The record-union., 1898-06-01

was taken Notwithstanding the fact
that Collasso and Gomez are dear
friends.
The expedition was conveyed by the
cruiser Marblehead, the torpedo boat
destroyer Eagle and other warships
Two younger brothers of the late Gen
eral Nestor Aranguren are with the ex-
pedition.
| When the present revolution in Cuba
began, General Jose Lacret Morlot, by
| which title he is popularity known, Sc
cured passage on the steamer Mas
cote for Jamaica on his way to Cuba.
| The English Government had infor-
nation regarding Lacret's move
ments. and prevented him sailing for
Cuba from Jamaica. He then went to
Mexico, later to New York. At the
latter place he consulted with the
Junta, and returned to Tampa. Here
he embarked on the steamer Olivette
for Havana in the garb of a priest. Still
in the garb Of a priest, he boarded a
train for Sagua La Grande. Accom-
panying him were large number of
Spanish soldiers. Being highly edu
Gated, man Of good presence and a
padre" was sufficient to give him an
entry into the best Spanish society Of
Sagua La Grande. Lacret stopped at
the finest hotel, and when in the cafe
sat at the alcalde's right hand. After
communicating with the insurgents the
padre" suddenly disappeared from the.
hotel. He joined the insurgents, and
throwing off his priestly guise, has
since performed valorous service for
the cause Of Cuban freedom.
He was transferred to the province
Of Matanzas soon after his arrival,
and his career there would form an
interesting chapter in the history OF
Cuba. From Matanzas Province he
was sent to the eastward as delegate
to the assembly held in Porto Prin-
cipe last February. at which the new
Government was formed. From this
assembly he was directed to come to
this country as a bearer Of dispatches
to the Junta.
The expedition was landed on the
coast Of Cuba on Thursday morning,
May 26th. When the Florida, es-
corted by the Osceola, drew up close
to the shore at the place selected for
landing, she sent scouts to see if all
was clear. These scouts were greet
ed by Generals Feria and Rojas, with
some 1900 armed insurgents Conse-
quently, far from there being any hos
tile demonstration on the part Of the
Spaniards, the landing Of the expedi-
ton was in the nature Of triumphal
invasion. The Cubans who were in
waiting for the party had brass band
and welcomed the new corners with
national airs.
The work of unloading the cargo Of
the Florida was promptly begun by the
A0csyn< III
was nothing in the nature Of Interrupt
ton until the work was finished on
Friday.
While the cargo was being unloaded
the Osceola, an auxiliary gunboat,
with her guns ready for action. secuted
about the vicinity, looking for an en-
emy, but the Spaniards apparently had
no suspicion Of what was taking place.
So easily was the dangerous mission
accomplished that while some men,
bers of the party were getting the sup
plies ashore others were providing
themselves with fruit, sugar and other
products Of the landing place. a large
stock of which were brought back to
Key West for friends.
Nevertheless. no precautionary meas
ure was neglected, and the moment
the work was concluded the Florida
and the Osceola slipped away. leaving
the insurgents to convey their rein
forcements into the interior, which, it
is confidently expected was done with
out any casualty.
The returning members Of the Flor
hida party brought with them several
hundred private letters, which, it is
understood, give complete insight in
to the present conditions prevailing in
the blockaded island.
The local colony Is elated over the
astonishing success OF the expedition.
When the Florida arrived at Key
West she had q large Cuban flag hang