Year: 1873

ZenS, ana, aS tne CuUdnS arc FoiJ VI
derly and abiding people, if it were
only shown that the Spaniards were
permitted by law to remain, they could
do so without any fear of interference
or injury at the hands of the Cubans.


Reporter-A proposition that a GER
tain sum of money guaranteed tby
America should be paid to Spain as the
price of abandoning her claim to Cuba
has been put in circulation by some
parties. Would the Cubans acceptsuch
a solution of this difficulty?


Cespedes-No authoritative PROPOSE
ton of this nature was ever made; but
if such solution would be accepted by
Spain, and the sum required were not
unreasonable, the Cubans, in MY opinion,
would be willing to accept such terms,
in order to put an end to the war so
barbarously waged by Spain. We de-
sire peace, to return to the reconstruc..
ton of our homes and the well-being OF
the country; but before everything we
want our independence. II Spain will
continue the war we will fight until the
country is desert, so that Spain shall
receive no benefits from the blood she
is shedding uselessly. But 1 believe
that the public opinion of the world
will not long delay in coming to our
aid.


The prospect for Cuba is very favor
able. The Spaniards are everywhere
abandoning the townsand encampments
in the interior, because they have no
longer the strength to defend all the
country. It is my opinion that they in
tend retiring to the sea coast and trying
to maintain themselves but as soon as
we can procure cannon and organize
thoroughly our army we shall attack
them in the towns. There was mo-
ment, about year ago, when we were
reduoad to terrible extremities, and we
wanted everything, clothing, ammuni-
tion, arms but to-day we have all
things, and in great part taken from
the enemy. If the war should continue
we hope to profit by the experience of
the past, and continue our system OF
attacking the enemy, which has pro-
duced such good results. In fact, we
are now living on the enemy. We take
from him clothes and food and whatever
else we may need. In the beginning
we acted with too much generosity,
setting at liberty the Spanish prisoners,
even after the proclamation of the
Spanish government announcing that
all taken in arms should be shot, and
that even the women captured in the
insurgent districts would be subject to
ten years Imprisonment or deportation
to Fernando, Po. Several times have
made efforts to induce the Spanish
government to carry on the war in a
civilized manner, but without result.
The Spaniards have resorted to the
most barbarous expedients to subdue
us. Six different missions have left
Havana with the intention of assassina.
ting me. Three returned, having aban.
doned the enterprise, and two of the
others are supposed to have perished.
The third was man who presented
himself to enlist in the body guard OF
General Quesada. Something suspic.
ious about him caused his arrest, and
concealed on his person was found a
knife. Being questioned, he confessed
that he had been sent from Havana
with the mission to assassinate me. Oh
course he was at once hanged, but these
circumstances show you to what lengths
the Spanishsauthorities are capable oi
proceeding. 1t is pleasant to record
that during four years of the insurrec-
ton no attempts have been made on
my life, although 1 live, as you see
without guards and without precautions.
Every one is at liberty to come in here:
Only at night there is single sentinel
on duty before my door.


Reporter-What may be the number
of the armed force in the field?


Cespedes-That is somewhat difficult
to answer correctly. Owing to the con-
dition Of disorganization to which we
were reduced year ago good deal OF
disorder crept in, and the difficulty OF
communicating with the generals, as
well as the absolute want of paper and
ink with which to make reports, rem
dered it impossible for the generals to
furnish the proper returns. At one
time we did not have piece of paper as
big as this envelope on which to write
communication, and were obliged to
write on the leaves of the trees but
speaking generally, I think we must
have from ten to twelve thousand armed
men in the field, with about an equal
number of convoyeros and servants, who
perform service in the army. The
strength of our forces is also liable tc
great fluctuations. In the moments o.
defeat large numbers disperse or desert
and, when any success has been gained
the army is suddenly augmented to al
extraordinary extent. We have beer
lately receiving large accessions from
the Spanish ranks, principally from thu
Cuban volunteers, many of whom come
over to us with their arms and ammuni
tiol. In the district Of Bayamo an
informed, in letter lately received, tina
nearly four hundred volunteers hav'
presented themselves, mostly white
men, and large proportion Of these
have brought with them their arms
The same things happened in Magyar
after our attack. I believe that in tim'
ali the Cuban volunteers will eventuall.
take sides with us against Spain
Should this happen our triumph will b.
assured.


Murderer Diving,