The evening times., 1898-05-30
THE ARMY OF CUBA.
An Eager and EDtkusinstic Band of
Patriots.

Patriots.
Tampa, Fla, May 30-When the Gu
baa Junta, of New York city, ordered 'hc
Cuban volunteers in the United States
to Tampa it was with the expectation
that they would pass directly over II
Cuba For this reason TO provision was
made for a stay here. The men have now
been in Tampa about three weeks. and
certain.
To say that the Cubans are anxious to
leave and to join Gomez in what thsJ con-
fidentiy expect will, with the all of the
United States, be his last stand against
the tyranny of Spain Is utting it mildly.
Yesterday / saw General Lacret, t.i..'r
leader and all the members of his stan.
and found that. while they are making the
best of things. they are wildly Irpa-
tient.
1t is hard to describe the little army os
600 patriots which Is encamped in Wes:
Tampa. It Is ununiformed, unoryanlzei,
undisciplined- Hardly any of the men
have had the slightest experience in sill
itary matters. The officers for the most
part have. happily, seen some campo ga
ing or have received some information in
the art of war. and drilling and org.,niz-
ing are being carried rapidly forward
The small Cuban army Is not encamp-
ed like our boys in Tampa They are not
provided with tents and other necessities
for an outdoor existence. They have
simply taken possession of Cespedes Hall,
IN West Tampa This provides a roof
over their heads and nothing more.
West Tampa is a town apart from Tam
pa. though adjoining 1t. Here are rows
and rows of houses which have sprung
up as they have in Ybor City. principally
on account Of the cigar factories. There
are many refugees among the fnhabf-
tants. Spaniards live here. too, and
both here and In Ybor City some of the
houses are painted blue and some yellow.
The Spaniards would never live in blue
house. while the Cubans would have
drawn their hearts blood rather than In
habit one that was painted yellow. The
houses are small and built in rows, and
hardly any OF them have kitchens. The
family repairs to the restaurant for meals
or has the meals brought to the house..
Boys bearing food in tin trays. one on
top Of the other. may be seen on the
streets at meal time. hurrying to and fro.
Some carry board with hooks on the
bottom on which are hung pals contain
ing food. House rent Is collected weekly
In West Tampa. The people can move
for 50 cents. Often families move every
week: this makes their rent only &
month.
situated in the heart Of West Tampa. 1t
Is upholstered and unpainted except the
outside-to a certain extent. The piazza.
which runs along the second story at
one side, has lost its lower supports, and
the most valiant warriors dare not walk
underneath. The lower floor consists of
a long hall and four rooms running along
the other side and leading out Of 1t.
These were once used for stores. They
now constitute. first. officers lounging
room. sumptuously furnished with two or
three hard benches and one or two
scnoolroom desks: second, the interpret
er's room. which contains even less. and,
third. the headquarters Of the Red Cross
or Hospital Corps There Is q table in
this room. Several doctors and surgeons
Joined the expedition and are bustiy or
'ganiatng the department.
Where do the men sleep?" asked.
up stairs.
Up stairs Ne went. More hare boards
and beAms. but not . sign Of a bed.
suppose you wonder how the men
sleep here" aid the euida They tust
De on the door In blankets. A few Of
then Aave hammocks. which they swing
IT niGhf-~
At - snd < ths hpss han wss