The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-19

and So 900 volunteers subject to immes
date call IL an emergency arose which
required their services.
Marti had spent three years In the
work OF arousing public enthusiasm
among his compatriots. He had visited
Santo Domingo and persuaded General
Maximo Gomez, the former military
leader, to assume the command OF the
scattering Cuban forces. Preparations
had been fully made. and the conflict
began under the best of auspices for the
struggling Cubans.
At first sight there was something
particularly pathetic in the outbreak OF
another evolutionary feverin that love-
" tropical island which the Spaniards.
doubtless with touch of that grave
irony which underlies their moody
character, call "the ever faithful" SO
much blood had been spilled. SO much
treasure squandered by Spain and her
rebellious colony. that 1t would seem as
if they should both have been wise
enough to discuss and settle their diff
ferences without lighting. But il is diff
ficult TO argue with Spaniard, one or
the most self centered of mortals. lie
understands much better the arbtra-
ment of aim.
There is something imposing In the
leisurely way in which he enters upon
the suppression of revolt; something
miraculous in the manner by which he
goes on finding troops and resources
after one supposes him quite exhausted.
Apparently he learns little or nothing
by experience. If he had even the pru-
dence of the child who has once been
scalded he would not worry the patriots
of Cuba to desperation. 1t was still
measurably near 10 ono revolution
which convulsed the islands business
for years and cost Spain more than
20 900 of her best soldiers, and yet he
was ready to begin the ferocious farce
all over again.
There were minor revots in 1717. 1923.
and there was the Black Rebellion in the
early part of the century, but the first
attempt at independence was by Mar
cisco Lopez a native Venezuelan, long
a resident of Cuba, who represented the
creole population. His initial expedi-
ton in 1S49 was defeated by the Wig
ilance of the United States authorities.
A second attempt, made in 1880 after a
| landing at Cardenas, also resulted In
| failure. In August, 1851. Lopez sailed
| from New orleans in steamer with ooo
men and landed at Morillo, in the Vuel-
|
of the people to his aid did not occur;
MANY of his men were killed in the en-
gagements that followed; SO captured
| with Colonel Crittenden were shot in
Havana, and the survivors. who, with
their leader, had taken refuge in the
woods, were soon made prisoners. Lopez
was garroted i'm Havana on Sept. 1.
| some OF his comrades were shot, but
most of the survivors were transported
| and subsequently pardoned.
| In 1852 there was a new conspiracy,
| and two years later another futile at
tempt at revolution.
| Oct II, 1868, was the day set by Cuban
| revolutionists for the succeeding out
break, but their intentions becoming
+, known to the government Carlos Man.
uel de Cespedes. the head OF the move-
ment, declared for independence on the
| field of Yara on Oct. 10. Then followed
| the sanguinary struggle known as the
| ten years war.
Here is the incident of Cuba Libre's
national hymn: On the morning OF Oct.
| 90. 1868, Bayamo fell into the hands OF
| the Cubans. AS the victorious troops
rode into the town the bells began to
ring and hundreds of Cuban flags waved
| from roofs and windows. In front,
! mounted on n beautiful white horse,
waving his hat, rode a young man, who
| turned as he reached the plaza and
cried i'm loud voice: "Bayames! Viva
Cuba Librel" The band appropriately
struck UP La Bayamesa" C'The Girl OF
| Bayamo'). Then Pedro Figuerdo. the
young man on horseback. took out his
book and wrote on his knee the "Himno
Bayames," the present national hymn
of the fighting Cubans. After the war
ended the Spanish would not allow the
hymn TO be sung under it's original title.
"Marseillesa." and the name was
changed 10 it's present designation.
IL required the power of SPANS army
and the slaughter Of n vast number OF
Cubans to terrorize Cuba into submis-
sion. Europe and America. horror
stricken. looked on at the butchery but
said no menacing word TO Spain.
whole population cannot be stamped
out OF existence simply because IL viii
not consent TO be ruined by dlscrmlnat-
ing duties, victimized by the worm
eaten Spanish policy ct making tho col
ouy n dQscr. that the mother covntp~