New-York tribune., 1907-10-31
MACON THE TERRIBLE.
STAMPING OUT CRIME.
ITO the Woe of the Bandits and the
Jog of the People.


a way that appalls certain men who have here
tofore enjoyed more or less honorable distinc-
iion. For instance Nasso PARA and his gang
OF conspirators were not arrested and escorted
TO z fortress with military honors by a detach-
ment Of soldiers nor were they paraded through
the street during the busy hours when they
would have been the observed Of all observers
and would have secured the satisfaction. dear to
all their kind. Of cutting figure in the public
eye. On the contrary. they were arrested in the
small hours of the morning by ordinary police
men and 'jugged" with the ordinary routine Of
an arrest for a plain disturber of the peace
No fuss, no feathers. martial display or
military glory. They were not even tried by a
military commission, but were turned over to
civil Judge. who proceeded to investigate the
matter with the judicial deliberaton and alb
sence of ostentation usually observed in trials
for violations of the statutes in such cases
made and provided"
This thing of giving the general public to
understand that 'conspirators are nothing more
than ordinary criminals and will be treated ac-
cordingly" and the prospect that the courts OF
Justice VIII convert them into convicts and not
patriots or martyrs are very trying to the
souls of the men involved.
Nor does the Governors lack Of consideration
for established practices stop here Time was
when annually at this season of the year many
gentlemen Of leisure became imbued with the
patriotic impulse of demonstrating that liberty
still lived in Cuba by going out in bands and
stealing cattle. horses, pigs. etc, and eXtorting
money and otherwise backmaiIing the inhabi-
tants OF the district selected for their opera
tons. The band would go TO some plantation
order the best meal the place afforded, demand
whatever money the planter had. usually stay
all night and the next day take the horses on
the place and ride to the next estate. II
the planter unappreciative of their pa
triotic effort to denounce them before the
courts he considered traitor to the cause
Of freedom and dealt with accordingly.
The military and police authorities used TO
deal with these bands in a perfunctory manner
When a band went out and the authorities
learned Of it, detachment was sent in pursuit.
but its members contented themselves with rid
ing around the country and returning to the
station house when meal time or night ap-
preached Eventually larger force of guards
would be assembled and take the field in force,
and then the band would disperse, to reassembIe
at a more convenient season. when the guards
were withdrawn. Although their identity was
known, the marauders were seldom prosecuted.
for to give testimony against them was extra
hazardous.
But now things have changed. Owing to his
early training, the Governor exhibits violent
and apparently ineradicabIe prejudice against
this method of exhibiting patriotic fervor The
early years Of the Governors life were spent on
the western border Of the United States when
that part of the country was infested with bands
OF horse and cattle thieves. predatory Indians
train robbers and the ubiquitous bad man"
The border way OF dealing with these rufflans
was to get after them and follow them from
he'll to breakfast Early impressions are likely
to be lasting. and Governor Magoon seems
10 think that Nebraska methods will be effective
IN Cuba Soon after the provisional govern
ment was established last year one Of these
bands went out in The vicinity of Cienfuegos.
Orders were issued 20 the captain of the rural
guards in Cienfuegos to go after them and not
return until the entire band was captured This
band was overhaued. and surrendered after
committing only one depreciation. and its mem
bers were tried, convicted and sentenced to
from eighteen to twenty years in the peniten-
tiary
This fall the annual revival Of the bandit in
dustry inaugurated by band in Santa
Clara province The rural guards went out in
immediate pursuit. overhauled them within two
days. killed one and captured one, and the five
other members Of the band fed. The rural
guard officer felt that he had accomplished his
purpose with commendable thoroughness. and
returned TO report by telegraph. He was COM
mended for what he had DONE but was ordered
70 take fresh horses and return and continue
The pursuit until he could report all the mem
hers Of the band as present or accounted for"
Other detachments Of rural guards were sent
out until the outlaws were penned in and sur
rendered. Three or four other bands have been
unable to resist the impulse TO go out. but they
have been persistently pursued and not given
time TO eat or sleep. chased out Of the cornmu-
mites where they had friends and accomplices
and forced TO seek hiding places in swamps
jungles, mountain caves and other places far
less desirable than the luxurious homes of the
Cuban planters, where in the old days they
were favored though unwelcoue guests.
All This is very discouraging to the bands
The activity Of the rural guards is more than
annoying; 1t is positively dangerous. The gen.
eral public exhibits marked unfriendness TO
the bands. the courts consider their acts
a. criminal and the Governor seems lost to all
sense OF the proprieties OF the situation. No
industry. however well established, can long
survive such treatment. Dscoura cement IS al
ready apparent. and the bandits are coming IN
and voluntarily surrendering. Business depres-
hions and adverse influences compel at least Il
temporary suspension Of operations. OF course
an overwhelming majority of the Cuban people
rejoice at this unwouted relief. La Lucha,"
one Of the leading newspapers of Havana. in
yesterdays issue, comments on the situation as
follows:
lae second in command OF the bandit band that
appeared IN Niquero las surrendered to the author
ass' aAo II Is expected that Immediately the other
Witb tb tAat form Ihe band viii also surrender
sfslo TO face the responsibility for his past life.
PLOTS Az W ~ u " ~ ~ ca
Though way Of thinking may be laughed at
~ uese who believe themselves superior minds
80 because they persist in presenting the situa-
IN r - Sns country as desperate there is no doubt