Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1898-09-28

Il 1oOot UVlu DFHucueS Ol
the Spanish Cortes-in which Cuba
4 had forty-three representatlves-unan
lmously passed bill brought forward by
Senior Abaruza. Cuban, to establish in
Cuba liberal regime which should yirtu-
ally confer autonomy, or home rule. This
was in response TO the demands of the
autonomist Cuban members Of the Cortes.
Ten days after the enactment of the re-
form law an insurrection was begun in
the province of Santiago. Their purpose,
it has been stated, was to prevent the sue
cess of a reform which would content the
people and render them Indifferent to the
Idea Of Cuba libre.
A republic was proclaimed and Cue
bitas was made the capital, but the civil
government was imaginary. The chief
command and entire local government
was in the hands of Gen. Gomez. He,
with Maceo and others, gradually extend
ed the rebel operations over the whole
island, destroying everything outside the
towns. Stealing in small bands through
the bush and travelling by night, they
eluded the Spanish troops and burned and
plundered everywhere, driving the rustics
into the already congested towns. To pre-
vent the rebels from living off the rusties
the Spanish forbade agriculture in ex,
posed districts, thus also adding to the
congestion of population in the towns.
The wretchedness of the reconcentrados,
imputed to Gen. Weyler, became the chief
burden of the cry of inhumanity raised
against Spanish rule.
By cutting the island into several isolat-
nI NV, NP hul ~
following up the rebel bands pertinacious-
ly in the restricted areas Gen. Weyler had
at length by December, 1897, virtually
freed the island from all ravages except
in the two easternmost provinces, where
a desolate mountain country gave the In
surgents impenetrable retreats. The ma
ture Of the jungle was such that the COM
plete extinction of the rebel bands in San
tago was impracticable so long as they
received supplies and encouragement from
abroad. Their operations were on small
scale and unimportant except SO far as
the existence of their moyement-eyen on
a small scale-afforded basis for the
growing disposition at Washington to in
terfere to exclude Spain from her pos
sessions in the West Indies.
In December, 1896, Congress signified
its purpose to recognize Cuba libre until
Secretary Olney, instructed by Mr.. Cleye-
land, let it be known that in the Presi-
dents view recognition was an executive
function exclusively and action by Con
gress would be ignored. Mr.. Cleyeland's
position, as indicated by his representa-
tions at Madrid, was that the plan of au
tonomy embodied in the Abaruza law OF
1895 and much broadened in the decree
of February, 1897, should be given a tria
and the United States would not inter
fere until it was shown by experience thai
the new home rule scheme was shan
and failure.
With the beginning of the Mckinley ad
ministraton less patient policy was fay
ored and the idea of getting Spain to with
draw from Cuba by friendly insistanc,
was entertained. Congressman who wish
cd to recognize Cuba's independence wer,
at once advised that such result could b,
attained In better way. Recognition
was STAYED off. Meanwhile Spain wa
asked to make various concessions, as re
spects the removal of Weyler, the recon
centrados and an armistice, etc. All wer'
granted. The hope was entertained tha
with Blanco favorng conciliaton, the re
concentrates provided for and peace offer
ed the rebels u way would be found 70
giving Cuba government as free as tina
of Canada. The retention of nomina
sovereignty was now at length all tina
Spain asked, 1t was resolved not TO con
ccde this and on April IL, 1898, Presiden
Mckinley asked Congress to authorize
him TO Interfere in Cuba with force. Con
gross assented on the 10th and an ulti
matum was sent to Spain demanding thu
evacuation of Cuba.
Destruction of the Maine.
Uostilities we're precipitated by the sink
ing of the battleship Maine in the harbo
of Havana in February. The vessel sanl
after an explosion the cause Of which ha
not been ascertained. 1t is not know
whether it was the work of Il Spanish fan
attic. animated by blind hatred of tn
limited States, or of Cuban patriot anx
ions TO embroil Spain and Cuba. The ex
nlosion of the Maine, whatever the cause
fred popular resentment against Spain
There was a loud demand for revenge
and "Remember the Maine! became
popular cry.
Long before the declaration of war ou
yarships were assembled In large mum
hers at Key West, near Havana. wa
existed before the formal declaration OF
April 25, and the congressional resoiu
tion took cognizance of the situation b.
stating that hostilites dated from Apr
81. On that day the Buena Ventura,
Snanish ship. was captured by the gun
boat Nashville, Lieut.. Washburn CON
mander. and ON the same day Presiden
Mckinley ordered the North Atlanti
squadron under Admiral Sampson to sa
from Key West to inaugurate the Cuba
blockade. The feet left the harbor tn
following day. On April % Presiden
Mckinley called for 125,OOO volunteers
and ordered Commodore Dewey at Hon
Kong to find and destroy the SPANS
feet" -, - 4.