The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-07-06
POLITICAL.
Our Allies in Cuba.

We are reading with good deal of
interest the reports sent by the news
paper men at Santiago regarding the
character of our Cuban allies and the
sort of service they are rendering to
the army Of invasion. On
the whole, the record Of the insurgents
is pretty good to date. They have
shown up in large numbers and they
proved most efficient supporters for the
marines at Guantanamo. Their knowl
edge of the country has been of inesti
mable service, and they kept guard
when the worn out marines were sleep
ing the sleep of exhaustion. Their
mastery of woodcraft and experience
in underbrush skirmishing were of
great help to our army on the march
over the hills to Santiago. They fought
well. But no doubt is cast
upon their loyalty. This is not strange
when we remember the Cuban blood
feud with the Spanish troops and the
Spanish authorities. There will be no
treachery toward the invading army.
Despite all differences of character and
methods, we are fighting their cause
and they will be ready to obey orders.
General Blanco failed in his recent ap-
peal to Gen. Gomez and the Cubans 10
make common cause against the Amer
leans, as he was bound to fail. The
letter 10 the insurgent leader ran as
follows:
at cannot be unknown to you that the
Cuban problem has changed radically.
We Spaniards and Cubans find our
selves now facing foreigner of differ
ent race, of tendencies naturally alb
sorbing, and whose intentions are not
only to deprive Spain of her flag upon
Cuban soil, but also to exterminate the
Cubans by reason of their Spanish
blood. The blockade of the ports OF
the islar d has no other object. 1t is
not only harmful to the Spaniards, but
it affects also the Cubans, thus COM
pleting the work of determination be-
gun during our civil war. Therefore
the supreme moment has arrived when
we should forget our past differences,
and united Cubans and Spaniards we
should in self-defense repel the inva-
der. Spain will not forget the noble
aid of her Cuban children, and once the
foreign enemy is repealed from the
island, she, as loving mother, will re-
ceive in her embrace another new
daughter among the nations of the
new world which speaks her language,
Processes her religion and feels that the
noble Spanish blood circulates in her
veins. In view of these facts, pro-
pose to you, general, to form an alli-
ance of both armies in the city of Santa
Clara. The Cubans will receive arms
from the Spanish army, and with
cheers of viva Espana" and "Viva
Cuba" we will repudiate the invader
and liberate from foreign yoke the
descendants of one and the same peo-
ple."
The reply of old Gomez left nothing
to be desired. Here it is:
Your audacity in again Offering terms
of peace astonishes me, knowing as you
do that Cuban and Spaniard can never
again live peaceably on Cuban soil.
You represent on this continent an old
and blood-stained monarchy; we fight
for an American principle-that of
Washington and Bolivar. You say we
belong to the same race, and you invite
me 10 combat the foreign invader, but
you are again mistaken. There are no
differences in blood and races; |
believe there is only one race of
humanity, and for me there are but
good and wicked nations. Spain has
been up to the present wicked nation.
The United States is endeavoring TO
fulfill toward Cuba the duty of humanity
and civilization. Among classes and
races, from the savage Indian to the
cultured European, man is only
worthy of respect according to his hui
mainly and noble sentiments. In this
light view nations. l have only adj
miration for the United States. l have
written to President Mckinley and to
General Miles, thanking them for
American Intervention in Cuba. do
not see the danger to us from the
United States to which you refer. If it
should 30 happen, then history will pro-
nounce her judgment. For the present
have only to repeat that it is too late
for cooperation between your army
and mine. When Generals Shafter and
Gracia met, the Cuban general, with
tears in his eyes, took Shafter by the
hand and said "You have come to
fight the enemies 'of my country, and
and will serve with you without ques-
ton"
We are to use these people as auxil-
iaries in OVERLOOKING the Spanish pow
der in their island. With complete
knowledge of the country, and many
means of secret communication, they
will be of great service as guides and
scouts.-Springfeld Republican.