New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-16
CUBAN INSURGENTS GAINING
COLONEL PARKER SAYS GOMEZ vIR-
TUALLY CONTROLS THE ISLAND.
THE INsURGENT ARMY STRONGER THAN EVER
BEFORE TERRIBLE SUFFERING AMONG
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
A COMPLETE FAILURE.

THE RECONCENTRADOS-AUTON
COMPLETE FAILURE.
Washington. March 15-Colonel Myron M.
Parker. who was Senator Proctor's companion
in his trip to Cuba. in an interview with Star
reporter to-day, said:
You might believe, but you could not realize.
the condition Of the reconcentrados in Cuba. 1t
passes the comprehension Of a man accustomed
to the usual phases OF life. Their emaciation Is
terrible. their suffering indescribable We saw
warehouses full Of starving women and chill
dren These people have been forced into the
villages and towns by the spaniards. and the
whole country where they lived has been devas-
tated
I'm the ride from Havana to Sagua de Ia
Grande. distance OF about two hundred miles
more, the country presented picture OF desc
lation. For miles and miles the charred stalks
Of the burned sugar cane showed where the
torch had been applied by the Spanish and in
surgents alike AT intervals are blockhouses
occupied by the Spanish soldiers. Above each
blockhouse is a cupola where Spanish soldier
is always on the lookout. II reconcentrado
attempts to go out from the village and cross
the trocha he is shot. and II an insurgent tries
to come In he is treated likewise. The trocha
serves however to prevent sudden dashes by
the insurgents into the villages at night to burn
them.
THE Spanish army is largely employed along
the railroad but as closely as the road is glard-
ed the insurgents can do with IL as they please.
II Is generally understood in Cuba that the rail-
road company pays tribute to the insurgents for
running the passenger trains. The insurgents
do not want to bother the passenger trains but
they alert to interfere with freight and troop
trains. The day before we reached Matanzas
the insurgents blew UP sugar train only three
miles out Of that town. They cross the railroad
at any point they desire. and whenever they
please In my opinion Gomez virtually has con-
troll OF the island. There Is not estate in cul
tvation, I reliably informed that does
not pay tribute to the insurgents. The best peo-
pie 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 best
representatives of our best families were in the
Southern and Northern ranks during the war.
My informant also told ME that the insurgent
army was never as firm and as strong 1t is
o-day 1t gets very large proportion Of its
medical supplies right from Havana. and its dis
cipline is said to be all that can be desired. The
insurgents have complete control OF the prov
inces Of Santiago de Cuba and Principe They
claim to have all the supplies necessary for their
subsistence, having great herds Of cattle. besides
cultivatng a large proportion OF the land In the
provinces mentioned. What they need is arms.
ammunition and clothing. 1t is generall'' under
stood in Cuba that the insurgents known as pre-
sentados. who came In and gave themselves up
to the Spaniards in response to the offer OF
pardon, were all men who had met with the dis
favor OF Gomez because they had disregarded
the discipline he so rigidly enforces in his army
Did your investigation lead you to form any
opinion on the subject Of autonomy" inquired
| the reporter. ~, ~
| mo one wants autonomy in Cuba" replied
! Colonel Parker with emphasis. Even the Au-
tonomist Governors do not favor IT, l know OF
| several alcades. Mayors. Of towns outside OF
Havana, appointed autonomists. who are
wholly In sympathy with the insurgents.