New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-08
WORK At NEWPORT NEWS.
ARM1No THE COLLIER ABARENDA-wHAr
OFFICERS RETURNED FROM CUBA SAY.

ARMIN0 THE COLLIER ABARENDA-WHAT
OFFICERS RETURNED FROM CUBA SAY.
Newport News, Va. July (Spec!aD.-Thc Of
fcers OF the collier Abarenda. which returned
TO Hampton Roads late last night from Guanta-
namo, where It assisted the Marblehead In
landing the first detachment Of marines. give
some interesting information about the troops
now IN Cuba and their condition. One OF the
chief officers who was formerly attached to the
shipyard here, said that the Abarenda IS now
being fitted out with 4-!nch guns. preparatory
TO accompanying the Eastern Squadron to
Spain.
The general impression among officers IN tho
Navy is that this fleet will be much stronger
than the list given out by the Department IN
dica,es The belief Is that the bulletin posted
at Washington giving the names OF these ships
was merely q blind to induce the Spanish fleet
on the way 10 the Philippines TO return to
Spain. IN the hope that |. could cope with the
Eastern Squadron when. should II 90 So II
would meet one Of the strongest squadrons or
the Navy The Abarenda Is the swiftest and
best-ftted collier In the Navy. and can carry
more coal than any of the others. her capacity
being about 1000 tons.
The one great difficulty with most OF the men
on Cuban soil. according to this officer. Is IN
digestion. and In consequence three-fourtns OF
them are far from well.
In speaking Of the conduct OF the Cubans.
this officer said that they make excellent SOL
diers and that all stories TO the contrary were
disproved by their con iuct at Guantanamo
The marines and seamen who first went ashore
did not sleep for three days and nights. ana 1t
was only with the assistance Of the Cuoans.
who took their turn against the enemy. that
they were enabled to get any sleep at all. In
NehtIng. according to this informant, the Cuoans
invariably throw away their guns on encoun-
ter,ng the enemy and rush into the scrimmage
with pistols and machetes. usually swearing In
Spanish. and In English when they can ami
daring the spaniards to stand up before the
CUBAN American army. Unlike the method or
American troops the Cuban singlos ou' rh'h
and fights until ne kills him
The hatred Of the Spanish women for the
Americans is pronounced One Of the Abaren-
das officers asked a Spanish officer VINO was
taken prisoner. II thae we're any pretty Span
,sh girls in the nearby towns IS NJ
n,,ed IN English. and they carry nlachetes 70
show their love for me Americans wiz" my
come" ~ ~. ,-olr,+.a,
The 9th Company, United states Voluniee'
signal Corps. spent their last night IN camp 70
night and in the morning Will go apoaru HlS
Plant liner La Grande Duchesse, where they VII
remain until the ship sails Saturday mornlhs
for Charleston Company b. Engineer '"pe'
will also go aboard in the morning .,
A number OF lieutenants. VINO nave recehtIE
haen anpojnted in the volunteer army. arrived
here to-day, having been instructed 10 repoi.
at Newport News. and take the mrs. ci,anoo 49, -,
getting 10 Santiago. where they are 70 TO-.
Ear duty TO comma nders Of the regiments !"
which they have been assigned. taking the
places Of wounded officers THESE men VIII H'S'
90 on La Grande Duchesse