New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-12
FoRBEARANCE WITH THE CUBAN Ann :
CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS THEIR CONDUCT
NOT UNNATURAL UNDER THE CIR
CUMsTANCES.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Though differing IN tone from most oi ,.'
communications concerning the Cupa" "'"'
" published in The Tribune. hope that III 'p''
OF fairness you will give this letter also u pia.e y.
your columns. To reach a just estimate VI IA"
other II Is always wise to put ones sell az i'uoi
possible In his place. Should not Americans io'
low that course with regard to the Cuoahs :"
arms? Since the outbreak Of our war WIN op""
think In some respects we have 1aleo ~ w o.
For example. have seen much wohoer up =,
at the sudden destituton OF the army OF oo"'eN ~
the interior TO whom we have heen sendihe ioo'
ms well as ammunition 1t has been SAID 'ha'
hitherto they have been able to suDsist "i'h'u. "
sstance Those who make such assertions nave
either ignored or failed to see the statements u
General Gomez himself and OF others VINO ia
visited his camp and are competent JUDGES i,
say that the Cuban army was OF necessity ui''u
into small bands, which scattered and foraged
where they could. When our war began the con-
ditions were changed. Then they were Obliged 10
concentrate IN order TO be In readiness 10 CO.
operate with us according to agreement ahd' OIL
course the wasted country could not yieio e'ous"
TO maintain such body OF men, IL "ou'o sen.
that this simple explanation should amply sa'isiy
non-rilitary critic.
Again with regard to the comments upon Gen
oral Garcia's contingent which met us at san,,ag1
It be denied that they appeared "a, o,S hei
vantage. After months. years OF prvat,ons, mar
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. were fed. and who can blame Ml
them II In some Instances they were greedy! we
all have the animal still alive In u.s. ana II Is nos
unlikely that Americans In such circumsIta,,ces
would have behaved in the same manner ~ was
natural perhaps unavoidable. that our VICTORIOUS
army equipped with every necessary ana Gun
venlence that money could furnish: shouh nhNe
felt the contrast and showed 1t when they saw
these ragged soldiers accept food and arms irohl
their own bountful stores. Yet these we're tne
Same men, hungry and In rags. who thohgn uh-
used TO our methods had yet been able TO hold tne
Spaniards at bay in their own fashion FOR years
aud were still ready to die daily for their country
II is not astonishing that they were sensitive 70
criticisms and comparisons. Who can wonder st
II or at their disappointment when the secon9
largest city in their beloved island had fallen ana
an entrance was denied their ragged army? 90
not believe that the Cubans, after refrainihs
from retaliation under the most cruel proVoca-
lions for three years. and after their order,
IS occupation OF Bayamo and other towns, VIII
abandon their selfcontrol In the hour ~ vlctory
But that is not the question Without DOUBT tney
have been impatient and hasty at Santiago. IN
drawing their conclusions and acting upon them
But shall not strive 10 show them great CHAR
ity and forbearance and excuse rather than ac.
cuse wherever possible? They are Latins not
generations under oppression the horrors OF
which can but family conceive. We owe tnein
every sympathy and encouragement and. while
not expecting too much should be careful not 70
underestimate their abilities when they shall be
relieved OF the Spanish incubus. We can thus
smooth the difficult path yet before them toward
political liberty instead Of hindering Il by UNI
friendly and carpng criticism. NJ. j. H.
Bethlehem. n. H.. Aug. s. 1893