Cuba and the armed Intervention OF the
Unlted states In our behalf, to aid us In oD-
be recognized by all the world, I desire 10
make Known that hereafter our soldiers no
longer snail De known as insurgents put as
soldlers or the regular army of the repuDnc;
Il hereby direct that there shall be issued
each week war bulletin, which shall be
published at the general headquarters OF the
army and shall begin with this, issued
the 10th day of May, to be known as Las
Villas 1t viii be circulated under the direc-
ton and by the authority of staff officers
of the army, and in it will be published all
circulars, orders and official notes of the
war department, as well as information
which our army and our people may desire
to know concerning our progress and our
allies, the United States
Il take this occasion to remind every Gu
ban in service that he now has country
recognized, for which he must fight with all
honor and glory He is now Cuban soldier,
and not an insurgent, and must respect the
rules of civilized warfare. / will order pun
ished any chief officer or private who fails
to respect the rights of our prisoners of war,
and such prisoners will be treated with re-
spect to their rank and according to the
rules of civilized countries and the constitu-
"Our soldiers will conduct themselves in
such manner as to gain for themselves
the good offices of our brethren of the
United States and for this reason it is my
wish that the army of Cuba may exhibit
model discipline I desire to impress upon
you that we will not continue this war,
the past three years, with the idea of re-
venge. We are fighting for liberty and in
dependence, and not for revenge, and l
would call your attention to the fact that
the history of the world shows that loss of
blood has always been the price of liberty.
1t will not be long before every Spanish
soldier shall have left our soil. We have to
contend against most cruel enemy, one
which has known not honor. Its methods
OF warfare have been most barbarouS. Every
act of Spain has shown a thirst for blood
and desire to trample down and annihilate
the people Of Cuba. l do not desire that
our army shall emulate their example, but
I would prefer that our methods of war
be those of civilized nations, that we may
show the enemy that those whom they are
fighting are more honorable than them
selves.
TN recent proclamation issued by Gen.
Blanco he made the statement that 1t now
was the duty of all Spaniards to die for
their honor in the war against the United
States. Spain does not know the meaning
of honor, her definition of the word is moth
ing but cruelty. Spanish soldiers have never
been known to die for honor except when
they were opposed as ten to one. Their idea
of honor has been to assassinate defense
less women and children whose protectors
are now fighting for freedom in our army.
Their idea of honor has been to rob, to
plunder They die for honor drinking, gamb-
ling and committing crimes against human
ity and against society, but now they will
lie before American and Cuban arms
II take this opportunity to speak thus
to our people and our army that they may
be encouraged and know that we now have
noble allies who will aid in our fight
for freedom, which long has been deserved
and which we can now see win be reality
at no distant day. shall also, from time
to time, in Las Villas, communicate with
you in the same manner"