The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-03-17
INSURGENTS STRENGTH.
Colonel Parker Says They Control the
Greater Part of the Island of Cuba.

Colonel Parker Says They Control the
Greater Part of the Island of Cuba.
Washington, March 15.--Colonel My
ron M. Parker who was Senator Proc
tors companion on his trip to Cuba, in
an interview says:
I'm the ride from Havana to Sagua
de la Grande, distance of about 200
miles or more, the country presented
picture of desolation. For miles and
miles the charred stalks of the burned
sugarcane showed where the torch had
been applied by the Spanish and insur-
gents alike. At intervals are block
houses occupied by the Spanish soldiers.
Above each blockhouse is a cupola,
where a Spanish soldier is always on
the lookout. If a reconcentrado at
tempts to go out from the village and
cross the trocha he is shot, and if an
insurgent tries to come in he is treated
likewise. The trocha serves, however,
to prevent sudden dashes by the insur-
gents into the villages at night to burn
them.
"The Spanish army is largely EN-
ployed along the railroad, but as close
ly as the road is guarded the insurgents
can do with it as they please. 1t is gen
orally understood in Cuba that the rail-
road company pays tribute to the in
surgents for running the passenger
trains. The insurgents do not want to
bother the passenger trains, but they
are alert to interfere with freight and
troops trains. The day before we reach
ed Matanzas the insurgents blew up
sugar train only three miles out of that
4 town. They cross the railroad at any
J point they desire and whenever they
please. In my opinion Gomez virtually
has control of the island There is not
an estate in cultivation, SO / was reli-
ably informed, that does not pay tribute
to the insurgents The best people in
Havana told me that the young men
Of the best Cuban families in the island
were in the ranks of the insurgents just
+ as the representatives Of our best fami-
lies We're in the south.
( My informant also told me that the
insurgents army was never as firm
and as strong as it is today. 1t gets a
very large proportion of it's medical
! supplies right from Havana, and its
1 discipline is said to be all that can be
/ desired. The insurgents have complete
control of the provinces of Santiago &c
Cuba and Principe. They claim to have
all the supplies necessary for their sub
7Af9SNiiNCs AlH Wis SACcb 4icANttp " SctNNtNs
I besides cultivating a large proportion
Of the land in the provinces mentioned.
What they need is arms. ammunition
and clothing. 1t is generally understood
in Cuba that the insurgents known as
i presentados, who came in and gave
themselves up to the Spaniards in re-
sponse to the offer of pardon. were all
men who had met with the disfayor OF
Gomez because they had disTegarded
the discipline he SO rigidly enforces in
his army.
Did your investigation lead you to
form any opinion on the subject Of au-
tonomy?" inquired the reporter.
No one wants autonomy in Cuba, -
replied Colonel Parker with emphasis.
Even the Autenonist governors do not
favor it. ] know of several alcaldes or
mayors, of towns outside of Havana,
appointed as Autonomists, who are
wholly in sympathy with the insur-
4 gents.
you might believe. but you could