The Independent., 1898-09-06
CONTINUED from 1st p&e.)

that the manly Spsniards from the
mother country were all possessed
OF fiendlike cruelty; whereas the
insurgents-these creoles, half
breeds, and negroes, for the most
part, men of a degraded race,
treacherous, plausible, and false
we're immaculate beings possessed
Of every Christian virtue. The
Spaniards have, OF course, employed
stern methods, as we have often
done in like circumstances in their
wars against the rebels; civil wars
are not fought in kid gloves. But
what OF the insurgent methodist To
take few examples: They murder
ed in cold blood the Spanish
officer who went 10 them under a
flag OF truce, bearing the off-r OF
autonomy. They have seized every
opportunity of numbering people
employed on the railways. English
men connected with the Western
Railway "a British company we're
warned that they would be put to
death if caught. Not long since
some platelayers were captured on
the line near Havana by a party OF
insurgents. They were promptly
hanged to the poles by telegraph
wires, and a notice was pinned on
the breast OF one threatening the
same fate to every one who worked
for the company. Train after train
of peaceable passengers have been
blown up with dynamite (supplied
from America) A few days ago
Dune y a dynamite bomb was dis
charged by electricity under train
passing over the western line about
30 miles from Havana. Several peo-
Pile were killed, including the road
master, who leaves a wife aud six
children behind him, while many
sere horribly mangled. The de-
struction OF railway bridges and OF
railway material so as to interrupt
military transport is, Of course, a
justifable proceeding on the part
of an enemy 10 time of war; but the
above. men toned deeds 10 no wise
impeded the traffic or helped the
iusurgent cause; they were acts of
useless and wsnton murder, to be
placed in the same category as the
attempts made by equally dastardly
ruffians to blow up the House OF
Commons and Clerkenwell Gaol
some years ago.
The Americans, in the name of
humanity, have declared that the
Spanish rule must cease in Cuba,
because Spain is incapable OF put
ting down the rebellion OF her sub
jectR, aud because the reconcen-
trados are suffering from famine.
But it is largely because Americans
have fomented and fostered this
rebellion that j, has endured 40
long; and it is certain that the con-
dItion of the reconcentrados would
not have been nearly so pitiable had
it not been for American action. 1t
is true that General Weyler, for
what he supposed were good military
reasons, laid waste the country; but
the insurgents, these proteges OF the
humane Americans, supplied with
American arms, ammunition, and
dynamite, adopted similar tactics.
The bulk OF these reconcentrados
are the victims Of insurgent raids
people whose cattle were looted,
whose plantations and homes were
put to the flames, by the followers
of the rebel leader Gomez. In the
name of humanity Americans armed
bands OF brigands, and it is now at
tempted TO lay on unfortunate
Spain the blame for all the mischief
wrought by these men. In the name
of humanity America has declared
war, and by her blockade OF Havana
is greatly intensifying the sufferings
OF those whom she is so desirous of
annnpt,rinn Aa L baua ov.lo:.ol