The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-15
Nucleus of a Government
Established.
FORMS A CONNECTING LINK
Between Various Bands Who Are
Fighting In the Field.
THE TRIAL OF REAL AS A SPY.


existence now for almost three years, >"
said an insurgent who was recently Wis.
iting In New York in speaking Of his
life on the plantation in the interior Of
the island where the insurgents have
established the headquarters of their
government. "In spite of the length of
time which has elapsed since its inaugu-
ration" he continued, "the exigencies
of the situation have compelled the
members of the Cuban cabinet to remain
30 much in the background, so far as
the outside world and the pubic gen.
orally are concerned, that few persons
realize what stable nucleus for gov
ernment has been already established
On the island.
AT the present time the services Of
nearly all the members of the cabinet
who are also officers in the army, are
required in the field, SO that there are
seldom more than two government off,
GERS in the capital at the same time
The president and vice president remain
within easy reach of the city. at all
times and form the connecting link be-
tween the independent forces Of Garcia,
Gomez and the other insurgent leaders.
It was this need of q Capitalization Of
authority which led to the election Of
the present cabinet Despite the good
intentions of the leaders Of our forces
disputes arose as to the territory over
which each separate band was to oper-
ate, and frequently at the beginning Of
the war the insurgents worked at cross
purposes owing to the lack Of knowledge
on the part of one general as to the
plans of his associate commanders. All
this was changed when the cabinet was
formed, and the insurgents now work
harmoniously under Gomez as COM
mander in chief, assisted and advised
by the members Of the cabinet.
'The government buildings consist Of
long, low, single storied dwelling
house, with the thatched roof common
eight rude stables. The curing house, in
which the tobacco was formerly stored
before it's shipment to the manufacture
ers in Havana, has been converted into
an assembly room, and here the civil
and military authorities Of the new ma
tion meet to discuss the policy Of the
government, as well as to arrange for
the next move in the military campaign
"At one time i was sort Of aid at
tached to General Gomez's staff, and in
my service in this capacity had fre-
quent opportunities Of being present at
the meetings held in the improvised
council chamber One Of these meetings
which 1 recall most vividly was occa-
stoned by the arrest Of q man suspected
of being Spanish spy.
1.-THE alleged informer was friend of
General Gomez, however, and that fact
had saved him from the short shrift
and no favor usually meted out to such
offenders. Real, the accused man, was
planter living not many miles from the
border Of Havana province. About a
week before the accused mans arrest
Spanish officer had been seen to enter
his house by members of band of Gu
ban foragers who happened to be near
by The officer in command of the in
surgents Immediately entered Reals
house and demanded an explanation of
the Spaniard's presence.
According to Real, the officer had
entered his house to see whether he had
any damaging documents in his possess
sion. This explanation satisfied the Gu
bans, and they Withdrew. About week
afterward, however. the band of insur-
gents which lay concealed in the noun
tains at the back Of Reals plantation
was attacked from three sides of the en-
campment at once by the Spaniards, and
but for the vigilance of the sentries,
who discovered the approach Of the en-
emy in time to enable their companions
to escape, the party sent by the Span
iards to cut them of ON the other side
would have closed the only remaining
avenue of escape.
1.-THE attack was so we'll arranged
that the insurgents felt confident that
only some one familiar with the loca.
tion Of their camp could have planned
tho assault. The incident Of the Span
iard's visit to Reals house was then re-
called, and the coincidence between the
visit and the assault ON the Cuban en-
campment was so striking that the ma
jority of the insurgents We're for shoot
ing the planter without delay. Cooler
counsels prevailed, however, and the
prisoner was carried to headquarters
When the party arrived at the capital,
President Masso and Vice President
Capote were found there, and General
Gomez was summoned from his head
quarters. The chief administrators of
tho government assembled in the old
curing house at night by the light ..f
pine torches held by soldiers in differ
ent parts of the shed.
"The young Cuban officer who saw
the Spaniard enter Reals house told
his story, and the commander of tho
party which bad been attacked described
the manner Of the assault At the close
of their narratives absolute silence pre-.
yailed, as every one waited for Gomez
30 speak. Like most great men. Gomez
never shows by his face what is passing
I'm his mind. There was steely glitter
in his eyes, however. ~ he glanced to-
ward the accused and said. Well, Real.