The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-06-29

CAMP M'CALLA
Is HEALTHFUL
The Weather Has Proven Favorable to
American Marines.
BUT ONE BRIEF SHOWER
Hat Occurred Since HuntinstOn'S Men
Landed on Cuban Soil.
CUBAN SOLDIERS MOSTLY NEGROES
By Their Activity Against the Spaniards They
Are Gradually Winning the Respect of
the American Reguars-Are
Fine Bush Fighters.
CUBAN SOLDIERS MOSTLY NEGROES


On Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dauntless, Off Marine Camp, Guam
tanamo Bay, Cuba, June 20, Via Port An
tonic, Jamaica, June 2S.-Aside from the
energetic attack of the spaniards on the
first American camp established In Cuba,
nothing has astonshed the inhabitants of
Camp McCaHa and, indeed, the squadron
generally, so much as the present long dry
interval in the midst of what was sup
posed to be Cuba's rainy season.
May was ushered in with rains on the
north coast and when the troops reached
the south side there were few afternoon
rain gusts, then cloudy threats, but no
rain, and since the marines have landed
at Camp McCalla there has been but one
brief shower and no more. The Cuban
auxilaries say this is the usual thing for
the vicinity and prophecy no more rain
till the first of August, unless in the hurri-
cane season.
Has Proven Healthful
Camp McCalla has proven healthful and
a fine place to acclimate and harden the
soldiers. The men, some of whom were
taken sick from the six weeks contne-
ment on the Panther when they landed,
are as well as ever and as hearty as prize
fighters. They have had their baptism or
fire and stood the ordeal. They have gone
six miles inland and smoked the Spaniards
out of their holes and beaten them in the
brush at their own particular kind of fight
ing and lost one man wounded in the ex-
plot while the Spaniards lost seventy-hve
dead and wounded not accounted for.
When Lieutenant Dele1anty's pioneer ex-
petition to clear the river of mines below
Caimanera was preached yesterday the
marines were eager to follow the achieves
ment by capturing both Caimanera and
Guantanamo, Notwithstanding that Guam
tanamo Is fifteen miles inland from the
bay and far out of supporting distance
from the warships. Besides, there are 81
900 Spanish regulars there, but the ma
rines thought If two companies OF them
had whipped six companies of Span1ards at
Cusco Mountain, the whole party ought to
come pretty near getting way with them
dagoes up the river"
Situation Desperate
r The officers smile quietly at hearing
these enthusiastic outbursts and are well
satisfied with the spirit that prompts them.
All reports agree in picturing the situation
as desperate.
The Cubans in Santiago and Guam
tanamo are so close to the Spanish that
even dispatches between the patrol section
OF the Span1arOS are cdpLuTeu OlleIler thdh
thy get through. The military governor
of Santiago made demand three days ago
on Guantanamo for food and reinforce
ments. The reply despondeptly stated that
Guantanamo was worse off that Santiago
and nothing could be sent. The Cubans
watch every creek and cross road, gather
ing in Spanish couriers and bringing them
into McCalla or to Sampson.
The Cubans are gradually winning the
respect of the American regulars. The
Cuban soldiers SO far seen are about 30
per cent negros, usually with white Gu
ban officers. The officers are intelligent,
anxious for their troops to win the good
opinion of the Americans. They are ready
for any service. These black Cubans are
fine bush fighters, skilled in wood craft
and are invaluable guides Most of the
trouble with them as guides has been when
they attempted too much. They are greedy
as to American food but will readily be
excused for that when they are seen to
strip for swimming. Every one of them is
emaciated owing to the uncertain commits
sary of the insurgents army. They have
been almost unconsciously but %systemati-
cally starving. 1t will take many weeks
of good feeding to get them into comforta-
BILE condition.
Debt Against Spain
Nearly every one of them has a blood
debt against SPAIN At Camp MeCalla
there is one big negro, whose real name is
not known but who is called by the mari
ners "Old Machete,' for his fondness for
the Cuban weapon. He has with him his
little brother, the only one of the family
left alive by the Spaniards. In action the
old man becomes half mad with excite
ment, drops his gun at the first chance for
close quarters and places his big machete
like fail.
When the expedition from Cusco battle
field yesterday brought in couple of bull
let-pierced Spanish skulls as medical speci-
mems, the old man eyed them like con-
noisseur and rolling one over gently with
his barefoot in the sand chuckled- deeply
and murmured Juno Bueno Espanola" Zone
good Spaniard). He had probably never
heard the American army phrase about the
only band of "good Indians"
Admiral Sampson is reported to have
been favorably Impressed with his inter-
views with the veteran, General Garcia. If
the regulars take as kindly as the marines
of Camp McCalla to their dusky allies OF
the rank and file, and take the trouble to
( cultivate their good qualities and deal
1aniently with their defects, there seems
to be no reason why the "allied armies
should not do swift and effective work in
Cuba.