The midland journal., 1906-10-19
GRAFT AND LOOT
IN REVOLUTION
Cuban Rebel Leaders Made Their
Jobs Pay.
ONE SCOOPED IN ABOUT $1,000.
Counts Upon Another Revolution to
Fill His Purse When He Has
Spent the Money He Stole in the
Last-Disarmament Does Not Kill
the Revolutionary Spirit.

the Revolutionary Spirit.
Havana (By Cable) Huge stacks
of antiquated arms--fit only for his
torical museums-laid down by the
Cuban instructors, who haye about
concluded their disarmament" are
anything but convincing proof to the
people of Havana that the uprising
is all over. No one here believes that
there will be any serious trouble that
the force of the American arms In
the island at the present time cannot
| deal with adequately or any battles
that a dozen Irish-American cops
could not win with nightsticks, but
it is confidently expected that brush
fights will be of frequent occurrence.
Any disarmament Of Cuban rebel
is bound to be ineffective for the rea-
son that his chief engine of war
his revolutionary spirits In his
blood and cannot be taken from him.
When Cuban feels fight coming
on him he is going to "revolute'' if
he has to do it with hatchet.
When we think of revolution in
the states the idea includes Paul Re-
vere's ride, Valley Forge and York
town. In Cuba the word more fit
tingly conjures up picture of a
barroom brawl or hoboes' scrap with
village constable. Inasmuch as
fights of these latter varieties are
dignified with the title, people in the
states are apt to hear great deal
of "insurrections" during the next
few months. In fact, as proven by
the recent "war," revolving is, for
man without capital, much more
profitable vocation than any form
of manual labor. In addition, it is
easier and more dignified.
A certain mulatto commander.
whose share of the looting of towns
treasures in Pinar del Rio few
weeks ago amounted to something
like $1,000, dining in leading cafe
here the other evening, boasted to
party of friends that he was going
to New York and ''blow himself"
A friend suggested that now that he
had stake it might be well for him
to invest it and settle down.
ooh, what's the use," was the re-
sponse. "By the time I have this
spent there will be another revolu-
tion and 1 will be able to get more"
In that very answer is found the
reason for many Cubans' wish for an
nexation. The popular impression
is that it is the wealthy plantation
owners who are the principal suffer-
ers by the instructions when, as a
matter of fact, it is the small farmer
who is the greatest sufferer.
When a big landholder has his
plantation burned and his crops de-
stroyed he collects in full from the
government with all interest. When
poor farmer loses the family mare,
his one SOW and her pigs, together
with his few chickens-his fortune
General Sherman's definition of war
is quoted to him and he is forced to
whistle for a settlement. BY the
terms of the peace agreement be-
tween the Liberals and the Moderates
the rebels, upon laying down their
arms were allowed to retain the
horses they had stolen. The good
points of the bargain appealed to
all of the insurgents and hundreds
of poor farmers from whom the ami
mails had been borrowed" were rob-
bed. At about the same time the
French charge d'affaires here pre-
sented a claim for $4,000 damages
to some interests OF French citizens.
and Secretary Taft decided to ap-
point a court of claims to consider
the matter.
AS to the revolution itself and its
cost estimates vary. Many men in
a position to know insist that not
more than thirty-five men were killed
during the entire insurrection, while
others, more liberal in their esti-
mates, place the number of fatalities
in the vioinity of 200. A figure mid
way between these two would proba-
bly, be nearly right.
A fact worthy of note in this con-
nection is that nearly every man
killed died of machete wounds in
fight where the forces were mutual
ly surprised at meeting each other.
Even the ousted Moderates do not
deny that the recent elections, which
really led to the revolt, were stolen.
Their defense is that both sides were
out to steal them and that, being
defeated at their own game, the Lib
erals assumed a won't play attitude
oDd finally tO0k IN the brUSh