The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1898-05-05
A True History 0I hG Present Revolution Il GI5l
Its Origin, Abuses and Early GOvernment--SIn-
surgent Commanders and Operations.

mise of IanlOn-1 betrayal however
not chargeable to Campos, but to Cor
tes, melted by the Spanish populace
The Spanish settlers said the samt
writer, own very nearly the mass o.
the landed property and of the move
able wealth Of the country. They have
largely the trade Of Havana in thel
hands, partly in consequence Of theil
superior thrift and activity but in a
great measure owing to the privileges
and monopolies awarded them by a
partial, grasping and unscrupulous ad,
ministration. This is a very mild
statement by a writer partial to Spain
OF the hatred Of Cubans for the Span,
iards, and Of one Of the reasons there
fore, and this is not the principal reas-
on There is, aud always has been a
broad line of demarcation between the
two great elements of the Cuban popu-
lation the Creoles and mulattoes on
the one hand and the Spaniards on the
other-between the insulars and the
peninsulars Though the insulars are
largely in the majority, the peninsRlars
are the dominant element, and have run
the island without any regard for the
interests or desires Of the natives. Gu
bas political system was, when the
present revolution started, government
of the Spaniards by the spaniaJds, for
the spaniards
About 1875 the Cuban chiefs o. tie
ten years war began making prepara-
tions for new conflict In 1890 the
preparations took practical shape by
the organization of revolutionary clubs
in various countries on this continent,
but particularly in the United States.
The most active spirit in this work
from 1890 onward was Jose Marti who,
as a youth was put in chains by the
Spaniards near the end Of the war Of
1865. 1878 for sympathy with the Cuban
rebels expressed in some newspaper
writings attributed to him At the
beginning Of 1895 the number OF these
clubs in the United states, Mexico, Cuba
and Central and South America was
estimated at over $50. The clubs col
lected war subscriptions, bought arms,
some Of which were stored in the fast
nesses of the insurgents in the ten
years war; enrolled and drilled volun-
teers, and set out lntelligently and
Systematically to correct the mistakes
Of the earlier reyolts, and to organize a
rising which would bring success. 1t
was figured that at the end Of 1894 the
Cuban revolutionary clubs had in their
possession a war fund Of fully $1,000
600, and arms, some Of which were
secreted IN Cuba, for 5000 men, part Of
which arms We're cf the best modern
make
All that the insurgents now needed
was leaders and an intelligent plan OF
harmonious action. The former they
soon got, and these quickly devised the
latter, Antonio Maceo, the most dash.
ing Of the rebel ehieftains Of the ten
years war, landed in Cuba on March
| 81, a little over a month after the rising
took place, and with him were his
brother, Jose Maceo, Frank Agramonte,
| Flor Crombet, one Of Antonio Mace0's
old companions in arms, a few othel
veterans and about 100 Younger volun
teors, They arrived with an ezpedi
ton from Costa Rica, and brought
with them quantity Of rifles and som'
cannons Maxine Gomez the com
mander in the latter part Of the war o.
1s68-7s, landed on April 18th with al
expedition Of 100 men from Hayti, on'
Of whom was Jose Marti, the chic
organizer Of the present rebellion, anC
most Of their companions were veter
ans Of Gomezs earlier struggle. Abou
| the time Of Gomcz's arrival a provis
ional government was formed by tht
insurgents with Palma as president
Jose Marti as secretary general ant
diplomatic representative abroad, ant
Gomez as general-in-chief Antonio
Maceo was subsequently made seconc
| in command, with the rank Of lieu
tenant general
a glance will now be taken at th.
SPANISH forces. at the time the re
bellon began Calleja was captain gen
eral Of Cuba and commander Of Spain
army on the island. Calleia had 300
troops capable Of taking the field
though, On paper the number On tn.
island was estimated at 940J0, From
Porto Rico 1000 troops were shipped t,
Cuba early ia March 1000 were sen
| from Spain, and 5000 volunteers werl
raised on the island. Caile]a AZ ~
own request was removed from tn
post Of captain-general, and Campos
who commanded in the island durinl
the latter part 81 tie war Of tsg3,is
was put in his plaas eampos worI
ia inducing the rebels to surrender i
1 is7s BY th5 treaty Of lanjon, in tha
year gave him great prestige IN Spain
and his comparative mildnes5 ia ean
dpctipg that waF haa Wm bim the Fa
wrd af bis old foes eampos arrived
h Hayaua on april Il 1898 A fe8
days aftergard s0000 additional troop
larded from Spain. The 1000 troop
sent from Spain in Mareh and the 29
00O IN April were the beginning # th
inaowing stream Of soldiers which con
tinued. with short intervals lor tb.