The age-herald., 1898-05-29


 began to talk on other subjects The Cu- ban was once more questioned concerning the strength of the insurgents in the field. Although extremely well-informed, he placed the figures rather high. They did not correspond with figures gleaned from sources equally trustworthy. He credited General Perico Delgado in the western province with nearly 2.OO0 men. Vidal Du- casse, second in command, had been killed only ten days before but his brother still had hardy force, which was hanging on the Hanks of the Spanish troops and doing good service. It was Delgado, by the way, to whom Captain Dorst, of the American army, carried ship load of arms and am- intuition about the 10th of May. Dorst had a fight with the Spaniards, killing two of them but the expedition successful in only a limited degree, and was hardly sat- isfactory. The result shows that Delgado had not more than a quarter of the force with which he was credited. Indeed,i it is difficult to see how he could provision even 600 men. Weyler killed every horse. mule, OK, COW, sheep, and hog in Pinar del Rio, and destroyed every hut and hacienda. Nothing living was left alive except the buzsards, now styled "Weylers chickens" Nothing that could give shelter was al- lowed to stand. In no province on the island was the recontrado order more ruth lessly carried out. Fire and sword were rampant and the whole country, aside from the railroad towns, became wilder ness. Even the grass beneath our feet was insurgent," to use the words of Spanish staff officer. and Weyler would have stamped out vegetation itself if possi- ble. It was horrible state of affairs even at the outset-so horrible that it sent Ma eco across the trocha over a year ago in search of relief. It was the expedition in which he lost his life.
 Death of Aranguren
 As to the province of Havana, the junta representative was equally positive and more specific. He was certain that General Rodriguez had full as many men as Degd- do. This was undoubtedly true, but their united forces was nearer 1,20) than 4,000. The same state of destitution existed this province as in Pinar del Rio, and it was impossible to subsist a large body of men. The most of the patriots in arms here foraged in the markets of Havana Provisions were sent to them regularly and their underground railroad was as safe and in as active operation as the one in between the N rth and south before the war. Nestor Aranguren had been the lieu tenant of General Rodriguez. His death. only fortnight before, ended as romantic an incident as the death of Major Andre in the revolutionary war. Colonel Ruiz, a Spanish officer, visited Aranguren, who was an intimate friend and urged him to accept autonomy and lay down his arms. Aranguren warned him against making such propositions when they first met. The order from Gomez was to shoot anybody who made any such proposal. Arenguen carried out these orders to the letter. Ruiz was executed within a mile of the railroad between Havana and Matanzas. Within month, however, the Spaniards captured negro who was trusted ser vent of Aranguren. They threatened him with death unless he disclosed his masters retreat, and promised him a reward of 800 silver dollars if he would betray him. Aranguren was surprised in a cabin by two Spanish regiments in the early morning and killed. His body was carried to Havana and thrown at the feet of the statue of Columbus in the court yard of Blanco's palace, where 1t was viewed by the popu- lace and viliied by the volunteers. General Blanco, despite the protests of the Span- iards, delivered 1t to his relatives for burial. The young patriot belonged to one of the leading Cuban families of Havana and his fate was universally deplored.
 As to the province of Matanzas, the Cu- ban at first asserted that General Betan- court had an army of 4000 men. When told that this was ridiculous, he reduced the number to 14O0 It is doubtful, how ever, whether the general had 700 men. Be- tancourt, like Aranguren, Is a scion of one of the first Cuban families. He was edu- cated abroad, and speaks seven different languages. He Is fully as daring as Aran- guren. and Is said to have made many a midnight visit to Matanzas. He probably secured provisions and ammunition for his men during these midnight excursoins. The Spansh soldiers were nine months in ar- rears of pay, and sold their cartridges for ca sh to any purchaser. There was stand ing reward of 900 for the head of Betan- court. More than one effort has been made to capture 1t, the result being fatal to the would-be captors.
 Bloodthirsty Genera1ie
 In the province of Santa Clara General Bernudez was said to be in command His reputation for ferocty tarnished his reputation for bravery. During the con gressional visit two Spanish officers sought an interview with Colonel Nunez, under his command. They were surprised by Bermudez himself, who ordered their im- mediate execution. They met heir fate brayely. and were buried at Esperanza on the day the congressional delegation pass ed through that city. It was said that Bermudez had at least 5000 troops under his command. The figures were far too high He probably had not one-third of this number. The province of Santa Clara was utterly destitute of provisions. The city of Santa Clara was supplied by rail- road, and the country was ravaged and ruined by Spanish guerrillas, who were employed to carry out Weyler's orders. Over 75O0 reconcentrados died in the city within four months. These figures come from the mayor
 In Puerto Principe Gomez himself was located in the mountains twenty miles