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HON. LYMAN J. GAGE

Sec'y of the Treasury

HON. JOHN D. LONG
Sec'y of the Navy

HON. JAMES WILSON

Sec'y of Agrlcullure

HON. WM. R. DAY.

Sec'y of State

PRESIDENT Mckinley

HON. JOHN W, GRIGGS

Attomtv-General

HON.

. CHARLES EMORY SMITH
Posttnasier-General.
RUSSELL A. ALGER
Sec'y of War.
HON. CORNELIUS N. BLISS
Sec'y of Interior

REAR ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY
Commanding Asiatic Squadron

COMMODORE W. S. SCHLEY
Cumnianding Flying Squadron

HEAR ADMIRAL

Wm. T. SAMPSON

Commanding North Atlantic

Squadron

CAPTAIN R. D. EVANS
Of the Battleship Iowa

CAPTAIN C. V. GRIDLEV
Of the Cruiser Olympia

...PICTORIAL HISTORY..

Our War with Spain

CTjr^.A.*s F"f^e:;e:ido]V1.

A THRILLING ACCOUNT OF THE LAND AND NAVAL OPERATIONS

OF AMERICAN vSOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN OUR WAR

WITH SPAIN, AND THE HEROIC STRUGGLES OF

CUBAN PATRIOTS AGAINST SPANISH TYRANNY.

INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION AND HxJTORY OF CUBA, SPAIN, PHIL-
IPPINE ISLANDS, OUR ARMY AND NAVY, FIGHTING
STRENGTH, COAST DEFENSES, AND OUR RELA-
TIONS WITH OTHER NATIONS, ETC., ETC.

TRUMBULL WHITE,

THE WELL KNOWN AND I'OI'ULAU AUTIIOK, UISTORIAN
AND WAH COKKKMl'ONDENT.

ELABORATELY ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAW-
INGS OF BATTLES, ON SEA AND LAND, WAR
* SHIPS, ETC., FROM LIFE.

J. M. MacGREGOR,

VANCOUVER, B. C

COPVRKJHTEI)

I!Y

K. T. BOLAND
1898

DeOtcatel to

®ur Hmerlcan IDoIuntccrs

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

GENERAL JOHN R. BROOKE

CAPTAIN-GENEKAI. AVOUITT

ABMIKAL CAMAKA

PREFACE.

Information concerning the island of Cuba has been of an exceed-
ingly unsatisfactory character until the search-light of American
inquiry was thrown upon it from the beginning of the war for Cuban
liberty early in 1895. Although our next-door neighbor i-. 'he south,
with a perfect winter climate and a host of interesting and jiicturesque
attractions for travelers, tourists had been compaiutively few,
measured by the numbers that might have been exp'^ced. a11 of the
reasons for this were those which naturally followed the characteristic
Spanish rule of ^'il; island. Publicity \vi^9 not welcomed, inquiry was
not welcomed, travelers were not welcomed. The cities and the
accommodations they offered were in many ways far behind those of
like age and size in the other countries of the globe. Railway construc-
tion and the making of highways had lagged disgracefully, because
the exorbitant taxes collected were looted by the officers of the govern-
ment as their own spoils. No other country so near to the highways of
ocean commerce and so accessible from the United States was so little
known.

A few travelers had journeyed to Cuba and had written books
descriptive of their experiences, which were read with interest by those
who had access to them. But these books were usually simply descrip-
tive of the people, the manner of life, the scenery, and the things of
surface interest. It is proverbial that Spanish rule conceals the re-
sources of a country instead of exploiting them. The person of inquir-
ing mind had no way in Cuba to obtain prompt information concerning
the material facts of the island's wealth of resource, because the
Spanish authorities themselves knew nothing about it. Spanish
statistics are notoriously unreliable and incomplete. No census of
Cuba worthy the name ever has been taken, and there are few schools
and few sources of accurate information. With all this handicap it
was a foregone conclusion that the casual traveler should confine him-
self to the things that were visible and that were near to the usual
paths of travelers. Sc until the beginning of the Cuban war for liberty
00 book could be obtained which told the things which one really carea

PBEFACE.

to know. Picturesque descriptions tliere were, more than one, of con-
siderable interest, but the information was scattered.

Demand always creates supply, even if material is scant. When
the war began, the people of the United States wanted to know some-
thing of the people who were striving for their freedom, of their
characteristics, their conditions and their personality. Moreover, it
was an immediate necessity to know the geography of Cuba, its history,
its natural conditions, its material resources, and a host of things that
unite to make a comprehensive knowledge of any country. There were
men who knew Cuba from years of residence there in industrial and
commercial enterprises. They were drawn upon for their knowledge.
Then the newspapers of the United States gave another demonstration
of their unvarying enterprise and covered the points of interest in the
insurrection most exhaustively. Their correspondents shared the
camps of insurgent chiefs, witnessed the daring machete charges of the
Cubans, saw every detail of armed life in the field. Others kept close
watch of the movements of the Spanish forces in Havana and the
fortified towns, as well as in the field. One was shot in action. Another
was macheted to death after his capture, by a Spanish officer who
waited only to be sure that the prisoner was an American before
ordering him to death. Others were incarcerated in Morro and
Cabanas fortresses and in the other Spanish' prisons in Cuba because
they insisted on telling the truth to America and the world. They
were the ones who told of the horrors of reconcentration under that
infamous order of Captain General Weyler. They have been the real
historians of Cuba.

It is to all of these sources and others that the information con-
tained in the present volume is owed. The writer tabes pleasure in
acknowledging the courteous permission to use salient facts contained
in some volumes of merit published prior to this time. But more than
all the obligation is to the newspaper correspondents who worked with
him in Cuba in the days when the war was but an insurrection and
afterward when the insurrection became our own war against Spain
for the liberty of Cuba. They are the ones who have gathered the
most exhaustive information on the whole subject of Cuban affairs.
They have been able by virtue of their intimate knowledge of Cuba and
the Cubans to be of invaluable assistance to the commanders of army
and navy alike, not only in advice as to the forming of plans, but in
executing them. One who has seen the things knows that to exag*

PEEFACE.

gerate the horrors of Spanish cruelty and the oppression of Spanish
rule in Cuba is an impossibility. No newspaper could have printed
the plain truth of a score of shocking affairs, simply because the public
prints are no place for the exploiting of such tales of vicious crime
against humanity as have been perpeti'ated. The most sensational
tales have never reached the limits of the truth.

It is hoped that the reader will find in this volume not only a com-
prehensive current history of our war with Spain for Cuba's freedom,
but also much of the other mattter that will be of interest and value
in considering the future of the liberated island. Its history, its people,
its resources and other salient subjects are included, with certain matter
on Spain and her own affairs, with Puerto Rico and the Philippine
islands, which chapters serve to make the volume a work for general
reference and reading on the whole subject of the war.

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Photograph Group— President McKinley and His Cabinet.

Photograph Group— Dewey, Sampson, Evans, Schlej, and Gridley.

Photograph Group— Shafter, Merritt, Wheeler, Broolie and Koosevelt.

Photograph Group— Sagasta, Wejler, Don Carlos, August! and Camara.

t lerce Fighting at El Cauey, showing the Block House.

Services at the Burial of the "Maine" Victims.

Headquarters of Cuban I'atriots- Key West.

Cuban Soldiers and Recruiting Offlcer"^in the Insurgent Army— Cuba

A Cuban Home.

Harbor View— San Juan.

Panoramic View of San Juan.

Main Business Street in Manila.

Patrol Boats Guardiug American Fleet at Night.

The Heroic Dash of the Seventy-First New York Volunteers.

An Artillery Dash.

Troop Transports leaving San Francisco for Manila.

Field Practice with Artillery and Surgical Work.

Clara Barton and Her Work in a Cuban Hospital.

U. S. Artillery to the Front.

Captain Sigsbee of the Ill-fated "Maine."

General Stewart L. Woodford— Late U. S. Minister to Spain.

General Nelson A. Miles.

United States Soldiers Marching to the Front.

General Fit'<hugh Lee, Ex-Consul General to Havana.

General Fitzhugh Lee's Departure from Havana before the War.

General Maximo Gomez.

General Maceo.

The Battleship "Maine" Previous to Her Destruction.

Harbor of Havana, showing Ports, Sand Batteries, etc

Morro Castle and Fortress— Havana.

City of Havana and Harbor.

The Harbor Entrance to Havana.

Machine Gun and Operator.

Admiral Cervera.

A Common Scene in Havana.

Blaooe..

LIST OF 1U.USTBAT10NS.

A Street Scene among the I'ooi' — Cuba.
Alfonso, King of Spain.
Royal Palace — Zdadrid.
Hotel Inglaterre and Central Park — Havana.
The Valley of Yumuri— Cuba.
Armored Cruiser "New York."
Armored Cruiser "Brooklyn."
Battleship "Oregon."
Battleship "Texas."
Battl«^ship "Iowa." •

Forward Deck of the "Indiana."
Coastline Battleship "Indiana."
Coastline Battleship "Massachusetts."
Naval Battle at Manila.
Double-Turreted Monitor "Terror."
Wreck of the Battleship "Maine,"

Battle of Mobile Bay, where Dewey got His First Experience in Naval War-
fare. •
Protected Cruiser "Minneapolis."
Protected Cruiser "San Francisco."
Protected Cruiser "Boston."
Protected Cruiser "Atlanta."
Gunboat "Nashville."
Gunboat "Yorktown."
Torpedo Boat "Ericsson."
Dispatch Boat "Dolphin."
Gunboat "Concord."
Protected Cruiser "Chicago."
Protected Cruiser "Columbia."
Protected Cruiser "Philadelphia."
Clnra Barton, the Angel of the Sick-room.
Departure of Third Relief for Manila.
Lieutenant Hobson and the Scenes of his Heroio Exploits.
Entrance to Harbor — Santiago de Cuba.
Destruction of Cervera's Fleet.

A Cuban Cavalry Surprising and Capturing a Spanish Campi
Heroic Dash of American Soldiers Near Santiago.
The Company Cook — Colored.
Types of the Philippines — ^No. L
Types of the Philippines— No. 2.
A Sugar Factory in Manila.
Lamp — Helio.

Scene in the Turret of a Battleship during Engagement
Nickel Steel Ingot for Tube of a 16-inch Breech-Loading Rifle.
Cast-iron Projectiles.
Loading Siege Guns on Transports.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Chapter Bage

I. A War for Liberty and Humanity 33

II. How Columbus Found the "Pearl of the Antilles" 63

III. Spain's Black Historical Record 73

IV. Buccaneering in the Spanish Main 83

V. Commercial Development of Cuba 94

VI. Beauties of a Tropical Island 109

Vn. Wealth from Nature's Store in the Forest and Fields of Cuba. 116

Vni. The Cubans and How They Live 124

IX. Havana, the Island Metropolis 133

X. The Cities of Cuba 139

XI. Mutterings of Insurrection 151

XIL Outbreak of the Ten Years' War 156

Xni. Massacre of the Virginius Officers and Crew 159

XIV. Operations of the Ten Years' War 168

XV. The Peace of Zanjon and Its Violated Pledges 171 ,

XVI. Preparations for Another Rebellion 175

XVn. The Cuban Junta and Its Work 179

XVin. Key West and the Cubans 191

XIX. Another Stroke for Freedom 196

XX. Jose Marti and Other Cuban Heroes 205

XXI. Desperate Battles -with Machete and Rifle 211

XXn. Filibusters from Florida 218

XXHL Weyler the Butcher 226

XXIV. Cuba Under the Scourge 233

XXV. Fltzhugh Lee to the Front 240

aXVI. Americans in Spanish Dungeons 245

XXVII. Maceo Dead by Treachery 254

XXVIII. Weyler's Reconcentration Policy and Its Horrors 257

XXIX, American Indignation Growing 269

XXX. Oatrages on Americans in Cuba ;. 279

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Chapter Pago

XXXI. McKinley Succeeds Cleveland 286

XXXn. The Case of Evangelina Cisneros 294

XXXIII. Work of Clara Uarton and the Red Cross 301

XXXIV. . The Catastrophe to the Maine 308

XXXV. Patience at the Vanishing Point 314

XXXVI. Events in the American Congress 320

XXXVII. President McKinley Acts 324

XXXVIII. Strength of the Opposing Squadron and Annies 331

XXXIX. Battleships and Troops Begin to Move 348

XL. Diplomatic Relations Terminate 356

XLL First Guns and First Prizes of the War 361

XLII. Declaration of War 307

XLIIL Call for the National Guard, Our Citizen Soldiery 372

XLIV. Blockade of Cuban Ports 378

XLV. Spanish Dissensions at Home 383

XLVL The Philippines, I'uerto Rico, and Other Colonies of Spain . . . 395

XLVII. Progress of Hostilities 408

XLVni. Sea Fight off Manila, Americans Victorious 415

XLIX. Hawaii, and Our Annexation Policy 430

L. Continued Success for American Soldiers and Sailors 443

LI. The Invasion of Puerto Rico 503

LII. The Surrender of Manila 510

LIII. Victorious Close of the War 523

LIV. Personal Reminiscences 530

£•8

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E S

INTRODUCTION.

"W^hen, on the 22d day of April, 1898, Michael Mallia, gun captain of
the United States cruiser Nashyllle, sent a shell across the bows of the
Spanish ship Biiena Ventura, he gave the signal shot that ushered in a
war for liberty for the slaves of Spain.

The world has never seen a contest like it. Nations have fought for
territory and for gold, but they have not fought for the happiness of
others. Nations have resisted the encroachments of barbarism, but
until the nineteenth century they have not fought to uproot barbarism
and cast it out of its established place. Nations have fought to pre-
serve the integrity of their own empire, but they have not fought a
foreign foe to set others free. Men have gone on crusades to fight for
holy tombs and symbols, but armies have not been put in motion to
overthrow vicious political systems and regenerate iniquitous govern-
^^ for other peoples.

I jr more than four centuries Spain has held the island of Cuba as
her chattel, and there she has revelled in corruption, and wantoned in
luxury wrung from slaves with the cruel hand of unchecked power.
She has been the unjust and merciless court of last resort. From her
malignant verdict there has been no possible appeal, no power to which
her victims could turn for help.

But the end has come at last. The woe, the grief, the humiliation,
the agony, the despair that Spain has heaped upon the helpless, and
multiplied in the world until the world is sickened with it, will be
piled in one avalanche on her own head.

Liberty has grown slowly. Civilization has been on the defensive.
Now liberty fights for liberty, and civilization takes the aggressive in
the holiest war the world has even known.

Never was there a war before in which so many stimulating deeds of
bravery were done in such a short time, and this in spite of the fact
that the public has been restless for more action. It is almost worth a
war to have inscribed such a deed of cool, intelligent heroism as that
of Hobson and his men with the Merrimac, in the entrance to the harbor
of Santiago de Cuba, That is an event in world history, one never to be
forgotten, and in the countries of Europe quite as generously ^'^cognized

as by our own people. There is a word to say for the Spa ish admiral.

•11 ■

INTRODIJCTION.

In his chivalry after that act of heroism, Cervera proved himsolf a
worthy adversary, who could realize and admire bravery in a foe, even
when it had been directed against himself with such signal success.
Not every cor-.mander would be great enough in that circumstance to
send a flag of truce to the opposing admiral, in order to inform him that
his brave men were safe and that they were honored as brave men by
their captors.

Of another sort was the bravery of Dewey at Manila, more notable
in its results but in no other way surpassing that of Hobson and his
men. Dewey went forward in spite of unknown dangers of torpedoes,
to engage an enemy in the place it had selected as most favorable for
Spanish arms, an enemy with more ships, more men, more guns than
had the American. A day later the nation was at the feet of Dewey
and the United States had taken a position among the powers of the
world never before admitted by them. In larg' r degree than ever
before, from that moment the United States became a factor in the
international history of the world. At this writing one cannot tell
what will be the end of the relations of the United States to the Philip-
pines and the Orient, but the solution cannot fail to be of profit to this
nation. • This was a holy war for the liberty of Cuba, but like many
another good deed it is bringing its additional rewards. Cuba, Puerto
Rico, the Philippines and the Caroline islands are to be liberated, four
colonies of Spain instead of one, and the direct and indirect profit,
looked at from a purely commercial basis, will be far more than enough
to compensate the United States for the cost of the war. The annexa-
tion of the Hawaiian islands as a war measure must be credited to the
same cause, for the success of that effort under any other circumstances
was problematical.

Yet another sort of bravery was that in the harbor of Cardenas when
the little torpedo boat Winslow lay a helpless hulk under the rain of
fire from the shore batteries, without rudder or engine to serve, and
the Hudson, a mere tugboat with a few little guns on deck, stood by
for forty minutes to pass a hawser and tow the disabled vessel out of
range. Both were riddled, the Winslow had half her total complement
of men killed and wounded by a single shell, but there v/as no faltering,
and they all worked away as coolly as if nothing were happening.

If one started to catalogue the instances of personal bravery that
the war brought out in its first few months, the list would be a cum-
bersome one. It is enough here to say that there have been a hundred

INTEODUCTION.

times when personal courage was needed to be shown, and never a
moment's hesitancy on the part of any man to whom the call came.
Furthermore, in every case in which a particularly hazardous under-
taking was contemplated, and volunteers were called for, the number
offering has been in every instance far more than was needed. This
was eminently notable on the occasion of Hobson's sinking of the
Merrimac, when more than a thousand in the fleet volunteered for a
service requiring but six, and from which it seemed impossible that any
could come out alive.

The public must know all about the war, and the only avenue of
information is the presf?. Never before has any war been covered as
to its news features with the accuracy and energy which have
characterized this. American journalism has outstripped the world.
The expense of a news service for this war is something enormous, with
little return compensation. Yet the work is done, metropolitan papers
have from ten to twenty correspondents in the field, and the public
has the benefit. Dispatch boats follow the fleets and are present at
every battle. They must be near enough to see, which means that they
are in as much dagger at time? as are the ships of the fighting squadron,
far more if one remembers that the former are in no way protected.
Some of them are heavy sea-going tugs and others are yachts. The
expense of charter, insurance and running cost amounts to from $200
to $400 a day each, and jet some metropolitan newspapers have fleets
of these boats to the number of six.

All the foregoing facts are related in detail in the volume which
these paragraphs introducf. The only object in reiterating them here is
that they are entitled to emphasis for their prominence, and it is desired
to call special attention to them and their accompanying matter when
the book itself shall be read. The number of those who believe we
are engaged in a righteous wai* is overwhelming. The records of the
brave deeds of our men afloat and ashore will inspire Americans to be
better citizens as long as time shall last. The country has provcii Its
faith in the cause by giving to the needs of war hundreds of thousands
of young men to fight for the liberty of others. From every corner of
the laud regiments of volunteer soldiers have sprung in an instant at
the call of the President, wJiile as many more are waiting for another
call to include those for whom there was not room the first time. The
country whi oh can show such an inspiring movement has little to fear
in the race of progress among the nations of the world.

m
(J

PANORAMIC VIEW OF SAN JUAN

HARBOR VIEW, SAN JUAN

OUR WAR WITH SPAIN.

CHAPTER I.

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

Again at War with a Foreign Pawor — Spain'H Sijinificant Flaj; — Tliroo Y^ears
Witliout an American Flajj in Cuban Waters — Visit of tlie Maine to
Havana Harbor — The Maine Rlown Up by Submerged Mine — Action
of President and Conyross — Spain Defies America — JIartial Si)irit
Spreading — First Guns Are Fired — Cuban Ports lilockaded — Many
Spanish Ships Captured — Excitement in Havana — Spain and the
United States Both Declare War — Internal Dissension Threatens Spain
— President McKinley Calls a Volunteer Army.

Civilization against barbarism, freedom against oppression, educa-
tion against ignorance, progress against retrogression, tlie West against
the East, tlie United States against Spain. In this cause the Hag of
freedom was again unfurled in the face of a foreign foe, and our nation
entered war against the people of another land, carrying the star
spangled banner through successive victories in the name of liberty and
humanity.

It is a proud banner, which stands the whole world over for freedom
and right, with few stains of defeat or injustice upon its folds. The
great heart of the nation swelled Avith pride at the righteousness of the
cause, with an assurance that eternal historj' would praise America
for the unselfish work. On land and sea the boys in blue gave new
fame to the flag, and their proud record in the past was more than
justified by the honors that they won.

Two wars with Great Britain and one with Mexico were the more
notable predecessors of this conflict with Spain. If to these should
be added the hostilities between the United States and the Barbary
pirates of Algiers, Morocco and Tripoli, and the scattered brushes with
two or three Oriental and South American countries, the list might be
extended. But those affairs are not remembered as wars in the true
sense of the word.

A WAR FOR LIBERTY A>D HUMANITY.

- ri»:,, ■■'■

Except for protoction against Indian outbreaks, the United States
had been at peace for thirtj^ years, Avhen tlie war cloud began to loom
in the horizon. It was with a full realization of the blessings of peace
that the American people yielded to the demands of humanity and
righteous justice, to take up arms again in the cause of liberty. There
was no haste, no lack of caution, no excited plunge into hoslilities with-
out proper grounds. The nation made sure that it was right. An intol-
rrable condition of affairs resulting from years of agony in a neighbor
island, with half a dozen immediate reasons, anj' one sufficient, was the
absolute justification for this ludy war.

Spain is the Turk of the West. Spain is an obsolete nati'on. Living
in the past, and lacking cause for pride to-day, she gloats over her
glonous explorations and her intellectual prowess of the middle ages
when nmch of Europe was in darkness. Then Spain's flag led pioneers
throughout the world. But her pride wa« based on achievements, many
of which, to the people of any other nation, would have been the disgrace
of its history. No indictment of Spain can ever be more severe, more
scathing, if its true significance be considered, than the famous phrase
which (me of her proudest poets created to characterize her flag of red
and yellow.

"Sangre y oro," he said, "blood and gold — a stream of gold between
two rivers of blood."

It is almost a sufficient characterization to indicate the whole na-
tional spirit of Spain, to recall that this phrase is the proud expres-
sion used by the Spanish people to glorify their own flag. That senti-
ment is in no stronger contrast to the American phrase, "the star-span-
gle<l banner," than are the people of Spain to the people of the Unitedi
S'tates.

"Remember the Maine."

From the day of the outbreak of the Cuban revolution, early in 189.'),
until nearly the end of January, 1898, there had been no flag of the
United States seen in any harbor of Cuba except upon merchant vessels.
Always before, it had been the policy of our government to have ships
of w make friendly calls in the hai-bors of all countries of the world
at t- ;iient intervals, and Cuban waters had shared these courtesies.

Sv' reful were the officers (►f the Cleveland administration to avoid
the ai>pearance of ofi'ense or threat against the authority of Spain, with
which v>e Avere living in amit}-, that immediately upon the outbreak
of hostilities in Cuba tnis practice was suspended, so far as it applied

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY,

to that island. Our ships cruised through the oceans of the world and
called at all ports where the.y were not needed, but the waters of
Havana harbor for three years were never disturbed by an Amer-
icau keel.

Out of deference to the expi'essed wishes of the local Spanish author-
ities in Havana, Dr. linrj^'ess, the splendid surgeon of the United States
Marine Hospital service in Havana, who for thirty years lias guarded
our southern ports fivim the epidemics of yellow fever and smallpox,
which would invade us annually as a result of Spanish misgovernment
in Cuba, except for his watchfulness, ceased flying the American flag on
his steam launch, by means of which he carried out his official duties
in those foul waters. The American flag was a disturbing influence
upon the minds of the Cubans who might see it flashing in the clear
sunlight of the tropic sky, suggested the Captain General.

It must have been (he language of diplomacy that wa.s in mind,
when the satirist explained that "language was intended as a medium
for concealing thought." President McKinley, in his message to Con-
gress transmitting the report of the naval board concerning the catas-
trophe to the Maine, explained that for some time prior to the visit of
the battle-ship to Havana harbor, it had been considered a proper
change in the policy, in order to accustom the people to the presence of
our flag as a symbol of good will. The decision to send the vessel to
that harbor was reached, it was explainetl, after conference with the
Spanish minister, and, through our diplomats, with the Spanish author-
ities at Madrid and Havana. It was declared that this intention was
received by the Spanish government with high appreciation of the cour-
tesy intended, which it was offered to return by sending Spanish ships
to the principal ports of the United States.

We are bound to accept this expression from the officials on both
sides as frankly indicative of their feelings. But it is just as necessary
to recognize that to the mass of the people in both countries, the signifi-
cance of the Maine's courtesy call was very different. Americans be-
lieved that it indicated a changed policy on the part of the national
government at Washing-ton which would be more strenuous and more
prompt in resenting outrages against the life and property of Amer-
ican citizens in Cuba. The people of the Cuban republic believed that
the change meaut an expression of sympathy and friendship for their
cause, with probable interference in their behalf, and tools courage
from that sign. Finally, the people of Spain resented the airpearance
of the Maine in the harbor of Havana as an affront, and a direct threat

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

ill'.

n^ainst them and in favor of the insurgents. If the policy of making
frequent calls in warships had never been interrupted, they would not
have had this sentiment in the matter, but the resumption of the
practice after three years' cessation, carried a threat with it in their
minds.

Treacherous Destruction of the Maine.

The Maine entered the harbor of Havana at sunrise on the 25th of
January and was anchored at a place indicated by the harbor-master.
Her arrival was marked with no special incident, except the exchange
of customary salutes and ceremonial visits. Three weeks from that
night, at forty minutes past nine o'clock in the evening of the 15th
of February, the Maine was destroyed by an explosion, by which the
entire fonvard pai't of the sliip was wrecketl. In this frightful catas-
trophe 2G4 of her crew and two officers perished, those who were not
killed outright b}' the explosion being penned between decks by the
tangle of wreckage and drowned by the immediate sinking of her hull.

In spite of the fact that the American public was urged to suspend
judgment as to the causes of this disaster, and that the Spanish authori-
ties in Havana and in Madrid expressed grief and sympathy, it was
impossible to subdue a general belief that in some way Spanish treach-
ery was responsible for the calamity. With the history of Spanish
cruelty in Cuba before them, and the memory of Spanish barbarities
through all their existence as a nation, the people could not disabuse
their minds of this suspicion.

One month later this popular judgment was verified by the finding
of the naval court of inquii*y which had made an exhaustive examina-
tion of the wreck, and had taken testimony from every available source.
With this confirmation and the aroused sentiment of the country con-
cerning conditions in Cuba, the logic of events was irresistibly drawing
the country toward war with Spain, and all efforts of diplomacy and
expressions of polite regard exchanged between the governments of the
two nations were unable to avert it.

For a few weeks, history was made rapidly. Conservative and emi-
nent American senators visited Cuba in order to obtain personal infor-
mation of conditions there, and upon their return gave to Congress and
to the country, in eloquent speeches, the story of the sufferings they
had found in that unhappy island. The loss of the Maine had focused
American attention upon the Cuban situation as it had never been be-
fore, and though there were no more reasons for sympathetic interfer*

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

ence than there had been for many months, people began to realize
as thej' had not before, the horrors that were being enacted at their
threshridfj.

The sailors who died with the Maine, even though they were not able
to fight their country's foes, have not dlcnl in vain, for it is their death
that will be remembered as the culminating influence for American
intervention and the salvation of scores of thousands of lives of staning
CJuban women and children. Vessels were loaded with supplies of pro<
visions and clothing for the suffering and were sent to the harbors
of Cuba, where distribution was made by Miss Clara Barton and her
trusted associates in the American National IJed Cross. Some of these
vessels were merchant steamers, but others were American cruisers,
and Cubans were not permittetl to forget that there was a flag which
typified libert)', not far away. The strain upon the national patience
increased every day, and was nearing the breaking point.

President and Congress Act.

After a period of restlessness in Congress which was shared by the
whole country, the President finally transmitted an important message.
It included a resume of the progress of the Cuban revolution from its
beginning and considered in some detail the workings of that devastat-
ing policy of General Weyler, known as reconcentration. The message
related the progress of diplomatic negotiations with Spain, and dis-
closed a surprising succession of events in which the Spanish govern-
ment had submitted to various requests and recommendations of the
American government. The message ended with a request that Con-
gress authorize and empower the President to take measures to secure
a full and final termination of the intolerable conditions on the island
of Cuba. Having exhausted the powers of the executive in these efforts,
it was left to the legislative authority of the American people to estab-
lish such policies as would be finally efficient.

Congress rose to the occasion. The facts were at command of both
houses, their sympathies were enlisted at the side of their reason and.
there was little time lost in acting. The House and the Senate, after
mutual concessions on minor details, passed as a law of the land for
the President's signature, an act directing him and empowering him
to require Spain to withdraw her troops and relinquish all authority
over the island of Cuba. The President was authorized to employ the
army and navy of the United States for the purpose of carrying into

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY,

effect this instruction and the interft'i'eucc was directed to be made
at once. Best of all, from the point of view of the Cuban patriots, the
act declared that the p(H)ple of Cuba are and ouf^ht to be free and inde-
pendent. But a few days more of diplomacy, and war was to begia.

Spain Defies America.

It was hardly to be expected that the Spanish <i;overnmert and the
Spanish people would yield to the demands of the United Htate« with-
out a protest. So feeble is the !if>ld of the present dynasty upon the
throne of Spain, that it Avas readily understood th'it any concession
upon the part of the Queen Kegent would arouse Spanish Indian; tion
beyond the limits of endurance. The Queen-mother had to think of her
baby son's crown. If she Avere to yield to the superior poAver of the
United States AA'ithout a struggle, Spanish re\oluti()uists AA'ould over-
throAV the dynasty before he could come to the throne, IIoAA'evor aa'cII
she might know that the logical outcome of a Avar would be overAvhelm-
ing defeat to Spanish arms, political neceissities compelled her to take
the position dictated by Sj)anish pride.

The Spanish Cortes met in s])0('ial session at Madrid, and on the
20th of April the Queen Begeut delivered her speech befoi'e that legis-
lative body and declared that her parliament was summoned in the
hour of peril to defend her country's rights and her child's throne,
whatever sacrifice might be entailed. It Avas on that same day that
President McKinley presented the ultimatum of the United States to
Spain, in language diplomatic in form, but carrying A\^ith it a definite
notice to yield Cuba's freedom and relinquish her pretense of authority
in that island Avithout delaj'. A copy of the ultimatum was forAvarded
to the Spanish ambassador at Washington, Senor Polo y B^rnabe, who
responded by asking for his. passports and safe conduct out of the
country-.

Having reached the point where diplomacy no longer availed, the
Spanish government for the first time made an aggressive move a^.iinst
the United States. Instead of Avaiting for the transmission of the ulti-
matum by American Minister SteAvart L. Woodford, the ministry fore-
stalled him and dismissed him from Madrid without affording him an
opportunity to present that important document. It had been trans-
mitted to Madrid by cable from the Spanish Minister in W^ashington,
and the government felt no need to wait for formal messages from the
enemy's representative in Spain. Minister W^oodford left Madrid with-

A WAR FOR LllJKKTV AND UUMANITY,

out «lola.v, and finally reached the French frontier, after bein}; snbjecto<l
to many insnlts and attucks npon his train during the journey from
the Spanish capital.

Martial Spirit Spreading.

A wave of national patnotic enthusiasm swept over the United
States. North and South, East and West, there was hardly a discord-
ant note in the great chonis of fei*vent applause which rose when
it was understood that at last the forces of the nation were to be unittnl
in the cause of liberty and humanity.

But sentiment could not light battles, unless backed by material
equipment. The nation was preparing for war. From all parts of the
United States the troops of the regular army were hurried by special
trains southeastward to campss at Chickamauga and Tampa. In every
navy j'ard work was hurri<Ml night and day u])on all incomplete battle-
ships and cruisers. Already the lleets of iJie Ameiican navy had been
concentrated at points of vantage so that little was left to be done
on that score. Congress lost no time in providing the sinews of war
by generous appropriations for the regular channels of supply, in addi-
tion to one passe<l by unanimous vote of both houses granting .|50.000,-
OOO as a special fund to be at the disposal of the President. The war
appropriation bill and the naval appropriation bill carried with them
emergency clauses. Preparations were made for the ii?organization of
the regular army to more than double its nonual size, and the President
"was authorized to call for a volunteer army of 123,000 men. l^)oking
to the future, and the possibility of a long and expensive conflict, finan-
cial measures were prepared which would raise war revenues through
the regular channels of taxation and the issue of bonds. Americans
were ready to pat their hands in their pockets and pay for the privi-
lege of teaching a worthy lesson to the world.

American sense of humor never fails, and even in this period of
stress the people took time to smile over the stoiy of the Spanish Min-
ister's journey from Washington to Canada, In Toronto, Senor I'olo
sought to discredit the assaults that had been made on Minister Wood-
ford's train in Spain, and related that he himself had been the victim
of assaults at two or three important cities on his journey through New
York, which threatened great danger to himself and the train on which
he was riding.

Upon inquiry it was revealed that the assaults which had aroused

A WAU FOR M15EUTV AND ULMANITY.

his fi'ur were not quite as hostile as lie believed. At the division sta-
tions on the line, the railway employees, aeeording to custom, passed
alony the cars, la])i>in;? the tires of the wheels with steel hannners to
test them for ii possible Haw or break in the wheel, and it was thig
that made the Spanish Minister believe that he was tlie victim of an
American outrage.

First Guns Are Fired.

The United States cruiser Nashville of the North Atlantic squadron,
with headquai-ters at Key Wesit, had the honor of flnng the first shot
in our war with S]>ain.

Early on the morning of Friday, April 22, the American fleet sailed
from Key West, and, steaming southward across the straits of Florida,
came in sight of Havana, and the frowning fortifications of Morro Castle
before six o'clock the same aftcn'uoon.

The sailing of the fleet, as dawn Avas creeping over the Florida keys,
was a beautiful sight and a signiticant one, for from the time the first
signals were hoisted until many days after, there was hardly an hour
of inactivity. It was at three o'clock in the morning that the signal
lights began to Hash from the New York, Admiral Sami)son's flagship.
Answering signals appeared on tlje warships all along the line, and in
a few moments black smoke began to belch from the funnels of all the
ships and the crews woke from (piietness to activity.

As soon as day began to break, the cruisers and gunboats inside
the harbor hoisted anchors and moved out to join +he big battleships
which Avere already' lined outside the bar. At five o'-'clock, when all
th'^ fleet were gathered around the battleships. Captain Sampson
signaled from tlu New York to go ahead. The forn<atiou of the line
had been agreed upon some time before and each vessel was in position
for line of battle, the New York in the center and the Iowa and Indiana
on either beam. The ships presented a most beautiful appearance as
they swept out on the ocean without a vesitige of anything not abso-
lutely necessary on the decks. They were stripped of all useless super-
stinicture, awnings, gun-covei*s and everything that goes to adorn a
ship. Oflicers paced the bridge, marines were drawn up on deck and
every man was at his post. They appeared as they were, grim fighting
machines, not naval vessels out on cruise nor a squadron of evolution
and maneuver, but warships out for business.

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A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

•^51

First Spanish Ship Captured.

The fleet had proceeded twelve miles from Sand Key Light, which
lies seven miles southeast oT Key West, when the Nashville signaleil
the llafi'ship that a vessel flying the Sjmnish colors liad been sighted.
Admiral Sampson signaled fr(;m the New York for the Nashville to
go and take it. The Nashville bore down on the Spanish ship and fireil
a bhlnk shot from the port guns aft. This did not stop the Spaniard,
and, to give a more delinite hint, a solid shot was fired close over its
bows. The Spanish ship immediately hove to and waited to know its
fate.

The vessel proved to be the Buena Ventura, with a crew of about
!; vty men, bound from rascagoula t<> Ilottenlam with a cargo of
: .liber, caftle and mis. cllaneous frei'^iit. As soon as possible a boat
was lowered from tin- Nashville oiu\ an officer was sent aboard the
Baena Ventura. WJien the Spanish captain was informed that his ship
could not proceed, he took his capture gracefully, shrugged his shoul-
ders, and said he suppc^sed it was only the fortune of war. It was sug-
gested to him that the cai)ture of a ship bearing that name, wliich,
translated, means "good fortune," as the first prise of the A.iierican
fleet in the war, seemed to be a striking coincidence. A prize crew of
marines under Ensign T. V. Mngruder was placed aboard, and, with the
Nashville in the lead, both ships set out for Key West.

Inasmu<'h as the Buena Ventura was the first capture by the Amer-
ican navy in the war, it liad a mc.re definite interest than a success of
the samf t^o' ; would have a few mouths later. The first shot was fired
by GUx O'i M'cl.ael Mallia of the Nashville, who therefore has the dis-
tinctio ; I'v :•• the first shot in the war. The prize was a rich one,
estimated i > he worth, including vessel and cargo, nearly f 500,000,
and the prize nxjuej' resulting became a teaipting amount. Captain
Washburne Maynard, commander of the Nashv,ile, who g'dnwl the dis-
tinction of makin.g the first capture, is a native of Knox^ ille, Teun. lie
is a son of former United States Senator Horace ]\i..ynard, and at t])e
time of the cajjtui'e was about fifty yeo'-i old. lie entered the An-
nap(!lis Naval Academy at the age of seventeen and graduated at the
liciul " his class. lie was far a number of years stationed in Alaska,
and ; 1 *>'e time of gaining his present distinction had been in command
of the ]■ v 'vilu for four years.

Blockade of Havana Begun.
After the Nashville left the fleet to return to Key West with its
prize, the remaining vessels of the squadron steamed onward toward

A WAR FOK LIHEKTY AND HUMANITY.

the Cubiiu cuast, Cominj^- withiu fiftoeu miles of Moito Castle, the fleet
scattered iu a more open line of battle, some of the vessels turning to
the east and others to the west, and making the blockade of the port
complete. Xo ship conld enter or leave the harbor, and every day
brought new prizes to the vessels of the blocka<ling squadron.

The blockade of the Cuban metropolis was well in progress by the
time the formal notification of it was issued. The President issued
warning to the nations of the world that the Cuban ports were sealed
by the authority of the United States iu the following formal proclam;
ation:

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED Si-.TES: A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, By a joint resolution passed by the Congress and approvwl April
20, 1898, and eomniunieated to tlie government (jf Spain, it was demanded that
said government at once rolinqnisli its authority and government in the island
of Cuba, and withdrav.' its land and naval forces from Cid)a and ("nban waters;
ami the President of the United States was directed and enii)owered to use
• the entire land and naval forces of the Uuit-^d States and to call int(j the actual
»eiTlOf of the United States the militui of the several States to such extent
iis might be necessary to carry said r 'solution into effect; and

Whereas, In carrying into effect this resolution the President of the
United States deems it necessaiy to set on foot and maintain a blockade of the
north coast of Cuba, including all ports of said coast between Cardenas and
Bahia Honda and the port of Cienfuegos, on the south coast of Cuba;

Now, therefore, I. ^Villiam JIcKiulcy, President of the United States,
in order to enforce the said resolution, do hereby declare and proclaim that the
United States of America has instituted and will maintain a blockade of the
north coast of Cuba, including ports on said coast betAveen Cardenas and
Bahia Honda, and the port of Cienfuegos on the south coast of Cuba, afore-
said, in jdirsuance of the laws of the United States and the law of nations ap-
plicable to such cases.

An etlicient force will be posted so as to prevent the entrance and exit of
vessels from the ports aforesaid. Any neutral vessel approaching said ports,
or attcmjiting to leave the same, without notice or knowledge of the estab-
lisluneut of such blockade, will be duly warned by the comnuimkr of the
blockading forces, who will indorse on her register the fact and the date
of sudi warning, where such indorsement was made; and if the sanu' vessel
shall again attemi)t to enter any blockaded port she will be captured and sent
to the nearest convenient port for such proceedings against her and her cargo
as prize as may be deemed advisable. Neutral vessels lying in any of said
ports at the time of the establishment of such blockade will be allowed thirty
days to issue therefrom.

A WAK FOR LIliEKTY AND HUMANITY.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of \Vashington this 22d day of April, A. D. 1898, and of
the independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-second.

By the President: WILLIAM M'KINLEY.

JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary of State.

More Spanish Frizes Taken.

The blockade was not a mere paper blockade, but an exceedingly
effective one. Before two days had passed, the prizes taken be^an to
multiply in numbers and in value. The second captui'e was the Spanish
freighter Pedro, of Bilboa, which was takeu ' v the Ne\y York in tlie
afternoon of the first day's cruising.

When the fleet appi-oached the Cuban coast and spread out for patrol
duty, the New York turned eastward for her own watch, not knowing
Avhat might be found in the neighborhood. Far otT against the dim,
vague background of Cuban hills, half seen, half guessed, could be
traced a faint tilm of gray smoke, the one visible evidence of a Spanish
freighter striving vainly to race out the day without being discovered
by the great gray monsters that blackened the sky to the west with a
solid mass of black cloud from their roaring furnaces.

Vainly the Spaniard raced. Charging along at tiial test speed, the
New York soon lay across the bows of the Spanish ship, and the crash-
ing challenge blazed from tlie deck of the cruiser. A huge puff of white
smoke rolled out from the side of the flagship, and far off, just in front of
the Spaniard, a fountain of white foam leaped into the air. In a
moment the course of the strange Spaniard was changed, and she
hove to.

Shortly after, the New York 1(h1 her prize further 'out from shore
and laid her to. Crew and captain could be seen rushing about the
deck of the ship like a nest of ants, hiding thtir valuables and striving
to avert some impending fate thoy could only guess at in their ignorance.
As she came around her name could be clearly read on her stern, Pedro
of Bilboa.

As soon as she was laid alongside, the Pedro was boarded by Ensign
Frank Marble of the New York. Ensign Marbk^ led a prize crew, con-
sisting of a file of nuirines and seamen. With great fonnality the en-
sign swung aboard and assumed command. A burly, bare-footed Ameri-
can tar shoved the Spanish qur.rtermaster away fi-om the wheel and

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

began to set tlie course of the Spaniard. The Spanish crew gathered in
a terrified huddle near the forecastle and awaited developments.

Hardly had the prize crew been put on board before another freighter
was seen going down the coast to the eastward. The New York, leaving
the captured Spanish craft in charge of the prize crew, drew across the
bows of the stranger and sent a shot into the water directly in front of
her bows. She paid no attention to the challenge, but kept steadily
on, and a few seconds later another shot was sent hurtling across the
water in front of her. After this hostile demonstration she haule<l up
and soon followed tlie New York out to sea. It was discovered, how-
ever, that she flcAv the German flag, and cousequentl}- was permitted
to proceed.

The prize crew from the New York took the captured vessel into
port at Key West under its owu steam. The ship was bound from
Havana to Santiago with a valuable cargo of rice, iron and beer. On
the same day two other captures were made, one by the torpedo boat
Ei'icsson, which seized a fishing schooner under the very guns of Morro
Castle and by the torpedo boat. Porter, which took the Spanish schooner,
Mathilde, after a lively chase and a number of shots. Both of these
prizes were taken to Key West to join their unfortunate friends.

Excitement in Havana.

i-t was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon of that lucky Friday', when
the semaphore by the lighthouse in Morro Castle signaled to the people
of Havana that a fleet had been sighted. It was said to be without any
colors to shoAV its nationality. At that time La Punta, the fort on the
side of the harbor opposite Morro Castle, was crowded with curious
people, including many ladies. In addition, crowds of people could be
seen at various points of vantage, many of them gathering on the roofs
of houses. At p. m. the semaphore signaled that it was the United
States tieet which was in sight, and at 0:15 p. m. a red flag was run up
at the signal station, warning guns were fired from Mori'o Castle, and
afteT*Avard from Cabanas fortress, adjoining it. This caused excitement
throughout the city, and was the first real iu)te of war. When the first
signal came from the semaphore station a British schooner which was
in the harbor put to sea. She was immediately followed by the German
steamer Bemus. Some time afterward the American steamer Saratoga
put to sea.

The cannon shots from the fortresses stirred up the regular troops

A WAE FOli LllJEltTY AND HUMANITY.

and volunteers throughout Havana and its vicinity and there was a
rush to quarters. The signal guns from the fortifications echoed to
the palace and through the streets, causing people to rush from their
houses, with the result that all the thoroughfares were soon crowded
with excited inhabitants. Captain General Blanco heard the shots while
at the palace, to which place the generals and commanders of the volun-
teers promptly reported, full of excitement and warlike enthusiasm.
Some time aftei'WJird the Captain General, accompanied by his staff,
the generals and others, left the palace and Mas warmly acclaimed by
the soldiers and populace. The General then made a brief final inspec-
tion of tlie fortifications and went to a spot from which he could see the
approaching fleet.

There was no sign of alarm anywhere. The Spaniards were con-
fident that Havana was prepared for any eventiuility, and they had
great faith in the strength of their forts, batteries, etc., and in the
effectiveness of their heavy artillery. In fact, there was a feeling of
satisfaction at the warlike tremors which spread everv'where when it
was seen that the hour of battle was apparently approaching and that
the Spaniards were soon to give battle to their enemies.

As the time passed, more people crowded to the spot from which
the fleets could be most favorably seen. By 8:30 p. in. there was a great
movement of the masses through all the streets and on all the squares.
The coffee-houses and clubs were crowded with excited people, discuss-
ing the arrival of the American war ships. The Spaniards expressed
themselveft as auxious to measure arms with the "invaders," and there
M'as no expres^sion of doubt as to the result. Tlie civil and military
authorities of Havana were in consultation at the palace, and every
precaution possible to the Spaniards was taken to^ guard against a night
surprise and to resist an attack if the bombardment commenced.

Spain's Days of Grace Expire.

When President McKinley sent his ultimatum to Spain, he indicated
that it was to expire at noon on Saturday, April 28, and at that time
the period allowed Spain to give up Cuba peacefully was ended. Spain,
hoAvever, had not waited to take advantage of tliis time limit, but by
her own preparations during the days that had passed, as well as by her
diplomatic actions, had indicated plainly that war was to come. The
action of Minister Polo in demanding his passport and leaving the
United States, and the action of the Spanish government in ejecting

A WAR FOR LIHERTY AND UUMANITY.

Minister Woodforil, were sufficient notifications of tlie policy which v^'^s-
to be piirsuecl. It had been unnecessary, therefore, for tlie fleet to wait
for a more explicit answer before investinj^j Havana. Not until tlie
expiration of the time allotted by President McKinley to Spain, did he
take definite action which committed the couutiy to a distinct war
policy in advance of tlie declaration of war b}' Congress. But at noon
on Saturday the President issued the following proclamation calling for
125,000 troops to sene two years if the war should last so long:

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, by a joint resolution of Congress, approved the 22d of April,
1898, entitled "Joint resolution for the recognition of the independence of the
people of Cuba, demanding that tlie government of Spain relinquish its author-
ity and government in the island of Cuba, to withdraw its land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the President of the
United States to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry
these resolutions into effect," and.

Whereas, by an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for the in-
creasing of the militai'v establishment of the United States in time of war
and for other purposes," approved April 22, 1898, the President was author-
ized in order to raise a volunteer army to issue his proclamation calling for
volunteers to serve in the army of the United States.

Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, by
the power vested in me by the constitution and laws, and deeming sufficient
occasion to exist, have thought fit to call for and hereby do call for volun-
teers to the aggregate number of 125,000, in order to carry into effect the
purpose of the said resolution, the same to be apportioned, as far as practi-
cable, among the several States and Territories and the District of Columbia,
according to population, and to serve for two years unless sooner discharged.
The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the proper
authorities through the war department.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set mj' hand, and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.

Done at Washington his 23d day of April, 1898. and of the independence
of the United States the one hundred and twenty-second.

By the l»resident: WILLIAM M'KINLEY.

JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary of State.

States Begin to Collect Their Troops.

Although it was decided that formal notification to the Governors
of the states of the call for volunteers should not be made until the fol-

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMATsITY.

lowing Monday, the first step was taken iniinediately after tlie signing
of the proclamation, l>y tlie issuance of orders to tlie organized militia
of the District of Columbia. Before dinner time the drums were beating
and tlie roll was being called within sight and sound of the White
House, and before night the drum beats were heard fr{)m the Atlantic
to the Pacific and from the Ciulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes.

There was no interruption in the sequence of ca])t.ures by the Ameri-
can ficet ai'ound Havana, and two prizes of considerable value were
added to the list. On Saturday the gunboat Helena took the big steamer
Miguel Jover, a vessel of more than 2,000 tons, with a full cargo of cot-
ton and staves on board. The prize was worth not less than ^100,000.
Friday night the Helena left Key West to follow the main fleet, but
instead of sailing directly for Havana, turne<l westward toward the
west end of the island of Cuba. The daik, cloudy night had barely
broken to a brilliant Cuban su'orise, when the Helena saw smoke on
the western horizon and gave (base.

It was soon evident that the quarry had sighted the hunter and was
making a run for it. The freighter was no match in speed for the gun-
boat, however, and the Helena was soon near enough to fire a shot.
Only one blank shot was required. The fugitive steamer shook out the
Spanish flag and hove to. When the Helena came up the captain tried
to talk Captain Swinburne out of his prize. He urged that he was from
an American port. New Orleans, and knew nothing of a declaration of
war. The talk did him no good. He was taken on board the Helena
and a prize crew of a dozen sailors and sixteen marines, under Ensigns
M. C. Davis and H. G. McFarland, Avas put aboard the Jover.

The firet the fleet knew of the capture was Avhen the Helena came
steaming up with her prize and signaled the flagship. The other ships
cheered and the Helena started off for Key West, the Jover being
worked by its own men, superintended by the prize crew.

Valuable Prize Captured.

The most valuable prize yet taken was the transatlantic liner, Cat-
alina, which was taken by the Detroit The vessel's tonnage was 6,000,
and with its general cargo the prize was considered Avorth nearly |G00,-
000, The big ship was bound from New Orleans to Barcelona, via
Havana, with a large general cargo. Twelve miles before making port
the steamer was stopped by two shots, and a prize crew under Ensign
H. H. Christy, consisting of sixteen men from the Detroit and New
lYork, was put on hoard to take the vessel back to Key West.

A WAR FOR Lir.ERTY AND HUMANITY.

r
if'

In addition to these notable captures the toi'i)edo boat, Porter, took
the Spanish schooner, Antonio, hiden with sugar for Ilavana, and the
revenue cutler, Winona, added the Spanisli steamer Saturaiua to the
list.

If it had not been for the excitement of taking occasional prizes,
the blockading of Ilavana wouhl have been dull business for the Jack
Tars aboard the North Atlantic squadron. Saturday night they had to
listen to tlie roar of tiie guns of ilorro Tastle and see the Hashes of (ire
from their muzzles, without a re])ly from the lleet. Havana officials
have declared tliat the discharge of those guns was only for signaling
purposes and was not an attack on the lleet, but it would be difficult to
make the sailors believe tliat Spanish marksmanship was not respon-
sible for the fact that no balls fell near them.

Spain Declares War.

The Spanish government did not Avait for further aggression on the
part of the United Stales, but herself made the next formal move by
issuing a declaration of the fact that war existed, and defining the con-
ditions under which the Spanish government oxpe^ctetl to caiTv on the
conflict. This decree was gazettcni in Madrid on Sunday, April 24, in the
following terms:

Diplomatic relations are broken off between Spain and the United States,
and the state of war liaving begun betwe<'n tlio two couulries numerous ques-
tions of international law arise which must be precisely defined chiefly be-
cause the injustice and provocation come from our adversaries and it is they
who, by their detestable conduct, have caused this grave conflict.

We have observed with strictest fidelity the prin(ii)les of international
law and have shown the most sci'uindous respect for morality and the right
of govermiient. There is an ojtinion that the fact that we have not adhered
to the declaration of Paris does not exempt hs from the duty of respecting
the principles therein enunciated. The principle Spain unquestionably re-
fused to admit then was the abolition of privateering. The government now
■considers it most indispensable to make absolute reserve on this point in
order to maintain our liberty of action and uncontested right to have recourse
to privateering when we consider it expedient, first by organizing immediately
a force of cruisers auxiliary to the navy, which will be composed of vessels
of our mercantile marine and with equal distinction in the work of our navy.

Clause 1 — The state of war existing between Spain and the United States
annuls the treaty of peace and amity of Oct. 27, 1795, and the protocol of
Jan. 12, 1877, and all other agreements, treaties, or conventions in force
between the two countries.

A WAU FOU LlllEHTY AM) IIl'MANITV

Clause 2 — From the itiiblication of thesi' picHcnlH thirty da.vH are Krantcd
to all sliips of tlie I'liilcd States anchored iu our harbors to take their de-
parture free of liindrance.

Clause :{ — Notwitiislaudiu}; Iha. Spain has not adhered to the declaration
of Paris the government, reKjtectinn the i)rin<iples of the law of nations, pro-
poses to observe, and lu-reby orders to be observed, the followinj^ rejju-
iations of niarilinie law:

1. Neutral flags rover the enemy's merchandise except contraband of
war.

1'. Neutral nierclumdise, (>xcept contraband of war, is not seizable under
llie enemy's llaj;.

:'.. A blockade to be obligatory must be elTective — viz.: It must be main-
taiued with snllicient force to lucvent access (o the enemy's littoral.

■i. Th(> Spanish government, upliolding its right to grant letters of

manjue, will at present confine itself to oigani/ing, with the vessels of the

mercantile marine, a force of auxiliary cruisers which will cooperate with the

navy according to the xieeds of the campaign and will 1> under naval

>ntrol.

n. In order to capture the enemy's ships and confiscate the enemy's mer-
..adise and contraband of war under whatever form, the auxiliary cruisers
will exercise the riglit of search on the high seas and in the waters under
tile enemy's jurisdiction, in accordance with international law and the regu-
lations which will be ]»ublis]ied.

(5. Defines what is inchided in contraband of war, naming weapons, am-
munition, e(piipments, engines, and, in general, all the ajjpliances used iu war.

7. To be regarded and judged as i)irates with all the rigor of the law
are captains, masters, oflicers, and two-thirds of the crews of vessels wliicli,
not being American, sliall commit acts of war against Spain, even if provided
with letters of marque issued by the United States.

Following is a snnnnary of the more important of the five clauses
outlining the rules Spain announced she Avoukl observe during the war:

The United States Makes Reply.

It took the ITcuse of Representatives just one minute and forty-one
seconds on Monday to pass a declaration of war which replied to that
of Spain. The Senate acted almost as promptly, and their respective
presiding officers and the President of the United States signed the Act
of Congress immediately, so that it became at once a law of the laud.
The declaration of war was passed by Congi"ess in response to a message
from the President requesting that action in the following terms:
3

A WAR FOR LlliERTY AND HUMANITY.

TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
UNITED stated; OF AMERICA:

I tniiismit to CoiiRn^ss for its consideration and appropriate action copies
of correspondence recently had witli the representative of Spain in the
United States, with the United Sta-es Minister at Madrid, and through the
latter with the government of Si)ajn, showing tlie action taken nnder the
joint resolution ajtproved A])ril 20, 1S98, *'for the recognition of the indt'-
j)endence of tlie people of Cuba, demanding that the goveriiiiient of Spain
relinquish its autliority and government in the island of Cuba and to with-
draw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing
tlu- Tresideni of tlie Ignited Statcvs io carry these resolutions into effect."

Upon communicating with the Spanish Minister in Wasliingtou the de-
mand which it became the duty of the executive to address to the government
of Spain, in obedience to said resolution, the said Minister asked for his pass-
ports and withdrew. The United States Minister at Madrid was in turn
notified by the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs that the withdrawal of
the Spanish representative from the United States had terminated diplo-
matic relations between the two countries, and that all ofHcial communica-
tions between their resj)ective representatives -eased therewith.

I recommend to 'your special attention the note addressed to the United
States Minister at Madrid by the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs on the
iilst Inst., whereby the foregoing notification was conveyed. It will be per-
ceived therefrom that the governmejit of Spain, having cognizaace of the
joint resolutive: f the United States Congress, and in view of things whid-
the President i« thereby required and authorized to do, responds by treating
tlie representative demands of this government as measures of hostility, fol-
lowing with that instau : and coTuplete severance of relations by its action
nhereby the usage of nations accompanies an existent state of war betweu
sovereign powers.

Tlie position of Spain being thus made known, and the demands of the
United States being denied, Vvilh a complete ruptu'"*' of intercourse by the act
of Spain, I have been constrained, in exercise of the power and authoriiy
conferred npo?i me by th(> joint resolution aforesaid, to proclaim, under date of
April 22j 1S!'/S, a, blockide <•! certain ports on the north coast cf Cuba lying
between Cardouas and liahia Honda, and of the port of Cientuegos on the
south coast of Cuba; and further, in exercLse of my constitutional powers,
and ii;:;ng the iuithority conferred upcm me by the act of Congress ajtjiroved
April 22, 1898, to issue my proclamation, aated April 2:5, 1X'.)H, calling for
volunteers in order to cairy into effect the said resolutions of April 20, 1898.
Co])ies of tliese proci. mations are hereto ai)pended.

In vitw of the nieasuies so cakeu, and with a view to the adoption of such
other measures as may be necessary to enable me to carry out the expressed
will of the Coiigress of the United States in the premises, I now recommend

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

to your honorable body the adoption of a joint resolution declaring that a
state of war exists between the Jnited States of America and the Kingdom
of Spain, and I urge speedy action thereon, to the end that the definition
of the international status of the United States as a belligerent power may be
made known, and the assertion of all its rights and the maintenance of all
its duties in the conduct of a public war may be assured.

WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington, April 25, 1898.

War Is Declared.

The formal declaration of war as passed by the houses of Congress
wvlh short and pointed, worthy of recollection as a model for such uii«
pleasant documents. It read as follows:

A BILL DECLARING THAT WAR EXISTS BETWEEN THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA AND THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN.

Be it enacted, e+c:

First — That w r be and the same is hereby declared to exist and that war
has existed since tin- 21 st day of April, A, D. 1898, including said day, between
the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain.

Second — That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is,
directed and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United
States and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of
the several States to such extent as may be necessary to carry this act
into effect.

Diplomacy was still taking a hand in the war. Spain was indignant
at the attack on Spanish possessions and endeavored to arouse sympathy
among her Europ(>an neighbors. The Queen Kegent addressed tele-
grams to all the sovereigns of Europe protesting against ^h(i vitiation
of the rights of Spain by the United States, and declaring that her gov-
ernment was firmly resolved never to j'ield until cruslic I. This was a
personal communication from one sovereign to her brother sovereigns
of the continental kingdom. At the same time there was made i»ublie
Spain's memorandum to all the Eul'o])ean jHJwers which was an ollicial
utterance of the Si)auish ministry and siguetl by Seiior Qullon, the
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The memorandum began by recording the "moral and material aid
the Cuban rebels have received from the United States" in filibustering
expeditions and the operations of the junta. It mentioned Spain's re-

HH*

HPHIIII

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

peated and positive denials to the allegations of cruelty toward the
Cubans, and laid great stress upon President Cleveland's dispatch of
Dec. 7, 1896, to the effect that peace would be possible if Spain gave a
sufficient autonomy to Cuba,

The memorandum contended that, in the face of the new liberal
constitution granted Cuba, which "has already borne fruits," it was
difficult to understand why President McKinley, in his message of Dec.
6, 1897, and General Woo(^lford, in the note of Dec. 20, 1897, should still
doubt Spain's loyalty.

The document then spoke at some length of the Maine accident, and
asserted that the Americans, under the pretext of the extra territori-
ality of the vessel, never allowed the Spanish authorities to visit the
wreck for purposes of investigation; and it most solemnly asserted the
absolute innocence of Spanish officials and of Spanish subjects gen-
erally.

The fairness and loyalty of Spain were then shown by a reference to
the equitable treatment which American filibusters, more especially
those of the Competitor, received at the hands of Spain, and in order
to show more fully how pacific and correct have l>een the attitude of
the Spanish government the memorandum enumerated the four clauses
of the Spanish proposals. They were:

Proposals of Spain.

1. An offer to submit aJl questions arising from the Maine affair to
arbitration.

2. An order to Governor-General Blanco to retire into the western
provinces and to apply 3,000,000 pesetas for the relief of the agricultural
population, with an acceptance by the Spanish government of relief
for Cubans sent by the United States, provided such relief were sent in
merchant vessels.

3. The co-operation of the Cuban parliament in formulating the
extent of the powers to be reserved for the central government.

4. In view of the Cuban parliament not meeting before May 4, the
proclamation of an immediate armistice.

The memorandum pi-oceeded to declare that the United States had
not accepted even these far-reaching concessions, and that the good
offices of the pope had been equally unavailing. It asserted that the
Maine accident was used by political parties in America as a means of
hurling "most gratuitous and intolerable calumnies , at the Spanish

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

government," and yet, the document said, Mr. Olney, in an official note
dated April 4, 1896, to the Spanish minister in Washington, himself
expressed very serious apprehensions lest the only existing bond of
union in Cuba should disappear in the event of Spain withdrawing
from that island. Mr. Olney, as the memorandum argued, feared at
that time that a war of races would ensue, all the more sanguinary in
proportion to the experience and discipline acquired during the insur-
rection, and that two republics would at once be formed — une white,
the other black — the upshot being that one of the two would swallow
the other.

The grave view thus taken by Mr. Olney of the future of Cuba freed
from Spain's rule was then enlarged upon, and inevitable racial wars
were foreshadowed, which were "ceri:ain to wreck the existence of Cuba
as a state, should Spain be deprived of sovereignty" over the island.
Thus, being convinced, as Spain was, that right and equity are on her
side "she will not and cannot surrender her sovereignty in C*uba."

Trouble for Spain at Home.

Spain's embarrassments at home were multiplying, and threatening
.danger only less than that from the hostilities of the Uniled States.
Twenty thousand republicans of all shades of op' ion in Madrid
signed and addressed to Seiior Castelar, the republi loader, under
the pretext of congratulating him upon his recovery from rciont
sickness, but in reality offering him their services if he would i m laim
a republic.

At the same time Don Carlos, the pretender to the Spanish throne,
was a disturbing element, threatening a revolution against the present
dynasty if an opportunity were to offer.

During all these complications, which included at one time even a
threat that the Spanish ministry would resign, there was no discordant
note of any sort in the United States. Secretary of State John Sherman
and Postmaster General Gary resigned from President McKinley's
cabinet because of ill health, in order that the government might be
in no way handicapped during the time of emergency. Secretary Sher-
man was succeeded by Assistant Secretary Judge William R. Day of
Canton, Ohio, who had displayed remarkable aptitude for the office
during his term of service, while Mr. Gary's successor was the Honor-
able Charles Emory Smith, of Philadelphia, a newspaper editor and
formerly ambassador to Russia.

r,o

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

Along the Cuban Coast.

It was the torpedo boats which kept things exciting duiing the early
blockade of Cuban ports. They are like hornets, which travel faster
than anytJiing that tries to escape them, sting when they strike^ and
vanish in an instant. T^vo of these brisk tighters distinguished them-
selves on Sunday, while the diplomats were busy in the cabinets of the
world. The torpedo boat Poi-ter, which is as fleet as an express train,
has a dare-devil crew and an intrepid commander with an honored
name. He is Lieutenant John C. Fremont, a. son of the famous "Path-
tinder," who himself never hesitated to lead the way, whether in wilder-
ness exploration or any other duty that canje before him.

Lieutenant Fremont, with the Porter, made a landing on the north
coast of Cuba with a small force of his men, in search of certain informa-
tion which was desired by Admiral Sampson' for the guidance of his
plans. It was a dangerous undertaking, for the squad might have been
wiped out in spite of their readiness to tight, if they had stumbled upon
Spanish troops. None were met, however, the jouraey was made in
safety, and the landing party returned to the tleet in triumph with the
distinction of being the first actual invaders (»f the Cuban soil in this
warfare.

Earlier in the same day the torpedo boat Foote, in command of
Lieutenant W. L. liogers, was directed to take soundings of the ap-
proach to the harbor of Matanzas, an important city on the north coast
of Cuba fifty miles east of Ilavaiia. The Foote drew the first fire
definitely known to be directeil against the blockading squadron. The
little scoiit was taking soundings within three hundred yards of shore,
when a Spanish masked batteiy on the east side of the harbor, command-
ing the entrance, fired three shots in quick succession. They all went
wide of the mark, striking the water nearly a quarter of a mile away
from the boat. The officers and men were momentarily startled by the
volley, and then continued their obsei-vation. The cruiser Cincinnati,
'w hich was not far away, was hailed by the torpe<lo boat and Lieutenant
Rogers rejwrted his experience. The oi-ders of Captain Chester, in
command of the Cincinnati, did not permit him to shell Matanzas, so
the fire from the masked batterv was not returned.

The Call to Arms.

It was on Monday, the 25th of April, that the national authorities
notified the governors of each state that they would be expected to fur-

A WAR FOR LIBERTY AND HUMANITY.

ities
fur-

nish volunteers for our war with Sixain. The response was immediate.
In every state of the Union the call to arms was heard with delight
and troops g;ithered at their armories for prompt enlistment. The speed
and facility with which a trained and efficient army could be mobilized
Mas an amazement to those who had not been familiar with the details
of the organization of the National Guard of America. Within twenty-
four hours after the receipt of the order, thousands of troops were
moving to the state encampments where they had been directed to
gather. Illinois was an example of this prcmiptness, in sending nearly
5,000 men out of Chicago without delay, but this was no more notable
than the record nmde by many other states in every part of tlie Union.
The cheers and the blessings of hundreds of thousands of loyal citizens
stimulated those who were to go to the front with the banner of free-
<lom, and they realized that they were representing the sentiment of a
united nation.

Those days near the end of April were exciting times. The whole
nation was keyed up to a nervous tension of anxiety to know what
would be the next event recox'ded on land or sea. The armies of the
I'^nited States were preparing for the stiniggle, the coast defenses were
brought to completion, and the government was ready for any emergency
that might arise. Admiral SamiKSon's splendid North Atlantic squad-
ron was blockading the ports of Cuba. Admiral Schley, with the flying
squadron at ITampton Roads, was readj' for prompt action in any
direction where it might be effective, whether to protect the Atlantic
coast cities from a threatened assault by Spanish warahips, or to descend
upon the Spanish fleet for a naval battle.

Admiral Dewey with the Asiatic squadron had been driven out of
Hong Kong by application of the neutrality laws, and international
obligations might tnnbaii'ass him unless he took the aggressive, and
made for himself a base of supplies in the Philippine Islands. It was
expected every day that he would make an assault upon Manila,
the capital of the Philippines, and that the first naval engagement
of consequence in the war would be with the Spanish fleet in those
waters. No one doubted that the Asiatic squadron would be able to
give a good account of itself, although the fleet which was to oppose
it did not lack eflScient guns and fighting strength.

The capture of that valuable Spanish colony, in which rebellion
against the government was in progress, would be not only a severe
blow to the Spanish arms, but would also strengthen the position of the

A WAR FOR LinERTY AND HUMANITY.

United States in the Orient by the capture of large supplies of coal and
naval equipment, as well as a splendid base of operations.

But while these preparations were going on for the conflict which
was destined to cost Spain her possessions in the Avestern world, there
were a few individuals who were still making desperate efforts to induce
the administration at Washington to effect a compromise at any cost.
Not even the actual declaration of war, and the call for volunteers,
could bring the members of this peace-at-any-price party to a realization
of the fact that patience has ceased to be a virtue, that we could no
longer turn a deaf ear to the appeals of an oppressed people, and that
the brave men who went down with the Maine must be avenged.

Every true American felt that the hour had come when we must
defend the honor of our great nation, and it was evident to all that
the time was near at hand when actual warfare was to begin both on
land and sea.

The insurgents in Cuba, who have been struggling against almost
overwhelming odds for so many months, received the glad tidings of
American intervention with unbounded joy, and at once sent repre-
sentatives to the United States to arrange for co-operation in the
invasion of Cuba, and to assist in planning a systematic campaign
against the Spanish forces. Every arrangement was completed for
final action and with men and mone}', munitions of war and shiiJS, all
in ample supply, it wa.s evident that the crucial test Was soon to come,
and that war was at last an actual fact.

CHAPTER II.

HOW COLUMBUS FOUND THE "PEARL OF THE ANTILLES."

Ingratitude of Spain to the Great Discoverer Who Gave Her a New World —
How Spain's Evil Colonial Policy Lost the Western Hemisphere to
That Obsolete Nation — Early Settlement of Cuba — Character of the
Natives at the Time of the Discovery — Founding of the First Cities —
Havana Becomes the Island Capital — Docility of the Natives and
Their Extermination by Spanish Oppressors.

Cuba and Columbus are names inseparably connected. This largest
and most fruitful island of the Spanish Main was discovered by the
great navigator himself on the 28th day of October, 1492, only a short
time after his first landing upon the soil of the western hemisphere on
the island of San Salvador. There is a sentimental association to
Americans in the thought that the discovery of our own continent was
due to the pioneer expeditions sent from Spain. But any regret in
one's mind that animosities have risen between the two nations, may
be mollified by the memory that Columbus was himself an Italian, that
it had required years of his efforts to induce sufficient interest on the
part of Spanish monarchs to father his undertaking, and that his life
in the service of Spain was marred by the basest ingratitude on the
part of those whom he had served.

. Upon the handsome monument erected to the memory of Columbus
in Seville by Ferdinand and Isabella, is the simple inscription, "A Cas-
tile y Leon, uuevo mnndo dio Colon" — "to Castile and Leon, Columbus
gave a new world."

This was the tardy recognition granted lo the discover'^'* by those to
whom he had made the marvelous gift. Recognition had been denied
him in his life, except after years of persistent urging, second only to
those years he wasted in his effort to arouse Spanish interest and en-
terprise. Once he was removed from his West Indian governorship and
returned to Spain in chains. The titles and honors which had been
promised him before, were denied after he had earned them. He
was a victim of foul ingratitude, and no American need permit senti-
ment to blind him for the sake of Columbus.

64 HOW COLUMBUS FOUND THE "PEARL OP THE ANTILLES."

The splendid new world which Columbus gave to Spain, was the
most marvelous addition of temtorj' that has ever come into (he pos-
session of any nation upon earth. It included the whole of South Amer-
ica, except Brazil, which was acquired by Portugal, and the small col-
onies known as British, Dutch and French Guiana, It included the
whole of Central America and Mexico. It included the whole of what
is now the United States west of the Mississippi river. It included the
whole of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and th^ peninsula of Florida
to the southern limit of Alabama and Georgia, and except for a few
scattered islands, it includetl every foot of land in the Gulf of Mexico
and the Caribbean sea, all the coral rocks, as well as the greater islands
of the West Indies and the Antilles. To-day not a foot of all that
enormous possession remains to Spain undisputed, except the islands
of Cuba and l*uerto Ilico. These hundreds of thousands of square
miles are inhabited by a free and peaceful people, most of them as repub-
lics, and the few exceptions under civilized and liberal colonial policies.
Spain's hold on Cuba has vanished and Puerto Rico is slipping away.
Spain could not presene the gifts of Columbus.

Spains Colonial Policies.

The logic of events and the progress of civilization have commanded
that Spain should withdraw from her possessions in the western hemi-
sphere. Never has there been such a record of ferocity and barbarity in
conquest, as that which blackens the pages of Spanish histoiy in con-
nection with Spain's acquisition and subjection of her newly discovered
territories. Whether it was the peaceful Indians of the Antilles, the
highly civilized Aztecs of Mexico, or the Incas of Peru, the policy pur-
sued was always the same. First, treacherous friendship, then robbery
and massacre, then slavery, and finally extermination, was tlie unvary-
ing programme. And so, instead of winning favor and loyalty with
their consequent happiness and prosperity from the native tribes, Span-
ish conquerors implanted in the possessors of the country an over-mas-
tering and ineradicable hatred, which grew with association, until in
colony after colony the bonds were burst by violence.

When Great Britain lost her American colonies by reason of her
misgovernment and oppression of them, it was a lesson which her peo-
ple never fogot, Frdta that day, the colonial policy of the British gov-
ernment was altered, and the spirit of liberality and generosity began
to dominate. To-day, every colony of Great Britain that enjoys repre-

HOW COLUMBUS FOUND THE "PEARL OF THE ANTILLES." 65

sentative governiiiont — Canada, Australia, Cape Colonj' and many
others, owes to the United States tlie liberty which Great Britain grants.

But Spain eould learn no such lessons. Her cruelty and misgov-
ernment aroused colony after colony to rebellion ending in freedom,
but her policies remained unaltered. One by one possessions of fabu-
lous wealth dropi)eil away until at last this old crone of nations has
been left to shiver alone by her fireside, abandoned in her misery by
all the children whose memory of her is nothing but that of vicious
cruelty. The only pity to which Spain is entitled, is the pity that is
due for her ignorance and her mistakes, not pity for the penalties that
these have brought upon her.

Spain was once the intellectual leader of the world, as well as the
pioneer of discovery. Si)anish universities were centers of learning
long before northern Europe had its intellectual birth. Spanish mari-
ners sailed ever}' sea and Spanish adventurers explored every land. If
learning and advancement bring obligations, as they are admitted to do,
it was Spain's obligation to be a leader in strife for liberty of mind and
body, but the two most notable things in her history are the Spanish
inquisition against freedom of thought, and the Spanish ferocities which
enslaved a new world for many a year. Now she has reaped the harveist
of her own misdeeds.

The Early Settlement of Cuba.

Every one knows that Columbus was not looking for a western
hemisphere, but for the Orient, and that when he found Cuba he believed
he had reached the East Indies and the islands of gold and spice which
had been reported from that mysterious land. His first island discov-
eries he believed to be the outlying portions of that eastern archipelago
and when the natives told him of a greater land near by, which he
reached a few days later, he believed that at last he had reached Cipan-
go, as Japan then was called.

The first name given to the island was Juana, in honor of Prince
Juan, the son of Ferdinand and Isabella of Aragon and Castile. After
Ferdinand's death, in his honor the name was changed to Fernandina.
Still later it received the name of Santiago, as a mark of reverence for
the patron saint of Spain, and another change was made a few years
afterward, when the inhabitants, as a proof of their piety, called it
Ave Maria, in honor of the Holy Virgin. In spite of all this effort at
establishing a Spanish name, the original Indian name of Cuba, which

66 now COLUMBUS FOUND THE "PEARL OF THE ANTILLES."

it bore when the great navigator first landed on its shores, has asserted'
itself triumphantly through all the centuries and is now ineradicable.

According to the accounts given by Spanish writers who were con-
temporary with the discovery, and the century immediately following,
the aboriginal inhabitants of Cuba were a generous, gentle, hospitablp
people, by no means energetic, but heartily cordial and courteous to
the strangers who reached their shores. The mildness of their climate
did not stimulate them to much activity in cultivation of the soil, be-
cause tropical fruits and vegetables came with scarcely an effort on the
part of the natives. Their implements and utensils were crude and
their life simple.

The system of government was by no means complicated. The island
was dividefl into nine independent principalities, each under a Cacique,
ail living in harmony, and warfare being almost, unknown. Their relig-
ion was a peaceful one. without human sacrifices or cannibalism, but the
priests had great pow ?r through their pretense of influence with spirits
good and evil.

Of all the people discovered by the Spanish in their colonization
of the western hemisphere, the Cubans were the most tractable to the
influences of Christianity so far as their willingness to accept the doc-
trines was concerned. Christianity, as practiced by the Spanish con-
querors, was scarcely that of the highest type of the faith, and the
inducements to accept it were somewhat violent. Nevertheless it must
be noted that it is from Spanish sources this testimony as to the docility
of the Cuban natives comes. Under these circumstances it becomes a
magnified crime that the Spanish conquerors absolutely exterminated
the hundreds of thousands of native Cubans whom they found at the
time of the discovery, and that within little more than a century, there
was absolutely not a trace of native stock to be found anywhere in the
island.

When Columbus first rested his eyes on the island of Cuba it
seemed to him en enchanted land. He was charmed with its lofty
mountains, its beautiful rivers, and its blossoming groves, and in his
account of th€ voyage he said: "Everything is green as April in An-
dalusia. The singing of the birds is such that it seems as if one would
never desire to depart. There are flocks of parrots that obscure the
sun. There are trees of a thousand species, each having its particular
fruit, and all of mai'velous flavor."

Columbus was first of the opinion that he had found an island, but

HOW COLUMBUS FOUND THE "PEARL OF THE ANTILLES." 67

after following the shores for many miles he concliKkMl that it was a
continent. lie retained the latter belief until his death, for it was not
until 1508 that the island was tiriumnavigate<l, when it was discovered
that it was of about the same area as England. In a subsequent expe-
dition he reached the coast of South America, but he had no apprecia-
tion of the magnitude of that continent, and to him Cuba was the
grandest of his discovenes in the New World.

Cuba was twice visited by Columbus after its discovery, in April,
1494, and again in 1502, and these visits but confirmed his fli*st opinion
regarding the salubrity of the climate and the wealth of the soil. His
sailors wrested from the natives large sums of gold and silver, and
this led to the mistaken belief that mines of great richness were with-
in their grasp.

Spain's Heartless Treatment of Columbus.

Biography furnishes no parallel to the life of Columbus. Great
men there have been who have met with injustice and disappoint-
ments, but there is perhaps no other instance of a man whom disap-
pointments and injustice did not dishearten and disgust; who had
his gi'eatness recognized in his lifetime, and yet was robbed of the re-
wards that it entitled him to.

It is probable that before his death Columbus confided his belief
in the wealth to be found in Cuba to his son Diego Columbus, for in
1511 the latter fitted out an expedition for the purpose of colonizing
the island. This company consisted of about 300 men, under Diego
Velasquez, who had accompanieu the great explorer on his second
voyage. The first settlement was made at Baracoa, in the extreme
eastern section, ar.d this village was regarded as the capital of the
colony for several years. In the meantime extensive settlements had
been made by the Spaniards in the island of Jamaica, and in 1514 the
towns of Santiago and Trinidad were founded on the southern coast
of Cuba, in order that the inhabitants of the two colonies might be
brought into closer communication. As immigration increased, other
towns of importance sprung up, and the island became the base for
the various operations against Mexico. Baracoa grew largely in pop-
ulation, and the towns of Puerto Principe and Sancti Espiritus were
established in the central section, and San Juan de los Remedies on
the north coast. In July, 1515, the city of San Cristobal de la Habana
was planted; deriving its name from the great ^^iscoverer, but this

68 HOW COLUMBUS FOUND THE "PEARL OF THE ANTH^LEH.''

iiuinc was transferred in 1519 to the present capital, and tlie original
town was culled IJatabano.

In 1518 the capital was fixed at Baracoa, which had by this time
become a city of considerable imi)ortance, and the diocese of the col-
ony. In 1522 both the seat of government and the bishopric were re-
moved to Santiago de Cuba. In 1538 Il.avana Avas reduced to ashes by
a French privateer; and to prevent a similar disaster in future, the
Castillo de la Fuer/a, a fortress which still exists, was built by Fer-
nando de Soto, governor of Cuba, and afterwards famous for his ex-
plorations in the southern and western porticms of North America, a»
well as for the discovery of the Mississippi.

Using a modern expression, this :?reat fortress, added to her almost
perfect harbor, gave Havana a wj'iderful "boom," and the city expe-
rienced a remarkable groAvth. The Spanish merchantmen were ac-
tively employed in canning the wealth of Mexico to the Peniasula, and
Havana was a convenient iwrt for them to secure supplies of provis-
ions and water. In 1549 Gonzales Perez de Angulo was appointed
governor of the island, and he was so impressed with the beauties of
the city, that he chose it as his residence. Several of his successors fol-
lowed his example, and in 1589 it was legally made the capital of Cuba.

Early Government of Cuba.

The early records of the island were kept in .so imperfect a manner
that it is not possible to give an accurate account of the early govern-
ors and their lieutenants. It is certain, however, that the seat of gov-
ernment was at Santiago de Cuba, and that Havana and other towns
of minor importance were ruled by lieutenants. In 1538, Hernando
de Soto, adelantado of Florida, and also governor of Cuba, lauded at
Santiago, and remained a few days before proceeding to the main-
land. On his departure he left the government of the island in charge
of a lady. Dona Isabel de Bobadilla, and gave her for a colleague Don
Juan de liojas, who had at one time been lieutenant governor of Ha-
vana. It is from this date that the gradual transference of the seat of
power from Santiago to Havana may be said to have arisen.

Don Antonio de Chavez assumed the government in 1517, and he
it was who gave Havana its first regular supply of water, bringing it
a distance of about six miles from the river Chorrera.

The earl}' settlers devoted themselves principally to the raising of
cattle, paying very little attention to agricultural pursuits, or in fact

HOW COLUMHUH POUND THE "PEARL OF THE ANTILLES." 6J)

to jn»y nioiuis of livelihood tliat called for inannnl labor. Much rime
and money was wasted in explorations for {^old and silver, but those
were invariably nnsuecessful, for while the |)re(ions metals have oc-
casionally been fonnd in Hie island, the quantity has never been suffi-
cient to repay the labor (tf (he search,

A Letter Written by Columbus.

Nothin}? more interestinjf for the conclusion of this chapter can be
offered M'a'i Columbus' owu account of his tirst view of the island of
Cuba. It is as follows

"When I reached Juana, I followed its coast to the westward, and
fouiul it so larjje that I th()U}j;ht it must be mainland, the province of
('athay; and as I found ueilher towns norvillaj;es on the sea coast, but
only some handets, with the inhabitants of which I could not hold con-
versation, because they all imnuKliately tied, I kept on the same route,
thinkinj; that I could not fail to light upon some large cities or towns.
At len};tl after the proceeding of many leagues, and finding that noth-
ing ne-. i^T sente<l itself, and that the coast was leading me northwards
(which I wished to avoid, because the winter had already set in, and
it was my intention to move southwards; and because moreover the
winds were contrary), I resolved not to wait for a change in the
weather, but to return to a certain harbor which I had remarked, and
from which I sent two men ashore to ascertain whether there was any
king or large cities in that part. They journeyed for three days, and
found countless small hamlets, with numberless inhabitants, but with
nothing like order; they therefore returneil. In the meantime I had
learned from some other Indians, whom I had seized, that this land
was certainly an island; caccoi'dingiy, I followed the coast eastward
for a distance of 107 league;,, where it ended in a cape. From this cape
I saw another island to the eastward, at a distance of eighteen leagues
from the former, to which I gave the name of La Espanola. Thither I
went aud followed its noi'thern coast, (just the same as I had done w'th
the coast of Juaua}, 118 full miles due east. This island, lil«> all
others, is extraordinarily large, and this one extremely so. In it are
many seaports, with which none that I know in Christendom can boar
comparison, so good and capacious that it is a wonder to sec. The
lands are high, and there are many lofty mountains, with which the
islands of Teneriffe cannot be compared. They are all most beautiful,
of a thousand different shapes, accessible, and covered with trees of

70 HOW COLUMBUS FOUND THE "PEARL OF THE ANTH.LES."

a thousand kinds, of such great height that they seem to reach the
skies. I am told that the trees never lose their foliage, and I can well
understand it, for I observed that they were as green and luxuriant as
in Spain in the month of Maj'. Some were in bloom, others bearing
fruit, and others otherwise, according to tlieir nature. The nightin-
gale was singing, as well as other little birds of a thousand different
kinds, and that in November, the month 'n which I was roaming
amongst them. There are palm trees of six or eight kinds, wonderful
in their beautiful variety; but this is the case with all other trees and
fruits and grasses. It contains extraordinary i)ine groves and very
extensile plains. There is also honey and a great variety of birds, and
many di.fsrent kinds of fruits. In the interior there are many mines
of metals, and a population innumerable."

CLARA BARTON AND HER WORK IN A CUBAN HOSPITAL

CHAPTER III.

SPAIN'S BLACK IIISTOIMCAL RECORD.

Present Men of Prominence Are Types of Those Who Were Infamous Years
Ago — Roman Rule in Spain — Wealiness of Spanish Power of Resist-
ance — Discoveries in America — Horrors of the Inquisition — Spanish
Rule in Ifolland — Expulsion of the Moors — Loss of American Colo-
nies — Later Uistory of Sjmin.

The siffnal fact that will present itself to the student of Spanish
history is that from the earliest times the country has been in a con-
tinual state of conflict, internal, with its colonies, and with other
nations; aud seldom has it been a war of defense. In almost every
instance Spain has been the agj>Tessor. The Spaniard has ever been
perfidious, avaricious, ferocious. In his veins still ilows the blood of
Ferdinand, of Toniuenuula, and of Philip II. Weyler is a ])r()tolype of
Alva, and in Blanco we tind another Antonio de Mendoza. Spain is the
China of modern Europe. Her spirit is still the spirit of the inijuisi-
tion. Her policy is not to conciliate, but to coerce; not to treat justly,
but to rob and enslave; and her dependence is the ignorance and su-
perstition of her people.

All reforms wrung from rulers must first be baptized in blood, and
it is possible that the end of the present century may see a new nation,
built on the ruins of the old, which will be a credit to civilization, in-
stead of a disgrace.

Roman Rule in Spain.

Prior to the first war between Rome and Carthage, which (>nded
241 B. C, there is little or no authentic information regarding the his-
tory of the couD^^ry now known to the world as Spain. To the ancients
it Avas a land of mystery and enchantment, the home of the setting
sun; and Iberia, as the^- called it, was but a name for an indetinlte
extent of territory in the far west, peopled by barbarous (Vlts and
Iberians, with a few Phoenician settlements, for the purposes of trade,

on its southern coasts.

Bl'Al^'fcl BLACK HlSTOltiCAL KECOiSD.

At the close of the lirst ruuit* war, llamikar Barca, at the head of
a Carthagiuian host, crossed the strait of Gibraltar and commenced
the conquest which his son Llaunibul completed, and which resulted in
the undisputed supremacy of Carthage throughout almost all of Spain.
This brings us to 218 li. C. and marks the beginning of the second
Punic war, when the lloman legions first entered Spain. After a
struggle which lasted for thirteen years the Carthaginians were com-
pletely routed, and the country was conquered by the arms of Rome.
It was many years, however, before the inhabitants were really sub-
dued, but eventually they became more completely Komanized than
any province beyond the limits of Italy. When brought under the
iron rule of the Empire they were forced to desist from the intestinal
wars in which it had been their habit to indulge, and adopting the lan-
guage, laws and manners of their concjuerors, they devoted them-
selves to industrial pursuits, and increascnl remarkably both in wealth
and numbers. Their fertile fields formed for a considerable time the
granary of Home, and from the metal-veined mountains an immense
amount of gold and silver flowed into I{oma.n coffers. However, these
were not voluntary offerings of the natives. Thi-y were comixdled to
labor in the mines for the benefit of strangci's, ajid thus Spain, in the
early ages, was the type of Spanish America in the fifteenth and suc-
ceeding centuries, with the ditTerence that in the flret case the Span-
iards were the slaves, and in the second they were the slave-holders.

For more than 300 years Spain remained under Konian rule, until
in 409 A. D., hordes of barbarians crosswl the Pyrenees and swept over
the Peninsula. Suevi, Alani and Vandals ravaged with ecjual fury
the cities and the open country, and brought the inhabitants to the
lowest depths of misery. They were finally subjugated by a Visigothic
host, and in 415, Walia, a war-like and ambitious chief, esbiblished the
West-Gothic kingdom in Spain, on the ruins oi the old Koman prov-
ince. Walia concluded a treaty with the Emperor Ilonorius, and, put-
ting himself at the head of the brave Goths, in a three-years' war he
destroyed or drove the barbarians from the land. Sp{iin, thus re-'-on-
quered, was nominally subject to Itome, but soon became really indc
pendent, and began to be the seat of a Christian civilization. This
West-Gothic kingdom lasted for about three centuries, from 418 to
711, when it fell before the Moorish invasion.

Sf A1K*S htACtL filSTDORlCAL tlECOliD.

Weakness of Spanish Powers of Kesistance.

Few things in history are more lemarliable than the ease with
which Spain, a country naturally fitted for defense, was subdued by a
mere handful of invaders. The misgovernment of the Visigoths, the
internal factions and jealousies, and the discontent of numerous
classes, notably the Jews, co-operated to facilitate the conquest and
to weal-en the power of resistance. These conquerors were of the Mo-
hammedan faith, but while they were united by relijrion, they were of
different races. Besides the Moors there were the A.'abs, the Egyp-
tians and the Syrians, and when the task of conquest was achieved,
and the need for unity removed, quarrels arose between them. So diffi-
cult was it to prevent these quarrels, that it was fou' 1 necessary to
subdivide the conquered territory, and to allot separate settlements to
the different tribes.

During the period of Moorish domination a number of small inde>-
pendent kingdoms were fonned in opiX)sition to Moslem rule. These
comprised Castile, Leon, Navarre and Aragon, and sometimes sepa-
rately, sometimes in combination, they were iu constant war with the
common enemy. The age of the great crusades came, and all Chris-
tendom was absorbed in the struggle against the infidel, both iu the
East and West. Spain, like Palestine, had its crusading ordei-s, which
vied with the Templars and the Hospitallers both in wealth and mili-
tary distinction. The decisive battle was fought in Jul.y, 1212, when
the combined forces of Castile, Leon, Navarre, Aragon and Portugal
met the Mohammedan army, and gained the most celebrated victory
ever obtained by the Christians over their Moslem foes, the latter
losing, according to the account transmitted to the i)*)pe, 100,000 killed
Jind 50,000 prisoners. The king of Grenada wass])ee(lily forceil to be-
<'ome a vassal of Castile, and from this period all danger fi'om Moor-
isli rule was over.

Following this time until the different king<l<»nis became as one,
there is nothing in their history d(M<crving a detaikMJ account. The
history of Si)ain as a united state dates from the union of Castile and
Aragon by the mamage of Isabella and Ferdinand, the respective rul-
ers of those kingdoms, in 1400. drenada, the last remaining posses-
sion of the Moors, fell before the Spanish forces in 1492, and Navarre
was acquired in 1512.

SPAIN'S BLACK HISTORICAL RECORD.

Discoveries in America.

The year 1492, during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, wit-
nessed the discovery of America. Spain had become consolidated into
one empire from the Pyrenees to the strait of Gibraltar, and civil wars
were at an end. Maritime exploration was the task of the age, and
under the patronage of Isabella, Columbus planted the flag of Spain
in the West Indies. This grand achievement led to the oj^niug of a
splendid continent, teeming with riches, for Spanish adventure and
despoliation. In 1498, Columbus landed on the cojitiuent of South
America, and in a few years the entire western coast was explored by
subsequent adventurers. In 1512, Ponce de Leon discovered Florida,
and the following year, Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Darien, and
gazed for the first time upon the Pacific.

The history of Spain, in connection with its discovery and settle-
ment of the' New World, is one long record of revolting crime. New
England was settled by a people who came to turn the wilderness
into a city, but the Spanish invaders went to the southern shores to
turn the cities of the natives into a wilderness. In Mexico and Peru
they found a civilization the equal and in many respects the superior
of their own. With cross and sword in hand, in tlie name of religion,
but with the lust for gold in their hearts, their coming was invaria-
bly a signal for every kind of attack that malignity could devise or
avarice invent. W'herever they went, desolation followed them. They
looted the towns, pillaged the cities, murdered the people; they
burned alike the hovels of the poor, and the palaces of the rich.

The val.n of the treasure that Spain secured from Mexico and
Peru never can be known accurately; but it is certain that within
sixty years from the time of the landing of Columbus she hud ad-
vanced to the position of the richest and most jjowcrful nation in
Europe. Victorious in Africa and Italy, Philip II., who Avas tlien the
reigning monarch, carried war into France, and ruled in Germany, as
well as in those provinces now known as Belgium and llolland. The
monej' necessary to carry on these vast wars of conquest was undoubt-
edly acquired in the New World. When Cortez approached the palace
of Montezuma, the King's messengers met him, bearing presents from
their lord. These gifts included 200 pounds of gold for the comman-
der, and two pounds of gold for each of his army. Prescott, in his
"Conquest of Peru," says that when the Spanish soldiers captured the

SPAIN'S BLACK HISTORICAL RECORD.

capital of that country tliey spent days in melting down the golden
vessels which they found in temples and palaces. On one voyage a
single ship carried to Spain |15,500,000 in gold, besides vast treasures
of silver and .icwels.

The Horrors of the Inquisition.

The Inquisition was a tribunal in the Koman Catholic church for
th<> discovery, rei)ression and punishment of heresy and unbelief. It
originated in liome when Christianity was established as the religion
of the Empire, but its history in Spain and her dependencies has ab-
sorbed almost entirely the real interest in tlio painful subject.

As an ordinary tribunal, similai* to those of other countries, it had
existed there from an early period. Its functions, however, in those
times were little more than nominal; but early in the reign of Ferdi-
nand and Isabella, on account of the alleged discovery of a plot among
the Jews to overthrow the government, an application Avas made to
the Pope to permit its re-organization. But in reviving the tribunal,
the Crown assumed to itself the right of appointing the inquisitors,
and of controlling their entire action. For this reason Catholic writ-
ers regard the Spanish inquisition as a state tribunal, and refer to the
bull of the Pope, Sixtus IV., protesting against it. Notwithstanding
this protest, however, the Spanish Crown maintained its assumption.
Inquisitors were appointed, and in 1483 the tribunal commenced it}^
terrible career, under Thomas de Torquemada.

The inquisition arrested on susi)icion, tortured for confession, and
then punished with lire. One witness brought the victim to the rack,
two to the flames. The prisoner was not confronted with his accuser,
nor Avere their names ever made known to him. The court was held
in a gloomy dungeon at midnight, a dim light gleamed from smoking
torches, and the grand inquisitor, enveloped in a black robe, glared at
his victim through holes cut in the hood. Before the examination, the
accused, whether man, maid or matron, was stripped and stretched
upon the rack, whei'e tendons could be strained without cracking,
bones crushed without breaking, and the body tortured without
dyirg.

When the prisoner was found guilty, his tongue was cut out, so
that he could neither speak nor swallow. On the morning of the exe-
cution a breakfast of rare delicacies was placed before the sufferer,
ftUd with ironical invitation he was urged to enjoj^ his last repast,

SPAIN'S BLACK HISTORICAL RECORD.

Then the prisoner was led to the funeral pyre, where an address was
given, lauding the inquisition, condemning heresy, and commanding
obedience to the Pope and the Emperor. Then, while hymns were
sung, blazing fagots were piled about the victim, until his body was
reduced to a heap of ashes.

Some conception of the appalling cruelty of the inquisition under
Torquemada may be formed from the statement that during the six-
teen years of his tenui-e of office nearly 10,000 persons were condemned
to the flames, and the projjerty of 97,000 others was confiscated.

Spanish Rule in Holland.

riorrible as the atrocities of the inquisition were in the mother
country, it is doubtful if they ever reached the acme of savage cruelty
that they attained during the period when Spain was seeking to
strengthen the fetters with which she nominally held Holland in her
grasp. The Spanish government, from tJie time when it first acquired
a place among nations, has never been satisfied with a reasonable
tribute from its dependencies. Its plan ever has been to exact all,
and leave nothing to supply more tlian a miserable existence. So it
was in the middle of the sixteenth century, when Philij) II., yreedy of
the treasures of Holland, determined to spoil them of their wealth,
and i»lanned to establish the inquisition among them by the sword.

The duke of Alva, already famous for his harshness and bigoti'y,
was named commander of the forces, with almost unlimited powers
He entered the Netherlands with about 20,000 tried troops, ready for
cruelties, and all hopes of peace or mercy fled before ihem. There was
a great and desperate exodus of the inhabitants; thousands took
refuge in England, Denm.arlc and Germany, and despair and helpless-
ness alone remained to greet the cold Spaniard and his train of ortho-
dox executioners. The Council of Troubles — the "Blood-tribunal" —
was immediately established, and the land was filled with blood. In
a short time he totally annihilated every privilege of the people, and
with unrelenting cruelty put multitudes of them to death.

The more the peasants rebelled, the crueler were the methods of
Alva. Men were tortured, beheaded, roasted before slow fires,
pinched to death with hot tongs, broken on the wheel, fiayed alive.
On one occasion the skins of leaders were stripped from their living
bodies, and stretched upon drums for beating the funeral march of
^Oeir brethren to the gallows. Puring the course of six years A^v»

SPAIN'S BLACK HISTORICAL RECORD.

brought charges of heresy and treason against 30,000 inhabitants, and
made the infamous boast tliat, in addition to the multitudes killed in
battle and massacred after victoi^, he had consigned 18,000 persona
to the executioner.

This unholy war with the Netherlands lasted with occasional ces-
sations of hostilities for eighty years, and during its progress Spain
buried 350,000 of her sons and allies in Holland, spent untold millions
in the attempted destruction of freedom, and sunk from the first power
in Europe, an empire whose proud boast it had been that upon her pos*
sessiorfc the sun never set, to the level of a fourth-rate country, cruel
in government, superstitious in religion, and ever an enemy to
progress.

Expulsion of the Moors.

In addition to the terrible drain upon the country from losses in
war, the exi)ulsion of the Jews and the Moors was productive of the
direst results. In 1009 all the Moriseoes were ordered to depart from
the Peninsula within three days. The penalty of death was declared
against all who failed to obey, and against any Christians who should
shelter the recalcitrant. The edict was obeyed, but it was a blow from
which Spain never recovered. The Moriseoes were the back-bone of
the industrial population, not only in trade and manufactures, but
also in agriculture. The haughty and indolent Spaniards had will-
ingly left what they considere^l degrading employment to their in-
feriors. The Moors had introduced into Si)ain the cultivation of sugar,
cotton, rice and silk. In manufactures and commerce they had shown
superiority to the Christian inhabitants, and many of their products
were eagerly sought for by other countries. All these advantages
were sacrificed to an insane desire for religious unity.

The reigns of I'hilip III. and Philip IV. witnessed a fearful accel-
eration in the decline of Spain by the contests with the Dutch and
with the (Jerman Protestants in the Thirty Years' War, the wars with
France, and the rebellion of Portugal in IGIO, which had been united
to Spain by Philip II. The reign of Charles II. was still more unfor-
tunate, and his death was the occasion of the war of the Spanish suc-
cession.

Under Charles III. (1759-1788), a wise and enlightened prince, the
second great revival of the country commenced, and trade and
commerce began to show signs of returning activity. Previous to hia

Bl'AlNS BLACK UISTOKICAL RECORD.

accession to the tlirone, Sjmin appeared to be a corpse, over which the
powers of Europe could contend at will. Suddenly men were
astounded to see that country rise with reneweil vigor to play once
more an important part on the international stage. Commerce and
agriculture were developed, native manufactures were cnicouraged in
every way possible, and an attempt was made to remove all jjrcjudices
against trade, among the nobles. Meritorious as these reforms were,
it would give a false impression to represent them as wholly success-
ful. The regeneration of 8pain was by no means accomplished, and
many of the abuses which had been growing for cimturies, sul'vived
the attempt to effect their annihilation. One of the chief causes of this
failure was the corruption and ignorance of the lower officials; and a
large portion of the population renmined, to a great extent, sunk in
sloth and superstition, in spite of all that was done in their lialf.

During the inglorious reign of CUiarles IV. (1788-1808), who left the
management of affairs in the hands of the incapable Godoy, (at once
the queen's lover and the king's prime minister), a war broke out with
Britain, which was productive of nothiug but disaster to the Span-
iards. Charles finally abdicated in favor of his son, the Prince of Astu-
rias, who ascended the throne as Ferdinaud VII. Forced by Napoleon
to resign all claims to the Spanish crown, Ferdinand became the pris-
oner of the French in the year of his accession, and in the same year,
Joseph, the brother of the French emperor, was declared King of
Spain, and set out for Madrid to assume the kingdom thus assigned
him. But Spanish loyalty was too profound to be daunted even by the
awe-inspiring poAver of the great Napoleon. For the first time he
found himself confronted, not by terrified and selfish rulers, but by an
infuriated people. The rising on Spain commenced the popular move-
ment which ultimately proved fatal to his power.

In July, 1808, England, on solicitation, made peace with Spain,
recognized Ferdinand VII. as king, and sent an army to aid the Span-
ish iusun-ection. Joseph invaded the country on July 9, defeated the
Spaniards at Kio Seco, and entered Madrid on the 20th. But the de-
feat of Dupont at Baylen by the veteran Spanish general Castanos
somewhat altered the position of affairs, and Josei)h, after a residence
of ten days in his capital, was compelled to evacuate it.

Meanwhile Sir Arthur Welleslcv. aften\'ards Duke of Wellington,
at the head of the British auxiliaiy force, had landed at Mondego bay,
and began the Peninsular war by defeating the French at lioliza an<J

SPAIN'S BLACK HISTORICAL KECORD.

Vimiero. In November, 1808, Nai'ol.»on, who luid boon preceded by
Ney with 100,000 men, eulcrcnl Si»ain and assumed the conimand. For
a time his armies were completely successful. In less than a week the
Spanish forces were broken throu}j;h and scattered, and Joseph was
returned to Madrid. The victory was a sliort-lived one, however, for,
in April, ISOO, (Jeneral VVellesh'v arrived in Portu<;al and at once com-
menced operations. IJy dint of masterly j^eneralship and bold enter-
prise he finally succeeded in drivinp; the French from the country.
NaiM)leon, loth to lose his hold in the Peninsula, sent Soult, his most
trusted j^eneral, to sto]) the ingress of the liritish into France, but the
battles of the Pyrenees, (24th July— 1st August, ISl.'J), and of the
Nivelle, Orthtv., and Toulouse, in the beginning of 1814, brought to a
victorious conclusion this long and obstinate contests

Loss of American Colonies.

After the convulsions it had endured, Spain required a peri* 1 of
firm but conciliatory government, but the ill fate of the country gave
the throne at this crisis one of her worst rulers. Ferdinand VII. had
no conception of the duties of a sovereign; his public conduct was
regulated by pride and superstition, and his private life was stained
by the grossest dissipations.

For six years Sjiain groane<l under a **T?eign of terror," and isolated
revolts only served as the occasion for fresh cruelties. The finances
were squandered in futile expeditions to recover the South American
colonies, which had taken advantage of Napoleon's conquest of Spain
to establish their independence. In his straits for money, Ferdinand
ventured to outrage national sentiment by selling Florida to the
United States in 1819, Louisiana had been ceded to France in 1803,
and when Mexico gained her independence in 1822, the last of the ter-
ritory under Spanish rule in North America was lost to her.

The reign of Ferdinand's daughter, Isabella II., was disturbed by
the Carlist rebellion in 1834-1830, iu which England aided the Queen
with an army comnumded by Sir De Lacy Evans. Spain, under Isa-
bella II., presents a dismal picture of faction and intrigue. Policies of
state had fori ed her into a distasteful marriage with her cousin, Fran-
cis of Assisi, and she sought compensation in sensual indulgences, en-
deavoring to cover the dissoluteness of her private life by a supersti-
tious devotion to religion. She had to contend with continual revolts,

SPAIN'S ItLACK niSTOHICAL RECORD.

and was liiially comiK'Ued, in 1808, to abdicate tlio tliroue and fly to
rranc(» for lier life.

A in'ovisiiuial goveniinont was formed with Serrano as President,
and a new conslitiition was formed, by wliicli an hereditary kiuy was
to rule, in conjunction witli a senate and a poi)ular chamber. The
thnine wa« offered to Anuuleus of Aosta, the second son of Victor
Kmmanuel, in 1870, and he made an honest effort to <lischar}i;e the diffi-
cult duties of the ollice. Itut he found the task too hard, and too dis-
tasteful, an«l resi}j;ned in 1873. A provisiiuuil republic was then
formed, of which ( 'astelar was the {juidinj; spirit. IJut the Spaniards,
traiiUMl to rej^ard monarchy with superstitious reverence, had no sym-
pathy with republican institutions. Dim Carlos seizwl the opiM)rtunity
to revive the claim of inalienable male succession, and raised the
standard of 'revolt. Castelar tinally threw up the office in disj^ust, and
the administration was undertaken by a committee of officers.
Anarchy was suppressed with a stronjj; hand, but it was obvious that
onU'r could only b(? restonnl by reviving; the monarchy. Forei{ifn princes
Were no lonj^er thought of, and Alfonso XII., the young s<jn of the
exiled Isabella, was restored to the throne in 1874. IJis first task was
to terminate the Carlist war, which still continued in the North, and
this was successfully accomplished in 187G. He died in 1885, and the
regency was entrusted to his widow, Christina ol Austria. On May
17th, 188G, a posthumous son was born, who is now the titular King
of Sx)ain.

CHAPTER IV.

BUCCANEERING AND THE WARFAKE IN THE SPANISH MAIN.

Spaiu'B Stoli'ii TiviiHurcH from Mcxiro and Peru Tniipt IUt European Rivals
— Tlic Spanish Main the Scene of Piratical Plunderin}? for Man}' Yi-ars
— Havana and tXlier Cities Tlireatened — (ireat Hrilain Takes Santo
Doniinjjo — American Troops fnMii tlie Hiitisli Colonies (Capture Havana
— Victory on Laud and Sea Is Saddened by Many Deatlis of Uravo
Americans from Fever — Lessons of the First Capture of Havana.

After the acquisition of rich and populous countries in the western
hemispliere had bejom, Spain discovered that her new-found wealth
was not to be hers without a stru}j;j?le. From tlie harboi's of Mexico and
Peru, Spanish {j^alleons sailed with their loads of treasure, stolen from
the Montezumas and the Inciia. Year after year, rich argosies, laden
with gold and silver to replenish the extravagant treasury of the Span-
ish crown, crosscnl the seas. The Atlantic O'jean, the Gulf of Mexico and
the Ctirlbbean sea were furrowetl with the keels of Spanish fleets, at a
time when the EaroiM»an nat'oiits scarcely maintained tlie pretense oi
friendship Avilh one another.

It was hardly to be expected tJiat these rich prizes should go un-
molested. England and France knew quite well, that they were plun-
dered /rom the native treasuries of the new world, and no reason ap-
peared why Spain in turn should not be robbed of her plunder. So
the Spanish Main, the Caribbean sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the
adjacent waters, became the haunt of buccaneers and pirates, some
under flags of European nations, and others under the black flag. Des-
perate fights were the lot of almost every Spanish galleon t hat sailed
those seas, and fabulous prizes sometimes were taken un-Jer the skull
and crossbones. Spanish men of war sailed back and forth to convoy
the merchant fleets^ but their protection was not always sufficient.
Pirates could obtain frigates with guns as good a.s those of Spain, and
with the temptation of wealth before them they braved conflict when-
ever it was necessary.

The harbors of Key West, the Dry Tortugas and others along the
Florida keys, as well as many of those in the Bahamas, the West Indies

BUCCANEERING IN THE SPANISH MAIN.

and tbo Antilles, wore llic haunts of buci-iinccrs and privateers who
careened their ships on shore for repairs, or held hij^h revel on the
beaches after their TrinTn])h over some Spanish tretusnre fleet. Those
were bloody days, full of dramatic excitenu'ut. From them some of
the most notable winters of tictiou have draM-n their tales, which enter-
tain readers of (o-day.

What was done with all (he ^old thus {jii-nered in sea lif'hts before
it reached the ports of Spain, is hard to k!i »w. Sometimes mysterious
stran«>('rs appealed in the seaport (owns of France and En<i;land and
even the American (•iiIoni"s in their youn^jcr days, to si)end money
bivishly for a shoii time and then disiipjuar as mysteriously as they
came. These nu'ii were rei)iited to be i)irate chiefs seekiujj; rclaxalitui
from their customary life. OtIuMs of the buccaii(H'i*s h(»ai'ded their
wealth in hidinj; places known only to themselves, the seci-et of which
must have died with them, while the p,old remains undiscovered. All
throujih the Florida keys and the West India islands, as well as alonj;
the coasts of (Jcorgia and tin Carolinas, tradilicuis still-exist in relation
to these treasure hoards. Saujiuine people are still dij?};in}j; in the
sands of these beaches, in the hope that some day they will unearth a
H(^a chest full of Spanish doubloons, or the j^^jldcn ornaments stripjx'd
from Aztec idols. Some linds indi cd have been nwu'.e, but those who
make them are not apt to reveal tie secret which might guide another
to a successful search.

Firatical Raids Trouble Havana.

naving discovered the wealth that could b(^ obtained by attacks
upon the Spanish (!e<'(s, the jiirates began (o think of the cities which
were themselves the source of much of this wealth. The result of this
was that they bCi'an to make descents upon the coasts, not only of Cid)a,
but of the neighboring islands of Jamaica and Santo Domingo. Tiie ex-
pense occasioned by the attempts to sujtpress these incursions became so
great toward the ei.d of the sixteenth century, that it became necessary
to impose a special tax to cover ii.

Fortresses at all the fortified luirbors were inn;voved, and the power
of the military oflicials increased as their inniortance in< 'u.'jed, and that
of the civil governors diminislu'd. It was as a direct result of these
conditions that the oHice of ('ai)taiu (leneral was create<l, in which the
governor shared military and civil authority alike. Havana foi'*ilica-
ti'/us were hastened to completion and the preparations for defense

tetJCCANEERINa IN THE SPANISH MAliJ.

began, which never have been materially inipi-oved to this day. The
three fortresses of El Morro, La I'uuta and La Cabana were built before
the end of the sixteenth century and still were standinj; as the most
effective defenses of Havana when our war with 8j»ain be«i:uu.

It was dnriii'T the same ])eriod, that African ne«;roes were first in-
troduced into Cuba. Slavery had proved so severe upon the abori;,'ines,
that their numbers had almost reached the van-^' inji; point, and there
was a lack of sufTicient labor for the cultivation «)f tobacco and suj^ar
cane, the chief products of Spanish a!2;riculture in the island. It was to
promote the prod^M ticui of these new luxuries that the African sbive
trade was be<,'un. A royal license fi-oni the Kinj^ of Spain was obtained
to {guarantee the privibj^c of import in<^ uejiroes.

Then began that foul commerce which was another black stain on
the history of Spanish colonization of the western hemisphere. Spanish
shi])s descended upon the African coasts and kidiiajiped thousands of
negroes for service in the Cuban cane and tobacco fields. The horrors
of the trade cannot be magnilied and are too distressing for repetition.
It is suHicienf to say that in Havana it is understood that the harbor
was free from sharks which now swarm there, tmlil they ftdlowcnl the
slave ships from the African coasts in multitu<les, for tUo feast of slaves
who were thi'own (tvei-board on tiie long voyage. Scores and hundred!*
of Africans died during ihe journey, from the iiardships they were
conii>elled t<» undergo, and Havana harbor itself was the last grave of
many of these hapless ones.

Great Britain Threatens Spanish Possessions.

It was just after th<' micblb' of the sevent«'<'nfli century and during
the rule of Oliver Cromwell in ICtigland, that the Spanish governors of
Cuba began to fear an jiftaek by a lliilish fleet. A s«|Uiidron sailed in
1055 with the design of capturing Jamaica, a juirposc which wan easily
accomj)lisIied. That island was taken l)y (Ireaf Ifritain, tlie S[»ani.sh
forces defending it were utterly defeated, th«» governor was killed, and
many <)f the inhabitants removed, in conse(|ue?>ce, to Cuba. From
Jamaica the same fleet sailetl for Havana, but I lie Jitta«k was repulsed
and the ships abandoned the attempt. Excojjt foi* the encroachmeuts of
the French ujion th(» island <» Santo Domingo, and the continual pirati-
cal incursions of French and English buccaneers, the Spanish in the
West Indies were not threatened with any more hostilities except by

feUCOANEERIXG IJf THE SPANISH MAttJ.

their own intonial dissonsions until 17(52. At that time Spain and Eng-
land were at war, Spain in alliance with the French, and it was decided
by the British government that f'uba was a vulnerable possession and
a valuable one that ought to be taken.

The capture of Havana by foncs under the English flag fills little
space in the history of England and Spain, because of the nfagnitude
of the interests involved elsewhere. It is almost forgotten in America,
in si)ite of the bearing of all its contemporary incidents upon the rap-
idly approaching revolution, and yet it was an achievement of the col-
onial troops and conseciucntly the lirst assault upon Cuba by Americans.

It was an event of the first inipoi'tance in its own day and contained
lessons of the first moment for the guidance of those who had to plan
tlie conduct of the w.'ir against Spain in 1SJ)8. It proved that American
tro(>ps und»>r efllcient oHlrj'rs couhl take the field with success against
double their nun\lKT of Spariianls fully jjrovisioned and strongly in-
trenche<l. It provtnl that Havana could be successfully assaulted by a
combined militarj- and naval force, regardless of her picturesque but
(►bsolete fortifications. Spain's luvjk of administrative ability in the
later war a;^ well is in tln' first, destroying any advantage to be derived
from balls antl rannon. On the other side it proveil that Americans had
tf» look fonvard to a considerable loss of life as a result of climatic
conditions, if they at(empte<l to conduct hostile opera^' )ns in Cuba dur-
ing tlH' summer season.

The uttei- iucaitacity f«)r straightforward, jx-rtinaciousfighting, which
b(»ili Naj)ol(M»ii and (he luike of NVellington found in the Spanish army
during tlw Peninsular war, was as conspicuous fifty yeai"s before, when
the AuM'ricans took Havana, and may rightly be argued as pel^»etually
inherent in the nali(»nal character; for though llie annals of Spain are
filled with instances of individual courage of llie tiisl i-ank, demoraliza-
tion sets in as soon i\n (hey cciuie together in numbers in ^lie lace of a
civilized foe. Their chief maneuver in the course of a century and a
half, has been just plain running away. The victorious Wellington,
seeing Ills Spainsh allies running for dear life just after he had whlp|>e<l
the opposing I""'r<'n(h line in the last bat«^le of the i>enins»dar campaign,
was niove<l to remark that he ha<l seen many curious things in his life,
but nev«'r before 20,000 men engaged in a foot race.

Yet the fight made by the Si)aniards in Havana during the attack
of the British and colonial for^-es in 1702 is the one notable ins(anc(> of
a i)rolonged struggle Ix'tween men who speak I-iUglish and men who
speak Spuniub. llistory may be searched in vain, either iu the old or

fetCCANElERINO IN THE srANlSH MAIN.

fit

Hew world, fcr a dofcuso as able iu [K)iut of jjeuoralship or as stubborn
in resistance as the Spaniards made at tlie siege of Havana. In all
other cases, from the Elizabethan campaigns in Holland to the war
with Mexico, the men educated in the Spanish school of arms have
been content to spend their energies upon a single assault and then
flee, sometimes even when the odds were greatly in their favor.

The English Armada left Portsmouth on March 5th, 17G2, under
the command of the gallant Admiral Pococke and Lord Albemarle, the
force moving in seA'en divisions. It consisted of nineteen ships of the
line, eight(HMi frigates or smaller men-of-war, and 150 transports con-
taining about 10,()()0 soldiers, neai'ly all infantry. At the Island of
Ilayti, then called Ilisjjanola, the British were joined by the success^
ful expedition from Martinique. Together they sat down before
Llavrr-. July Gth, 17(;2.

Spain's Intellectual Dry Rot.

Spain, sulToring, as it suffers to-da}-, from intellectual dry rot, had
known for wcfks of the iutendctl beleaguerment. Tiicn, as now, »ioUi-
ing adequate was done to meet it. The Governor of Havana, the Mar-
quis de (lonzalez, was a gallant soldier, as \^e was to prove; but that
ounc of i)revention which is proverbially worth more than the jH)und
of cure, was not taken by liim, and the British found tlie forlilications
in a partially ruinous condition, and the Amrtwn ships of tlie line
which were lying in the harbor before the city in such a state that they
couhl hardly be called in commission. The Spanish army of defense
numbered 27,000 men, and was in better condition; but the Spanish
sailors were utterly demoralized by the granting of too mucli shore lib-
erty, and the iK'st use tiie SpaJiiard could put his ligliting sliijys to was
by sinking them at the entrance to the anchoragi' to jn-event the en-
trance of the British (ieet. Once tJie enemy wnw iM'fore the city, how-
ever, all was activity. The fortifications, wiiich were too newly erecl<'d
to hi' quite incaj>able of repair, were set in order, the guns of M«uto
Castle and of the fort known an the Pnntal, across from it, were
trained on the advancing foe, and the Spanish ships were sunk, as haa
been said.

Those familiar with the history of English iulministrativc methods
during this jn'riod will llnd little to choose between them au<l the
methods of S|>ain. The Ui- son of the yj'Jir most unwholesome to the
inhabitants of c temiM-rute climate had alivady set in, with all lla

BUCCANEERINC; IX THE SrAXISn MAlN.

train of pe.stiloncos, when the British arrivt'd. Thouj^li deluged by the
trcuiendoiis rains of the tr()j)it's from day to day, the water supply was
wholly insnflicient, and the little obtainable was so tainted as to make
its use frauiilit. with danger. There was no i)i]ot who knew the road-
stead in (uder to lead the ships against the Morro and the I'untal for
many days. Tn throwing nji the parallels and approaches to the walls
of the eity on the landward side, the soldiers found sueh scarcity of
earth, the blanket over the rocks being of the tlunne.st scn't, that this
necessai'v material for covering an atta( ' had to ix' bnnight from a
distance. Then, too, i(, was chai'ged with tlie gi^rins of ilsease, and all
who handled it sulTered extrenu'ly. I>es|;i(eall the ])recautions of the
(ttlicers, the sanitary condition surrounding the <'amp was horrible, and
the troops ditnl like dogs.

Yankees in Cuba.

Meanwhile there was a. large force of liritish regulars in Xoith
America, stationed ihere ever sim-e the fall of the French empire in
the new worhl in IKiO. Four thousand of tlirsc soldiers were gathered
in Xew York City. To them I he colonies of lOast and NVest Jersey
nthled a reginu'nt of HOO men. New York another of SOO, while Lyman
raised a full thousand in Connecticut. When these, to(», had been
asseudded in Xew Yitrk, l.yman was made I'rigadier (ieueral of the
colonial troops, and his Lieutenant Colonel, Isi .el Putnam, wa.s nmde
Colonel of the Connecticut soldiers in his slead. This was the same
rntnam who foughf (he wolf si gl»'-handed in its cave, and who was
to take that breakneck ride a few years later to escape the very troops
with whom he was now associated. The entire force of 'J,.*5(HI provin-
cials under < ieueral Lyman's command was not a mere bevy of raw mili-
tia. Xearly all of them Iiad seen service against tlio French in those
well trained and active forces whicii were given (he gen»'ral name of
''Wangers;" the oflicers especially, of wliom Putnam was hardly more
than a tyi)e, being nnii of extended experience. The fact that so many
men were willing to vcdnnteer in this arduo\is and, i<s it tunu'd out,
^lesperate service for tlie King, sjieaks volumes for what could have
been done with smh nn-n had Pit! and not Bute been at lln^ head of ae
English nation at that (ime. The advices from Havana showed that
the army theie was in great need of reinforcements, so l.\v gi'i'at «'fforts
the regulars and provincials were stowed way in fourteen transports,
and with au escort of a few frigates they set sail for the South about

CAPTAIN SIGSBEE OF THE ILLFAIKD "MAINE

CRUISER SI. PAUL

NOW COMMANDER OF THE

GENERAL STEWART L, WOODFORD-LAST U ... MINISTER TO SPAIN

BUCCANEERING IN THE SPANISH MAIN.

the ini(Mk' of May. Tliciv were the usual .shouts of au admirin};- popn-
lace and the tears of sweethearts and wives; but it is ea.sy to say tliat
there wouhl hav(« l)(>en no rejoicinj^ if tiie jieopU' of Connectieut, the
Jerseys, and New York could iiave foreseen that hardly one of every
fifty of their volunteers would see his home again.

Americans Were Wrecked.

Just before tlie an-ival of these welcome reinforcements on July 20,
Honu? Ennlish nii'rchantnien had come along with cargoes of cotton
bags, which were pressed into immediate use for the lines which were
now closing around Havana; and in the ships w<'re also found several
pilots. Then the forces from the N<>rtli came amidst general rejoicin!';^ii,
but without Putnam and .">(I0 of his Vaid<ees. These*, in a transport
which was skirting tin' dangerous coast much loo closely, vvere siiip-
wrecked on one of the treacherous shoahs thereabouts. I'uJnani, with
triH' New F'^ngland fertility of resource, extemporized rafts from the
fragments of the vessel and got all his men ashore ^*'thout the loss of
a life. They landed near the City of Carthagcnii, iJ.i ■>■ up breast-
works, and were found ready to r<'pc| a. force of thousands of Si»an-
iards when the shijjs from before Havana arrived for iiicir rescue,
their own companions wisely pressing on and sending aid back frouj
the head(iuai"ters.

The American trooi»s went bravely to work, engaging themselves
ihielly with the underminitig of one of the walls. To reach this it was
necessary for theiu to pass al.ag a narrow eminence where tliey were
in plain view and easy range of the Spaniards. A number were lost
in this dangei'ons 'uterjirise, but their \alor was dimmed neither by
this nor by tlu' st'll heavier hisses which cam,' upon them througli the
di.sea.ses prevalent in every pf)rtion of the Hritish camp. Though men
of such hardiness that they must have been e(jual in resisting power
to the Hritish, their losses were < omparatl.'ely much greater, proving
that they occupied jxisitions of greater danger, either from bullets or
the fevers of the region.

Morro Castle Taken.

Five days after the airival of the reinforcements. Lord Albemarle
Jndgea himself sul1i« iently stnuig to assault Morro CasJe, and the
weril was accordingly given. The suidcen ships were blown \\\) early
on the n>orning of July 25, and the IJritish ships sailed into the fury

BUCCANEEHINCJ IN TUE SPANISH MAIN.

of the Spanish cannon, belchinj; shot from all alonj; the Hhoiv, The
big gnns of (he ships could not be elevated suflUiently to silence the
fire from Morro Castle, and this was accordingly l(>fl to be carried by
assault. The I'untal was silenced, troops landed, and after live days
of ferocious lighting, in which the British ami American losses were
enormous by reason of their exposed position, and where every one
concerned exhibited the utmost valor, Morro Castle was carried by the
bayonet. The lighting within its walls after an entry had been made
was exceedingly fierce. The M.inpiis of (lonzalez was killed by his
own cowardly men for refusing to surrender. The cannon from the
other Sjianish batteries were turned upon the Morro iis soon as the
Spanish fiag had been lowered, and the British ensign run up in its
jdace; and then the slow and disastrous work of the siege was taken
up again.

As the lines givw nearer and nearer, and the last hope of the Span-
iard for relief was given ni>, there was the usual attempt made to buy
the attacking i>arty oil". Though it would have been a hojteless under-
taking ai, any time, tlie amount olTered for the ransom of tlie city was
so far below the treasure which was known to be in tlie town that the
offer was nmde a subject for derisive laughter. Fifteen days after
Mori"o Castle had fallen, though the mortality in the trenches was so
great that a few weeks more must have seen the abandoiiiuent of the
i'uterprise, the city fell, the garrison stiimlating for a. i)assage otit with
all tlu> lionors of war, which was freily accorded them, (»wing to the
<limalic predicament in which Lord Albemarle fouml himself. It was
also stipulated that private projH'rty should be respected. This was
stri<*tly observtHl, though Spain had set rei>eated examples of giving a
captiired city over to plunder in ihe face of a stii»ulation to the con-
trar\.

August 14, 17t)2, the British entertnl, the glory of their victoiy over
such heavy odds even then dimmed by the emunious mortality. It
was HN-koned that the few days of August had wrought mure damage
to the invading forces than all the weeks of hard labor and opi;n
assault which had gone before. In the city — ^the llavanuah, as U wiis
then called — treasure was found to the amount of ^T,t)()t),(M)0, nmch of
it in such sha]>e that there had be(>n abumlanl time to Aviliidraw it
either to Spain ur info tin.' interior of the Island, had there been any
other than Spaniards at the head of affairs.

The occupancy of the British and colonial f(U'ces histed but a few
months. Lord Albenuirle, Avith #l'J(),0()0 of tlie prize n\oney as his i)er-

bUCCANEERlNO IN THE SPANISH MAIN.

Honal share, roieiveil notice of the couclusion of the treaty of Paris and
withdrew his army to Great Britain. A single sliip sufllced to reinove
the shattered remnant of the soldiers from Connecticut, the Jerseys,
and New York. Twenty-three hnndred sailed; barely fifty retunicd.
It was a part of the gocMl fortune of Americji — all of the good fortune,
to be e.xact — which bwught Colonel Israel Putnam safely homo again,
though the i)aralysis which shortened his labors not many years after
the Declaration of Independence was unciueslionably due to his ex-
posure to the vertical sun of Cuba and to the poisons of its iK'stilenlial
coast.

In the hands of George III., then King of England, all this suffering
and deprivation amounted to virtually nothing, lie was a coward at
heart, a man who could not even avail himself of such hardly gained
victories. The i)cace of Paris was signed, and by its terms George
yiehled up Cuba ami the Pliilii)i)lues again to the power that has
never ceased to misuse the advantages so obtained.

The belief gained ground in Havana, in ISOT, that the I'^iiglish gov-
ernment again contemplated a descent on llie island; and measures
W(>re taken to put it in a more resiK'ctable state of dcfens',', although,
from want of funds in the treasury, and the scarcity of indispensable
supplies, the prospect of an invasion was suniciently gl(»omy. Tin?
militia and the troops of the garrison were carefully drilled, and com-
panies of volunteers were fonued wherever materials foi- them could
be found. The French, also, not content with mere preparations, made
an actual descent on the island, lirst threatening Santiago, and after-
wanis landing at Patabano.

The invaders consisteil chiefly of refugees from St. l)oming(»; and
their intention schmus to have been to take jjossession with a view to
colonize and cultivate a portion of the unappropriated, or at least un-
occu|>ied, territory on tlu> south side of the island, as tiieir countrymen
had formerly done in St. Domingo. Without recuiriiig to actual force,
thecajjtain-general prevailed on them to take their dej)arture by offering
transportutiuu either to St. Domingo or to France.

CHAPTER V.

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CUBA.

ElTorts of till' Eai'ly Oovi'i'iiors to Eutourani' Tnulf — Ciillivation of Siij^ar One
of llic Fii'Ht Iinliistrics — Decree Deliiiin^ Powers of the Captain Cen-
enil — ^Attemj)le(l Annexation to llie I'niled Stales— The (»sten<l Mani-
festo — lis Won<lerfnl Predictions, in tlie Li^lit of Later Events — Ex-
jiorls and Imports Iletweeu Cuba and Spain — The Future of Commer-
cial Cnl>a.

The conniierce of Cuba ba.s {jjrown in spite of the liniltations that
have been i)laee(l upon it and not beeauseof any encoura^eujent tliat has
been j^iven to It. Columbus called Cuba the most beautiful land that
eyes had ever seen. Its resources, ^{ranled by a j^enerous nature, have
enabled it to recu])erate after destrtictive warfare Avith u rapldrty sini-
})]y amazinj;- to those aecustomed only to the elinuite and the Hoil of
the temperate zone. The immense industries (»f Cuba have been ham-
pei-ed from the bej^inninj; by Spanish opi)ressi(>Ti ami the fact that
they have flourished under such unfavorable conditions is a strikiu};
evidence of what nuiy be expected under a policy of oneoura^eiuent
and freedom. Sujjjir, tobacco, and other tropical products have made
fort tines for (^uba every year, only to ha,ve them si (den by Spanish
<iniceliol(lers, sent there to jdunder all they could ^ct their hands upon.
With jx-ace assured, the opportunities for the extension of industries
in the "Pearl of the Antilles" will be enormous.

The couunercial developnumt of Cuba has come through centuries
of disturbance, warfare, and oppression. A simple catalo};iu' of all the
evils with which the Cubans have had to contend would fill ii vohnue.
All that can be done here is to in(licat(> brielly some of the more notable
events in the history of the island after the Prilish ('omjuests and the
relin<|uisliment of the prize to the Spanish aiilhonties ui>ou the return
of peace. Near the end of the last century there came a period which
ott'ered more encoura}^emer.t to the hoiM' of permanent prosperity in
(■uba than had been offered before. The successive governors ap-
jiointed varied in character, it is true, but several of them were liberal
minded, public spirited men who gave to the colony far better admin-

CO.MMKIii lAL l)KVKL()I'.MKNT OF (TIJA.

iHtrndon that it. luid l)t>(>ii acciistdiiicd to. One of tli(>s(> was l^iiis <l(^
I,as Casais, who iinpaitcd a new iiiipulsc to the afjricultiirc an<l coiii-
iiicrcj' of tli(» ishind. It was under his jjuidaiict! that trade with tht?
Tiiited States bej^an to assinne iiiipoHaiire, and to liis efforts was duo
tiu> transfer of the remains uf Colunibus from Santo Domin^^o to their
present resting i)laee in tlie cathedral at Havana, lie iMKoura^ed iil-
eratiir*', science, tlu* line arts and tlie erection of various i)id)iir charit-
able and educational institutions. He was the founder of the tirst pub-
lic library and the tirst newspaper which had existed in the island. He
showed his ability as an executive by restraining; the restless popula
tion iinder the excitement which aiccomi)anii'd the revcdution in tlio
neif^hborinK colony of Santo Domingo, which ended by the loss to
Spain of that island.

One of the earliest cause.^ ctf ill feelinfjj between the islanders of
Cuba and the i)eopIe of Spain occurred just at the end of the adminis-
tration of Las Casas in 17!)(». In the seventy years prior to that lime a
great navy yard grew up on the liay of Havana, an«l 114 war vessels
were built there to convoy the Spanish treasure ships. All at once this
nourishing industry was closed on the ilemand of the shii)-builders of
Spain that the work should be don(» in the mother country. As might
have been expected, this aroused great indignation among a largo
number of people in Havana who had been dependent upon the in-
dustry.

It was about the same time, or just a hundred years before the out-
bi-eak of our war with Spain, that sugar became an impoHant article
of general commerc<». Even then, however, it was not an article of
common consumption, and was held at extravagantly high i)rlces,
measured by the present cheapness of the article. Market reports of
the lime show that the price approximated forty cents a pound, and
this at a time when the i)tirchasing power of money was at least twice
as great as it is now. As the price lii's fallen, the product and the con-
sumption have increased, nntil of late years it has been an enormous
source of revenue to the 3sUmri of Cuba. When Napoleon Bonai»arle
abducted the royal family of Sj »in and deposed the Hoiirbon dynasty
in 1808, every member of t' .' piDvincial counsel of Cuba took an oath
to preserve the island for tiieir legitimate sovereign. The Colonial
government immediately declared war against Napoleon and pro-
claimed Ferdinand VII. as king. It was by this action that the colony
earned its title of "The ever-faithful isle," which has been excellent as

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WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

7.x

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CUBA.

a comijlimentary phrase, but hardly justified by the actual facts. For
some years following this action, affairs in the island 'yere in an em-
barrassing condition, owing to the progress of the Napoleonic wars in
Europe, which kept all trade disturbed and Spain in a constant condi-
tion of disorder. If it had not been for the fortunate election of one
or two of the governors things might have been even worse thaji they
were, and it was considered that Cuba was enjoying quite as much
peace and prosperity as Avere her neighbor colonies and the mother
governments of Europe. In 1812 a negro conspiracy broke out and at-
tained considerable success, and as a result of it the Spanish governors
began to be more and more severe in their administrations.

Under the influence of the spirit of freedom which was spreading
all around them, Cubans became more and more restless. The revolu-
tionary movements in Spanish America had begun in 1810, r. ud after
fourteen years of guerrilla w'arfare, European power had yanished in
the Western hemisphere from the Northern boundary of the United
States to Cape Horn, except for the Colonies of British Ilonduras and
the Guianas, and a few of the West Indian Islands. In 1821, Santo
Domingo became independent, and in the same year Florida came into
the possession of the United States. Secret societies, with the purpose
of revolu'"on as their motive, began to spring up in Cuba, and the pop-
ulation divided into well-defined factions. There was indeed an at-
tempt at opca revolt made in 1823 by one of these societies known as
the "Soles De Bolivar," but it was averted before the actual outbreak
came, and those leaders of it who were not able to escape from Cuba
were arrested and punished. It was as a result of these successive
events that the office of Captain General was created and invested
with all the powers of Oriental despotism. The functions of the Cap-
tain General were defined by a royal decree of May 28, 1825, to the fol-
lowing effect:

His Majesty, the King' Our Lord, desiring to obviate the inconveniences
that might in extraordinary cases result from a division of coiuraand, and
from the interferences and prerogatives of the respective officers; for tlie
important end of preserving in that precious island his legitimate sovereign
authority and the public tranquillity through proper means, has resolved in
accordance with the opinion of his council of ministers to give to your Excel-
lency the fullest authority, bestowing upon you all the powers which by the
royal ordinances are granted to the governors of besieged cities. In conse-
quence of this, his Majesty gives to your Excellency the most ample and

COMMEKCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CUBA.

unbounded power, not only to send away from the island any persons in
office, wluitevor their occupiitior, rank, class, or condition, whose continuance
therein your Excellency may deem injurious, or whose conduct, public or
private, may alarai you, replacinjf them with persons faithful to his Majesty
and deserving of all the confidence of your Excellency; but also to suspend
the execution of any order whatsoever, or any general provision made con-
cerning any branch of the administration as your Excellency may think most
suitable to the Royal Service.

This decree since that time has been substantially the supreme law
of Cuba, and has never been radically modified by any concessions
except those given as a last and lingering effort to preserve the sov-
ereignty of Spain, when after three years' progress of the revolution
she realized that her colony had slipped away from her authority.
The decree quoted in itself offers sufficient justificaition for the
Cuban revolution in the name of liberty.

Attempted Annexation to the United States.

During the present century there have been a number of attempts
on the part of men prominent in public life, both in the United States
and Cuba, to arrange a peaceable annexation by the purchase by this
countrj' of the island from Spain. Statesmen of both nations have
been of the opinion that such a settlement of the difficulty would be
mutually advantageous, and have used every diplomatic endeavor to
that end.

During Thomas Jefferson's term of office, while Spain bowed be-
neath the yoke of Prance, from which there was then no prospect of
relief, the people of Cuba, feeling themselves imcompetent in force
to maintain their independence, sent a deputation to Washington,
proposing the annexation of the island to the federal system of North
America.

In 1854 President Pearce instructed Wm. L. Marcy, his Secretary
of State, to arrange a conference of the Ministers of the United States
to England, France and Spain, to be held with a view to the acquisi-
tion of Cuba.

The conference met at Ostend on the 9th of October, 1854, and
adjourned to Aix-la-Chapelle, where notes were prepared. Mr. Soule,
then our Minister to Spain, said in a letter to Mr. Marcy, transmit-

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CUBA.

ting the joint report: "Tlie question of the acquisition of Cuba by us
is gaining ground as it grows to be more seriously agitated and con-
sidered. Now is the moment for us to be done with it, and if it is to
bring upon us the calamity of war, let it be now, while the gi*eat
j)owers of this continent are engaged in that stupendous struggle
which cannot but engage all their strength and tax all their energies
as long as it lasts, and may, before it ends, convulse them all. Neither
England nor France would be likely to interfere with us. England
could not bear to be suddenly shut out of our market, and see her
manufactures paralyzed, even by a temporary suspension of her in-
tercourse with us. And France, with the heavy task now on her
hands, and when she so eagerly aspires to take her seat as the
acknowledged chief of the European family, would have no induce-
ment to assume the burden of another war,"

The result of this conference is so interesting in its application to
present conditions that its reproduction is required to make intel-
ligible the whole story of Cuba, and we give it here:

The Osteud Manifesto.

Sir: The undersigned, in compliance with the wish expressed by the
president in the several oonfideuiial despatclies yon liave addressed to us
respectively, to tliat effect, we have met in conferent'e, first at Ostend, in Bel-
gium, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th instant, and then at Aix-la-Chapelle, in Prus-
sia, on the days next following, up to the date hereof.

There has been a full and unreserved interchange of views and senti-
ments between ns, which we are most happy to inform you has resulted
in a cordial coincidence of opinion on the grave and important subjects sub-
mitted to our consideration.

We have arrived at the conclusion, and are thoroughly convinced that
an immediate and earnest effort ought to be made by the government of the
United States to purchase Cuba from Spain at any price for which it can
be obtained, not exceeding the sum of If

The proposal should, in our opinion, be made in such a manner as to
be presented through the necessary diplomatic forms to the Supreme Con-
stituent Cortes about to assemble. On this momentous question, in which tiie
people, both of Spain and the United States, are so deeply interested, all
our proceedings ought to be open, frank and public. They should be of
such a character as to challenge the approbation of the world.

^Ve firmly believe that, in the progress of human events, the time has
arri\ed when the vital interests of Spain are as seriously involved in the

NELSON A. MILES— GENERAL COMMANDING THE U. S. ARMY

UNITED STATES SOLDIERS MARCHING TO THE FRONT

GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE— EXXONSUL^GENERAL TO HAVANA

CONSUL nrZHUGH LEE^ DEPARTURE FROM HAVANA PRIOR TO

DEO-ARATION OF WAR

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CCHA.

103

sale, Jis these of llic United States in the purchase, of (lie island, and that
the transaotiou will prove eijnally honorable to both nations.

Under these eircumstances we eannot anticipate a failure, unless i)osslbly
ihrcMigh the nial4>,n iniiuence of foreign powers who possess no right what-
ever to interfere in tlie matter.

We proceed to state some of Ihe reasons which have brought us to thisi
conclusion, and for the sake of clearness, we shall specify them under two
distinct heads:

1. The I'nited States ought, if practicable, to purchase Cuba with as
little delay as possible.

2. The probability is great that the government and Cortes of Spain
will prove willing to sell it, because this would essentially promote the
highest and best interests of the Spanish people.

Then, 1. It must be clear to every reflecting mind that, from the pe-
culiarity of its geographical position, and the considerations attendant on it,
Cuba is as necessary to the North American republic as any of its present
members, and that it belongs naturally to that great family of states of
which the Union is the providential nursery.

From its locality it commands the mouth of the Mississippi and the im-
mense and annually increasing trade which must seek this avenue to the
ocean.

On the numerous navigable stream.s, measuring an aggregate course of
some thirty thousand miles, which disembogue themselves through this
magnificent river into the Gulf of Mexico, the increase of the population
within the last ten years amounts to more than that of the entire Union at
the time Louisiana was annexed to it.

The natural and main outlet to the products of this entire population,
the highway of their direct intercourse with the Atlantic and the Pacific
States, can never be secure, but must ever be endangered whilst Cuba is a
dependency of a distant power in whose possession it has proved to be a
source of constant annoyance and embarrassment to their interests.

Indeed the Union can never enjoy repose, nor possess reliable security, as
long as Cuba is not embraced within its boundaries.

Its immediate acquisition by our government is of paramount impor-
tance, and we cannot doubt but that it is a consummation devoutly wished
for by its inhabitants.

The intercourse which its proximity to our coast begets and encourages
between them and the citizens of the United States, has, in the progress of
time, so united their interests and blended their fortunes that thej now
look upon each other as if they were one people, and had but one destiny.

Coi sideratious exist which render delay in the acquisition of this island
exceedingly dangerous to the United States.

The system of immigration and labor lately organized within its limits,

104

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CUBA.

and tlio tyranny and oppression which characterize its immediate rulers
tlireaten an insurrection at every moment, which may result in direful conse-
quences to the American people.

Cuba has thus become to us an unceasing danger, and a permanent
cause of anxiety and alarm.

Hut We need not enlarge on these topics. It can scarcely be apprehended
that foreign powers, in violation of international law, would interpose their
influencf? with Sjjain to prevent our acquisition of the island. Its inhabitants
are now suffering under the worst of all possible governments, that of abso-
lute despotism, delegated by a distant power to irresponsible agents, who
are changed at short intervals, and who are tempted to improve their brief
opportunity thus afforded to accumulate fortunes by the basest means.

As long as this system shall endure, humanity may in vain demand the
suppression of the African slave trade in the island. This is rendered im-
possible whilst that infamous traffic remains an irresistible temptation and
a source of immense profit to needy and avaricious officials, who, to attain
their ends, scruple not to trample the most sacred principles under foot.

The Spanish government at home may be well disposed, but experience
has proved that it cannot control these remote depositaries of its power.

Besides, the commercial nations of the world cannot fail to perceive
and appreciate the great advantages which would result to their people from
a dissolution of the forced and unnatural connection between Spain and
Cuba, and the annexation of the latter to the United States. The trade of
England and France with Cuba would, in that event, assume at once an
important and profitable character, and rapidly extend with the increasing
population and prosperity of the island.

2. But if the United States and every commercial nation would be
benefited by this transfer, the interests of Spain would also be greatly and
essentially promoted.

She cannot but see that such a sum of money as we are willing to pay
for the island would affect it in the development of her vast natural resources.

Two-thirds of this sum, if employed in the construction of a system of
railroads, would ultimately prove a source of greater wealth to the Spanish
people than that opened to their vision by Cortez. Their prosperity would
date from the ratification of the treaty of cession.

France has already constructed continuous lines of railways from Havre,
Marseilles, Valenciennes, and Strasburg, via Paris, to the Spanish frontier,
and anxiously awaits the day when Spain shall find horself in a condition
to extend these roads through her northern provinces to Madrid, Seville,
Cadiz, Malaga, and the frontiers of Portugal.

This object once accomplished, Spain would become a center of attrac-
tion for the traveling world, and secure a permanent and profitable market
for her various jjroductions. Her fields, under the stimulus given to in-

COaiMEIlOIAL DEVELOPMENT OP CUIU.

105

1 be
and

dnstry hy reiuum'rating prices, would tcom with cereal anun, and her vine-
yards would bring forth a vastly increased quantity of choice wines. Spain
would speedily become what a bountiftil Providence intended she should be,
one of the first nations of continental Europe — rich, powerful and contented.

Whilst two-thirds of the price of the island would be ample for the com-
pletion of her nioHt important public; improvements, she might with the
remaining forty millions satisfy the derriands now pressing so heavily upon
her credit, and create a sinking fund which would gradually relieve her
from the overwhelming debt now paralyzing her energies.

Such if) her present wretched financial condition, that her best bonds are
sold upon her own bourse at about one-third of their par value; whilst another
class, on which she pays no interest, have but a nominal value, and are
quoted at about one-sixth of the amount for which they were issued. Be-
sides, these latter are held principally by British creditors, who may, from
day to day, obtain the effective interposition of their own government for
the purpose of coercing payment. Intimations to that effect have already
been thrown out from high quarters, and unless some new sources of revenue
shall enable Spain to provide for such exigencies, it is not improbable that
they may be realized.

Should Spain reject the present golden opportunity for developing her
resources and removing her financial embarrass'meuts, it may never again
return.

Cuba, in her palmiest days, never yielded her exchequer, after deducting
the expense of its government, a clear annual income of more than a million
and a half of dollars. These expenses have increased to such a degree as to
leave a deficit, chargeable on the treasury of Spain, to the amount of six
hundred thousand dollars.

In a pecuniary point of view, therefore, the island is an encumbrance
instead of a source of profit to the mother country.

Under no probable circimistance can Cuba ever yield to Spain one
per cent, on the large amount which the United States are willing to pay
for its acquisition. But Spain is in imminent danger of losing Cuba without
remuneration.

Extreme oppression, it is now universally admitted, justifies any people
in endeavoring to relieve themselves from the yoke of their oppressors.
The sufferings which corrupt, arbitrary and unrelenting local administration
necessarily entail upon the inhabitants of Cuba cannot fail to stimulate and
keep alive that spirit of resistance and revolution against Spain which has
of late years been so often manifested. In this condition of affairs it is vain
to expect that the sympathies of the people of the United States will not
be warmly enlisted in favor of their oppressed neighbors.

We know that the President is justly infiexible in his determination to

lOfi

COMMERCIAL l)E\ KI.Ol'.MKNT OF CUBA.

t'X«'(ul(> tilt' nc'iilnilily Isiwh; but should the Cubans tUeniselvfH rise iu revolt
jiKJiiiiHt the ()pi»rt'Hsion wliicli (licy sufl'cr, no human ixivvcr could prevent citi-
zens (»r the United Slates and libeialnilnded men of other countrieH from
rusiiinj? to tlieir asslHtance. IJesides, the present is au age of adventure iu
which rest less and daring spirits abound in every portion of the world.

It is not inii»robabl('. theri'loic, that ('ul)a may be wrested from Spain
by a successful revolution; and in that event she will lose both tin; island
and the price which we are now willing to pay for it— a price far beyond
what was ever paid by one people to another for any province.

It may also be remarked that the settlement of this vexed question,
by the cession of Cuba to the I'nited States, would forever prevent the
dangerous complications between nations to which it may otherwise give
birth.

It is certain that, should the Cul)ans themselves organize an insurrection
against tiie Spanish government, and sm.'ild other independent nations come
to the aid of Si)aiu iu the contest, no human power could, in our opinion,
prevent the people and govei'inuent of the United States from taking part in
such a civil war in support of their neighbors and friends.

Hut if Spain, dead to the voice of her own interest, and actuated by a
stubborn i)ride and a false sense of honor, should refuse to sell (.'uba to the
Unitid States, then the question will arise, What ought to be thu course of
the American government under such circmiislances?

Self-preservation is the first law of nature with States as well as with
individuals. All nations have, at different ])eriods, acted upon this maxim.
Although it has been made the pretext for committing flagrant injusti(;e, as in
tlu^ partition of I'oland and other similar cases which history records, yet the
principle itself, though often abused, has always been recognized.

The United Slates has never acquired a foot of territory except by fair
jiurchase, or, as in the case of Texas, upon the free and voluntary application
of the people of that independent State, who desired to blend their destinies
with our own.

Even our acquisitions from Mexico are no exception to this rule because,
although we might have claimed them by right of conquest iu a just way,
yi't we purchased them for what was then considered by both ])arties a full
and ample equivalent.

Our past history forbids that we should acquire the island of Cuba
without the consent of Spain, unless justified by the great law of self-preser-
vation. We must, in any event, preserve our own conscious rectitude and
our own self-respect.

Whilst pursuing this course we can afford to disregard the censures of
the world, to which we have been so often and so unjustly exposed.

After we have offered Spain a fair price for Cuba, far beyond its present

CO.MMEUCIAL DIJVEl.Ol'MKNl* oF CUIiA.

lot

valuo, aud this shall have been irl'iiKcd, it will then be lime to consider the
question, does ("iiba, in the possession of Spain, seriously endanger our in-
ternal peace and the existence of our cherished Union?

Should this (inestion be answered in the aillrnialive, then, by every law,
human and divine, we shall be justified in wreatin^j; it from Spain, if we
possess the i>ower; and this upon the very same principle that would justify
an individual in tearinj^ down the burniu}; house of his ueij^hbor if there
were no other ni ans of preventing the tlames from destroyinj:; his own home.

Under such circumstances we ought neither to count the cost, nor regard
the odds which Sjjain might enlist against We forbear to enter into

the question, wliether the present condition of . island would justify such
a measure. We should, however, be recreant 1 1 our dut^', be unworthy of
our gallant forefathers, and commit bas. trea on against our posterity,
should we permit Cuba to be Africanized .lud become r. second San Domingo,
with all its attendant horrors to the white rare, and suffer the fiaraes to
extend to our own neighl)or!ng shores, seriously to endanger, or actually to
consume, the fair fabric of our Union.

We fear that the course and current of events are rapidly tending toward
such a catastrophe. We, however, hope for the best, though we ought
certainly to be prepared for the worst.

We also forbear to investigate the present condition of the questions at
issue between the United States and Sjjain. A Jong series of injuries to our
people have been committed in Cuba by Spanish otlicials, and are unre-
dressed. Hut recently a most flagrant outrage on the rights of American
citizens, and on the flag of the United States, was perpetrated in the harbor
of Havana under circumstances which, without immediate redress, would
have justified a resort to measures of war in vindication of national honor.
That outrage is not only unatoned, but the Spanish government has deliber-
ately sanctioned the acts of its subordinates, and assumed the responsibility
attaching to them.

Nothing could more impressively teach us the danger to which those
peaceful relations it has ever been the policy of the United States to cherish
with foreign nations, are constantly exposed, than the circumstances of that
case. Situated as Spain and the United States are, the latter has forborne
to resort to extreme measures.

But this course cannot, with due regard to their own dignity as au inde-
pendent nation, continue; and our recommendations, now submitted, are
dictiited by the fli-m belief that the cession of Cuba to the United- States,
with stipulations as beneficial to Spain as those suggested, is the only effective
mode of settling all past differences, and ct securing the two countries against
future collisions.

108 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CUfiA.

We have already witnessed the happy results for both countries whicih
followed a similar arrangement in regard to Florida.

Yours, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.
J. Y. MASON.

PIERRE SOULE.
HON. WM. L. MARCY, Secretary of State.

Unfortunately for Cuba the suggestions oifered by this commis-
sion were not acted upon, although it is not probable that Spain, ever
blind to her own interests, would have admitted the justice or reason
of the argument, had the offer to purchase been made to her.

Exports and Imports.

A table showing the amount of trade between Cuba and Spain
during the year 1894 (the last authentic report), is instructive:

Importations in Cuba from Spain | 7,492,622

Exportations from Cuba to Spain 23,412,376

Difference in favor of export $15,919,754

The Future of Commercial Ciiba.

Under happier conditions, there can be no doubt that Cuba will
ipeedily attain a much higher state of commercial importance and
prosperity than it has yet enjoyed. Great as its productiveness has
been in the past, well-informed writers assert that proper development
of its resources will increase the value five-fold, and a liberal system
of government will enable it to take advantage of its admirable posi-
tion to gain greater prominence in the commercial world.

CHAPTER VI.

BEAUTIES OF A TROPICAL ISLAND.

A Delightful Clianate — Grand Scenic Surprises — The Caves of Bellaniar—
The Valley of the Yumuri — Under Nature's Dome — Gorgeous Sunsets
— The Palm Tree Groves — ^The Home of Fruits and Flowers — The
Zodiacal Light.

When the little island of Cuba, "The Pearl of the Antilles," was
assigned a place upon the terrestrial globe, Nature must have been
in her most generous mood. Certainly no land beneath the skies was
given a more perfect combination of mountains and rivers, forests and
plains. Situated within and near the border of the northern tropical
zone, the temperature of the low coast lands is that of the tomd zone,
but the high interior of the island enjoys a delightful climate, and the
verdure-clad hills, with the graceful palm and cocoa tree clear against
the pure blue sky, may be seen at all seasons of the year.

As in other countries on the borders of the tropics, the year is
divided between a hot and wet season, corresponding to the northern
declination of the sun, and a cool and dry period. The months from
the beginning of May to October are called the wet season, though
some rain falls in every month of the year.

With May, spring begins in the island, rain and thunder are of
almost daily oecuiTence, and the temperature rises high, with little
daily variation. The period from November to April is called the dry
season by contrast.

On a mean of seven years the rain-fall at Havana in the wet season
has been observed to be 27.8 inches, of the dry months, 12.7, or 40.5
inches for the year.

July and August are the warmest months, and during this period
the avcage temperature at Havana is 82 Fahr., fluctuating between a
maximum of 88 and a minimum of 76. In the cooler months of De-
cember and January the thermometer averages 72, the maximum
being 78, and minimum 58. The average temperature of the year at
Havana on a mean of seven years is 77.

But in the interior, at elevations of over 300 feet above the level
of the sea, the thermometer occasionally falls to the freezing point in

115

BEAUTIES OF A TROPICAL ISLAND.

Avinter. Frost is not uncommon, and during north winds, tliin ice
may form, tliougli snow is unknown in anv pari of tlie island.

The prevailing wind is the easterly trade breeze, but fi'om Novem-
ber to Februaiy, cool north winds, rarely lasting more than forty-
eight hours, are experienced in the westei'?^ part of the island, to
which they add a third seasonal change. Hurricanes may occur from
August to October, but they are rare and sometimes five or six j'ears
pass without such a storai.

Grand Scenic Surprises.

Many "globe-trotters" who have never included this little corner
of the world in their itinerary, do not appreciate the fact that nowhere
under the sun can be found a more perfect climate, grander mountain
scenex'y, more charming valleys, more picturesque ruins, and feriile
fields than Cuba offers to tlieir view.

In another portion of this Avork will be found descriptions of llu*
cities of Cuba, and brief mention here of some of the beauties of llie
country may not be amiss.

One of the grandest bits of scenery in the known world is to be
found in the valley of the Ynmuri, rivaling in sublimity the far-famed
Lookout Mountain view and the Yosemite of the Sierra Nevadas.
The journey leads over a winding trail, easily traversed by the native
horses, up a steep hill, until, after a continuous climb of an hour and
a half, the road turns around the edge of a grassy precipice, and the
beautiful valley, with its patches of green and gold, spreads away in
the distance. The little river of Yuniuri Avinds its Avay through its
flower-decked banks until it reaches the bay beyond, wlilie in the dis-
tsince rise the might}' mountains, clad in their coats of eA'ergreen, and
over all the fleecy clouds, and the sky of azure blue.

In this vicinity an opportunity is given the sight-seer to visit a
sugar house and gain an idea of the sugar-nmking process, though on
a A'ei-y snuvll scale, and enjoy a half an hour in the study of the natives,
and their home life.

A traveler, in Avriting of this place, says:

"Our interview with the little black 'ninos' was highly amusing.
On entering the court yard of the negro quarters, a dozen little black
imps, of all ages and sexes and sizes, perfectly naked, rushed toAvards
us, and crossing their arms upon their breasts, fell upon their kmn^s
before us, and jabbered and muttered, out of which could be distin-

CEI .L MAXIMO SOMEZ— LEADER OF THE INSURGENTS OF CUBA

A HERO WITH A HISTORY

GENERAL MACEO. LEADER OF THE INSURGENT ARMY OF CUBA

BEAUTIES OF A TROPICAL ISLAND.

113

guislied, 'Master, master, give us tJiy blessing,' whicli we interpreted
to mean 'tin;' whereupon we scattered sundry 'medics' among tliem!
Hey! presto! wLat a change! The little black devils fell over one
another, fought, tugged, and scrambled to secure a prize, while any-
one who had been lucky enough to obtain a coin, marched off in a
state of dignified delight, his distended little stomach going before
him like a small beer barrel, while the owner of it kept shouting out,
'Medio, yo tengo medio' (five cents, I have five cents)."

The Caves of Bellamar.

One of the most interesting trips that can be made is to the "Caves
of Bellamar," whi(,'h may be found about two and a half miles south-
east of the citj' of Matauzas.

The journey takes the traveler up a winding and rugged road to
the top of a hill, where the "Cave house" is I'eached, a large frame
structure built over the entrance, and containing, ajiiong other objects
of interest, a large collection of beautiful crystal formations found in
the cave.

Here the tourist enters his name in the visitors' register, pays his
dollar, and follows the boy guide down the stiiii's into the cave. About
one hundred and lifty feet from the eiii ranee a small bridge is crossed,
and the "Gothic Temple" is reached. The only light comes from a few
scattered lanterns, and is consetiuently very obscure, but one can see
the millions of crystals, the thousand weird forms, and realize that it
is surpassingly beautiful. The temple is about two hundred feet in
length and seventy feet in width, and wl'ile it does not equal in size
or solemn grandeur the temple of the same name in the Mammoth
cave of Kentucky, it greatly excels it in the richness and splendor of
its crystal formations and beautiful effects.

The spectator possessed of strongly developed imaginative powers
cannot fail to feel liimself in fairy land. From the gloomy corners
come gnomes and demons, and in the crystal shadows he sees sprites
and lovely fairies, keeping gay revel to dreamy airs, played on invisi-
ble strings l)y spirit hands.

One of the most beautiful objects in the cave is the "rountain of
Snow," a name given to one of the great pillars, called by the natives
the "Cloak of the Virgin." Others are known as "Cblumbus Mantle,"
"The Altar," and "The Guardian Spirit."

"Who has not seen the Caves of Bellamar has not seen Cuba."

114

BEAUTIES OF A TROriCAL ISLAND.

Under Nature's Dome.

One of the most vivid pieces of descriptive aa ritiug, referring to the
beauties of Cuban slcies, is from the i>en of James M. Phillippo:

"The sph?udor of the early dawn in Cuba, as in the tropical islands
in its vicinity, lias been refeiTed to. The whole sky is often so re-
splendent that it is diilicult to determine where the orb of day will
appear. Small fleecy clouds are often seen floating on the north wind^
and as they hover over the mountains and meet the rays of the sun,
are changed into liquid gold and a hundred intensely beautiful dyes
more splendid than the tints of the rainbow. During the cooler
months, the mornings are delightful till about ten o'clock, the air soon
after dawn becoming agreeably elastic, and so transparent that dis-
tant objects appear as if delineated upon the bright surface of the air;
the scenery everywhere, especially when viewed from an eminence, is
indescribably rich and glowing; the tops of the rising grounds and
the summits of the mountains are radiant with a flood of light, while
the vapor is seen creeping along the valleys, here concealing the
entrance to some beautiful glen, and there wreathing itself fantastic-
ally around a tall spire or groves of palm trees that mark the site of
a populous village.

"The finest and most gorgeous sunsets occur in the West Indian
Archipelago during the rainy seasons. The sky is then sublimely
mantled with gigantic masses of cloud, glowing with a thousand gor-
geous dyes, and seeming to collect at the close of day as though to
form a couch for the sun's repose. In these he sinks, flooding them
with glory, touching both heavens and eafth with gold and amber
brightness long after he has flung his beams across the other hemi-
spliere, or i>erhaps half revealing himself tlirough gauze-like clouds, a
crimson sphere, at once rayless and of portentous size.

"The azure arch, which by an optical illusion limits our view on
every side, seems here, and in the tropics generally, higher than in
England, even higher than in Italy. Here is seen, in a perfection com-
pared to which even Italian skies are vapid and uninteresting, that
pure, serene, boundless sky, that atmosphere of clear blue, or vivid
red, which so much contributes to enrich the pencil of Claude Lor-
raine. The atmosphere of Cuba, as everywhere within the tropics,
except when the high winds prv:vail, is so unpolluted, so thin, so elas-
tic, so dry, so serene, and so almost inconceivably transparent and

UEAUTIES OF A TROPICAL ISLAND.

115

l»

brilliant, that every object is distinct and clearly defined ah it cut out
of the clear blue sky. All travelers agree in praising the calm depths
of the intensely blue and gloriously bright skies of inter-tropical lati-
tudes. In the temperate zone, it is estimated that about 1,000 stars
are visible to the naJced eye at one time; but here, from the increased
elevation and wider extent of the vault, owing to the clearness of the
atmosphere, especially as seen from a high mountain diain, the num-
ber is greatly augmented. If, however, these luminaries may not be
seen here in greater numbers, they certainly shine with greater bril-
liancy. The different constellations are indeed so greatly mag-uilied ii*j
to give the impression that the power of the eye is increased. Venus
rises like a little moon, and in the absence of the greater casts a dis-
tinguishable shadow.

"The Milky Way, which in the temperate zone has the appearance
of a luminous phosphorescent cloud, and, as is well known, derives its
brightness from the diffused light of myriads of stare condensed intO'
Bo small space that fifty thousand of them are estimated to pass across
the disc of the telescoi)e in an hour, is here seen divided into constella-
tions, and the whole galaxy is of so dazzling a whiteness as to make
it resemble a pure flame of silverj'^ light thrown across the heavens,
turning the atmosphere into a kind of green transparency. Besides
this, there are vast masses of stellar nebulae of indefinite diversity and
form, oval, oblate, elliptical, as well as of different degrees of density,
diffused over the firmament, and discoverable through a common tele-
scope, all novel to an inhabitant of temperate climes, and recalling the
exclamation of the psalmist: 'The heavens declare the glory of God,
. . . the firmament showeth forth His handiwork.'

" 'The stars
Are elder scripture, writ of God's own hand,
Scripture authentic, uncorrupt by man.'

"An interesting phenomenon sometimes occurs here, as in other
islands of the West Indies, wliich was long supposed to be seen
only in the eastern hemisphere. A short time before sunrise or sunset,
a fiush of strong, white light, like that of the Aurora Borealis, extends
from the horizon a considerabfe way up the zenith, and so resembles
the dawn as to prove greatly deceptive to a stranger. As he watches
the luminous track he sees it decrease instead of becominjj more vivid,
and at length totally disappear, leaving the heavens nearly as dark as
previous to its appearance. This is the zodiacal light.'*

CHAPTER VII.

iWEALTH FROM NATURE'S STORES IN THE FORESTS AND FIELDS

OF CUBA.

The Palm Tree, the Queen of the Cuban Forests — Sugar Cane and Its Culti-
vation — The Tobacco Industry — Tropical Fruits and Flowers — Beauties
of a Garden in Cuba — Enormous Shipments to Spain — The Wealth of
<he i^'iland.

The forests of Cuba are of vast extent, and so dense as to be almost
Impenetrable. It is estimated that of about 20,000,000 acres of land
still remaining perfectly wild and uncultivated, nearly 13,000,000 are
uncleared forest. Mabogtmy and other hard woods, such as the Cuban
ebony, cedar, and granadilla, valuable for manufactures, cabinet work
and ship building are indigenous, and are exported to a considerable
extent.

The palm is the queen of the Cuban forests and is its most valuable
tree. It grows in every part of the island, but especially in the west,
giving at once character and beauty to the scenery. The royal palm
is the most common variety, and frequently grows to a height of one
hundred and twenty feet, the branches numbering from twenty to
twenty-five, in the center of which are the hearts or buds of the plant,
'Elevating themselves perpendi(;ularly with needle-like points.

This heart, enveloped in wrappers of tender white leaves, makes a
most delicious salad, and it is also boiled like cauliflower, and served
with a delicate white sauce. The trunk of the palm is comiwsed of
fibrous matter, which is stripped off and dtied, forming a narrow, thin
board, which the natives use for the walls of their cottages. The
boughs are sometimes made to serve fftr roofing, though palm leaves
are usually used for this purpose, as well as for the linings of the
•walls. "El yarey" is another variety of the palm tree that is of great
utility. From it the native women make the palm leaf hats that are
worn by almost all the villagers and v-ountry people of CnhSL

aVEALTH FROM NATURE'S STORES.

119

Tropical Emits in Abundance.

The fruits of Cuba are those common to the tropics. Bananas^ pine-
apples, oranges, lemons and bread-fruit all grow in abundance, deli-
cious to the taste and delightful to the eye.

Richard Henry Dana, Jr., aiter returning from a vacation trip to
Cuba, wrote a charming description of a fruit garden that it was his
good fortune to visit there:

"The garden contained a remarkable variety of trees, including;
some thrifty exotics. Here the mango, with its peach-like foliage, wa^
bending on the ground with the weight of its ripening fruit; the alli-
gator pear was marvelously beautiful in its full blossom, suggesting,
in fonn and color, the passion flower; the soft, delicate foliage of the
tamarind was like our sensitive plant; the banana trees were in full
bearing, the deep green fruit (it is ripened and turns yellow off the
tree), being in clusters of a hundred, more or less, tipped at the same
time by a single, pendent, glutinous bud, nearly as. large as a pine-
apple. The date palm, so suggestive of the far ast, and the only one
we had seen in Cuba, was represented by a choice specimen, imported
in its youth. There was also the star-apple tree, remarkable for its
uniform and graceful shape, full of green fruit, with here and there
a ripening specimen; so, also, was the favorite zapota, its rusty coate<l
fruit hanging in tempting abundance. From low, broad spreading
trees depended the grape fruit, as large as an infant's head and yellow
as gold, while the orange, lime and lemon trees, bearing blossoms,
green and ripe fruit all together, met the eye at every turn, and filled
the garden with fragrance. The cocoanut palm, with its tall, straight
stem, and clustering fruit, dominated all the rest. Guava, flg, custard
apple, and bread-fruit trees, all were in bearing.

"Our hospitable host plucked freely of the choicest for the benefit
of his chance visitors. Was there ever such a fruit garden before, or
elsewhere? It told of fertility of soil and deliciousness of climate, of
care, judgment, and liberal expenditure, all of which combined had
turned tliese half a dozen acres of land into a Gan Eden. Through his
orchard of Hesperides, we were accompanied also Ly the proprietor's
two lovely children, under nine years of age, with such wealth of
promise in their large black eyes and sweet faces as to fix them on our
memory with photographic fidelity. Before leaving the garden we
returned with our intelligent host once more to examine his beautiful

118

WEALTn FROM NATURE'S STORES.

specimens of bauanas, wliidi, with its sister fruit, the plantain, forms
NO ii'iportaut a staple of fruit in Cuba and throughout all tropical
regions. It seems that the female banana tree beiU's more fniit than
the male, but not so large. The average clusters of the former com-
prise here about one hundred, but the latter rarely bears over sixty or
Heventy distinct specimens of the cucumber-shape^l product. From
the center of its large, broad leaves, which gather at the top, when it
lias reached the height of twelve or fifteen feet, there springs forth a
large purple bud ten inches long, shaped like a huge acorn, though
more pointed. Tliis cone hangs suspended from a strong stem, upon
which a leaf unfolds, displaying a cluster of young fniit. As soon oh
these are large enough to support the heat of the sun and the chill of
the rain, this sheltering leaf drops off, and another unfolds, exposing
its little brood of fruit; and so the process goes on, until six or eight
lings of young bananas are started, forming, as we have said, bunches
numbering from seventy to a hundred. The banana is a herbaceous
plant, and after fruiting, its top dies; but it annually sprouts up again
fresh from the roots. From the unrii>e fruit, dried in the sun, a palat-
able and nutritious flour is made."

The Tobacco Industry.

Cuban tobacco is famous throughout the w dd, and is one of the
most profitable of all its products. Prior to 171 J the crop was sent to
the national factories in Spain, by the "Commercial Company of
Havana," under government contract, but during that year the "Fac-
toria de Tobacco" was established in Havana by the government. The
tobacco was classified as superior, medium and inferior, and was re-
ceived from the growers at fixed prices. In 1804 these were six, five
and two and a half dollai*s per arrobe (a Spanish unit of weight, sub-
ject to local variations, but averaging about twenty-seven pounds
avoirdupois).

By comparing the different prices with the quantity of each class
of tobacco produced, we find that the "Factoria" paid an average price
of |16 per hundred pounds for the leaf tobacco. With the expense of
manufacture, the cigars cost the government seventy-five cents per
pound; snuff, fine grain and good color, forty -three cents, and com-
mon soft, or Seville, nineteen cents a pound in Havana. In good years,
when the crop amounted to 350,000 arrobes of leaf, 128,000 arrobes
were manufactured for Spain, 80,000 for Havana, 9.200 for Peru, 6,000

WEALTH FROM NATURE'S STOKES.

119

for liueiios Ayres, 2,240 for Mexico, aud 1,100 for Caracas and Cam-
peachy.

In order to iiialce up the amount of lU.'jOOO arrobes, (for the crop
loses ten per cent, of its weiirlit, in loss and daniaj;e in tlie transporta-
tion and nianufaclnre) wo nnist sujipose that 80,000 arrobes were con-
sumed in the interior of the island; that is, in the country, where the
royal monopoly did not extend. The maintenance of 120 slaves and
the expenses of manufacture did not exceed !ii!l2,000 yearly; but the
salaries of the otUcei-s of the "Factoria" amounted to !ji!r)41,000. The
value of the 128,000 arrobes of tobacco sent to Spain, in the abundant
^eais, either in cigars, leaf or snuff, at the cu.stomai"}' prices there,
■exceeded the sum of live million dollars.

It is surprisin<>' to see in the returns of the exports from Havana
(documents jiublished by the Consulado), that the exports for iSl(>
were only 3,400 arrobes; for the year 1823, only 13,1)00 arrobes of leaf
tobacco; and in 1825 only 70,302 pounds of cigars and 107,100 pounds
<jf leaf tobacco and strips; but we must remember that no branch of
the contraband trade is more active than that in cigars. The tobacco
of the Vuelta de Abajo is the most celebrated, but large quantities are
exported which are produced in other parts of the island. The cultiva-
tion of tobacco has been one of the most uncertain branches of indus-
ti-y in Cub.'i. Ti'ammeled by restrictions and exactions, it was con-
fined almost entirely to the poorer classes of the iM)pulation, who were
enabled to raise a scanty and uncei-tain crop through the advances of
<:apital made them by the "Factoria." Since the sJuppres.sion of this
monopolj'^, it has had to contend with the more popular and profitjible
pursuit of sugar planting, which has successfully competed with it for
the employment of the capital, skill and labor of the island.

Sugar Cane and Its Cultivation.

Maturin Ballou^ in his "Cuba Pa.st and Present," published in 1885,
when the sugar industry was in its best days, writes an interesting
account of cane cultivation:

"Sugar cane is cultivated like Indian corn, which it also I'esembles
in appearance. It is first planted in rows, not in hills, and must be
hoed and weeded until it gets high enough to shade its roots. Then
it may be left to itself until it reaches maturity. This refers to the
first laying out of a plantation, which will afterwards continue fruit-
ful for years, by very simple processes of renewal. When thoroughly

ISO

WEALTH FROM NATURE'S STORES.

ripe the cane is of a ll;>lit p)I(len yellow, Hti-enked here and there with
red. The top is dark }«rt'en, with Ion;;, narrow leaves dej>ending, very
nui»h like those of the eora stalk, from the center of which shoots
ui)svjud a silvery stem, a couple of Un^t in hei^^ht, and from its tip
grcnvs a white fringed plume of a delicate lilac hue. The effect of a
large field at its mattirity, lying under a torrid sun, and gently yield-
ing to the breeze, is very fine, a jHcture to live in the memory ever
after.

"In the competition .between the products of beet-root sugar and
that from sugar cane, the former contrt)ls the market, because it can
be produced at a clieaper rate, besides which its production is stimu-
lated by nearly all of the European states, through the means of lib-
eral subsidies both to the farmer and to the manufacturer. Beet
sugar, however, does not possess so high a percentage of true sac-
charine matter a.s the product of the cane, the latter seeming to be
nature's most direct mode of supplying us with the article. The
Cuban phuiters liave one advantage over all other sugar-cane protluc-
ing countries, in the great and in<>xhaustible fertility of the soil of
the island. For instance, one or two hogsheails of sugar to the ac)*e
is considered a good y\vh\ in Jamaica, but in Cuba three hogsheads
are the average. Fertilizing of any sort is rarely employtnl in the cane
tields, while in beet farming it is the principal agent of success.
Though the modern machinery, as lately adoptetl on the plantations,
is very expensive, still the result achievc^l by it is so much superior to
that of the old methods of manufacture, that the small planters are
being driven from the market. Slave labor cannot compete with
machinery. The low pi-ice of sugar renders economy inii>erative in all
branches of tlie business, in order to leave a margin for profit.

"A ])lant('r informed the autlior that he should s])read all of his
molasses ujion the cane fields this year as a fertilizer, rather than send
it to a distant market and receive only what it cost. He further said
that thousands of acres of sugar cane would be allowed to rot in the
fields this season, as it would cost more to cut, grind, jjack and send
it to market than could be rc^^lized for the manufactured article. Had
the price of sugar remained this year at a figure which would afford
the planters a fair profit, it might have been the means of tiding over
the chasm of bankruptcy which has long stared them in the face, and
upon the brink of which they now stand. But with a more than
average crop, both as to quantity and quality, whether to gather it or
not is a problem. Under these circumstances it is difficult to say what

WEALTH FROM NATURE'S STORES.

l'4l

is to btHoine, ttnancinlly, of tlu? people of Cuon, Sujf.ir \h their great
staple, but all buslnes» has been equally suppreHstMl upon the island,
under the bane of civil laws, extortionate taxation, and oppreswive
rule.

"The HUfjfar cane yields but one crop a year. There are several
varieties, but the Otaheitan seems to be the most generally cultivatini.
Between the time when enough of the eane is ripe to warrant the get-
ting up of steam at the grinding mill, and the time when the heat and
th(! rain spoils its qualities, all the sugar for the season must be made,
hence the ncfesjslty for great industry on large estates. In Louisiana
the grinding lasts but about eight weeks. In Cuba it continues fotir
months. In analyzing the sugar produced on the island, and compar-
ing Ic with that of the main land, the growth of Loui^iana, chemists
could find no difference as to the quality of the '.rue sacchanne prin-
ciple contained in each.

"The great sugar estates lie in the Vueltra Ariiba, the ivgion of
the famous red earth. The face of this region smiles with prosjK'rity.
In every direction the traveler rides astonislie<l through a garden of
plenty, equally- impressed by the magnificent extent, and the profuse
fertility of the estates, whose palm avenues, plantain orchards, and
cane fields succeed each other in almost unbroken succession. So pro-
ductive are the estates, and so steady is the demand for the planter's
crop, that the great sugar planters are, in truth, princes of agriculture.

"The imposing scale of oi)eratious on a great plantation, imparts a
character of barbaric regal state to the life one leads there. Look-
ing at them simply as an entertainment, the mills of these great sugar
estates are not incongnious with the easy delight of the place. Every-
thing is open and airy, and the processes of the beautiful steam ma-
chinorj' go on without the odors as without the noises that nmke most
manufactories odious. In the centrifugal process of sugar making, the
molasses pa' ^es into a large vat, by the side of which is a row of
double cylinders, the outer one of solid metal, the inner of wire gauze.
These cylinders revolve each on an axis attached by a horizontal
wheel and band to a shaft which communicates with the central
engine. The molasses is ladled out into the spaces between the exter-
nal and interaal cylinders, and the axes are set in motion at the rate
of nineteen hundred revolutions a minute. For three minutes you see
only a white indistinct whirling, then the ^tion is arrested, slowly
and more slowly the cylinders revolve, jen stop, and behold! the
whole inner surface of the inner cylinder is covered with beautiful

122

WEALTH FROM NATURE'S STORES.

<Tystallizati()ns of a light yellow sugar.

Wat hing

this

ingonious

process, I used to fancy that somewhat iu this wise might the nebulsB
of space be slowh' fashioning into worlds."

How Cuba Has Been Robbed by Spain.

Some knowledge of the enormous walth that has accrue<i to Spain
from her Cuban possc^ssious may be gained from the folloAving quota-
tion from "Cuba and the Cubans," published iu New York in 1850 by
Eaimundo Cabrera :

"Oh, we are truly rich!

"From 1812 to 1826, Cuba, with her own resources, covered tlie
expenditures of the treasuiy. Our opulence dates from that period.
We had already sufficient negro slaves to cut down our virgin forests,
and ample authority to force tLv-m to work

"By means of our vices and our luxuiy, and in spite of the hatred
of everything Spanish, which Moreno attributed to us, we sent, in
1827, the first little million of hard cash to the treasury of the nation.
From that time until 1804 we continued to send yearly to the mother
counti'y two millions and a half of the same stuff. According to sev-
eral Spanish statisticians, these sums amounted, in 1864, to f89,107,-
287. We were verA' rich, dt)u't you see? tremendously rich. We con-
tributed more than five million dollars towards the requirements of
the Peninsular — 15,372,205. We paid, in great pjirt, the cost of the
war in Africa. The individual donations alone amounting to fabulous
sums.

"But of course we have never voted for our own imposts; they
have been forced upon us because we are so rich. In 1862, we had in
a state of protiuction the folloAving estates: 2,712 stock fanns, 1,521
sugar plantations, 782 coffee plantiitions, 6,175 cattle ranches, 18
cocoa plantations, 35 cotton plantations, 22,748 prmluce farms, 11,737
truck farms, 11,541 tobacco plantations, 1,731 apiaries, 153 country
resorts, 243 distilleries, 468 tile works, 504 lime kilns, 63 charcoal fur-
naces, 54 cassava-bread factories, and 61 tanneries. To-day I do not
know what we possess, because there are no statistics, and because
the recently organized assessment is a hodge podge and a new bur-
den; but we have more tlian at that time; surely we must have a
great deal more.

"For a very long time we have borne the expenses of the convict
settlement of Fernando Po. We paid for the ill-starred Mexican expe-

WEALTH FROM NATIJRE'S STORES.

123

dition, the costs of the war in San Domingo^ and with the republics of
the Pacific. Uow can we possibly be poor? While England, France
and Holland appropriate large sums for the requirements of their col-
onies, Spain does not contribute a single cent for hers. We do not
need it, we are wading deep in rivers of gold. If the fei-tility of our
soil did not come te our rescue, we must, perforce, have become
enriched by the system of protection to the commerce of the mother

country The four columns of the tariff are indeed a

sublime invention.. Our agricultural industries require foreign ma-
chineiy, tools and utensils, which Spain does not supply, but, as she
knows that we have gold to spare, she may make us pay for tliem very
high. And since our sugar is to be sold to the United States , .
uever mind what they cost. When there are earthquaJves in Andalusia
and inundations in Mureia, hatred does not prevent us from sending
to our alllieted brethren large sums . . . (which sometimes fail
to reach their destination.)

"We are opulent? Let us see if we ai*e. From the earliest times
dov.n to the present, the officials who come to Cuba, amass, in the
briefest space of time, fortunes, to be dissipated in Madrid, and which
appear uever to disturb their consciences. This country is vei-y rich,
incalculably rich. In 1830 we contributed |(),120,!)34; in 1840, |9,G05,-
877; in 1850, ^10,074,077; in 1800, $29,010,779. During the y^iiv Ave
did not merely contribute, we bled. We had to carrj- the budget of
$82/)00,000.

"We count 1,500,000 inhabitants, that is to say, one million and a
half of vicious, voluptuous, pompous spendthi'ifts, full of hatre<l and
low passions, who contribute to the public charges, and never receive
a cent in exchange, who have given as much as $92 per capita, and
who at the present moment pay to the state what no other taxpayers
the world over have ever contributed. Does anyone say that we are
not prodigiously, enviably rich?"

CHAPTER VIII.

THE CUBANS, AND HOW THEY LIVE.

Life in the Rural Districts — A Cuban Bill of Fare — The Amusements of the
Country People — Sports of the Carnival — Native Dances — An Island
Farm — Fruit Used for Bread — Cattle Ranches and Stock Fanns — Pop-
ulation of the Island — Education and Religion — Railways and Steam-
ship Lines.

The traveler from the north, landing for the first time on Cuban
shores, will discover his greatest delight in the radical changes he
finds from everything he has been accustomed to in his own land. If
he has read Prescott and Irving, he knows something of Castilian
manners and customs in theorj^, but as the peculiarities of the people,
their home life, their amusements, their religious observances, and
their busiiess methods are brought before him in reality, he is im-
pressed with the constant charm of novelty.

In times of peace, the native of Cuban soil in the rural districts
knows nothing of the struggle for existence which faces the majority
of mankind in colder clime*' He "toils not, neither does he spin," for
the reason that nature provides so freely that very little exertion is
necessary to secure her gifts. .Occasionally he may plow, or sow a
little grain, or even pick fniit, but, as a rule, he leaves the labor to
the negroes. If he lives on a main-traveled roadj he may possibly' pro-
vide entertainment for man and beast, where he delights in gossiping
with all who come his way, and is re;ady to drink whenever invited.

Neither does his raiment possess the glory of Solomon's, for it
generally consists of a pair of loose trousers, belted with a leather
band, a linen shirt of brilliant hue, frequently worn outside his panta-
loons, a silk handkerchief fastened about his head, a palm-leaf hat,
and bare feet encased in leather slippers.

He is astute, thoi ;h frank, boastful, though brave, and supersti-
tious, if not religious. Gambling is his chief delight, and his fighting
cocks receive more attention than his wife and family.

His better half is ipore reserved than her lord, especially with
strangers. She is an adept horse-woman, though she sometimes

124

TUE CUBANS AND HOW THEY LIVE.

125

shares the animal's back with her husband, riding in front of him,
almost on the neck of the horse. Her dress is the acme of simplicity
(sometimes rather too simple to suit conventional ideas), and consists
of a loose frock, and a handkerchief tied around her neck. Like her
husband she dispenses with stockings, except on occasions of cere-
mony. Her pride is her hair, on which she bestows a great deal of
attention, and. she delights in displaying it at every possible oppor-
tunity.

A Cuban Bill of Fare.

The mode of life among the people of these rural districts is entirely
unlike tluit of tlie residents of the cities. Tliis difference extends even
to their food and the manner of preparing it. In the populous centers,
especially among the better classes, the table seiTice is of the French
mode, but among the country people will be found the real Cuban
cuisine.

The morning meal usually consists of fried pork, of which they are
very fond, boiled rice, and roasted plantain, which seiwes them for
bread. Beef, birds or roast pork are served for dinner, together with
l)lantains and a stew comp«se<l of fresh meat, dried meat, green plan-
tains, and all kinds of vegetables. These are cooked in a broth, thick-
<'ned with a farinaceous root calltKl malanga, and flavored with lemon
juice. Eice is a staple article of diet, and no meal is complete with-
out it.

•

' Rural Amusements.

It is not in gastronomy alone that the Cubans of the country dis-
tricts differ from their city cousins. They have their special amuse-
ments, some of which seem cruel to people of refinement, but it may be
.said in thpir defense that football is not a popular game on the island.

Cock fighting is the natifmal sport, and men, wcmien and children
will wager their last possession on the result of an encounter between
chickens of fighting blood. The goose fight is another cruel sport.
'IVo poles are placed in the ground, with a rope stretched between
them, on Avhich a live goose is hung with its feet securely tieil, and
its head thoroughly gi*eased. The contestants are on horseback, and
ride at full speed past the goose, endeavoring to seize its head and sep-
arate it from the body as they pass. The fowl usually dies before the

126

THE CUBANS AND HOW THEY LIVE.

efforts are successful, but the rider who Anally succeeds in the noble
endeavor gains the glory aud the prize.

T lere is a patron saint for every village, for whom there is a feast
day, which is celebrated by masses at the chitrch, aud afterwards by
games aud dances. A procession is always an'anged on this day, in
which a little girl, dressed as an image, rides in a wagon, decorated
with banners and flowers. Men in costumes of Indians lead the way,
followed hj others clad as Moors. A band is a necessary adjunct, and
bringing up the rear are the inhabitants, nuurhing aud siuging to the
music of the band. When the church is reached, tlie people gather
about the child, and she recites a composition written for the occa-
sion.

During carnival time, processions of mountebanks, cavaliers,,
dressed as knights of ohl, on horses splendidlj' adorned, races,
^uasques, balls and all manner of revelries are indulged in.

Dancing is a universal accomplishment, in which the young and
old find enjoyment in siM places and at all seas jn.s. The Zapato, a
dance peculiar to Cuba, is performed to the music of the guitar, accom-
panied by the voices of the dancers. It consists of fantastic posings,
fancy marches, and graceful figures, and resembles in some details
the "cake walks" of the negroes of our own country.

An Island Farm.

In the neighborhood of the larger cities are hundreds of "Estan-
cias," which correspond to what are known as market gardens in the^
United States. These farms usually consist of less than a hundred
acres each, and on them are raised vegetables, cjiickens, small fruits
and other table delicacies, for the city trade. Properly looked after,
this business might be one of great profit, but the land is, as a. rule,
cultivated by teuants, who pay a rental of about five dollars per acre- ,
a. yeiir, and who are too indt)lent to give it the care necessarj'^ to gain
lucrative returns.

The principal vegetable raised on these farms is the sweet potato,
of which there are two varieties, the yelloAv and the white. The soil
and the climate are not favorable to the cultivation of the Irish po-
tato, and it is uecessarj- to impoit this luxury, Avhich accounts for the
fact that they are seldom seen outside the cities.

Plantains are raised in large quantities. This product is to the

THE CUBANS AND HOW THEY LIVE.

127

Cuban what bread is to us, an<l may be characterized as the standard
article of food. Though less nutritious tliau wheat or potatoes, it is
produced in vastly larger quantities from the same area, and with far
lesf effort. It closely resembles the banana, and is in fact often re-
garded as a variety of that fruit. A fanciful name for it among the
natives is "Adam's apple," and the story is that it was the forbidden
fruit of the Garden of Eden.

On a number of these places the business of farming has been
entirely abandoned, and kilns built, where the burning of lime is car-
ried on extensively.

Cattle Ranches and Stock Farms.

The raising of cattle is one of the important industries of Cuba,
and OS it costs comparatively nothing to lit the stock for the market,
handsome profits are realized. Herds of va.st numbers roam over the
prairies, receiving no attention from their owners, and are sold with-
out auy preliminary fattening. Fabulous prices are received for the
fierce bulls which are us«.»d for the bull fights in the cities, and the
breeding of these animals brings large returns.

Hides are one of the principal exports of the island, and bone
black, prepared from the bones, is sold in immense quantities to the
sugar makers, for use in the manufacture of thrt article.

The finest horses raised in Cuba come from Puerto Principe, and
magnificent specimens of the noble animal they are. They are noted
for their powers of endurance, and can journey day after day, cover-
ing sixty to seventy miles, at an easy gait, without showing signs of
fatigue. A.i horses were unknown to the original inhabitants of the
island, it is supposed that the Cuban horse of to-day comes from Span-
ish stock, and the fact that it differs so greatly from those animals,
both in appearance and quality, is explained by the changed climatic
conditions in its brt^Hling. Whatever its origin may be, it is certain
that there are no finer specimens of horse flesh than are to be found
in C .ba, and the natives take great care of them, almost regarding
them as belonging to the family. Like the Irishman who "kept his pig
in the parior," the Cuban often stables his horse in a room of his
house.

128

THE CUBANS AND HOW THEY LIVE.

Peculiar Funeral Ceremonies.

One of the strangest customs tnat is likely to be observed by the
tourist in the interior sections, is the ceremony attendant on the burial
of the dead. First come small boys, with white linen gowns over theiu
clothes, short enough to display their ragged trousers and dirty shoes.
A boy in the center bears a tall pole, upon the top of which is a silver
cross, partially draped, while each of the other boys can-ies a tall can-
dlestick.

Behind them comes the priest, in shabby attire, in one hand his
prayer book, from which he is chanting from time to time, while in
the other hand, the sun being hot, he carries an umbrella. Following
him, a venerable old man comes tottering along, personating tlie aco-
lyth, the bell-ringer, the sacristan, or other church <lignitary, as may
be necessary, croning out in his di'eary voice, as he swings the burning
censor, the second to the chants of the priest The coffin then makes
its appearance, made of rough boards, but covered with black paper
muslin, and bonie upon the shoulders of four villagers, a crowd of
whom, all uncovered, bring up the rear.

Here, as in all other Catholic countries, the spectators uncover their
heads at the passing of a funeral cortege. At the church are ceremo-
nies of reading prayers, burniag caudles, and sprinkling the coffin
with holy water, after which the priest goes his way, and the proces-
sion takes up its line of march for the newly-made grave, in the dilapi-
dated and neglected cemetery, where the coffin is deposited without
further ceremony. No females are present during the whole affair.

A family in mourning in Cuba, not only dress in dark clothes, upon
which there is no luster, but they keep the w'indows of the house shut
for six months. In fact, by au ordinance of the government, it is now
prohibited to display the corpse to the public through tlie open win-
dows, as was formerly done, both windows and doors being now
required to be shut.

An Hospitable People.

The Cuban of the better class is noted for his hospitality. His door
is always ojwn to receive whomsoever calls, be he acquaintance, friend
or stranger. There is a place at his table for the visitor at all times,
withort money and without price, and no one having the slightest
claim to courtesy of this kind need hesitate to accept the invitation*

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THE CUBANS AND HOW THEY LIVE.

131

There is little travel or comuuinication on the islaiul, so even if the
guest be an entire stranger, his host will fe<»l amply repaid for his hos-
pitality by the news the traveler bnngs from the outside world. There
is a good old custom among the Danes, that when the first toast is
dnink, it is to the roof of the house which covers everyone in it, mean-
ing thereby it is all one family. This same custom might apjon^pri-
ately be kept up amongst the Cuban planters, for when one takes his
seat at the table, he is immediately installed as one of the family
circle.

Education and Religion.

Education is woefully backward on the island. In the absence of
recent statistics it is estiniated that not one-tenth of tlie children
receive lettered education of any kind, and even among the higlier
classes of society, liberal education is very far from being universally
diflused. A few literary and scientifie men are to be found both in the
higher and middle ranks, and previous to the revolution, the question
of public instruction excited some interest among the Creole popula-
tion.

At Havana is the royal university with a rector and thirty profes-
sors, and medical and law schools, as well as an institution called the
Koyal College of Havana, There is a similar (establishment at Puerto
Principe, in the eastern interior, and both at Havana and Santiago de
Cuba there is a college in which the branches of ecclesiastical educa-
tion are taught, together with the humanities aud philosophy. Besides
this there are several private schools, but these are not accessible to
the masses. The inhabitants can scarcely be said to have any litera-
ture, a few daily and weekly journals, under a rigid censorship, sup-
ply almost all the taste for letters in the island.

To show how little liberty of opinion the newspapers of Cuba enjoy,
we quote a decree issued by General Weyler, formerly Captain-Gen-
eral of the island:

Don Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau, Marquis of Tenerife, governor-general,
cuiitaiu-j^eueral of the Island of Cuba, and general-in-chief of this army.

Under the authority of the law of public order, dated the 23rd of
April, 1870.

I Order aud Command,

Ist. No newspaper shall publish any news concerning the war which
is not authorized by the staff offlcers.
1

132

THE CUBANS AND HOW THEY LIVE.

-nd. Neither shall be juiblished anj telegraphic coiumunicatiouH of a
political character without the authority given by the secretary of the gov-
ernor gi'ueral in Havana, or l)y the civil ofllcers in the other provinces.

;'rd. It is hereby forbidden to publish any editorials, or other articles or
illustrations, whidi may directly or indirectly tend to lessen the prestige of
the mother-country, the army, or the authorities, or to exaggerate the forces
and the importance of the insurrection, or in any way to favor the latter, or to
cause unfounded alarm, or excite the feelings of tlie people.

4th. The infractions of this decree, not included in Articles first and
sixth of the decree of Febi'uary Kitli last, will make the oiVeuders liable to
the penalties named in Article 'M, of the law of the 2;>rd of A])ril, 1870.

.5th. All persons referred to in Article 14 oi the I'enal ('ode of the
I'cninsula, which is in force in this Island, will be held responsible for said
infractions in the same order as estal)lished by the said Article.

(ith. Whenever a newspaper has twice incurred the penalty of said
offense, and shall give cause for a tliird penalty, it may be then suppressed.

7th. The civil governors are in charge of the fulfillment of this decree,
and against their resolutions, which must be always well founded, the inter-
ested parties may appeal within twenty-four hours following their notifica-
tion. VALERIANO WEYLEE.

Havana, April 27, 1S9G.

Population of the Island.

Conflicting accounts render it impossible to amve at anything like
a certainty as to the number of inliabitants in Cuba at tlie time of its
conquest, but it may be estimated at from 300,000 to 400,000. There is
but little doubt, however, tliat before 1560 the whole of this j)opula-
tion liad disappeared from the island. The first census was takeu in
1774, when the population was 171,620. In 1791 it was 272,300.

Owing to tlie disturbed condition of the island, no census of the
inhabitants has been taken since tliat of 1887, when the total popula-
tion was 1,631,687. Of this number, 1,111,303 were whites, and 520,684
were of negro blood. These figures make questionable the claim that
the war for liberty is simply an insurrection of the colored against the
Caucasian race.

CHAPTER IX.

HAVANA, THE METROPOLIS OF THE ISLAND.

ITavanii and Its Attractions for Tourists — How to Roacli Cuba — Di-scription
of tlio Harbor of Havana — How tlic Proverbial Unhealtlifulncss of tin?
City May IJe Roniedit'd — (.-liaractcM-iHtics of tlie Business Quarter —
Residences and How tlie People Live — Parks and Boulevards — Other
Features of Life in the City .

In spite of the little encouraj;ement which American tourists have
had for visiting the city of Havana, for many years it has been a pop-
ular place of resort for the few who have tried it or have been recom-
mended to it by their friends. With the attractions it has had during
Spanish administration, when an air of constraint and suspicion marked
the intercourse with every American, it will not be surprising if under
changed auspices and in an atmosphere of genuine freedom, Americans
will find it one of the most delightful and easily accessible places possi-
ble for them to visit. It is not all pleasant, but the unpleasant things
are sometimes quite as interesting as the pleasant ones. If the traveler
forms his judgments according to the actual comforts he may obtain,
he will be pleased from beginning to end of his stay. If the measure of
his good opinion is whether or not things are like those to which he is
accustomed, he will be disappointed, because novelty reigns. But nov-
elty does not necessarily mean discomfort.

Havana may be reached by a sea voyage of three or four days from
New York, on any one of several excellent steamers under the American
flag, and even in winter the latter portion of the voyage will be a pleas-
ant feature of the journey. Or the path of the American invading squad-
ron may be followed, and the traveler, aftet passing through Florida by
rail, may journey from Tampa by the mail steamers, and touching at
Key West for a few hours, reach Havana after a voyage of tAvo nights
and a day.

The Florida straits, between Cuba and the Florida keys, which were
the scene of the first hostilities of the war, are but ninety miles wide,
and the voyage is made from Key West in a few hours. The current of

134

UAVANA, THE METROPOLIS OP THE ISLAND.

the gulf stream makes the channel a trifle reminiscent of the English
channel, but once under the lee of the Cuban coast the water is still
and the harbor of the old city offers shelter.

In the days before the war, Morro Castle had an added interest to
the traveler from the fact that behind its frowning guns and under
the rocks on which it was built, were the cells of scores of sad prisoiu^rs,
some of them for years in the dungeons, whose walls could tell secrets
like those of the inquisition in Spain if they could but speak. Iietwe<>n
Morro Castle and its neighbor across the way. La Puntsi, the vessels
«team into that bay, foul with four hundred years of Spanish misrule
iiud filth, where three hundred years of the slave trade centered, and
into which the sewers of a great city poured their filth. Once inside the
harbor. Cabana Castle frowns from the hills behind Morro, and on the
opposite shore rise the buildings of the city itself.

The harbor always has been a busy one, for the commerce of the
island and of the city has been large. In times of peace, scores of vessels
lie at anchor in the murky waters. The American anchorage for mail
steamers for years has been in the extremest part of the bay from the
city of Ilavana itself, in order to avoid the contagion which was threat-
^ened by a nearer anchorage. Until the Maine was guided to her ill-
fated station by the harbor master, it had been long since any American
vessel had stopped in that part of the harbor.

Perfect Sanitary Condition Easily Created.

The shallow harbor of Havaui. Ima its entrance from the ocean
through .a channel hardly more tiiaii three hundred yards wide, and
nearly half a mile long, after whi'^;; 't broadens and ramifies until its
area becomes several square miles. No fresh water stream, large or
small, flows into it to purify the waters. The harbor entrance is so nar-
row, and the tides along that coast have so little rise and fall, that the
level of water in the harbor hardly shows perceptible change day after
day.

The result of this is that the constant inflow of sewage from the great
city pouring into the harbor is never diluted, and through the summer
is simply a festering mass of corruption, fronting the whole sea wall and
throwing a stench into the air which must be breathed by everyone on
shipboard. There is one part of the harbor known as "dead man's hole,"
from which it is said no ship has ever sailed after an anchorage of more

HAVANA, THE METROPOLIS OP THE ISI^ND.

135

than one day, without bearing the infection of yellow fever among its
crew.

Along the shores of this very harbor are great warehouses for the
sugar and tobacco 8hipi>etl into the United States by the thousands of
tons every year. To preserve our national health, our government has
maintained an expensive marine hospital service and quarantine sys-
tem along our southern ports which trade with Havana, in addition to
supporting a marine hospital service under the eminent Dr. Burgess in
Havana itself. To <he rigid enforcement of this system, and the untiring
vigilance of Dr. Burgess, must be credited the immunity which the
United States hsis had from annual epidemics of yellow fever and small-
pox.

The guilt of Spain in permitting this shocking condition to continuej
cannot in any way be palliated. For four hundred years she has had
sway in the island, free to work her own will, and drawing millions of
dollars of surplus revenue out of the grinding taxes she has imposed.
The installation of a sanitary system of sewage, which should discharge
into the open sea instead of into this cesspool which lies at the city's feet,
would have been the first solution of the difficulty. The threat of danger
would have been finally averted by the expenditure of a few hundred .
thousand dollars, which would open a channel from the further ex-
tremity of the harbor to the ocean eastward. The distance is but a few
miles and the engineering problem a simple one. This and the con-
struction of a jetty northwestward from the point on which Morro
Castle stands, would divert a portion of the current of the noble gulf
stream into the harbor entrance, and the foul pond of to-day would be
scoured of its filth by a perennial flood which could never fail.

Vera Cruz, on the Mexican coast, has proven that it is possible to ex-
terminate yellow fever, and it is a duty owed to civilization that Havana
shall follow along the same path. If all other excuses were to be ig-
nored, the United States for years has had ample cause for intervention
in Cuban affairs, as a measure of safety to the health of her own citizens,
as truly as one man may complain to the authorities if his neighbor
maintains a nuisance in the adjoining yard.

The Business Quarters of Havana.

Once anchored in the safest place in the harbor, the mail steamers
are surrounded without delay by a fleet of peculiar boats of a sort seen
only in the bay of Havana. For a bit of silver, the traveler is taken

13fi

HAVANA, THE METROrOLIS OF THE ISLAND,

ashore, the journey to tlie landing stage being- a matter of but a few
moments. The journey through the custom house is not a formidable
one, for unless there is suspicion of some contraband goods, the customs
officers are not exacting upon travelers. At the door of the custom
house, or aduana, Vv^ait the cabs, which are cheaper in Havana than in
any other city of the new world, and they serve as a conveyance to the
hotels, Avhich are all grouped in the same neighborhood.

The streets through which the traveler passes are picturesque, but
hardly i)racti('al, from the American point of view. Some of them are
so narrow that '-arriages cannot pass, and all traffic must go in one
direction. Nearly all of the business streets have awnmgs extending
from one side to the other, between the roofs, as a protection from the
tropic sun. The sidewalks on some of the most pretentious streets are
not wide enough for three i)ersons to walk abreast, and on othere two
cannot pass. On every hand one gets the impression of antiquity, and
antiquity even grea+er than the four hundred years of Spanish occu-
pancy actually measures. Spanish architecture, however rao<lem it
may be, sometimes adds to that impression and one might believe him-
self, with little stretch of the imagination, to be in one of the ancient
cities of the old world.

The streets are pave<l with blocks of granite and other stone, roughly
cut and consequently exceedingly noisy, but upon these narrow streets
front some shops as fine as one might expect to discover in New York
or Paris. It is true that they are not larg. , but they do not need to be,
for nearly all are devoted to specialties, instead of cai'rying stocks of
goods of the American divei'sity. The one who wants to shop will not
lack for temptations. The selection is ample in any line that may. be
nametl, the styles are modern and in exquisite taste, and altogether the
shops are a considerable surprise to one who judges them first from
the ox+er'*or. Stores devoted exclusively to fans, parasols, gloves, laces,
jewels, bronzes, silks and the beautiful cloth of pineapple fiber known
as nipe doth, are an indication of the variety that may be found. The
shoos and other articles of men's oM women's clothing are nearly all
direct importations from I'avis, and where Parisian styles dominate one
may be assureil that the selection is not a scanty ( iie. (^lerks are
courteous even to the traditional point of Castilian obsequiousness, and
altogether a shopping expedition along this Obispo street is an experi-
ence to be remembere<l with pleasure.

HAVANA, THE METROPOLIS OF THE ISLAND.

137

Havana Homes.

You notice that everything is made tc .serve comfort and coolness.
Instead of having panes of glass, tb^' windows are open and guarded by
light ir(m railings, and the heavy wooden doors are left ajar. You see
into many houses as you pass along, and very cool and clean they h)ok.
There are marble floors, cane-seated chairs and lounges, thin lace cur-
tains, and glimpses of courts in the center of each building, often with
green plants or gaudy flowers growing in them between the parlor and
the kitchen.

You find much the same plan at your hotel. You may walk in at
the doors or the dining room windows just as jon please, for the sides
of the house seem capable of beirg all thrown open; while in the center
of the building you see the blue sky overhead. Equally cool do all the in-
ha.bitants appear to be, and c^^e wise man who consults his own comfort
will do well to follow the general example. Even the soldiers wear
straw hats. The gentlemen are clad in underwear of silk or lisle thread
and suits of linen, drill or silk, and the ladies are equally coolly ap-
I>arelle<l.

Havana is a dressy place, and you will be astonished at the neatness
ajid style to which the tissue-like goods worn there are made to conform.

But come and see the apartment yoii are to rest in every night. Ten
to one the ceiling is higher tho.n j-ou ever saw one in a private house, and
the huge windows open upon a balcony overlooking a verdant plaza.
The floor is of marble or tiling, and the bed is an ornate iron or brass
affair, with a tightly stretche<l sheet of canvas or fine wire netting in
place of the mattress you ai-e used to. You could not sleep on a mat-
tress with any proper degree of comfort in the tropics. There is a canopy
with curtains overhead, and everything about the room is pretty certain
to be scrupulously clean. Conspicuous there and everywhere else that
you go is a rocking chair. Ito'dving chairs aic to be found in the houses,
and in regiments in the clubs.

Havana is the metropolis of the West Indies. It has more life and
bustle than all the rest of the archipelago put together. If you are
German, English, Scotch, Dutch, American, French or whatever you
are, you will find fellow countryiiKMi among its 250,000 souls. There is
a public spirit there which is rare in these climes. The theaters a.stonish
you by their size and elegance. The aristocratic club is the Union, but

138

HAVANA, THE METROPOLIS OF THE ISLAND.

the popular one is the Oasiiio Espanol, whose club house is a marvel of
tropical elegance and beauty. Nearly all these attractions are on or
near the broad, sliady and imposing thoroughfare, the Prado — a suc-
cession of parks leading from the water opposite Morro Castle almost
across the city .

In one or another of these parks a military band plays on three
evenings of the week, and the scene on such occasions is wholly new to
English eyes. It is at such times that one may see the beautiful Spanish
and Cuban women. They do not leave their houses in the heat of the
day unless something requires them to do so, and when they do they
remain in their carriages, and are accompanied by a servant or an elder-
ly companion. So strict is the privacy with which they are surrour J , d
that you shall see them shopping without quitting their carriage,.,
waited on by the clerks, who bring the goods out to ihe veh* Jes.

But Vvhen there is music under the laurels or palms the senoritas,
in their light draperies, and wearing nothing on their heads save
the picturesque mantilla of Old Spain, assemble on the paths, the seats,
the sidewalks and in their carriages, and there the masculine element
repairs and is very gallant, indeed.

Here you will listen to the dreamy melody of these latitudes, Spanish
love songs and Cuban waltzes so softly pretty that you wonder all the
world does not sing and play them. On other nights the walk or drive
along the Prado is very interesting. You pass some of the most elegant
of the houses, and notice that they are two stories high, and thai the
family apartments are on tie upper stories, so that you miss the furtive
views of the families at meals and of the ladies reclining in the broad-
tiled window sills that you have in the older one-story sections of the
city.

CHAPTER X.

* THE CITIES OP CUBA.

The Harbor of Matauzas — Sports of the Carnival — Santiago de Cuba and lt8
Beautiful Bay — Cardinas, the Commercial Center — Enormous Exports
of Sugar — The Beauties of Trinidad — Other Cities of Importance.

The city of Havana may be said to stand in the same relation ta
Cub?, that Paris does to France, for in it are centereil the culture, the
refinement, and the wealth of the island, but there ai'e several other
towns of considerable importance, and many of them have become
places of interest since the struggle for liberty has attracted the atten-
tion of the civilized world.

Chief among these is Matanzas. This c'cy, with a normal popula-
tion of about 60,000, is situated fifty miles east of Havana, wi' i which it
is connected by rail and water. Its shipping interests are second only
to those of the capital, as it is the outlet of many of the richest agricul-
tural districts of the island.

The city is situated on the flats on botb sides of the San Juan river,
which brings dow n large quantities of mud and greatly impedes inland
navigation. As an offset the bay is spacious, easy of access and shel-
tered from the violent gulf storms which prevail at some seraons. This
makes the port a favorite with marine men. A large amount of money
has been spent by the government to fortify and protect the city, and it
has been connected by rail \ith all thf principal towns and producing
centers of the provinces. Thus it is a particularly favorite port of entry
for all the supplies required in lI)*: plantations — food staples and ma-
chinery. Its exports rcusist principally of sugar, coffee, molasses, to-
bacco, honey, wax and fruits.

The city is built principally of masonry and in a most substantial
manner, though little effort has been made to secure architectural
beauty. The pride of the city is the new theater, which is pointed out
as the handsomest building in Cuba, The Empresa Academy also takes
rank equal with any for the excellence of its educational facilities.

There is no more charming spot in Cuba than Matanzas. The bay

139

140

THE CITIES OF CUBA.

is like a crescent in shape, and receives the waters of the Yumuri and
Matanzas rivers, two small unnavigable stream*?. A high bridge sepa-
rates them. On this ridge back of the town stands a cathedral dedicated
to the black virgin. It is a reproduction of a cathedral in the Balearic
Islands. The view from its steeple is magnificent. Looking backward
the valley of the Yumuri stretches to the right. It j^ about ten miles
wide and sixty miles long, dotted with p^lms^ and as level as a bam
floor. The Yumuri breaks through the mountains near Matanzas bay
something like the '^ T'^aa river a+ Canon City. Carpeted with living
green and surrounde^ i mountains this valley is one of the gems of

Cuba.

About ten miles from. Matanzas, on the left of the road, stand what
are known as the Breadloaf Mountains. They rise from the plain like
the Spanish peaks in Colorado. These mountains are the headquarters
of General Betancourt, who commands the insurgents in the province.
The Spaniards have offered f 1,000 reward for his herd. Several efforts
have been made to secure it, but in all cases the would-be captor has lost
liis own head.

In accordance with the Weyler edict 11,000 reconcentrados were
herded together at Matanzas, and within a year over 9,0!)0 of them died
in the city. In the Plaza, under the shadow of the Governor's residence,
twenty-three people died from starvation in one day. The province of
Matanzas is not larger in area than the state of Delaware, yet 55,000
people have perished from starvation and incident diseases since the
order went into effect.

But all the people of Matanzas are not reconcentrados, and even
in the midst of war's alarms they find time for amusement, as the fol-
lowing description of a carnival ball will prove:

"It was our good fortune to be in Matanzas during the last three
days of the Carnival; and while the whole time was occupied by noisy
processions and grotesque street masqueraders, the crowning cere-
monies were on the last Sunday night. Then the whole town used every
effort to wind up the season in a *feu de joie' of pleasure and amusement.
In almost every town of any importance there is an association of young
men, generally known as *E1 Liceo,' organized for artistic and literary
purposes, and for social recreation. A fine large building is generally
occupicnl by the association, with ample space for theatrical representa-
tions, balls, etc.; in addition to which there are billiard rooms, and read-
ing rooms, adorned, probably with fine paintings. In MatanzM this

THE CITIES OP CUBA.

141

association is known as *E1 Liceo Artistico y Literario de Matanzas,*
and is a particularly fine one, being composed of the elite of the city,
with a fine large house, to which they made an addition by purchasing
the 'Club,' beautifully situated upon the Plaza.

"Thanks to our letter of introduction, we were, through the kind
offices of the members, permitted to enjoy the pleasures of their grand
ball, called the Tinata,' which was indeed a verj^ grand affair, attended
by the beauty and fashion of Matanzas. The ball commenced at the
seasonable hour of 8 o'clock in the evening; and at entering, each one
was required to give up his ticket to a committee of managers, who thus
had a kind of general inspection of all those admitted,

"The ball room was a long, large hall, at the other end of which
was a pretty stage for the rical representations; on each side of the
room was an arched colonnade, over which were the galleries, where
the band was posted. Ranged in double rows of chairs the full length
of the room in front of the colonnade, sat hundreds of dark-eyed angels,
calm, dignified, and appearing, most of them, to be mere lookers on;
not a black coat among them. All of these, with the exception of a few
courageous ones that were facing all this beauty, were huddled to-
gether at the other end of the room, wanting the courage (it could not
be the inclination) to pay their respects to 'las Senoritas,'

"What is exactly the trouble in Cuba between the gentlemen and
the ladies I never have been able to quite understand. The men are
polished and gentlemanly, as a general thing — sufficiently intelligent^
apparently; while the hulies are dignified and pretty. And yet I have
never seen that appearance of easy and pleasant intercourse between the
sexes which makes our society so charming,

"I am inclined to believe that it is the fault of custom, in a great
degree, which surrounds women in Cuba with etiquette, iron bars and
formalitj'. This would seem to apply to the natives only, for nothing
can be kinder, more friendly and courteous than the manners of the
Cuban ladies to strangers, at least, judging from what is seen. It may
be as a lady with whom I was arguing the point said: 'It is very differ-
ent with strangers, Senor, and particularly with the Americans, who
are celebrated for their chivalric gallantry to ladies,' Now I call that a
vei*j' pretty national compliment.

"Taking the arm of my friend, we walk up and down to see, as he
expresses it, 'who there is to be presented to,' and faith, if beauty is to
be the test, it would seem to be a hard matter to make up one's mind.

142

THE CITIES OF CUBA.

there is so much of it, but after a turn or two around the room, this
form is gone through with, and one begins to feel at home and ready to
enjoy one's self.

"When one finds ladies (and there are numbers) who have been edu-
cated abroad, either in the United States or Europe, he finds them
highly accomplished and entertaining. Several that I had the pleasure
of meeting on this and other occasions spoke French perfectly, some
English, and one or two both of these in addition to their native tongue.

"But let us return to the ball, which is all the time going on with
great eclat. It opens with the advent upon the stage of a dozen or more
young men, under the direction of a leader, in some fancy costume very
handsomely made, who, after making their bow to the audience, go
through some novel kind of a dance. The performers take this means
of filling up the intervals of the general dance, and amusing the audi-
ence.

"It is now getting late, and the rooms are terribly warm. The fans
of the long rows of lovely sitters, who have not moved out of their places
the whole evening,keep up a constant flutter, and one begins to sigh for a
breath of fresh air, and relief from the discomforts of a full dress suit.
But the grand affair of thr evening is yet to come off, we are told, so
we linger on, and are finally rewarded by the grand ceremony of the
'Pinata,' from which the ball takes its name. This word I can hardly
give the meaning of as applied to this ceremony, which consists in
having pendent from the ceiling a form of ribbands and flowers, the rib-
bands numbei-ed and hanging from the flowers^ the rights to pull which
are drawn like prizes in a lottery. Of these ribbands, one is fastened
to a beautiful crown of flowers, which, when the ribband to which it is
attached is pulled, falls into the hands of the lucky person, who has the
privilege of crowning any lady he may deem worthy of the honor 'Queen
of the Ball,' to whom every one is obliged to yield obedience, homage,
and admiration. There is, also, the same opportunity afforded to the
ladies to crown a king. The whole ceremony is pretty, and creates
much merriment and amusement.

"This ceremony over, at midnight we sally out into the open air.
But what a sight greets us there! Lights blaze in such profusion that
it seems more than day. Music and dancing are everywhere. Songs
and mirth have taken complete possession of the place, while people of
all ages, sexes and colors are mixed together, in what seems inextricable
confusion, intent upon having a good time in the open air while their

THE CITIES OF CUBA.

143

masters and betters are doing the same thing under cover. This is a
carnival sight indeed, and only to be seen in a tropical clime."

Guantanamo, the Home of the Pirates.

Approaching Cuba as Columbus did — across the narrow stretch of
sea from San Domingo — you first sight the long, low promontory of the
eastern tip, which the discoverer named Point Maysi. So different is
the prospect from that seen at the other end of the island, a.s you come
down in the usual route from New York or Florida, that you can hardly
believe it is the same small country. From Maysi Point the land rises
in sharp terraces, backed by high hills and higher mountains, all so
vague in mist and cloud that you do pot know where land ends and sky
begins. Coming nearer, gray ridges are evolved, which look like cowled
monks peering over each other's shoulders, with here and there a
nmjestic peak towering far above his fellows — like the Pico Turquino,
11,000 feet above the sea. Sailing westward along this south shore, the
"Queen of the Antilles" looks desolate and forbidding, as compared to
other portions of the West Indies; a panorama of wild heights and
sterile shores, and surge-beaten cliffs covered with screaming sea birds.
At rare intei-^^als an opening in the rock-bound coast betrays a tiny
harbor, bordered by cocoa palms, so guarded and concealed by hills, and
its sudden revelation, when close upon it, astonishes you as it did the
first explorer.

According to tradition, everyone of these was once a pirate's lair, in
the good old days we read about, when "long, low, suspicious-looking
craft, with raking masts," used to steal out from sheltered coves to
plunder the unwary. Each little bay, whose existence was unknown
to honest mariners, has a high woode<l point near its entrance, where the
sea robbers kept perpetual watch for passing merchantmen and treas-
ure-laden galleons, their own swift-sailing vessels safe out of sight
within the cove; and then, at a given signal out they would dart upon
the unsuspecting prey like a spider from his web. Among the most
notorious piratical rendezvous was Gauntanamo, which our warships
are said to have slielled two or three times of late. In recent years its
naiTow bay, branching far inland like a river, has become of consider-
able consequence, by reason of a railway which connects it with Santi-
ago, and also because the patriot army, hidden in the nearby mountains,
have entertained hopes of overcoming the Spanish garrison and making

144

THE CITIES OP CUBA.

it a base for receivinj? outside assistance. Before the war there were
extensive sugar plantations in this citj', now all devastated. The Cobre
mountains, looming darkly against the horizon, are the great copper and
iron range of Cuba, said to contain untold mineral wealth, waiting to
be developed by Yankee enterprise. In earlier days .f4,000,000 a year
was the average value of Cuba's copper and iron exports; but in 1SG7
(>,000,000 tons were taken out in less than ten months. Then Spain put
her foot in it, as usual. Not content with the lion's share, which she had
always realized in exorbitant taxes on the product, she increased the
excise charges to such an extent as to kill the industry outright. For
a long time afterward the ore lay undisturbed in the Cobre "pockets,"
until the attention of Americans was turned this way. Their first
iron and copper claims in these fountains were recognized by the
Cuban government about seventeen years ago. Three Yankee corpora-
tions have develojDed rich tracts of mining territorj' hereabouts, built
railways from the coast to their works on the hills and exported ore to
the United States. The oldest of these companies employed 2,000 men,
and had 1,600 cars and a fleet of twenty steamers for the transportation
of its output. The Carnegie Company, whose product was shipped to
Philadelphia, also employed upwards of a thousand men.

Santiago de Cuba.

At last an abrupt termination of the stern, gray cliffs which mark
this shore line indicates the proximity of Santiago harbor, and a nearer
approach reveals the most picturesque fort or castle, as well as one of
the oldest, to be found on the western hemisphere. An enormous
rounding rock, whose base has been hollowed into great caverns by the
restless Caribbean, standing just at the entrance of the narrow channel
leading into the harbor, is carried up from the water's edge in a suc-
cessio. of walls, ramparts, towers and tuiTets, forming a perfect picture
of a rock-ribbed fortress of the middle ages. This is the famous castle
of San Jago, the Moro, which antedates the more familiar fortress of the
same name in Havana harbor by at least a hundred years. Words are
of little use in describing this antique, Moorish-looking stronghold, with
its crumbling, honey-combed battlements, queer little flanking turrets
and shadowy towers, perched upon the face of a dun-colored cliff 150
feet high — so old, so odd, so different from anything in America with
which to compare it. A photograph, or pencil sketch is not much bet-

THK CITIES OF CUliA.

145

ter, and even a paint brush could not reproduce the exact shadings of
its time-worn, weather-mellowed walls — the Oriental pinks and old
blues and predominating yellows that give it half its charm. Upon the
lowermost wall, directly overhanging the sea, is a dome-shaped sentry
box of stone, flanked by antiquated cannon. Above it the lines of
masonry are shar])ly drawn, each guarded ten-ace receding upon the one
next higher, all set with cannon and dominated by a massive tower of
obsolete construction.

It takes a good while to see it all, for new stories and stair-
ways, wings and terraces, are constantly cropping out in un-
expected i)laces, but as it occupies three sides of the rounding
cliff and the pilot who comes aboard at the entrance to the chan-
nel guides your steamer close up under the frowning battlements,
you have ample time lo study it. Window holes cut into rock in all
directions show how extensive are the excavations. A large gamson is
always quartered here, even in time of peace, when their sole business
is searching for shady places along the walls against which to lean.
There are ranges above ranges of walks, connected by stairways cut into
the solid rock, each range covered with lolling soldiers. You pass so
near that you can hear them chattering together. Those on the topmost
parapet, dangling their blue woolen legs over, are so high and so directly
overhead that they remind you of flies on the ceiling.

In various places small niches have been excavated in the cliff, some
with crucifixes, or figures of saints, and in other places the bare, un-
broken wall of rock runs up, sheer straight 100 feet. Below, on the
ocean side, are caves, deep, dark and uncanny, worn deep into the rock.
Some of them are so extensive that they have not been explored in gen-
erations.

The broad and lofty entrances to one of them, hollowed by the
encroaching sea, is as i)erfect an arch as could be drawn by a skillful
architect, and with it a tradition is connected which datt^ back a couple
of centuries. A story or two above these wave-eaten caverns are many
small windows, each heavily barred with iron. They are dungeons dug
into the solid rock, and over them might well be written, "Leave hope
behind, ye who enter here!" A crowd of haggard, pallid faces are
pressed against the bars; and as you steam slowly by, so close that you
might speak to the wretched prisoners, it seems as if a shadow had sud-
denly fallen upon the bright sunshine, and a chill, like that of coming
death, oppresses the heart. Since time out of mind, the Moro of Santi-

14G

THE CITIES OF CUBA.

ago lias furnished dungeous for those who have incurred the displeasure
of the government infinitely more to be dreaded than its namesake in
Elavana. Uad these slimy walls a tongue, what stories they might
reveal of crime and suffering, of tortures nobly undergone, of death
prolonged through dragging years and murders that will not "out"
until the judgment day.

Against that old tower, a quarter of a centuiy ago our country-
men of the Virginius were butchered like sheep. Scores of later patriots
have been led out upon the ramparts and shot, their bmlies, perhaps,
with life yet in them, falling into the sea, where they were snapped up
by sharks as soon as they touched the water.

The narrow, winding channel which leads from the open sea into
the harbor, pursues its sinuous course past several other I'oi'titleations
of (]uaint construction, but of little use against modern guus — between
low hills and broad meadows, fishing hamlets and cocoanut groves.
I'rcsently you turn a shaii) angle in the hills and enter a. broad, land-
locked bay, inclosed on everj' side by ranges of hills with numerous
points and promontories jutting into the tranquil water, leaving deep
little coves behind them, all fringed with ('o<()a-i)alms. Between tills
blue bay and a towering background of purple mountains lies tlie city
which Diego Velazquez, its founder, christenc^l in honor of the patron
saint of Spain, as far back as the year 1514. It is the oldest standing
city in the new world, excepting Santo Domingo, which Columbus him-
self established only eighteen years earlier. By the way, San Jago,
San Diego and Santiago, are really the same name, rendered Saint
James in our language; and wherever the Spaniards have been are num-
bers of them. This particular city of Saint James occupies a sloping
hillside, (JOO miles southeast from Havana, itself the capital of a depart-
ment, and ranks the third city of Cuba in commercial importance —
Matanzas being second. As usual iv all these southern ports, the water
is too shallow for large vessels to approach the dock and steamers
have to anchor a mile from shore. While waiting the coming of health
or customs officials, these lordly gentlemen who are never given to un-
dignified haste, 3'ou have ample time to admire the Y)rospect, and if the
truth must be told, you will do well to turn about without going ashore,
if you wish to retain the first delightful impressions — for this old city
of Spain's patron saint is one of the many to which distance lends en-
chantment.

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149

with bore and tlioro a dome, a tower, a cliurch nteeplc Hliootlnf» upward,
or a tall palm ))okins its head above a {garden wall — the glittcrin}^ j^reeu
contra.slinj^ well with the ruddy tiles and the pink, {;ray, blue and yel-
low of the painted walls. In the <;()lden li^ht of a tro])ical morninj; it
looks like an oriental town, between sai)phire sea and turipioiHe moun-
tains. Its low massive buil(liu};s, whose walls surround o\)eu courts,
with pillared balconies and corridors, the great open windows protected
by iron bars instead of glass, and roofs covered with earthen tiles — are
a direct importation from Southern Spain, if not from further east. Tan-
giers, in Africa, is built upon a similar sloping hillside, and that capital
of Morocco does not look a bit more Moorish than Santiago de Cuba, On
the narrow strip of laiul bonlering the eastern edge of the harbor, the
Moro at one end and the city at the other, are some villas, embowered
in groves and gardens, which, we ar(> told, belong mostly to Americans
who are interested in the Cobre mine: The great iron piers on the right
belong to the American mining companies, built for loading ore upon
their ships.

Cardinas.

Fifty miles east of Matanzas is the city of Cardinas, the last port
of any consequence on the north coast of the island. It has a popula-
tion of 25,000, and is the capital of a fertile district. It is one of the
main outlets of Cuba's richest province, Matanzas, and is the great rail-
road center of the island, or, more properly speaking, it ought to be,
as the railroads of the country fonn a junction fifieeu miles inland, at
an insignificant station called Jouvellenes.

In time of peace Cardinas enjoys a thriving business, particularly
in sugar and molasses, its exports of the former sometimes amounting
to 100,000 tons a year. To the west and south stretch the great sugar
estates which have made this section of Spain's domain a prize to be
fought for. The water side of the town is faced with long wharves and
lined Avith warehouses, and its extensive railway depot would do credit
to any metropolis.

There are a few pretentious public buildings, including the customs
house, hospital and college. Its cobble paved. streets are considerably
wider than those of Havana, and have two lines of horse cars. There
is gas and electric light, and more two-story houses than one is accus-
tomed to see on the island.

But, notwithstanding the broad, blue bay in front, and the Paseo,
8

J 50

THE CITIES OP CUBA.

whose tall trees seem to be touching finger tips across the road, con-
grutuiiiiing each other on the presence of eternal sammer, Cardinas Ih
not an .ittractive town. One misses the glamor of antiquity and his-
toric interest which pervades Havana, Matanzas and Santiago, and feels
somehow that the town is new witho'^t being modem, young but not
youthful.

Other Cities of Importance.

Puerto Principe, or to give it its full name in the Spanish tongue,
Santa Maria de Puerto Principe, is the capital of the Central depart-
ment, and is situated about midway between the north and south coasts,
305 miles southeast of Havana, and forty-five miles southwest of Nue-
vitas, its port, with, which it is connected by railroad. Its population
is about 30,000 and it is surrounded by a rich agricultural district, the
chief products of which are sugar and tobacco. The climate is hot,
moist and unhealthy. Tt was at one time the seat of the supreme court
of all the Spanish colonies in America.

One of the most attractive cities of Cuba is Trinidad, which lies near

the south coast, three ruiles by rail from the jxii-t of Casiidas. It is

beautifully situated on high land overlooking the sea, and on account of

its mild and very equable climate it is a favorite resort for tourists and

livalids.

Nuevitas, Sancti Espiritu, Baracoa and Cierfuegos are all cen+'^rs
of population with many natural advantages, and with a just foru. of
government, and the advent of American enterprise and capital, they
might become pi-osparous, attractive, and of great c^mmerical imort-
ance.

CHAPTER XI.
MUTTERINGS OF INSURRECTION.

Slavery in Cuba — Horrible Tortures Inflicted — The Conspiracy of Lopez —
The United States Interferes — Lopez Captured and Executed — Seizure
of American Ships — Our Government Demands and Secures Indemnity
From Spain — Enormous Salaries of Cuban Officials — Oppressive Taxa-
tion.

Slavery was a deinoralizlng influence to Cuba as it has been to
every other country in which the system has existed, and to its pres-
ence was traced one of the most sensational episodes in all the sensa-
tional history of the unhappy island. It is impossible to know to what
extent the suspected insuiTection of slaves on the sugar plantations
about Matanzas was an actual threat. So horrible were the charges
made by the accusers that it is almost impossible to believe them. At
any rate, such an insurrection was anticipated, and the authorities
took measures to crush it out, more severe than any such govern-
mental movement has been since the days of the Spanish Inquisition
itself. It was impossible to obtain witnesses by ordinary methods, so
the most shocking forms of torture were employed. Those who refused
to confess whatever charges happened to be brought against them
were tortured till they did confess, and then probably executed for
the crimes which they admitted under such circumstances. By such
"judicial" processes, 1,346 persons were convicted, of whom seventy-
eight were shot and the others punisheu less severely in various ways.
Hundreds of others dietl from the t' itures to which they were sub-
jected, or in the foul prisons in which they were confine<l, and of these
we have no record. Of those convicted and punishetl under the alleged
forms of law, fourteen were white, 1,242 were iree negroes, and fifty-
nine were slaves. The negroes of Cuba have never forgotten the bar-
barities to which their parents were subjected in that tryinir year.

The most notable outbreak of Cuban insurrectionary uces prior
to that of the Ten Years' war, which began in 1868, was that known
as the conspiracy of Lopez.

153

MUTTERING8 OF INSURRECTION.

As early as May, 1847, Narcisso Lopez and a number of his asso-
ciates who had planned an insurrection in the central part of the
island, were pursued to the United States by Spanish agents, who had
kept track of their conspiracy. The Lone Star Society was in close
sympathy with these refugees, and to a certain extent the two were
co-existent. Lopez, in 1849, organized a military expedition to invade
Cuba. By the exertions of the officers of the United States govern-
ment the sailing of the expedition was prevented. Notwithstanding
the activity of the government, however, Lopez, in the following year,
got together a force of GOO men outside of the United States, shipped
arms and ammunition to them from this counti*y, and on May 19,
1850, made a landing at Cardenas.

The United States authorities had put the Spanish government in
Cuba on the alert for this expedition. President Taylor had issued a
proclamation warning all citizens of the United States not to take
part in such an expedition or to assist it in any way. The expedition
was driven out to sea from Cardenas a few days after it landed, sailed
for Key West, and there disbanded. Meantime there were a number
of uprisings in the island between groups of unhappy natives who had
not the wisdom to co-operate in the effort to resist the oppressive hand
of the Spaniards.

In August of 1851, Lopez eluded the United States authorities at
the port of New Orleans, and sailed out into the Gulf of Mexico with
an expedition 450 strong. His lieutenant on this expedition was a
Colonel Crittenden, a native of the State of Kentucky. They landed
near Baliia Honda, about thirty miles west of Havana, and found the
government forces waiting for them. Colonel Crittenden, with a sub-
division of 150 men, was compelled to surrender, and the rest were
scattered. Lopez, with fifty others, was captured, taken to Havana,
and there executed.

The circumstances attending the Lopez failure, and several Span-
ish outrages against American citizens and vessels, aroused deep feel-
ing in the United States, and the sentiment was growing rapidly that
it was a national duty to our own peace, to do something that would
make the troublesome neighbor a pleasant one. It was fifty years
before action was taken, but, once begun, it was well done.

It was in 1848, prior to the Lopez invasion, that President Polk
made the first approaches to the Spanish government with a sugges-
tion to purchase the island for $100,000,000, but was refused with

MUTTERLNGS OF INSURRECTION.

153

scant consideration. A few years later came the succession of attacks
on American merchant vessels by Spanish ships of war, on the pre-
text that the intercepted craft were in filibuster service. Some of
these were fired on, and the American mail bags opened, the steam-
ships Falcon and Crescent City being in this list. The most flagrant
case was that of the Black Warrior, a large steamer in coasting trade
between New York and Mobile. In February, 1850, while in the har-
bor of Havana, she was stopped, her cargo confiscated, and a fine of
twice its value declared. Her captain hauled down the colors, and
taking them with him, left the vessel as a Spanish capture. After five
years of "diplomacy," Spain paid an indemnity of $300,000 for the out-
rage.

It was in 1852 that the governments of Great Britain and France
tried to draw the United States into an agreement on the question of
Cuba, which was happily refused on genuinely American grounds. It
was suggested that all the parties should be bound not to acquire
Cuba themselves, nor to permit any other power to do so. Our gov-
ernment gave the proposal respectful consideration, but declined to
enter into any such arrangement, on thp ground that we prefer to
avoid entangling foreign alliances, that it would be unwise, if not
unconstitutionaJ, to tie our hand or the future regai-dless of what
might happen, and that on geographit al grounds, while England 'ud
France were making very slight confessions, we were asked t< make
a very important one.

The United States came as near to the pur lia*!0 of (ha in 1854
as it ever was, but Spain gave the plan little encouragemtnt. Three
American ministers to European countries, Messrs. BiiflianaTi, Mason
and Soule, met at Ostend and formulated a plan for tho i)urclia8e, sign-
ing and issuing what came to be known as the Cstcnd manifesto.
They recommended the purchase of the island for f 120,000,000, and
that in no event should it be allowed to come under thi? pv -r of any
other European government than the one by which it v s held. At
this time, and afterward, while ^libustering expeditions were fre-
quent and disorder constantly threatening in Cuba, the subject of the
acquisition of Cuba was discussed in Congress, but no headway was
made in the matter. At last, conditions in the island became intol-
erable to the patriots there, and the Ten Years' war began.

It is necessary at this point to relate some of the causes of the fre-
quent disorders and uprisings in the island of Cuba. Some of the

lo4

MUTTERINGS OF INSURRECTION.

features of Spanish misgovemment in the colony have been named,
but the catalogue is far from complete. . '

The most judicial writers, however bitterly they condemn Spain,
admit that that peninsular kingdom has itself suffered and that the
people have suffered almost beyond endurance themselves. Cuba is
not the only land with which we may share a little of our sympathy.
But sympathy for Spain must come from other things than oppression
from without. Her oppression is within her own borders, and her
authorities have tried to shift the burden of it to the colonists across
the sea. The debt of Spain has reached enormous proportions, and
having fallen from her high estate as a commercial nation, it has
become impossible for the great interest charges on her floating debt
to be paid by ordinary and correct methods. Says one writer: "To
pay the interest necessitates the most grinding oppression. The mov-
ing impulse is not malice, but the gi'eed of the famishing; and
oppressor and oppressed alike are the objects for sympathy."

The annual revenue raised in the island of Cuba had reached
nearly |26,000,000 by the time of the outbreak of the Ten Years' war,
and preparations were in progress for largely increasing the exac-
tions. The large revenue raised was expended in ways to irritate the
Cubans or any one else who had to help pay it. The annual stilary of
the captain general was |50,000, when the president of the United
States was getting only .$25,000 a year. Each provinciiil governor in
Cuba got a salary of |12,000, while the prime minister of Spain
received only half that.

The bishop of ITavana and the archbishop of Santiago de Cuba
each received a salary of |18,000. All offices, civil, military and eccle-
siastical, were productive of rich ixitiuisites, except in those cases
where stealing was simpler. WhoU^sale corruption in the custom
houses was generally known and admitted by all. The thefts in the
custom houses in Havana was estimated at forty per cent, and in
Santiago at seventy per cent of the entire revenue. All offices except
the very lowest, in church and state alike, were filled by men sent
from Spain, with the frank understanding that as soon as he could,
each new appointee could gamer a fortune bv fair means and foul
combined, he should retire and let another be st at over to have a turn
at the plunder. The result of this was that strangers were always in
authority, men with no sympathy for local need, and no local reputa-

MtJTTERINGS OF INSUIIKECTIUN.

155

tion to sustain. It is perfectly obvious what sort of a public service
such conditions would create.

As might have been expected, the result was the growth of two
parties, one the native-born Cubans, and called the insulares, the other
of those from Spain, and their adherents, known as the penlnsulares.
The line between them has been sharply drawn for many years, and
they are on opposite sides of everything. It is from the ranks of the
continentals that the volunteer corps of Cuba has been drawn, one of
the most aggravating and threatening of all influences against peace
iu Cuba.

Spain imposed differential duties in such a way as to virtually
monopolize the trade of the island. At the same time the prices of all
imports to Cuba were forced to an unnatural figure, to the great dis-
tress of the people. Petty oppression in postage and in baptismal
fees multiplied, so that instead of petty it became great. The increase
in taxation of Cuba for use in Spain in two years prior to the outbreak
of the Ten Years' war was more than $14,000,000, and the next year
it was proposed to increase it still mora The cities were hopelessly
in debt and unable to make the most ordinary and most necessary
public improvements. What few schools there had been were nearly
all closed. Lacking insane asylums, the unfortunate of that class
were kept in the jails. The people saw a country separated from them
but by a narrow stretch of water, where freedom reigned. They saw
that they were being heavily oppressed with taxation for the benefit
of the people of Spain, and that, in addition, they were being robbed
mercilessly for the benefit of the authorities who were placed over
them temporarily. If the money collected from thera had been
expended for their benefit in the island, or had been expended hon-
estly, the case might have been different. As it was, however, an
intolerable condition had been endured too long, and they rose against
it for the struggle known to history as the Ten Years' war.

^mm

CHAPTER XII.

OUTBREAK OF THE TEN YEARS' WAR.

Cuba Again Stirred to Turmoil — Tlie Taxes of the Island Increased — A
Declaration of Independence — Civil Government Organized — Meeting
of the Legislature, and Election of Officers — The Edict of a Tyrant.

Before the outbreak of the Ten Years' War, the reform party in
Cuba, which included all the most enlightened, wealthy and influential
citizens of the island, had exhausted all the resources at their com-
mand to Induce Spain to establish a more just and equitable adminis-
tration of affairs, but all to no avail.

It was proposed that Cuba receive an autonomist constitution. The
abolition of the supreme power of the Captain General, the freedom of
the press, the right of petition, the regulation of the chief frauds by
which elections were so arranged tliat no Cuban could hold govern-
ment office, the right of assembly, representation in the Cortes, and
complete local self-government were among the reforms asked for.
The plans were considered in Spain and were reconsidered, and con-
sidered again, and that was about all that ever came of them, except
that in June, 1868, Captain General Lersundi was permitted to raise
the direct taxes on the island ten per cent.

Finally, driven to a point where they could endure it no longer,
they made the start for freedom, and began to fight for it, as brave
men should do and have done through the history of the world.

Several months before the revolution in Spain and the abdication
of Isabella, measures had been taken to prepare for the effort to
achieve independence. At last matters progressed so rapidly in the
mother country that the Cubans dare<l not wait for the completion of
their plans, but on October 10, 18G8, began the hostilities. On that
day, Carlos M. de Cespedes, a lawyer of Bayamo, took the initiative
with 128 poorly armed men, and issued a declaration of independence
at Yara. This declaration justified itself by referring in the following
terms to the grievances that have been outlined:

"In arming ourselves against the tyrannical government of Spain,

we must, according to precedent in all civilized countries, proclaim

166

OUTBREAK OF THE TEN YEARS' WAR.

157

before the world the cause that impels us to take this step, which,
though likely to entail considerable disturbances upon the present,

will ensure the happiness of the future And as Spain

has many a time promised us Cubans to respect our rights, without
having fulfilled her promises; and she continues to tax us heavily, and
by so doing is likely to destroy our wealth ; as we are in danger of los-
ing our property, our lives and our honor under Spanish dominion," etc.

Within a few weeks Cespedes was at the head of 15,000 men, ill-
prepared for war, so far as arms and equipment were concerned, but
well provided with resolution, bravery and a just cause. A civil gov-
ernment was organized, and a constitution drawn up, providing for an
elective president and vice-president^, a cabinet, and a single legislative
chamber. It also declared the immediate abolition of slavery. This
constitution was promulgated at Guaimaro in Central Cuba, on the
10th of April, 1869. The legislature met soon after, and elected Ces-
pedes president, and Francisco M. Aguilero vice-president.

This insurrection soon assumed formidable dimensions, and the
following edict was issued by General Balmaceda:

Inhabitants of the country! The reinforcement of troops that I have
been waiting for have arrived. With them I shall give protection to Ihe
good, and punish promptly those that still remain in rebellion against the
government of the metropolis.

You know that I have pardoned those who have fought us with arms;
that your wives, mothers and sisters have found in me the unexpected pro-
tection that you have refused them. You know, also, that many of those we
have pardoned have turned against us again. Before such ingratitude, stich
villainy, it is not possible for me to be the man I have been; there is no
longer a place for a falsified neutrality ; he that is not for me is against me ;
and that my soldiers may know how to distinguish, you hear the order they
carry.

1st. Every nmn, from the age of fifteen years upward, found away from
his habitation (flnca), and who does not prove a justified motive therefor,
will be shot.

2nd. Every habitation unoccupied will be burned by the troops.

3rd. Every habitation from which does not float a white flag, as a sig-
nal that it.s occupants desire peace, will be reduced to ashes.

Women that are not living in their own homes, or at the houses of their
relatives, will collect in the town of Jiguani, or Bayamo, where nuiiutenance
will be provided. Those who do not present themselves will be conducted
forcibly.

158

OUTBREAK OF THE TEN YEARS' WAR.

The foregoing determinations will coramence to take effect on the 14th
of the present month. EL CONDE DE BALMACEDA.

Bayamo, April 4, 1869.

Even Weyler, the "Butcher," has never succeeded in concocting a
manifesto that surpassed this in malicious excuses for the ancient
Spanish amusements of pillage, incendiarism and murder.

The Cpuse a Just One.

It is now conceded by high Spanish authorities that the insurgents
had just grounds for this revolt, and Senor Dupuy de Lome, formerly
the Spanish minister to the United States, admits in a letter to the
New York Herald that a very large majority of the leading citizens of
the island were in sympathy with the struggle for liberty.

The new government received the moral support of nearly all of the
South American republics, but as many of them were troubled with
internal dissensions, and uncertain of their own security, they were
not in a condition to furnish assistance of a more practical ^aature, and
the revolutionists were left to work out their own salvation.

In an exhaustive review of the trouble between Spain and her
Cuban possessions, published in 1873, the Edinburg Review said :>

"It is well known that Spain governs the island of Cuba with an
iron and bloodstained hand. The former holds the latter deprived oi'
civil, political and religious liberty. Hence the unfortunate Cubans
being illegally prosecuted and sent into exile, or executed by military
commissions in time of peace; hence their being kept from public
meeting, and forbidden to speak or write on alTairs of state; hence
their remonstrances against the evils that afflict them being looked
upon as the proceedings of rebels, from the fact that they are bound to
keep silence and obey; hence the never-ending plague of hvmgry
officiahi from Spain to devour the product of their industry and labor;
hence tbeir exclusion from public stations, and want of opportunity to
fit themselves for the art of government; hence the restrictions to
which public instruction with them is subjected, in order to keep them
so ignorant as not to be able to know and enforce their rights in any
shape or form whatever; hence the navy and the standing army,
which are kept in their country at an enormous expenditure from their
own wealth, to make them bend their knees and submit their necks to
the iron yoke that disgraces them; hence the grinding taxation under
which they labor, and which would make them all perish in misery but
for the marvelous fertility of their soil."

C5HAPTER XIII.

THE MASSACRE OF THE VIRGINIU8 OFFICERS AND CREW.

Excitement in the United States over a Spanish Outrage of Twenty-five Years
Ago — The Virginius a Blockade Runner — Severity of the Spanish Court
Martial — Insolence to the American Consul — Indignation in the United
States — Negotiations Between Washington and Madrid — Settlement an
Unsatisfactory One to Most People — No Just Retribution Ever Made.

It was less than twenty-five years before the destruction of the
Maine, that another vessel whose crew met its fate in a Spanish port in
Cuba was the subject of as intense public interest in the United States
as that created by the catastrophe of 1898. The hopeful progress of the
Cuban revolution of 1868-78 had stimulated their friends in the United
States to aid the insurgents in every way possible, by money, men and
the munitions of war. Filibustering was constant and scarcely discour-
aged by the people of the United States, in spite of the protest of Spain.
It was as a result of this condition that the terrible affair of the Virgin'
ius occurred.

The case of the Virginius had in it elements of tragedy that made it
more spectacular and dramatic than that of the Maine, stnd American
spirit was worked to an even higher tension than it is now, before diplo-
macy and caution averted a war between the United States and Spain.
In the case of the Virginius the facts of Spanish aggression were in no
way denied, but, on the contrary, avowed for a time with pride, until
the authorities at Madrid subdued their people, who were making a set-
tlement more difficult by their talk. The only controversy was as to
whether or not Spain's action in the matter was within its rights. But
the settlement, however it might have left the rights of the vessel still
unsolved, was a rebuke to Spain, and for its execution of American citi-
zens with scarcely a formality of law Spain has never been forgiven by
those who remember it, whatever diplomacy decided as to being satis-
fled.

The Virginius was originally an English -built sidewheel steamer
called the Virgin, and during the war between the States was one of the
most famous of blockade runners until captured by a vessel of the

150

If.O

THE MASSACRE OF THE VIRGIOTUS.

United States. In 1870 she was sold in Washington to an agent of the
Cuban Junta ait New York, her name was changed to Virginias, and she
cleared for Curacoa in the West Indies. From that time till her un-
happy fate she was never in United States waters. At Aspinwall and
in the ports of Venezuela and the West Indies she was known for three
years as the most daring and the most successful of filibusters, making
repeated landings on the Cuban coast with supplies of arms, ammuni-
tion, food and clothes for tlie insurgents who were then fighting the Ten-
Years' war. In all her filibustering it was claimed, however, that the
Virginius never lost her character as an American ship, though the
Cuban flag was kept at the masthead whenever that practice served any
good purpose.

The vessel sailed on the fatal voyage from Kingston, Jamaica, Octo-
ber 23, 1873, having cleared at the United States consulate as a United
States vessel bound for Port Simon, Costa Rica. The commander was
Captain Joseph Fry, a citizen of the United States. The cargo was made
up of munitions of war for the Cuban insurgents, and the crew was part
of Cuban and part of American citizens. There were also on board a
number of enlisted men on their way to join the insurgent army.

It was not until October 31 that the Virginius approached the coast
of Cuba to make her landing, and was intercepted by the Spanish gun-
boat Tornado. The Tornado had been built by the same English firm
that constructed the Virginius, also for blockade running, but in the
race that followed the Virginius was unable to equal the speed of her
Spanish pursuer. The chase lasted eight hours. Finally, at 10 o'clock
at night, the Virginius was stopped and surrendered in response to the
cannon shots of the Tornado, which had come in range. The captain
protested that his papers were regular and that the Virginius was "an
American ship, carrying American colors and papers, with ah American
captain and an American crew." In response he was told that he was a
pirate, his flag was lowered and trampled upon, and the Sptmish flag
tvas hoisted in its place.

During the chase after the Virginius, the passengers and crew of
the fated vessel were in a state of panic. The cargo, which was made
up of war material, was thrown overboard, and all persons on the ves-sel
emptied thoir trunks of whatever might be considered suspicions.
Almost from the instant of the capture the fate of the unfortunate men
was assured, and they soon realized the extent of the danger that threat-
ened them.

rHE MASSACRE OP THE VIRGINIUS.

161

Verdict of the Spanish Court- Martial.

When the Tornado and the Virginius roache<1 Santiago de Cuba the
next day the 155 men captured were placed in close confinement and a
court-martial was convened at once. The various courts-martial con-
demned most if not all of the prisoners to death, this summary proceed-
ing being, as was alleged, in accordance with Spanish laws, so far at
least as the character of the court and the nature of the judicial forms
were concerned. The first executions were on the morning of November
4, when four men were shot, one of them being Brigadier Washington
Ryan, who claimed British citizenship, as a Canadian, although he had
served in the Union army during the late war. The victims were shot in
the back, and their bodies were afterward beheaded, the heads dis-
played on spikes and the trunks trampled by horses. George W. Sher-
man, the correspondent of the New York Herald, tried to sketch the
scene and was imprisoned for four days for his attempt. A guard kept
the American consul in his house, so he could not appear to protest.

As the Virginius had displayed the American colors and was char-
tered and cleared as an American vessel, she had a prima facie claim to
protection as such, until her right should be disproved. Hence Mr. E. G.
Schmitt, the American vice-consul at Santiago, was prompt and urgent
in demanding access to the prisoners, with a view to protecting the
rights of the vessel and any on board who might be American citizens.
He was treated with great discourtesy by the provincial governor, who
told him in effect that it was none of his business, and persisted in de-
claring that they were all pirates and would be dealt with as such. Mr.
Schmitt was even refused the use of the submarine cable to consult
with the consul at Kingston, Jamaica. He would thus have been left
entirely helpless but for the friendly aid of the British and French con-
suls.

On the 8th of November twelve more men were executed, and on the
13th thirty-seven were executed, this last batch including the officers
and crew of the Virginius and most of the American citizens. At 4
o'clock in the afternoon the condemned men were marched to the place
of execution, passing and saluting the American consulate, where the
flag was not flying from its staff..

Captain Fry was shot first, and was the only man, though the
soldiers stood but ten feet away, who fell dead at the first volley. The
majority of the poor fellows, as the firing continued, were wounded, and

162

THE MASSACRE OP THE VIRGINIU8.

killed as they lay on the ground by the usual Spanish fashion of firing
ritles in the mouths of those who were disabled. The second engineer
of the Virginius was among those executed. * lie had made a declaration
to the Spanish that he had tamponMl with the engines and cut down the
speed of the vessel so that she could be captured, and was marched witk
the rest to i)reA'eut his comrades from knowing that he was to be 8pare<l.
He was shot by mistiike while making frantic protests and explanations,
but, as he was a traitor in one way or the other, his death was the only
one of all that was never regretted.

Protests Were Unheeded.

During all this time the consuls at Santiago were not idle, but they
were helpless. E. G. Schmitt, the American vice-consul, and Theodore
Brooks, the British vice-consul, made all sorts of protests that were un-
availing. Schmitt was not jwmiitted to see the prisoners before or after
the court-martial, until the very end, when he reached Captain Fry and
signed his protest with him. He was not permitted the use of the tele-
graph in order to communicate with the government at Washington by
way of Kingston, Jamaica.

lie wrote repeated notes to Gen. Burriel, the Spanish commander at
Santiago, getting no answer to them, until at last an answer came that
was more iiTitating than silence. Burriel told him that he should have
known that the previous day was a day of religious festival, during
Tvluch he and all his officers were engaged in "meditation of the divine
mysteries," and could not consider temporal affairs. He also informed
the consul that he might be expelled from the island for trying to em-
broil the United States and Spain in difficulties if he were not careful.

Then came the only bright spot in the whole affair. News of what
was going on reached Jamaica, and the British gunboat Niobe, Captain
Sir Lambton Lorraine, left for the scene of massacre, sailing in such a
hurry that he left some of the crew ashore. The Captain landed at San-
tiago before his ship was anchored, and demanded that the slaughter be
stopped instantly. He declared that he represented the United States
as well as England, and that he would bombard the city if there was
another American citizen executed. Ninety-three men iiyere under sen-
tence of death, many of whom were Americans, but the sentences were
immediately suspended and the lives were saved. The Spanish after-
ward asserted that the executions were stopped because of orders re-
ceived from Madrid.

THE MASSACRE OP THE VIROINIUS.

163

The next time Sir Lnnibton Lorniine was in New York he was
offered a reception, which he declined. lie was presented, however, with
a silver brick, on which were ( ngraved the words: "Blood is thicker
than water." A resolution of thanks to him was laid on the table in the
House of Representatives and never passed.

•

American Demands for Vengeance.

When the news of all this reached the United States, public indigna-
tion rose rapidly. Mass-meetings were held demanding vengeance on
Spain. President Grant sent special messages to Congress, and the state
department began diplomatic negotiations. Xlaniilton Fish, secretary
of state, declared that the Virginius, having been registered as an
American vessel carrying official documents regular upon their face and
bearing the United States flag, was entirely beyond the jurisdiction of
any other power on the high seas in the time of peace; that if she had
secured fraudulent entry or committe<l any other fraud against the laws
of the United States it was for her to be turned over to the United States
courts for punishment, and not for her to be captured and punished by
some other power.

The Spanish minister of foreign affairs at that time was Admiral
Polo de Bernabe, father of the new Spanish minister who succeeded
Dupuy de Lome. He wanted to submit the matter to arbitration, and
Secretary Fish replied to him tliat the "United States was ready to refer
to arbitration all questions pi-operly subjects for reference, but that the
question of an indignity to the flag of the nation and the capture in time
of peace on the high seas of a vieesel besiring that flag and having also
the register and papers of an American ship, is not deemed to be one
referable to other i)owei*s to determine. A nation must be the judge
and custodian of its own honor."

Most of the men were executed after protests to Madrid began to be
made. Madrid mobs made a demonstration against the American min-
ister, General Sickles. November 4, Secretary Fish cabled Sickles: "In
case of refusal of satisfactory reparation within twelve days from thih
date close 3'our legation and leave Madrid." Ten days later, when the
executions were over, he telegraphed: "If Spain cannot redress these
outrages, the United States will." Ten days after that he wired: "If
settlement is reached by the close of to-morrow, leave." Next day .> .
became tractable and war was averted.

ir.4

THE MASSACRE 01^ THE VIRGINIUS.

By his conduct in Madrid at that time General Sickles made many
friends of those Americans who wanted to see energetic action, and
many euetnies among those who wanted peace at any price. It was
alleged afterward that the latter influence became dominant, and that
his recall from that post was the result of their work to punish him for
his energy that was not always diplomatic in its forms.

Settlement of the Trouble.

The terms of settlement of the trouble were that the Virginius
should be surrendered to an American warship, with the survivors of
those who had been captured witli her, and that on December 25 the
United States flag should be saluted by the Tornado. The surrender
was made in the obscure harbor of Bahia Honda, December 16, the
Spanish having taken the Virginius there to avoid the humiliation of a
surrender in Santiago or Havana, where it should have been made.
Captain W. D. Whiting, the chief of staff of tlie North Atlantic Squad-
ron, was appointetl to receive the surrender of the Virginius, and the
gunboat Dispatch was sent to Bahia Honda with him for that purpose.
Lieut. Adolph Marix was the flag lieutenant of the Dispatch, the same
who was afterwards the judge-advocate of the court of inquiry on the
Maine disaster. The Virginias was delivered with the flag fljing, but
she was unseaworthy, and, struck by a storm off Cape Ilatteras, was
sunk on her way to New York. The salute to tlie flag that had been ar-
ranged was waived by the United States because the attorney-general
gave an opinion that the Virginius had no right to fly tlie American
flag when she was captured.

Major Moses P. Handy, aftenvards famous as a journalist, was pres-
ent at the surrender of the Virginius to the American men of war in
the harbor of Baliia Honda, and gives a graphic account of the circum-
stances attending tliat ceremony. In concludingthe tale he says: "The
surrender of the surviving prisoners ui the massacre took place in the
course of time :t Santiago, owing more to British insistence than to our
fe<''ile representation. As to the fifty-three who were killed, Spain
ii(?ver gave us any real satisfaction. For a long time the Madrid govern-
ment unblushin^ly denie<l that there had been any killing, and when
forced to acknowledge the fact they put us off with preposterous ex-
cuses. 'Butclier Borriel,' by \v 'vose orders tlie outrage was perpetrated,
was considered at Madrid to have been justified by circumstances. It
was pretended that orders to suspend the execution of Ryan and his

o
8

< ■- 2

.^ IT *^

C 3

'u U

- C

4) N
■^ C

THE MASSACRE OF THE VIKOINIUS.

associates were 'rinfortiinately' received too late, owin*? to interruption
of telej^rapli lines by the insurgents, to whose broad and bleeding shoul-
ders an attempt was thus made to shift the responsibility.

"There was a. nominal repudiation of Borriel's act and a promise was
made to intlict punishment upon 'those who have olTended,' but no pun-
ishment was inflicted upon anybody. The Spanish goveniment, with
characteristic (Louble dealing, resorted to procrastination, prevarication
and trickery, and thus gained tinu^, until new issues etlaced in the Amer-
ican mind the uu'nu)i'y of old wrongs unavenged. Instead of being de-
gra(k*d, Borriel was ])romote(l. Never to this day has there been any
adecjuate atonement by Spain, much less an apology or expression of
regret for the A'irginius massacre."

The amount of money ]iaid to t)»e Unite<l States government for dis-
ti'ibution anxmg the families of American sulTerers by t]iis alTair was
$SO,()U(). And that is the extent of the reparation nuide for the shocking
crime.

The Virginius, althougli the most conspicuous, was not the only
American victim of S])anish misgovernment in Cuba during the Ten
Yeai's' war. In 1877 the tln-ce whaling vessels, Tvising Sun, Kllen Iiiz-
pah, and Edward Lee, Avhile pui'suing their legitimate l)usiness under
tlu^ American flag, outside of Cuban waters, were flred upon and de-
tained for days, with circumstances of peculiaj' hardship and brutality.
The United States governnu'ut investigated the outrage with care, and
demanded of S])ain an indemnity of .'it!lt),."'»00. The demand, however, wa.s
not enforced, and the sum of !?10,000 was accepted as a compromise set-
tlement.

CHAPTER XIV.

OPERATIONS OF THE TEN YEARS' WAR.

The Two Wars Conipsirod — The Havana Volunteers — The Slaughter at the
Villauouva 'J'heaier — The Court Martial of the Students — A Holiday
in Havana — The Cio.8e of the War — The Treaty of Zanjon.

The reader who has watched closely the struggle in Cuba for the
past three years need not be told that Spain has had every advantage
in men, mone.y, arms and ammunition. The same state of affairs ex-
isted during the Ten i ears' War. In fact, the inequality was even
greater, for the Spanish army was then composed of experienced sol-
diers who were well fed, well clothed and paid regularly. In the pres-
ent conflict many of them are boys who have been sent from home to
nmke target*? for insurgent bullets. They know comparatively noth-
ing of military tactics, they have not been paid for months, and they
lack food and clothing. The equipment of the insurgent forces in the
former rebellion was even more limited than it has been in this one.
While thoy did not experience serious difficulty in obtaining food, the
in.plements of war in any quantities were beyond their reach. But
the same spirit that gave courage to our American heroes in revolu-
tionary times was in them, and for ten years they struggled bravely
against overwhelming .tdds.

It is not possible to tell in detail of the monstrous cruelties practiced
by the Spanish army during those years of carnage. Here is the testi-
mony of one officer:

"We ca]itured seventeen, thirteen of whom were shot outright; on
dying they sliouted, 'Hurrah for Free Cuba, hun-ah for independence.*
A nmlatlo said, Mlurrali for Cespedes.' On the following day we killed
a Cubiin officer and another man. Among the thirteen that we shot
the first day we found three sons and their father. Th> father wit-
nessed the execution of his sons without even changing color, and
when his tui'u came he said he died for the independence of his coun-
try. On coming back we brought along with us three carts filled with

women and children, the families of those we had s lot, and they asked

1«8

OPERATIONS OF THE TEN VEARS' WAR.

1G9

US to shoot them, because they would rather die thau live among Span-
iards."

Another wrote:

"Not a single Cuban will remain in thiis island, because we shoot
all that we lind in the fields, on the farms and in every hovel. We do
not leave a creature alive where we pass, be it man or auinial. If we
find cows we kill them, if horses, ditto, if hogs, ditto, men, women or
children, ditto. As to the houses, we burn them. Ho every one receives
his due, the men in halls, the animals in bayonet thrusts. The island
will remain a desert."

In the cities, outrages equally barbarous were committed.

The Havana Volunteers.

The Havana volunteers, made up of the Spanish-born residents, in
whose favor the government of the island has always been arranged,
took possession of Havana, and put it under mob rule. In May, 1870,
they marched out in front of the Villaneuva theater and fired volleys
into the crowds that were entei'ing. They had reason to believe, some
of them said, that the performance to be given there was to raise funds
for the insurgent cause.

So powerful was this organization that shortly after this outrage
they placed the Captain-General of the island under aiTCst, and finally
shipped him to Spain, sending word to the home government that he
was not severe enough in his rule to suit their views, and suggesting
that in case there were no Peninsulars who had the necessary stamina
to govern Cuba aceoi-ding to their ideas, they might feel it advisable to
assume commajid themselves.

On anotlier occasion the dead body of one of these volunteers was
placed in a public tomb in Havana, and the repository was found to
have been defaced by scurrilous writing on the glass of the door. For
no known reason, except .a blood-thirsty desire for vengeance on some-
one, no nmtter whether guilty or innocent, it was dainu'd that tlie
outrage was committed by some of the students of the university, and
on complaint of the volunteer corps, forty-three of these young men
were arrested. •

They were arraigned before the military tribunal, and so mani-
festly unjust was the accusation tliat an officer of the regular anny of
Spain volunteered to defend them. There was absolutely no proof
against UieiUf and they were acquitted. But the volunteers were deter*

170

OPERATIONS OF THE TEN YEAKS' WAR.

miued that their victims should not escape, and taking advantage ot
the fear in which they were held, even by the Havana officials, they
forced the Governor-General to issue an order for a second court-
martial. At this examinatioa they manipulated matters so that two
thirds of the members of the trial board were connected with their
organization, and a verdict of guilty was quickly rendered against all
of the prisoners. Eight of them were sentenced to be shot, and the
others to long terms of imprisonment at haxd labor.

The day of tlie execution was a holiday in Havana. Bands of music
paraded the streets, followed by the volunteers, 15,000 strong, while-
behind them, bound in chains, and under militaiy guard, came the
eight boys who had been condemned to die. Conscious of their inno-
cence of any crime, they did not falter, but marched bravely to the
place of execution, where they faced their murderers and fell, riddled
by bullets from the rifles of the volunteers. The report of this affair
sent a thrill of horror throughout the whole of the civilized world, and'
the perpetrators of the outrage were severelj- censured by the Span-
ish Cortes, but there was no attempt at punishment, nor were the ones
who had been imprisoned released.

Meantime the war was being canied on in the provinces with vai-j'-
ing success, but dissensions finally arose beti\een the civil and mili-
tary authorities of the republic of Cuba, and as "a house divided against
itself cannot stand," the effectiveness of the campaign was destroyed,
and, in 1878, concessions were offered by the Spanish government,
which were accepted by the revolutionists, and the struggle was aban-
doned.

What the outcome of the contest might have been, could it have
been continued with the leaders united for its success, is an open ques-
tion. As the yeai-s went by the rank and file of the Cuban army seemed
to be more determined than ever to throw off the yoke, and the gov-
ernment in Spain became less prompt in sending supplies of men and
mon^*y to carry on the war. They eagerly seized the opportunity to
br.ng it to a close, and the treaty of Zanjon, which was signed by Gen-
eral Martinez Campos, the Spanish Governor-General of the island,
and General Maximo Gomez, Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban army,
promised many reforms, and gave amnesty to all who had taken part
in the rebellion.

CHAPTER XV.

THE PEACE OF ZANJON AND ITS VIOLATED PLEDGES.

Spanish Hypocrisy and Deceit — Cubans Denied Representation — Increase of
Taxation — Tlie Royal Edicts — A Plausible Argument, Which Is Not
Borne Out by Facts — Spain's Promises Always Broken.

If Spnin had been sincere in the promisee of reform she made her
Cuban colon}' when the treaty of Zaujon was signed, it is probable
that the present war would have never occurred. For while a few of
the leaders — notably General Ma ceo —refused to become pacified, the
great majority of the better classes were glad to accept a peaceful set-
tlement on terms that gave tliem, in fact, if not in name, nearly every
concession for which they had fouglit

But it did not take them long to leara that they had been duped.
Spain granted to Cuba the liberties of Puerto Ilico, which had none.
On this deceitful ground was laid the new situation, through which
ran a current of falsehood and hypocrisy. Spain, whose mind did not
change, hastened to change the name of things. The captain-general
was called the governor-general. The royal decrees took the name
of authorizations. The commercial monopoly of Spain was named
coasting trade. The right of banishment was transformed into the
law of vagrancy. The brutal attacks of defenseless citizens were called
'^compoute." The law of constitutional guarantees became the law of
public order. Taxation without the consent or knowledge of the Cuban
people was changed into the law of estimates (budget) voted by the
representatives of Spain.

The painful lesson of the Ten Years' War was entirely lost on
Spain. Instead of inaugurating a redeeming i>olicy that would heal
the recent wounds, allay public anxiety, and quench the thirst for jus-
tice felt by the people, who were desirous to enjoy their natural rights,
the Peninsula, while lavish in promises of reform, persisted in carry-
ing on, unchanged, its old and crafty system, namely: to exclude
every native Cuban from every office that could give him any effective
influence and intervention in public affairs; the ungovernable exploita-
tion of the colonists' labor for the benefit of Spanish commerce and

ITJ

1 7*>

1 t w

TUE PEACE OF ZANJON.

Si)aiii.sli bureaucracy, both civil and military. To carry out the latter
purpose it was necessary to maintain the former at any cost.

Mr. Clarence King, a recognized authority on political subjects con-
nected with Cuban affairs, says:

''The main concession for which the insurgents accepted peace was
the promise of constitutional reform. As a. matter of fact, there
promptly followed four royal edicts as follows: June 9, entitling Cuba
to elect deputies to the Cortes, one for each 40,000 i>eople; June 9,
dividing the island into the present sIa provinces; June 21, instituting
a system of provincial and muuicii>al government, followed on August
16 by the necessary electoral regulations. But the system was imme-
diately seen to be the shadow without the substance of self-govern-
ment. The Provincial Assembly could nominate only three candidates
for presiding officer. It was the inevitable governor-general who had
the power to appoint, not necessarily one of the three nominees, but
any member of the Assembly he chose. But all this provincial machin-
ery is in reality an empty form, since expressly by law the governor-
general was given the power to prorogue the assemblies at will. The
deputies have never been able to accomplish anything in the Cortes.
Moreover the crux of the whole financial oppression — tariff, taxes, and
absolute control and expenditure of the revenue — remained with
Spain."

The loyal Spaniard insists that every agreement entered into by his
government was faithfullv carried out; that the Cubans were given
from time to time even greater liberties than the treaty promised them;
and that in several matters of importance, immunities have been
granted them that the people of the mother country did not share.

The Assistant Colonial Secretary of Spain concludes a voluminous
defense of the p(dicy of his government in Cuba as follows:

There is thus no reason in Cuba to complain of the illiberality of
the laws. If there has been any shortcoming in respect to morals, the
nation is not to blame; none but the colonial provinces are to blame
for this; if we i>roposed to seek comfort in comparisons, it would not
be necessary to look for them in South America, in the countries that
have emancipate*! themselves from the Spanish mother-country, be-
cause examples (some of them very recent) of acts of violence, anarchy
and scandalous outbreaks could be found in the States of the Union
itself.

In respect to another matter, a gi'eat deal of foolish talk is indulged
in. From the statements of some i)eople it would appear that Cuba

THE I'EACE OF ZANJON.

173

does uothing but contribute, by the taxes wiiicli it pays, to alleviate
the burdens of the peninsular treasury, whereas, in reality, just the
contrai'y is the truth. The inition has, of late, guaranteed the conver-
sion of Spanish debts in Cuba, which took place in 188(5 and 1890,
Owing to these operations, and to the fact that all taxes which did not
have to be met diret:tly by its government have been rigorously elim-
inated from the budget of Cuba, it was possible to re<luce the Cuban
budget from forty-six and one-half million dollars, which was its
amount at the close of the former war (for the tiscal year of 1878-79) to
a little more than twenty-three millions of dollars, as appears from the
budget of 1S9.'5.

The linancial laws have been assimilated, and if the system of taxa-
tion has not been entirely assimilated, this is because of the fact that
direct taxes are vei*y repugnant to the popular feeling in Cuba, espe-
cially the tax on land, which is the basis of the Peninsular budget. It
appears, however, that our Cuban brethren have no reason to complain
in this respect. The direct tax on rural property is two per cent, in
Cuba, whereas in Spain it is seventeen, and even twenty per cent. It
is evident that every budget must be based on something; in Cuba, as
in all other countries in which the natural conditions are similar, that
something must necessarily be the income from customs duties. Not-
withstanding this, it may be remarktHl that in the years when the
greatest financial distress i)revailed, the Spanish Government never
hesitated to sacrifice that income when it Avas necessary to do so in
order to meet the especial need of the principal agricultural product
of Cuba. Consequently the Spanish commercial treaty with the
United States was concluded, which certainly had not been concluded
before, owing to any fault of the Spanish Government. Under that
treaty, the principal object of which was to encourage the exportation
of Cuban sugar, which found its chief market in the States of the
Union, many Spanish industries were sacrificed which have formerly
supplied the wants of the people of Cuba. That sacrifice was unhesi-
tatingly made, and now that the treaty is no longer in force, is due to
the fact that the new American tariff has stricken sugar from the free
list

Attention may also be called to the fact that the colonial provinces
alone enjoy exemption from the blood tax, Cuba never having been
obliged to furnish militaiy recruits.

The disqualifications of the Cubans to hold public office is purely a
myth. Such disqualifications is found on the text of no law or regula*

174

THE PEACE OF ZANJON.

tioii, and lin point of fact there is no such exclusion. In order to verify
this assertion it would be sufficient to examine the lists of Cuban
officers, especially of those employed in the administration of justice
and in all branches of instruction. Even if it were desired to make a
comparison of political offices, even of those connected with the func-
tions Avhieh are discharged in the Peninsula, the proportion would still
be shown in which Spaniainis in Cuba aspire to both. The fact is that
a common fallacy is appealed to in the language habitually used by the
enemies of Spain, who call persons "Peninsulars" who were not born in
Cuba, but have resided there many years and have all their ties and
interests there, and do not call those "Cubans" who were born there
and have left the island in order to meet necessities connected, per-
haps, with their occupation. This was d o in the Senate, when the
advocates of the separation of Cuba only were called "Cubans," while
those only who refused allegiance to the Spanish mother-country were
called patriots.

In conclusion, I will relate a fact which may appear to be a joke,
f)ut which, in a certain way, furnished proof of what I have just said.
When Kafael Gaesot returned from Habana, he came and asked me for
some data showing the proportion of Cubans holding office under our
Government. I asked him, as a preliminary question, for a definition
of what we were to understand by "Cuban" and what by "Peninsular."
He imraediatoly admitted that the decision of the Avhole question was
based upon that definition, jind I called his attention to the fact that
here, in the Ministry of the Colonies, at the present time, there are
three high governmental functionaries. One is a representative from
Habana, being at the same time a professor in its Universitj*, and
another, viz., your humble servant, is a Spaniard because he was born
in Habana itself. Is the other man a Peninsular, and am I .not a
Cuban? OUILLERMO.

Assistant Colonial Secretary of Spain.

This is the argument from the Peninsular standpoint, and it is prob-
ably made in good faith. But while the Spanish rule in Cuba may
seem to be just and equitable in theoiy, it is oppressive and tyrannical
in fact. Wliile the government may have partly carried out the letter
of its promises, there has been no effort to fulfill the spirit of the com-
pact in the slighest degree, and the violated pledges of the treaty of
Zanjon only add new chapters to the long record of Spanish treachery
and deceit

CHAPTER XVI.

PREPARATIONS FOR ANOTHER REBELLION.

Spain's Policy of Distrust— Tbe Cost of the Ten Years' War— Work of the
Cuban Exiles — Revolutionary Clubs in tlie Western Heuiiaphere — An
Exi>(<dition Checked — lleroisui of Cuban Women — The Strugfc'le Begun.

Ever since Spain lost liei* eoUmies on the American eontitient the
Cubans hav( striven to gain their independence. Tlie Ten Yearn War
cost the mother country 300,0()(V»00 i)esetas and 100,000 men, most of
them victims of yellow fever. When slavery was abolished in ISSO
fresh disturbances ensued. The majority o*" slave holders, who received
no compensation, joined the party of independence.

Spain, adhering to her (dd ixdicy of distrust, retained a large army
in Cuba and a navy round about her shores, the expen.ses t<l which caused
the budget to amount to |«4(i,r)94,000 at a. time when two-thirds of the
island was nothing but a mass of ruins, and when Cuba was beginning
to feel the effects of the competition with other sugar-protlucing
countries'.

While the European manufacturers received important bounties
those of Cuba had to pay export duties on their sugar, and the impor-
tation of all agricultural and industrial implements was subjected to
a tariff almost prohibitive.

Two laws were enacted in 1S82 to regulate commerce between Cuba
anrl Spain. Uy the provisions of these laws the im])ort duti(^s on all
Spanish products were to be gradually dimiinshed until their iinixirta-
tion in Cuua became entirely free, while the Cnbans had to pay on their
imports to Spain duti(»s which practically closetl the Si)anish market to
all their products.

Si)anish goods, as a rule, are much inferior to those of English,
French or American manufacture, but the Cuban consumer was forced
to buy Spanish goods or paj' an exorbitant price for those which he
would have preferred to buy at a fair price. An instance will suflice
to illustrate this: When the present war began in ISOo the duty on a
hundred kilogrammes of woolen cashmere was fifteen dollars and forty-

t7h

176

I'liKI'AKATIONS TOR ANOTIIKU HKIJKLLION.

.seven (('Ills if Spanisli, llircc himdrcd dolliirs if forcij^n. TIics*? differ,
eiitiiil duties opened a rei<;n of prosjterily for industry in Spain, wliere
foreign j^oodH were imported or snni}j;y;led, to be later sent to Cuba us
Spanisli.

Tile injustice of these eoiunjcrcial laws was so evident and ho dot-
rinienlal to Uie intei'(sts of Tulia lliat in 1S1)4 tlie I'lanters' Association,
tlie president of wliicli, tlie Count de Diana, was a Spaniard, icIVrred to
iliein as "destructive of our pul)lic wealth, a source of inextinguish-
able discoiitent and tlie j»;erni of serious dissensions."

The insular bnd}j;ets could never be eovei-ed, and the result was
that the public debt was kept on the increa.se. The e.\|)endi tares were
flassed as follows: Fni" army and navy, .■!(!..')!) ))er cent of the budjj;ot'8
total; for the debt, 10. S!); for Justice and j^overnnient, 10.77, and for pub-
lic works, 2.75. No pui)Iic work of any kind was bejfun in the seveu-
teen years which intervened between the two war.s.

The Cuban Treasury, between 1>i2:i and 1S(!1, sent to Spain
^S2,l(!.">,4;{(} in {iold. Tins money entere<l the Spanish Treasury as
*'C(donial surplus," but as a Spanish writer (Zaraj^oza) says in his book,
"Las Insurrecciones de Cuba," it was absurd to s])eak of a surplus
Avhen not even the opening' of a bad road was undertaken.

Politically, the condition of the Cubans after the restoration of
peace in 1.S78, was as bad as it had been before. Laws existed which
mi^ht lead unob.servinj;- persons to believe that the Cubans enjoyed
every liberty, but as a nuitter of fact the Cubans were kept under the
most unbearable vassalage. The Spaniards in Cuba before this war
numbered only 1).30 per cent of the island's ])oitulation, but, availing
themselves of a law which {:;ave to theni a majority in the ehM'toral
censiis, they were to return twenty-four of the thii-ty deputies which the
island then sent to the Spanish Cortex.

So restrictive was the electoral law that only rh?,000 men were qual-
ilied to v(»te in the entire island, althoufi;h its pojiulation was l,7<!2,0t)0.
In the municii)al district of (luines, with a population of ISj.jOO Cubans
and ."lOO Sitaniards, the electoral census included 400 Spaniards and
Ihirty-tv.o Cubans. Tins is one anionj^ many similar instances. The
lioard of Aldermen ir Havana, the capital city of the island, has for
years been made up entirely of Spaniards, and the same may be said of
Cienfuefjos and other important cities.

Despite all constitutional ])rovisions the governor-general of the
isla-ud had the power to deport from the island, without a trial, any

rUErAUATlONS FOU ANOTIIEK KEHELLION.

177

person wIkjsc* lUfsciirc tliciv be cousidcicd daiij^croiis to tlio .sctiii'ily
of till' Slate. The island was at peace when Cepeda, \a>ih"a de Jlrinas
and Alarnuez Steilin};, all journnlisls, wiTe deported. The liberty of
Ihe press was and still is u myth, 101 Pais, the Antouondst or<j;an, was
criminally jtroseculed in ISSI) because it denounced the appointnu'ut of
one of the sons of (he picsident of the Havana Court »»f Ajjpeais to a
place which he couUi not lawfully hold.

^\'hat liberty of association the Tiibans enjoyed may be jndj^ed from
the fact that a <lele;;ate of the j;<)veriunent had to be jiresent at their
nieetin;;s, with power to dissolve them whenever he saw lit to do so.

><'o Cuban was able to obtain a place in the administration unless
he was rich enough to };•() to Madrid and there become ac(|uainted with
some inlluential politician. Even so, <.'ubans sehhun Hucceeded in being
ai»poiuted to jdaces of importance.

The Cid>an exiles in Key West, New York and other cities in the
United States, and in Costa Uica, Honduras, Sanio Doming;)) and other
parts of Spanish America, had been planniu}; a new uprisinj; for several
years. The desire <d" the Cubans for national independence was (piick-
eued b}' what they t'ulfen'd from S])ain's mis.novernment. For two or
three years the exiles in the Cniled Slates and Spanish American
v;)>.uitries, vete'-ans of the war of 1SI5S-7S, and younjier champions of
free Cuba, orjiaiu'ced clubs, collected a war fund, i»urchased niuintions
of war and laid jdans with their compatriots in Cuba for u new strufimle
for independence. There were 140 revolutionary clubs in North aiul
South America, Cuba and other "West India islands, alliliated under
the lUMue of Ihe r<'V(»lulionary ])arty. ready lo siip]»ort an nprisinj; with
financijil and nnual aid. Cuban workin}>inen in the United States prom-
ised to contribute a tenth of their earnings, or more if necessary. There
were firearms on the islam] that had remained concealed since the
former war, some had been bou}j;ht fnnn corrupt custodians of the jjov-
ernment arsenals, who, findinj:: it imp'i.^sible to ijet pay due them from
Spain, took this njethod of secnrluy what was rightfully theirs.

An Expedition Checked.

An expetlition that planned to sail in the yacht Lagonda from
Fernamliim, Fla., on January 14, 1895, was broken np by the United
States authorities. Cieneral Antonio Maceo, its leader, with Josi? Marti,
the political organizer of the new government, went to Santo Domingo,
where they could confer with the revolutionist leaders living in Cuba.

178

I'llEPARATlONS FOR ANOTHER REBELLION.

There Alarti found Mfixiiro Gomez, the veteran of a dozen strjiggles
and a bivr.e and able soldier, and offered him the command and organiza-
tion of the army. Gome^ accepted and began at once to arrange his
programme.

The i)lan of the revolutionists waf» to rise simultaneously in the six
provinces on February 21. The leaders on the island and the organizers
abroad had a thorough understanding.

Heroism of Cuban Women.

The men of Cuba were not alone in their plans for independence,
for their wives and sisters, mothers and sweethearts, were enthusiastic
and faithful allies. The island was full of devoted women reai'ed in
indolence and luxury who were tireless in their successful efforts to
get word from one scanered reb;d band to another, and to send them
food, me'lieines and clothing. These women were far better con-
spirators than their fathers and brothers, for Cuban men must talk, but
the women seem to know the value »>f silence.

BeautifHl and delicate senoritas would disguise themselves in men's
attire and steal out at night to the near-by haunts of lover or brother
in the "Long Irnss," as the insurgents' camps are called, with food
secreted in false pockets, or letters, whose envelo])es had beeu dipped
in ink, hidden in their black hair. Me(licines were carried in cau«'s, and
cloth for clothes or wounds was concealed in the lining of coats. One
girl, disguised as a vender, fre(piently carried to the woods dynamite
in egg sliells deftly put togetiier.

She had man}' tiiriiling experiences, but lier narrowest escape was
wlien a Spanish soldier by the roadside insisted on taking from the
basket an egg, to let its contents drop in a hot and rea«ly pan. He
was with dit'liculty jjersiuided to forego the meal. The dynamite was
made by another woman, who carefully obtained the ingredients at
various times and at widely scattered drug stores.

And so, with aluiost every Cuban uuiu, woman and child united in
a fixed determinatiou to make tiie i land one of the free and indepen-
dent nations of the earth, the fiuai ,.truggle was begun.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WORK.

Organization Whicli Has Represented the Insiirj^ents in the United States-
Splendid Woric Done b}' Sefior Tonias Estrada Palnia and Mis StalT —
Sources of th<! War Funds — (Jenerosity of Cuban Cij^ar Makers Who
Have Supi)orted the lievolntiou — Liberal (iifts from Anierieans — Some
In«ide Faets about Fililaisterinfj — American Sailors Do Not Like to
Capture Insurj^ent Supplies — I'alnia's Address to the American People.

From the moment of the tirst outbreak of insurrection in Cuba, in
February, 1895, the najue of the Cuban Junta has been u familiar phi'ase
to everyone in the Unit(Ml Stntes, and yet its functions and its orjjfaniza-
tion have been by no means well understood. There have been those
in ConjiVt'ss and elsewhere who have spidcen of it sli;ihtin^ly a.s an or-
{^anizalion bandetl toj^ether for its own i)rotit in some way, not realizing
thsit its mem here were the trusted re)>resentatives abroad of the whole
Cuban peopli^.

The parallels between the Cuban insurrei'tion and that (^f the Amerf-
ean (ndonies anainst (Ireat Ilr'tain in 17T<I, are far nu)re nunu'rous than
has been recognized. The Cuban army has be-i'U pcjorly clotlie<l and
scantily fed at times, and equippe<l with all sorts of obsolete weapons of
offence. But these thiiijj:s are m) disurace, antl indiHHl are the basis of
much of the pride that Americans take in thesi>leiidid work w hicU their
ancestoi's did in that other insurrection, which, haviiij^ resultetl success-
fully, is now known as the American Ivevoluticui, There have been
sneers at the jjovernjuent of the Cuban n'public because its officei-s have
bad to move fntm jdace to place at vanous times, in order to avoid
threatened capture by the Spanish forces. Mut w is there ever a more
periiiatetic national {fovernmenl than that of the American colonies
during the Revolution, when the legislature and its ofticers sat succes-
sively in Philadelphia, Oermantown, Prineetxm, New York and several
othi'r plates, driven out of each in turn by the same fwir of capture by
British troops?

Finally, it ought to bo remembered, thougii it may not be, that the

180

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WORK

colonies iiiaintaiiu'<l an or<;anizati()n exactly similar to that ()f the Cuban
Junta in New York, for the i>uii)(»s<* (»f securing- money and support from
the people and tJie governments of Europe, to whom they were ac-
credited. Tlie only country which gave them welcome encouragement
was France, Itut Bi'iijamin Franklin's position in I'aris as tlie head of
wliJ'.t was virtually tlio American Junta was then and is now an lionor
to his nanu and his countrymen. It enlisted th<' same aid from France
and Freiuh citizens that the Cuban Junta in New York has enlisted
from tile United States ami Amencan citizens, and there is no reawon to
form any less crtMlitable judgment of the latter enterprise than the
former.

Character of the Work of the Junta.

The eTuuta is the organization through which Cuba's friends reach
the Cubans in the field. In many places these friends are banthnl to-
gether and work for the Cuban cause as orgainzations. In the Uidted
States and Fin <»(>(' there are 'MH) Cuban i-evolutionary clubs, with a
menibershi|i of more tlian .~)(),00(). Th«'S4' clubs were th outcome of a
suggestion originating with Jose Marti, and tlieir organization has been
accompiishetl by the delegation, with wliom tiu'y are all in closest
touch, t<» whom they all accotint, a.'K' through whom they all make con-
ti'ibutions in mom-y, clothing, |U*ovi. ions, jirms, and munitions for those*
who are enduring the hardships of the war. IJefore the revolution be-
gan these clubs had ^10(>,(l(M) in bajik as a war fund.

Thes4» most vital contributions must reach the army in the field, and
it is the business of the d(^legation to see that they get there. And they
have been getting there undei- most advei'se and trying circumstances,
and amid ju'rils of land and sea where enemies are wat( hing ajul where
a friendly goveinmenfc has had to guard {'.gainst the violation of neutral-
ity laws.

For accomjdishlng its work the .Junta has in no way been restncted
in autliority, the Cuban govenimein having (M-r«n granted sjiecial author-
ity allowing Mr. I'alma to issue a limited amonnt of bonds, coin Uiouey,
and grant let lei's of mai'(iue.

It has further been the business of tlie Junta — attentlwl by risk of
life to its agents— to keep in communication with the insurgents. This
has been done b^' secret agents who come and go from New York to Key
West, from K.'V West to Havana, from Havana into Spanish cities of
Cuba and through the provinces of the island.

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WORK.

ISl

The lu*a(l«iuai'tt*i*s of tlio Junta bears no outward sign except that
the stars and stripes and the single starred flag of Cuba wave from the^
third-story window, where is Mr, I'ahna's oflice. A narrow hall and tor-
tuous stairs lead to the oHice of the delegate, wh( re on every side are
signs of active business, with shelves, tables, and deshs holding heaps
of lettei-s, books of accounts, and documents of various sorts. Here the
delegate works, receives his frien<m, coworkei-s, and agents.

OIT the main room is a private office, where secret agents report and
are instructed, and where councils of mouieni arc held and decisions of
vital import to the (^uban cauise readied, to be followed by orders that
are of immense importance to the army of liberation.

The Cuban Junta, with its head(inai'ters, represents the legation of
the Cuban i-epublic abroa<l, and the head of the Junta, as it is callwl, is
T. Esti-ada Palma. rro]>erly speaking he is the delegate, and with the
members of his iiiiTusterial and diploumtic household constitutes the
delegation of (he Cuban republic.

The term "Junta" has been applied because such a body or council
was attached to the diplomatic department of Chiba during the Ten
Years' war. As the authority of the Junta fiequently restricted the ac-
tion of the delegate, the promoters of the pri'sent revoluti(m decided
to eliminate it ; yet the mime remains, and is used and accepteil to desig-
nate Mr. Pnlma and his associates.

Authority of the Junta.

This Junta, as the representative of the Cuban republic, acts on high
authority, for the delegation was a]ipoiuted on Seplendier II), 181)."), by
the Constituent Assend)ly that fornu'd the government and commis-
sione<l Maximo (lonu'z chief <ommander of the Cuban army. At the
sanu' tinu» it ina«le Mr. I'alma delegate and Cuban representative
abroa«l, with authority to ai>poiut ministers to all govennnents an<] to
have control of all of Cuba's diplomatic relations and 'representatives
throughout the world. IJesides tliis, Mr. I'ahua is the duly accretliteil
minister from Cuba to the United States, and in the event of the Cuban
republic being recognized would Ih' received as such.

I'lider his authority .Mr. I'alma has appointed snb-deJegales, or
diplo'natic agents, in France, Italy, Mexi((f, an<l the Central and South
Ameii.an republics. Cuba's independence not being acknowledged h.*
these mitionS; hei* ministers are not olllcially re<(igtdzed, but Ul'e often

^41^

182

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WORK.

uu()ffirial].y received at the "bark door," and exert au iuUueuce for the
benefit of Cuba in the countries to which tliey are api^ointtnl.

Ml'. I'alnia in in reality the head of the Cuban revolutionary party
abroad, which is one of the tlii-ee (leiiarlnicids of the (,'uban revoluthni-
ary jfovcnnnent, I he two other.s bcinn' the civil goveruiuent and the arn«y
of liberation.

This Cuban revolutionary bnmch xvhh founded by Jose Mai*ti, who is
re;;ardod by the CubauH :'s the apoHtlc and nia.ster mind of the (/uban
revolution.

Mr. I'alnia is not, only the head and front of ilie .hinta, but ho is the
oiu' pei'S'iii in wlmm its authority is ci'iitercd. lie was born in Cuba
about si.xty years ajit), and in his tender youth ind)ibed the sjjirit of lib-
erty for till' island, a spirit which ^rcw with hiui until it iulluenced his
every word and act, and tinally received his entire devotitui. So direct,
gentle, yet dctci'niined are his uu'thods, an<l so uuassuiuiu|Lj and ]»laiu \h
li. ill sjict'i h and nuiiiiicr that lie soon bcciune known as the "(' "ban
Franklin," and more tirnily has the name b«'conie attached to him since
the potent inlliicuce of his policy has been fcdt throiifiliout the worhl.

Durinji,' tlio Ti*n Vcai's' war Mr. Falnia was IM-csideiit of the Cuban re-
jiublic; was made prisoner by S|iaiiish troops, and sent to Spain, where
he was imprisoned until the close >>{' i he conllict. While in Spain, abso-
lutely sufT'-ring under the hanlships of iin|)iisonment, he wa.s offered
freedom if he would swciir iillef^iance to the Spanish crown.

"Nol" was his answer. "Y'ou may shoot me if you will, but if I am
sho* it will be a the I'residetit of the Cuban rei)ublic."

Besides .Mi". I'iilma, the only uieiiibiis of the delegatiJMi ap|)oluted
by the Cuban government ai-e: Dr. .roaipiin \). Castillo, tiie sub-dele-
gate; IJenjamin J. (luerra, treasurer of the republic abroad, and (5(jn-
zalo de (iuesada, charge d'alTaires at SVashiugton.

Dr. Castillo is vice-delegate and would take Mi". I'alnia's place in case
of his death or inability to act.

Sources of the War Funds.

TlieJnnta, whoso duty it has been to provide the funds lor the carry-
ing on of I he war, has lind various sources ot imome, all of them dis-
tinctly creditable, both to the integrity of the Cuban authorities and to
the Hentiments of those who have contributed the money. The larger
portion of the cash has come in small contributions from Cubans living

ADMIRAL PASCUAL DE CERVERA

A COMMON SCENE IN HAVANA CUBA
9

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WORK.

185

in the United States. The cigammkei-s of Key West, Taiupa, Jackson-
ville, New York and other cities where large Cuban colonies have con-
gregated, have i)roven their patriotism and their adherence to the cause
hy giving more generously of their earnings than has ever been done
before by the people of any country struggling for freedom. There is
scarcely an exception to the assertion that every Cuban in America has
shared in contributions to the war fund.

The minimum contribution has been ten per cent of the weekly earn-
ings, and this has brought an enormous sum into the coffers of the -Junta
for war purposes. It is true that a war chest of 1-50,000 or -f 100,000 a
week Avould be hardly a drop in the bucket for the conduct of the war
after the established methods of organized armies. But this has been
a war for liberty, ami the conditions have been unique. No soldier in all
the armies of Cuba iabre has ever drawn on<' dollsu' of pay for his
service. Thousands (►f them have been fighting from the first outbreak
of insurrection, without receiving a ci ut of money for it. If the pay of
an army be deducted from the expenses of a war, the largest item is
saved.

Nor has it been necessai7 tw j'lirrhase many clothes, owing to the
mildness of the Cuban climate, which fights in favor of those who are
accustomed to it. The commissary department, too, has betm almost
non-existent, and the soldiers in the field have live<l by foraging and by
collecting the vegetables and fruits saved for them by the women an J
children, whose hearts are as diH'p in the conflict as are their own. The
principal demand for money has been to procure anns, ammunition and
medical and surgical supplies.

In addition to the contributions which have come from patriotic
Cubans, aiKtliu-r large source of income to the Junta has l)een the silent
liberality of many American citizens, who have ju'oved tlieir practii.'al
sympathy to the cause of friHMlom by giving of their wealth to aid it.
Outside of these sources, the only income has bcnm from tlie sale of
bonds of the Cuban republic, a means of obtaining mon(\v which has
been 'ised conservatively, so that the infant republic should not he sad-
dled with a heavy debt at the outset of its career as an indi'penden na-
tion.

Aside from the contribution.'; of money to the Cuban powers, enor-
mous quantities of medical and surgical siipplies and hos])ital di'licacies
have been offered by the genei us people of the United States, or-
ganized into Cuban Auxiliary Aid Societies in the various cities of the

186

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WORK.

country. American women have taken a prominent part in this move*
mont and have won thereby the undying gratitude of the Cubans.

Some Facts About FilibuBtering.

The sailing of vessels from New York and other ports with cargoes
of supplies for the ('ubau revolutionists has been a frequent occurrence,
far more so than has been knoAvn to the public. Filibustering is a
phrase that has gained honor during these three years, such as it never
had before. Carried on in the cause of humanity and liberty, its motives
justified its irregularities, and there have been few to condemn the prac-
tice. In the fogs of an early morning, some fast steamer woujd slip
away from an Atlantic port, loaded with arms, ammunition, quinine,
and all sorts of hospital, medical and surgical supplies, accompanied
usually by a band of Cuban patriots, seeking the first opjwrtunity to re-
turn to their beautiful island and lake up arms for its liberation. There
have been a few such expeditious captured, but for everyone captured a
score have reached their destination on the Cuban coast without inter-
ruption, and have landed their cargo in safety in insurgent camps.

Tlie Unite<l States government, in recognition of its diplomatic obli-
gations, spent millions of dollars prior to the outbivak of our war with
Spain, in carrying on a patrol sei'vice on the Atlantic couat and the Gulf
of Mexico, to prevent the sailing of filibustering exiK'ditions. Now that
the <lay of such patrol service in the aitl of Spain is ended forever, there
can be no harm in d lling some of the details that might have been com-
pi-omising before.

American cruisers and gunboats were stationed in the harbors
around th^ coast, from New York to New Orleans, and particularly on
both sidot of the Florida ix^ninsnla. To one of these vessels would come
the news that a suspected filibustering craft was likely to sail from a
certain place at a certain time, and orders would be given to Inten ept
the rover if possibh'. To one who did not know llie temper an<l the
spirit of American sailors from highest to lowesl in I he s«'rvice of the
navy, the actions that followed might have been puzzling. In spite of
the proverbial alacrity and readiness with which an American vessel
<an make sail, there was always a delay at sticli limes. It was almost
cert^iiii that something would be wrong that would HMjuire some time to
correct before the anchor could be weighed. II might be necessary to
buy provisions or to take on coal before sailing, and then, more than

THE CUBAN JUNTa ^vND ITS WORK.

187

once after the anchor was weighed and the actual start begun, it would
be discovered that some minor accident had occurred to the machinery,
which would require another halt to repair it. Finally at sea, the
cruiser would ste-^m away at full speed in the direction of the ' |>orted
filibuster, until her hull and even her smoke disappeared far do^\ .i in the
horizon.

Capturing of Filibustering Vessels.

What happened after that no one ashore could know. But more
than once there were grave suspicions that other delays occurretl as
soon as the vessel was well out of sight, or that the course was change<l
in pursuit of some other passing vessel, until after a few hours' chase
it would be discovered to be an unoffending craft, and the course would
be resumed towards the goal, as first ordered.

However these things may be, it is certain that the capture of a fili-
bustering vessel before her cargo was discharged was an almost un-
known event, and that the capture of such a craft after her cargo was
discharged could in nc) way be disastrous to the Cuban cause when noth-
ing could be proved against the boat or her men. Certain it is that no
officer or sailor in the American navy ever wanted to capture a fill-
buster. To an American it was a blot on the honor v>f the? ship that it
should be use<l to intercept arms and ammunition on their way to an
oppressed people struggling for their freedom. It Is safe to say that
the two or three captures whlcb were made of filibusters at such a time
that their confiscation and the conviction of their officers could npt be
avoided, was a distinct grief to every man who participated In the
chase and the punishmeuts that followed.

No one can deny the Integrity or the ability of the men who are en-
listed in the cause of Cuba as the New York Junta, who knows the facts
as to their personality and the work they have done. Some of the diplo-
matic and state papers which have been issued by SeHor Palma ai'e
worthy to take rank with the utterances of any American who has
gained fame in national history for similar work. A notable Instance
of the dignity and the eloquence with which he speaks, is found in the
pi'oclamatlon to the people of the United States which he issued but a
few weeks before the outbreak of our war with Spain. He said :

Senor Palma on the Spanish Concessions.

"The persistency with which the American press has during the last
few days been treating of supposed administrative reforms to be in-

188

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WORK.

troduced in Cuba by the government of Spain, compels me to request
the publication of the following declarations, which I make in behalf of
my government, of the army of liberation of Cuba, and of the Cubaa
revolutionary party.

"The question of the i>roposed refonns is not a matter which at all
concerns those who have alrea<ly establishe<l an inde[)endent govern-
ment in Cuba and have resolved to shrink from no sacrilice of property
or life in order to enmncipate the whole island from the Spanish yoke.
If the SiMUiish residents of the island who are favoreil by the Spanish
government with all sorts of privileges and monopolies, and if the
handful of Cubans, too pusillanimous or too proud to acknowledge their
error, or a few foreigners guided only by selfish interests, are satisfied
that Cuba should remain under Si>anish domination, we who fight under
the (lug of the solitary star, we who already constitute the Republic of
Cuba, and belong to a free pcH>ple with its own government and its own
Jaws, are firmly resolved to listen to no compromise and to treat with
Spain on tlie basis of absolute iudei)endence for Cuba,

"If Spain has power to exterminate us, then let her convert the
island into a vast cemetery; if she has not and wishes to terminate the
war before the whole country is reduced to ashes, then let her adopt the
only measure that will put an end to it and recognize our independence.
Spain must know by this time that while there is a single living Cuban
with dignity — and there are many thousands of them — there will not be
peace in Cuba, nor even hope of it,

"All good causes must finally triumph, and ours is a good cause. It
is the cause of justice treated with contempt, of right suppressed by
force, and of the dignity of a pcniple offended to the last degree.

"We Cubans have a thousand told more reason in our endeavoi*s to
free ourselves from the Spanish yoke than the people of the tliirtoen
colonies had when in 1776 they rose in aras against the British govern-
ment.

Comparisons with the American Colonies.

''The people of these colonies were in full enjoyment of aJl the rights
of man; they had liberty' of conscience, freedom of speech, liberty of the
press, the right of public meeting and the right of free locomotion;
they elected those who governed them, they made their own laws and,
in fact, enjoyed the blessings of self-government. They were not under
the sway of a captain-general with arbitrary powers, who at his will

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WORK.

189

cuuld imprisun them, deport them to penal colonies, or order their execu-
tion even without the semblance of a court-martial. They did not have
to pay a permanent army and navy that they might be kept in subjec-
tion, nor to feed a swarm of hungry employes yearly sent over from the
metropolis to prey upon the country.

"They were never subjected to a stupid and crushing customs tariff
which compelled them to go to the home markets for millions of mer-
chandise aJinually, which they could buy much cheaper elsewhere;
they were never compelled to cover a budget of ^26,000,000 or
130,000,000 a year, without the consent of the tax-payers, and for tiie
purposes of defraying the exi>en8es of the army and navy of the op-
pressor, to pay the salaries of thousands of worthless European em-
ployes, the whole interest on a debt not incurred by the colony, and
other expenditures (rom which the island received no benefit whatever;
for out of all those millions only tlie paltry sum of $700,000 was ap-
imrently applietl for woiks of internal improvement and one-half of
this invariably went into the pockets of the Spanish emydoyes.

"We have thrown ourselves into the struggle advisedly and delib-
erately; we knew what we would have to face, and we decided unflinch-
ingly to perseveiv until we should emancipate ourselves from the Simn-
ish government. And we know that we are able to do it, as we know
that we are competent to govern ourselves.

"Among otlier proofs which could be adduced of the ability of the
Cuban white and colored to rule themselves, is the strong organization
of the Cuban revolutionary' party in America, It is composed of more
than 20,000 Cubans, living in different countries of the new world and
foraied intt) clubs, the members of which yearly elect their leader. This
organization has been in existence over five years, during which every
member has strictly dischargiMl his duties, has respected without any
interruption the regulations and obeyed the elected delegate loyally and
faithfully. Among the members of the clubs there are several Span-
iaidti, »/ho enjoy the siune rights as the Cubans, and who live witl them
in frai* Tial harmony. This fact and that of the many Spaniards in-
eo)- (ira ed into our army, fully demonstrate that our revolution ia not
the ivaaU of personal hatre<l, but an uprising inspired only by the
natural love of liberty and five institutions. The war in Cuba has for its
only object the overthrow of Spanish power, and to establish an inde-
pendent republic, under whose beneficent laws the Spaniards may con-
tinue to live side by side with the Cubans as members of the same com-

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190

THE CUBAN JUNTA AND ITS WCBK.

munity and citizens of the same nation. This is our programme and we
strictly adhere to it.

"The revolution is powerful and deeply rooted in the hearts of the
Cuban people, and there is no Spanish power, no power in the world,
that can stop its march. The war, since General Weyler took command
of the Spanish army, has assumed a cruel character. His troops shoot
the Cuban prisoners, pursue and kill the sick and wounded, assassinate
the unarmed, and bum their houses. The Cuban troops, on their part,
destroy, as a war measure, the machinery and buildings of the sugar
plantations and are firmly resolved not to leave one stone upon another
during their campaign.

**Let those who can put an end to this war reflect that our liberty is
being gained with the blood of thousands of Cuban victims, among
whom is numbered Jose Marti, the apostle and martyr of our revolution.
Let them consider that before the sacred memory of this new redeemer
there is not a single Cuban who will withdraw from the work of eman-
cipation without feeling ashamed of abandoning the flag which on the
24th of February, 1895, was raised by the beloved master.

"It is time for the Cuban people to satisfy their just desire for a place
among the free nations of the world and let them not be accused if to
accomplish their noble purpose they are obliged to reduce to ashes the
Cuban land. Tomas Estrada Palma."

CHAPTER XVIII.

KEY WEST AND THE CUBANS.

Cuban Refugees in Key West — Their Devotion to the Cause — Peculiarities
of the Town — Odd Sights and Sounds — Filibusters and Their Work —
The First Authorized Expedition — It Is a Failure — The Second More
Successful — Landing Supplies for the Insurgents — Captain Jose La-
cret, and Some of His Adventures.

The island of Key West lies sixty miles south of Cape Sable, the
most southerly point of the mainland of Florida, and is seven miles
long and from one to two miles broad. The city covers nearly one-half
of the island and has a population of about 25,000. Key West has been
described s being "to Cuba what Gibraltar is to Ceuta, to the Gulf of
Mexico what Gibraltar is to the Mediterranean." It is one of the chief
naval stations of the United States and is strongly fortified.

The most important industry is the making of cigars, which gives
employment to thousandti of Cubans, who make up a large majority of
the population, and many of whom are refugees, charged with political
crimes, with a price set upon their heads. One of the most important
divisions of the Cuban Junta of the United States has its headquarters
here. Almost every Cuban in Key West gives regularly a portion of his
earnings to the cause, and many cargoes of arms, ammunition and sup-
plies have been sent to the insurgents by their brethren on this little
island.

The city is unique in many respects. It is made up of innumerable
little wooden houses, without chimneys, but crowded in irregular
groups. Many of the houses have wooden shutters in place of glass
windows.

On most of the streets there are no sidewalks, but people stumble
over the jagged edges of coral rock. There are a great number of public
vehicles, and one can be hailed at any corner and engaged for 10 cents.
Some of these carriages are quite respectable in appearance. They are
generally double-seated affairs, which -have been discarded in the north.
The horses are wrecks, and they show by their appearance that fodder

is dear and th*tt they are not half fed.

KEY WEST AND THE CUBANS.

One of the sounds of Key West is the whacking of the horses which
draw the carriages and the mules which move the street cars from place
to place.

The street cars look as if they had been dug up from the neighbor-
hood of the pyramids. liopes are used for reins, and the only sub-
stantial thing about the whole outfit is the great rawhide whip, with
which the street-car driver labors incessantly. The people, as a rule,
are opposed to excessive exertion, but they make an exception in the
case of labor with a whip.

Journalism, Climate and Dogs.

The town has one struggling newspaper, which is worthy of a better
support. It is told of the editor that he came to Key West a barefooted
boy from Georgia, and worked his way up to his present eminent po-
sition of instructor in etiquette and ethics to the four hundred.

Hundreds of dogs, cats, roosters, goats, and "razorbacks" run at
large through the streets, and the three former combine to make night
hideous. In the early evening the sound of negro meetings and jubila-
tions predominates. Then the cats begin where the shouters leave off.
Later, the dogs, sneaking and sore-eyed, and more numerous than any
other species, take up the refrain. They howl and bark and keep on
howling and barking, until sleep seems impossible. At last, when the
wakeful man thinks the row is over, the roosters, the meanest, skinniest,
loudest-mouthed roosters in the world, continue the serenade until
death seems a welcome, especially the death of the roosters.

Negroes Alone are Patriotic.

There is a strange mixture of races at Key West, but the negroes are
the most patriotic class. They alone celebrate the Fourth of July and
other nations, holidays. While the town has its enlightened and re-
spectable people, it also has a shoddy class, whose ignoiance of the rest
of the world carries them to grotesque extremes in their efforts to pro-
claim their greatness.

Even in its schools Key West is peculiar. The schoolhouses are
built like cigar factories, and each has mounted upon the roof the bell
of an old locomotive. When the school bells are ringing it is easy to
close your eyes and imagine yourself in one of the great railway depots
of the north.

KEY WEST AND THE CUBANS.

193

The First Authorized Expedition.

Prior to the commencement of our war with Spain the United States
authorities kept a close watch on the Cubans in Key West, and made
every effort to prevent the shipment of supplies to the insurgents. But
as soon as the conflict was begun there was a change in the policy and
the government assisted the work in every possible way. The first ex-
pedition was a failure. Under command of Captain Dorst of the United
States army the transport steamer Gussie sailed from Key West with
two companies of infantry, on board, in charge of 7,000 rifles and 200,000
rounds of ammunition, intended for the insurgents of Pinar del Rio.
The supplies were to be conveyed to General Gomez by a force of in-
surgents encamped three miles back from the coast.

But the cargo was not landed, for the reason that the insurgents
were unable to meet the landing party at the rendezvous, and Captain
Dorst was compelled to return to Key West with his cargo. The second
attempt ,,as more successful. Nearly 400 men, with a pack train and
a large quantity of arms and ammunition, sailed on the Plant line
steamer Florida from Key West, on the night of May 21. These men
and the equipment constituted an expedition able to operate independ-
ently and to defend itself against any body of Spanish troops which
, might oppose it.

The expedition was under the command of Captain Jose Lacret,
formerly insurgent colnmander in Matanzas province. He assumed the
direction of affairs immediately on the landing of the expedition. Un-
til then General Joaquin C-astillo was in control.

In the landing of the expedition the United States army was rep-
resented by Captain J. A. Dorst, and Tomas Estrada Palma was repre-
sented by J. E. Cartaya, who has been the landing agent of nearly every
filibustering expedition for more than a year. Messrs. Castillo, Cartaya
and Dorst returned to Key West. General Julio Sanguilly, on his way
to report to General Maximo Gomez, was also on the boat.

Most Powerful of Them All.

This was the most powerful anti-Spanish expedition sent to Cuba
up to that date. About 300 of the men were Cubans, the others Ameri-
cans. The engineer corps of the expedition was composed entirely of
Americans under Aurelian Ladd.

The men were dressed in canvas uniforms furnished by the United

194

KEY WEST AND THE CUBANS.

Slates government, and the commissary department had rations eqough
to last fifteen days after the landing. The pack train consisted of
seventy-five mules and twenty-five horses. The expedition carried 7,000
rilles and 3,000,000 rounds of ammunition for General Calixto Garcia.

General Sanguilly's Return.

General Sanguilly's return to Cuba is a remarkable incident in his
extraordinary career. His gallant services in the Ten Years' War, his
arrest in Havana at the beginning of the present insurrection, his sen-
tence to death and his release at the intercession of Secretary Sherman
on a promise to remain outside of Cuba have made him a conspicuous
man.

The expedition was convoyed by the cruiser Marblehead, the torpedo-
boat destroyer Eagle and other warships. Two younger brothers of
the late General Nestor Aranguren are with the expedition.

Some of Lacret's Adventures.

When the present revolution in Cuba began General Jos(> Lacret
Morlot, by which title he is popularly known, secured passage on the
steamer Mascotte for Jamaica on his way to Cuba. The English gov-
ernment had information regarding Lacret's movements and prevented
his sailing for Cuba from Jamaica. He then went to Mexico and later
to New York. At the latter place he consulted with the junta and re-
turned to Tampa. Here he embarked on the steamer Olivette for
Havana in the garb of a priest.

Still in this disguise he boarded a train for Sagua la Grande. Ac-
companying him were a large number of Spanish soldiers. His being
highly educated, a man of good presence and a "padre" were sufficient
to give him entrance into the best Spanish society of Sagua la Grande.
Lacret stopped at the finest hotel, and when in the cafe sat at the al-
calde's right hand.

After communicating with the insurgents the "padre" suddenly dis-
appeared from the hotel. He joined the insurgents, and, throwing off
his priestly disguise, has since performed valorous serv^ice for the cause
of Cuban fi'eedom. He was transferred to the province of Matanzas
soon after his arrival, and his career there will form an interesting chap-
ter in the histoid of Cuba. From Matanzas province he was sent to the
eastward as a delegate to the assembly held in Puerto Principe last
February, at which the new government was formed. From this as-

KEY WEST AND THE CUBANS.

195

sembly he was directed to come to this country as a bearer of dispatches
to the junta.

When the Florida, escorted by the Osceola, drew up close to the
shore at the place selected for the landing, she sent scouts to see if all
was clear. These scouts were greeted by Generals Feria and Rojas, with
about 1,500 armed insurgents. Therefore, far from there being anji hos-
tile demonstration upon the part of the Si>aniards, the landing of the
expedition was in the nature of a triumphal invasion. The Cubans, who
v.^ere in waiting for the party, had a brass band and welcomed the new-
comers with national airs.

The work of unloading the cargo of the Florida was promptly begun
and carried on by the 432 men composing the expedition. There was
nothing in the nature of interruption and the work was soon finished.

Had It All Their Own Way.

While the cargo was being unloaded the Osceola, an auxiliary gun-
boat, with her guns ready for action, scouted about the vicinity looking
for an enemy. But the Spaniards apparently had no suspicion of what
was taking place. So easily was the dangerous laission accompli slied
that while some members of the party were getting the supplies ashore
others were providing themselves with fruit, sugar and other products
of the landing place, a large stock of which was brought back for Key
West friends.

The moment the work was concluded the Florida and the Osceola
slipped away, leaving the insurgents to convey their re-enforcements
into the interior, which was done without any casualty.

The return g members of the Florida party brought with them sev-
eral hundred private letters, which give a complete insdgbt into the
conditions prevailing in the blockaded island.

CHAPTER XIX.

ANOTHER STROKE FOR FREEDOM.

The Beginning of the Revolt — Martial Law Declared in Santiago and Ma-
tanzas — Arrival of Campos — The Blacks as Soldiers — No Caste Preju-
dices — General Santocildes Killed — A Story of Maceo — Campos' Cam-
paign Fails — He Returns to Spain.

It was the intention of the insurgents to begin operations in the six
provinces on the same date, but at the appointed time three of them
failed to carry out the plan, and in only one was the aspect at all threat-
ening. In Havana and Matanzas the Spanish officials had no difficulty
In suppressing the insurrectionists, and the leader in the former prov-
ince, the editor of a newspaper, accepted a pardon and returned to his
work.

In Santiago, however, which is thinly settled, the movement gained
ground steadily. The landing of a party of revolutionists from San
Domingo aroused the patriots, and were welcomed warmly, being sup-
plied with re-enforcements wherever they appeared. The government
professed to be merely annoyed, nothing more, and pretended to look
upon the patriots as mere brigands. Calleja became alarmed at last
when the determination of the insurgents became known, and pro*
claimed martial law in Santiago and Matanzas, and sent forces to both
provinces. lie could put only nine thousand men in the field, however,
and had only seven gunboats for coast duty at his command. The
commissary arrangements were miserable, and frequently caused the
interruption of important movements. The insurgents were most ubiq-
uitous, and would appear here and there without the slightest warning,
making raids on plantations, which they plundered, and from which
they enticed away the laborers, disappearing in the swamps, where pur-
suit was impossible, and appearing again in a day or so in some unex-
pected spot, and repeating the same maneuveiu In this manner they
terrorized the loyalists, and ruined their prospects of raising a crop,
and as many depended solely upon the soil for their living this method
of warfare struck them a vital blow.

At the end of March, 1895, Antonio Maceo, with sixteen comrades,

ANOTHER STROKE FOR FREEDOM.

i9r

sailed from Costa llica and landed at Baracoa, on the eastern end of the
island. They were surprised by a Spanish cavalry, but kept up an
intermittent fight for several hours, when Maceo managed to elude his
enemies and escape. After living in the woods for ten days, making his
way westward, he met a party of rebels, was recognized and welcomed
with great enthusiasm, lie took command of the insurgents in the
neighborhood and began to get recruits rapidly. He engaged in sev-
eral sharp encounters with the Spanish and did such effective service
that the moral effect was noticed immediately. He and his brother
Jose were made generals.

About the middle of April Maximo Gomez and Jose Marti landed
from San Domingo at about the same point where the Maceos had
landed. For days they were obliged to secrete themselves in a cave on
account of the presence of the enemy's pickets, but they finally reached
an insurgent camp, and Gomez entered upon his duties as commander-
in-chief. The insurgents now had an experienced leader at their bead,
re-enforcements poured in, and they soon had a force of six thousand
men.

Arrival of Campos.

The government had issued new calls for troops, and in April no less
than twenty-five thousand men were raised. Martinez Campos came
over from Spain, arriving at Santiago on April 16, and went at once to
Havana, where he relieved Calleja as captain-general. Campos was a
veteran, and expected to crush the insurrection at once, but day by day
his task grew more difficult.

Gomez and Maceo, instead of being driven hither and thither, led
Campos a dance, and he was prevented from solidifying the two trochas
he had formed. Gomez never attempted pitched battles or sieges, but
harassed the enemy in every way possible, cutting off their convoys,
picking them off in detail, getting up night alarms, and in every way
annoying them. His hardened soldiers, especially the negroes, could
stand hardships and still keep in good fighting condition, but with the
Europeans, what between yellow fever and the constant alarms of war,
it was a different story. No European soldier could live under the hard-
ships and exposures which seemed to put life into the negro soldiers.

No Caste Prejudices.

It must be understood that there is no caste feeling between the
negro and the pure-blooded Cuban. They march, eat and sleep side

198

ANOTHER STROKE FOR FREEDOM,

by side. Moreover, the negi'oes make excellent soldiers, witli finer
pliysique than the Cubans themselves, and equal powers of endurance.

The Cuban is small in stature compared to the American soldier,
but he is well set up, wiry, and apparently has unlimited staying
powers. He frequently lives on one meal a day, and that a poor one,
but he shows no signs whatever of being ill-fed; in fact, he seems to
thrive on it, and he has an uncomfortable habit of marching six houre
in the morning on an empty stomach, which would be fatal to the or-
dinary Anglo-Saxon.

About the first of July, Maceo, still in the province of Santiago, con-
centrated the forces in the Holguin district and moved against Bayamo,
capturing one provision train after another that were en route to that
place. Campos took fifteen hundred men, with General Santocildes sec-
ond in command, and went to the relief of Bayamo. About the middle
of July he was attacked several miles from Bayamo by Maceo with
twenty-seven hundred rebels. He and his entire staff narrowly escaped
capture, and only the bravery of General Santocildes averted this catas-
trophe. The brave general lost bis life and the Spaniards were forced
to fly, after having fought for five hours, surrounded on all sides by the
rebels. They finally made their escape to Bayamo, the rear guard cov-
ering their retreat with great difficulty.

Flor Crombet had fallen in battle several weeks before this fight
"and Marti had been killed in an insignificant fight at Dos Rios. Gomez
had passed into Camaguay to add fire to the insurrection and Maceo
had been left in command in the province of Santiago. To him was
Campos indebted for his defeat. lie escaped capture as if by intuition.
A new snare had been spread for him by Maceo after the death of Santo-
cildes, and he was already within its meshes, when, intuitively divining
the situation, he came to an about face and fled to Bayamo by an unused
road, covered by impassable thickets in the rear of Maceo's victorious
troops.

The Spaniards were rapidly re-enforced after the escape to Bayamo,
and Maceo, with Quintin Bandero, began to fall back to his impregnable
mountain retreat at Jarahuica. This was in the heart of Santiago de
Cuba, over a hundred miles east of Bayamo and twenty-five; miles north-
east of the port of Santiago. His war-worn army needed rest, recruits,
and supplies. Once in his mountain fastness, he was perfectly secure,
as no Spanish army would trust itself in the rocky range. News of his
movements had reached Santiago and a strenuous effort was being

ANOTHER STROKE FOR FREEDOM.

199

made to head him off at San Luis, a railroad town fifteen miles north-
west of that city. Nothing, however, escaped the observation of the
Cuban general. With wonderful prescience he anticipated the move-
ments of the Spaniards, llis troopers were armed with machetes and
the infantry with rifles and ammunition captured at Paralejo. Bandera
commanded this band of blacks. The march had been terrific, and
horses and men were nearly fagged. With sparse supplies the pace
had been kept up for hours. The sun had gone down and the moon
was flooding the fronds of the palms with pale, silvery light. Maceo
held a short conference v/ith Quintin Bandera, and not long afterward
the blacks wheeled in column and disappeared.

Meantime the Cuban cavalry continued its course. By midnight it
had reached Cemetery Hill, overlooking the town of San Luis. The
moon was half way down the sky. Maceo sat upon his horse surveying
the scene below him long and silently. The little town was aglow with
electric lights and the whistle of locomotives resounded in the valley.
Over three thousand Spanish troops were quartered in the town and
tlieir movements were plainly discernible. Trains were arriving hourly
from Santiago, bearing strong re-enforcements. Through a field-glass
Maceo watched the stirring scene. He turned the glass beyond the
town and gazed through it patiently, betraying a trace of anxiety. Final-
ly he alighted and conferred with Colonel Miro, his chief of staff. A
moment afterward came the order to dismount. Three hundred troop-
ers obeyed and were about to tether their horses when they were called
to attention. A second order reached their ears. They were told to
stand motionless, with both feet on the ground, and to await further
orders with their right hands on their saddles. In the moonlight be-
neath the scattered palms they stood as silent as if petrified.

A Story of Maceo.

Among them there was a newspaper correspondent who had known
Maceo many years, and who had parted with him at Port Limon, in
Central America, a few months before. He tad joined the column just
after the battle of Paralejo. In obedience to orders he stood with his
arm over the back of his horse, blinking at the enlivening scene below
him. Exhausted by the day's march, his eyes closed and he fourd it
impossible to keep awake. A moment later he fastened the bridle to
his foot, wrapped himself in his rubber coat, placed a satchel under his
head, and fell asleep in the wet grass. The adjutant soon awoke him.

200

ANOTHP^K KiliOKE FOR FREEDOM.

U'lling him that ho had better get up, us they were going to have a tight,
lie thanked the adjutant, who told him there were over three thousand
Spanish soldiers in San Luis and that it was surrounded with fourteen
blockhouses. Tlie eorresi)ondent soon curled hims('f on the grass a
second time and was in a sound slumber, when he was again aroused
by the adjutant, who told him he was in positive danger if he persisted
in disobeying the order of General Maceo. A thiitl time his heavy eye-
lids closed and he was in a dead sleep, when startled by a peremptoiy
shake. Jesus Mascons, Maceo's secretary, stood over him. "Get up
this instant," said he. "The general wants tc see you immediately."

In a few seconds the correspondent was on his feet. The whistles
were still blowing and the electric lights still glowing in the valley, and
the moon was on the horizon. lie went fonvard in some trepidation,
fancying that the general was going to upbraid him for disobeying his
orders. Ele was surprised to And him very plea.sant. Maceo always
spoke in a low tone, as he had been shot twice througJi the lungs.

"Are you not hungry?" he asked.

"No," the correspondent replied, wondering what was in the wind.

"I thought possibly you might want something to eat," General Maceo
said, with a smile. "I have a boiled egg here and I want to divide it
with you." As he uttered these words he drew^ out his machete and cut
the egg straight through the center. Passing half of it to the coiTe-
spondent, he said: "Share it; it will do you good." The newspaper
man thanked the general and thej^ ate the egg in silence. He said after-
ward that the incident reminded him of General Marion's breakfast
with a British officer. lie had read the incident in Peter Parley's his-
tory of the revolution, when a schoolboy. Marion raked a baked sweet
potato out of the ashes of a camp fire and divided it with his British
guest. The officer regretted the absence of salt, and the correspondent
said he experienced the same regret when he ate his portion of General
Maceo's egg.

After munching the egg both men sat for some time observing the
stirring scene in the valley below them. The moon had gone down, but
in the glow of the electric lights they could see that the activity among
the Spaniards was as great as ever. Suddenly Maceo turned to the
correspondent and said abruptly: "Were you asleep when Jesus called
you?"

"Oh, no," the correspondent replied, "I was not asleep; I was only
just tired — that was all."

BLANCO— GOVERNOR.GENERAL OF CUBA
Generally known as the softest-hearted soldier In Spain

0!,

fai

AJNOTHEK STROKE FOR FREEDOM.

203

The general looked at him seai'cbiugly and then said: "Don't worry;
it is all right. We are going through that town in a few minutes. There
may be a fierce fight, and you will need a clear head. The egg will give
you strength."

Within twenty minutes the little columns of three hundred men
were on the move. They led their horses down the hill about an hour
before daybreak, with the general in the lead. Silently and stealthily
thej- entered the outskirts of the town. The columns passed two block-
houses without being observed and at the break of day were beyond the
town on the main road to llauabacoa. Meantime the Spaniards had
discovered tliem. The town was aroused and a hundred and lifly S])an-
ish cavalry headed the pursuit. The road wound throngli fields of
cane. A strong column of Spanish infantry followed the cavali^.
Maceo held his men in reserve and continued his march, the Spanish
troopers trailing after them like so many wildcats.

Suddenly, to their astonishment, (^uintin Bandera s infantry arose
on either side of the road and almost annihilated the pursuing column.
Those v>ho escape<l alarmed the columns of infantry, who returned to
San Luis to fortify themseh-es. Maceo and liandera camped on the
estate of Mejorana, about six miies away. It was here that Marti,
(xomez, the two Maceos, Crombet, Cluerra, and Kabi met not long before
this to inaugurate the new revolution. Bandera and Maceo found
])leuty of provisions at the estate, but no bread. A small Cuban boy
was sent to the Spanish conunander at San Luis with a note requesting
him to be so kind as to send some bread to visitors at the Mejorana plan-
tation. The boy delivered the note and the Spanish commander asked
who sent him. Without a moment's hesitation he replied: "General
Maceo." The Spanish official laughed and replie<l: "Very well, a sup-
l)ly of bread will be sent. It will not be necessary for .Maceo to come
after it." What is uujr? remarkable is the fact that Maceo told the
correspondent beforeha; d that the bread would be sent, ais the Span-
iards had been so frighti'iied by Bandera on the previous day that they
did not want to invite another attack. That very evening the boy re-
turned, convt^-ing many bags of bread. The Spaniards remained within
the town until Maceo had rested his army and departed tov Jarahui"a.

Campos' Campaign Fails.

Before the end of the year Campos' campaign was admitted to be a
failure. He could not depart from his humane policy, liowever, and at

204

ANOTHER STROKE FOR FREEDOM.

the beginning of the year 1S9G he returned to Spain. The rabidi
Spaniards of Havana, having compelled Campos to tender his resigna-
tion, demanded from Canovas a captain-general framed in the old
iron cast of the Spanish conquerors, not to light battles and risk his life
in the field, but to exterminate the native population. In tLjir belief,
women, children, everyone born in Cuba, should be held resi)onsible for
the situation. They did not like a soldier with a gallant career and
personal courage. They wanted an executioner. Canovas satisfied
them and appointed Don Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau to succeed Mar-
tinez Campos.

The question may be asked why the insurgents after so many vic-
tories did not invest the city of Havana, and end therewith the Spanish
dominion. The answer is verj' clear. After the battle of Coliseo
(Jreneral Gomez reviewed his troops and found that each soldier had
only three cartridges. The Cubans in the United States were making
vain efforts to send a big expedition to the insurgents, but the policy
of our government was non-interference, and they were checked in their
plans. At Cruira de Melena, on January 4, 1896, the Cubans had to
fight with their machetes to enter the Province of Havana.

If history does not afford a parallel of the stern resolution displayed
by the Cubans to die or to win in a struggle with all the odds against
them,. neither does it present a case of stubborn resistance to justice
and human rights, and of barbarous cruelty, which equals the record of
Spain in Cuba.

CHAPTER XX.

.JOSE MARTI AND OTHER CUBAN HEROES.

A Cuban Patriot — ^A Life Devoted to the Cause — First Work for Cuba —
Banished From His Native Land — He Returns to Fight for Freedc.m
— His Death — 'Maximo (lomez, General-in-Chief of tlie Cuban Forces —
His Methods of Warfare — Antonio Maceo, the Colored Commander —
Other Military Men of Note in the Cuban Army.

When the day comes that Cuba shall take her place among the
free and independent nations of the earth, Jos6 Maili, who probably
did more than any other one man to arouse the insurgents to make
the final stl-uggle for liberty, will not be among them to share their
triumphs. Struck down by a Spanish bullet, almost at the commence-
ment of the last rerolution, he sleeps beneath the southern skies, and
neither the clash of swords nor the thunder of the cannon over his
grave can distrub his rest.

Born in Havana, the son of a Spanish army officer, he was taught
from his childhood days that the friends of Cuba's cause were rebels,
deserving of death. But as he grew older he commenced to think for
himself, and the more he learned of Spanish robbery, injustice and
cruelty, the more dete^iiiined he became to devote his life to the cause
of his native land.

While yet a mere boy, he began the work. He published clan-
destine circulars, he wrote a play in which he depicted the wrongs
inflicted upon the island people; "Free Cuba" was his thought by d.ay,
his dream at night. Through imprisonment and exile, in Si>ain, Mex-
ico and the United States, every action of his life was guided by the
one ambition.

On April 14th, 1895, in company with Maximo Gomez, Marti
landed on the cc ' ^uba, at Cobonico. His coming gave the insur-
gents new courage, and their numbers increased rapidly. He was
made a Major General of the army, and in company with Gomez, who
had seen service in the previous campaign, he led a numb.er of sue
cessful attacks against detachments of the Spanish forces.

•20()

JOSE MARTI AND OTHEK CUBAN HEROES.

After organizing an expedition that was to manch to Puerto Prin-
cipe under Gomez's command, Marti intended to go to tlie seacoast in
order to return abroad and continue liis work there in favor of the
secessionist revolution.

About this time a man named Ciiacoa was captured by Colonel
Sandoval, of the Spanish forces, and letters from the rebels were found
in his possession, and some money with which he was going to make
purchase's for the insurgent chiefs. This man gave information re-
garding the enemy's location, and actiug ai>ofi this knowledge, Colonel
Sandoval, on the 19th of May, brtraght his army to La Brija. The
Ilernan Cortez squadron, under Captain Capa, was in vanguard, and
attacked a band commandtxl bj Bellito, which had come to meet the
column.

When Colonel Sandoval heard of it, he advanced up to the plain
of Dos Rios, and ordered hi.s infantry to open fire. A spirited combat
ensued, with fatal results to the insurgents, as the Spanish guide,
Antonio Oliva, runninr, up to help a soldier who was surrounded by
a large group of the enemy, fired his rille at a. lior.M'uiau, Avho fell to
the ground, and was found to be Jos^ Marti. Captain Enrique Satue
was the first to recognize him. A fight took place upon the spot, the
rebels trying hard to carry the corp.se away, but they were repulsed.
Maximo Gomez was wounded in tlie encounter, which for some days
led to the belief that he too was dead. According to one narrative,
Gomez was in the midst of the battle from the beginning, and while
hurrying to recover the corpse of IMaili, lie was slightly' wounded.
Others say that the famous chief, ha^i already taken leiive t^t Marti to
go to Cauuiguey, when, passing at some distance from Dos Kios, he
heard the report of musketry. He imagined what was happening,
and ran to rescue the civil chief of the revolution, but when he ariived,
Marti had been killed. Gomez being wounded, Borrero took him on
his own horse, and in this m-uiner canied him to a place of safety. The
Spani.a*ds, after their victory, moved to IJemanginagaus, where the
corpse of Marti was embalmed. From the latter town it was taken
to Santiago de Cuba, and while on the way there, the troops had to
repel an attack from the rebels, who inteudetl to carry off the coffin.
On arriving at the city, the remains of Marti were exhibited at the
cemetery. Colonel Sandoval presided over the funeral ceremonies,
and the dead leader was given a decent resting place. Here are San-
doval's words on the occasioa:

JOSE MARTI AND OTHER CUBAN HEROES.

207

Gentlemen: — In presence of the corpoe of him who in life was Jose
Marti, and in the absence of any retative or friend who imight speak over his
remains such words as are cu8to»»arj, I request you not to consider these
remains to be those of an enemy any more, but simply those of a man, car-
ried by political discords to face Spanish soldiers. From the moment the
spirits have freed themselves of matter they are sheltered and magnanimously
pardoked by the Almighty, and the abandoned matter is left in our care, for
us to dispel all rancorous feelings, and give the corpse such Christian burial
as is due to the dead.

Maximo Gomei^ the Ctenenfil-in-Chief.

The General-in-Chief of the Cuban forces is Maximo Gomez, a man
of scholarly attainments, great intellect, and long experience in mili-
tary' affairs. Formerly an officer of Spain, he explains his present posi-
tion in the following words:

"When I gave up, in 1868,, my uniform and rank as a Major of the
Spanish Arm}', it was because I knew that if I kept them I would have
some day to meet my own children in the field, and combat against
their just desire for liberty. Isow, with my mnny years, I have come to
lead and counsel the new generation to ultimate victory."

Of his methods in war, Thomias Alvord says:

"General Gomez never has more than 300 or 400 men with him.
His favorite camp is near Ari"oyo Blanco, on a high plateau, difficult
to approach, and covered with dense thicket. He posts his outer pick-
ets at least three miles away, in directions from which the enemy
may come. The Spaniards, whenever possible, march by road, and,
with these highways well guarded, Gomez sleeps secure. He knows
that his pickets Avill be informed by scnne Cuban long before the Span-
ish column leaves or passes the nearest village to attack him. A shot
from the farthest sentry causes litUe or no excitement in Gomez's
camp. i.he report throws the Spanish column into fears of attack or
ambush, and it moves forward very slowly and carefully. Two pick-
ets at such a time have been known to hold 2,000 men at bay for a
whole day. If the column presses on, and General Gomez hears a
shot from a sentinel near by, he will rise leisurely from his hammock
and give orders to prepare to move camp. He has had so many expe-
riences of this kind that not until he hears the volley-shooting of the
oncoming Spaniards will he call for Ms horse, give the word to march,
and disappear, followed by his entire force, into the tropical under-
brush, which closes like curtain behiad him, leaving the Spciniards to

208

JOSE MARTI AND OTHER CUBAN HEROES.

discover a deserted camp, without the slightest trace of the path taken
by its recent occupants.

"Sometimes Gomez will move only a mile or two. The Spaniards
do not usually give chase. If they do, Gomez takes a keen delight in
leading them in a circle. If he can throw them ofC by nightfall, he
goes to sleep in his camp of the moniing, liappier than if he had won
a battle. The Spaniards learn nothing through such experiences.
Gomez varies the game occasionally by marching directly towards the
rear of the foe, and there, reinforced by other insurgent bands of the
neighborhood, falling upon the column and punishing it severely.
While his immediate force is but a handful, the General can call to
his aid, in a short time, nearly 6,000 men."

A Colored Commander.

As soon as the rebellion had assumed such proportions as to make
it possible to aiTange a regular military organization among the insur-
gents, Antonio Maceo was made the second in command, under Gen-
eral Gomez, with the title of Lieutenant General. lie had risen from
the ranks to the position of Major General in the Ten Years' war,
whei'e, notwithstanding his colored blood, he had shown unusual abil-
ity as a leader of men. Sons of the first families of Cuba were proud
to enlist under his banner, and to recognize him ae their sufierior
officer. Space is devoted in another part of this volume to an account
of the treacherous manner of his death.

The following letter, written by him to General Weyler, soon after
the arrival of the latter named in Cuba, shows that he could fight with
Lis pen as well as with his sword:

Republic of Cuba, Invading Army.

Second Corps, Cayajabos, Feb, 27, 1890.
General Valeriano Weylor, Havana:

In spite of all that the press lias published in regard to you, I have never
been willing to give it belief and to base my judgment of your conduct on its
statements; such an accumulation of atrocities, so many crimes repugnant
and disjionoring to any man of honor, I thought it impossible for a soldier
holding 3'our high rank to commit.

These accusations seemed to me rather to be made in bad faith, or to be
the utterances of personal enmity, and I expected that yon would take care to
give the lie in due form to your detractors, rising to tue height required of a
gentleman, and saving yourself from any imputatiou of that kind, by merely

JOSE MARTI AND OTHER CUBAN HEROES.

209'

adopting in the treatment of the wounded and prisoners of war, tlie generouB
<;ourBe tl;at has been pursued from the beginning by the revolutionists
towards tlie Spanisli wounded and prisoners.

lint, unfortunately, Spanish dominion must always be accompanied by
infamy, and although the errors and wrongful acts of the last war seemed
to be corrected at the beginning of this one, to-day it has become manifest
that it was only by closing our eyes to invariable personal antecedents and
incorrigible traditional arbitrariness that we could have imagined Spain
would forget forever her fatal characteristic of ferocity towards the defense-
less. But we cannot help believing evidence. In my mai'ch during the period
of this campaign I see with alarm, with horror, how the wretched reputation
you enjoy is confirmed, and how the deeds that disclose jour barbarous irri-
tation are repeated. What! must even the peaceful inhabitants (I say noth-
ing of the wounded and prisoners of war), must they be sacrificed to the rage
that gave the Duke of Alva his name and fame?

Is it thus that Spain, through you, returns the clemency and kindness
•ftith which we, the redeemers of this suffering people, have acted in like cir-
cumstances? What a reproach for yourself and for Spain! The license to
burn the huts, assassinations like those at Nueva Paz and the villa El (Jato,
<'ommitted by Spanish columns, in particular those of Colonels Molina and
Vicuna, proclaim you guilty before all mankind. Your name will be forever
infamous, here and far from here, remeanbered with disgust and horror.

Out of humanity, yielding to the honorable and generous impulses which
are identified with both the spirit and the tendency of the revolution, I shall
never use reprisals that would be unworthy of the reputation and the power
of the liberating anny of Cuba. But I nevertheless foresee that such abom-
inable conduct on your part and on that of your men, will arouse at no dis-
tant time private vengeances to which they will fall victims, without my
being able to prevent it, even though I should punish hundreds of innocent
persons.

For this last reason, since war should only touch combatants, and it is
inhuman to make others suffer from its consequences, I invite you to retrace
jour steps, ii you admit your guilt, or to repress these crimes with a heavy
hand, if they were committed without your consent. At all events, take care
that no drop of blood be shed outside the battle field. Be merciful to the
many unfortunate citizens. In so doing you will imitate in honorable emula-
tion our conduct and our proceedings. Yours, A. MACEO.

This letter could have been written by none but a brave and honor-
able soldier, resolved to present the cause of the oppressed non-com-
batants, even when he probably knew that his appeal was powerless
to lessen their sufferings in the slightest degree.

210

JOSE MAPTI AND OTHER CUBAN HEROES.

Love and War.

Among the many brave leaders of the insurgents there is perhaps
none Avho has shown more heroism than yonng De Roban. After the
breaking out of the revolution he was one of the first to join the stand-
ard of independence. At that time he was engaged to be man-ied, yet
with him the call of duty was paramount over every selfish eonsidera-
ti-^n. After having served for some months wi^^'i conspicuous credit,
he was sent with his command into the neigliborhood of his fianc^.

The men hitherto, it may be imagined, had not paid much atten-
tion to their appearance, but now there was a regular conventional
dress parade. A barber was requisitioned, accoutrements were fur-
bished up, and weather-beaten sombreros were ornamented with bril-
liant ribbons. When the metamorpliosis was complete, De liobau
placed himself ait the head of his dashing troop, and went in state to
call upon the lady of his affections.

His inarch was a triumph, as everswhei'e he was attended by
crowds of enthusiastic peojile, who had hmg known him, and who
now hailed him as a dlstin*; dished champion. How he sped in his
wooing may be gathered from the fact that an orderly was soon dis-
patched for the villa eura, and that there was a wedding which fairly
rivaled that of Camacho, so often and so fondlj' recalled by the re-
nowned Sancho. Since then the &enora de Robau has accompanied
her husband throughout the campaign, sharing the hard fare and the
dangers of the men, and adding another to tlie noble band of patriotic
Cuban women, who vie with their husbands and brothers in fidelity to
their native land.

Other Commanders of Note.

The cause has many other brave leaders, among whom may be
mentioned General Calixto Garcia, General Serafln Sanchez, Fran-
cisco Corrillo, and Jose Maria Rodriguez. They are all veterans of the
war of 18G8-1878, and are ready to sacrifice their lives in the struggle
for liberty.

CHAPTER XXi.

DESPERATE BATTLES WITH MACHETE AND RIFLE.

The Sword of Cuba — Battle Cry of the Revolutionists— Cavalry Charges —
The Strategies of War — Haud-to-Hand Encounters — ^Maceo at the
•Front — Barbarities of the Spanish Soldiers — Americans in the Cuban
Army — A Fight for Life — A Yankee Gunner — How a Brave Man Died.

There is a story told of a great Roman General who, after having
conquered in many battles, beat his sword into a plowshare, and
turned from Avar's alarms to the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. The
Cuban has reversed the story. When he left his labors in the foi-ests
and fields to fight his oppressors, he caiTied with him the implement
with which he had cut the sugar cane on his plantation, and made
paths through dense tropic vegetation. The machete is ihe sword
of the Cuban soldier, and it will be famous forever. Its blade is of
tempered steel, curved slightly at the end, with one edge sharp as a
razor. It has a handle of horn, and is carried in a leather scabbard,
attached to a narrow belt.

The weapon in the hands of one who understands its uso is terribly
effective. Instances have been known where rifle barrels have been
cut in two by it, and heads have been severed from their bodies at a
single stroke. Its name, shrieked in a wild ferocious way, is the bat-
tle cry of the insurgents, and when shouted from an hundred throats,
it carries with it so awe-inspiring a sound, that it is little wonder that
the enemy is stricken with fear, for it means in reality "war to the
knife."

Cavalry Charges.

The Cubans are among the most skillful and daring rough riders
of the world, the equals of the cowboys of our western States, and the
far-famed Cossacks of Russia. The horses' backs have been tl-ir cra-
dles, and here they possess a decided advantage over their Spanish
foes, who know as little of the equestrian art as they seem to under-
stand of other's rights, or the amenities of war. A mounted band of

218

BATTLES WITH MACHETE AND RIFLE.

insurgents, rushing down on a detaclinient of tlio encuiy, waving aloft
tlie terrible machete, will carry with them terror and death, and con-
quer twice their number.

The heroic mulatto brothers, Antonio and Josd Maceo, adopted this
manner of fighting on every i)<)ssible occasion, and it is a coincidence
worthy of note that they both met their death wliile leading machete
charges against their hated foes.

Lack of Ammunition in the Cuban Ranks.

The lack of ammunition is one of the weaknesses of the insurgents.
Courage, ability and men they possess in abundance, but the lack of
cartridges has interfered with many of their best laid plans, and has
often prevented them from availing themselves of favorable opportuni-
ties. Three or four rounds a man is notliing in action, especially when
the Spaniards are always so abundantly supplietl. However they are
determined, and as Spanish Incapacity becomes daily more apparent,
they feel that it is only a question of a few months until the cause for
which they have so long and bravely fought Avill be gloriously won.

Maceo at the Front.

Within three months of the time that Gomez and Maceo landed at
Baracoa they had all Santiago and Puerto Principe in a state of insur-
rection. They started out with comparatively a handful of men. The
most reliable sources agree that there were not more than 300, but
they were quickly joined by thousands of Cubans, who Ijrought out
from hiding places arms and ammunition which they had been collect-
ing and concealing for years.

General Campos, the Spanish commander, had declared that Puerto
Principe would never rise against Spain, and he proposed at once a
plan to make it doubly sure. He procured spe<?ial concessions from
Madrid for the foreign railroads, permitting them to import iron bridges
to replace their wooden structures, and pledging them |20,000 a month
until they had extended their lines and made connections to complete
a continuous road through the country, using the money to employ the
natives. This was to insure the peace of Puerto Principe and Santa
Clara, both considered conservative, and to prevent the people joining
the revolutionary party.

BATTLES WITH MACHETE AND RIFLE.

513

After the plan was announced, the revolutionists burned out the
wooden bridges, tore up the tracks in many places, and the roads have
been, for all practical purposes, in their hands ever since. Campos,
meantime, to preveut (loniez moving eastward, placcnl 10,000 troops
on the border between the provinces of Puerto Principe and Santiago,
but Gomez crossed the line on May 19th, after a battle at Boca del Dos
llios, where a loss was suffered in the death of General Marti, which
was so gi'eat a blow to Cuba that Campos announced that the "death
blow to the bandits had been struck."

In Puerto Principe Gomez captured eveiy town he attempted to
take, among them Alta Gracia, San Jeroninio and Coscorro. He took
Fort El Mulato, and in all the places secured large quantities of ammu-
nition. So enthusiastic was his reception in the provinces of Puerto
Principe and Santa Clara that in the latter 400 Spanish volunteers
joined him with their arms.

The most important battle of the summer occurred at Bayamo in
July, just as Gomez waKS near the Spanish line between Santa Clara
and! Puerto Principe, where, in an engagement between the two
armies, with about 3,000 men on either >;ide, the Spanish forces were
completely routed.

From that time on thi'ough the summer and far into the autumn,
every day was marked by skirmishes, the taking of important places,
and the threatening of the larger towns. It kept the Spanish columns
moving constantly, and the exposure in the rainy season killed, thou-
sands.

Maceo now separated his forces from Gomez's command, and
marched westward, fighting as be went, and everywhere meetii^^ with
success. He established the new government in the cities and towns
of Mantua, San Cristobal, Remates, Palacios, Paso Real de San Diego,
Guane, Consolacion del Sur, Pilotos, Alonso de Rojas, San Luis, San
Juan y Martinez, and others of less importance.

Pinar del Rio City, the capital of the province, was the only city of
importance that held out, but it was cut off with communication with
its port. Colon, and was short of provisions. One supjjly sent by the
Spanish for its relief, 100,000 rations, fell into Maceo's hands.

In San Cristobal the Spanish flag on the government building was
replaced by the emblem of the new republic, a mayor and Mty officials
were appointed, resolutions were adopted by the new autho -ities, and,
after all the arms in the town had been collected, Maco remained a

214

BATTLES WITH MACHETE AND RIFLE.

day to rest his men and horses, and moved on the following morning at
daybreak.

Generals Navarro and Luque were ordered to crush the insurgent
army at all hazards. Their combinetl fortes consistwl of 5,000 infan-
try, 200 cavalry, and 11 pieces of artillery. After a two-days' march
they were joined by General Arizon's command, which had encoun-
tered Maceo's rear guard the previous day, with disiistrous results.

Near Quivera Hacha, Navarro's skirmishers encountered a small
band of insurgents, and fearing that all of Maceo's army was near,
lines of battle were quickly formed. The engagement lasted for less
than half an hour, when the insurgent forces withdrew, without
serious losses on either side. General Navarro finally discovered that
the principal part of Maceo's forces was at the Armendores estate, and
the seat of operations was changed. General Luque succeeded Navarro
in command, and several days now passed without any conflict of note.
Finally Luque led a charge upon Maceo's vanguard, in the vicinity of
Pinar del Kio, but the moment the attack was made he found himself
under fire from the top of low hills on both sides of the road, where
the insurgents were well protected, and he sustained severe losses with-
out inflicting much injury upon the enemy. So hot was the encounter
that Luque withdrew and prepared to charge upon two points where
the enemy were making a stand. He held the road Avith one battalion,
sending a detachment to the right, and another to the left. The attack
was successful. The Spanish made a magniflcent effort under with-
ering fire, and swept Maceo's forces before them, not, however, until
they had left the field scattered with their own dead and wounded.

For some reason the cavalry had not been used. The artillery was
just coming up when the action had reached this point. The Spanish
found that the enemy had, instead of being routed, simply fallen back
and taken a position on another hill, and scattered firing went on for a
considerable time, while Luque prepared to attack again. Then,
against 2,000 of Maceo's men, was direv.'ted all of Luque's command,
over 4,000 infantry, 200 cavalry, and eleven pieces of artillery.

At least half of Maceo's army, certainly not less than 2,000 cavalry,
had been moving up to Luque's rear and came upon him, surprising
him just as this second attack was being made.

For a ti' je it was a question whether Luque's command would not
be wiped '.at. They were practically surrounded by Maceo's men, and
for fully an hour and a half the fighting was desperate. It is impossi^

^*Kb

BATTLES WITH MACUETE AND RIFLE.

215

ble to unrnvt'l the storios of both 8i<1os so as to arrive at a clear idea,
of the encounter.

When the cannonading ceased, four comiHinies of infantry charged
up the liill and occupied it before the insui'gtmts, who had been driven
out by the artillery, could regain it. Shortly the hill on the left, of
the road was taken in the same way, and Luque, although at a great
loss, had repelled Maceo's attack from the rear.

The battle had lasted for a little over two hours. Maceo had about
iorty of his men wounded and left four dead on the field, tak'ng away
ten others. Twenty or more of his horses were killed. The Spanish
reported that he had 1,000 killed, the next day reduced the number
to 300, and finally to the statement that "the enemy's losses must have
been enormous," the usual phrase when the true number is humiliat-
ing. Luque's losses have never been otBcially reported, but it is
variously estimated at from seventy-five to a hundred men.

The Work of Fiends.

The Cubans give horrible details of a battle at Paso Real, between
General Luque's army and a division of Maceo's forces under Berniu-
dez. Witnesses of the encounter claim that the Spaniards invaded
the hospital and killed wounded insurgents in their beds, and that
Bermudez, in retaliation, formed a line, and shot thirty-seven Span-
ish prisoners.

Luque says in his report of this engagement: ''The rebels made a
strong defense, firing from the tops of houses and along the fences
around the city. The Spanish vanguard, under Colonel Hei-nandez,
attacked the vanguard, center and rear guard of the rebels in the cen-
tral streets of the town, driving them with continuous volleys and fierce
cavalry charges into the outskirts of the town. Up to this point we
had killed ten insurgents."

The people of Paso Real say this reijort is true, as far as it goes, but
-that Luque neglects to add that be then attacked the hospital, and
murdered twenty-eight wounded men, firing at them as they lay on
their cots, through the windows, and finally breaking down the door,
and killing the rest with the bayonet.

Under date of February 8th we have an account of the operations
of the Spanish General Sabas Marin, who left Havan a short time
before. His campaign in search of General Gomez was disastrous, and

1^16

BATTLES NMTH MACHETE AND RIFLE.

the oflficial reports of Spanish victories were misleadiug. There were
losses on both sides, but Marin accomplished absolutely nothing of
what he intended to achieve.

The first misfortune which overtook the Spaniards was the rout of
Carnellas, on the very day on which Marin left Iluvana, Gomez sent
a detachment under Pedro Diaz to intercept him, and this force
reached Saladrigas in the early morning. In this section the country
is cut into small fields, divided by stone fences, and facing the road
there is " high fence, with a ditch in front of it. Diaz i)laced 400 infan-
try behind this fence, and waited himself with 1,000 cavalry back of a
hill close by. When the Spanish forces appeared, the advance guard
was allowed to pass, and as soon as the main body was fairly in the
trap, volleys were poured into them, literally mowing them down.
At the sound of the first gun, Diaz led his thousand horsemen upon the
enemy's flank and rear. The charge was irresistible. Half of Diaz's
men did not even fire a shot, but yelling "machete," they rode furiously
upon the Spanish lines, cutting their way through, and fighting with
terrible effect.

The Spanish issued no olficial report of this battle. So far as the
records show, it never occurred. One of the Spanish ofl&cers, who
fought in it, conceded a loss of 200 men, but it is probable that twice
that number would be nearer the correct figure.

Americans in the Cuban Army.

Colonel Frederick Funston, who returned to New York in January,
1898, told an interesting story of brave Yankee boys serving under
General Gomez and General Garcia in Eastern Cuba, and also gave an
account of the sad death of W. Dana Osgood, the famous football
player, formerly of the University of Pennsylvania.

Colonel Funston was with Gomel's army when they attacked Gui-
maro. They had with them a twelve-pound Hotchkiss rifle and four
American artillerymen, Osgood of Pennsylvania, Latrobe and Janney
of Baltimore, and Devine of Texas.

They attacked Guimaro in the morning, at ranges of from 400 to
600 yards, the infantry being protected by a breastwork of earth, in
which openings were left for the guns.

The Spanish garrison consisted of 200 men in eleven fortSj and
they maintained a hot flre all day. Gradually, however, the Hotchkiis

re were
hing of

rout of
lez sent
IS force
country
he road
►0 infau-
ack of a
e guard
y in the
Q down,
ipon the
)f Diaz's
uriously
ing with

r as the
rs, who
at twice

BATTLES WITH MACHETE AND RIFLE.

217

rifle, the fire of which was directed by Osgood, made the largest and
nearest fort untenable, and it was abandoned by the garrison. No
sooner had the Spanish forces left it than a band of the insurgents took
possession, and from this point of vantage the fighting was continued
with renewed vigor. As soon as darkness came on one of the Cuban
guns was moved forward and stationed in this fort, and on the following
day a storm of shot and shell was directed at the other forts. ^

Naturally the rifles of the garrison were trained most of the tim6
upon the man sighting the Hotchkiss in the captured fort, and there,
leaning oA^er his gun in the early morning, the intrepid Osgood was shot
through the head. He was carried off by his comrades under fire, and
died four hours later. The death of this gallant young soldier was
universally lamented, and the Cubans honor his memory as one of the
first Americans to give his life while fighting for their cause.

With Gomez, with Garcia, and with Maceo, in every insurgent camp,
there were brave men, American born, who fought for the flag of Free
Cuba, side hj side with the native soldier, and who gave their lives in
the war against Spanish tyranny and misrule.

January,

g under

gave an

football

ked Gui-
and four
1 Janney

m 400 to
earth, in

9rt8; and
lotchki'is

CHAPTER XXII.

FILIBUSTERS FROM FLORIDA.

First Expeditions — Expense to tlie United States — President Pierce's Action
— Tlie Uprising in 18(18 — The I'atrol of the Coasts — An Expedition on
the "Tliree Friends" — Anns and Anniinnitiou for the Insurgents — Des-
perate Chances — A Successful Landing ;

The record of the last fifty ye*ars is the clearest and most convinc-
ing evidence that can be offered against the Spanish contention that
the United States is not concerned with the question of government
in Cuba, and has not been tremendously injured by the inability of
Spanish administration to furnish tlie Cubans with a peaceful and
satisfactory government. The first bit of evidence to be submitted
comes from away back in IS-IS, when President Polk, on behalf of the
United States, announced that while the T'^uited States was willing
that Cuba should be continued under Spanish oAvnership and govern-
ment, it would never consent to the occupation of the island by any
other European nation.

It Avas pointed out at that time by the American government that
were the United States to admit that Cuba was open to seizure by any
government that was able to throw Spain out the fact that it was
nearly surrounded, in Central and South America and in other West
Indian islands, by territory belonging to twelve other nations Avould
make it the ground of interminable squabbles. And these squabbles
were not matters which would be Avithout interest and damage to the
commerce and peace of the United States. This was follcnved by an
otter of !i?100,00(),000 to Spain for tlie island of Cuba. The offer Avas
promptly declined, and the United States was informed that Cuba
Avas not on the market.

First Filibustering Expedition,

Nevertheless, there was formed in the United States the Lone Star
Society, which had as its object "the acquisition of the island of Cuba
as part of the ten-itorj^ of the United States."

The "Conspiracy of Lopez," Avhich is fully treated of in previous

818

UTTLE KING ALFONSO OF SPAIN, WHOSE THRONE IS TOTTERING

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FILIBUSTERS FROM FLORIDA.

221

pages of tliis W(H'k, was the first filibustering expedition that attracted
particular atteuliou from the authorities, and it was hoped that its
disastrous end would deter others from like attempts. But the hope
was a vain one, for within two ^ears a similar expedition, led by Gen-
eral Quitman of Mississippi, was organized in the United States.
Many men Avere enlisted and vessels chartered, but the expedition
was suppressed by the government of the United States.

% Expense to United States.

It will thus be seen that the fact that Spain had not been able to
govern Cuba peaceably has caused the United States great expense and
irritation for a much longer period than is usually taken into consid-
eration in these days. It is not the fault of the United States that its
citizens have been stirred to sympathy' with the victims of the Span-
ish policy of government by robbery and murder. It is not the fault
of the United States that this country has been the refuge of men who
have been outlawed from tlie country of their birth because their pres-
ence there meant the irre[)ressible working in them of a desire for
freedom, a desire intolerable to Spanish institutions.

It is not the fault of the United States that these refugees, living
in the land of civil liberty, should desire to return to their native coun-
try and drive out those who made it miserable. But it would have been
the fault of the United States, under international law, if these exiled
Cubans were pennitted to carrj' out their very natural and laudable
desire in concert with the Americans whose sympathy had been
stirred by the story of Spanish wrongs. To ferret out the plans for
expeditions conceived with such determination and perseverance was
not only a task requiring tremendous expenditure of money and
energy, but it was a miserably disagreeable and unpopular work for
the government to engage in.

On the 31st of May, 1854, President Pierce issued a proclamation
instructing citizens of the United States as to their duties in refrain-
ing from encouragement, aid, or participation in connection with the
Cuban insurrections.

The Uprising in 1868.

In the fall of 18(58, after scattering uprisings and several battles
during the preceding year, plans for a concerted insurrection were
arranged. The plan was discovered and the insurrection was starte<3

822

FILIBUSTERS FROM FLORIDA.

prematurely. There followed a campaign in which Spanish forces,
amounting to 110,000 men, were unable to hold in check the Cuban
force of about 26,000. In May the filibustering expeditions, that were
to prove such an immense expense and annoyance to the United
States, began again. The Spanish navy co-operated with the United
States government in the efforts to suppress these expeditions, but
many of them eluded the authorities, and aided the insurgents with
arms and provisions.

This was irritating to Spain and the United States alike, becjiuse
it cost just as much to keep up an unsuccessful anti-fllibustering pa-
trol as it did actually to catch filibusters, and, moreover, every suc-
cessful expedition weakened the authority of the Federal government.
That authority in the Southern States just after the war was none too
strong, and it was not a good thing that the spectacle of defiance to
the United States should be flaunted along the Southern coast.

From 1878 until 1895,when the present insurrection gained strength
to become openly active, the island is supposed to have been at peace,
but in the latter year the open war and filibustering expeditions began
again. The name of President Cleveland was added to the list of Pres-
idents whose duty it was to interfere with efforts to aid Cuban liberty.
lie issued appropriate proclamations on June 12, 1895, and July 30,
1896. Revenue cutters and warships constantly patrolled the Florida
coast and, indeed, all the waters of the gulf, and sometimes New ifork
harbor, to head off filibustering expeditions. It is said to hav? cost
more to suppress the natural desire of citizens of the United States to
relieve the political distress in Cuba than it has cost to enforce cus-
toms regulations from the same territory.

The Voyage of the "Three Friends."

As evidence of the fact that Cuban sympathizers have been suc-
cessful in escaping the patrol on American coasts and the en3my*s
battleships in Cuban waters, we give the report of one of many expe-
di* ns that have been made during the past three years.

he steamer "Three Friends," of Jacksonville, Florida, iu command
of . ,)tain Napoleon B. Broward, returned to Jacksonville on March
ISth, having succeeded in landing in Cuba, General Enrique Collazo,
Major Chai'les Hernandez, and Dnke Estrada, besides fifty-four men
taken off the schooner "Ardell" from Tampa, and the entire cargo of
arms and ammunition of the schooner "Mallory" from Cedar Key. It

FILIBUSTERS FROM FLORIDA.

223

was by long odds the most important expedition tliat has set out
from this country, and the Cubans at Jacksonville, when they learned
that the "Three Friends" had safely fulfilled her mission, shouted
"Viva Cuba!" until they were hoarse.

They declared that it would change the character of the whole
war, as the unarmed men would now be armed, and that Maceo, who
had before been wary and cautious, would be more aggressive than
he had ever been before. The cargo of arms landed by the "Three
Friends" and the "Mallory" was as follows: 750,000 rounds of car-
tridges, 1,200 rifles, 2,100 ma«hetes, 400 revolvers, besides stores, re-
loading tools, etc.

The "Three Friends" met the "Mallory" at Alligator Key. The
"Ardell" had just finished transferring the men to her. While they
were rendezvoused there behind the pines in a deep coral-walled creek,
three big Spanish men-of-war steamed slowly by, but they did not dis-
cover that there was anything suspicious looking in shore, although
with a glass men could be seen in their look-outs scanning the horizon,
as well as searching the shore. Sunday, about noon, no vessels being
in sight, the "Three Friends" took In tow the "Mallory" and steamed
southward under a good head of steam.

The "Three Friends" is a powerful tug, and by Monday night was
close enough to the Cuban' shore to hear the breakers. Several ship-
lights to the west were seen, one of which was evidently a Spanish
man-of-war, for she had a search-light at her bow, and was sweeping
the waves with it, but the "Three Friends" was a long way off, and had
no light, and so was out of the neighborhood of the Spaniard.

A Successful Landing.

At ten o'clock that night, by the aid of a naphtha launch and two
big surf boats, which had been taken out of Jacksonville, the "Three
Friends" landed the men and ammunition from her hold, and from that
of the "Mallory." It took four and a half hours to complete the job.
There were hundreds of men on shore to assist, and they did it silently,
appreciating the peril of the position.

The Cubans on shore recognized General Collazo immediately, and
no words can describe their joy on seeing him. He is a veteran of
Cuban wars, and one whom Spain fears. In fact, it is known that
during his sojourn in Florida he was shadowed by detectives^ who had
been instructed to spare no expense to keep Collazo from reaching

224

FILIBUSTERS FROM FLORIDA.

Cuba. When it was whispered that CoUazo was really among them,
they seemed not to believe their ears, but came forward and looked,
and, seeing that there was really no mistake, threw up their arms and
wept for joy. Major Charles Hernandez and Duke Estrada were also
enthusiastically welcomed.

It was reportetl that night that Maceo had received the arms of the
first expedition that set forth three days before the "Three Friends"
landed. They were not from the "Commodore," for they reported that
they were now on the lookout for that vessel. They said, too, that at
the end of the week four expeditions were afloat. Two, including the
"Three Friends," had landed, and two more were on the way. Tues-
day morning, as the "Three Friends" was returning, she sighted a
steamer that answered to the description of the "Commodore." She
was headed southward, and pushing along apparently at the rate of
fifteen knots an hour.

Here is the story of the capture of an expedition, by Commander
Butron, of the Spanish gunboat "Mensagera":

"The 'Mensagera* was directed to watch the coast between Cayo
Julia and Morrillo, about one hundred miles. It was hear^l on the
afternoon of April 25 that a suspicious schooner had been seen near
Quebrados de Uvas. The gunboat followed, and found the 'Competi-
tor.' The usual signals were made, but the schooner tried to get closer
in shore, so as to land a rapid-fire gun.

"The 'Mensagera' was then moved forward and fired a shot, which
struck the schooner and exploded a box of cartridges which the men
were trying to take ashoi*e. Several occupants of the schooner became
alarmed, and threw themselves into the water, fearing an explosion of
dynamite. The gunboat's crew seized rifles and began shooting, kill-
ing three men. Several others reached shore.

"Three men were aboard the schooner when it was overhauled,
and they surrendered without resistance. Among them was Owen
Milton, editor of the Key West Mosquito. Sailors were sent ashore
to capture the arms landed. In the skirmish, two men, supposed to be
filibusters, and a horse were killed. They secured several abandoned
cases of cartridges. A body of insurgents had come to watch the land-
ing of the boat's crew. The 'Mensagera' came to Havana with the
arms and prisoners, who were very seasick. The schooner was towed
to Havana by the gunboat 'Vicente Yanez.' It is regarded as an object
of great curiosity by the crowds. It had the Spanish flag floating

FILIBUSTERS PROM rT.ORIDA.

225

when captured. It is a neat, strong boat, and looks fast. One of the
prisoners captured steadily refuses to give his name."

An account of the trial, as sent from Havana, May 8th, reads as
follows:

"The court opened at the Arsenal. The prisoners were Alfredo
Laborde, born in New Orleans; Owen Milton, of Kansas; William
Kinlea, an Englishman, and Elias Vedia and Teodore Dela Maza, both
Cubans. Captain Kuiz acted as president of the court, which con-
sisted of nine other military and naval officers. The trial of the five
filibusters captured aboard the 'Competitor* was proceeded with
against the formal protest presented by Consul General Williams,
who declared that the trial was illegal and in violation of the treaty
between Spain and the United States.

"The prisoners were not served with a copy of the charges against
them and were not allowed to select their own counsel, but were
represented by a naval officer appointed by the government They
were not permitted to call witnesses for their defense, the prosecution
calling all the witnesses. Owen Milton, of Kansas, testified through
an interpreter that he came on the expedition only to correspond for
a newspaper. William Kinlea, when called, was in his shirt sleeves.
He arose and said in English, 'I do not recognize your authority, and
appeal for protection to the American and English consuls.' "

Fortunately for these prisoners, the United States government in-
terfered, and they were eventually released.

CHAPTER XXIII.

WEYLER THE BUTCHER.

His Ancestry — A Soldier From His Youtli — He Succeeds General Campos—
A Master of Diplomacy — A Slave of Spain — His Personal Appearance
— His Interview With a Woman — His Definition of War — His Resig-
nation.

Early in 1896, when the Spanish government began to realize that
the insurrection was assuming serious proportions, arrangements were
made for the recall of General Campos, then Governor-General of
the island, and General Weyler was sent to assume the duties of the
office. It was the opinion in Spain that Campos was too mild in his
treatment of the rebels, and as Weyler was known to have no lamb-
like qualities, he was regarded as the ideal man for the position. That
he did not succeed in putting down the rebellion was certainly not
due to any lack of extreme measures on his part. He is known as the
"Butcher," and his management of affairs in Cuba certainly gives him
every right to the title.

Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau, to give him his full name, is only half
a Spaniard. His father was a Prussian, though Weyler himself was
born in Cadiz in 1839. His parents were in very moderate circum-
stances and not of noble birth. What Weyler has won he has acquired
through his own efforts. He has made his way single-handed. He
graduated from 'the infantry school at Toledo in 1857 and was at once
sent to Cuba as a subaltern. He was quickly made a captain and his
first work was to subdue a small revolt in San Domingo.

He rose rapidly in rank, and during the first Cuban revolt he was in
command in the province of Santiago, where he earned the tii le that
has since made him famous in the eyes of his supporters, but infamous
from a civilized point of view. But he put down the revolt. He was
rewarded with the appointment of captain general of the Canary
islands. His administration was so successful that he was created
Marquis of Teneriffe. He was then barely thirty-nine years old. He
distinguished himself in the Carlist war and at its conclusion he was
made captain general of the Philippines, where he quelled an insur-

226

WEYLER THE BUTCHER.

227

rection and admittedly gave the islands the best admiuisti'atiou thej
had ever known. He returned to Spain in 1889 and was in command
at Barcelona until the present Cuban revolution began.

Here is a mental photograph of him by a newspaper correspond-
ent:

"Most men resemble their reputations, and if a life famously spent
Is in the mind of one who visits a character of world-wide repute, he
quite naturally discovers peculiarities of facial expression and
physique which appear to account for the individuality of the man,
fighter, philosopher, criminal, reformer or whatever he may be.

"All this is time of General Weyler. He is one of those men who
create a first impression, the first sight of whom can never be effaced
from the mind, by whose presence the most careless observer is im-
pressed instantly, and yet, taken altogether, he is a man in whom the
elements of greatness are concealed under a cloak of impenetrable
obscurity. Inferior physically, unsoldierly in bearing, exhibiting no
trace of refined sensibilities nor pleasure in the gentle associations
that others live for, or at least seek as diversions, he is nevertheless
the embodiment of mental acuteness, crafty, unscrupulous, fearless
and of indomitable perseverance.

"I have talked with Campos, Marin and Weyler, the three Captain-
Generals to whom Spain has intrusted (thus far unsuccessfully) the
reconquest of Cuba. Reconquest seems an ill-chosen word, but one of
General Weyler's staff has so denominated this war, and Cuban revo-
lutions can be settled only by conquesits. Campos was an exceptional
man. Marin was commonplace. Weyler is unique. Campos and Marin
affected gold lace, dignity and self-consciousness. Weyler ignores
them all as useless, unnecessary impediments, if anything, to the one
object of his existence. Campos was fat, good natured, wise, phil-
osophical, slow in his mental processes, clear in his judgment, em-
phatic in Ms opinions, outspoken, and, withal, lovable, humane, con-
servative, constructive, progressive, with but one project ever before
him, the glorification of Spain as a mother-land and a figure among
peaceful, enlightened nations.

"Weyler is lean, diminutive, shriveled, ambitious for immortality,
irrespective of its odor, a master of diplomacy, the slave of Spain, for
the glory of sitting at the right of her throne, unlovable, unloving,
exalted, and doubtless justly, in self-esteem, because he is unmistaken
in his estimation of his value to his Queen. His passion is success.

228

VVEYLEK TUE BUTCHER.

per se, foul or fair consequences or the conventional ideas of human*
Ity notwithstanding.

"He is a little man. An apparition of blacks — black eyes, black
hair, black beard, dark, exceedingly dark, complexion, a plain black
attire, black shoes, black tie, a very dirty shirt and soiled standing
collar, with no jewelry and not a relief from the aspect of darkness
anywhere on his person.

"It is not remarkable that I momentarily hesitated to make cer*
tain that this was actually Weyler. Doubt was dispelled with a look
at his face. His eyes, far apart, bright, alert and striking, took me in
at a glance. His face seemed to run to his chin, his lower jaw pro-
truding far beyond any ordinary sign of firmness, persistence or will-
power. His forehead is neither high nor receding, neither is it that of
a thoughtful or philosophic man. His ears are set far back, and what
is called the region of intellect, in which are those mental attributes
that might be defined as powers of observation, calculation, judgment,
and execution, is strongly developed. The conformation of his head,
however, is not one that is generally accepted as an indication of any
marked possession of philoprogenitiveness or its kindred emotions and
inclinations. His nose is aquiline, bloodless and obtrusive. When he
speaks it is with a high na^al enunciation that is not disagreeable,
because it is not prolonged, and his sentences justify every impression
that has already been formed of the man. They are short, criap, em-
phatic and expressive.

" *I have an aversion to speech,' he said. *I am an enemy of publica-
tions. I prefer to act, not to talk. I am here to restore peace. When
peace is in the land I am going away. I am a so'clif*. When I am
gone, politicians will reconstruct Cuba, and probably they will upset
things again until they are as bad as they are now. I care not for
America, England, anyone, but only for the treaJif^ we have with
them. They are the law. I observe the law, and every letter of the
law. I have my ideas of Cuba's relation to Spain. I have never ex-
pressed them. Some politicians would agree with them, others would
not. No one would agree with all of them. I know I am merciless,
but mercy has no place in war. I know the reputation which has been
built up for me. Things that are charged to me were done by officers
under me, and I was held responsible for all things in the Ten-Years*
war, including its victorious end. I do not conceal the fact that I
am here solely because it is believed I can crush this insurrection. T

WEYLEU THE BUTCHER.

229

core not what is said about me, unless it is a lie so great as to occasion
alarm. I am not a politician. I am Weylor.' "

A Woman's Interview with Weyler.

The following interview with the "Butchci*" is by Mrs. Kate Mas-
terson, who bearded the lion in his den for an American newspaper:

"llis Excellency, Captain-General Woyler, graciously gave me an
audience today. He received me with most charming courtesy,
escorted me through his apartments and presented me with a bunch
of roses from his own table. Before I left he had honored me with an
invitation to dine with him at the Palace.

"'Your Excellency,' I said to him through my interpreter, 'the
American women have a very bad opinion of you. I am very much
afraid of you myself, but I have come to ask the honor of an interview
with you, in order that I may write something which will reassure the
women of America that 3 ou are not treating women and children un-
mercifully.'

"*I do not give interviews,' he said. *I am willing, however, to
answer any question you wish to ask.'

" *In the United States,' I said, *an impression prevails that your
edict shutting out newspaper correspondents from the field is only to
conceal cruelties perpetrated upon the insurgent prisoners. Will your
Excellency tell me the real cause?'

"*I have,' replied the General, 'shut out the Spanish and Cuban
papers from the field, as well as the American. In the last war the
correspondents created much jealousy by what they wrote. They
praised one and rebuked the other. They wrote what the prisoners
dictated, instead of facts. They even created ill-feeling between the
Spanish. oflScers. They are a nuisance.'

" 'Then I can deny the stories as to your being cruel?'

"The General shrugged his heavy shoulders as he said carelessly:
*I have no time to pay attention to stories. Some of them are true and
some are not. If you will particularize I will give direct answers, but
these things are not important.'

" 'Does not your Excellency thirk that prisoners of war should be
treated with consideration and mercy?'

"The General's eyes glinted dangerously. 'The Spanish columns
attend to their prisoners just as well as any other country in time of

230

WEYLER THE BUTCHER.

war,' lie i*eplied. 'War is war. You cannot make it othei-wise, try a«
you will.'

" 'Will not your Excellency allow me to go to the scene of battle
under an escort of soldiers, if necessai^, that I may write of the situa-
tion as it really is, and correct the impression that prevails in Amer-
ica that inhuman treatment is being accorded to the insurgent pris'
oners?'

" 'Impossible,' answered the General. 'It would not be safe.'

" 'I am willing to take all the danger, if your Excellency will allow
me to go,' I exclaimed.

"General Weyler laughed. 'There would be no danger from the
rebels,' he said, 'but from the Spanish soldiers. They are of a very
affectionate disposition and would all fall in love with you.'

" 'I will keep a great distance from, the fighting, if you will allow
me to go.'

"The General's lips closed tightly, pnd he said: 'Impossible! Im-
possible!'

" 'What would happen,' I asked, 'if I should be discovered cross*
ing the lines without permission?'

" 'You would be treated just the same as a man.'

" 'Would I be sent to Castle Morro?'

" 'Yes,' he replied, nodding his head vigorously. That settled it. I
decided not to go.

" 'Why,' I asked him, 'is the rule incommunicado placed ' pon pris
oners? Is it not cruel to prevent a man from seeing his wife and chil-
dren?'

" 'The rule incommunicado,' said the General, 'is a military law.
Prisoners are allowed to see their relatives as a favor, but we exercise
discretion in these cases.'

" 'There are stories that T>risoners are shot in Castle Morro at day-
break each morning, and that the shots can be plainly heard across
the bay. Is this true?'

"The General's eyes looked unpleasant again. 'It 's false!' he said
shortly. 'The prisoners go through a regular court-martial, and no
one could be shot at Morro without my orders, and I have not given
orders to shoot anyone since I have been here.'

" 'Do you not thiuk it very cruel that innocent v/omen and children
should be made to suffer in time of war?'

" 'No innocent women and children do suffer. It is only those who

WEYLEK THE BUTCHER.

nn-i

leave their homes and take part in battle who are injured. It is only
the rebels who destroy peaceful homes.'

"*It is reported,' I said, 'that thirty women are fighting under
Maceo. Is this true?'

" 'Yes,' replied the General. 'We took one woman yesterday. She
was dressed in man's clothes and was wielding a machete. She is now
in Morro Castle. These women are fiercer than men. Many of them
are mulattoes. This particv.lar woman was white.'

"'What will be her fate?'

" 'She will go through the regular form of trial.'

" 'Will no mercy be shown her?'

"'Mercy is always shown to a woman. TV^hiie the law is the same
for both sexes, there is a clause which admits of mercy to a woman.'

"'There are several Cuban women insurgents in Morro and the
Cabanas. Would your Excellency,' I asked, ':Jlow me to visit them?'

" 'No,' he said. 'There is a law that no foreigner shall enter our
fortresses. It is a military law. We cur make no exceptions. You
understand that I do not wish i.o be discourteous, senorita,'

"'Some of these women,' I continued, 'are said to be imprisoned
for merely having Cuban flags in their homes. Is this possible?'

"'Treason,' exclaimed the General, 'is always a crime, punishable
by imprisonment.'

"'There is a newspaper correspondent at present in Morro, What
was his crime?'

"The General shrugged his shoulders again. 'I know nothing
about him,' he said. *I think he has been freed.'

"'Do you not think the life of a newspaper correspondent in
Havana is at present a most unhappy one?'

" *I think it must be, for they make me unhappy. If they were all
like you it would be a pleasure.'

" 'Ib it true that thumbscrews are used to extort confessions from
prisoners?'

"'Not by the Spaniards. Rebels use all these things, similar to
those that were used in the Inquisition tortures.'

"'What does your Excellency think of the Cubans as a race? Do
you not think them progressive and brave?'

"'With the progress of all nations the Cubans have progressed,'
he replied. 'There are many Cubans in sympathy with Spain, but this
insurrection is a blot upon the Cuban race which nothing can ever

232

WEYLER THE BUTCHER.

erase. It is a stain made witli tlie blood of the slain and the tears of
the women. It injures the Cubans themselves more than any other.' "

In spite of Weyler's boasts when he assumed command of the
Spanish forces in Cuba that he would quickly put down the insurrec-
tion, his failure was as complete as that of General Campos had been,
and his recall was finally demandetl. In his letter of protest to the
home government he said:

"If the functions with which the government had entrusted me had
been merely those of Governor General of Cuba, I should have ha..<tened
to resign. But the twofold character of my mission and my duty as
commander-in-^nief in the face of the enemy x>^event my tendering a
resignation.

"Nevertheless, although I can rely upon the absolute, unconditional
support of the autonomist and constitutional parties, as well as upon
public opinion, this would be insufticient without the confidence of the
gos^ernment, now more than ever necessary to me after the censure of
which I have been made the object by the members and journals of the
Liberal party and by public opinion in the United States, which latter
is largely influenced by the former. This confidence would be necessary
to enable me to put an end to the war, which has already been virtually
concluded from our lines at Jucaro to Cape Antonio."

Senor Sagasta replied . "I thank you for your explanation and value
your frankness, I wish to assure you that the government recognizes
your services and values them as they deserve, but it thinks a change of
policy, in order to succeed, requires that the r. athorities should be at
one with the ministry."

CHAPTER XXIV.

CUBA UNDER THE SCOURGE.

The Civil Guards and Their Crimes — Horrible Murder of Eight Innocent
Men — ^A Man After Weyler's Own Heart — How the Spanish Gain
"Victories" — Life, Liberty and Property Sacrificed — ^The War Not a
Raice War — Resistance to the Bitter End.

Cuba has been under martial law for over fifty years, and its en-
forcement by the Civil guards (as the oflftcers appointed by the Spanish
government are called) has been responsible for innumerable out-
rages against the lives and property of the inhabitants. These ofiScials
have been guilty of every crime in the calendar, but protected by their
positions they have escaped legal punishment, and it has only been on
occasions when, driven to desperation, the people have acted as judges
and executioners by taking the law into their own hanc's that any re-
dress has been possible.

If for any reason these guards wish to persecute a man, the fact
that he is a non-combatant is no protection to him, nor to his family.
The;5 have been the means of adding to the ranks of the insurrection-
is^;. %r frequently the man who has seen his relatives and friends
Dl'ct h( 2ore his eyes, to satisfy some personal spite, or in order that
if.>r .• Cij^cer may get credit for a battle, has left his fields and gone to
Btiil ^ a manly blow for his country and his home.

Thx' >. ory of eight peaceable white men, who were shot without
trial, at Campo Florida, near Havani, will serve as an example of
the work of these fiends.

These poor fellows were arrested, thoir arr^s were tied, and they
were taken to the police station. One of tJu-m had just completed a
coffin for a woman, and he was Jragged to the station with a rope
about his neck. The next day, without even the pretense of a trial,
ihey were taken two at a time into a ravine near the fort, where a
' D 'L ''lad been lately du^, and in spite of the most pitiful pleae for
mercy, they were shot down in cold blood by the cruel guards, who
seemed to take fiendish delight in their work of blood.

The following statement was sent by Cuban patriots, with the

234

CUBA UNDER THE SCOURGE.

request that it be given the widest publicity possible, among the peo
pie of the United States:

"If the government that unhappily niles the destinies of this un-
fortunate country should be true to the most rudimentary principles
of justice and morality, Colonel Jull, who has been recently appointed
Military Governor of Matanzas province, should be in the galleys
among criminals. It is but a short time since he was relieved by
General Martinez Campos of the military command at Cienfuegos, as
he had not once engaged any of tb insurgent forces, but vented all
his ferocious instincts against innocci 1 inoffensive peasants.

"In Yaguaramas, a small town near . ifuegos, he arrested as sus-
pects and spies Mr. Antonio Morejpn, an honest and hard-working
man, and Mr. Ygnacio Chapi, who is well advanced in years, and
almost blind. Not being able to prove the charge against them, as
they were innocent, he ordered Major Moreno, of the Barcelona bat-
talion, doing garrison duty at Yaguaramas, to kill them with the
machete and have them buried immediately. Major Moreno answered
that he was a gentleman, who had come to fight for the integrity of
his country, and not to commit murder. This displeased the colonel
sorely, but, unfortunately, a volunteer sergeant, with six others, was
willing to execute the order of the colonel, and Morejon and Chapi
were murdered without pity.

"The order of Jull was executed in the most cruel manner. It hor-
rifies to even think of it. Mr. Chapi, who knew the ways of Colonel
Jull, on being awakened at three o'clock in the morning, and notified
by the guard that he and Morejon had to go out, suspected what was
to come, and told his companion to cry out for help as soon as they
were taken out of the fort. They did so, but those who were to exe-
cute the order of Jull were neither moved nor weakened in their pur-
pose.

A Horrible Sight.

"On the contrary, at the first screams of Chapi and Moi^jon they
threw a lasso over their heads, and pulled at it by the ends. In a
few moments they fell to the ground choked to death. They were
dragged on the eartli, without pity, to the place where they were
buried. All this bloody scene was witnessed by Jull from a short dis-
tance. Providence had not willed that so much iniquity should re-
main hidden forever. In the hurry the grave where these two inno-

CUBA UNDER THE SCOURGE.

235

cent men were buried was not dug deep enough, and part of the rope
with which they were choked remained outside. A neighbor, looking
for a lost cow, saw the rope, took hold of it, and, on pulling, disin-
terred the head of one of the victims. He was terror stricken, and
immediately gave notice to the judge, who, on ascertaining that the
men had been killed by order of Colonel Jull, suspended proceedings.

"The neighbors and all the civil and military authorities know
everything that has been related here, but such is the state of affairs
on the island that General Weyler has no objection to appointing this
monster, Colonel Jull, Military Governor of Matanzas. Such deeds
as tliose enumerated are common. The people of the town of Matan-
zas, with Jull as Governor, and Arolas at the head of a column, will
suffer in consequence of their pernic'-^^ns and bloody instincts.

"That the vaders may know in pai i who General Arolas is, it may
be well to relate what has happened in the Mercedes estate, near
Colon. It having come to hii' knowledge that a small body of rebels
was encamped on the sugar estate Mercedes, of Mr. Oarrillo, General
Arolas went to engage them, but the rebels, who were few in num-
bers, retreated. Much vexed at not being able to discharge one shot
at them, lie made prisoners of three workmen who were out in the field
herding the animals of the estate and without any formality of trial
shot them. When the bodies were taken to the Central they were
recognized, and to cover his responsibility somewhat. General Arolas
said that when he challenged them they ran off, and at the first dis-
charge of musketry they fell dead."

Life, Liberty and Property Sacrificed.

Life, liberty and property have all been sacrificed by these deter-
mined patriots for the sake of the cause they love. Their towns have
been burned, their homes pillaged, their wives and children starved,
and in many sections of the island nothing but ruin and waste meets
the eye. Even their sick and wounded are not safe from the oppress-
or's sword, and wherever the .insurgents have a hospital, they have a
garrison to protect it. Each of the six provinces has an insurgent hos-
pital, with a staff of physicaas and nurses, and a detachment of the
army.

The largest of these lies in that part of Santa Clara called the Isth-
mus of Zapata. It is a .wild, swampy region, through which the na-

236

CUBA UNDER THE SCOURGE.

tives alone can distinguish those precarious tracks, where the slight-
est deviation means being engulfed in the treacherous morasB.

A Determined Resistance.

A prominent Cuban, who may be said to speak for his entire race,
makes this declaration:

"The population of the island is, in round numbers, 1,600,000, of
which less than 200,000 are Spaniards, some 500,000 are colored Cu-
bans, and over 800,000 white Cubans. Of the Spaniards, a small but
not inconsiderable fraction, although not taking an active part in the
defense of our cause, sj'mpathize with, and are supporting it in various
wa^'s. Of the Cubans, whether colored or white, all are in sympathy
with the revolution, with the exception of a few scattered individuals
who hold positions under the Spanish government or are engaged in
enterprises which cannot thrive without it. All of the Cubans who
have had the means and the opportunity to join the revolutionary army
have done so, while those who have been compelled for one reason or
another to remain in the cities are co-operating to the best of their
abilities. If the people of the small section of the western part of the
island, which yet remains quiet, were suy plied with arms and ammu-
nition they would rise, to a man, within twenty-four hours.

•"This revolution of the whole Cuban people against the govern-
ment of Spain is what the Spanish officials are pleased to describe as
a disturbance caused bj^ a few adventurers, robbers, bandits, and
assassins! Rut they have a purpose in so characterizing it, and it is
no other than to justify, in some way, the war of extermination which
the Prime Minister of Spain himself has declared will be waged by
his government against the Cuban people. They are not yet satisfied
with the rivers of human blood with which in times past they inun-
dated the fields of Italy, of the Low Countries, of our continent of
America, and only a few years ago, of Cuba itself. The Spanish news-
paper of ITavana, *E1 Pueblo,' urges the Spanish soldiers to give no
quarter, to spare no one, to kill all, all without exception, until they
shall have torrents of Cuban blood in which to bathe themselves. It
is well. The Cubans accept the challenge, but they will not imitate
their tyrants and cover themselves with infamy by waging a savage
war. The Cubans reSjwct the lives of their Spanish prisoners, they
do not attack hospitals, and they cure and assist with the same care
and solicitude with which they cure and assist their own, the wounded

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CUBA UNDER TUE SCOURGE.

239

Bpaniards who may fall into their hands. Tlu^y have done so from the
beginning of the Avar, and they will not change their humane policy.

"The Spanish officials have also attempted to convince you that
the Cuban war is a war of races. Of what races? Of the black against
the white? It is not true, and the facts plainly show that there is
nothing of the kind. Nor is the war waged by ('ubans against the
Spaniards as such. No. The war is Avaged against the government of
Spain, and only against the government of Spain and the officials and
a few monopolists, who, under it, live and thrive upon the substance
of the Cubans. We have no ill feeling against tlic thousands of Span-
iards who industriouslv and honestlv make their living in Cuba.

"But with the Spanish government we will make no peace, and we
will make no compromise. Under its rule there will be nothing for
our people but oppression and misery. For years and years the Cuban
people have patiently suffered, and in the interests of the colony, aa
well as in the interests of the metropolis, have earnestly praj'ed for
reforms. Spain has not only turned a deaf ear to the prayers, but
instead of reforming the most glaiing abuses, has allowed them to
increase and flourish, until such a point has been reached that the con
tinuation of Spanish rule means for the Cuban people utter destruc

tiOD-"

■a

CHAPTER XXV.

PITZHUGH LEE TO THE FRONT.

Importance of the American Consulate at Havana in a Critical Time — Gen-
eral Fitzhugh Lee the Man for the Place — Sketch of the Life of Lee —
A Nation's Confidence in Its Popular Hero — How He Left Havana and
How He Promised to Return — Wife and Family of General Lee —
His Place During the Early Period of the War.

Never was there a more genuine and typical American gentleman
in a difficult position where a genuine and typical American gentleman
was needed, than Fitzhugh Lee, the American consul-genei-al at Havana
during the most critical time prior to the outbreak of our war with
Spain. The Cnban consul generalship is an office of much greater im-
portance than others of the same name in other countries where diplo-
matic representatives are maintained. It includes the obligations of
diplomacy aa well as those of commerce, and Lee was the man for both.

His predecessor in the office) Ramon Williams, had held the position
for many yeai-s and it was recognized by him as well as by the authori-
ties at Washington that a change should be made because of the un-
usual demands upon the office. His long and faithful service in the
tropical country had undermined his health so that his energies were
lesseiici thereby, at a time when they were most needed for the
safety of American interests.

It was in the spring of 1896 that President Cleveland, believing that
a man of unusual ability should represent the United States at
Havana, chose Fitzhugh Lee for the post. The selection was approved
from the first by everyone who knew him, and not many months had
passed until General Lee became an idol and a hero of the whole
American people.

His Havana record has been no surprise to those who knew of his
exploits during the war, or of his family. Blood will tell, and it has told
In the case of General Lee. His family has always been famous in
American history. How could the grandson of "Lighthorse Harry,
the Revolutionary hero," or the nephew of Robert E. Lee, be anything
else but courageous and possessed of tact and common sense?

840

FITZHUGH LEE TO THE FRONT.

841

The son of a naval officer, he preferred the army as a career. GratlU'
ating from West Point, he fought on the frontier for six yeai-s before the
opening of the Kebellion, and was engaged in several desperate en-
counters with the Comanche Indians in Texas. On one of these occa-
sions he was pierced through the lungs by an arrow, but he lived to tell
the story. On another occasion he grappled with a big Indian in a hand-
to-hand encounter, threw his antagonist on the ground and killed him.

Though only twenty-seven years of age, Lee was an instructor in
cavalry tactics at West Point when the war broke out. He "followed his
State" into the secession movement. His war record is a matter of
pride to every Virginian. The dashing young officer was an ideal
trooper, fearing nothing and loved by his men. He was modest, too.
After some brilliant movement of personal valor his brigade formed in
a body and determined to serenade him at his headquarters, expecting,
of course, a speech. But Lee got an inkling of the matter, and when he
saw them coming he slipped out of his tent and hid in the bushes.
After the disappointed troopers had called for him in vain and dis-
persed he peeped furtively from his hiding .place, and in a subdued
tone asked, "Have they gone?"

Composure in Battle.

General Lee possessed remarkable composure in battle. He never
got the least rattled under the most trying conditions, except at Baylor's
Creek, on the retreat from Petersburg; he never betrayed anxiety, and,
though often under a rattling fire, no one ever saw him dodge. This
cannot be said of many of the bravest men. Sometimes a bullet will un-
expectedly whizz close to one's head, and the impulse to dodge is almost
irresistible, though it never did anybody any good.

One of the officers with him said once that the only tim'> he had
been moved by the enemy's fire was at the battle of Winch ->v. He
and General Early met under an apple tree near the summit of a hill
and in a very exposed place. There was no firing at the time, but while
the two generals, still on their horses, were intently exajnining a map,
one shot was fired. It fell short and they paid no attention to it. But
lo! another came, struck the apple tree just above their heads, and as
tlie apples rained down on them they concluded tlie map could be bet-
ter examined in a less exposed position — a conclusion in which all
others agreed with remarkable unanimity. And nobody stopped to get
»^y apples.

94»

FITZHUOH LEE TO THE FRONT.

General Lee is a superb horseman. He rode a splendid mare named
Nellie. She had the form, the strength, the nimbleness of limb, the
tapering neck, the alert poise of the head, the bright and intelligent eyes
that made her a model worthy to bear any master. She was all grace
and beauty. When the confederate columns were broken in the same
battle and the rout began, for it was little less, General Lee was at a
very exposed point. The fire of thirty pieces of artillery v/as directed
against it. The air was full of exploding shells; horses were plunging
about on three legs, neighing piteously for a place of refuge; others
were disemboweled by the furious shot; others were loose, running to
and fro, bewildered by the terrible havoc, while the mutilateil bodies
of men could be seen on every hand; numbers who were crippled were
hobbling away, and all seemed doomed to death. It was here that the
beautiful Nellie was gored by one fragment of shell and her master's
leg torn by another.

He was noted for his geniality and jollity. He loved humor and fun,
and got all there was to be had in those trying times. But his cheerful-
ness failed art; Appomattox. There he cried.

After the war had ended. General Lee settled in Stafford County as
a farmer and miller. His life was the quiet and uneventful one of a
country gentleman, caring for nothing but his wife, whom he married
in 1871, and his children. About 1875 he began to take an active part in
politics, and he attended the national convention of 1876 as a delegate.
In 1885 he was elected governor of Virginia. It was then that he again
became conspicuous. General Lee headed the southern division of the
inauguration parade, and his handsome presence and splendid horse-
manship forced the men on the sidewalks to cheer him with more vim
than they did anyone else. A similar demonstration occurred when,
four years later. General Lee led the Virginia troops in the Washington
centennial pai^ade in New York to the stirring tune of "Dixie." On both
of these occasions he sat in the identical saddle which his uncle. General
Robert E. Lee, had used on his familiar gray war horse, Ti-aveler. Who
could occupy it more worthily? Any one who has seen "Fitz" Lee
mounted like a centaur on a Virginia thoroughbred is certain to have in
memory ever afterward an ideal figure of a knightly "man on horse-
back." Afoot he is not so imposing, being only of medium stature, and,
of late years, quite portly. He has a fine head and face, with frank stetJ
blue eyes and a ruddy complexion, set off by his now almost white hair,

PITZHUGH LEE Te THE FRONT.

243

tniistachc iiiid iiiiiu'rial. IMh bearing is alert and military. Altogether.
he does not look, and probably does not feel, his sixty-two years.

During Mr. Clevelard's second term he wa« made collector of in-
ternal revenue at Lynchburg, Va.

The Man for the Place at Havana.

Once settled in his position in Havana, General Lee's fame began
to multiply. The American opinion of him was voiced immediately
after the destruction of the Maine, by L. P. Sigsbee, the brother of
the commander of that ill-fated ship, when he said: "There's a. man
down there looking after the interests of this country who cannot be
blinded. He has more sand than anybody I know of, and if there's
anything treacherous in this explosion we'll know of it without delay.
The man I mean is General Fitzhugh Lee."

The sun»e thought occuiTed to every American who had watched
his career. From first to last everybody had confidence in his Ameri-
canism, his bravery and his cool-headedness. He held his office through
merit alone, no politician gaining any success in the effort to win from
him that position of distinction and profit, after the change of admin-
istration when President McKiuley assumed the executive chair. The
nation recognizetl that he was first an American and an interference
with him on pai-tisan grounds would not have been tolerated.

Jealous of American honor, and firm in insisting upon the rights
of his countrymen, he has always kept cool. Courteous and polite as
well as courageous, he has never blustered and he has won the re-
spect and admiration of the Spaniards as well as their fear.

Throughout his service in Cuba, General Lee's figure was a famil-
iar one in Havana, and even by those most antagonistic to him be-
cause of their official position, he was heartily admired. No matter
what the threat of violence from hot-headed Spaniards, when the re-
lations were most strained between the two countries. General Lee
never admitted the slightest danger to himself and refused to accept
any guard except that which he himself was able to maintain for him-
self. Upon the streets and in the hotels and cafes he was exempt from
disrespect by the sheer force of his splendid peraonality. And never
until the last day of his stay in Havana when all diplomatic relations
were severed, did the Spanish authorities in that city omit any of the
forms of courtesy.

FKtZ'HUGH LEE TO THE FR©NT.

General Lee Promises to Betum.

On that day, when in company with the British Consul General, he
went to bid farewell to Captain General Blanco, the la.tter refused to
see him upon the excuse that he was too buey When the homeward
voyage was actually begun, in the little boat tuat carried to the
steamer the Consul General and the last newspaper correspondents
who remained in Havana till the end, the malice of the Spanish on-
kokers at the docks could restrain itself no longer. With impreca-
tions and scornful and insulting epithets they raised their voices
against him. With proper dignity General Lee ignored it all, except
to say in one definite last message, that he would be back again before
long with troops to stand by him.

In his office in the consulate at Havana, General Lee gained the
admiration and the confidence of every American who had occasion
to meet him. Brave as an American should be, and equally gentle
and tender-hearted, he was +he man for the place. The Spanish out-
rages upon American citizens roused in him but two sentiments. One
was sympathy and grief for those who suffered. The other was indig-
nation and enmity against those who were guilty. To the extent of
all his poT* • " he guarded and aided those for whom that first senti-
ment wa» roused. He left Cuba with an accumulation of detestation
for Spanish outrages in that unhappy island against Americans and
Cubans, that would stimulate to deeds of valor through whatever war-
fare might follow in which he should be a leader. With a great heart,
a trilliant mind and a magnificent physique, General Lee combined
all the qualities which made hija worthy of the American pride which
was centered upon him.

CHAPTER XXVL

AMERICANS m SPANISH DUNGEONS.

Spanish Hatred of the American Nation — Instances of Injustice — The Caso
of Dr. Ruiz — His Death in a Dungeon — Julio Sanguilly — Action of the
United States Senate in His Behalf — A Correspondent in Morro Castie
— Walter Dygert's Experiences — General Lee Shows His Mettle in the
Case of Charles Scott.

Not content with their cruel and inhuman treatment of Cuban
patriots, the Spanish oflficials have seemed to take special satisfaction
in imprisoning and even murdering American citizens on the slightest
pretext. The object of their most bitter hatred is the insurgent, but
if they are to be judged by their deeds, it w^ould appear that the Amer-
ican ot upies a close second place in their black-list.

Time and again our government has been compelled to interfere to
save the lives of its citizens, and unfortunately this interference has
on several occasions been too late. It is not possible to present a list
of all the men and women of American birth who have lost life, lib-
erty and property by Spanish authority, from the massacre of the crew
of the Virginius to the wrecking of the Maine, but a few instances
may be mentioned, which will prove conclusively that the retribution,
of which the glorious victory in Manila bay was but the commence-
ment, came none too soon.

The Case of Dr. Buiz.

One of the most flagrant of these outrajr*-? was the imprisonment
of Dr. Rioardo Ruiz, a Cuban by birth, but a naturalized citizen of the
United States. He was a dentist by profession, having studied in a
Pennsylvania dental college, and after receiving his diploma, he re-
turned to his native country to practice his profession.

He was accused of being in sympathy with the revolutionists, ar-
rested and kept in prison for two years, when he died, probably from
violence. In the following letter, written from Havana, regarding the
case, will be geeo the reasons for this BupposiUoo;

216

AMERICANS IN SPANISH DlNdKUNS.

"liiiiz died, accordinrj to tlio surgeons, from congestion of the
brain, caused by a blow or blows. When General Lee and Mr, Cal-
houn visited the jail in Guanabacoa, they were shown the cell in which
the Siiauish say that Ruiz died. The guard explained to General Lee
and Mr. Calhoun that he heard thumping on the inside of the door,
and when he opened it and went in, IJuiz was running at the heavy
door and bulting it with his head. Ruiz had only one wound on the
top of his head. Had he butted this door, as the jailer says, his scalp
must necessarily have been lacerated in several places."

Julio Sanguilly is another American citizen who was tried for
treason, and sentenced to life imprisonment. This case attracted a
great deal of attention in the United States, and a resolution was
passed by the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, making
a demand on the Spanish government for his release. During the de-
bate on this resolution. Senator Daniel, of Virginia, said:

"Two years ago yesterday, Julio Sanguilly, an American citizen,
was thrown into prison. Two years have gone by and this govern-
ment has done practically nothing for this citizen. Great Britain
w/)uld have released him as soon as one of her battleships could reach
Havana. He has been brutally treated and condemned on unsworn
testimony before military tribunals. This country and all civilization
Iiave been disgraced by the treatment meted out to this unfortunate
man. Every citizen of this country would have patrioticall}'^ ap-
plauded the President if he had sent a fleet of American battleships
and compelled the release of this American citizen, whose country
has been insulted by the treatment accorded to him and to our repre-
sentative in Cuba,"

The Prime Minister at Madrid, realizing that trouble of a serious
nature was likely to come from this affair, cabled Weyler to discharge
the prisoner from custody, and banish him from the island.

Sanguilly immediately came to the United States, where he was
warmly received by his friends, and he has since been actively engaged
in work for Cuba's freedom.

Charles Scott, an employe of the American Oas Company, wa.s
arrested at Regla, charged with having Cuban postage stamps in his
possession. He was in solitary confinement, in a damp, empty cell,
five feet by eleven, for fourteen days. Once during his imprisonment
he was left for two days without even a drop of water. GenePiU Lee,
then United States Consul at Havana, cabled to Washington, asking

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AMERICANS IN SPANISH DUNGEONS.

251

that arrangements be made to send war vessels to Havana, in case of
necessity, and declaring that unless his requests were complied with,
he would leave tlie island. In this affair, as in many others. General
Lee proved that he was the light man in the right place, for it was
due to his efforts in Scott's behalf that he was finally given his lib-
erty.

Mr. Charles Michaelson, a newspaper correspondent, and his inter-
preter, were imprisoned in MoiTo Ciistle as suspects. It required fine
detective work to discover this fact, for they were missing for some time
before it was definitely known that they were in the clutches of Wey-
ler, bat the "Butcher" finally admitted it, and after a short delay was
persuaded by the United States Consul to release them. Mr. Michael-
son's treatment was almost brutal in ius nature.

The interior of the castle is like a dungeon, and he was compelled
to sleep on the floor, as a hammock sent to him by friends outside was
not given to him till the day of his release. His food was thrown to
him through the bai's of the door, and meals sent in to him wera easten
by the guards. Rats were his constant companions, and when, occa-
sionally, he would sink into a light slumber, he would be suddenly
awakened to find one of the animals in his hair, another burrowing
under his coat, and still another making a moal on his shoes. On one
occasion he threw a shoe at a rat, which struck the door of his cell,
whereupon the guard threatened to punish him for a breach of prison
discipline, the noise being against the rules. ,

Walter Dygart relates his experience while the enforced guest of
the Spanish government. It is evident that the keeper of a prison in
Cuba has a profitable occupation.

"A child may weep at brambles' smart,
And maidens when their lovers part;
But woe worth a country when
She sees the tears of bearded men."

"These lines by the poet, Scott, recurred to me when I saw aged
men weeping and heart-broken at being separated from their fami-
lies and shut up in this hell. But why does the Spanish government
shut up helpless cripples and non-combatants? This is a question that
puzzled me for some time, but I finally solved it, and will answer it
after I have described the food and water.

"A little after six in the morning we were, each of us, given a very

252

AMERICANS IN SPANISH DUNGEONS.

small cup of coffee. The first meal of the day, if it could be called a
meal, came after nine o'clock. It consisted of a little rice, which was
generally dirty, a few small potatoes, boiled with their skins on, and
often partly rotten, a little piece of boiled salt beef, or beef cut up in
small bits, with soup, just about half enough, and of the poorest
quality. The meat was often spoile<l and unfit for anything but a
vulture to eat. The second and last meal of the day came about four
in the afternoon, and was the same as the firsi.

"I had no opportunity to count the prisoners, but I learned that
there were about 180 on the average confined there. I learned as
definitely as I could, without seeing the contract, that a certain party
had the conti'act to feed these prisoners at twenty-five cents each per
day. Thus he gets $45 a day, and 1 learned that the food costs him
only |7 to $8 a day, and, as some of the prisoners did the cooking, his
profit can be readily seen. On such a contract he could afford to
divide with the judge and army officers to keep the prison full."

A Minister of the Gospel in Mono Castle.

The Southern Baptist Missionary Society has a mission in the city
of Havana, and it was formerly in charge of Rev. Alberto J. Diaz,
whose home is in the United States. . Ever loyal to his flag, and be-
lieving in the institutions of his country, he lost no opportunity to
preach civil as well as religious liberty, and though often warned to
desist, by the Spanish authorities, he continued the course which he
regarded as his solemn duty. He gives particulars of his arrest as fol-
lows:

"About three o'clock one morning I was aroused by a knock at
the door of my house, and when I opened it I saw some fifty or sixty
Spanish soldiers, with their guns leveled at me. I quickly shut the
door and talked throug-h It. The captain said he must search the
house, and I consented to let three men come in. They spent seven
hours looking through two trunks full of sermons, and other papers,
and when the search was completed they had found no incriminating
documents."

Nevertheless, both Dr. Diaz and his brother were imprisoned in
Morro Castle. They were tried for treasonable utterances and sen-
tenced to death. Fortunately one of the sentries of the prison was a
member of Dr. Diaz's church, and through his kind offices, a message
was sent to the^precd^ent of tbe Southern Baptift Missionary Society

AMERICANS IN SPANISH DUNGE0NS.

S53

in Atlanta. He communicated with the authorities at Washington.
This resulted in the execution being postponed, and the brothers were
accorded more humane treatment than they had received heretofore.

Dr. Diaz now addressed a telegram to our Secretary of State, giv-
ing the particulars of the arrest, trial and conviction, and appealing
to him to demand their immediate release. The message was smug-
gled on board a boat bound for Key West, and Weyler, hearing of it,
at once cabled to Washington that Diaa had been released. He, with
his brother and his family, was compelled to leave the island by the
first steamer, and they returned to the United States.

In our treaty with Spain, which was in force up to the time of the
declaration of war, was the following clause:

"No citizen of the United States, residing in Spain, her adjacent
islands, or her ultramarine possessions, charged with acts of sedition,
treason, or conspiracy against the institutions, the public security, the
integrity of the territory, or against the supreme government, or any
other crime whatsoever, shall be subject to trial by any exceptionable
tribunal, but exclusively by the ordinary jurisdiction, except in the case
of being captured with arms in hand."

This treaty was supposed to protect American citizens from trial
by martial law, but it was disregarded by Spanish oflBcials in Cuba
time and again, and, in fact, up to the time of General Lee's arrival
in Havana, an American citizen had very little advantage over a Cuban
insurgent, when the safety of his property or his person was concerned.

CHAPTER XXVII.
MAGEO DEAD BY TREACHERY.

A Great Leader in a Great Cause — A Modern Judas — The Worthy Son of a
Noble Sire — The Farewell Letter — An Estimate of Maceo's Character
— Rejoicing Among Spanish Supporters — Their Mistaken Belief — Pa-
triotic Ardor of the Insurgents.

In the death of Antonio Maceo the Cuban cause lost one of its
strongest defendeis. Besides being a man of acute intellect, and a gen-
eral of great military skill, he had the rare gift of personal magnet-
ism, and no one ever followed his leadersihip who did not feel for him
the devotion which often gives courage to cowards and makes heroes
in the time of need.

That his death was due to treachery there is little doubt. Doctor
Zertucha, his physician and trusted friend, is accused of having be-
trayed him to the Spaniards. An Insurgent oflScer, who was with the
general when he received' his death wound, says that they heard gun
shots in the vicinity of Punta Brava. Zertucha galloped into the
brush a short distance and returned, calling to them to follow him.
Maceo at once put spurs to his horse, and, followed by his aides, rode
swiftly after the physician, who plunged into the thick groTi\'th on the
side of the road. They had ridden only a short distance, when Zer-
tucha suddenly bent low in his saddle and. swerved sharply to one
side, galloping away like mad. Almost at the same moment a volley
was fired by a party of Spanish soldiers hidden in the dense under-
brush, and Maceo and four of his aides dropped out of their saddles
mortally wounded.

The single survivor, the one who tells this story, managed to make
his way back to his own men, and brought them up to the scene of the
tragedy, but the bodies had been removed, and when they were finally
discovered, they had been mutilated in a most shocking manner. It
was then learned that one of the victims was Francisco Gomez, a son
of the Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban army, who was one of
Maceo's aides. It seems that his wound was not necessarily a fatal
one, but he refused to leave his dying commander, and rsther than to

MACEO DEAD BY TREACHERY.

355

fall alive in tlie handH of his foes, he committed suicide. This letter
was found in his hand:

Dear Mamma, Papa, Dear Brothers: I die at m.y post. I did not want to
abandon the body of Gent'i*al Maceo, and I stayed with him. I was wounded
in two place8,'and as I did not fall into the hands of the enemy I have l{illed
myself. I am dying. I die pleased at being in the defense of the Cuban
cause. I wait for you in the other world. Your son,

FRANCISCO GOMEZ.
Torro in San Domingo.

(Friends or foes, please transmit to its destination, as requested by one
dead.)

Dr. Zertucha surrendered to a Spanish officer shortly after Maceo
was killed. He said that the dead leader was discouraged by the con-
tinual failures of the insurgents to make any headway against their
foes; that, on account of his color, the subordinate officers in the
Cuban ranks did not show proper respect for him, or obedience to his
commands, and that he had purposely placed himself in range of the
enemy's rifles, deliberately seeking death.

These statements are manifestly false, and go far to confirm the
belief that the coward who made them had a guilty knowledge con-
cerning the manner of the death of the brave soldier he maligned.

An Estimate of Macec's Character.

A gentleman who made Maceo's acquaintance in Havana, prior to
the present insurrection, gives this estimate of his character:

"Mf.ceo was a natural politician in that he had the genius of divin-
ing popular opinion, and taking the leadership of popular movements.
He was in Havana at that time sounding men and scheming for the
present revolution. He was always of the sunniest disposition, closely
attaching all people to him, and a man of the strictest moral integrity.
He never drank wine, he never smoked, and that in a land where to-
bacco is as common as potatoes in Ireland, and he never played cards.
He had a great abhorrence of men who drank to excess, and would
not tolerate them about him.

"He always dressed, when in Havana, in the moat finished style.
His massive frame — he was about five feet ten inches in height and
unusually broad shouldered — was displayed to advantage always in

856

MAOEO DEAD RY TREACHERY.

frock coat, closely buttoned, and he usually wore a silk hat. He waa
neat, even to fastidiousness, in his dress. He usually carried a cane.

"When Maceo took the field, however, he roughed it with his men,
and dressed accordingly. When in battle he carried a long-barreled
38-caliber revolver with a mother-of-pearl handle, and a Toledo blade
made in the form of a machete. The handle of this machete -was
finely wrought silver and turquoise shell, and had four notches in it,
into which the fingers could easily fit. Maceo always had three horses
with him on his marches, the favorite being a big white one."

Probably no event in the war up to that time caused such general
satisfaction among the supporters of the existing government, both
in Cuba and in Spain, as the death of Maceo, When Jose Marti waa
killed, they were certain that the loss of that leader would compel
the insurrectionists to abandon hopes of success. On the contrary,
it inspired them with greater determination than before. But the
Spanish sympathizers learned nothing from that experience, and when
it was definitely known that Maceo was no longer to be feared, they
were unanimous in the belief that the end of the struggle waa at hand.
Subsequent events have shown how little they knew of the kind of
men with whom they were at war.

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church," and every
Cuban patriot who has fallen in this conquest of extermination has
but added fuel to the fires of liberty, which are sweeping Spanish
rule from the island, leaving the tyrants nothing but the ashes of theit
hopes.

"'■C''**-

CHAPTER XXVm.

WEYT.ER'S RECONCENTRATION POLICY AND ITS HORRORS.

The Object of the Plan — Slaves of Spain — The MaBsacre of the Innocents —
Deserted Fields and Farms — A Fearful Mortality — The Cubans the
Oldest Americans of Caucasian IJlood — Women and Children Doomed
to Die — An Appeal for Help — Our Manifest Duty.

When General Weyler promulgated his policy of reconcentration
he hypocritically claimed that it was intended to protect the noncom*
batant peasantry of the island, but his sole object was to compel them
to put themselves wholly in the power of the Spanish ofiftcials. No
'lie knew better than the "Butcher" that the Cuban peasant, no mat-
ter what he might publicly profess, was bound with all his heart to
the cause of free Cuba, and that he never lost an opportunity to aid
the insurgents by every means in his power. And when he formulated
the plan compelling them to abandon their homes in the rural districts,
and to hoi-d like sheep in the cities and towns which were still under
his rule, it was to prevent them from giving aid and information to the
rebels. lie must have known that the enforcement of this edict meant
certain starvation to thousands of the inoffensive inhabitants, but no
thought of the misery and injustice which he thus wrought upon them
deterred him in his determination to crush the unhappy people, and
keep them still the slaves of Spain.

The order found a very large proportion of the working classes
absolutely destitute of money, and the men, knowing there was no
work for them in the towns, hesitated about going with their families,
while they did not dare to remain in their poor homes, where, at least,
they could be sure of food. The consequence was that thousands of
homes were deserted. The women and children were sent to the towns
to look out for themselves as best they could, while the men joined the
insurgent army. In a number of cases wives refused to be separated
from their husbands, and followed them into the ranks of the revolu-
tionists, where they fought like the Amazons of old. Some of them
found a melancholy pleasure in nursing the sick and wounded, others
fought side by side ^\th the men, and the fear of death was not half

858

WEYLER'S REGONCENTRATION POLICY.

as strong as the thoughts of the horrors which awaited them at their
homes, or among the reconcentrados in the towns. Marriages have
been solemnized, and children haA'e been bom upon the fields of battle.
Spain is nursing a forlorn hope when she counts on subduing patriots
like these.

Women and Children Doomed to Die.

Hon. C. W. Kussell, an attache of the Department of Justice of the
TJniteil States, went to Cuba shortly after the order for reconcentra-
tion went into effect. It was his purpose to leani by personal observa-
tion hoiv much or how little truth there was in the reports that had
come to this country regarding the terrible suffering among the recon-
centrados. lie states the result of his investigations as follows:

"I spent just two wi-eks in Cuba, visited Havana, went south to
Jaruco, southwest to Guines, northeast to Matanzas, eastwardly about
two hundred miles through the middle of the country to San Domingo,
Santa Clara and Sagua la Grande. I visitcH.1 Marianao, a short dis-
tance W'est of tlavan;(, and saw along the railroad thirty or forty towns
or stations. In Havana I visited the Fossos, the hospital prison at Aide-
coa, where I talked with the fatlu-r of Evangelina Cisneros, and a place
called the Jacoba. I found reconcentrados at all three places, and beg-
ging everywhi re about the streets of Havana,

"The spectacle at the Fossos and Jacoba houses, of women and chil-
dren emaciated to skeletons and suffering from dis(?ases produced by
starvation, was sickening. In Sagua I saw some sick and emaciated
little o'irls in a children's hospital, started three days before by charit-
able Cubans, and saw a crowd of miserable looking reconcentrados
with tin buckets and other receptacles getting small allowances
of food doled out to them in a yard. In the same city, in an old sugar
warehouse, I saw stationed around the inside walls the remnants of
twenty or thirty Cuban families.

"In one case the remnant consisted of two children, seven or eight
years old. In another case, where I talked to the people in broken
Spanish, there v^re four individuals, a mother, a giil of fourte<'n, and
two quitv' small girls. The smallest was then suffering from malarial
fever. The i :'xt had the signs on her hands, with which I had become
familiar, of having had that dreadful disease, the beri-beri. Thi'se four
were all tiiat order of concentration had left alive of eleven. At San
Domingo, v'here two railroads join, the depot was crowded with

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WEYLER'S RECONCENTRATION POLICY.

261

women and children, one of the latter, as I remember, being swollen
up with the beri-beri, begging in the most earnest way of the few
passengers.

"San Domingo is little more than a railroad station in times of
peace, but at present it has a consideiuble population, living in cabins
thatched with the tops of royal pa'lm trees, composed of the survivors
of the reconcentrados. The huts are arranged close together in a little
clump, and the concentration order required and apparently still re-
quires tiiese people to live within a circle of sfinall block houses, com-
monly dignified in the dispatches by the name of forts. They hsul no
work to do, no soil to till, no seed to jdant, and only begging to live on.
I do not know the exact measure of th(^ dead-line circle drawn around
them, but there wa.«! ^^ertainly nothing within it upon which a human
being could subsist. I'ractically Oiey were- prisoners. At every one
of the numerous stopping place^- along the road a similar collection of
huts could be seen, and at most of them beggars, often nice looking
women and beautiful children, invad<»d the cars. Between the sta-
tions, although I traveled always by daylight, as the trains do not run
at night, and I was observing as carefully as possible, I saw no signs of
the reconcentrados going away from the forts. If they had gone, it
takes seed, instruments, land, and three or four months to raise the
vegetable which could be soonest productnl, and nf)where away from
the block houses was there any sign of vegetables growing. Near the
larger towns the circle of concentration seemed to be somewhat larger,
and some i)lanting of vegetables, tobacco, etc., seemed to be going on.
At this a very few persons, possibly some of the reconcentrados, found
employment.

Deserted Pields and Farms.

"All along the railioad, as far as could be seen, were stretches of
the most fertile and beautiful countrv-, with very few trees, even on
the low mountains, and most of these royal palms. I saw many dozens
of burned canefields, and one evening, going from Guines to ITavana,
saw the sky all lighted up along the road with fires, principally of the
tall grass of the country, but partly of cane. The whole land was lying
perfectly idle, except that T saw two or three or four sugtir mills where
cane was growing, but in all snch instances the mill and cane were
surrounded by forts, manne<l by soldiers, who are paid, I was told, by
the owners. Except in the cities, I saw no indication that any relief

268

WEYLER'S RECONCENTRATION POLICY.

whatever was being afforded to the starving people. Neither in
Havana nor elsewhere did any priest, religious woman or other person
seem to be paying any attention to the wajits of the starving, except
that at the Fossos, and some other places, charitable Cubans were nurs-
ing the sick. The Church, being a state institution, was, so far as I
could see, leaving the victims without either bodily or spiritual relief.
In fact, the general air of indifference to suffering which seemed to
prevail everywhere was astonishing.

A Fearful Mortality.

"As the country was stripped of its population by the order of con-
centration, it is easy to believe that 400,000 persons were gathered
behind the forts without being given food, medicine, or means of any
kind to earn a living, except where in the larger cities some few could
find employment in menial offices. Judging by the orphans I was
shown at Jacoba, Aidecoa and elsewhere, and from all I saw and heard,
I believe that half of the 400,000 have died as the result of starvation.
I know from the official register of the city of Santa Clflra, which ordi-
narily has a population of about 14,000, that the deaths for November
were over 1,000, and the number of deaths for December was over 900,
and showed an increase, considering the loss of the former 1,000, from
its total population. The exact figures for December are 971. At that
city the government was distributing 500 single rations por day out of
a total appropriation for the purpose of $1.5,000. This wa.s not relief,
but a mere prolongation of the sufferings of a small part of the recon-
centrados of the city.

"So far as any evidence of relief was visible to my eyes or was even
heard of by me in all my talks on the island, the surviving 200,000 peo-
ple are in the same condition and have the same prospect of starvation
before them as had their kindred who have die<l. There is as much
need of medicine now as food, and they are getting neither. The reason
given by the Spanish sympathizer's in Cuba is that the troops must be
first fed, and it is certain that many of the soldiers are sick and suffer-
ing for want of proper food. I saw many myself tliat looked so. I was
informed on all sides that they had not been paid for eijjjht months,
and that most of the civil officials had not been paid for a similar
perioil. It is, therefore, mfvst probable that Spain is practically unable
to supply the millions which are immediately necessary to prevent the

WEYLER'S RECONCENTRATION POLinV.

263

death of most of the surviving reconcentnulos, but this leads to polit*
ical questions, which I desire to avoid.

Our Manifest Duty.

"I wisu merely to state in such a way as to be convincing that in
consequence of the concentration of the peoph^, some 200,000 Cubans
f?re daily suffering and dying from diseases produced by a lack of
nourishment, in the midst of what I think must be the most fertile
country in the world, and that something must be done for them on a
large scale, and at onco, or a few months will tee their extermination.
So far as I could see, they are a patient, amiable intelligent set of peo-
ple, some of them whom I saw begging having faces like Madonnas.
They are Americans, probably the oldest Americans of European
descent. Constant intercourse with the United States has made them
sympathize with and appreciate us, who are but six hours by boat from
them, if we do not sympathize with or care for them. No order or per-
mission from General Blanco can save the lives of many of them.
Indeed, many are too far gone to be saved by the best care and treat-
ment.

"There was no indication of a cessation of hostilities by the insur-
gents. If they do not voluntarily cease, their tactics are such that
Spain cannot conquer them, if at all, before the reconcentrados will
have had the finishing stroke. But even the speedy termination of the
war would not save many of them. What they need is instant pecu-
niary assistance to the extent of $20,000 a day, distributed by our con-
suls. Private charity, it seems, will hardly produce the amount.
Twenty thousand dollars would be but ton cents apiece for medicine,
clothes and food. When I left Havana I was infonned that Consul
General Lee had received $5,000 and some hundreils of cans of con-
densed milk. As there are about 30,000 sufferers in Havana alone, the
inadequacy of such contributions is mivnifest. Whether Congress
should make an appropriation, as in the case of the San Domingo
refugees and other cases, it is not for me to say, but I beg the charit-
able to believe the statement of facts which I have made, and try to
realize what they mean."

A correspondent in Cuba gives an interesting account of a case that
came under his notice among the reconcentrados in the town of Quad-
aloupe. It is substantially as follows;

264

WEYLER'S RECONCENTRATION POLICY.

In all misery-ridden Cuba there is no town in which the reign of
niiHory in so absolute as in Guadaloupe. Even the situation of this
place might be said to be in "the valley of the shadow cf death." It is
not upon the earth's surface, but fai* below, in a broad, deep hole. The
all-sun*ounding hills are not green, but black. For these up-sloping
fields, upon which many a rich tobacco crop has been raised, lie now
uuder blackening ashes — the work of insurgent torches. In this low-
lying town 3,000 reconcentrados are naked, shelterless and starving.
That aid has not come to them till now is because of the ingratitude
and treachery of two of their own number.

As the two guilty ones have just paid the penalty of their crime, the
lied Cross Society will probably have a relief corps in Guadaloupe by
the time this letter is printed.

The tragedy of Guadaloupe, to the denouement of which I was an
eyewitness, shows that the insurgents have learned the art of butch-
ery as taught by the Spanish, and that a reconcentrado will sometimes
betray the Samaritan who helps him. A faithful mule carried me into
Guadaloupe at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the siesta hour. I had come
from the coast many miles away, over the hills. As I rode into the
town, I said to the mule: "The next artist who is given an order to
illustrate Dante's 'Inferno' ought to come here. He could draw from
life, pictures more infernal than a mere human mind could conceive."

Reconcentrados lay everywhere under the broiling sun. The male
picked his way between human heaps that looked like so many little
mounds of rags. Skeleton legs and arms protruded from out the
heaps. Soft moans of mothers and the wailing of little children gave
evidence cf so many living deaths.

One Kind-hearted Spaniard.

I presented my credentials to the commandante. He was the most
l^enial Spanish official I had met between Havana and Guadaloupe.
When he smiled, his face was all kindness. When he spoke of the
reconcentrados, tears welled from his eyes. Yet around his mouth and
chin were the cruel lines of a nature as stem as it was commiserative.
He told me that the hospital was full, always full; there was room in
its wards for only 200 patients, and only one doctor for all. All who
entered that place of sickness came out of it, not cured, but dead. Three
thousand human beings, mostly women and cliildren, had passed away

WEYLER'S RECONCENTRATION I'OLICY.

265

in that town in three months. Nearly all had died of stsirvation and
exposure. When the cemetery was full, they began burying in the still
burning tobacco fields on the hillsides.

Buv^ it was the siesta hour. The commandante excused himself,
saying be would rest awhile and advised me to do the same.

The commandante's house was in the center of the town. Round
about was a circle of the houses of those who had owned the tobacco
fields. Beyond these homes of the well-to-do were hundreds of huts.
In these lived the reconcentrados, several families in each, or as many
as could huddle within and not pull the roughly constructed frame of
palm stalks down about their heads. Outside the circle of huts were
the blackened fields and hills. On the tops of the hills, at interval!
of 200 yards, was a circle of small houses that looked like sentry boxes.
They were really little forts, with four soldiers in each. Beyond the
forts were, heaven only knows how many, insurgent guerillas, lynx-
eyed human watch dogs, always lurking and waiting for a chance to
swoop upon one of the little forts, slay the garrison of four and dash
back into the bushes.

A Soldier's Ghastly Burden.

At this moment not a soldier was in sight. Perhaps all were sleep-
ing, like the commandante. Or perhaps the soldiers always remained
inside the barricades surrounding their forts, fearing that to step out-
side would be to attract the bullets of the lurking insurgents. For
such is warfare in Cuba's hills to-day; much the same sort of warfare
our American forefathers knew when each man who stepped from his
doorway was likely to become a target for the arrows of the lurking
aind invisible redskins.

I was making a mental note of this picture of war and misery, when
suddenly I saw a human form on the hilltop over which I had just
come. The peculiar shape of the white hat worn by this apparition
told me it was a soldier. In the middle of the white road he stopped,
lowered a burden from his shoulders to the ground. What was that
soldier doing there and what w^as the nature of his apparently heavy
burden? From my perch on the balcony I beckoned to the sentry, who
was pacing up and down in front of the commandante's house. The
sentry came up to the balcony, took one look in the direction of my
pointing finger, and then rushed into the house. The next moment the

266

WEYLER'S RECONCENTRATION POLICY.

commandante appeared. With a field glass he surveyed the figure on
the hilltop.

"He is carrying something," I said, as I watched the man in the dis-
tance reshoulder his burden and begin descending the hill.

"A dead man," siiid the commandante. And he closed the glasses,
thoughtfully. Then he gave me a long black cigar.

We waited. At the end of half an hour the soldier approached the
house. Yes, on his back he was carrying a corpse.

Tell-tale Scrap of Paper.

He laid his burden down in the road and saluted the commandante.
A group of ofl&cers and soldiers had gathered round. The body was
tbat of a noted insurgent captain. A scrap of paper was produced. It
had been found in the dead man's pocket by the soldier who had car-
ried the body into town.

The commandante read the paper. His brow contracted. Now he
was all sternness.

"Bring the man, Jose Manual, here," he said to a sergeant.

Five minutes later an old man, all bones and skin, stood before us.
The miserable man trembled as with the palsy.

"Si, senor, I did it. I ran over the hill. I informed. I alone am to
blame."

Evidently the wretch knew of what he was accused. It was also
apparent that he was not the only guilty one.

"Who wrote this for you?" the commandante asked.

"I did, senor; I wrote it."

"The man lies," murmured one of the officers.

"Bring hither the son of Jose Manual," was the next order.

With that, another skeleton, a young one, stepped forward.

"I am here, senor, and I wrote the note. That is all. We two, senor.
I wrote and my father ran. He was stronger, that day, than even my
younger bones."

The commandante compressed his lips. He turned to the sergeant
and said: "At sunset have these two men shot."

The two men merely spat upon the ground. For them death evi-
dently had no terrors. As they were led away they made the sign of
the cross again and again upon their naked breasts. A hundred starv-
ing wretches followed them in silence.

WEYLER'S RECONCENTRATION POLICY.

26^

When we were again alone on the balcony — ^a broad, square baU
cony it was — the commandante noticed my look of inquiry.

"The story can be briefly told," he said. "You are simply the wit-
ness of a tragedy that had its beginning on this very balcony one
month ago. I sent word by the priest to a lady in Havana — an English
lady — that we had 4,000 starving people in this town. Could she helj)
us? Always generous, beneficent, self-sacrificing, the lady responded
in person. She came by the coast steamer, landed at broad noon, trav
ersed the two miles over which you came. a few hours ago from the
coast, bringing with her seven ox-cart loads of provisions, clothing
and medicine. With her came her daughter, a young girl just over
from England. Their charity was distributed from this very balcony
to the starving people. The distribution occupied two entire days.
Out of 4,000 people, 2,000 were given food and clothing and medicine.
She promised the other half equal relief as soon as she could go to
Havana and return again with the stores. On the night before she
was to leave us the ladies and gentlemen of the leading families here,
together with the officers of my staff, proposed to give the good Samari-
tans a banquet The proposal was accepted. All gathered for the
banquet on this balcony. I draped the front of the house in the Span-
ish colors, and hung out all the available lamps. That illumination
was our ruin. Thirty-four sat down to dine. Only thirty lived through
the first course. Of a sudden a hailstorm of bullets was poured into
our midst. A bottle of wine in front of me flew into bits. Not a whole
plate or a whole glass was left. We sprang up and fled into the^ house.
Not all of us, though. No. Three men — three of my best officers — had
fallen from their chairs, dead. The other — oh, God!"

English Samaritan Murdered.

The commandante could not continue. He made a gesture indicat-
ing that I was to step into the house.

In his room he opened a huge wardrobe and took out a jacket, a
tiny coat, such as might be worn by a soldier boy. The sleeves were
loaded with the gold lace and golden stars of a colonel in the Spanish
army. On the left side of this jacket or coat was a ragged hole.

"The bullet entered here," the commandante said, sorrowfully. "It
pierced her heart. The poor mother carried her dead back to Havana.
That is all."

WEYLEli>^ KECONCENTKATION POLICY.

I understood. A fatal volley had been poured into that dinner
party by insurgents on the hilltops. The house was in the center of the
town, and the lamps illuminating the Spanish colors had rendered the
balcony the best of targets. These Spanish oflficers and an innocent
young English girl, a Samaritan, were murdered.

And by whom? By the iusurgents, who were guided to the hilltops
by two of the very reconcentrados whom the victims had saved that
day from starvation. One had written a note informing the insurgents
of the circumstance, time, and place of the banquet. The other had
delivered the note to one of the murderers. Father and son were
equally guilty of ingratitude and treachery. The incriminating note
had been found on the dead body of tbe insurgent captain, carried into
town by the soldier of Spuin.

The Sad Final Scene.

At sunset a squad of twenty men, armed and in charge of a first
lieutenant, filed out of the barracks. In front of the squad marched
the two prisoners, their arms tied together above the elbows, behind
their backs. Behind the soldiers came perhaps a thousand of the
wretched and starving.

No murmuring, no uplifting of arms, nothing but solemn silence.
In front of a wall, lining one of the blackened fields, the prisoners
were made to kneel down. A priest stood over them speaking the last
consoling words.

Out of the squad of twenty soldiers, eight stepped forth and leveled
their rifles at the kneeling father and son.

The eight shots sounded as one, and one of the blackest crimes of
this atrocious war was expiated.

CHAPTER XXIX.

AMERICAN INDIGNATION GROWING.

The American People Favor Cuba — Influence of the Press — Hatred of
Weyler — General Lee's Reports of the Horrors of the War — The
Question of Annexation — Spanish Soldiers Oppose American Aid foi
the Suffering — Consular Reports From the Island.

The people of the United States, from the commencement of the war,
have been deeply interested in the success of the Cuban cause. Tht
leading journals, with hardly an exception, have upheld the revolution-
ists, and have been largely instrumental "in arousing our government to
action. The following editorial is one of many on the subject which
voiced the popular feeling, and gave hope to the struugling band (<f
patriots, both in the United Stiites and Cuba:

"Cuba bleeds at every pore, and Liberty goes weeping through a
land desolated by cruel war and throttled by the ii-on hand of a forei .rn
despotism. We hold that this government would be ju8tifle<l not only
In recognizing Cuban belligerency, but also in recognizing Cuban inde-
pendence, on the sole ground of the rights and claims of outraged hu-
manity. ... In consequence of Weyler's barbarous decrees the
most harrowing scenes of savagery and brutality are of almost daily oc-
currence in this beautiful island, which is situated a hundred miles from
our Florida coast line. In the midst of these horrifying and terrorizing
spectacles Cuba extends her hand in supplication to this land of boasted
freedom, asking only for a kindly glance of friendly recognition.

"Shall we refuse this small crumb of comfort from our bounte(>u8
board? Spain may have the right to expect American neutrality, but
she has no right to demand indifference on our part to the fate of a brave
people, whose territory almost touches our own, and is nearer to our na-
tional capital than are a number of the States of tlie Union, and whose
heroic struggle for liberty was largely inspired by our glorious example
of beneficent free institutions and successful self-government.

"Spanish rule in Cuba has been charax'terized by injustice, oppres-
sion, extortion, and demoralization. She has fettered the energies of
the people, while she has fattened upon their industry. She smiled but

268

270

AMERICAN INDIUNATION GIIOWING,

to smite, and embraced but to crush. She has disheyrteacd exertion,
disqualified merit, and destroye<l patience and forbearance, by support-
injj in riotous luxury a horde of foreign officials at the expense of native
industry and fmgtiiity.

"Irritatetl into resistance, the Cubans are now the intended victims
of increased injustice. But the inhuman design will fail of accomplish-
ment. Cuban patriotism develojw with the gi-owth of oppression. The
aspiration for freedom increases in proportion to the weight of its multi-
plied chains. The dawn of Cuban liberty is rapidly approaching."

Consular Beports of Suffering in the Island.

General Lee's reports cover the period from November 17, 1897, to
April 1, 1898. Much of the correspondence is marked confidential.
Only excerpts are given in many instances. General Lee's first disimtch
related to the modifying of General Weylei-'s concentration oinler by
General Blanco. In his communication he says:

"First. The insurgents will not accept autonomy.

"Second. A large majority of the Spanish subjects who have com-
mercial and business interests and own property here will not accept
autonomy, but prefer annexation to the United States rather than an
independent republic or genuine autonomy under the Spanish flag."

The remainder of the letter is devoted to plans for the relief of the
reconceptrados.

"In this city," he writes, "matters are assuming better shape under
charitable committees. Large numbers are now cared for and fed by
private subscriptions. I witnessed many terrible scenes and saw some
die while I was present. I am told General Blanco will give $100,000
to the relief fund."

Annexation Desired.

General Lee writes on December 13:

"The contest for and against autonomy is most unequal. For it
there are five or six of the head oflBcers at tlie Palace and twenty or
thirty other persons here in the city. Against it, first, are the insur-
gents, with or without arms, and the Ouban noncombatants; second,
the great mass of the Spaniards bearing r'^ not bearing arms — the latter
desiring, if there must be a change, annexation to the United States.
Indeed, there is the greatest apathy concerning autonomy in any form.
No one asks what it will be, or when or how it will come.

AMERICAN INDIGNATION (IKOWINO.

271

"I do not see how it could even be put into opera Hon by force, be-
cause as long as the iusurgeuts decline to accept it, so loug, the tipaninh
authorities say, the war must continue."

General Lee then desciibes the efforts to form an autouomistic cabi-
net in Cuba and the public disapprobation of the people.

On January 8 General Lee makes the following reiMjrt:

"Sir — I have the honor to state, as a matter of public interest, that
the reconcentrado order of General Wt^ler, formerly governor-general
of this island, transformed about four hundred thousand Helf-supiM)i't-
ing people, principally women and children, into a multitude to be sus-
tained by the contributions of others, or die of starvation or of fevers
resulting from a low physical condition and being massed in large
bodies, without change of clothing and without food.

"Their homes were burned, their fields and plant beds destroyed, and
their live stock driven away or killed.

"I estimate that probably two hundred thousand of the rural popu-
lation in the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas, and Santa
Clara have died of starvation or from resultant causes, and the deaths
of whole families almost simultaneously, or within a few days of each
other, and of mothers praying for their children to be relieved of their
horrible sufferings by death are not the least of the many pitiable scenes
which were ever present. In the provinces of Puerto Principe and San-
tip.go de Cuba, where the 'reconcentrado order' could not be enforced,
the great mass of the people are self-sustaining. . . .

"A daily average of ten cents' worth of food to two hundred tliou-
sand people would be an expenditure of |20,000 per day, and, of course,
the most humane efforts upon the part of our citizens cannot hojye to
accomplish such a gigantic relief, and a great portion of these people
will have to be abandoned to their fate." . . .

On January 12, 13, 14 and 15 General Lee sent brief cablegrams to
the department in regard to those rioting and the demonstrations
against autonomy and Blancro and the thret? newspaper offices.

January 13 he said some of the rioters tlfcaiened to go to the United
States consulate. "Ships," he said, "are not needed, but may be later.
If Americans are in danger ships should move promptly for Havana.
Uncertainty and excitement widespread." The rioting ceased the next
day and General Lee reported all quiet.

On March 1 General Lee reports that the distribution of food, medi-
cines, and clothing to the destitute is proceeding satisfactorily. The,

'v'T2

AMERICAN IN DICTATION (IKOWING.

work, he says, haH bc«.'n well orj^aniziMl and systematized under the hu-
pervision and direction of MisH (Mara liarton, i)resident of the Ked Cross
of the United States, and her ai tive, able, and experienced a.ssistant.
11a inclosed a lett«'r on March 14 from Conhul Barker, of Sagua, wlio r(>
quests him to transmit the following letter, which is addressed to him
((Jeneral Lee):

"Dear Sir — I will thank you to comn unicate to the department as
quickly as possible the fact that military commander and other military
officers positively refuse to allow the ivconcentrados, to whom I am issu-
ing food in its raw state, to [)r )cure fuel w. th which to cook the food.

"In addition, the}' prohibited this class of people (I am only giving
food to about one-fifth of the destitnli' — the authorities have 'piit alto-
gether) from gathering vegetables cultivated within the protection of
the forts, telling them 'the Ameiicans propose to feed you, and to the
Americans you muwt look.'"

General Lee reports on'MarcJi 28 that "instructions have been given
by the civil government of Havana that the alcaldes and other author-
ities shall not give out any facts about the reconcentrado«, and if any
of the American relief committees should make inquiries concerning
them, all such inciuiries must be referrcnl to him."

(Jeneral Lee's dispatches en<l with a dispatch under date of April 1.
transmitting the decree of the governor-general terminating the con-
centration order.

Consul Barker's Report.

Consul Barker covers the conditions existing in Santa Clara province
in several communications, beginning on November 20, JSOT, and clos-
ing on Manli 24 last. His letters constitute one long stoiy of distress,
of sickness, destitution and death, until, indeed, the pictuiv, even as
drawn in the plain language of otUcial communications, is revolting.

Mr. Barker devoted coniiiaratively little space to political (juestions.
Only one or two of his letters are along tlu'se lines. Probably the most
notable of these is his communication of January 10 last:

"When Sj)!'in will admit defeat," he writes, "no mo"tnl, in my hum-
ble jmlgnuMit, dare pvedici. That her plan of settle, ■nt— uutf>nomy — •
is a failnix', au<l that with this failure passes from under her d<;miiii(»n
the island, is not to be <piestioned. Bending this admissitm on her part
'honsands of human beings, guiltless of bringing uu or having any part
in the insurrection, are dying for want of sustenance."

AMERICAN INDIGNATION GROWING.

272

Mr. Barker then suggeMts that residents in Cuba bo allowed to take
oat first pai)ere under the naturalization law» before a consul in Cuba,
and that by this scheme, he thinks, Spain will be rebuked and change
her laws.

He adds that the relief from the United States must be contiuutnl or
the people must starve, so long as there is an armed Spanish soldier in
the country, "since these people, for f e u of being murdered, do not go
to their country homes."

On Januaiy 15 Mr. Barker writes: "In this consular district a reign
of terror an<l anarchy prevails, which the authorities, if so disi)osed, are
utterly powerless to control or in any measure to subdue. Aside from
the suffering and desperation caused by the unparalleled dewtitution, 1
regard the situation as rapidly assuming a critical stage. As stated
heretofore, in no way have the authorities departed from the policy pur-
sued by the late, but not lamentetl, (Jeneral Weyler. Spanisli troops,
as well'as the guerrillas under the cruel chiefs i'arreraz, (lavarrielta,
and Lazo, continue to desix>il the country and drench it with the blood
of noncombatants. Although the *bamlo' of the i-aptain-grncral pro-
vides that laborers may return to estates, it restricts their opemtions to
those having a garriscm. i-,ast wi*ek a number belonging to the *Sta.
Ana* estate, located within a league of Sagua, and <)\vne<l by ^ieorge
Thorndike of Newport, were driven off after r»'turning, and refused a
permit as t. protection by the military' commander, Mayor Lemo, one of
the trusted officers under the Weyler regime."

Mr. Barker says that from February 15 to March 12 he care<l for
twelve hundivd persons, increasing the number on the n lief list after
that date to two thousand.

On March 24 Mr. Barker increased his eMtitnate as to the amount of
food necessary to keep life in the i)eople of that pr<»vince. He sjiid that
one hundr<'«l and tifty tons a montli were ncM-^lful for that time, and
that the distress was far greater than his former re|M)rts had »hown.
In the letter of this date he recounts the particulars of a visit to Santa
Clara, where, he says, he leanie<l from his own agents and also from
the governor of the province that the number of piTsuns in actuiil wnut
exceeded any estimate whi<'h he had jn-eviously sent to the government.
lie had said only three days before that he thought twenty tons a month
should be add(><l to the eighty tons previously suggested. In a com-
luunication of Miuch 20 Mr. Barker says: "The distrewi is simply heart-
rending. Whole families without clothing to hide nakedness an aUh^p-

S74

AMERICAN INDIGNATION GROWING.

ing on the bare ground, without bedding of any kind, without food, save
such as we have been able to reach with provisions sent by our own
noble people; and the most distressing feature is that fully 50 per cent
are ill, without medical attendance or medicine."

Soldiers Oppose Aid.

Mr. Barker adds that if ^5,000 could be sent to Consul General Lee,
blankets, cots, and medicines could be purchased in Santa Clara, and
thus save thousands who must die if compelled to await the sending of
these supplies from the United States.

"I have," he says, "found the civil governor willing to lend every aid
in his power, but he admits that he can do nothing but assist witli his
civil officers iu expediting relief sent by the United States. The mili-
tary obstruct in every way possible."

Consul Hyatt's Report.

Writing on December 5, Mr. Hyatt said: "The reconcentration order
is n'\HKe*\, but rn»t reuiov«Ml; but mauy iH»ople have reached a iH)iut
where it is u matter of entire indifference to them Avhether it is removtsl
or not, for they Lave lost all interest in the problem of existence. A
census of the island taken to-day, as comparcnl with one taken three
j'eara ago, I feel contident would show that two-th':ds of the residents
aiv missing, and the Spanish aru\y would make no better showing."

On December 14 Mr. Hyatt wrote: "The order of reconcentration
practically has been wIimmI out, and, so far as the Spanish goverament
is concerned, men go about nearly as they please. The insurgents and
their sympathizers will uu<iuestionabIy take advantage of the revocation
to get from the towns and cities what they need and otherwise strength-
en their cau8«s The effects on agricultural pursuits will be disapiM>int-
ing, because the great majority of thos*» who would or should take up
the work joined the insurgent forces when comi)elled to leave their
homes, and the portion which came within the lines of rc^concentnition
are women, children, old and sickly jK'ople, nxwt of whom seem to have
little interest in the problem of life. There is no one to take these peo-
ple back to the fields 'ind utilize their remaining stivngth. Their houses
are destroyeil, the fields are overgrown with weeds, they have no seeds
to plant, and, if they had, they could not live sixty or eighty days until
the crop nmtured; which, when grown, would more than likely be taken
by one or the other of the contending parties."

AMERICAN INDIGNATION GROWING.

875

Dying At His Door.

"As I write," Mr. Hyatt closes this communication, "a man is dying
in tlie street iu front of my door, the third in a comparatively small
time."

Mr. Hyatt's letter of December 21 deals largely with the sickness and
the death rate on the island, whicli he characterizes as appalling. "Sta-
tistics," he says, "yiake a grievous showing, but come far short of the
truth. The disease is generally brought on by insufficient food. It is
sometimes called paludal fever, and at others la grippe, and it is epi-
demic rather than contagious. From 30 to 40 per cent of the people
were afflicted with it."

He also reiHjrtcil smallpox and yellow .fever as prevailing, and said
'hat out of a total of sixteen thousand soldiers recently sent to Manza-
iiillo, nearly five thousand were in hospitals or quartered on the people.
He says that Dr. Camiuero, United States sanitary inspector, reported
at that time that there wei*e more than twelve thousand people sick in
bed, not counting those in military hospitals. This is at least 35 per
cent of the present population. Mr. Hyatt sidds that quiuine, the only
remedy of avail, is sold ten times higher than in the United States. He
says that steamers coming into port uive out soup once a day tio the
waiting throngs, and that fresh meat sells at from 50 cents to ^1 a pound.

Condemned to a Living Death.

Every ten days or so crowds of handculTed men are driven through
the streets of Havaua, whicli they will never tread again, on their way
io the transport ship which will convey them to the jjenal settlements
on the African coast. Many of th(>se men represent the elite of Cuban
society. Seldom is a dinnT charge brought against them. Police spies
denounce them as Cuban sympathizers. They are given no trial, that
they may prove the charges false. On administrative order they are
sentenced to exile for life, and fre«|uently the source of their mis-
fortune tan be traced to private revenge or personal feeling. Since tlie
beginning of the war at least ten thousand promiiumt citizens have been
torn from their native island, familicN and friends, and sent to life exile
in the tllthy, ovcrcrowilcd, <Iea«lly s\vami>8 of Fernando I'o. Willi a
little money and g«)od healtli it is possible to survive In Ceuta, but none
ever returns from Fernando Po. On the 23d of Mai<h a large pariy of

27G

AMERICAN INDKJXATION CROWING.

citizens of the Matanzns district passiMl tln'oup:]! IIa^ana on their waj
/o I lie transjM)!'!. It was a sad procession. Hopeless, jaded, despair-
ing; njen, witli anus tied behind them and feet shackled, forced to leav<'
Cnba and face a slow, horrible death. On the train from Matan/.a.s two
of these nufortnnates wen? literally shot to pie<'es. The ji;iiards i-eixvrted
they tried to escape and were shot in the attempt. Their fellow-prison-
ers told a ilifTereiit story. "The two men were deliberately taken ont
on ilie jdatfonii betAveen the cmi^ and tii*e<l njton. .\nd the soldiers
would jiive no reason.'' The action cunld likely lie'tracetl to iK.'rsonjU

Fctr three-quarters of a century the mis^fovernment of Spain in
Cuba was a neijihborhood shame and scandal to the pi'ople of the
I'nited States. ^^arniMJi (dT the interl'erence of any other foreij^n
nali(»ii, under thr policy known as the".Mnnioe DoctJ'ine," the American
jx'ople witnessed the re]teji{cd cITorts of a less favoi'ed nation of this
hemisphere to reh'ase itsidf froju the j^rasp <tf the oppressor. They wit-
nessed at the periods of each of these revolts their own siiips of wsir
palrolinj;' the southern c(tast and *he waters adjacent to Cuba to inter-
cept any yoini^ Americans whose sympathies mi<;hl lead them to j<tin
the Cuban cause, and they accpiiesced, because the law as it sto<rtl
e.vacted it. They witnessed in more than one (»f these revolts, wlien
H<tme younj; Americans, who had (dtided the vi;.jilance of Unite<l States
<-ruisers, landed on the island and were (ajilured by Spanish tr(H)|>H.
These youn<i' men stood a^iainsl the walls of Moito ( "ast If jind were sliot
like do<is, because their {fovei inuiit was poweiless under the law to aid
them. They wilnes.sed the ift'ers on the pari of their j;overnjn«'nt at
various times to terminate the continued .-wandal upon civilized gov-
ernment at one of the doorways of their country by the purchase of
the island for a p ih'I'(»us s^im of money, and the rejections of such
projiositions by Spain.

The .\merican juMiple finally realized that pence could never come
to Cuba until it was imposed by the acli<»n of the United States, and
the opinion jii-adually ^irew thai neither international oblij'i'.ticns nor
a desii'e for I lie iiiaiDleiiance of friendly relations with Sjiain could
justify our government in iM>rmitting these outrugcH to coiitiuufe at our
doors.

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CHAPTER XXX.

OUTRAGES ON AJIERICANS IN CUBA.

ilow Spain Pays Ilor Debts — An Old Scildier's Expt'i-icnfc' — The Case of
Pedro Casanova — Dcstriulion of ri'uiMTl.v — Uohbciji- ami Miirdei' — A
Cruel Attack — The Insiirf^ciits (o tlie UcHcue — IJidiuj; iu a Caue
Field — The Appeal to the Consul — Interveiitiou .Itistitiable.

Mauy American cilizeiis in {'u\)ii have been confined in Spanish pris-
ons, a number have been sent to the penal colonies, the proju'ity of some
has been couliscated, and others have been mnrdered iii cold blood. A
celebrated case, which shows how slowly the wL'cls of justice some-
times revolve, was that of Antonio Maximo, a naturalizwl Ainericaii
citizen. He was condemned to death, and itis estates declared the prop-
erty of the };ovenimeiit, by order of a tourt-ii "rtial, in ISTO. lie was
charfjed with participaliiiji' in tiie revolution then {jjoin},' on in Cuba and
convicted, in spile of the fact that he was not rtsidin;^ on tiio island.
The Tnited States demande<l restitution antl indemnilication, and in
187;} tiie Spanish republic admitted that the claim was just. Tiie decree
was confirmed in l.s7(i by the royal j^overnment, but the autiiurities in
Cuba delayed itsox'cution until the estates were in ruins. Spain fiiuiUy
offored the sum of l,r>()(),()(M> pes«m ns indemnity, and this otter was ac-
cepted In 18S(!. The Cortes, liowever, made no ap|>r(»priatii)n for the
payment, and in ISSS the Spanish n\inister of state attempted to aflix
to tne aj^reement tlie new condition tliat certain claims of Sjianisli suit-
jects slnmld be adjudicated and settlnl simultaneously. Secretary Hay-
ard rejected the prop<. •'itioii, and our ^)vernment continued to ur^^e the
Si)anish authorities to fufill their contract. On .Tune 12, IS!)."), Secre-
tary Olney instri i led llannis Taylor, United States niinister at .Madrid,
to ask Sjjain to j;ive assurances that she would setth' the claim witliin
two monlhs. The Spanish ;;ove/nment then offered to pay the principjil
of the claim, and the claimanl a.nree<l to fctrego the interest. On Sep-
tend)er 11, the ori}j;inal claimant having:: died, the Spanish ii-overnmeul
paid !ii;i,41»!»,U00, ecpial to l,r)0(),()()0 jvesos, in s. Mlement of the lony-sland-

iug claim.

18 272

<>80

OUTRAGES ON AMERICANS IN CUBA.

An Old Soldier*8 Experience.

William Ewinfj, of Buffalo, New York, sen'ed in the Seventeenth
United States infantry all through the civil war, and is a member of the
G. A. 11. He went to Cuba, and invested $7,000, all the money he had,
in a sugar plantation, and with his wife and daughter and his brother-
in-la\\, William Hamilton, he took up his abode on the island.

Finally, owing to the unsettled conditicms resulting from the war,
he sent his family back to the United States, and joined the insurgent
arm3'. His brother-in-law also espoused the Cuban cause, and was killed
in battle. Discoiiraged by his reverses, he decide<l to return to his
native land, and made his escape from the island by boarding a block-
ade runner, which landed him at Atlantic City, from where he walked
to New York. Grand Army comrades gave him food and shelter, and
assisted him to reach his family. This man has a i>er8onal interest in
the success of the cause, for when that time comes he hopes to regain
possession of his property.

The Case of Pedro Casanova.

Pedro Casanova, a citizen of the United States, resided near the little
railway station of San Miguel de Jaruca with his family, which consists
of his wife and three children and his nephew, the latter boru' in the
I'nited Stales. He told the story of his wrongs at the hands of tlie
Spaniards to a representative of the NeAV York Herald in the following
woihIs:

"^I have sufTered great outrages from the Spanish soldiers. The sol-
iliers rtvently \>asseil (vs the road, and my wife called my attention to
the fact that they had biN>ken into a vacant house where valuable prop-
erty was stored, and were pulling things in pieces. Just then I saw two
ofticers coming toward the house. 1 was very glad, and went out to meet
them, and iiivite<l them to enter the house and refresh themselves. They
accepted, and said they liked coffee. While they were drinking, oile til*
two soldiers came and siM)ke to tlie captain, who asked uks 'Who ai"e
the iiieii in the sugar house?' *.My employes,' I rcjilied, Muihidlug one
engineer. The others are engaged in repairs.'

"The cai)tain said: 'I hear ivbels aiv hiildeu there. I must take the
men before the major for examination; the major hims«>lf will be here
to-morrow.'

OUTRAGES ON AMEKICANS IN CUBA.

281

"After he left I found the door of the house on the hill broken open.
A quantity of bottled beer had been taken, also my saddles and bridles,
and many other things. Gloves and other articles of woman's apparel
were tossed in the yard. I ^vent to the station. The druj; store looked
as if it had been visited by a mad bull. All the shelves and drawers
were thrown out and smashed. An empty store opposite was in the
same condition. The counter was thrown down and the door posts
hacked by machetes. The large coiTee mill was broken, and all was in
disorder. An account of this work was what tlio soldiers had whis-
jxtcmI to the captain. The officer haul remarked to me with a ssneer:
'The insurgents are very kind to you, as no harm has been done here.'

"I was suiprised on the following We<lnesday morning to hear shots
as of several volleys of musketry. About three hundred soldiers — in-
fantry and cavalry — were, in fact, outside, having surrounded my house.
More soon appeared under command of Captain Cerezo Martinez. In
most brutal and vulgar tenns he ordere<l all in the house to go outside.
Tlie soldiers nislied in and dragged me out by the coat coUai My wife,
with her baby, was taken out, a rifle being pointed at her breast. Eleut-
rie Zanabria, a negro servant, who was badly frightened, tried to hide.
He was pulled to the front, and before my eye« a soldier struck him a
heavy bloAV with his machete, cutting him deep in the head f.nd arm,
leaving a pool of blood on the floor. The wound was serious.

"An order was then given to take into custody all men on the estate.
Near a trtK' beyond the hill, one hundre<l yards from tljc house, I stojiped,
about forty paces from the others, to talk to the captain, who had been
at the house the week before. At that moment a young negro, Manuel
Febels, made a dash to escape. Some cavaliymen rushed after him,
firing. Lie fell, and they mutilated his body, taking out his eyes. The
officer, enraged at the negi-o's flight, pulled out his sabre, and sliouted
to the otliei-s of the party: 'Get down on your knees!* They obeyed and
he had them bound and kept in that position a quarter of an hour.

"While I was talking to the captain my wife and five-year-old child
were begging for mcriy for me. The cavalrymen helped themselves to
corn for their horses, and finally started. The officers told me that my
nephew's life and my own were only s})ared because we were Ameri-
cans, and they did not want to get into trouble with the United States.
They then ordered me to leave San Miguel without waiting a moment.

"Their explanation of the raid was that the rebels had fired upon
the troops, and that they saw one man run, as he fircnl, into my house,

L>82

OUTRAGES ON AMERICANS IN CUBA.

and that, under the major's iustnietiouH, the whole family should have
been killed. My wife and children were in agony while I was away.
My employes were all taken away by the troops.

"An officer of high nmk in the Spanish army passed my place after
I left, came to me here, and said: *I know what has hapjiened. The
man in command is unfit to be an officer of Spain.' I heanl that my men
had been taken to the Spanish camp and shot wiiile eating breakfast."

Destruction of Property.

The brothers Farrar, in presenting their claim for indemnity, made
the following statement:

"On Saturday, March 21, the dwelling house of the coffee planta-
tion Estrella was the objwt of a wanton attack by the column of Gen.
Bernat, operating in that region. The said building receive<l cannon
shots of grape and cannister, breaking the door, one window, several
piazza columns, and greatly endangering the lives of the familiw of my
brothers, Don Tasio and Don Luis Farrar, both American citizens.
There were two small children in the house. From my information it
appears that the troops mention h1 had sustained tire with a rebel band
in Paz plantation, a (juarter-league from Estrella. The rebels having
fled to I'edroHo and Buena Esperauza plantations, the government
troops advanced towai-d Estrella in quite an opiM)site direction from
that taken by the rebels. On arnving at the borders of Estrella planta-
tion the Spanish column began linng cannon at the dwelling house, and
it wa>* ininuMliately invaded by the soldiers, who ransacked it, canning
off wardrobes, all jewelry and men's clothing which they containe<l, as
well as the sum of about $(50 in money. They also took away everything
found in workmen's dwellings, aiTesting at the sasae tinu» twelve of the
ot(U]tants, whom they conducted to Al(|uizar as insurgents. It should
be observed tliat the cannon were tired solely at the dwelling' house of
the ownei"H, although there were twenty other buildings on the planta-
tion, and .he place was entirely clear of insurgents.

"In considenition of all the above, and particularly on account of
the danger to which his relatives were exjMised, and also for the un-
justifiable lootiug on (he i)art of the regular troops in the service of a
constituted government, the undersigned does most solemnly protest,
and asks an Immediate indemnity for the damages suffered, which he
values at ^5,000, as all work has been stopped on the plantation and
everything abandoned."

OUTRAGES ON AMERICANS IN CUBA.

283

A Cruel Attack.

The case of Dr. Deligado is a particularly pathetic one. His home
was in New York, where he was a practicing physician, but he went
to Cuba to take possession of some property which he had inherited,
llis father told the stoi-y of their sufferings to a correspondent, and his
account was supplemental by additional particulars from the doctor
himself. The elder gentleman said :

"Our plantation is called Dolores, the old name being Morales. It
wa« about half past one on the 4th day of March when a regiment of
rebels, about four hundred or five hundred men, invaded the place. Tliey
told us they were Maceo's men, and soon after them came Maceo, with
twenty-four women, sixteen whites and eight mulattoes. I understood
that these women were the wives of the otticers.

"Maceo shook hands politely and asketl if I would allow them to take
breakfast with us. Of course there was nothing to do but say yes, and
the men spread themselves over about seventy acres of the plantation,
the officers and ladit^s coming into the house. They had provisions with
them, but desiroil to cook and serve them, which they did. They sat
down at the table aiul were soon joking and laughing. Suddenly we
heard rifle shots. llernandeK yelled to his wife to hand him his ma-
chete. Then all went out and found that the tiring had come from what
seemed to be an advance guard of the SiMuish troops. There was some
skirmishing at a distance, and the insurgents rode away. They did not
wish to fight on the plantation, as they were on another mission.

"The Spaniards had tire<l the cane, thinking there were other insur-
gents hiding there. Spanish bullets rattled on the tiled roof of the
house, and fann hands who were plowing back of the house got fright-
ened and wished to come in.

"After a while I opened the window to see how matters stood and
saw two cavfilrvmer and a captain, with two soldiers. My son and the
farm hands \, < ' out toward the burning cane in an attempt to save
some oxen li.ot ere near the cane. Wlion the captain saw them he
shouted: *\^ <> a « those people?' I told him they were our workmen,
and he then gave orders to clear the Jiouse. They rushed their horses
right through the house, the captain leading them. I took out my
American pajK'rs and showed them to him to prove that I was a peace-
ful citizen. 'They aie the worst documents you could have,' said the
captain. They answered my son in the same way, and the captain re*

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peated the order to clear the house. Then they ordered us to march on
as prisoners and told the women to stay back. My son asked them to
let me stay back with the women, and they allowed me to do so. Of
course the women were panic-stricken and screaming when they saw
their husbands being taken away.

"We heard shots and then a second volley. One of the women cried
out: 'They have killed my husband!' Her words were true. After
about three hours I ventured out, and I saw coming towards the house
the old farm hand, a man of about seventy'. He seemed to be holding a
red handkerchief over his arm, but when I got nearer I saw that it was
covered with blood. He cried out when he saw me: 'They have killed
them!' 'My son! My son!' I ci'ied. 'He was the first one they killed,' he
said.

"I took the man in the house and tried to bind up his arm, which had
been shattered by a bullet. I endeavored to pacify the women, and told
them they should go to the nearest neighbors for help. The two white
farm hands, who had be(m hiding in the cane, then came over toward
the house, while I was trying to quiet the women. They were afraid to
move, panic-stricken, and would not go for help.

"Suddenly a young man dashed up to the house at full gallop. He
drew his revolver and told the farm hands to get cots and pillows and
medicine to bring to the missing men in case any of them should be still
alive. He said he Avould shoot them if they disobeyed, and they did as
ho directed. They made up a litter, and we walked on till we found the
place where the men lay in a pool of blood.

"I looked into my son's face and cried out: 'My son, my son!' He
opened his eyes and whispered: 'Father, they have killed us.'"

The old gentleman broke down in a passion of weeping a^t these
recollections of the awful scene, and the son gave his account of the hor-
rible butchery:

"They marched us along," said the Doctor, "and I spoke to the gen-
eral: 'General, I am an American citizen, and here are my papers from
Mr. Williams.' 'They are the worst things you could have,' he said. 'I
wish the Consul were here himself, so that 1 could treat him thus,' and
he struck me three times in the face. Then he sounded the bugle calling
the volunteers, and ordered us taken to the rear guard. Of course, we
knew that this meant death. They tied us in a line with our hands pin-
ioned. I knew the sergeant and said to him: 'Is it possible that you
are going to kill me?' 'How can I help it?' he answered. Then lue order

OUTRA'lES ON AMEKICANS IN CUBA.

2S5

was given and the soldiers rushed upon ns with machetes. Their Jiuives
cut our ropes as we tried to dodge the blows, and the soldiers tired two
volleys at us. The lii'st shot grazed my head, and I dropped to the ground
as though dead. The old farm hand also threw himself to the earth.
This act saved our lives.

"The other four men who tried to fight were killed. At the second
discharge a bullet pierced my side. When we all lay as though dead
they came up and turned us over and searched our pockets — mine first,
of course, as I was better dressed than the other men. One of the soldiers
noticed that mj^ breast moved and shouted out: 'This fellow is not dead
yet. Give him another blow,' and he raised his machete and gaA'e me a
slash across the face and throat. Then I became unconscious."

Delgady's father took up the story as his son left off: "The brave
young man who brought us to the place where my son was, noAV jumped
from his horse and gave orders to the men to lift my sou on the litter, as
we found he was the only man still living. We put a pillow under his
head, and the two farm hands lifted the litter and carried it into the
cane field. Meanwhile the women relatives of the dead men came up
and began to wail and cry. The young man, whom v/e afterwards found
was an insurgent leader, told them they should be quiet, as their lamen-
tations would bring the Spanish troops upon the scene again.

"Then the litter was carried into the cane field. This young man said:
'You must immediately write to the American consul. I will furnish
you with a messenger, and you may rest safely in this cane field with
your son. I will put a guard of 500 men around it so that they cannot
burn it, as they do when they know people are hiding in the cane.'

"For five days I was in the cane field with my son. It rained upt)n
us, and then I put the pillows over my son's chest, in order to protect
him. I suffered greatly from rheumatism. Only the young man ap-
peared and said that General Maceo had sent a guard to escort me back
to my home. With my boy we were taken there and guard kept around
our house. The messenger came back from the Consul, and I came on to
Havana to see General Weyler, who had my son brought here to the
city."

Stories of outrages on Americans that are unquestionably true might
be furnished in numbers sufficient to more than fill this entire vol.ime,
but enough have been given to convince the most skeptical that the de-
mand for intervention was justified on our own account, as well as for
the sake of the people of Cuba.

CHAPTER XXXL

McKINLEY SUCCEEDS CLEVELAND.

The Cuban Question Not u New One — The Efforts of Former Administrations
to Bring About a Settlement — President Cleveland's Message — Recom-
mendations of President McKinle^' — The Spanish Minister's Insulting
Letter — Ilia Resignation Accepted — The Apology of the Spanish Gov-
ernment.

For more than ninety years the United States government has been
confronted with a Cuban question. At times it has disappeared from
our politics, but it has always reappeared. Once we thought it wise
to prevent the island from winning its independence from Spain, and
thereby, perhaps, we entered into moral bonds to make sure that Spain
governed it decently. Whether we definitely contracted such an obli-
gation or not, the Cuban question has never ceased to annoy us. The
controA'ersies about it make a long series of chapters in one continuous
stoi*y of diplomatic trouble. Many of our ablest statesmen have had
to deal with it as Secretaries of State and ;ts Ministers to Sp^in, and not
one of them has been able to settle it. One President after another
has taken it up, and every one has transmitted it to his successor. It
has at various times been a "p^ank"' in the platforms of all our political
parties — as it was in both the party platforms of 1896 — and it has been
the subject of messages of nearl}' all our Presidents, as it was of Pres-
ident Cleveland's message in December, 1806, in which he distinctly ex-
pressed the opinion that the United States might feel forced to recognize
"higher obligations" than neutrality to Spain. In spite of periods of
apparent quiet, the old trouble has alwaj^s reappeared in an acute form,
and it hrs never been settled; nor has thei^ recently been any strong
reason for hope that it could be settled merely by diplomatic negotia-
tion with Spain. Our diplomats have long had an experience with
Spanish character and methods such as the public can better understand
since war has been in progress. The pathetic inefficiency and the con-
tinual indirection of the Spanish character are now apparent to the
world ; they were long ago apparent to those who have had our diplo-
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Thus the negotiations dragged on. We were put to trouble and ex-
pense to prevent filibustering, and filibustering continued in spite of
us. More than onoe heretofore has there been danger of international
conflict, as for instance when American sailors on the Virginius were
executed in Cuba in 1S73. Propositions lun'e been made to bt'.}'' tiie
island, and plans have been formed to annex it. All the while there
have been great American interests in Cuba. Our citizens have owned
much property and made investments there, and done much to develop
its fertility. They have paid tribute, unlawful as Avell as lawful, both
to insurgents and to Spanish officials. They have lost property, for
which no indemnity has been paid. All the while we have had a trade
with the island, important during periods of quiet, instating during
periods of unrest.

Trouble Not a New One.

The Cuban trouble is, therefore, not a new trouble, even in an acute
fprm. It had been moving fonvard toward a crisis for a long time.
Still, while our government suffered these diplomatic vexations, and
our citizens these losses, and our merchants these annoyances, the mass
of the American people gave little serious thought to it. The news-
papers kept us reminded of an opera boufl'e war that was going on, and
now and then there came information of delicate and troublesome dip-
lomatic duties for our Minister to Spain. If Cuba were within a hun-
dred miles of the coast of one of our populous States, and near one of
our great ports, periods of acute interest in its condition Avould doubt-
less have come earlier and oftener, and we should long ago have had
to deal with a crisis by warlike measures. Or if the insurgents had
commanded respect instead of mere pity, we should have paid heed to
their si 'iggle sooner; for it is almost an American maxim that a people
cannot govern itself till it can win its own independence.

When it began to be known that Weyler's method of extermination
was producing want in the island, and when appeals were made to
American charity, we became more interested. President Cleveland
found increasing difficulty with the problem. Our Department of State
was again obliged to give it increasingly serious attention, and a reso-
lute determination was reached by the administration that this scandal
to civilization should cease — we yet supposed peacefully' — and Spain
was informed of our resolution. When Mr. McKinley came to the Pres-
idency, the people, conscious of a Cuban problem, were yet not greatly
aroused about it. Indeed, a prediction of war made at the time of the

McKINLEY SUCCEEDS CLEV^ELAND.

inauguratiou would have seemed wild and foolish. Most persons still
gave little thought to Cuba, and there seemed a likelihood that they
would go on indefinitely without giving serious thought to it; for neither
the insurgents, nor the Cuban junta, nor the Cuban party in the Unitet!
States, if there was such a party, commanded respect.

President McEinley's Message.

President McKinley sent a message to Congress a few weeks after
his inauguration, in which he recommended the appropriation of |50,-
000 for the relief of American citizens in Cuba. It read as follows:

"Official information from our Consuls in Cuba establishes the fact
that a large number of American citizens in the island are in a state
of destitution, suffering for want of food and medicines. This applies
particularly to the rural districts of the central and eastern parts. The
agricultural classes have been forced from tJieir farms into the nearest
towns where they are without work or money. The local authorities of
the several towns, however kindly disposed, are unable to relieve the
needs of their own people, and are altogether powerless to help our
citizens. The latest report of Consul-General Lee estimates that 600
to 800 are without means of support I have assured him that provision
would be made at once to relieve them. To that end I recommend that
Congress make an appropriation of not less than |50,000, to be imme-
diately available for use under the direction of the Secretax*y of State.

"It is desirable that a part of the sum which may be appropriated
by Congress should, in the discretion of the Sed'etaiy of State, also be
used for the transportation of American citizens who, desiring to re-
turn to the United States, are without means to do so."

The joint resolution offered by Senator Gallinger, which embodied
the recommendations of President McKinley, passed both Houses with-
out a dissenting vote.

An influential journal printed the following editorial concerning this
measure:

"It is an essentially new departure in international affairs, and it
is in order for the sticklers for precedent to enter fussy protestation, as
they did in connection with the Venezuelan question, against the Mon-
roe doctrine, declaring it was not to be found in the code of interna-
tional law. It is certainly vei-y unusual, if not unprecedented, for the
government to make a relief appropriation for its own people in some
foreign land. The truth is, this Cuban situatiori is wholly exceptional.

McKINLEY SUCCEEDS CLEVELAND.

291

Here is a little island in a state of civil war. It is largely a sectional
war, one part of the island being in possession of one of the belligerents,
and the other section in possession of the other belligerent

"Several hundreds of our American citizens are in that section of the
island occupied by Spanish armies, and are suffering, in common with
the Cubans themselves, from a deliberate policy of starvation. Weyler
is trying to conquer by famine. That is his fixed purpose, and, from
the nature of the case, no discrimination is made between Spanish sub-
jects in rebellion and American citizens sojourning in the island. If the
policy of starvation cannot be maintained without this indiscrimination
then so much the worse for Weyler and his policy. Congress has only
to make the appropriation asked for, and the relief will go forward,
without regard to any collateral consequences."

De Lome's Insulting Letter.

One of the most sensational incidents in connection with Spanish
affairs prior to the destruction of the Maine was the publication of a
letter, which fell into the hands of the Cuban Junta, written by Senor
Dupuy De Lome, the representative of the Spanish government in
Washington, to the editor of a newspaper at Madrid. A translation of
the letter is given:

My Distinguished and Dear Friend:

You need not apologize for not having written to me. I ought to have
written to you, but have not done so on account of being weighed down with
work.

The situation here continues unchanged. Everything depends on the
political and military success in Cuba. The prologue of this second method of
warfare will end the day that the Colonial Cabinet will be appointed, and it
relieves us in the eyes of this country of a part of the responsibility of what
may happen there, and they must cast the responsibility upon the Cubans,
whom they believe to be so immaculate.

Until then we will not be able to see clearly, and I consider it to be a loss
of time and an advance by the wrong road, the sending of emissaries to the
rebel field, the negotiating with the autonomists, not yet declared to be le-
gally constituted, and the discovery of the intentions and purposes of this
government. The exiles will return one by one, and when they return will
come walking into the sheepfold, and the chiefs will gradually return.

Neither of these had the courage to leave en masse, and they will not have
the conn ge to thus return. The President's message has undeceived the in-

292

McKINLEY SUCCEEDS CLEVELAND.

surgents, who expected something else, and has paralyzed tlie action of Con-
gres'i, but I consider it bad.

Besides the natural and inevitable coarseness with which he repeats all
that the press and public opinion of Spain has said of Wejier, it shows onco
more what McKinley is — weak and catering to the rabble, and, besides, a low
politician, who desires to leave a door open to me and to stand well with tlie
jingoes of his party. Nevertheless, as a matter of fact, it will only depend on
ourselves whether he will prove bad and adverse to us.

I agree entirely with you that without military success notliing will be ac-
complished there, and without military and political success tliere is here al-
ways danger that the insurgents will be encouraged, if not by the government,
at least by part of the public opinion. I do not believe you pay enough at-
tention to the role of England. Nearly all that newspaper canaille, which
swarm in your hotel, are English, and while they are correspondents of Amer-
ican journals, they are also correspondents of the best newspapers and re-
views of London.

Thus it has been since the beginning. To my mind, the only object of Eng-
land is that the Americans sliould occupy themselves witli us and leave her
in peace, and if there is a war, so much the better. That would further remove
what is threatening her, although that will never happen. It would be most
important that you should agitate the question of commercial relations, even
though it would be only for effect, and that you should send here a man of im-
portance, in order that I might use him to malie a propaganda among the sen-
ators and others, in opposition to tlie Junta and to win over exiles.

There goes Amblarad. I believe he comes too deeply taken up with polit-
ical matters, and there must be something great or we shall lose. Adela re-
turns your salutation, and we wish you in the new year to be a messenger of
peace and take this new year's present to poor Spain.

Always your attentive friend and servant, who kisses your hand,

ENRIQUE DUPUY DE LOME.

As soon as this letter was made public, De Lome cabled his res-
ignation to the Spanish government, and withdrew his passports from
the State Department in Washington, thus saving himself the morti-
fication of a dismissal. The Spanish government at Madrid sent the
following communication to Minister Woodford regarding the affair:

The Spanish Government, on learning of the incident in which Minister
Dupuy De Lome was concerned, and being advised of his objectionable com-
munication, with entire sincerity laments the incident, states that Minister De
Lome had presented his resignation, and it had been accepted before the pres-
entation of the matter by Minister Woodford. That the Spanish Ministry, in
accepting the resignation of a functionary whose services they have been util*

McKINLEY SUCCEEDS CLEVELAND.

203

Izing and valuing up to that time, leaves it perfectly well cHtablished tluit they
do not Hhare, and rather, on the contrary, disauthorize the criticiHUis tending
to offend or censure the chief of a friendly State, although such criticisms had
been written within the field of friendship and had reached publicity by artful
and criminal means.

That this meaning had taken shape in a resolution by the Council of Min-
isters before General Woodford presented the matter, and at a time when the
Spanish Government had only vague telegraphic reports concerning the senti-
ments alluded to. That the Spanish nation, with equal and greater reason, af-
firms its view and decision after reading the words contained in the letter re-
flecting upon the I'resident of the United States,

As to the paragi'aph concerning the desirability of negotiations of com-
mercial relations, if even for effect and importance of using a representative
for the purpose stated in Senor Dupuy De Lome's letter, the government ex-
presses concern that in the light of its conduct, long after the writing of the
letter, and in view of the unanswerable testimony of simultaneous and subse-
quent facts, any doubt should exist that the Spanish Government has given
proof of its real desire and of its innermost convictions with respect to the new
commercial system and the projected treaty of commerce.

That the Spanish Government does not now consider it necessary to lay
stress upon, or to demonstrate anew the truth and sincerity of its purpose and
the unstained good faith of its intentions. That publicly and solemnly, the
Government of Sp.'iin contracted before the mother country and its colonies
a responsibility for the political and tariff charges which it has inaugurated
in both Antilles, the natural ends of which, in domestic and international
spheres, it pursues with firmness, which will ever inspire its conduct.

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE CASE OF EVANGELTNA >JISNEROS.

A Martyr to tlu? Cause — Filial Devotion — Spanish Chivalry — In a Spanish
Prison — Au American Rescuer — Yankee Pluclc Against Brute Force —
The Escape.' — Arrival in New York — Enthusiastic Reception — A Home
in the Land of Liberty.

Spanish ollicials in Cuba have alwaj's denied the charge that they
made war on women, and have insisted that the tales of persecution
of the weaker sex that have reached this country were inventions of
the insurgents, published to gain sympathv for their cause. In direct
contradiction to this claim is the story of Evangellna Cisneros, the
niece of the president of the Cuban republic. Her father, a Cuban
patriot of prominence, was banished to the Isle of Pines, and she
showed her filial devotion by leaving a luxurious home to share his
exile. While there, her beauty attracted the attention of a Spanish
General, who tried by every means in his power to gain her favor. It
was natural that she should despise anyone who wore the hatcnl uni-
form of Spain, and, because -she rejected his advances, she was eharg(^l
with conspiring against the government, and sent to a jail i n Havana,

Her unhapi)y fate attracted the attention of Mr. W. R. Hearst, the
proprietor of the New York Journal, and he, actuated no doubt by
philanthropic motives, as well as the desire to advance the interests
of his paper, detennined to make an effort for her release.

How this was accomplished is best told by Mr. Karl Decker, who
was Mr. Hearst's representative in carrying out the plot.

"I have broken the bars of prison and have set free the beautiful
captive of Monster Weyler, restoring her to her friends and relatives,
and doing by strength, skill and strategy what could not be accom-
plished by petition and urgent request of the Pope. Weyler could
blind the Queen to the real character of Evangelina, but he could not
build a jail that w^ould hold against enterprise when properly set to
work.

"To-night all Havana rings with the story. It is the one topic of
conversation. Everything else pales into insignificance. No one re-

THE CASE OF EVANGELINA 0I8NER08.

295

members that there has been a chanpe in the Ministry. What matters
it if Weyler is to go? Evangelina Cisneros has escaped from the jail,
thought by everyone to be impregnable. A plot has been hatched right
in the heart of Havana — a desperate plot — as shown by the revolver
found on the roof of the house through which the escape was effected,
and as the result of this plot, put into effect under the very nose of
Spanish guards, Evangelina is free. How was it done? How could it
have been done?

Details of the Escape. >

"These are the questions asked to-night by the frequenters of the
cafes throughout the city, where the peopl. . " Eavana congregate.
It is conceded by all, by the officials of the pal.i ^ included, to be the
most daring coup in the history of the war, iul the audacity of the
deed is paralyzing. No one knows where ^ -ang' Una is now, nor can
know,

"I'o Lell the story of the escape briefly, I came here three weeks
ago, having been told to go to Cuba and rescue from her prison Miss
Cisneros, a tenderly-reared girl, descended from one of the best fami-
lies in the island, and herself a martyr to the unsatisfied desires of a
beast in Spanish uniform. I arrived at Clenfuegos late in 8epLouiber,
telegraphed to a known and tried man in Santiago de Cuba to meet
me in Havana, and then went to Santa Clara, where I picked up a
second man, known to be as gintty as Sahara, and then proceeded to
Havana.

"Here I remained in almost absolute concealment, so as to avoid
the spies that dog one's steps wherever one may go, and make impossi-
ble any clever work of this kind. Both the men who accompanied me,
Joseph Hernandon and Harrison Mallory, pursued the same course,
and remained quiet until all plans had been completed.

"The fact that Miss Cisneros was incommunicado made the attempt
seem at first beyond the possibility of success, but we finally, through
Hernandon, who was bom on the island, and speaks Spanish like a
native, succeeded in sending a note to her through an old negress, who
called upon one of her friends in the prison. A keeper got this note
through two hands to Miss Cisneros, and three keepers later got to
her a package of drugged sweets. Having established communica-
tion with her, we began work without losing a day."

?!ir)

THE CASE OF EVANGELINA CISNEROS.

The Prison Left Behind.

Mr. Decker then tells how he rented a house adjoining the prison,
and Instructed Miss Cisneros to give the drugged candies to the other
women who were in the prison with her. As soon as the drug pro-
duced the desired effect on them, the bars of the prison were cut from
the outside, and Miss Cisneros was assisted through the window, onto
the roof of the house Mr. Decker had rented, kept in concealment for
two days, and then smuggled on board a ship, bound for the land of
liberty.

Her arrival in New York is thus described:

"Evangeline Cisneros, one week ago a prisoner among the outcast
wretches in a Havana prison, is a guest at the Waldorf hotel. Sur-
rounded b}' luxury and elegance, she is alternately laughing and cry-
ing over the events of one short Aveek. One week ago last night a cor-
respondent broke the b.'irs of her cell and led her to liberty over the
flat roofs of the Cuban capital. It is the memory of those thrilling
few minutes that meant for her a lifetime of captivity or a future of
peace and liberty that most often occurs to her now.

"She arrived to-day on the Ward liner, Seneca, and was taken from
the steamer by a boat at quarantine, thanks to the courtesy of the
Government and the quarantine authorities. When the Seneca sailed
from Havana there figured on the passenger list one Juan Sola. A
girl who signed the name of Juana Sola to the declaration, exacted
by the Custom House officers, was the nearest passenger to making
good the lost one. Her declaration was that she brought nt thing
dutiable into the country.

"If ever that declaration was truthfully made, it was made in the
case of this brown-eyed, chestnut-haired girl, who was so anxious to
please the man who made her sign. All she had was the simple red
gown she had on her back and a bundle that contained a suit of clothes
such as a plantei-'s son might have worn.

"Those were the clothes that Juan Sola wore when he ran up the
gang-plank in Havana, with a big slouch hat over the chestnut hair,
that even danger of discovery could not tempt her to cut, and a fat
cigar between a red, laughing pair of lips that accidentally, maybe,
blew a cloud of smoke into the face of the chief of police, who was
watching that plank, and made the features of the young man very
Indistinct indeed.

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THE CASE OF EVANGELINA CISNEROS.

299

"There was no reason why the chief of police should scan too closely
the young man with the big cigar. Juan Sola's passport had been
duly issued by the Spanish government, and as far as the papers
showed, there was no reason to suspect him.

"Of course Juan Sola was the girl the correspondent had rescued
from pri.wn, and the fame of whose escape was on every tongue in
Havana, the girl for whose capture the police had for three d^iys been
breaking into houses and guarding the roads, and yet she passed under
their noses with no disguise but a boy's suit of clothes.

"Miss Cisneros did not court any more danger than was necessary,
and at once went to her cabin. The next day, however, when Morro
Castle was left far behind, she appeared on deck, transformed into
Senorita Juana Sola, alias Evangelina Cisneros.

"When the ship sighted Cape Hatteras light the young woman
asked what light it was, and when told that it was an American bea-
con, she knelt down in the saloon and prayed. After that she wept for
joy. She must have been all strung up with excitement over her expe-
riences, and when she saw the light she could contain hersfif no
lorger, but simply overflowed.

"Nothing could be seen of the Cuban girl as the Seneca slowed
opposite quarantine to permit the boarding of the health officer. The
other passengers, after the habit of ocean travelers, grouped amid-
ships to scan the vessel of the tyrant, who had it in his power to lock
them all up in quarantine. The girl was hidden away in her state-
room, wondering what reception awaited her in the big city whose
sky-line broke the horizon ahead.

"The people on board were kind to her from the moment she re-
vealed her identity, but at this moment when she had reached the
haven of refuge, to gain which she and her gallant rescuers had
risked death itself, she fled from the new-found friends and would not
even look out of the door of her stateroom."

Miss Cisneros was given a great reception in Madison Square gar-
den, during her stay in New York, where many noted men and women
congratulated her on her happy escape, and welcomed her to "the land
of the free, and the home of the brave." Since then she has become
the protege of Mrs. John A. Logan, widow of the famotts General, and
is now a mp'^ibp" '^^ her family.

It is &iAai)ected that General Weyler connived at the escape of Miss
Cisneros, as it is not probable that it could have been accomplished

300

THE CASE OP EVANGELINA CISNEROS.

without the knowledge of the prison ofl&eials, and as they were not
called to account for their negligence, it would seem that they were
simply obeying orders in keeping their eyes conveniently closed.

The Military Judge of Havana issued a proclamation commanding
Miss Cisneros to return to prison, but it was evident that this was
merely a legal formality. There were men in Cuba, occupying high
oflBcial positions, who could not afford to have the story of the persecu-
tions of which she was a victim, while in voluntary exile with her father
in the Isle of Pines, made known, for it would liave gained for them
the scorn and contempt of the civilized world. Her case had attracted
the attention of men and women of prominence, not only in our own
country, but in England, France and Germany as well, and it was
likely to become an international affair, and Weyler probably decided
to escape these complications by allowing her to be "rescued" from her
prison cell.

While all the details of the affair go to prove that this supposition
is correct, all concerned have guarded the secret well, and it is but just
to state that there is no direct proof to support the theory, and both
the man who planned and the one who executed deserved all the honors
they rece'.ved.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

WORK OF MISS CLARA BARTON AND THE RED CROSS

The Geueva Conference — Miss Barton's Work in the War of the Rebellion —
Organization of the American Red Cross- -The Work in Cuba — Appeal
to the Public — A Floating Hospital — Correspondence with Admiral
Sampson — The Spanish Prisoners in Key West, and What the Red
Cross Did for Them.

Many attempts have beeu made to bring about an international
agreement for mitigating the horrors and mortality of battle. The first
successful movement ot this kind was started at the same time that the
civil war was raging in the United States. A conference of jurists and
others interested in humanitarian work was held in Geneva, Switzer-
land, in 1863. They drew up an international compact, which was ap-
proved by the Swiss government, and the support and sanction of the
French empii'e were won. It was several years, however, before the
articles of agreement were signed by all the civilized nations of the
world, and, strange to relate, the United States was the last of the great
powers to officially recognize the rights to special protection secured
to the bearers of the Red Cross symbol.

In the autumn of 1881 a final effort was made to gain the agreement
of the United States to the stipulations of the convention of Geneva, and
assurances were given by President Arthur of his willingness to accede.
The President and the Senate subsequently formally recognized the
association, and the treaty was signed March 16, 1882. Pending this
action by the government, a national society was formed and incor-
porated under the laws of the District of Columbia, bearing the name
of the American Association of the Red Cross.

By this international treaty the Red Cross society is given peculiar
privileges in times of war, and its agents and officers are permitted to
carry on their work without hindrance from either of the belligerents,
but they are prohibited from having anything, however remote, to do
with military or naval operations. They deal exclusively with the
means provided to aid the wounded, relieve the suffering, and care for
the sick, in all of which the Red Cross agents know neither friend nor

801

302

MISS OLAKA BARTON AND THE RED CROSS.

foe. Ill case of a battle the ambulances, surgeons and nurses of the
society go upon the field at soon as it is possible for them to do so and
carry out the work of mercy that has been undertaken.

The American society has been generguB in extending its aid to other
countries in times of war, and during the Franco-Prussian hostilities in
1870-71 it sent to Paris from its own funds |120,000, wliile the French
branch expended $2,500,000. Even the Spanish branch contributed to
the humanitarian work of thi\t war in the sum of .f 4,000. In the Turko-
Eussian, the Tunisian, the Tonquin, the Madagascar, the Graeco-Turkish
and several other wars the Ked Cross has caii'ied on its work of mercy.

Miss Clara Barton.

When the war of the Kebellion begim Miss Clara Barton was a clerk
in the Patent Office in Washington. She resigned her position to devote
herself to the care of wounded soldiers on the field of battle. In 1864
she was appointed by General Butler "lady in charge" of the hospitals
at the front of the Army of the James. In 1865 she was sent to Ander-
sonville, Georgia, to identify and mark the graves of Union soldiers
buried there, and in the same year was placed by President Lincoln in
charge of the search for the missing men of the Union army, and while
engaged in this work she traced out the fate of 30,000 men.

In 1873 she inauguratred a movement to secure recognition of the
Red Cross society by the United States government, and finally, during
the administration of President Arthur, she saw her labors rewarded.
She naturally became President of the American branch of the society,
which was founded in 1882, and she still holds that honored ofiflce.

Work in Cuba.

After Weyler's infamous order of reconcentration went into effect
the Red Cross society was not long in realizing that it had work to do
among the suffering people of Cuba. An appeal was made to thy public,
and an expedition was dispatched to the island, with Miss Barton at its
bead. In speaking of her work during that reign of terror, Senator
Proctor said in the course of his address to the Senate:

"Miss Barton needs no endorsement from me. I have known and
esteemed her for many years, but had not half appreciated her capability
and her devotion to her work„ I especially looked into her business
methods, fearing here would be the greatest danger of mistake, that

MISS CLARA BARTON AND THE RED CROSS.

303

there might be want of system, and waste and extravagance, but I found
that she could teach me on all those points. I visited the warehouse
where the supplies are received and distributed, saw the methods of
checking, visited the hospitals established or organized and supplied by
her, saw the food distributed in several cities and towns, and everything
seems to me to be conducted in the best possible manner."

When diplomatic relations were broken off between our country and
Spain, and the American consuls in Cuba were recalled, it was deemed
advisable that the representatives of the Red Cross then in Cuba should
come with them. Miss Barton and her assistants returned to New York
and immediately commenced the work of preparation to follow oui
army into Cuba. The following appeal was issued:

The American National Red Cross Relief Corps, acting under the auspices
of American National Red Cross, has for its objects the collection of funds for
providing medical and surgical attendance, nursing, medical supplies, food,
clothing, and such necessary assistance as may be required by the American
National Red Cross, upon call of the United States government, in order to
unify all endeavors to that end during the present war.

Under the provisions of the Geneva conference, from which every Na-
tional Red Cross society derives its authority, the American National Red
Cross is directed to provide such relief as may be required by all, without rec-
ognition of friend or foe, who may suffer from the calamities incidental to war,
pestilence or famine.

The Red Cross here, and throughout the civilized world, by a wide and
varied experience in recent wars, recognizing by international treaty the
sacred obligations of helpfulness for the suffering, wherever found, has so per-
fected its organization that it becomes the recognized and legitimate channel
for contributions from all classes of individuals, and every variety of auxiliary
association.

For the purpose of properly systemizing the benevolent impulses of the
general public, and of giving proper direction of eflScient Red Cross work, the
committee solicits the co-operation of individuals and auxiliary associations
throughout the country, confident that through such means the various funds
and articles collected can most safely and most directly reach their ultimate
destination.

The steamer State of Texas was chartered and loaded with food,
medicines and hospital supplies, and headquarters were established
at Key West.

When Miss Barton joined the State of Texas at Key West on the

304

MISS CLARA BARTON AND THE RED GROSS.

29th of April, there seemed to be no immediate prospect of an invasion
of Cuba by th& United States army, and, consequently, no prospect of
an opportunity to relieve the distress of the starving Cuban people.
Knowing that such distress must necessarily have been greatly intensi-
fied by the blockade, and anxious to do something to mitigate it — or, at
least, to show the readiness of the Red Cross to undertake its mitigation
— Miss Barton wrote and sent to Admiral Sampson, Commander of the
Naval Forces on the North Atlantic Station, the following letter:

S. S. State of Texas, May 2, 1898.
Admiral W. T. Sampson, U. S. N., Commanding Fleet before Havana:

Admiral — But for the introduction kindly proffered by our mutual ac-
quaintance Captain Harrington, I should scarcely presume to address you.
He will have made known to you the subject which I desire to bring to your
gracious coasideration.

Papers forwarded by direction of our government will have shown the
charge intrusted to me ; viz., to get food to the standing people of Cuba. I have
with me a cargo of 1,400 tons, under the flag of the Red Cross, the one inter-
national emblem of neutrality and humanity known to civilization. Spain
knows and regards it.

Fourteen months aj. ) the entire Spanish government at Madrid cabled me
permission to take and distribute food to the suffering people in Cuba. This
ofl8ciaI permission was broadly published. If read by our people, no response
was made and no action taken until two months ago, when, under the humane
and gracious call of our honored President, I did go and distribute food, un-
molested anywhere on the island, until arrangements were made by our gov-
ernment for all American citizens to leave Cuba. Persons must now be dying
there by hundreds, if not thousands, daily, for want of the food we are shutting
out. Will not the world hold us accountable? Will history write us blame-
less? Will it not be said of us that we completed the scheme of extermination
commenced by Weyler?

Fortunately, I know the Spanish authorities in Cuba, Captain-General
Blanco and his assistants. We parted with perfect friendliness. They do not
regard me as an American merely, but as the National representative of an
international treaty to which they themselves are signatory and under which
they act. I believe they would receive and confer with me if such a thing were
made possible.

I should like to ask Spanish permission and protection to land and dis-
tribute food now on the State of Texas. Could I be permitted to ask to see
them under a flag of truce? If we make the effort and are refused, the blame
rests with them; if we fail to make it, it rests with us. I hold it good states-
manship at least to divide the responsibility. I am told that some days must

mmmmf ) jji- i g i ff p

MISS CLARA BARTON AND TUE RED CROSS.

.306

elapse before our troops can be in position to reach and feed these starving
people. Our food and our forces are here, rea'^ly to commence at once.

.With assurances of highest regard, I am, Admiral,

Very respectfully yours,

[Signed] CLARA BARTON.

At the time when the above letter was written, the American Red
Cross was acting under the advice and direction of the State and Navy
Departments, the War Department having no force in the field.

Admiral Sampson replied as follows:

U. S. Flagship New York, First Rate, Key West, Fla., May 2, 1898.
Miss Clara Barton, President American National Red Cross:

1. I have received through the senior naval officer present a copy of a
letter from the State Department to the Secretary of the Navy; a copy of a
letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Commander-in-Chief of the naval
force at this station ; and also a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy
to the commandant of the naval station at Key West.

2. From these communications it appears that the destination of the S. S.
State of Texas, loaded with supplies for the starving reconcentrados in Cuba,
is left, in a measure, to my judgment.

3. At present I am acting under instructions from the Navy Department
to blockade the coast of Cuba for the purpose of pri venting, among other
things, any food supply from reaching the Spanish forces in Cuba. Under
these circumstances it seems to me unwise to let a ship-load of such supplies
be sent to the reconcentrados, for, in my opinion, they would be distributed
to the Spanish army. Until some point be occupied in Cuba by our forces,
from which such distribution can be made to those for whom the supplies are
intended, I am unwilling that they should be landed on Cuban soil.

Yours very respectfully,
[Signed] W. T. SAMPSON,

Rear-Admiral U. S. N.
Commander-in-Chief U. S. Naval Force, North Atlantic Station.

After this exchange of letters Miss Barton had a conference with
Admiral Sampson^ in the course of which the latter explained more fully
his reasons for declining to allow the State of Texas to enter any Cuban
port until such port had been occupied by American troops.

On the 3d of May Miss Barton sent the following telegram to Stephen
E. Barton, Chairman of the Central Cuban Relief Committee, in New
York:

306

MISS CLARA BARTON AND THE RED CROSS.

Key West, May 3, 1898.
Stephen E. Barton, Chairman, etc.:

Herewith I transmit copies of letters passed between Admiral Sampson
and myself. I think it important that you should present immediately this cor-
respondence personally to the government, as it will place before them the ex-
act situation here. The utmost cordiality exists between Admiral Sampson and
myself. The Admiral feels it his duty, as chief of the blockading squadron, to
keep food out of Cuba, but recognizes that, from my standpoint, my duty is to
try to get food into Cuba. If I insist, Admiral Sampson will try to open commu-
nication under a flag of truce; but his letter expresses his opinion regarding
the best method. Advices from the government would enable us to reach a
decision. Unless there is objection at Washington, you are at liberty to pub-
lish this correspondence if you wish.

[Signed] CLARA BARTON.

On May 6 the Chairman of the Central Cuban Relief Committee re-
plied as follows:

Washington, D. C, May 6, 1898.
Clara Barton, Key West, Fla.:

Submitted your message to President and Cabinet, and it was read with
moistened eyes. Considered serious and pathetic. Admiral Sampson's views
regarded as wisest at present. Hope to land you soon. President, Long, and
Moore send highest regards.

[Signed] BARTON.

Under these circumstances, of course, there was nothing for the Red
Cross steamer to do but wait patiently in Key West until the army of
invasion should leave Tampa for the Cuban coast.

Meanwhile, however, Miss Baiton had discovered a field of beneficent
activity for the Red Cross in Key vVest, where there were nearly 200
Spaniards, mostly fishermen, prisoners on vessels captured while run-
ning the blockade, and without means of subsistence. Most of these
unfortunate men lived on fish after they were captured and none of
them had a chance to obtain other food, as under the law they were
not permitted to leave their vessels. The naval officers had no authority
to supply the captives with food fi*om the ships in the harbor, so their
lot was far from being enviable.

When Miss Oara Barton received word of their plight she sent Dr.
Egan, the chief medical officer of the expedition, with several attend-
ants, around among the fleet of prizes to distribute food. On one of
the larger smacks Dr. Egan found that the crew had had nothing but

MISS CL.\RA BARTON AND THE RED CROSS.

807

fish to eat for several days. The well in the boat, in which there were
hundreds of live fish, contained also a large number of dead ones, which
were putrefied and were rapidly polluting the living ones. The physi-
cian immediately ordered the dead fish removed and fresh water pumped
into the well. He then furnished bread, potatoes and salt meat to the
crew, so that the continuity of Friday diet might be changed.

The Red Cross relief boats made a complete and accurate list of the
Spanish, prizes in the harbor — twenty-two in all — with the numerical
strength of every crew, the amount of provisions, if any, on every vessel,
and the quantity and kind of food that each would require. This was at
once provided, and thus almost the first work done by the Ked Cross in
our war with Spain was the feeding of representatives of a nation that
had forced us into war mainly because of its policy of starvation of the
people of Cuba.

On the morning of June 20, the Red Cross steamer State of Texas
left Key West for Santiago, stocked with food and medicines, and having
on board Miss Barton, Mr. Kennan, and a complete working force of
doctors and nurses. They were warmly welcomed on their arrival on
Cuban shores, and the State of Texas was the first American ship to
enter the harbor of Santiago after the surrender.

The Red Cross has done a grand work on many battlefields in every
quarter of the globe, but never has it rendered more efficient aid to
suffering humanity than it did on the southern shores of the island of
Cuba. On the battlefield, braving the bullets of the foe, in the hos-
pitals, ministering to the wants of the wounded and the dying, among
the wretched non-combatants, giving food to the starving, and nursing
the fever-stricken refugees, these noble men and women were ever
ready to answer to the cry of the needy and the helr^'"=is.

CHAPTER XXX IV.

TBE CATASTROPHE TO THE MAINE.

The Board of Inquiry in Session — Its Report Received by Congresc — Spanish
OlBcials in Cuba Show Sympathy— The Evidence of the Divers— A Sub-
marine Mine — The OfHcers and Men of the Maine Exonerated — Respon-
sibility Not Fixed.

The story of the destruction of the battleship Maine has already
been told in these pages. The Naval Board appointed to inquire into
the causes of the disaster was composed of the following officers of the
United States Navy: Captain Sampson, of the Iowa; Captain Chad»
wick, of the New York; Captain Marix, of the Vermont, and Lieutenant
Commancjer Potter, of the New York.

After an investigation which lasted for more than three weeks, thib
Board of Inquiry sent its report to President McKinley, who transmit/
ted it to Congress, accompanied by the following message:

To the Congress of the United States:

For some time prior to the visit of the Maine to Havana harbor our con-
sular representatives pointed out the advantages to flow from the visits of
national ships to the Cuban waters, in accustoming the people to the presence
of our flag as the symbol of good will and of our ships in the fulfillment of the
mission of protection to Amerfcan interests, even though no immediate need
therefor Hiight exist.

Accordingly, on the 24th of January last, after conference with the Span-
ish Minister, in which the renewal of visits of our war vessels to Spanish
waters was discussed and accepted, the peninsular authorides at Madrid and
Havana were advised of the purpose of this Government to resume friendly
naval visits at Cuban ports, and in that view the Maine would forthwith call
at the port of Havana. This announcement was received by the Spanish Gov-
ernment with appreciation of the friendly character of Ihe visit of the Maine,
and with notification of intention to return the courtesy by sending Spanish
ships to the principal ports of the United States. Meanwhile the Maine en-
tered the port of Havana on the 25th of January, her arrival being marked
with no special incident besides the exchange of customary salutes and cer-
emonial visits.

The Maine continued in the harbor of Havana during the three weeks

THE CATASTROPHE TO TDE MAINE.

.109

following her urrlval. No appreciable excitement attended her stay; on the
contrary, a feeling of relief and confidence followed the resumption of the
long interrupted friendly intercourse. So noticeable was this immediate
effect of her visit that the Consul-General strongly arged that the presence
of our ships in Cuban waters should be kept up by retaining the Maine at
Havana, or, in the event of her recall, by sending another vessel there to take
her place.

At forty minutes past nine in the evening of the 15th of February (he
Maine was destroyed by an explosion, by which the entire forwai-d part of the
ship was utterly wrecked. In this catastrophe two otlicers and two hundred
and sixty-four of her crew perished, those who were not killed outright by her
explosion being penned between decks by the tangle of wreckage and
drowned by the immediate sinking of the hull.

Prompt assistance was rendered by the neighboring vessels anchored in
the harbor, aid being especially given by the boats of the Spanish cruiser Al-
phonse XII., and the Ward Line steamer City of Washington, which lay not
far distant. The wounded were generously cared for by the authorities of
Havana, the hospitals being freely opened to them, while the earliest recov-
ered bodies of the dead were interred by the municipality in the public ceme-
tery in the city. Tributes of grief and sympathy were offered from all official
quarters of the island.

The appalling calamity fell upon the pwple of our country with crushing
force and for a brief time an intense excitement prevailed, which in a commu-
nity less just and self-control led than ours might have led to hasty acts of
blind resentment. This spirit, however, soon gave way to the calmer processes
of reason and to the resolve to investigate the facts and await material proof
before forming a judgment as to the cause, the responsibility, and, if the facts
warranted, the remedy. This course necessarily recommended itself from the
outset to the Executive, for only in the light of a dispassionately ascertained
certainty could it determine the nature and measure of Us full duty in the
matter. ^

The usual procedure was followed, as in all cases of casualty or disaster
to national vessels of any maritime state. A Naval Court of Inquiry was at
once organized, composed of officers well qualified by rank and practical ex-
perience to discharge the duties imposed upon tliem. Aided by a strong force
of wreckers and divers, the court proceeded to make a thorough investigation
on the spot, employing every available means for the impartial and exact de-
termination of the causes of the explosion. Its operations have been con-
ducted with the utmost deliberation and judgment, and while independently
pursued, no source of information was neglected and the fullest opportunity
was allowed for a simultaneous investigation by the Spanish authorities.

310

THE CATASTROPHE TO THE MAINE.

Report of the Board Received.

The finding of the Court of Inquiry was reached after tw onty-three days
of continuous labor, on the 21st of March, and having been approved on the
22d by the commander-in-chief of the United States naval forces of the North
Atlantic station, was transmitted to the Executive.

It is herewith laid before Congress, together with the voluminous testi-
mony taken before the court. Its purport is in brief as follows:

When the Maine arrived at Havana she was 'jnducted by the regular
government pilot to Buoy No. 5, to which she was moored in from five and
one-half to six fathoms of water. The state of discipline on board and the
condition of her magazines, boilers, coal bunkers and storage compartments
are passed in review, with the conclusion that excellent order prevailed and
that no indication of any cause for an internal explosion existed in any
quarter.

At eight o'clock in the evening of February 15th everything had been re-
ported secure and all was quiet. At forty minutes past nine o'clo<:k the vessel
was suddenly destroyed. There were two aistinct explosions with a brief in-
terval between them. The first lifted the forward part of the ship very per-
ceptibly; the second, which was more open, prolonged and of greater volume,
is attributed by the court to the partial explosion of two or more of the for-
ward magazines.

The evidence of the divers establishes that the after part of the ship was
practically intact and sank in that cojdition a very few minutes after the ex-
plosion. The forward part was completely demolished. Upon the evidence
of a concurrent external cause the finding of the court is as follows:

At frame seventeen the outer shell of the ship, from a point eleven and
one-half feet from the middle line of the ship, and six feet above the keel, when
in its normal position, has been forced up so as to be now about four feet
above the surface of the water; therefore about thirty-four feet above where
it would be bad the ship sunk uninjured.

The outside bottom plating is bent into a reversed V-shape, the after wing
of whith, about fifteen feet broad and thirty-two feet in length (frame 17 to
frame 25), is doubled back upon itself against the continuation of the same
place extending forward. At frame 18 the vertical keel is broken in two and
the flat keel bent into an angle similar to the angle formed by the outside bot-
tom plate. This break is now about six feet below the surface of the water and
about thirty feet above its normal position.

A Submarine Mine.

In the opinion of the court this effect could have been produced only by
the explosion of a mine situaied under the bottom of the ship, at about frame
18 and somewhat on the port side of the ship.

THE CATASTROPHE TO THE MAINE.

311

The conclusions of the court are: That the loss of the Maine was not
in any respect due to fault or negligence on the part of any of the oflBcers or
members of her crew;

That the ship was destroyed bj the explosion of a submarine mine, which
caused the partial explosion of two or more of her forward magazines; and

That no evidence has been obtainable fixing the responsibility for the de-
struction of the Maine upon any person or persons,

I have directed that the finding of the Court of Inquiry and the views
of this Government thereon be communicated to the Government of Her
Majesty, the Queen Regent, and I do not permit myself to doubt that the sense
of justice of the Spanish nation will dictate a course of action suggested by
honor and the friendly relations of the two governments.

It will be the duty of the Executive to advise the Congress of the result,
and in the meantime deliberate consideration is invoked.

(Signed,) WILLIAM McKINLEY.

Executive Mansion, March 28, 1898.

Beport of the Inyestigating Board.

The text of the report of the Board of Investigation was as follows:

U. S. S. Iowa, first rate. Key West, Florida, Monday, March 21, 1898.
After full and mature consideration of all the testimony before it, the
court finds as follows:

1. That the United States battleship Maine arrived in the harbor of Ha-
vana, Cuba, on the twenty-fifth day of January, Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-
eight, and wa« taken to Buoy No. 4, in from five and a half to six fathoms of
watei', by the regular Government pilot. The United States Consul-General
at Havana h:m notified the authorities at that place the previous evening of
the intended arrival of the Maine.

2. The state of discipline on board the Maine was excellent, and all
orders and regnljitions in regard to the care and safety of the ship were strict-
ly caTied out. All ammunition was stowed in accordance with prescribed in-
structions, and proper care was taken whenever ammunition wa« handled.
Nothing was stowed in any one of the magazines or shell rooms which was
not p'^rmitted to be stowed there.

The magazine and shell rooms were always loc].ed after having been
opened, and after tlie destruction of the Maine the keys were found in their
proper place in the Captain's cabin, everything having been reported secure
that evening a' eight P. M. The temperatures of the magazines and shell
room were taken daily and reported. The only magazine which had an undue
amount of heat wais the after lOinch magazine, and that did not explode at
the time the Maine was destroyed.

312

THE CATASTROPHE TO THE MAINE.

The torpedo warheac's were all stowed in the after part of the ship under
the ward room, and neither caused nor participated in the destruction of the
Maine. The dry gun cotton primers and detonators were stowed in the cabin
aft, and remote from the scene of the explosion.

Waste was carefully looked after on board the Maine to obviate danger.
Special orders in regard to this had been given by the commanding officer.
Varnishes, dryers, alcohol and other combustibles of this nature were stowed
on or above the main deck and could not have had anything to do with the
destruction of the Maine. The medical stores were stored aft under the ward
room and remote from the scene of the explosion. No dangerous stores of any
kind were stowed below in any of the other store rooms.

The coal bunkers were inspected daily. Of those bunkers adjacent to the
forward magazines and shell rooms four were empty, namely, "B3, B4, B5 and
BO." "A5" had been in use that day and "A16"' was full of new river coal.
This coal had been carefully in' jected before receiving it on board. The bun-
Iter in which it was sto wed was accessible on three sides at all times, and the
fourth side at this time, on account of bunkers "B4" and "B6" being empty.
This bunker, "A16,'' had been inspected Monday by the engineer oftlcer on
duty.

The fire alarms in the bunkers were in working order, and there had never
been a case of spontaneous combustion of coal on board the Maine. The two
after boilers of the ship were in use at the time of the disaster, but for auxil-
iary purposes onlj with a comparatively low pressure of steam and being
tended by a reliable watch. These boilers could not have car -,ed the explo-
sion of the ship. The four forwarc boilers have since been fouL J by the divers
and are in a fair condition.

On the night of the destruction of the Maine everything had been reported
•secure for the night at eight P. M. by reliable persons, through the proper
authorities, to the commanding officer. At the time the Maine was destroyed
the ship was quiet, and, therefore, least liable to accident caused by move-
ments from those on board.

3. The destruction of the Maine occurred at 9:40 P . M. on the 15th day of
February, 1898, in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, she beiag at the time moored
to the same buoy to which she had been taken upon her arrival.

There were two explosions of a distinctly different character, with a very
short but distinct interval . between them, and the forward part of the ship
was lifted to a marked degree at the time of the first explosion.

The first explosion wur-, more in the nature of a report, like that of a gun,
while the necond explosion was more open, prolonged and of greater volume.
This second explosion was, in the opinion of the court, caused by the partial
explosion of two or more of the forward magazines of the Maine.

The evidence bearing upon this, being principally obtained from divers,
did not enable the court to form a definite conclusion as to the condition of

iHHHH

THE CATASTROPHE TO THE MAINE.

313

the wreck, although it was established that the after part of the ship was
practically intact and sank in that condition a very few minutes after the de-
struction of the forward part

4. The following facts in regard to the forward part of the ship are, how-
ever, established by the testimony: That portion of the port side of the pro-
tective deck which extends from about frame 30 to about frame 41 was blown
up aft, and over to port, the main deck from about frame 30 to about frame
41 was blown up aft, and slightly over to starboard, folding the forward part
of the middle superstructure over and on top of the after part.

This was, in the opinion of the court, caused by the partial explosion of
two or more of the forward magazines of :he Maine.

5. At frame 17 the outer shell of the ship, from a point eleven and one-
half feet from the middle line of the ship and six feet above the keel when in
its normal position, has been forced up so as to be now about four feet abo" e
the surface of the water, therefore, about thirty-four feet aiiove where it
would be had the ship sunk uninjured. The outside bottom ulating is bent
into a reversed V-shape, the after wing of which, about fifteen feet broad and
thirty-two feet in length (from frame 17 to frame 25) is doubled back upon it-
self against the continuation of the same plating extending forward.

At frame 18 the vertical keel is broken in two and the flat keel bent into
an angle similar to the angle formed by the outside bottom plating. This
break is now about six feet below the surface of the water and about thii-ty
feet above its normal position.

The Officers of the Maine Exonerated.

In the opinion of the court this effect could have been produced only by
the explosion of a mine situated under the bottom of the ship at about fraiae
18, and somewhat on the port side of the ship.

6. The court finds that the loss of the Maine on the occasion named was.
not in any respect due to fault or negligence on the part of the officers or men
of the crew of said vessel.

7. In the opinion of the court the Maine was destroyed by the explosion
of a submarine mine, which caused the partial explosion of two of her for-
ward magazines.

8. The court has been unable to obtain evidence fixing the responsibility
for the destruction of the Maine upon any person or persons.

W. T. SAMPSON,
Captain U. S. N., President.
A. MARIX,
Lieatenant-Commander U. S. N., Judge Advocate.

CHAPTER XXXV.

PATIENCE AT THE VANISHING POINT.

Our Former Troubles with Spain Recalled — The Verdict of the People —
Spanish Rule a Blot on Civilization — The Attitude of Other Nations —
The Necessity for Delay — The Message to Congress — "The War in Cuba
Must Stop!"

The American people did not wait for the report of the Naval Board
to form an opinion as to the cause of the tragedy. The musses think
in events, and not in syllogisms, and this was an event. This event
provoked suspicions in the public mind. The thought of the whole
nation was instantly directed to Cuba. The fate of the sailors on the
Virginius, twenty-five years ago, was recalled. The public curiosity
about everything Cuban and Spanish became intense. Tne Weyler
method of warfare became more generally known. The stoi-y of our
long diplomatic trouble with Spain was recalled. Diplomacy was
obliged to proceed with doors less securely shut. The country v/atched
for news from Washington and from Madrid with eagerness. It hap-
pened to be a singularly quiet and even dull time in our own political
life — a time favorable for the concentration of public attention on any
subject that prominently presented itself.

Leslie's Weekly voiced the popular sentiment in its issue of April
14 in the following language:

"If the report of the board of inquiry is accepted as final, then the
destruction of the Maine was an act of war. The Maine was in a Span-
ish harbor on a peaceful errand. Its location was fixed by the Spanish
authorities, and if a mine was planted in the harbor, it could only have
been planted by the Spaniards. To think otherwise is to discredit the
official report The verdict may be challenged by the Spanish govern-
ment Spain may insist on the raising of the wreck and upon an expert
examination. If such an examination is made, jind if the weight of
evidence controverts the verdict, our position will be humiliating. We
take it, therefore, that our government is entirely satisfied with the
examination, and that it accepts the verdict of the court of inquiry as
final and without appeal. This verdict makes Spain responsible for the

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PATIENCE AT THE VANISHING POINT.

317

loss of the Maine, the sacrifice of the lives of 266 heroes, and for all the
consequences involved. The indictment must be answered. Any other
nation than this would have demanded an immediate answer. We can
wait. On the answer made b^' Si)ain the issues of the future must de-
pend. No policy of evasion such as Spain has pursued in all her dealings
with us will enable her to escape. She is at the bar of jud}i;-ment with
bloody fingers, and must plead guilty. No other plea can be accepted.
And the punishment must tit the crime."

Causes Leading to Strife.

The better the condition of Cuba was understood, the more de-
plorable it w^as seen to be; the more the government of the island was
examined, the wider seemed the divergence between Spain's methods
and our own; the moi*e the diplomatic history of the case was considered,
the plainer became Spain's pui*pose to brook no interference, whether
in the name of humanity or in the name of friendly commercial interests.
The calm report of the naval court of inquiry on the blowing up of the
Maine and Senator Proctor's report on the condition of Cuba put the
whole people in a serious mood.

These and more made their contributions to the rapidly rising excite-
ment. But all these together could not have driven us to war if we had
not been willing to be driven — if the conviction had not become firm in
the minds of the people that Spanish rule in Cuba was a blot on
civilization that had now begun to bring reproach to us; and when the
President, who favored peace, declared it intolerable, the people were
ready to accept his judgment.

Congress, it is true, in quiet times, is likely to represent the shallows
and the passing excitement of our life rather than its deeper moods,
but there is among the members of Congress a considerable body of
conservative men; and the demand for war was practically unanimous,
and public opinion sustained it. Among the people during the period
when war seemed inevitable, but had not yet been declared — a period
during which the powers of Europe found time and mind to express
a hope for peace — hardly a peace meeting was held by influential men.
The President and his Cabinet were known to wish longer to try diplo-
matic means of averting war, but no organized peace party came into
existence. Except expressions of the hope of peace made by commercial
and ecclesiastical organizations, no protest w^as heard against the ap-
proaching action of Congress. Many thought that war could be post-
17

318

PATIENCE AT THE VANISHING POINT.

poned, if not prevented, but the popular mood was at least acquiescent,
if not insistent, and it eventually became unmistakably approving.

Not only was there in the United States an unmistakable popular
approval of war as the only effective means of restoring civilization in
Cuba, but the judgment of the English people promptly approved it —
giving evidence of an instinctive race and institutional sympathy. If
Anglo-Saxon institutions and methods stand for anything, the institu-
tions and methods of Spanish rule in Cuba were an abomination and a
repi'oach. And English sympathy was not more significant as an evi-
dence of the necessity of the war, and as a good omen for the future of
free institutions, than the equally instinctive sympathy with Spain that
was expressed by some of the decadent influences on the continent; in-
deed, the real meaning of the American civilization and ideals will
henceforth be somewhat more clearly understood in several quarters of
the world.

American character will be still better understood when the whole
world clearly perceives that the purpose of the war was only to remove
from our very doors this cruel and ineflBcient piece of mediaevalism which
was one of the great scandals of the closing years of the century.

Notwithstanding the fact that we were on the very verge of war, with
all its horrors, all its possibilities of destruction to Mfe and happiness,
the nation pursued its accustomed way, transacted its business by day,
and slept peacefully at night Upon the shoulders of the Chief Execu-
tive rested the gravest of all responsibilities, and the nation trusted to
him to carry it safely. Rash and impetuous demands for. hasty and
hostile action were heard. Congressmen, under the pressure of their
constituents, filled the air with cries for speedy action, but amid nil the
tumult the President stood serene. He realized, what the country,
strangely enough, had not comprehended, that we were drifting intx) a
conflict with a nation that was on a war footing. He knew that we
were totally unprepared for war. Munitions, ships, stores, supplies, of
vast amount and infinite variety, were absolutely required before a
step could be taken. Harbor defenses, a closer connection between ex-
posed points, and the installation of modem armaments — a thousand
things had to be done, and done at once. Modern guns required supplies
of modem ammunition, of which there was scarcely any to be obtained
on this side of the water. This was the situation, as the President, the
heads of the army and the navy, and the Cabinet saw it, and it was left
discreetly undisclosed to the world.

PATIENCE AT THE VANISHING POINT.

319

They understood the necewsvty of delay as well as the necessity for
statesmanship of the highest quality in dealing with the Cuban question.
We lost nothing by their delay. We gained untold advantages by their
prudence, a prudence that never forsook them, even when the prepara-
tions for war were completed. The message to Congress was a calm,
dispassionate, judicial presentation of the case, and upon that presenta-
tion of facts and of evidence we went before the jury of the nations of the
world. There could be but one verdict rendered that the American
people could accept, and that verdict, whether it came by peace or war,
was, in the language of the President's message, that "the war in Cuba
must stop!"

CHAPTER XXXVI.

EVENTS IN THE AMERICAN CONGRESS,

Ci"5«a'8 Friends in Conjifress — Senator Proctor's Address to His Colleagues^
A Notable Exhibition of Patriotism — An Appropriation for the Na-
tional Defense — Relief for the Survivors and Victims of the Maine —
The Recognition of Cuban Independence.

From the date of the first attempt of the people of Cuba to secure
their independence from Spain, they have had advocates in the Ameri-
can Congress who have worlced with voice and vote in tlieir belialf.
After the commencement of the revolution in 1895 these champions
gradually increased in numbers and influence, until at the time of Mr.
McKinley's inauguration tliey included in their ranks many of the lead-
ers in both houses.

In Februarj^, 1898, several Senators and Representatives went to
Cuba for the purpose of studying the conditions on the island, and to
gain a personal knowledge of the results of Spain's policy of rule or ruin.

Senator Proctor was one of this committee, and after their return to
the United States, in a speech to his colleagues, he made the strongest
argument in favor of intervention in behalf of Cuba that v/as ever made
in the Senate of the United States. Re had carefully prepared his
address, and he delivered it as an offleial report of what he had observed
on the island. He gave no opinion of what action should be taken by the
government. He said the settlement "may well be left to an American
President and the American people." But while he did not make a
recommendation in so many words, he left the impression with all who
heard him that he faA'ored a. declaration by our government of the in-
dependence of Cuba. He declared that he was opposed to annexation,
and, while many Cubans advocated the establishment of a protectorate
by the United States, he could not make up his mind tluit this would be
the best way out of the dilflculty. lie told his associates that he believed
the Cubans capable of governing themselves, and reinforced this state-
ment by the assertion that the Cuban pojnilation would never be sat-
isfied with any government under Spanish rule. The senator's remark-
able speech undoubtedly had a powerful effect, both in influencing con-

.320

EVENTS IN THE AMERICAN CONGUESS.

321

gi'OHsionjvl action, aiul iu swayinjj public <)|(iniou. Ah an able and re-
sponsible member of Congress and an ex-setretary of war, his wor<ls
would carry weight under any circumstances, but apart from these eon-
sideratictns, the speech wan notable because of its evident fidelity to
facts, and its restraint from evei^thing resembling sensationalism.

A Notable Exhibition of Patriotism.

There was never a more notable exhibiton of harmony and patriotism
in any legislative body in the world than occurred in the Uouse of Rep-
resentatives when Congressman Cannon presented a bill appropriating
$50,000,000 for the national defense and placing this amount in Presi-
dent McKinley's hands, to be expended at his discretion.

Party lines were swept away, and with a unanimous voice Congress
voted its confidence in the administration. Many members who were
paired with absent colleagues took the responsibility of breaking their
pairs, an unprecedented thing in legislative annals, in order that they
might go on record in support of this vast appropriation to maintain
the dignity and honor of their country. Speaker Reed, who as the pre-
siding oflicer, seldom voted, except in case of a tie, had his name called
and voted in his capacity as representative. The scene of enthusiasm
which greeted tlie announcement of the vote — yeas, 311; nays, none — has
seldom been paralleled in the House. The bill passed the Senate with-
out a dissenting vote, and, on March 9, the* President signed the measure,
thus making it a law.

Belief for the Survivors of the Maine.

On March 21, the House unanimously passed the bill for the relief
of the survivors and victims of the Maine disaster. The bill reimbursed
the surviving officers and men for the losses they sustained to an amount
not to exceed a year's sea pay, and directed the payment of a sum equal
to a year's pay to the legal heirs of those who perished.

When the President sent to Congress the report of the Naval Board
of Examiners the feeling of that body at once found open expression in
resolutions proposing a declaration of war, recognition of the indepen-
dence of Cuba, armed intervention, and other decisive and warlike steps
against Spain. Every group of senators talked of Cuba. Constant and
continual conferences were held, and all recognized the seriousness of
the occasion. On the House side it was apparent that the majority

328

EVENTH IN THE AMERICAN CONGRESS.

could no longer bo controlled by what was known as the couHcrrative
element, led by the speaker. Groups of members in a state of excitement
were to be seen on every hand. It was generally acknowledged that a
serious condition had arisen, that a crisis was at hand.

On April 11 the long expected message was received. In it the
President asked Congress to authorize him to take measiires to secure
a termination of hostilities in Cuba, and to secure in the island the es-
tablishment of a stable form of government, and to use the military and
naval forces of the United States as might be necessary. Tlie message
was received in silence. The most notable criticism made was the entire
absence of any reference to Cuban independence. The admission in the
message that the President had proposed an armistice to Spain until
October provoked vigorous comment. But conservative members were
highly pleased with the position taken by the President, and many still
hoped that war might be prevented.

However, this did not prevent the purchase of a number of armed
cniisers from foreign powers, which were transferred to the United
States flag. The ships of several passenger and mail lines were also
purchased, or leased a« auxiliary cruisers, and were at once remanned
and put in commission. The most notable examples were the two Amer-
ican built ships, St. Paul and St. Louis of the American line. The new
purchases were fitted for their new uses at once, and the preparations
for war went on v'ithout delay.

Congress, taking its cue from the President, united upon the follow-
ing resolutions, which were signed by the President on April 20:

Joiiit resolutions for the recognition of the independence of the people of
Cuba demandiug that the government of Spain relinquish its anthority and
government in the island of Cuba, and to wiMiliMW its land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing: tbo I* resident of the United States
to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry these resolutions
into eSfect.

Whereas, The abhorrent conditions which liave existed for more than
three years in the island of Cuba, so near our own borders, have shocked the
moral sense of the people of the United States, have been a disgrace to Chris-
tian civilization, culminating, as they have, in the destruction of a United
States battleship, with 260 of its ofiBcers and crew, while on a friendly visit
in the harbor of Havana, and cannot longer be endured, as has been set forth
by tke President of the United States in his message to Congress of April 11,
1898, upon which the action of Congress was invited j therefore, be it resolved:

EVENTS IN TUE AMERICAN CONGRESS.

888

First — That the people of the ialund of Cuba are, and'Of right ought to be,
free and independent.

Second — That it is the duty of the United States to demand, and tlie gov-
ernment of the United States does hereby demand, that the government ef
Spain at once relinquish its authority and government in the Island of Cuba
and Cuban waters.

Third — That the President of the United States be, and hereby is, directed
and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States,
and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of the sev-
eral States to such fin extent as may be necessary to carry these resolutions
Into efifect.

Fourth — That the United States hereby disclaims any dispoB/Hon or in-
tention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over said island, except
for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determination when that is accom-
plished to leave the government and control of the island to its people.

The Spanish government was deluded by the belief that in the event
of war our country would not be able to yeseut a united front, and
that sectional animosities would wealieu onr strength. The action of
CJongress from the time of the first rumors of war to the end of the
session showed how little ground there was for this belief. The repre-
sentatives of the people from all sections of our broad land gave Presi-
dent McKinley loyal support in every undertaking, and the South
vied with the North, the East with the West, in expressions of devotioo
to our nation and our flag. •

CHAPTER XXXVII.

PRESIDENT McKINLEY ACTS.

The Message to Congress — Loss of American Traue — Terrible Increafic in the
Death Rate — American Aid for the Starving — The President's Proposi-
tion to Spain — Grounds for Intervention — The Destructioa of the
Maine — The Addenda.

With the press and i>ubl;c of the entire countrj at a fever hctt of
indignation, and the evident determination on the part of a large ma-
jority of the membei*s of the Congress of the United States to bring mat-
ters to a crisis, it was evident to all that the time for action had arrived.

The President yielded to the popular demand, and on April 11 he
sent to Congress the folio w'rg message:

To the Congress of the United States:

Obedient to that precept of the Constitution which commands the Presi-
dent to give from time to time to the Congress information of the state of the
Union, and to recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall
judge necessary and expedient, it becomes my duty now to address your body
with regard to the grave ciisis that has arisen in the relations of the United
States to Spain by reason of the warfare that for more than three years has
raged in the neighboring island of Cuba. I do so beca'se of the intimate con-
nection of the Cuban question with the state of our own Union, and the grave
relation the course of vhich it is now incumbent upon the nation to adopt,
must needs bear to the traditional policy of our Government if it is to accord
with the precepts laid down by the founders of the Republic and religiously
observed by succeeding administrations to the present day.

The present revolution is but tho successor of other similar insurrections
which have "onnrr -d in Cuba against the dominion of Spain, extending over
a period of nearly half a century, each of which during its progress has sub
jected the United States to great effort and expense in enforcing its neutrality
lavTS, caused enormous losses to American tia<:.» and commerce, caused irri-
tation, annoyance and disturbance among our citizens, and by the exercise of
cruel, barbarous and uncivilized practices of warfare, ehocked the sensibili-
ties and offended the humane sympathies of our people.

Since the present revolution began, in February, 18i)5, this country has
seen the fertile domain at our threshold ravaged by fire and sword In the

PRESIDENT Mckinley acts.

325

course of a struggle unequaled in the history of the island, aud rarely par-
alleled as to the n amber of the combatants and the bitterness of the contest
by any revolution of modern times, where a dependent people striving to be
free have been oppressed by the power of the sovereign State. Our people have
beheld a once prosperous community reduced to comparative want, its lucra-
tive commerce virtually paralyzed, its exceptional productiveness diminished,
its fields laid waste, its mills in ruins, and its people perishing by tens of thou-
sands from hunger and destitution. We have found ourselves constrained
in the observance of that strict neutrality which our laws enjoin, and which
the law of aations commands, to police our waters and watch our own sea-
ports in prevention of any unlawful act in aid of the Cubans*

Losa of American Trade.

Our trade has suffered, the capital invested by our citizens in Cuba Las
been largely lost, and the temper and forbearance of our people have been so
seriously tried as to beget a perilous unrest among our own citizens, which
has inevitably found its expression f ror' time to time in the National Legis-
lature, so that issues wholly external to our own body politic stand in the
way of that close devotion to dom'^stic advancement that becomes a self-con-
tained commonwealth, whose p imal maxim has been the avoidance of all
foreign entanglements. All this must needs awaken, and has indeed aroused,
the utmost concern on the part of this government, as well during my prede-
cessor's term as in my own.

In April, 1896, the evils from which our country suffered through the
Cuban war became so onerous that my predecessor made an effort to bring
about a peace through the mediation of this government in any way that
might tend to an honorable adjustment of the contest between Spain and her
revolted colony, on the basis of some effective scheme of self-government for
Cuba under the flag and sovereignty of Spain. It failed, through the refusal
of the Spanish Government then in power to consider any form of mediation,
or, indeed, any plan of settlement which did not begin with the actual sub-
mission of the insurgents to the mother country, and then only on such terms
as Spain herself migbt see fit to grant. The war continued unabated. The
resistance of the insurgents was in no wise diminished.

The efforts of Spain wen increased, both by the despatch of fresh levies
to Cuba and by the addition to the horrors of the strife of a new and inhuman
phase, happily unprecedented in the modern bifsiory of civilized Christian
peoples. The policy of devastation and concentration by the Captain-Gen-
eral's bando of October, 1896, in the province of Pinar del Rio was thence exr
tended to embrace all of the island to which the power of the Spanish arms •
was able to reach by occupation or by military operations. The peasantry,
including all dwelling in the open agricultural interior, were driven into the

826

PRESIDED* T McKINLEY ACTS.

garrison towus or isolated places held by the troops. The raising and moving
of provisions of all kinds were interdicted. The fields were laid waste, dwell-
ings unroofed and fired, mills destroyed, and, in short, everything that could
desolate the laud and render it unfit for human habitation or support was
commanded by one or the other of the contending parties and executed by all
the powers at their disposal.

Sy the time the present administration took oflBce a year ago, reconcen-
tration — so-called — had been made effective over the better part of the four
central and western provinces, Santa Clara, Matanzas, Havana and Piuar del
Rio. The agricultural population, to tlie estimated number of 300,000, or
more, was herded within the towns and their immediate vicinage, deprived of
the means of support, rendered destitute of shelter, left poorly clad, and ex-
posed to the most unsanitary conditions. As the scarcity of food increased
with the devastation of the depopulated areas of production, destitution and
\v^nt became misery and starvation.

Terrible Increase in the Death Rate.

Month by month the death rate increased in an alarming ratio. By March,
1897, according to conservative estimate from official Spanish sources, the
mortality among the reconceutrados, from starvation and the diseases thereto
incident, exceeded 50 per centum of their total number. No practical relief
was accorded to the destitute. The overburdened towns, already suffering
from the general dearth, could give no aid.

In this state of affairs my administration found itself confronted with
the grave problem of its duty. My message of last December reviewed the
situation, and narrated the steps taken with a view to relieving its acuteness
and opening the way to some form of honorable settlement. The assassina-
tion of the Prime Minister, Canovas, led to a change of government in Spain.
The former adminisiration, pledged U; subjugation without concession, gave
place to that of a more liberal party, committed long in advance to a policy of
reform involving the wider principle of home rule for Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The overtures of this government made through its new Envoy, General
Woodford, and loolJng to an immediate and effective amelioration of tlii on-
dition of the island, although not accepted to the extent of admitted media-
tion in any shape, were met by assurances that houie rule, in an advanced
phase, would be forthwith offered to Cuba, without waiting for the war to end,
and that more humane methods should henceforth prevail in the conduct of
hostilities.

American Aid for the Starving.

While these negotiations were in progress, the increasing destitution of
the utfortonate reconcentrados and the alarming mortality among them

HUH

PRESIDENT McKINLEY AGTS,

327

-in-.

claimed earnest attention. The success whicli liad attended the limited meas-
ure of relief extended to the suffering American citiz-jiis among them by the
judicious expenditure through the Consular agencies of the money appro-
priated expressly for their succor by the joint resolution approved May 24,
1897, prompted the humane extension of a similar scheme of aid to the great
body of suffer^iS. A suggestion to this end was acquiesced in by the Spanish
authorities. On the 24th of December last I caused to be issued an appeal to
the American people inviting contributions in money or in kind for the suc-
cor of the starving sufferers in Cuba, followed thiis on the 8th of January by
a similar public announcement of the formation of a Central Cuban Relief
Committee, with headquarters in New York city, composed of thi-ee members
representing the National Red Cross and the religious and business elements
of the community.

Coincidentally with these declarations, the new Government of Spain con-
tinued to complete the policy already begun by its predecessor of testifying
friendly regard for this ration by releasing American citizens held under one
charge or another connected with the insurrection, so that, by the end of No-
vera1)er, not a single person entitled in any way to our national protection
remained in a Spanish prison.

The war in Cuba is of such a nature that short of subjugation or extermi-
nation a final military victory for either side seems impracticable. The alter-
native lies in the physical exhaustion of the one or the other party, or perhaps
of both — a condition which in effect ended the Ten Years' War by the truce of
Zanjon, The prospect of such a protraction ana conclusion of th ^ present
strife is a contingency hardly to be contemplated with equanimicy uy the civ-
ilized world, and least of all by the United States, affected and injured as we
ate, deeply and intimately by its very existence.

Realizing this, it appeared to be my duty in a spirit of true friendliness
no less to Spain tuan to the Cubans who have bO much to lose by the prolon
gation of the struggle, to seek to bring about an immediate termination of the
war. To this end I submitted on the 27th ultimo, as a result of much represen
tation and correspondence through the United States Minister at Madrid
propositions to the Spanish Government looking to an armistice until October
1, for the negotiation of peac* with the good offices of the President.

The Presidency's Fropcaition to Spain.

In addition I asked the immediate revocation of the order of reconcen-
tration eo as to permit t!:e people to return to their farms and the needy to
be relieved with provisions and supplies from the United States, co-operating
with the Spanish authorities so as to afford full relief.

The reply of the Spanish Cabinet was received on the night of the Slat
altimo. It offers as the means to bring about peace in Cuba, to confide the

328

PRESIDENT MeKINtET AOTS.

preparation thereof to the Insular Parliament, inasmuch as the concurrence
of that body would be necessary to reach a final result, it being, however, un-
derstood that the powers reserved by the Constitution to the central govern-
ment are not lessened or diminished. As the Cuban Parliament does not meet
until the 4th of May next, the Spanish Government would not object, for its
part, to accept at once a suspension of hostilities if asked for by the insurgents
from the General-in-Chief, to whom it would pertain in such a case to deter-
mine the duration and conditions of the armistice.

The propositions submitted by General Woodford and the reply of the
Spanish Government were both in the form of brief memoranda, the texts of
which are before me, and are substantially in the language above given.

There remain the alteri' t've forms of intervention to end the war, either
as an impartial neutral by i 'a rational compromise between the con-

testants, or as the active ally ^ „' party or the other.

As to the first, it is not to be lorgotten that during the last few months
the relation of the United States has virtually been one of friendly interven
tion in many ways, each not of itself conclusive, but all tending to the exertion
of a potential influence toward an ultimate pacific result just and honorable to
all interests concerned. The spirit of all our acts hitherto has been an ear-
nest, unselfish desire for peace and prosperity in Cuba, untarnished by diffei-
ences between us and Spain and unstained by the blood of American citizens.

The forcible intervention of the United States as a neutral, to stop the
war, according to the larpe dictates of humanity and following many historical
precedents where neighboring States have interfered to check the hopeless
sacrifices of life by internecine conflicts beyond their borders, is justinable on
rational grounds. It involves, however, hostile constraint upon both the par-
ties to the contest, as well to eiiforce a truce as to guide the eventual settle-
ment.

Grounds for Intervention.

The grounds for such intervention may be briefly summarized as followft,-

First. In the cause of humanity and to put an end to the barbarities,
bloodshed, starvation and horrible miseries now existing there, and which
the parties to the conflict are either unable to or unwilling to stop or mitigate.
It is no answer to say this is all in another country, belonging to another
nation, and is therefore none of our business. It is specially our duty, for it
is right at our door.

Second. We owe it to our citizens in Cuba to afford them that protection
and indemnity for life and property which no government there cau or will
afford, and to that end to terminate the conditions that deprive them of legal
protection.

Third. The right to intervene may be justified by the very serious injury,

PRESIDENT McKINLEY ACTS.

329

to the commerce, trade and business of our people, and by the wanton destruc-
tion of property and des^astation of the island.

Fourth. Aid which is of the utmost importance. The present condition
of affairs in Cuba is a constant menace to our peace and entails upon thie
Government an enormous expense. With such a conflict waged for years in an
island so near us, and with which our people have such trade and business
relations; when the lives and liberty of our citizens are in constant danger and
their property destroyed and themselves ruined; where our trading vessels
are liable to seizure and are seized at our very door by warships of a foreign
nation, the expeditions of filibustering that we are jjowerless altogether to
prevent, an<d the irritating questions and entanglements thus arising — all
these and others that I need not mention, with the resulting strained rela-
tions, are a constant menace to our peace and compel us to keep on a semi-war
footing with a nation with which we are at peace.

The Destruction of the Maine.

lliese elements of danger anu disorder already pointed out have been
strikingly illustrated by a tragic event which has deeply and justly moved the
American people. I have already transmitted to Congress the report of the
Naval Court of Inquiry on the destruction of the battleship Maine in the har-
bor of Havana during the night of the 15th of February. The destruction of
that noble vessel has filled the national heart with inexpressible horror. Two
hundred and fifty-eight brave sailors and marines and two oflScers of our navy,
reposing in the fancied security of a friendly harbor, have been hurled to
death, grief and want brought to their homes and sorrow to the nation.

The Naval Court of Inquiry, which, it is needless to say, commands the
unqualified confidence of the Government, was unanimous in its conclusions
that the destruction of the Maine was caused by an exterior explosion — that
of a submarine mine. It did not assume to place the responsibility. That
remains to be fixed.

In any event the destruction of the Maine, by whatever exterior cause,
is a patent and impressive proof of a state of things in Cuba that is intolerable.
That condition is thus shown to be such that the Spanish Government cannot
assure safety and security to a vessel of the American navy in the harbor of
Havana on a mission of peace and rightfully there.

Further reforriag in this connection to recent diplomatic correspondence,
a despatch from our Minister to Spain, of the 26th ultimo, contained the state-
ment that the Spanish Minister for F'oreign Affairs assured him positively
that Spain would do all that the highest honor and justice required in the
matter of the Maine. The reply above referred to of the Slst ultimo also con-
tained an expression of the readiness of Spain to submit to an arbitration
all the differences which can arise in this matter, which is subsequently ex-

330

PRESIDENT McK1NL1:Y ACTS.

plained by the note of the Spanish Minister at Washington of the 10th instant
as follows:

As to the question of fact which springs from the diversity of views be-
tween the report of the American and Spanish boards, Spain proposes that the
fact be ascertained by an impartial investigation by experts, whose decision
Spain accepts in advance. To this I have made no reply.

In view of these facts and Ihese considerations, I ask the Congress to
authorize and empower the President to take measures to secure a full and
final termination of hostilities between the Government of Spain and the peo-
ple of Cuba, and to secure in the island the establishment of a stable govern-
ment capable of maintaining order and observing its international obliga-
tions, insuring peace and tranquillity and the security of its citizens as well as
our own, and to use the military and naval forces of the United States as may
be necessary for these purposes.

And in the interest of humanity and to aid in preserving the lives of the
starving people of the island, I recommend that the distribution of food and
supplies be continued, and that an appropriation be made out of the public
treasury to supplement the charity of our citizens. The issue is now with Con-
gress. It is a solemn responsibility. I have exhausted every effort to relieve
the intolerable condition of affairs which is at our doors.

Prepared to execute every obligation imposed upon me by the Constitu-
tion and the law, I await your action.

The Addenda.

Yesterday, and since the preparation of the foregoing message, official in-
formation was received by me that the latest decree of the Queen Regent of
Spain directs General Blanco in order to prepare and facilitate peace, to pro-
claim a suspension of hostilities, the duration and details of which have not
yet been communicated to me. This fact, with every other pertinent considera-
tion, will, I am sure, have your just and careful attention in the solemn de-
liberations upon which you are about to enter. If this measure attains a suc-
cessful result, then our aspirations as a Christian, peace-loving people will
be. realized. If it fails, it will be only another justification for our contem-
plated action.

(Signed,) ' WILLIAM McKINLEY.

Executive Mansion, April 11, 1898.

CHAPTER XXXVIIL

STRENGTH OF THE OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

Growth of the White Squadron in a Single Decade — Progress of Our Navy a
Gratifying One after It Was Fairly Started — How the United States
Stands in Comparison with the Other Nations of the World — List of
Ships in the American Navy — List of Ships in the Navy of Spain at
the Beginning of the War — Interest of All Countries Centered on the
Result of Our Naval Battles — Modern Guns and Projectiles — The
Armies of the Two Combatants — Coast Defenses of the United States.

Three elements enter into the fighting efficiency of nations at war:
the strength of their navies, the strength of their armies and the con-
dition of their coast defences. For the first time in many years gen-
eral attention of the people of the United States was centered upon
these conditions when the outbreak of hostilities began to threaten.
Inasmuch as it was an admitted fact that most of the fighting would
be done at sea, or at least that the efficiency of our fleets would be the
most important factor, most of the attention was directed to a study
of the navy.

The constructions of what we call the new navy of the United States,
"the white squadron," which has placed us sixth in the rank of the
naval powers of the world, instead of so far down that we were scarcely
to be counted at all, has all been done in less than twelve years. It
may be that to stand sixth in rank is not yet high enough, but the
progress of a single decade certainly is remarkable.

After the Civil War, when hostilities on our own coast and com-
plications abroad seemed to be at an end, the care of the navy was
abandoned and ships were sold with scarcely a pi-otest, almost as en-
tirely as had been done eighty years before, at the end of the Revolu-
tion. There was even less reason for this policy, because in 1785 the
country was poor and needed the money the ships brought, while in
the twenty years following the Civil War there was no such excuse of
national poverty. By 1885 there was no United States navy at all
worthy the name, for the wooden vessels on the list, with their obso-
lete guns, were of no value whatever in the event of hostilities with a

831

332 ►STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

foreign power that had kept up its equipment with rifled guns and
ironclads.

The movement to repair the decay began when, in 1881, Secretary
of the Navy William H. Hunt appointed the first advisory board, pre-
sided over by llear-Admiral John Rodgers, "to determine the require-
ments of a new navy." This board reported that the United States
should have twenty-one battleships, seventy unarmored cruisers of
various sizes and types, twenty torpedo boats, five rams and five tor-
pedo gunboats, aJl to be built of steel. The report was received by
Congress and the country with the attention it merited, but to get the
work started was another matter.

Policy of the Economists.

The economists had been praising the policy of idleness in naval
construction, claiming first that we were at peace and did not need
to spend money on expensive vessels and, next, that naval construc-
tion was in an experimental stage and that we shduld let the Euro-
pean nations go to the expense of the experiments, as they were doing,
and when some result had been reached, take advantage of it, instead
of wasting our own money in work that would have to be thrown
away in a few years.

When the counti-y became convinced that a navy was needed, it
was found that we could not follow out that pleasant little theory.
Our naval authorities could not obtain the facts and the experience
they wanted from other nations, and our shipyards could not build
even one of the armored ships. We could not i-oll even the thinnest
of modern armor-plates, and could not make a gun that was worth
mounting on a modern vessel if we had it.

The shipyard of John Roach did the first work on the new navy,
and during Secretary Chandler's term of office built the Chicago, the
Boston, the Atlanta and the Dolphin. Instead of battleships, the first
of the fleet were third-rate cruisers. Armor-plate was bought in a
foreign market, and we actually went abroad for the plans of one our
largest cruisers — the Charleston.

In 1885 the navy department came under the administration of
Secretary William C. Whitney, and it was beginning with his years of
service that the greatest progress was made. While our shipyards
were learning to build ships, the gunmakers and the makers of armor-

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LOADING SIEGE GUNS ON TRANSPORTS

This picture shows the s^ige gms beint; hoisted on the transports. In the distance are the troopa
•mbarklng «fter their lon£ wait in camp.

STRENGTH OF OITOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

;535

plate were learning their craft too, so that progress was along paral-
lel lines. In 1S8G the sum of .'^2,128,000 was appropriated for modern
rifled gnus. The first contract for annor-plate was signed in 1887.
Since that time the plants for construcliou have been completed aud
armor-plate ecjual to the best in the world turncHl out from them. Ten
years of apprenticeship have taught us how to build whatever we need
to carry on naval warfai*e.

Takes the Bank of Sixth.

By 1894 the United States had risen to the sixth among the naval
powers of the world, tlie first ten and their relative strength expressed
in percentage of that of Great Britain being as follows:

Great Britain 100

Fiauce OH

Italy 48

Russia 38

Germany 21

United States 17

Spain 11

China 6

Austria 5

Turkey 3

Since that time the relative position of the leadei-s has not mate-
rially changed, although some estimates are to tlie effect that Russia
and Italy have changed places and that Spain has gained slightly on
the United States. Of the ones at the foot of the procession all have
dropped below the station assigned them, by the advance of Japan,
which has come from outside the file of the first tea and is now eighth,
ranking between Spain and China. The estimates are based on a cal-
culation of all the elements that enter into the efficiencj' of the navies,
such as tonnage, speed, armor, caliber and range of annament, num-
ber of enlisted men and their efficiency. Such calculations cannot be
absolute, for they cannot measure at all times the accuracy of the gun-
nery of a certain vessel. The human equation enters so pn)miuently
into warfare that mathematical calculations mu?t be at all times in-
complete. Americans will be slow to believe, hov, ner, that they are
at any disadvantage in this detail, whatever their material equipment
may be.

The following table shows the strength of the navy of the United
States. In that part of the table marked "first rate" the four ships
placed first are first-class battle ships, the Brooklyn and New York
are armored cruisers, the Columbia, Olympia and Minneapolis pro*

33G STRENGTH OF OrPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

lected cruisers, the Texas a secoiulclass battle ship and the riiritan
a double-turret monitor. Anion<^' the second-raters all but the Mian-
touoiiiah, Amphitrite, Monadnock and TeiTor (monitors) ai-e prote'-ted
cruisers. The newly bought boats, New Orleans and Albany, belong
in this class. The third-raters are a heterogeneous lot, consisting of
cruisers, gunboats, old monitors and unprotected cruisei-s. Of the
fourth raters, Vesuvius is a dynamite ship, the Yankee and Michigan
are cruisers, the Petrel, Bancroft and Pinta are gunboats and the Fern
is a transport. The remaining classes of the table are homogeneous.
The government has recently purchased numerous tugs and yachts
not accounted for in the table:

FIRST RATE.

Displace- Guns In

NAME. ment (tons), main battery.

Iowa 11,340 18

Indiana 10,288 16

Massachusetts 10,288 16

Oregon 10,288 16

Brooklyn 9,215 20

New York 8,200 18

Columbia 7,375 11

Minneapolis 7,375 11

Texas 0,315 8

Puritan 6,060 10

Olympia 5,870 14

Indicated

orse power.

Hull.

12,105

Steel

9,738

Steel

10,40;{

Steel

11,111

Steel

18,769

Steel

17,401

Steel

18,509

Steel

20,862

Steel

8,610

Steel

3,700

Iron

17,313

Steel

SECOND RATE.

Chicago 4,500 18

Baltimore 4,413 10

Philadelphia 4,324 12

Monterey 4,084 4

Newark 4,098 12

San Francisco 4,098 12

Charleston 3,7.30 8

Miantonomah 3,990 4

Amphitrite 3,990 6

Monadnock 3,990 6

9,000

Steel

10,064

Steel

8,815

Steel

5,244

Steel

8,869

Steel

9,913

Steel

6,666

Steel

1,426

Iron

1,600

Iron

3,000

Iron

HTUENGTH OF Ori'OHlNG HQUADKONS AND ARMIES.

Displace- Guns In Indicated

NAME. ment (tons), main battery. horse power,

Terror 3,i^9<) * l'<'*>'->

Lunciistcr :},2r.O 12 1,000

Cincinnati 3,2i:5 11 10,000

RaloiK'h 3,2i:{ 11 10,000

Atlanta ."5,000 8 4,0:U)

Boston .'5,000 8 4,o:{0

THIRD RATE.

Hartford 2,790 1.3 2,00Q

Katahdin 2,155 4 5,068

Ajax 2.100 2 340

Canonicus 2,100 2 840

Mahopac 2,100 2 840

Manhattan 2,100 2 340

Wyandotte 2,100 2 340

Detroit 2,089 10 5,227

Montgomery 2,089 10 5,580

Mj;rbleliead 2,089 10 5,451 '

Marion 1,900 8 1,100

Mohican 1,000 10 1,100

Comanche 1,875 2 340

Catslcill 1,875 2 340

Jason 1,875 2 340

Lehigh 1,875 2 840

Montauli 1,875 2 840

Nahant 1,875 2 340

Nantucket 1,875 2 340

Passaic 1,875 2 340

Bennington 1,710 6 3,436

Concord 1,710 6 3,405

Yorlitown 1,710 6 3,392

Dolphin 1,486 2 2,253

Wilmington 1,.392 8 1,894

Helena 1.392 8 1,988

Adams 1,375 ' 6 800

Alliance 1,375 6 800

Essex 1,375 6 800

Enterprise 1,375 4 800

Nashville 1,371 8 2,536

Monocacy 1,370 6 850

Thetis 1,250 .. 530

337

Hull.
Iron
Wood
Steel
Steel
Stei'I
Steel

Wood
Steel
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Steel
Steel
Steel
Wood
Wood
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Steel
Iron
Wood

;338 STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

Displace- Guns in Indicated

NAME. ment (tonsj. main battery, horse power,

Castiue 1,177 8 2,199

Machias 1,177 8 2,046

Alert 1,020 3 500

iianger 1,020 6 500

Annapolis 1,000 6 1,227

Vicksburg 1,000 6 1,118

AVlu eling 1,000 6 1,081

Warietta 1,000 6 1,054

Newport 1,000 6 1,008

FOURTH RATE.

Vesuvius 929 3 3,795

Yautic 900 4f ' 310

Tetrel 892 $ 1,095

Fern 840 ».

Bancroft , 839 j; 1,213

Michigan 685 4 365

Pinta 550 2 310

TORPEDO BOATS.

1— Cu8hing 105 3 1,720

2— Ericsson 120 f 1,800

3— Foote 142 8 2,000

4— .' dgers 142 S 2,000

5— Vrinslow 142 i 3,000

6— Porter , f

7— Du Pont 8

8— Rowan 182 ' 3 3,200

0— Dahlgren 146 f 4,200

10— T. A. M. Craven 146 ' 2 4,200

11— Farragut 273 2 5,600

12— Davis 132 8 1,750

13- -Fox 132 8 1,750

14— Morris , 103 8 1,750

15— Talbot 46* 2 850

16— Gwin 46i 2 850

17— Mackenzie 65 2 850

18— McKee 65 2 . 850

19— Stringham 340 2 7,200

20— Goldsi, rough 247^ 2

.-^l- Bailey 235 2 6,600

Stiletto 31 2 359

Hull.

Steel

Iron

Comp

Steel

Wood

Steel

Wood

Steel

Iron

IroB

Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Weed

STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES. 339

TUGBOATS.

Dlsplace-

NAMB. ment (tons).

Fortune 450

Iwana 1^2

Leyden • 450

Narkeeta 192

Nina 357

Rocket 187

Standish 450

Traffic 280

Triton 212

Waneta 192

Unadilla 345

Samoset 225

Guns In
main battery.

SAILING SHIPS.

Monongahela 2,100

Constellation 1,186

Jamestown 1,150

Portsmouth 1,125

Saratoga 1,025

St. Mary's 1,025

4
8

• *

RECEIVING SHIPS.

Franklin " 5,170

Wabash 4,650

Vermont 4,150

Independence 3,270

Richmond 2,700

6
2

UNSERVICEABLE.

New Hampshire 4,150

Pensacola » 3,00('

Omaha 2,400

Constitution 2,200

Iroquois 1,575

Nipsic 1,375

St. Lo-ais 830

Dale 675

MiDD'iSota 4,700

Indicated
horse power.

340

300

340

300

388

147

340

300
300
500
450

1,050
950

692

680
953

1,202
839

1,U00

HuIL

Iroa
Steel

Iron
Steel

Iron
Wood

Iron

Woodi

Steel

Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood

Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood

Wood.
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood

340

STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADKONS AND ARMIES.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

Displace- Guns In

NAME. ment (tons), main battery.

Kearsarge 11,525 22

Kentucky 11,525 22

Illinois 11,525 18

Alabama 11,525 18

Wisconsin 11,525 18

Princeton 1,000 6

Plunger 168 2

Tug No. G 225

Tug No. 7 225

Training ship 1,175 6

Indicated

horse power.

HuU,

10,000

Steel

10,000

Steel

10,000

Steel

10,000

Steel

10,000

Steel

800

Comp

1,200

Steel

450

Steel

450

Steel

• •• • •

Comp

Spain's Xavy Is a Weaker One.

Spain's navy is decidedly weak when compared with that of the
United States. A mere glance at the two tables will be sufficient to
show the difference. Spain's list of uuarmored cruisers is long, but four
of our battle ships or swift, modern, armored cruisers could blow the
lot out of the water. In toqjedo boats avo compare favorably with
Spain. In one respect Spain is stronger, that is in her six speedy tor-
pedo boat destroyers. This table accounts for every wur ship Spain
has, to say nothing of the few antique merchantmen of the Spanish
liner company which can be turned into cruisers.

FIRST-CLASS BATTLE SHIPS.

Speed in
Guns in Icnots

NAME. Tonnage. batteries. per liour.

Pelayo 9,000 22 17.0

Vitoria (inefficient) 7,250 . . 11,0

OLD BATTLE SHIPS.

Numancia 7,250 10 11.0

FIRST-CLASS ARMORED CRUISERS.

Carlos V 9,235 28 20.0

Cisneros 7,000 24 20.0

Cataluna 7,000 24 20.0

Hull.

Steel

Iron

Steel
Steel
Steel

STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES. 341

Speed in

Guns In knots

NAME Tonnage. batteries. per hour. Hull,

Princess Asturias 7,000 24 20.0 Steel

Almirante Oquendo 7,000 30 20.0 Steel

Maria Teresa 7,000 30 20.0 Steel

Vizcaya 7,000 30 20.0 Steel

Cristobal Colon 0,840 40 20.0 Steel

SECONDCLASS ARMORED CRUISERS.

Alfonso Xm 5,000 19 20.0 Steel

Lepanto 4,826 25 20.0 Steel

UNARMORED CRUISERS.

Beina Christina 3,520 21 17.5 Steel

Aragon 3,^42 24 17.5 Stee

€artilla 3,342 22 17.5 See

Navarra 3,342 16 17.5 See

AlfonsoXII 3,090 23 17.5 Stee

Reina Mercedes 3,0^0 21 17.5 Steel

^7 1 1 1^2 7 14.3 Steel

Yelasco i,i.3w i

C. de Venadito 1,130 13 14.0 Steel

TJIloa 1,130 12 14.0 Steel

Austria U30 12 U-O Steel

Isabel M30 15 U-O Stee

Isabel II 1130 10 14.0 Steel

Isla de Cuba '« 12 16-0 Steel

Isla de Luzon 1,030 12 16.0 Steel

Ensenada 1,030 13 15.0 Steel

Quiros 315 .. .... Iron

Villabolas 315 .. .... Iron

935 6 .... Wood

•TORPEDO BOATS.

Alvaro de Bezan 8.30 .. 20.0 Steel

Maria Molina 830 . . 20.0 Steel

Destructor 458 . . 20.0 Steel

Filipinas 750 .. 20.0 Steel

Galicia 571 .. 20.0 Steel

Marques Vitoria 830 . . 20.0 Steel

Marques Molina 571 . . 20.0 Steel

* Armed with two and four torpedo tubes, six quick fire and two machine
guns.

342

STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

NAME. Tonnage.

Pinzon 571

Nueva Espana 630

Rapido 570

Temerario 590

Yanez Pinzon 571

♦ GUNBOATS.

Hernon Cortes 300

PizaiTO 300

Nunez Balboa 300

Diego Velasquez 200

Ponce (le Leon 200

Alvarado 100

Sandoval 100

Guns In
batteries.

1
2
1
3
3
2
2

TORPEDO BOAT DESTROYERS.

Audaz 400

Furor 380

Terror 380

Osada 380

Pluton 380

Prosperina 380

6
6
6
6
6
6

SMALL TORPEDO BOATS.

Ariete . . .
Rayo . . . .
Azor . . . . ,
Halcon . .
Hsibana . .
Barcelo . .
Orion . . . .
Retamosa
Ordonez . ,
Ejercito .
Pollux . . .
Castor . . .
Aire .

Speed in
knots
per hour.

20.0

12.0
12.0
12.5
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0

30.0
28.0
28.0
28.0
28.0
28.0

26.1
25.5
24.0
24.0
21.3
19.5
21.5
20.5
20.1
19.1
19.5
19.0
8.0

Hull
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel

Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel

Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel

Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel

• There are eighteen others of smaller size, which with the aboye were
built for service in Cuban waters, and are now f here.

Speed In
knots
per hour.

Hull.

• • • «

Steel

• •••

Steel

• •••

Steel

• •••

Steel

STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.
GUN VESSELS (SO-CALLED).

Guns In
NAME. Tonnage. batteries.

General Concha 520

Elcano 524

General Lego 524 . .

Magellanes 524 . .

BUILDING.

(Battle ship.)

10,000

(Armored cruisers.)

10,500

Pedro d'Aragon 6,840

(Protected cruisers.)

Reina Regente 5,372 . .

Rio de la Plata 1,775

(Torpedo boats.)
Five of Ariete type and one of 750 tons.

LINERS FOR CONVERSION.

Magellanes 6,932

Buenos Aires 5,195 • •

Montevideo 5,096 . ..

Alfonso XII 5,063

Leon XIII 4,687

Satrustegui 4,638 . .

Alfonso XIII 4,381

Maria Cristina 4,381 * .

Luzon 4,252

Mindanao 4,195 . .

Isla de Panay 3,636

Cataluna 3,488

City of Cadiz 3,084

343

• •••\

OLCCl

• •••:

Steel

• •••

Steel

• «••

Steel

• • ••

Steel

17.0

Steel

14.0

Steel

14.5

Steel

15.0

. Steel

15.0

Steel

16.0

Steel

16.0

Steel

16.0

. Steel

13.0

Steel

13.5

Steel

13.5

Steel

14.0

Steel

13.5

Steel

Interest in the Working of Modern War Ships.

The puzzle that was troubling every naval authority as well as
every statesman in the civilized world, at the outbreak of the war be-
tween the United States and Spain, was what would be the results

344

STRENGTH OP OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

of a conflict at sea between the floating fortresses which now serve as
battle-ships. Since navies reached their modern form there had been
no war in which the test of the battle-ship was complete. Lessons
might be learned and opinions formed and prophesies made from the
action of battle-ships in the war between China and Japan, tlie wslr
between Chili and Peru, and from the disasters which had overtaken
the Maine in the harbor of Havana and the Victoria in her collision
with the Camperdown, as well as the wreck of the lleina Kegente and
others. But in all these, combine the information as one might, there
Avas insufficient testimony to prove what would happen if two powera
of nearly equal strength were to meet for a fight to a finish.

Whatever was uncertain, it was known vt least that there would
be no more sea fights like those of the last cehtui-y and the first half
of this, when three-deck frigates and seventy-four-gun men-of-war
were lashed together, while their crews fought with small arms and
cutlasses for hours. Those were the days when "hearts of oak" and
"the wooden walls of England" ma<le what romance there was in
naval warfare, and the ships of the young United States won respect
on every sea. In the fights of those days the vessels would floal till
they were shot to pieces, and with the stimulus of close fighting tne
men were ready to brave any odds in boarding an enemy's craft. It
was well understood that the changed conditions would make very
different battles between the fighting machines of to-day.

That a naval battle between modern fleets, armed with modern
guns, would be a terribly destructive one both to the ships and to the
lives of those who manned them, was conceded by all naval authori-
ties. The destructiveness would come not only from the tremendous
power and effectiveness of the guns, but also from the fact that the
shell had replaced the solid shot in all calibei's down to the one-
pounder, so that to the penetrating effect of the projectile w\is added
its explosive power and the scattering of its fragments in a destruc-^
tlve and death-dealing circle many feet in diameter.

Modem Guns and Projectiles.

The modern armor-piercing shell, made of hardened steel, and with
its conical point carefully fashioned for the greatest penetrating
power, has all the armor-piercing effectiveness of a solid shot of the
same shape, while its explosiveness makes it infinitely more tlestruc-

STRENGTH OF OPrOSING SQUADKONS AND AKillES.

345

tive. For the modern shell does not explode when it first strikes the
side or armor of an enemy's ship, but after it has pierced the side or
armor and has exhausted its penetrative effect The percussion fuse
is in the base of the shell, and is exploded by a plunger di'iven against
it by the force of the impact of the shell on striking. The time be-
tween the impact of the shell and its explosion is sufficient for it to
have done its full penetrative work.

It first must be understood that all modem guns on ships-of-war
are breech-loading and rifled, and that the smooth bore exists only as
a relic, or to be brought out in an emergency for coast defense, when
modem guns are not available. From the thirteen-inch down to the
four-inch, the guns are designated by their caliber, the diameter of
their bore, and the shot they throw, while from that to the one-
pounder they talie their name friom the weight of the shot. Every-
thing below the one-pounder is in the machine-gun class.

The base of rapid-fire work is the bringing together in one cai-t-
ridge of the primer, powder, and shell. When the limit of weight of
cartridge, easily handled by one man, is reached, the limit of rapid-
fire action is also reached; and, although the quick-moving breech
mechanisms have been applied abroad to guns of as large as eight-
inch caliber, such guns would rank as quick, rather than rapid firing,
and would require powder and shot to be loaded separately.

On the modern battle-ships the function of the great guns is the
penetration of the enemy's armor, either at the waterline belt or on
the turrets and gun positions, while that of the rapid-firers is the de-
struction of the unarmored parts or the disabling of the guns not
armor protected. The six, three, aJid one-pounders direct their rain of
shots at the turret portholes, gun shields, or unprotected parts of the
ship, having also an eye to torpedo-boats, while from the fighting
tops, the Gatlings rain a thousand shots a minute on any of the crew
in exposed positions. With such a storm of large and small projec-
tiles it would seem to be rather a question of who would be left alive
rather than who would be killed.

The guns in use in the United States navy are the 13-inch, 12-inch,
10-incL, 8-inch, 6-inch, 5-inch, 4-inch, 6-pounders, 3-pounders, 1-
pounder, Hotchkiss 37 mm. revolver cannon, and the machine guns.
In the following table is given the length and weight of these guns, as
well as of the shell they carry:

34G STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

Length Powder Weight

of gun, charge, of shell,

OUNS. feet. pounds. pounds.

One-pounder 5.1 .3 1

Three-pounder 7.3 1.7 . 3

Six-poundtr 8.9 8.0 6

Fourteen-pounder 11.6 8.0 14

Four-inch 13.7 14.0 33

Five-inch 17.4 30.0 50

Six-inch 21.3 50.0 100

Eight-inch 28.7 115.0 250

Ten-inch 31.2 240.0 500

Twelve-inch 36.8 425.0 850

Thirteen-inch 40.0 550.0 1,100

How the Big Guns Are Used.

The 14-poundier, although not included in the navy armament, is
given for the purpose of comparison, since it is with guns of this cali-
ber that some of the Spanish torpedo-boat destroyers are armed. The
largest gun as yet mounted on our largest torpedo-boats is the
6-pounder, while a single 1-pounder is the gun armament of the or-
dinary torpedo-boat. The 11 otehkiss revolver cannon is not given in
the table because its caliber, etc., is the same as that of the 1-pounder,
and, in fact, the latter has supei*seded it in the latest armaments, so
that it is now found only on the older ships of , the modern fleet. The
machine guns are not given because their effective work is practically
the same. The Gatling is of 45-caliber, and uses the government am-
munition for the Springfield rifle.

A look over the table shows some general principles in the matter
of powder and shell used. The powder charge is about half the weight
of the shell, while the length of the shell is a little over three times its
diameter.

To attain its extreme range a gun must be given an elevation of
about fifteen degrees. The greatest elevation given any of the guns
on shipboard is about six degrees. This limit is made by two factors
— the size of the portholes or opening in the turrets for the larger
guns, and the danger of driving the gun backward and downward
through the deck by any greater elevation. The practical range of
the great guns of a ship, the ten, twelve, and thirteen-inch, is not,

STRENGTH OF OPPOSING SQUADRONS AND ARMIES.

347

therefore, believed to be over five or six miles, and even at that range
the chances of hitting a given object would be very small. A city
could, of course, be bombarded with effect at such a range, since a shell
would do tremendous damage wherever it might strike, but a city to
which a ship could approach no nearer than say seven miles would
be safe from bombardment.

The muzzle velocities given the shells from the guns of the navy
are something tremendous, while the muzzle energy is simply iippall-
ing. The shell from the thirteen-inch gun leaves the muzzle at a
velocity of 2,100 feet a second, and with an energy of 33,G27-r'oot tons,
or the power required to lift one ton one foot. From this velocity the
range is to 1,800 feet a second in the one-pounder, although from the
three-pounder at 2,050 feet it averages about the same as the thirteen-
inch. The flve-inch rapid-fire gun has the greatest muzzle velocity at
2,250 feet. The muzzle energy is, of course, small in the snmller guns,
being only twenty-five-foot tons in the one-pounder and 500 tons in
the fourteen-pounder.

The power of penetration has already been given in a general way»
but the power of penetration of steel is much greater. At its muzzle
velocity the thirteen-inch shell will penetrate 20.60 inches of steel, the
twelve-inch, 24.16 inches; the ten-inch, 20 inches, and the flve-inch, 9
inches. The one-pound shell bursts in piercing one-fourth and nine-
sixteenths-inch plates, scattering its fragments behind the target.

It may be interesting to note that the cost of one discharge of a
thirteen-inch gun is |800, and that when a battle-ship like the Massa*
chusetts lets loose her entire battery, both main and secondary, the
cost of a single discharge is $6,000.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

BATTLESHIPS AND TROOPS BEGIN TO MOVE.

The North Atlantic Squadron Sent to Key West — Coinuiodore Schley at
Hampton Roads — The Voyage of the Oregon — The ('amp at Chicka-
mauga — Where the Initial Work of Mobilizing the Troops Was Done — •
Life at Camp Thomas — Life on the Famous Battle Field — Rendezvous
at Fort Tan.pa-Tlie Great Artillery Camp,

Immediately following the action of Conj^ress authorizing the Pres-
ident to c'all into serdce the army and navy of the United States, the
North A.tlantic squadron, under command of Captain Sampson, was
mobilizec' at Key West. It consisted of the following vessels: Battle-
ships Iowa and Indiana, armored cruiser New York, the monitors Puri-
tan, Terror and Amphitrite, the gunboats Nashville, ('astine, Machias,
Wilmington and Helena, the cruisers Detroit, Cincinnati aud Marble-
head, and the torpedo-boats Cushing, Ericsson, Dupont, Foote, Winslow^
Porter and Mayflower,

These comprised a hard lighting aggregation under a cool and dar-
ing fighter. The two first-class battleships were not equaled in fighting
power by anything in the Spanish navy, and the New York was one of
the best fighting ships of her kind in the world.

Commodore Winfield Scott Schley aud the fighters of his flying
squadron were gathered at Hampton Roads, impatient for ordere from
Washington to face the foe. Far awaj' in Pacific waters Commodore
Dewey was cabled the command to hold himself in readiness to proceed
to Manila, and the good ship Oregon, under command of Captain Clarke,
was steaming her way around Cape Horn to join the fleet in Cuban
waters.

In the army equal activity was shown.

The Camp at Ghickamauga.

Chickamauga Park, near Chattanooga, Tenn,, was the point of con-
centration for the regular troops which were gathered for the war with
Spain. It was the initial camp where the mobilization took place, aud

BATTLESHIPS AND TROOPS BEGIN TO MOVE.

349

from which soUliors aud supplies were dispatched to seacoast towns
within easy strilving distance of Cuba. When orders went out from
army headquarters at Washlnj^ton for the movement of the regulars
to Chickamauga a thrill of soldierly pride swelled the breast of ever>-
man who wore Uncle Sam's blue uniform, and there was a hasty dash for
the new camp. There is nothing an army man, ollicer or private, dis-
likes so much as inactivity. Fighting, especiaillj^ against a foreign foe,
suits him better than dawdling away his time in idleness, and word to
"get to the front" is always welcome.

For nearly three Aveeks troops poured into Chickamauga on every
train. They came from all parts of the country, and from every regi-
ment and branch of the service. There were "dough-boys" and cavalry-
men, engineers and artillerymen; some regiments were there in force,
others were represented by detachments only. There were companies
and parts of companies, squadrons and parts of squadrons, batteries and
parts of battenes. It was a bringing together of Uncle Sam's soldier
boys from all conceivable sections of the country. They came from
posts in California and Texas, from Wyoming and Maine, .from Colo-
rado and Minnesota. In time of peace the regular army is badly scat-
tered. It is seldom thjit an entire regiment is stationed at one post, the
companies being distributed over a wide area of territory. A mobili-
zation, therefore, like that at Chickamauga, tended to consolidate and
put new life into commands which had been badly dismembered by the
exigencies of the service. Old comrades were brought together and there
was a sort of general reunion and glorification. Men who had been
doing police duty near big cities met those who had been watching In-
dians on the plains, or chasing greaser bandits on the border line. They
exchanged stories and prepared for the stern realities of war with a
vigor which boded ill for the foe they were to face.

Uncle Sam's soldier is a great grumbler when in idleness. He finds
faidt with his officers, his food, his quarters, his clothing, his pay, and
even with himself. Nothing pleases him. He records big, sonorous
oaths about his idiocy in swearing away his liberty for a term of years.
But let the alarm of war sound, show him active preparations for a
scrimmage with the enemy, and the "regular" is happy. This was the
condition which prevailed at Chickamauga. Tlie men wore full of en-
thusiasm aud worked as hard as the proverbial beavers. Drills once
distasteful and shirked whenever possible were gone through with alac-
rity and the "boy in blue" was a true soldier, every inch of him. There
was war in sight.

3no

BATTLESHIPS AND TROOPS BEGIN TO MOVE.

Life at Camp Thomas.

On ono point at least thoiv wa.s an accord of opinion in rank and
flic — the cainp was well naiiicd. "Camp (Jcorj^c II. Thomas" Ihcy called
it, in memory of old "Pap," the hero of (Miiikaina\ij;a, and men and
oflicers alike took a very visible jjride in beiiij; residents of the tented
city. The establishment of tlie community at Canij) ThcMuas was much
like the establishment of a colony in an unsettled land, in so far as do-
mestic conveniences were concerned. Everythinj^' had to be taken there,
and each regiment, which was a small canvas town in itself, had to de-
pend entirely upon its own resources. Dotted here and there throu-^h-
out the entire expanse of the lifteen-mile reservation, these cities of
tents were seen, and the brave men who lived in them dejjended upon
themselves and each other for what little entertainment the}' got. A
description of tiie quarters of one officer will serve for all. An "A," or
wall tent, 10 by 12 feet, and some of them a size smaller, was his house.
On one side a foldin««- eamp cot, with a thin yet comfortable mattress
and an abundance of heav}', woolen armj' blankets. A table about
twenty inches square, with lej^s that fold up into the smallest ])ossible
space, stood near the door at the foot of the cot. A foldinj;; chair or two
for his visitors, a large valise or a very small trunk, a bit of looking
glass hanging from a tent pole, a tubular lantern, or, if the tenant of
the tent was not so fortunate as to possess such a modern light, then a
candle attached to a stick in the ground beside his bed. Tie strings
attached to the rear wall of the tent afforded a hanging place for "his
other shirt" and a pair of extra shoes. His leggings and boots were on
his feet, and his belt, pistol and saber stood in a corner. A pad of writ-
ing paper, pocket inkstand, a razor strop, unless he had foresworn shav-
ing, a briar or corn-cob pipe, and a bag of tobacco completed the furnish-
ings of his house. Commanding officers, at regimental headquarters,
had an extra roof, or "tent fly," as an awning in front of their quarters,
but otherwise lived as other officers did.

The enlisted men, quartered in the conical wall tents now adopted
by the arnn', bunked with heads to the wall and feet toward the center,
from nine to twelve in a tent Their bedding and blankets were good
and they were as comfortable as soldiers could hope to be in the field.
Some of the regiments from tlie remote Northwest had the Sibley conical
tent, which has no wall, but which has a small sheet iron stove. These

BATTLESHIPS AND TROOPS BEGIN TO MOVE.

353

were more than appreciated during tlie cold, rainy weather that pre-
vailed at Camp Thomas.

The mess tents and cookhouses are about alike in all the arms of
the service. The "cuddy-bunk" oven, made of fiheet iron, bakes well and
looks like two iron pans fastened together, one upon the top of the other.
Men detailed as cooks and waiters, or "kitchen police," as they are de-
nominated in the posts, attended to the preparation and serving of the
meals, and the soldiers lived well, indeed. Field rations were used when
in transit from point to point, but when in camp the company or troop
mesa purchased fresh meats, vegetables, eggs, fruits, etc., and lived high.

Beudezvous at x'ort Tampa.

Twenty-eight batteries of artillery, almost the entire complement of
this branch of the United Statt*8 army, were in camp at Port Tampa,
Fla., awaiting orders to make a descent upon the Spanish forces in
Cuba. This great gathering of artillery was the feature of the camp.
Infantry and cavalry troops were held there also, and their number in-
creased (nery day, but it was in the artillery that the civilian spectators
took the most Interest. This may be said without disparagement of
the "dough boys" and "hostlers," notwithstanding the fact that there
were some of Uncle Sam's most famous fighters in both lines of service
stationed at Tampa, among them being the Ninth cavalry, and the
Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, Tliirt(>enth and Twenty-fourth infantry. No cav-
alry regiment has a liner record than the Ninth, the "buffalo" troopers,
who gsive the Sioux and Apaches more fighting than they wanted, but
Southera people have no use for negro soldiers, and their laudations
went to the white artillerymen.

No such aggr('g;rti(m of light and heavy artillery has been gathered
before at any one city in Ihe United States, even in war time.

Life in cami) at Tampa was much the same as at Chickamauga, ex-
cept that the weather was much hotter. To offset this, hoAvever, the
boys had fine sea bathing, good opportunities for sailing parties, and the
best of fresh lisii with wliich to leaven their rations of salt horse and
hardtack. It is astonishing how cpiickly a man learns to forage and cook
after joining the regular army. Three months of seiwice will transform
the greene.'t of counter-jumpers into an expert in the art of enticing
chickens fnun their coops aJid turning them into savory stews. One of
the troopers of the Ninth cavalry was called "Chickens," from his pre-
dilections in this line. There were ordere against foraging, of course;

354

BATTLESHIPS AXD TROOPS BEGIN TO MOVE.

there always are in friendly territory, but they never amount to much.
The oflScers knew they were disobeyed, but they winked the other eye
and said nothing. It is hinted that in this course may be often found
an explanation of the lavishness with which the officers' mess is served.

One night Major was smoking a nightcap cigar just outside his

tent, when he caught sight of "Chickens" stealing past in the shade of
the *rees. "Chickens" of course was halted and asked why he was prowl-
ing aiound at that time of night. Before tlie culprit could frame an ex-
cuse the Major noticed a suspicious bulging of the front of the trooper's
blouse, and an uneasy, twisting motion within. It was plain to him
that "Chickens" had be n foraging, and was getting back into quarters
with his plunder.

"Been foraging, hey?" said the Major. "Don't you know it's against
orders?"

"Chickens" stammered out a denial, when the Major, making a
sudden grab at the front of his blouse, tore it open, and out fell two
plump pullets.

"Stealing hens, hey?" said the Major. "You'll go to the clink for
this."

"Ah didn't dun steal 'em, Majah," said "Cliickens," with brazen ef-
frortery. "Ah 'clar to goodness Ah didn't know dem pullets was dar.
Mus' have crawled into mah blous t' keep wahm, Majah."

The reply tickled the veteran so much that he let "Chickens" pass,
and the next morning there was one otficer at the post who had stewed
pullet for breakfast.

One of the most famous regiments of infantry at Tampa was the
Thirteenth. It has the well-earned reputation of being a good fighting
bod3^ Some of the most distinguished officers of the army have hvon on
its rolls in time past, among them Shennan and Slieridan. The history
of the Thirteenth goes back to May 14, 18G1, when President Lincoln
directed its organization. The fii-st colonel was William T. Sherman,
who re-entered the army after a number of years engaged in banking
and the practice of law. C. C. Augur wa.s one of the majors, and Philip
H. Sheridan was a captain. Slieridan joined tlie regiment in Novem-
ber, 1861, but was soon appointed chief commissai-j^ and quartermaster
to the Army of Southwest Missouri, whicli practically severed his con-
nection with the regiment.

In 1802 the first battalion of the regiment entered on active service
In the Mississippi valley. It engaged in the Yazoo expedition under

BATTLESHIPS AND TROOPS BEGIN TO MOVE.

855:

Sherman, who was by that time a major-general of volunteei'S, and took
part later in Grant's operations around Vicksburg. The battalion won
for its colors the proud inscription, "First Honor at Vicksburg," and lost
43.3 per cent of its force in the attack on the Confederates. Among
the dead was its then commander, who died on the parapet. Sherman's
hine-year-old son, Willie, who was with his father at ^'icksburg, was
playfully christened a "sergeant" of the Thirteenth battalion, and his
death of fever in October, 18G3, called forfh a soiTowful letter from
General Sherman to the commander of the Thirteenth. "Please convey
to the battalion my heartfelt thanks," he wrote, "and assure each and all
that if in after years they call on me or mine, and mention that they were
of the Thirteenth regulars when Willie was a sergeant, they will have a
key to the affections of my family that will open all it has; that we will
share with thv'^m our last blanket, our last crust!"

After iJjA} war the regiment was transferred to the West. It was
employed in Kansas, Montana, Dakota, Utah, Wj'oniing and elsewhere
until 1874, for a large part of the time serving almost continuously
against hostile Indians. In 1874 it was moved to New Orleans, and was
engaged on duty in the Department of tlie South for six years. During
the labor riots of 1877 all but two companies wore on duty at*Pittsburg,
Scranton, Wilkesbarre and other points in Pennsylvania. Then back
to the West it went again, and, with some slight vacations, remained on
the frontier until October, 1894, when it was transferred to various posts
in New York State.

CHAPTER XL.

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS TERMINATE.

Grave Responsibilities Bravelj Met — The Ultimatum to Spain — The Spanish
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sends Ministei- VYoodford His Transports —
Our Consuls in Cuba Leave the Island — Fate of Americans Left Behind
— Spanish Spies at Work — Playing a Desperate Game.

None but those who were close to the men at the head of our Govern-
ment just prior to the commencement of the war with Spain can realize
with what solicitude they watched the development of the preliminary
proceedings.

With full appreciatiop of their grave responsibilities, knowing the
power inherent in their positions to effect results, and yet cognizant as
the days went by of their inability to prevent the fulflllment of fate, they
endeavored to guide events so far as they could in a course which will
hold them and the people blameless in the sight of the world for what-
ever might follow. That they withstood the strain so well bears testi-
mony to their mental poise and strength of character.

The President's demeanor underwent a noticeable change. The af-
fable, cheery mood which formerly characterized him, gave way to a
sternness of manner which befits a humane but just judge called upon
to execute a righteous sentence. A curious illustration of Mr. McKin-
ley's temperament was shown in the difference in his bearing after the
passage of the resolutions which made war inevitable. So long as there
was the slightest chance for peace the pressure of uncertainty bore
heavily upon him, and hia face assumed a wan and haggard look. That
look did not entirely disappear, but it was no longer marked by anxiety.
From the moment the decision was reached which imposed upon him the
leadership of a nation at war, he seemed to have experienced a sense of
relief, for he saw his pathway straight before him, no matter how rough
it might be.

Immediately after signing the resolutions declaring for interven-
tion by our Government, the President sent an ultimatum to Spain, quot-
ing the act of Congress, and notifying her that her army and navy must

be withdrawn from Cuba by noon of April 23.

S66

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS TERMINATE.

36r

The Spanish Minister, Polo y Bemabe, at once applied for his pass-
ports, and left the country. The Spanish Government, without waiting
for Minister Woodford to deliver the ultimatum of the United States
Government, sent him his transports, thus taking (he initiative and
practically declaring war against this government. The official notifi-
cation to General Woodford, from the Spanish Minister of Foreign Af-
fairs, was as follows:

Dear Sir:

In conii)liance with a painful duty, I have the honor to inform you that
there has been sanctioned by the President of the Republic a resolution of
both clianibers of the United States which denies the legitimate sovereignty
of Spain, and threatens immediate armed intervention in (^uba, whicli is equiv-
alent to a declaration of war.

The Government of Her Majesty has ordered her Minister at Washington
to retire without loss of time from the territory of North America with all
of the personality of the Lega+ion. By t' is act the diplomatic relations which
formerly existed between the two countries, and all official communications
between their respective representatives cease, I am obliged to inform you,
so that on your part you can make such arrangements as you believe con-
venient.

I beg that at a suitable time Your Excellency will acknowledge receipt
of this and take this opportunity to reiterate the assurance of my most dis-
tinguished consideration. PIO GULLON.

General Woodford then turned over the Legation to the care of the
IJritish Government, and ordered all American Consuls in Spain to cease
their oftices and leave the country at once. He then made his own prepa-
rations to leave and started for Paris without delay.

Consuls in Cuba Leave the Island.

Anticipating the action taken by Congress, a peculiar form of notice
had been agreed upon between Consul-General Lee and the Consuls
some weeks previously. The telegram notifying them to leave the island
was to be in these words: "Appropriation for relief of American citizens
is exhausted." This form was devised for a reason which had its bear-
ing upon the unliappy fate of the Americans left on the island. Spaniards
of the vindictive class never got over the action of the United States in
undertaking the support of its citizens in Cuba. That action was in strik-
ing contrast with the course of the Spanish Government. The Span-

358

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS TERMINATE.

iards lost no opportunity to show their resentment toward the Amer-
icans. When local measures of relief were planned, the Americans were
taunted, and told to look to the United States for help and protection.
TJie charitj^ extended by the United States brought upon the benefi-
ciaries pereecution at the hands of the SpanitirdSv General Lee, realizing
the strength of this unworthy sentiment, thought that a message in the
language quoted would be so grateful to Spanish eyes that it would be
put tlirough to the Consuls without delay. He was right about that.
The government attempted to make provision for the removal of the
Americans on the island at the same time that the Consuls were notified
to withdraw. Results showed that only a comparatively small number
availed themselves of the opportunities to go. A ship made its way
along the south coast of Cuba and removed from Santiago, Manzauillo
and Cienfuegos between 200 and 300 refugees, conveying them to Ja-
maica. This was hardly one-half. From the northern coast the number
taken off the island was much smaller. At Havana there were on the
rolls of the Consulate over GOO Americans, of whom perhaps 200 elected
to take passage on the ships sent by the United States. At Matanzas,
Consul Rrice had about 400 Americans. Consul Barker, at Sagua, had
about the same number, while Consul Ilance, at Cardenas, had about
100. Very few of these wanted to leave their interests and relatives.
All of them were utterly destitute. They did not know what they could
do if they landed in the United States without friends. Many of them
were Cubans, who had lived in the United States only long enough to
obtain American citizenship. All their ties were in Cuba. They be-
lieved that the warships would come quickly with provisions. And so
they chose to stay. When tlie Consuls left they iDut food enough in the
p<issession of these Amencans to last them from ten days to two weeks.
Tlie fate of these unfortunates can only be imagined. From the prejudice
which existed toward the American reconcentrados the Consuls know
that they would be the last to receive any consideration when the block-
ade began to bear heavily.

Spanish Spies at Work.

Just prior to the breaking out of actu.nl hostilities between this coun-
try and Spain the military attache of the Spanish legation at Washing-
ton was compelh'd to leave this country, because it was known he had
been seeking to learn certain facts relative to the strength of our forts
and their defensive equipment. This man was Lieutenant Sobral, and

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS TERMINATE.

359

fn plain and uncoraproniising English, he was a spy, or member of the
Spanish secret service, which implies the same thing.

Before he left this country he had be<^n ejected from several forts
along the South Atlantic coast, where he had been found endeavoring
to gain access to those mysteries which no man, unless he wears the blue
of the Unitetl States army, can righteously know aught of, even in times
of peace. This was the first intimation this country had that Spain
would introduce here the same system of espionage she employs at home.
Following Sobral's expulsion from the country came the knowledge that
Spanish spies were working in Washington, watching every move made
there; that they swarmed in Key West and in New York city, where they
maintained a strict sur\'eillance over the members of the Cuban Junta.

Many of these spies were American citizens, or at least nominally so,
for their work was done under the direction of a well-known detective
agency, acting, of course, with the Spanish representatives here. These
men were principally engaged in preventing the shipment of stores and
arms to Cuba. At one time it was impossible to enter or leave the
building where the Junta had its headquarters without observing one or
more men hanging about the place, apparently with nothing to do and
making a vain effort to do it as gracefully as possible. These were thril-
ling times in the annals of the Junta, when Rubens, Palma and Captain
O'Brien were regularly followed to and from their homes to their head-
quarters. These were good times, too, for the American detective
agency. But all this was mere clumsy w^ork, more of an annoyance
than anything else, and scarcely any hindrance to the shipping of arms
and stores when the Junta was fortunate enough to have the arms and
stores to ship.

But after the declaration of war, the spy question assumed an aspect
as serious as it was unlooked for. Spain worked silently, secretly and
through one of the best-handled branches of her government and with
all the Latins' natural love of intrigue. She no longer paid much heed
to Palma or Rubens, or to Captain O'Brien. She was playing a bigger
game. American detectives no longer represented her interests here —
an impossibilit}' under existing conditions, of course. Under Polo was
established a most complete department of espionage, which he con-
trolled from the refuge Canada offered him.

The gathering together of information and those facts which usually
concern the operation of secret service of civilized countries seemed to
be a side issue with this particular department. The scope of its opera-

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS TERMINATE.

tions was along different lines from those usually followed by the mere
spy.

Polo's intention appeared to be to caiTy the war into America in a
new and startling manner — startling, because his movements could not
be seen or foretold until the blow was struck. He made use of the corps
under his control to place the bomb of the anarchist and apply the
torch of the incendiary under our arsenals and to those buildings where
the government stored its supplies for the army and navy.

For a time he was successful in his cowardly scheming and his em-
issaries celebrated his success with many tons of good American gun-
powder, and at the cost of some good American lives. Bombs were
found in the coal reserved for use aboard our men-of-war. They were
even taken from the coal bunkci*s of our ships and they were found in
certain of the government buildings at Washington. Indeed, the situa-
tion became so serious that finally strangers were not allowed to visit a
man-of-war or enter a fort.

It must be remembered that there are in America thousands of Span-
iards who, unless they commit some overt act of violence, can enjoy all
the privileges accorded to a citizen. This, together with our mixed pop-
ulation, in many quarters made up largely of the peoples of Southern
Europe, all more or less of one type, all si>eaking languages which, to un-
trained ears at least, are almost identical one with the other, gave the
Spanish spy in America a protection and freedom from suspicion and
surveillance he would hardly meet with in any other country, and which,
by the inverse, offered no opportunity for the American spy in Spain,
had we chosen to make use of the same methods.

Flaying a Desperate Game.

These Spaniards were playing a desperate game, however. It was
literally at the peril of their ne(;ks, for should a man be apprehended,
there would be no possibility of escaping the ignominious death that
usually awaits on such services. Sobral was allowed to go, though
there was no question but that his conduct was so incriminating that he
was liable to arrest, trial, and, if convicted, death, had this country
cared to hold him. His fate abroad would be easy to foretell. His guilt
was almost as great as that which brought Major Andre to his death in
the times of the Revolution.

CHAPTER XLI.
FIRST GUNS AND FIRST PRIZES OF THE WAR.

Capture of the LaFayette — The Government Orders Her Release — Towing
Prizes Into Key West — The Sjjanisli Set a Trap — Tlie Vicksburg and
the Morrill Take the Bait — The Spanish Gunners Poor Marksmen —
Another Narrow Escape.

Shortly after the proclamation of the blockatlo of Cuban ports a cap-
ture was made which threatened international complications. The
French mail steamer LaFayette was held up almost under the guns of
Morro Castle.

The Annapolis hailed her in the harbor offing and receiving no an-
swer but a show of the French tricolor plumped a six-pounder across
her bows and brought her up standing.

Prayers and Tears in Staterooms.

Of the 161 cabin passengers on the steamer eighty were women and
children. They locked themselves in the staterooms when the warning
shot was fired and the Annapolis and Wilmington approached, and gave
themselves up to prayers and tears.

Most of the passengers wore Spaniards or Cubans, and there were a
few Mexicans. Nearly all were bound for Havana.

The steamer was filled to the hatches with medicines, provisions,
wines and cotton goods consigned to merchants in Havana and Vera
Cruz, Mexico. It is estimated that the value of the ship's cargo was
nearly |500,000. Her net tonnage is 4,000 tons. She hails from San-
tander, France, and cleared from Corunna, Spain, April 23, two days
after the President issued the blockade proclamation, although Captain^
Lechapelane declared he was not notified.

As soon as official notice of her capture reached Washington tele-
grams were sent orxlering immediate release.

The explanation for this action on the part of the administration is
given in the statement which follows and which was issued from the
White House:

"The LaFayette was released in pursuance of orders which were is-
sued by the Navy Department previous to her seizure, but which had not

363

FIUST GUNS AND FIRST PRIZES OF THE WAR.

been received by the commanding officers of the vessels tliat made the
capture. The facts are that on April 29 (he French Lmbassy made an
informal inquiry as to whetlier the LaFayette, which left Saint Nazaire,
France, for Vera Cruz, by way of Havana, before war was declared or in-
formation of tlie blockade was received, wouhl be allowed to land at Ha-
vana certain passengers, her mail bags and the dispatch bag of the Con-
sulate-General of France and take some French passengers on board.
An assurance was given that, if this privilege should be granted, the
steamer would be forbidden by the Franch Consul to land goods.

"The matter was duly considered and it was decided that, without
regard to the strict law of blockade and as an act of courtesy, the re-
quest of the Frendi Government should be acceded to. Orders were ac-
cordingly sent on the 2d of May. When infonuation was received of
the capture of tlie steamer and of her having been brought to Key W^est,
these orders were communicated to the captors, with instructions to re-
lease the steamer and see that the orders wer duly delivered, so that
they might be can-ied into effect. No demand w .is made, either by or on
behalf of the French Government, directly or indirectlj', for the steam-
er's release. The Wilmington will escort the LaFayette to Havana to-
night."

On May 8th the British tramp steamer Strathdee, Captain Currie, at-
tempted to run the blockade, but was overhauled by the gunboat Ma-
chias. The Captain of the Strathdee claimed Ihat the vessel was loaded
with sugar and that he had on board a number of Spanish refugees from ,
Sagua la Grande. He also said that the steamer was bound for Matau-
zas, where it was desired to disembark some of the refugees. The com-
mander of the Machias was skeptical of the stor}-, however, and warned
the Captain of the Strathdee that if he attempted to take the vessel into
Matanzas she would be tired on, whereupon the Strathdee put about and
steamed away in tlie direction of New York.

Three Small Prizes Towed into Key West.

Three prizes were brought in May 9th. They were the brigantine Lo-
renzo, taken by the Montgomery near Havana, on Friday, while bound
for Rio de la Plata with a cargo of dried beef. /

The Espana, a little fishing sloop, was taken by the Morrill about
three miles off Mariel just after a sharp engagement. The Newport was
close at hand at the time, and a prize crew made up from both ships
brought the capture in.

FIRST GUNS AND FIRST I'RIZES OF THE WAR.

3G3

The third vessel taken was the schooner Piulre de Dios, Master Mateo
Herrera, hiden with lish. It was talven by tlie Newport off Maricl, and
was brought in by a petty oflicer and a prize crew. All three accepted
one blank sIiol apiece as sufflciciit.

Making Her Prize Work as Towboat.

One captive was seen takinj*- another to port on the morning of May
9th. Both are prizes of the gunboat Newport, and were captured be-
tween Manel and Havana.

It was about snnrise, just after an inexplicable shot had been fired
from a Havana batlery, that a dispatch boat off MoiTo Oastle sighted
the Newport with a big Norwegian tramp steamer, the IJratsberg, fol-
lowing obediently. Suddenly the Newi)ort'8 stack blew clouds of black
smoke, aiul, looking for the cause, a pretty' two-masted schooner was
seen, her sails wing and wing, Hying from the northwest for Havana.

A blank shot sounded over the water.^. The schooner stood no
chance, but she kept her course until a solid six-pounder from the New-
port skimmed across to her, and dro])|ted ahead of the bowsprit. Then
she dropptnl her jib and came about quickly, sailing toward the warship,
as one ha.s seen a dog run to his master at ( le snap of a lash. She was
the Fernandito, avaricious of the bounty Captain-General Blanco offered
for tish delivered to hungry Havana. A line was put aboard her, and the
Bratsberg was compelled to take the other end and go to Key West.

The Spanish set a trap one day during the blockade. The A\ily Span-
iards arranged a trap to send a couple of our shijH to the bottom. A
small schooner was sent out from Havana harbor to draw some of the
Americans into the ambuscade. The ruse worked like a charm. The
Vicksburg and the Morrill, in the heat of the chase and in their contempt
for Spanish gunnery, walked straight into the trap that had been set for
them. Had the Spaniards possessed their souls in patience but five min-
utes longer, not even their bad gun practice would have saved ourshipSj
and two more of our vessels would lie at the bottom within two lengths
of the wreck of the ill-starred Maine.

Friday evening the Vicksburg and the Morrill, crnising to the west
of Morro Castle, were fired on by the big guns of the Cojimar l)atteries.
Two shots were fired at the Vicksburg and one at the Morrill. Botli fell
short, and both vessels, without returning the fire, steamed out of range.
It would have been folly to have done otherwise. But this time the
Spaniards had better luck. The schooner they had sent out before day-

364

FIRHT OUNS AND FIUST I'KIZES OF THE WAR.

light ran off to tlie eastward, hugging the shore, witli the wind on her
Htarboard quarter. About three miles east of the entrance to the har-
bor she came over on tlie port tack. A light haze fringed the horizon and
slie was not discovered until three uiiles oft" shore, when the Mayllowe»*
made her out and signaled the Morrill and Vicksburg.

They Take the Bait.

Captain Smith, of the Morrill, and Commander Lilly, of the Vicks-
burg, immediately slapped on all steam and started in pursuit. The
schooner instantly put about and ran for Mori*o Castle before the wind.
By doing so she would, according to the well-conceived Spanish plot,
lead the two American warships directly under the guns of the Santa
Clara batteries. These works are a short mile west of Morro, and are
a part of the defenses of the harbor. There are two batteries, one at the
shore, which has been recently thrown up, of sand and mortar, with wide
embrasures for eight-inch guns, and the other on the crest of the rocky
eminence which juts out into the water of the gulf at the point.

The upper battery mounts modern 10-inch and 12-inch Krupp guns
behind a six-foot stone parapet, in front of which are tAventy feet of
earthwork and a belting of railroad iron. This battery is considered the
most fonuidable of Havana's defenses except Morro Castle. It is masked
and has not bc»en absolutely located by the American warships. It is
probably due to the fact that the Spanish did not desire to expose its
position that the Vicksburg and Morrill are now afloat.

The Morrill and Vicksburg were about six miles from the schooner
when the chase began. They steamed after her at full speed, the Morrill
leading until within a mile and a half of the Santa Clara batteries.
Commander Smith, of the Vicksburg, was the first to realize the danger
into which the reckless pursuit had led them. He concluded it was
time to haul off and sent a shot across the bow of the schooner.

Nearly Hit by Shrapnel Shells.

The Spanish skipper instantly brought his vessel about, but while she'
was still rolling in the trough of the sea, with her sails flapping, an 8-inch
shrapnel shell came hurtling through the air from the water battery, a
mile and a half away. It passed over the Morrill between the pilot-
house and the smokestack a id exploded less than fafty feet on the port
quarter. The small shot rat'ilod against her side. It was a close call.

FIRST GUNS AND FIRST PRIZES OF THE WAR.

365

Two more shots followed in quick succosHion, both shrapnel. One
burst close under the starboard (luarter, filling the enj^ine riKmi with
the smoke of the explosion of the shell, and the other, like the tirst,
passed over and exploded just beyond.

The Spanish gunners had the range and tl)''ir time fuses were ac-
curately set. Tlie crews of both ships were at their guns. Lieutenant
Craig, who was in charge of the bow 4-inch rai)id-fire gun of the Morrill,
asked for and obtained permission to return the fire. At the tirst shot
the Vicksburg, which was in the wake of the Morrill, slightly in-shore,
sheered off and passed to windward under the MoiTill's stern.

Another Narrow Escape.

In the meantime, Captain Smith also put his helm to port, and was
none too soon, for as the Morrill stood off a solid 8-inch shot grazeil her
starboard quarter and kicked up tons of water as it struck a wave 100
yards beyond. Captain Smith said afterward that this was undoubtedly
an 8-inch annor- piercing projectile, and that it would have passed
through the Morrill's boilers had he not changed his course in the nick
of time.

All the guns of the water, batteiy were now at work. One of them
cut the Jacob's ladder of the Vicksburg adrift, and another carrie<l away
a portion of the rigging. As the Morrill and the Vicksburg steamed
away their nft guns were use<l, but only a few shots were fired. The
Morrill's 6-inch gun was elevated for 4,000 yards and stnick the earth-
works repeatedly. The Vicksburg fired but three shots from her
6-pounder.

The Spaniards continued to fire shot and shell for twenty minutes,
but the shots were ineffective. Some of them were so wild that they
roused the American "Jackies" to jeers. The Spaniards only ceased fir-
ing when the Monnll and Vicksburg were completely out of range.

If all the Spanish gunners had been suffering from strabismus their
practice could not have been worse. But the officei's of both the Morrill
and Vicksburg frankly admit their own '•ccklessness and the narrow es-
cape of their vessels from destru'tion. They are firmly convinced that
the pursuit of the schooner was a neatly planned trick, which almost
proved successful.

If any one of the shots had struck the thin skin of either vessel it
woulii have offered no more resistance than a piece of paper to a rifle
ball.

866

FIRST GUNt? AND PIIIST PU1ZE« OP THE WAR.

TIic accurate ranjrc of the first few shots is accounted for by the fact
that the Spanish otlicers liacl ample lime to nnike observations. The
bearinys of the two vessels wre ]»robal)I.v taken with a ranj^c-linder at
the Santa Clara battery, and, as this battery is probablj" connected by
wire with Morro, they were able to take beariu<;s from both points, and
by laborious caJculatlons they fixed the iK;Hitiony of the vessels pretty
accurately. With such o]ii»(»rtunity f(»r observation it would have been
no j;reat trick lor an American gunner to drop a shell down the smoke-
stack of a vessel.

As soon as the ships sheered off after the (ir.st fire, the Spanish gun-
ners lost the range and tneir practice became ludicrous. If they had
waited five ml?'utes loiiujer bel'oi'e (>i)eiiing tire, ('a])tain Suiitli says it
would have been well-nigh impossible to have missed the target.

Prior to the invasion of Cuba bv our anuv h'rge stores of arms and
ammunition were sent to the insurgents. One of the most notable of
these ex]ie(litions was made by the tug Leyden, which carried 50,000
vsunds of rille cai'l ridges ud two chests of dynamite. Slu' left Key
West with Colonel Acosta and some Iwenty-tive other Cubans on board,
who were to join (Jeueral (Jomez in Santa Clara Province. The tug
reached the Cuban coast and after landing her i>assengers in safety
Hteanu'd to a point seventeen miles west of Havana, where she was met
by (ieneral Perico Delgado with about 100 Cubans on the beach. The
I.eyden's crew be^ lU landing the amuiuuitioii, ^\ lien a small l>ody of
Spanish <-avalry appeared some little distance back from the shore, and,
dismounting, began firing upon tlie Leyden. Srveral bullets had pene-
trated the tug's smoke-stack, when the bout drew olT t lu* shore some
three miles, where it met the gunboat Wilmington.

Iictui'uiiig under the protection of the gunboat, tlie Leyden again
began lamliug its cargo. The Sjianiards soon ri'turned, and, ignoring
a. lively fusillade from Degaldo's insurgents, resumed their attack on
the Leyden. The Wilmington, which had taken up a ])osilioii further
oil" slioi-e, sent a three-jjouud shell into the uiidstof the cavalry, wound-
ing several of them and ]>utting them to tliglit. The Leyden then tin-
ishcd the work of landing the aminuniliou, and returned to Key West.

CHAPTER XLTI.

DECLARATION OF WAR.

The Ri)anisli Miuislor in Wailinpton Di'mands His Passports — Minister
Woodford Leaves Madrid"-Fornial Declaration of War — Our (Jovern-
meut Declares Its Intentions — Tlio War Feeling in Spain — Effect of
the Declaration in Cuba — Opinion of the Vice-President of the ('uban
Republic.

Spain was given until Saturday, April 2,3, at noon, to answer the
tloniand of our jfovernnient exj)ress(Hl in the joint Cuban res()lutir)ns,
pass(Hl by botli Houses of Congress, and si<;;ned by the Presi<lent. In
default of an answer by that time, the President declared his intention
to caiTy out the ])ur])<)so of the idtiniatuni. A copy of this ultinuUuni
was delivered to Senor Polo, the S|>anish Minister at Washiufj^ton. Senor
Polo instantly demanded his passports, «leelared all diplomatic ndations
between himself as Minister and the United States no l(»n<;er iK)ssible,
and within a few hours was on bis way to Canada.

At Madrid, before our Minister eould comply with his iustmetious,
he was notified by the Spanish Minister of Foreij:;n AtTairs that diplo-
Uiatii- relations were at an end. He at ouee askeil for his passi><)rts, and
the same day left for Paris.

President McKinley ri^hl'v re{j;a.rded the conduct of Spain in break-
ing olT diplomatic intercourse and refusing eveu to recoive his demand,
as an e<iuivalent (o an absolute r»'fusal. There wmained no itnison to
await action till Saturday nooji, as no possible reply eould bo expected
to a demand the vei-y jtresentation of whi<h had been ]Misitively rejected.
In short, Spain instantly showed that it ri'gardt'd (he act of Congress
and President an practically a declaration of war, an«l there reiuained
no resort except to arms.

On Monday, Ajuil 25, the Presi«lent pent to Congi'ess a message
asking for a joint resolution declaring tliat a state of war e.\i8ted[
betwe»Mi Spain and the Unittd States, and a bill was at once introduced
into the House declaring (hat war did exist, and had existed, since and
including Ajtril 21, whi<h passed in less than two minutes. The Senate
promptly coucunx'd and the bill became a law.

367

3G8

DECLARATION OF WAR.

While tlie T'uited States was not a part}' to the Dec laration of Paris,
the {^overuincnt made known its iiitention to maintain its fonr cardinal
principles: (1) Privatcerinji; abolished. (2) Ncntral Hays to exempt
an enemy's j;oods from capture, except contraband of war. (;i) Nentral
goods nnder an enenu's Hag not to be seized (4) IJlockade to be bind-
ing nnist be elTective. Spain, on her ])art, issned a decree recognising the
fact that a state of war existed, breaking off all treaties with the United
States, and ])romising to observe the ruh's just given, except that she
maintained her right to grant h'tters of mar(nie to privateers. JUit this
exception was nntdilied by Spain's declaring her intention to send ont
only aiixiliaiy crnisers taken from the mercantile marine and kejit
under naval control. One consideration whicii may have inlluenced this
decisi(ni was tlie self-evident fact that the Knrojx'an Powers would cer-
tainly interfere, in the event that Spain attempted to carry on privateer-
ing under the old methods.

The War Feeling in Spain.

In Spain the war feeling was high. The (ineen Pegent, in her speech
to the Cortes, decl;i"ed "the unalterable resolnli(»n of my government to
defend our riglits, whatsoever sacrifices may be imiwsed .ipon us in
accomplishing this task." She said further:

'■Thus identifying myself with the nation, I not only fulfil the oath I
swore in acce])ting tlie regency, but I fitllow the dictates of a mother's
heart, trusting to the Sjianish iieople ;■ gatl:er behind my son's tlirone
and to defend it urtil lie is old enough to defend it himself, as well as
trusting to the Si)anish people to defend the honor and territory' of the
nation."

The Policy of the Administration.

The President and Congress nmloubledly acted on the lines of good
policy in making a formal declaration of war. As Mr. .McKiidey said in
his message to Congi-ess, the trend of events comjielled him to take meas-
ures of a hostile kind. A blockade had been established and S|)anish
vessels had been captured. While evcMT civilized jxiwer on earth imme-
diately leariu'd the facts, there still remained the necessity of going
through the formal act of notifying them of this government's inten-
tions. In this instance, as in others in the nation's hislory, the actiuil
hof*tilitie» v/ere begun before it seemed n(M*essa.ry for the government to
make a formal declaration. According to the authorities on interna-
tional law, "a declaration may be necessary, but is not ess<>ntlal." In

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DECLARATION OF WAR.

3:1

this case, when it bccimic so evident lluit. a ^('iicral coullkt was immi-
ui'iil, lli<* admini.stratit)!! uid fairly by tiu? fuiiiinci'cial nations of tlie
world in formally stating its ]iosition, and };ivin<{ them all warning as
to lh(MM)iis(>(iiu*nf('s wliicli niij^lit follow in t lie case of vessels attempting
to enter ( 'uhan w;il<'rs.

The resolutions were admiraldy brief and concise, merely declaring
the existence of u state of war, and aulhori/in}; tin! J 'resident to do what-
ever he lli(tiij;ht best with the army and the navy.

]{y this act, wiiil' the situation was iu itself no wtiy clianjicd, the
nation assumed a, tietlnite diplomatic status as a power at war, and wa.^
free to pro( ced to any such acts as came within tlie laws of civilized
nations in time of war.

Effect of the Declaration in Cuba.

When tile news of the action of the adniinislratien reached the in-
surgents in ('ui»a it caused gi'eat rejoicing among them, for the\ felt
that the hour of theii- deliverance was at last at hand. In s}>eaking of
it, Dr. ('ap<ite, \'i<'e-rreHid('nt of the Cuban Kei)iddie, .sjiid:

I desire to tlumk the jireat American people and tlieii- ;;overniiicnl for the
resMJMtion lliey liave made to free us I'loni llie t.vraiudcal rule of Spain. The
people of ("iilia believe in the y;(iod fai'li of iln 1 pie of Anieiica. Tiiey be-
lieve in t heir lionesi y el' piirjiose lo fice ( 'uliM an<l are cunrKl'-iil of ; heir aliiiity
to do so; lull !l nnist be borne in laind that the loadstar of lin- Cuban is not
merely freed mi fiiiui the doiiiiiiioii of SjiaiM, but iiidi'iiendeiKt' from oiitsitle
control, however beneficent that c(»ntr<»l lui^Iit be, ;ind absolute uoii interfer-
ence by others in the manap'iMeiit of our own atVair< "Cuba free and inde-
pendent" JH the watchword of Cuban liberty.

TlieCiihau coimiianders await some det isive stcji on the pai't of your gen-
erals. If yon can u|icii 11 1> and iiiaiiilaiii c(Mimiiinicalion wil ii the Cuban annies,
an<I li'wi' IIS a plentiful suppl.v of anus and .iinuiunition, we w ill free ( 'uba with-
out the loss of an .\niericaii soldier. Our position on ihe lield is precarious.
For lack of su|»plies, we cannot coiicciil rate our troo|>s. Our camps shit! frniu
place to place, accordiii;- to food ciuidiliiuis. Wi- are liamptred aad embar-
rassed ft)r lack of aMimiiniliiui. We cannot .iriii liie men we are abi< 'e put in
tl'.e field. Open iiji coiumiinical ion, ^ive us arms and supplies, and ..e ask no
more.

.\s to the I venliial settlemcid of the island, when tlx' wai is ended aild
when the last Spanish siddier Iiuh left Cuba, the w(U'k oi the provisional gov-
eriiiueiil will be ended. The peojtle of ( iiba. whatever the class or sympa.hy,
^^ill then sav how we shall be governed. There will be no ivjuisal»» lio coiritH-
cation, no diHliml Ions.

CHAPTER XLIII.

CALL FOR THE NATIONAL GUAUI), OUR CITIZEN HOLDIERY.

KntlmsijiHtic Answer to llic Call — HtMniirciiiciits of tlic War Di'iiartiucnt —
Who May KiilisI — How the Anii.v was Foiiucd — In tlic Traiiiiii}! Camps
— Tlu' Aniorican Maluw tho Best Kohlicr — The "H(tiinli Ui'dfrs" — Cow-
bo.vs and SiHU'ty Men — Their T'ttifornis and Their Weapons — Their
Fifjlitin^ Leaders,

If all the nion who showed a. desire to answer tlio call to anns had
been accepted, no nation in the world could have boasted of a larj^er
army. The demand was so limited and the supply so }j;real that many
more had to be refused than were accepted, and many of the National
(Juard, who were jriven the preference in all the States, were rejected at
the final examination, because they lacked some of the qualificati(»ns
necessary in a soldier of the I'nited States,

According;- to the recpiiremcnts of the war department app'icants for
enlistment must, be between the ages of 18 and IJ.j years, of good charac-
ter and habits, able-bodied, free from disease and must be able to speak
the English language. If one is addicted to the bad habit of smoking
cigarettes it is (piite likely that he will not pass the physical examina-
tioji. A man \vlu> has been a heavy drinker' is apt to be rejected without
ceremony.

Married men will only be enlisted tipon (he approval of tlw regi-
mental commander.

Minors must not be enlisted without the written c(»nsent of father,
only surviving parent, or legally appointed guardian. Original enlist-
ment will be confined to persons who are citi/.ens of the United States or
who have made legal declaration of their intention to become citizens
ther(M)f,

These rcfpiiienients fulfil!e<l a man is ])ri-mitted to take the physical
examinati(»u. Fe^v understaml just how rigid this examinati(ui is.
Many have been rejected who thought thai they were in yierfect physical
condition. A number uf applicants who were confldei\t (hat they would
be aili.wed to enlist wert* rejecte<i by the physicians (»n a<'count of vart-

CALL FOK THE NATIONAL OUAKD.

373

cose veins. Varicose veins are enlarged veins wliit'li are apt to burst
under tlie stress of lonp; contiuiicd exertion. Closely allied to this is
varieocele, which threw out a surpriHiugly lar;j;e proportion of the
National (Juard and the recruits.

After a man is weighed and his heij;ht taken, he is turned over to the
doctor, who places llic applicant's hands above his head and proces'ds to
feel his tiesh. If it is soft and of tiabhy liber the pliysi«ian is not well
pleased and if ho finds that tl;e hones are too delicate for the amount
of flesh he turns the applicant down. Fat m«'n, however, get throujijli
if their bones are solid and there is no orjjanic weakness of any descrip-
tion. To discover the condition of the heart the iijijdicant is made to
hop about five yards on one foot and back aj>ain on the other. The doc-
tor then listens to the beatin<; of the heart, lie lifts his head and says
to some apparently linedookinff sj)ecimen of manhood the simple word:

"Kejected."

This nuin has heart trouble, and, stranj^e to say, he does not know it.
If a num be of a pale comjilexion or rnthcv sallow, the doctors will cpies-
tlon him with rej^ard to his stomach. Of course the lun;;s are thoroufjhly
tested. It is not often, however, that any one jjresents himself who is
sufferin*;; frcuu hnv^ trouble. *»ne man in particular was rejected
because of the {"(trmation of iiis eh; .-.i I!e was what is commonly known
as "pi<?eon-breaste<l.'' The <loctor.s said that there was uot en(»u<;h room
for air in the lungs, and yet the rejected applicant was a well-known
athlete.

. But after all orjjanic centers have !)een found in excellent condition
several thin;;s yet remain to be tested, A man's feet must not blister
<»ii8ily. .''is teeth must be {"(xnl, becaus*' bad teeth interfere with dij;es-
tion ami are apt to develop stomach troul)les. Of course other things
taken int»> consideration a particidar defect may be overlooked accord-
ing to the <liscretion of the dtictor. A nuin with his index finger gone
stands no show.

A bow-legged man will be accepted, but a knocked-kneeil man rarely.

The fina' test is of the eyes. At a distance of twentv feet one must
be able to read leltei-s a half inch in size. Many tricks were played to
r<»ad I'm- letters when the eager candidate eoultl see only a blur before
him. The favorite method was to memorize the letters from tho.se who
had taken the examination and knew in just what order the letters wf re
sitiuited.

S74

CALL FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD

How an Army Is Formed.

The making of an army — that is what it moans to turn men of peace
to men of war, to fit the moclianic or tlie business man, tlie fai'mor or
the miner, for a passaj^e at arms with a f()rei};n f(»e — has been for the
j)resent generation a matter of eonjei-ture and of h'ssons drawn from
previous passages in tlie nation's clironicles. Tu our war with Sitain it
became a fact, and the progress made in the various shiges forms a eliap-
ter in the public history whidi is as interesting as any of tJiose conquests
of either peace or war wliicli brighten for every American tlie pages of
the achievements of the Union of the b.ates.

It is imi)ossible to tell just how an army is nuide. During the long
debates which preceded the det'larafKni of war, eUxpient men on both
sides of the chambers of Congress pictured the strength of American
anns, the shrillness of the scream of the eagle, and the shar])uess of his
talons, and apjdauding galleries saw in the c(»mlng combat little but
the calling out of the vast body of the reserve strength of the Aiuerican
IK'ople, its marching upon the enemy, and return, bearing captured
.•standards and leading i»risoners in chains, to the music of the ai>plaud-
ing nations, and the thanksjjiviug of a people made fre«' by their strug-
gles. The other side was lU'ver touched. The nights of toil by staff
i)fli( ers, the multiplied forces of mills and fa< tiuies, the shriek of the
trains crossing the continent, bearing men au<! inuuitions, and the hours
of waiting for the com])letiou of those warlike inii»lements which the
peaceful American has never before contemplated in the expansion of
his industrial instil at !• mis, were entirely (overlooked.

Not I)y all, however, for, from tlu' moment the conllict seemed inev-
itable, stern-eyed men who had fought before began to count, not the
cost, but the hours betwetm the giving of an order and its fullillment,
betwi»en tb** calling and the coming, and finally when ihe results of their
labors wore comjtleted the stoiw of what they <lid may be partly told.

All the processes of making a soldier are as distinct as aic those
M'hich mark the seed time and the harvest, the milling and the making;
of the loaf. It can be readily seen that in a country nlieVe Iho standing
urniy is but 2ij,0()0, and the militia forces of the various Htates bears
Nuch a slight propoHion to (he j)opula(ion, that manufactures of mate-
nals of use only in time of wtu" could not tlourish. Thus it was that at
the time of the commencement of hostilities there was available in the

CALL Foil THE NATIONAL OUARD.

ar:

Tlnitod Sfnt('S('(]iiiii!Mont for an army of Icsh than ono-fifth (lie size of that
wiiicli aflcrwiirds tit(»k the field, anil i)atnotisni and fidrlily were shown
as nuM-h in 1h(> outliilin^' of tli.it. torcc, as <-an he shown in actual battle
by any volunteer or re<,'ular oflicer, whether he hv posted In fort or Held,
and win j^lorj' by brilliant dash, or simply doinj; his duty by holding IjIh
post.

The ready response to the President's call for volunte<»r> was suf-
ficient to prove that the ])(>o](le were eaiicr to take up arms and ready to
go to the fnuit. Itut. enlhnsiasm, ]»atrii)tisni and readiness never maker
an army. An army is a great machine, of whicli oac h indivhlual is a
part, and there even the militia men of the vanous States, who ha<I
si>eiil so much time in i)repMring themselves foi* just such a stniggle,
lacked the one great elcnieuf without which no army can bo])e for suc-
cess: the capacity to move in unison. Few of the rotates had given tiieir
men the training which makes of the simide company or regiment a
wheel in the brigade or division.

In the gi-eat cami)s at Chickamauga, at Tamp Alger, at Tanipn, and
at San l-^'rancisco the task of making an army from men who a mouth
Ix'fore had been working in the store, the mill or the field, went on. This
meant long, tlutntugh drilling under comitetent instructors. Careful
study of the tactics and intelligeut comprehension of the moaning of
an order makes the soldier. It is not i)ossible to imagine anything more
dillicult than the thorough training of the arms bearer, and for this
task the American seems better fitted than the men of anv other country.
In an analysis c^f the soldiers of the world an authority would ])lace the
Anu'rican, combining as he does the blood of nations, at the head of the
list, for th<^ reason that with his finer sensibility, his greater cai)acity \n
think while acting and to act while thinking, all teml to produiT in him
that «harartor capable of high and perfect develoi)ment in the soldier.

At Chickamauga, under (Jeneral Wade; at Washington, under Gen-
eral (Jraham; at Tampa, under (Jeneral Shaffer; at San l-'rancisco,
under (Jeneral Merriam, and on the Xew York and New lOngland coasts
under brigadiers who had served Kast 0iu] West, the raw material was
formed, until at length the perfect soldier wa.s produced, the soldier of
whom it could be said:

"Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die."

37G

CALL FOR TOE NATIONAL OUAIID.

About the Rough Riders.

TlioRO who are ncqnaintod with the nature of the service usually re-
quired of cavalry in time of war will not <|U('.stion the usefulness of the
cowboy rejiiment — rouj^h ridel's as they are called — that were raised in
the West to take i)art in the invasion of Cuba.

The (•(►wboy is a rajddly jiassinj"- (yi)e. Ihirbed wire, the feucinji^ in
of the ran«;-e, together willi the iiTi;'ation and cultivation of those
regions which were once nnirked as deserts on the uia])S — have been re-
sponsible for his iindoinj; and he has made what may prove to be his last
stand, as a soldier.

The cowboy re<;iment was thv^ idea of the assistant secretary of the
nav}', Theodore Roosevelt, who ha<l had some exjjerience himself as a
cowboy on his Wyonnu};' ranch and who was an expert in such matters
as brandinjr, rope-throwin*;, broncho breaking and those other practices
which are peculiar to the "cow-puncher."

Lieutenant-Colonel Koosevelt's regiment, which fiyun^s on the army
records as the "1st regiment of rille rangi'rs," but which the general
public from the first preferred to call "Koosevelt's rough riders," or more
simply still, "Teddy's terrors," was made up almost entirely of cowboys,
with a small sprinkling of society men, who had both a fondness and an
aptitude for horseiuanship, which had found no other outlet than that
offered by the hunting field and the polo ground.

Made Up Almost Entirely of Cowboys.

In organization the regiment was not widely different from the
famous Texas Rangers, but the unifoiTn was the same as that of the
cavalrymen of the regular army, slightly modified. Its personnel, with
the exception of the millionaire members — was about the same, however,
as that of the Rangers. It included men from almost every State in the
Union, and they could one and all ride well, and shoot well, and many of
them smelled powder in more than one Indian war.

While Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt took the most active part in its
formation, he did not command the regiment. That responsibility was
delegated to Colonel Wood, who was almost as well known in the West
as Roosevelt was in the East. He entere<l the army as a surgeon, but he
probably had much more to do with the making of wounds than their
healincr.

CALL Foil TIIK NATIONAL (il'AKlJ.

377

It is «al(l of liini that wlicii lie wuh first iiMsij^iicd for duty to an
Arizona post he arrived jit the post one iii;;;lit at 7 o'clot-k, and tlie next
inorninfi at 1 wan in tlie field and at work. This was diiriiiy; the Apacho
♦•anipai};n in \HH7}, and Sarj-con \V(»od soon won for himself the name of
the ti^htin;^ doctor. He was conspicuous in the famous Oeroninio out-
break, liaviii};- conmiand at various times of the infantry and scouts
♦»n;(aj;('d in the chase after that wily sava;;('.

The re^i'inient was anned with the Kra^i-Jor^iensen carbine and
revolvers, without, which no cowboy would be complete even in time of
peace. And instead of the re^juhir «-avalry sword, which is a rather
unwiehly instrument excejd in the hands of men trained to its use, the
rou<i;h riders adopted the Cuban niacliete, which even the inexperienced
<'an use successfull}; but if was not intended (hat they should be swords-
inen; their reliance was on the rifle and revcdver. The nnichefe was car-
ried merely as a jmssible dependence should ammunition fail, or a hand-
to-hand encounter with fhe cavalry of fhe enemy occur. In the (leveloji-
nient of this ]tlan of action it can be seen that Colonel Wood and Lieuten-
<'nt-Colouel Roosevelt in the tactics they employed followed closely those
used bv the mounted riflemen of the revolution. It was a band of this
sort that after a ride of sixty miles the last day met and utterly routed
the English nnder Colonel Ferguson.

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(716) 1,72-4503

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CHAPTER XLIV.

BLOCKADE OF CUBAN PORTS,

Contraband of War — Confiscation of Cargoes — Establislnnent of a Blockade
— Notice to Other Nations — Prizes, Lawful and Unlawful — I'rivateer-
ing Abolished — Distribution of Prize Money — The Use the Govern-
ment Makes of Its Sliare.

While the great blockade was in progress the air was full of talk
about "prizes," "contraband," "search," and "seizure," and some of the
terms proved rather puzzling to the average citizen who had never had
occasion to studj- the rules of war.

First about "contraband." It is one of the strictest rules of war that
neutral nations must not interfere nor in any way give help to either
party. To furnish ships or arms or ammunition might greatly prolong
the conflict or even change its result, es])eclall3' Avhere this assistance is
extended to a nation — lik^ Spain to-day — ill supplied and of small
resources. This would be manifestlj' unfair, and for a neutral to offer or
abet such aid is a grave oifense. For remissness in an aggravated case
of this sort (that of the Alabama) England was forced to pay us heavy
damages. Neither national sympathy nor national interests afford any
excuse.

That is why we restrained and punished those who organized expe-
ditions to help the Cubans while we were still at peace with Spain. Rut
nations engaged in war must not ask too much. They may insist that a
neulral shall allow no hostile f)perations to be carried on within its ter-
ritory, but they have no right to demand that it shall punish its private
citizens for engaging in trade in articles that may be liel])ful to the
enemy, for that would be imposing too much trouble and expense upon
a nation which has no concern in the quarrel. Such trade is nunishable,
but it is the business of the nation injured by it to catch the ships
engaged in it and enforce the penalty — which is usually confiscation of
the goods as "contraband of war." To do this it may stop and search any
ships — except warships — which it finds at sea; and so long as no out-
rages are committed the neutral must submit and has no ground for

37S

BLOCKADE OF CUBAN TOKTS.

879

complaint. Trade in contraband goods is tolerated, but it is carried on
at the trader's own risk. His government will not undertake to protect
him from the legitimate consequences of his venture.

As has been stated, the contraband goods are confiscated by the
captor. The vessel, however, must be captured while the guilty goods
are still on board; to seize the proceeds after the cargo has been sold and
landed is not allowable, though it has sometimes been done. If the ship
belongs to the same owner as the forfeited goods, it, too, is confiscated;
otherwise it goes free after the goods are taken off.

It is very important to know just what articles are contraband and
what are not; but this is often hard to decide. There is no question
about weapons, militaiy equi])ments and ammunition. Tlu^e are
plainl^^ contraband, and the materials from which they are made are
classed with them whenever they seem intended for militarj^ uses. Thus
sulphur and saltpeter are always contraband. The detached parts of
cannon and naval engines do escape by the trick of separation.

Cloth is not contraband in itself, but if of a quality evidently de-
signed for the manufacture of uniform it would probabl}' be seized.
Horses are so useful in war that most nations treat them as contraband
— though, oddly enough, Russia has never done so. Still more objection-
able, nowadays, is coal, which will never be allowed to reach the bunkers
of hostile warships if it can be prevented. This shows plainly how uncer-
tain and changeful is the list, for fift}' years ago coal was as free as pro-
visions, though even food must not be run through the lines of a
blockade.

Articles, such as coal, which are of great A-alue in war, but are also
largely used for peaceful i)uri>oses, are called "occasional contrabaiul"
and their seizure has given rise to endless disputes. There is no justice
in treating them as contraband except when they are obviously destined
for hostile use. Sometimes, in doubtful cases, such goods, instead of
being confiscated, are seized and paid for to prevent their reaching the
enemy. This is called "pre-emption;" but, fairtis it seems, there is much
danger that it Avill be made a jn-etext for appropriating goods which
ought to go quite free, and the practice is generally condemned.

Search at sea is extremely annoying, and ships entirely innocent of
contraband are often subjected to great inconvenience. That must be
endured; to attempt to resist or escape would make them liable to con-
fiscation, whatever their cargo might prove to be. Only properly com-
missioned vessels, however, are entitled to hold up merchantmen for this
purpose. Another kind of meddling in war for which a neutral citizen

380

BLOCKADE OF CUBAN PORTS.

may bo puuisliod by coutiscatiou, but for which his government is not
held responsible, is blockade running.

A bio kade, snch as we maintained around Cuba, is established by
stationing war vessels at the entrances of harbors and at internals along
the blockaded coast. Its purpose is to cut off supplies and stop all com-
munication with the enemy by sea. The merchant ships of all nations
are therefore fcn-bidden- to pass or even to approach the line, and tlie
penalty for disobedience is the confiscation of both ship and cargo^
whether the latter is contraband or not here makes no dilTerence. If
the ship does not stop when hailed she may be fired upon, and if she is
sunk while endeavoring to escape it is her own fault. And unlike vessels
merely guilty of carrying contraband, she is no less liable to seizure on
her return voyage, after her cargo has been disposed of. Altogether,
blockade running is perilous business. It is usually attempted under
cover of night or stormy weather, and it is as full of excitement and
adventure as war itself. Tlie motive is usually either to take advantage
of famine prices, or to aid the enemy by bringing supplies or carrj'ing
dispatches..

Neutral ships, howeA'er, are entitled to some sort of warning that a
blockade exists. Notice is therefore sent to all neutral governments,
announcing the fact and stating exactly the extent of coast covered.
Besides this, until the blockade has lasted for s tme time and thus has
become generallj'' known it is customarj^ for the otticers of the blockading
fleet to visit and warn every ship that approaches, the warning, with the.
date, being entered upon her register. If, after that, she approaches the
forbidden coast, she is liable to confiscation — though possibly great
stress of weather might excuse her provided she landed no cargo. In-
structions of this sort were issued by President McKinley to our squad-
iTin blockading Cuba. A reasonable time, also, was granted to ships that
were lying in the blockaded ports at the time when the blockade was
declared, to make their escape. President McKinley allowed thirty
days for this parpose, which was unusually liberal.

Nations engaged in war have sometimes assumed that they could
establish a blockade by simply issuing a proclamation forbidding neu-
trals to approach the enemy's coast, without stationing ships to enforce
it. For example, during the Napoleonic wars, France declared the whole
coast of England to be blockaded at a time when she scarcely dared send
out a ship from her ports, having been soundly thrashed at Trafalgar.
But these "paper blockades" are a mere waste of time and ink. They
are not valid, and except in the way of angry and contemptuous protest,

ULOCKADK UF CUBA.N I'OKTS.

381'

no nation would consider tliem wortliy of tlie slightest attention. If
Spain, foi* instance, should attempt a desperate game of bluff by declar-
ing New Orleans, New York and Boston under blockade, all neutral
ships would come and go just the same, and she would meddle with them
at her peril. This qucstion-r— if it ever was a question — was finally
decided by the epoch-making convention of the powers at the close of
the Crimean war (treaty of Paris, 1850), which, along with other rules
that have revolutionized naval warfare, declared that "blockades in
order to be binding must be effective." This means that they must be
maintained by a force actually stationed on the blockade^l coast, strong
enough to make it decidedly dangerous to attempt to run through. The
temporary absence of some of the ships, however, e|ther in pursuit of
an enemy or on account of a violent storm, would not invalidate the
blockade, and ships seeking to take advantage of such an opening would
be liable to the full penalty if caught.

And now a few words about "prizes" — a particularly interesting and
timely theme, for during the very first week of the war cur fleet captured
no fe ,er than fifteen of them.

In time of war properly commissioned ships are entitled to capture
not only the armed vessels but also the helpless merchantmen of the
<?nemy. It does seem a good deal like piracy, but it has been the uni-
versal practice from time immemorial. These captured vessels are taken
to some convenient port of the captor's own country' that the courts may
pass judgment on them, and if there has been no mistake made in the
seizure they are forthwith condemned as "lawful prize." Then they are
sold, and "prize money" is awarded the captors in proportion to the value
of the prize. The cargo is treated in the same way, unless it happens
to belong to a neutral, in which case it is free; though the owner must
put up with the inconvenience and delay resu'lting from the seizure,
since he deliberately took that risk when he piaced his goods in a hostile
craft. Formerly his property v\'as sometimes confiscated under these cir-
cumstances, but the treaty of Paris, already mentioned, put a stop to
that. Formerly, too, the goods of enemies could be taken from neutral
ships and confiscated in the same manner as contraband of war, but the
treaty of Paris made an end of that also.

Another excellent rule adopted on that notable occasion abolished
privateering. Privateers were armed ships belonging to private citizens
who had obtained from their own government a commission (letter of
marque) which authorized them to make prize of the enemy's merchant
vessels and appropriate the proceeds. The abolition of privateering was

382

BLOCKADE OF CUBAN PORTS,

a loiif>' step in the right direction, for the privateer's motive was mainly
plunder, and the whole business was really dose kin to piracj'. Neither
the United States nor Spain signed the original agreement, but both
have aeoedeil to it now — Spain, evidently, very much against her will,
for her citizens thirsted for the rich booty of our commerce, a fact which
makes siipremely ridiculous her crazy ravings against our legitimate
captures as "American piracy'."

Distribution of Prize Money.

The prize money adjudged to captors is distributed in the following
proportions:

1. The commander of a fleet or squadron, one-twentieth part of all
prize money awarded to any vessel or vessels under his immediate com-
mand.

2. To the commander of a division of a fleet or squadron, a sura
equal to one-fiftieth of any prize money awarded to a vessel of the
division under his command, to be paid from the moietj' due the United
States, if there be such moiety; if not, from the amount a^^arded the
captors.

3. To the fleet captain, one-hundredth part of all prize money
awarded to any vessel of the fleet in which lie is serving, in whicli case
he shall share in proportion to his pay, with the other oflicers and men on
board such vessel.

4. To the commander of a single vessel, one-tenth of all the prize
money awarded to the vessel.

5. After the foi-egoing deductions, the residue is distributed among
the others doing duty on board, and borne upon the books of the ship,
in proportion to their resi>ective rates of pay.

All vessels of the navy within signal distance of the vessel making
the capture, and in such condition as to be able to render effective aid if
required, will share in the i)rize. Any ^x^rson temporarily absent from
his vessel may share in the captures made duri«g his absence. The prize
court detennines what vessels shall share in a prize, and also whether
a prize was superior or inferior to the vessel or vessels making the
cai)ture.

The share of prize money awarded to the United States is set apart
forever as a fund for the payment of pensions to naval oflScers, seamen
and marines entitled to pensions.

CHAPTER XLV.

SPANISH DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

Spain Tlireatened with Interior Dilliciilties — Danger that the Crown Might
Be Lost to the Babj King of Spain — Don Carlos and the Carlists Are
Active — Castelar Is Asked to Establisli a Republic — General Wejler as
a Possible Dictator — History of the Carlist Movement and Sketch of
"the Pretender."

While these events were in progress in the international relations
of the United States and Si)ain, with a threat of a hopeless war hang-
ing over the latter, the embarrassments of the government of the
peninsular kingdom as to the conflict of its own affairs at home multi-
plied daily. Altogether aside fronx the pi'ospective operations of the
war itself the Queen Regent and her Jlinistrj' had more than one local
difficulty to face.

It was frankl}' recognizetl in their inner councils that a succession
of Spanish defeats, in all probability, would lose the throne to the
dynasty and that the boy king would never wear the crown of his
father. A second threat of danger was that in the midst of difficul-
ties abroad there w'ould be an uprising of the adherents of Don Carlos
"The Pretender," who would take advantage of the situation to start
a civil war and seize the authority. In addition to all this, the repub-
licans of S"^aiu, growing more restless under the raisgovernment they
saw, uniteu in an address to Castelar, who was formerly the president
of the Spanish republic, urging that he declare the republic again
established and promising to support him in such a movement. The
names of 20,000 of the best citizens of Spain were signed to this re-
quest, and it was an element of danger to the monarchy that was well
recognized. Finally, the partisans uf General Weyler, who comprised
a large element of the proudest and most influential people of Spain,
showed distinct signs of a desire to establish a dictatorship wit !i that
ferocious general as the supreme authority. He had been recalled
from Cuba as a rebuke and in order to alter the policies which he had
established there. His friends were ready to resent the rebuke and
offer him higher place than he had had before.

384

SPANISH DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

Don Carlos and the Carlists.

Spain has been the scene of many revolutions, a fact easily under-
stood when the character of the government is known. Dishonesty
and oppression in an administration always breed the spirit of re-
bellion. Don Carlos, who regards Alfonso as a usuri)er, and believes
himself the true King of Spain, issued, April !.'{, from his retreat in
Switzerland, a manifesto to his supporters. In this ho arraigned the
government, sought to inflame the excited Spanish iM^pulace against
the Queen liegent, her son and her ministers, and declared that they
had permitted the Spanish standard to be dragged in the mud. He
said in part:

Twenty years of patriotic retirement have proved that I am neither am-
bitious nor a conspirator. The greater and better part of my life as a man
has been spent in the difficult task of restraining my natural impulses and
those of my enthusiastic Carlists, whose eagerness I was the first to appre-
ciate, but which nevertheless I curbed, although it rent my heart to do so.
To-daj' national honor speaks louder than anything, and th(? same patriotic
duty which formerly bade me say "Wait yet a while," nuiy lead me to cry, com-
numding the Carlists, "Forward. ' and not only the Carlists, but all Spaniards,,
especially to the two national forces whicli still bravely withstand the enervat-
ing femininities of the regency, the i)eople and the army.

If the glove which Washington has flung in the face of Spain is picked up
by Madrid I will continue the same example of abnegation as before, wretched
in that I cannot partake in the struggle other than by prayers and by the in-
fluence of my name. I will applaud from my soul those who have the good
fortune to face the fire, and I shall consider those Carlists as serving my
cause who embark in war against the United States.

But if ev« rything leads me to fear that the policy of humiliation will again
prevail, w^e will snatch the reins of government from those who are unworthy
to hold them and we will occupy their places.

"While their leader was talking in this strain, his supporters were
preparing to act. They believed that the conditions for a revolution
were more favorable than they had been for years, that the present
dynasty was doomed, and that Spain would be forced to choose be-
tween republicanism and Don Carlos. The only chance, they said, for
the retention of the present dynasty, would be for Spain to defeat the
United States, and they were not so blind as to believe that such would
be the outcome of a war between the two powers.

SPANISH DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

385

Ready for Action.

Don Carlos himself beUeved that the time had come to act. He
journeyed to Ostend, where he consulted with Lord Ashburnham and
other Catholic Englishmen who were his supporters, and mapped out
a. plan of campaign. He stood ready at any convenient moment to
cross the frontier and place himself at the head of his supporters.

Never since there was a pretender to the throne of Spain, and Don
Carlos is the third of the name, had the outluuk been so favorable tor
the fall of the constitutional monarchy.

Discontent has been widespread in Spain and it has been fomented
by the Carlists, with a splendid organization, with more than 2,000
clubs scattered in various parts of the kingdom.

Causes for discontent have not been lacking, and the Cuban and
Philippine revolts, together with the threatened trouble with the
United States, were not the only reasons for popular dissatisfaction.
Spain was bankrupt and found it diflflcult to boiTow money from the
money lenders of London and Paris. With the increased expenses
due to the revolution there had been a decrease in receipts for the
same cause — the usual revenues from Havana being lacking. The
people were poor and thousands of them starving. Additional taxa-
tion was out of the question, for the people were taxed to the limit.

These were the causes to which the strength of the Carlist agita-
tion was due. And that it was strong there can be no doubt. The
birthday of Don Carlos, March 30, was celebrated this year with an
enthusiasm and unprecedented degree of unanimity throughout the
kingdom, and the government did not feel itself strong enough to in-
terfere with them.

Toastea as King.

There were hundreds of fetes in cities, towns and villages, and
many of them were held in the open air, where the pretender was
toasted as "El Rey" or "the king," and Alfonso was ignored.

This inaction could be due only to the fact that the government
was powerless. To say that they did not fear Don Carlos would be
ridiculous, as the latest manifesto of Don Carlos was suppressed, and
the government was really in fear and trembling. A more plausible
reason would be that the ministry wished to be in the good graces of

3R(1

SPAMiSIl DlSSEN>?lUNl!5 AT UOME.

Don Carlos should he win, and they were not ready to trust themselves
to absolute loyalty to the present dynasty.

Meanwhile, as this chapter is written, reports from Spain tell of
un]>rec('(lented Cailist activity. They are arming themselves, AruiB
iU'i' pouriu},^ across the frontier in such (juantities as to show that the
Carlists are prei)arin}j; for an early risinj;, and all of the actions and
utterances of the leader show that they are only waitinj;- for a favor-
able oi>]»oi'tunity to b('.i';in the revolution. Stronj;' proof of this is to
be found iu the fact that since Don Carlos secured his second wife's
va.st fortune he has been penui'ious, and it is not believed that he
would spend money in arms unless he believed the expenditure would
brinj? about some practical advantaj^e to his cause.

His agents have been working among the army officers, and it is
said that they have secured nu\ny recruits for their cause. The throne
,)f Spain, like the throne of IJussia, during the last century, or that of
Uome in the days of the em])ire, rests largely upon the army, and if
the army, discontented and dissatisfied as it certainly is, were to re-
volt, Don Carlos' success would be almost certain.

Ever since his marriage in 1S04 with the Piincess de Kohan, who
brouglit him a large fortune, Don Carlos has been watching a favora-
ble ()pi)()rtunity for a coup. There cannot be a better one than that
whic'i will be offered when Spain is defeated by the United States,
and it would not be suri)rising to see Don Carlos unfurl his banner to
the breeze and call for trooi)S to rally to his standard.

Those who tn-e supi)orters of the pretensions of Don Carlos believe
they have right on their side. His supporters love him with the
loyaJty of the legitimists to the house of Stuart during the period be-
fore the restoration in England. Ilis personality is attractive. He
has all the elements of ])ersonal popularity with the masses. He is
brave and dashing. He does not sit and weep over the fallen glories
of his race, but he is always ready for action. He is ready at any mo«
ment to lead an army in a forlorn cause and will fight for what he be
lieves to be his rights.

Flower of Spain. •

The position occupied in Spanish affairs by Don Carlos is similar
to that occupied by Prince Charles Edward toward tJie throne of
Great Britain during the last century. His family has been dispos-
sessed for about the same length of time and he has made a fight just

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KrAXISIl DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

389

as roiaanlk-, but willi iikuc l»villi;iiil prospt'i-tis, aiul at the head of tJie
lici'oic hif^liliiiiders, (hvcllcrs in the JJascjiic inountains. l"i i followera
aiv the llower of Si)ain, the most ariHtocKatlc families in the l<in<;(l<)m,
willing lo I'islc all in his snpjjoit, seH.iii^ pvoiRTly ami life itself as
worlh naii;;lit eomiKired with their honor.

There have been three Carlist pretenders to the throne of Hpain.
The lirst was Carlos V., b(»rn In 1788. lie laid claim to the throne on
the death of his brother, Ferdinand VII., in 18:J3.

F<'rdiiiand had had a stormy rei;;ii, torn by dissensions between
the eourt and the jtopular party. Napok-on comiielled iiim to resi;;u
in favor of J(jse[di I)ona])arte, but he returned to the ilnnne of his an-
i-estors njfon the fall of Bonaparte. Dunn;;' t\veuty-ei;;ht years he
nnirried live wives in sueeession. By four of these ho had no ehlldi'en,
but a dau,i>hter was born to the last, who had b<'("i 'riiicess of Naples.
She secured an i.bsolute mastery of the kin^-, who was nn imbeeile UU'
fitted to reign. The heir api)arent to the throne was the grandfather
of the J resent Don Carlos, Carlos V., the brother of Ferdinand. Be-
tween Carlos and his brother there had been a long enmity.

Christina used her inlluence with her husband to i»ersnade him to
disinherit his brother. By the HixVn: law females were ex( luded from
inheriting the throne of France. But through the intlnenee of Ferdi-
nand and his spouse the cortes was persuaded to repeal the law, the
more willingly since Carlos was in favor of absolutism, while with a
woman as ruler the chances W( uld be better for the perpetuation of
constitutionalism. The Carlists claim that during the last days Fer-
dinand repented his act and issued documents which would have
established Carlos' right to the succession, but that these werr' sup-
l)ressed. Uowever that may be, upon the death of Ferdinand his baby
daughter was declared Queen of Spain, Avith her mother as regent.

For five years there was civil war. The youth and weakness of
the baby queen proved her strength. The liberals believed that with
her as the nominal ruler the continuance of the constitutional mon-
archy would be assured. For the same reasons France and England
suivported Isabella. These were odds against whicdi Carlos could not
effectually fight, and in 18G9 he retreated from Spain, and the his-
torians treat the succession as settled in favor of the young girl, who
even at that time was not in her teens.

890

SPANISH DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

Queen Isabella's Reign.

Isabella II., or rather her mother, for the latter was the real ruler,
did not rule with prudence. Scandals disgraced the reign, and led
to the regent's removal from the regency. Queen Isabella's ill-fated
marriage and other intrigues led to domestic disturbances which kept
alive the pretensions of the Carlists.

Upon the death of the first pretender, in 1853, a second arose in
the person of his son, Don Carlos, (^ount de Montemolim. lie at-
tempted to cause a revolution in 1(800, but was aiTested with his
brother, and the\ Avere not libprated until they had signed a renuncia-
tion of their claims to the throne.

The second pretender died in 1801, and then the present Don Car-
los arose. lie was the son of Don Juan, and a brother of the two who
had renounced their claims to the Spanish throne, and he claimed
that their renunciation could not be binding on him. This was thfr
Don Carlos who is now the leader of the legitimists, and he has never
renounced his claim to the throne of his ancestors.

Ilis name in full is Don Carlos de los Dolores Juan Isidore Josef
Francisco Quirino Antonio IMiguel Gabriel Kafael. He was born in
the little village of Laibach in the Austrian Alps, while his parents
were on a journey through the country, and from his infancy his
career has been surrounded with a romance which has endeared him
to the hearts of his followers. His father, Don Juan, was an exile from
Spain and a royal wanderer seeking a place where he could end his
life in peace.

He and his wife were befriended by the Emperor Ferdinand of
Austria, who placed the j'oung Don Carlos untler the care of a Spanish
priest, who educated him for the priesthood. Even in his infancy he
cared nothing to become a priest in spite of iiis devout devotion to the
Roman Catholic faith, but dreamed of the day when he would rule as
King of Spain.

Don Carlos was only seventeen years of age when he met and fell
in love with Margaret, the daughter of the Duke of Parnm. She was
only fourteen, and the mother of the young prince persuaded them to
postpone the marriage for three years. With his wife the pretender
^ received a large fortune and he has been able to maintain a court in
the semblance of royalty for several years.

Thirty years ago Carlos might have been king. The crown was

Si'AMtSn DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

301

th^n offered him bj Prim and Sagasta, who journeyed to London for
the purpose. They said it should be his if he would support the lib-
eral constitution proposed for the country and would favor the sep-
aration of church aud state. It was the latter idea that led to his re-
jection of the profCered honor. Ilis strict Roman Catludic training
made him refuse, for religion was more to him than anything else.

Carles' Scornful Refusal.

"When I come to my tln'one," he declared, "I shall rule my land as
I see fit."

These were the words with which he scornfully spurned their
offer.

The republicans never forgave him, and later when, after the de-
thronement of Isabella, his name was again proposed in the cortes by
his supporters, Pi'im and Sagasta were his most bitter enemies.

On Don Carlos' behalf, insurrections — speedily repressed — took
place in 18G9 and 1872. But the insun-ection headed by him in person
in 1873 proved much more formidable and kept the Basque provinces
in a great confusion till the beginning of 1876, when it was crushed.

Before the commencement of the war of 1872-76, Don Carlos de-
fined clearly his position and views in various manifestoes addressed
to the people of Spain. He declai'ed that with him the revolutionary
doctrine should have no place. What Spain wanted, said Don (^arlos,
was that no outrage should be offered to the faith of her fathers, for
in Catholicity reposed the truth, as she understood it, the symbol of
ail her glories, the spirit of all her laws and the bond of concord be-
tween all good Spaniards. What Spain wanted was a real king and
a government worthy and energetic, strong and respected.

The opportunity for Don Carlos Avas f()un<l in the troublous times
that led to and followed the abdication of Amadeo I., Duke of Aosta,
who had been elected by the corfes. Tlu^ four years' war commenced
in spring, 1872, and a year later Auuideo abdicated in a message say-
ing that he saw Mpain in a continual struggle, ant) the era of i)eace
more distant; he sought remedies within the law, but did not tind
them; his efforts were sterile.

Thereupon the two chambers combined as the sovereign power of
Spain and voted for a republic. The two years of the re])ublic were
the stormiest in Spanish history, and it was then that the Carli.'ts made
the greatest progress. They numbere<l proltr.bly one-third of the peo-

«93

SPANISH DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

pie of Spain. A republic was not suited to the disposition of the
Spaniai'ds, and Castelar, who had the helm of the ship of state, gave
«p his task in disgust. Then Alfonso XII., son of the exiled Isabella,
was proclaimed heir to the throne. Alfonso XIIL, is his son.

Alfonso XII.'s first task was to suppress the C^rlists, and in thisi
he succeeded. The people were tired of the continual strife. Eoyal
ists and republicans alike welcomed the new monarch.

The number of his followers gradually dwindling and finding that
continued resistance would be unavailable, Don Carlos was finally
convinced that it would be useless to continue the stru,'i;gle. So early
in 1876 his army disbanded. Accompanied by his bodjguard lie
crossed the Pyrenees. As he stepped his foot on French soil he turned
as if to bid farewell to Spain, but his last words, energetically pro-
nounced, were: "Volvere, volvere! I will return, I will return!" And
it is the belief of his followers that his time is near at hand.

His Loyal Followers.

No man has more devoted followers. The army that fought for
Mm during the Carlist revolution was one of the most heroic that has
■ever been gathered together. To his standard came young men of
good family from every nation. He was regarded as the representa-
tive of the old regime of monarchists, and in his ranks were those Avho
hoped for the re-establishment of the now <rbsolote divine right of
Icings. He was the head of the house of Bourbon in all Europe. Ex-
cept for the existence of Maria Theresa-, daughter of Ferdinand of
Modena, married the Prince Louis of Bavaria, Don Carlos would be
the legitimate representative of the royal house of Stuart, and, barr-
ing the English act of settlement, King of Great Britain and Ireland.

This fact may have had something to do with the cold shoulder
that was turned to him by all of the powers of Eui*ope. Don Carlos
was regarded as the representative of the half-dozen pretenders to
the throne who live in exile amid little courts of their .own and build
air castles peoplv,'d with things they will do when they mount the
thrones of which they believe themselves to have been defrauded.

The Carlists believe that with the support of one of the great gov-
ernments they would have won. But they could obtain no recogni-
tion even of their belligerency, and that was in spite of the fact that,
as early as 1873, the president of tlie Spanish Republic has declared
in the eortes: "We have a real civil war. • * * It ha« a real ad-

SPANISH DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

3D3

ministrative organization and collects taxes. You have presented to
you one state in front of another. It is in fact a great war."

Yet in spite of this declaration and in spite of the* fact that the
five successive heads of the Madrid government recognized the bel-
ligerency of the Carlists by conventions; that treaties were made for
the running of railroads and for other purposes, and that the Carlists;
had a mint, postpflfice and all of the equipments of a regular govern-
ment, recognition wan withheld by the powers. Everything depended!
upon England, and General Kirkpatrick, a brigadier general in the-
civil war, who represented the Carlists as charge d'affaires at London,
was unable to secure that boon from Gladstone, and none of the c(<n-
tinental powers would act until England had led the way.

After his retirement from Spain, when the war had exhausted his
resources, Don Carlos lived humbly and quietly at Paris. He had
ceased to love his wife and they led a miserable domestic life. He
would sell his wai" horse and fling the money to her on the bare table,
telling her to buy bread with it. Then his friends would buy the horse
back again. Once he disposed of the badge of the Order of Goldem
Fleece that had decorated the son of his illustrious ancestor, Charles
V. The discveditable part of this action was not so much in the actual
act cf pawning as that he put the blame for it on an old general who
had sen^cfl him with fidelity for twenty years. He claimed that the
general had stolen it, imagining that the old soldier^s devotion to his
interestfi would induce him to remain silent. But the general at once
told all of the facts in the case, and also told how Don Carlos had used
the money to satisfy the demands of a notorious demi-mondaine.

Hia financial difficulties came to an end with the death of the
CV)rate and Comtesse de Ohambord, who bequeathed the larger part
of their immense wealth to their favorite niece, wife of Don Carlos.
The duchess kept the money in her own hands, but gave him all he
needed. At her death she was quite as provident, leaving the money
in trust for her children and giving only a small allowance to her hus-
band, from whom she had lived apart for fifteen years;

Married a Fortune.

This threw the pretender again into financial straits, for he has ex-
pensive tastes wli' _ .^quire a large fortune to support. So he looked
around for a bride. His followers were startled to hear of his mar-
riage to the wealthy Princess Marie Berthe de Rohan. The marriage
took place April 29, 1894, and, although she was handsome and ex-

394

SPANISH DISSENSIONS AT HOME.

ceedingly rich and a member of the illustrious Kohan family, which
aloue of all the noble families of France and Austria has the jDrivilege
of calling tht' monarch cousin — it was regarded as a mesalliance by
all of the Carlists in Spain and legitiniisis everywhere. They believed
that Don Carlos should have not married any but the scion of a royal
house.

By his first marriage Don Carlos had five children, among tliem
Don Jaime, now in his twenty-eighth year, who is regarded as heir to
the throne by the Carlists. Don Jaime is said to possess to a high de-
gree the strength of will and the determined chiu'acter of his father.
He was educated in England and Austria, and is now^ serving in the
Kussian arm3\ Military science is his hobby, and he will be able to
fight for his throne, as his father has done, if it becomes necessary.

Don Carlos is now in Switzerland, that home of the exiled from
other lands, and where he spends his summers. His winter residence
is at the Palais de Loredane in Venice.

At the present date the Carlist party is one of the strongest polit-
ical parties in Spain. This does not appear in the representation in
the Spanish cor es, for under the present sys^^em the right to exercise
the frauohise freely is a fai*ce.

There is no doubt that Don Carlos' popularity is greater than that
of the little king. The queen is regarded as a foreigner and the king
is too young to awaJcen any admiration in spite of the fact that eveiy
opportunity is taken to make him do so. To popularize the little king
the queen regent promenades the poor child through the provinces.
He makes childish speeches to the populace, touches the flags of the
volunteers and in every way seeks to revive the enthusiasm for the
house of Austria. But without avail. The wretched peasants, ground
down by taxes, find little to stir them in the sight.

On the contrary, Don Carlos is a great military hero, whose actions
have stirred the peojde to admiration in spite of his many bad quali-
ties.

That the present dynasty will endure when all of the evils from
which Spain suffers are considered, seems hard to believe. Unless a
miracle happens or the powers bolster up the throne of the little king,
the people are likely to turn to Don Carlos for relief. Tliere are those
who believe that republicanism is also rampant ajid that the Carlist
agitation masks republican doctrines, and that Weyler will be dic-
tator. This may be. But Don Carlos seems nearer the throne than he
lias been at any time during his career.

CHAPTEK XLVI.
THE rHILIPPINES, PUERTO KICO, AND OTHER COLONIES OF SPAIN.

The Philippines Another Example of the Shocking Misyovernment of Spain's
Outlying Possessions— Interesting Facts About the Philippines-
Spanish Oppression and rruelty— ilauila, the Capital of the Islands
—Manufactures and Trade of the Eastern Archii)el.ago- -Puerto Rico
and Its History— The Products and People^— Spirit of Insurrection Rife
—The Colonies Oif the Coast of Africa Where Spain Exiles Political
and Other Offenders— The Canaries, Fernando Po and Ceuta.

From the very beginning of our war with Spain the peninsular
kingdom had reason to fear that the loss of (^iba would be but one of
the disasters to befall it in tlio Avar with the United States. It was
recognized in all quarters that the Queen Kegent would iuive been
willing to let the Cuban insurrectionists have their island uitbout
further protest, had it not been for the fact that giving up probably
would have incited an insurrection at home, resulting in a loss of the
crown to her son before he should have a chance to wear 'A.

It was quite well understood as a like probability that the Philip-
pine islands, that splendid colony of Spain in the East Indies, would
be lost to Spanish control at the same time, and th{i,t the island of
Puerto Eico, the last remnant of Spain's great colonial possessions in
the Western hemisphere, after Cuba's loss, would gain its freedom
too. The Queen Kegent luiviug spurned the only course in Cuban
affairs which the United States would permit, with American war-
ships threatening Manila, it became immediately apparent that the
othe/ ..orn of the dilemma which had been chosen was as fatal to
tspauish sovereignty as the first would have been.

Even Cuba, with all its abominations, scarcely afforded so remark-
able a picture of Spanish oppression, miscalled government, as may be
seen in the Philippines. It is only the remoteness and isolation of these
unhappy islands that has prevented the atrocities there perpetrated
from arousing the indignation of the whole world. Readers are familiar
enough with the shocking barbarities practiced in times of disorder
by the Spanish authorities, and they do not need to be multiplied here,
Ijut in the Philippines is demonstrated the utter incapacity of the Span-

396

S'JG THE PHILIPriNES, PUERTO RICO, AND OTHER COLONIES.

ish for the exercise of civilized government over a dependent province
even in times of so-called peace.

The Philippines are extremely interesting in themselves, but are
seldom visited by tourists, partlj' in consequence of their lying out of
the ordinary lines of travel and partly because of the policy of Chinese
seclusion cultivated by the government. The climate, too, is unhealthy,
even beyond what is usual in the tropics, and the unsettled state of
the country, swarming with exasperated savages and bandits of the
worst description, makes excursions beyond the limits of the principal
cities very perilous. About GOO islands are included in the group, and
the total area is considerable — some 150,000 square miles, three or
four times that of Cuba. Exact data, however, are difficult to obtain.
There are a multitude of insignificant islets hardly known except
upon the charts of navigators; but Luzon almost equals Cuba in extent.
Altogether the islands probably contain less than 8,000,000 souls; so
that Spanish cruelty finds plenty of raw material to work upon.

Characteristics of the Population.

And most of it is raw to the last degree — a medley of diverse and
hostile races, ranging from the puny and dying remnant of the Negri-
tos, who live like wild beasts in the highlands, subsisting upon the
roots which they claw out of the ground, to the fierce and unsubdued
Mohammedan tribes that still keep up the bloody war of creeds which
raged in Spain itself for so many centuries. These latter are chiefly
of Malay origin and many of them are professional head-hunters, well
qualilied to retort Spanish outrages in kind. There are also Chinese
in large numbers and half-castes of all varieties. The proportion of
Europeans is small, even in the cities. The resident Spaniards are all
soldiers or officials of some sort and are there simply for what they
,can make by extortion and corrupt practices.

The Philippine islands were discovered in 1521 by Magellan, the
circumnavigator, and were conquered by Spain and made a colony in
the reign of Philip II., for whom they were named, half a century
later. Spanish sway never has extended over more than half of the
1,400 islands of the archipelago, the others remaining under their native
wild tribes and Mohammedan rulers. The conjectural area is about
120,000 square miles, and the estimated population about 7,500,000.
About half this area and three-quarters of this peT)ulation are nominally
under Spanish rule, but the insurrection has left things in a good

THE I'HILirriNES, PUERTO RICO, AND OTHER COLONIES. 397

d«jal of doubt. The remainder of the people are j^overned according?
to their own customs, by independent native princes. Education is
exceedingly backward. The Konian Catholic cler<j;y have been in-
dustrious, and probably 2,500,000 natives are nominal converts to
the Christian religion; but education has advanced A-ery little among
them, There is a Koman Catholic archbishop of Manila, besides thr(^
bishops.

The history of the Philippines has included a succession of revolu-
tions against Spanish authority, put down by ferocious warfare and
cruelty on the part of the victors. The conversion and subjugation of
the islands were not accompanied by quite the horrors that charac-
terized the Spanish conquest of South America, but the record is sec-
ond only to that. Manila was captured by the English in 1702 and
was held by them for two years until ransomed by the Spanis'h by a
payment of 1,000,000 pounds. Contests with rebellious tribes, attacks
by pirates, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tornadoes help to break
the monotony of the history.

Manila, the Capital of the Colony.

Manila, the capital city of the colony and of Luzon, the largest
island, lies (528 miles, or sixty hours' easy steaming, southeast of Hong-
kong, and twice that distance northeast of Singapore. Tlie popula-
tion of the city is about 330,000, of whom only 10,000 — including troops,
government officials and clergy — are Europeans, and not more than
500 are English-si)eaking people, A few American houses have
branches in Manila, so that there is an American population of per-
haps 100. The city faces a fine bay, into which tlows the River Pasig.
Most of the Europeans live -in Binondo, a beautiful suburb on higher
ground, across the river. There are many native dialects, but the
social, official and business idiom is Spanish. The army of Spanish
civil, religious, military and naval officials is a leech on the people in
the same fashion as it was in Cuba. All the places of profit are
monopolized by them, appointments to choice offices in the Philippines
being given to those whom it is desired to reward for service to the
governnuMt in Spain. It is quite well understood that such an appointee
is expected to gain a fortune as rapidly as he can, b^- any method
possible, so that he may give way for some one els^ to be brought over
from Spain for a similar reward. The policy is the same as the colonial
policy of Spain in Cuba was, and the same results have followed.

But, indeed, piHage of the wretched natives is the almost open aim

398 THE I'HILirPOES, PUEltTO RICO, AND OTHER COLONIES.

of the govi'i'iinient — tlie sole end for wliicli it is orunnized and main-
taiued; so why should i)ett,v officials be scrupidous? It is (he old Ko-
mau in'ovincial system, denounced by (3icero 2,(K)U years ayo, but in
Spain un forgotten and uniniiiroved. ^Yhat oilier use has she for de-
pendeju'ies, except as a source of revenue wrung by torture from the
misery of slaves, and incidentally as a battening ground for her sav-
age war dogs? Here the detestable Weyler is said to have accumu-
'ited a fortune of several millions of dollars in three years — more
than twenty times the whole amount of his salary!

The methods employed in this legalized system of robbery are me-
diieval in character, but often higlily ingenious. One of them is the
"cedula personal," a sort of passport. Every person in tJie islands and
over eighteen years of age and accessible to the authorities is required
to take out one of these documents; even the women are not exempt.
The cedula must be renewed annually and the cost is from .fl.GO to ^'2o,
according to circumstances — the chief circumstances being the vic-
tim's ability to pay. This in a country where wages sometimes fall as
low as five cents a day! And any one who holds a cedula costing less
than f3 is further required to render the government fifteen days of
unremunerated labor.

Instances of Petty Extortion.

But the cedula is only one device out of many for extracting gold
from the refractory ore of poverty. A hungry native cannot kill his
own hog or buffalo for meat without a special i)ermit — which, of
course, must be paid for. lie is not allowed to press out a pint of co-
coanut oil from the fruit of his own orchard until he has obtained a
license, and this also has its price. The o'rchard itself is taxed; every-
thing is taxed in the Philippines.

The resident Chinese are further subjected to a special tax — whether
for existing or for not being something else is not stated. They are
not popular and are treated with the most shameless injustice. This
the following incident will illustrate:

Fires are very frequent in Manila and very destructive, most of the
houses being of wood, while the poorer districts are a mere jumble of
bamboo huts, thousands of which are sometimes consumed in a day
without exciting nrtich comment. A fire in the business portion, how-
ever, arouses more interest; it affords opportunities that are not to
be neglected. On one such occasion, where the scene of conflagration
was a quarter chiefly occupied by Chinese shops, the street was soon

TllK rUlLll'l'INES, PUERTO KICO, AND OTHER COLONIES. 399

thronged witb an cai-tT mob. Tlio poor Cliiuaincn, acting' nuidi like
crazed cattle, had lied into their upper ehanibers and locked the doors,
apparently preferring death by fire to the treatment they were likely
to receive outside. But there was no escape.

The "rescuers" — Spanish soldiers — quickly broke in with axes and
after emptying the money boxes, hurled the wretched Mongolians and
all their goods into the street, to be dealt with at discretion. It was a
mere i)retext for robbery and outrage, as many of the shops were re-
mote from the tire and in no danger. The next morning the middle of
the street was piled hi«;h with soiled and broken goods; and any one
who cared to bribe the sentries was allowed to carry away as much as
he pleased. All day long the carts went to and fro, openly conveying
away the plunder. The owners were not in evidence; what had be-
come of them is not recorded. Such is the "fire department" in Manila.

Taxes are imposed for "improvements," but no improvements are
permitted even when backed by foreign capital. The roads remain
impassable canals of mud, education is a farce, the introduction of ma-
chinery is frowned upon and progress is obstructed.

The natural resources of the Philippines are very goo 1, and under
a civilized administration these islands would be rich and i)rosperous<
But the mildew of Spanish misgovernment is upon everything and its
perennial blight is far more disastrous than the worst outbreaks of
savagery in time of war. His total inability to maintain an endurable
government in time of peace is what marks the Spaniard as hopelessly
unfit to rule.

Manila has cable connection with the rest of the world, and reg-
ular lines of passenger steamers. The European colony' has its daily
papers, which are, however, under strict censorship, religious and mili-
tary, and keeps up with the news and the fashions of the day. Until
the insurrection of the last two years, the army, except two Spanish
brigades of artillery and a corps of engineers, was composed of natives
and consisted of seven regiments of infantry and one of cavalry. There
was also a body of Spanish militia in Manila, a volunteer corps similar
to the one which was always maintained in Havana under Spanish
rule, which could be called out by the captain-general in the event
of need.

Spain's Feeble Control of the Islands.

When the latest insurrection began, Spain shipped to its far-off col-
ony all the men who could be spared from service in Cuba, and after

400 THE PHILirriNES, PUERTO RICO, AND OTHER COLONIES.

a few months of fighting it was nnnouncecl that the rebellion was
crnshed. As a matter of fact, however, Spain has control of but a com-
paratively small part of the islands, and the natives elsewhene are as
free from obligation to pay Spanish taxes as they were before the dis-
covery.

Trade restrictions have hampered the commercial progress of the
colony, but in spite of that fact their trade with tlie outside world is
a large one. For manj' years after the conquest but one vessel u year
was permitted to ply between Manila and the Spanish-Amei-ican port
of Acapulco. Then the number was increased to five. Then a Spanish
chartered company was given a monopoly of the trade of the islands.
"When that monopoly expired, other houses began business, until finally
many large English and (Jerman firms shared the trade, while Ameri-
can houses and American ships were by no means at the foot of the
list. The total volume of the exports and imports is about !i!73,000,()0()
annually.

The manufactures of the Philippines consist chiefly of textile ^'ab-
rics of pineapple fiber, silk and cotton; hats, mats, baskets, rope, fur-
niture, pottery and musical instruments. Vegetable products of great
value are indigo, cocoa, sugar, rice, bamboo, hemp and tobacco. Coffee,
pepper and cassia grow wild in sufficient (juantity and (piality to pro-
vide a living for those who wish to take advantage of what natuie has
provided. Coal, gold, iron and copper are mined with profit. The soil
is exceedingly fertile, and although the climate is tropical, witli little
change except between Avet and dr\' seasons, it has not been difficult
for Europeans to accustom themselves to it. The largest island is
nearly 500 miles long and 125 miles wide, Avhile others are more than
half as large. It must be remembered that the interior of these great
islands, and the whole of hundreds of the smaller ones, are unexplored
and almost unvisited by travelers from civiliz(>d lands, as Spanish ex-
ploration has been of little practical value to the rest of the world or
to science.

Puerto Rico.

Puerto Kico, the smaller of the two islands Avhich Spain held in
the West Indies, was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and occupied by
soldiers under Ponce de Leon early in the sixteenth century. It lies
well outside the Caribbean sea, in the open Atlantic, and for this rea-
son it is not at all aftected climatically, as Cuba is, by proximity to the
continent. Its climate is determined mostly by the ocean, whose

THE nilLIPPINES, PUERTO RICO, AND OTHER COLONIES. 401

breezes sweep eonstantly over the entire island, teniperin;^ delieiously
the tropical heat of the sun.

The surface of the island is equally favorable to excelh'ut climatic
conditions. It has no mountains, but it has hills that extend from end
to end of it and form a perfect watershed and alTord drainaj;(' for
l)lains and valleys. Thirteeu hundred rivers, forty-seven of them navij;-
able, «lrain 3,500 square miles of territory, a territory as lar<:;e as the
state of Delaware. All over its extent are, besides the jjrincipal ranj^e
of hills that are by some called mountains, roun<l-topped hills of .finest
soil, which are nearly every one cultivated. In sunnner the heat is not
excessive in the valleys and in winter ice never forms on the hills. It
is a purely agricultural country and the great nuijority of the natives
are farmers. In the population of 810,000 are 300,000 negroes, who are
now free, and siuce their freedom have gone into the towns and cities
and found work in the sugar mills and at similar employments.

The native Puerto IJicaus adhere to the soil. Their labors are not
severe where the soil is loose and rich, as it is everywhere except near
the seashore, and for reasons already stated the clinmte is very favor-
able to a comfortable existence. The only drawback perhaps to this
comfoi't for dwellers on the island is lack of substantial bridges c)vcr
the many streams and the absence of good roads.

There are a number of extensive forests on the island, and while
they resemble in their main outlines those of the other West India
islands, certain varieties of trees and shrubs exist there that are not
seen elsewhere. Baron Eggers, who in 1883 had a coffee farm of 2,000
acres just coming into bearing, found leisure from his oth' " employ-
ments to explore some of the forests and — he being an authority on the
subject — the facts he discovered and reported have been regarded of
interest by travelers and students. He found palms and a strange
variety' of orchid, but the palms were not so lofty, nor the orchids so
rich as they both are on the Caribbean islands. But he found trees of
great beauty and great utility in manufactures that are not abundant
on the other islands, if, indeed, they are ever found on any of them.

The Baron describes with rajiture the sUbiuo, so called by the na-
tives, but by him called the talauma; it is from fifteen to twenty feet
high, with spreading branches, having large silvery leaves and bearing
immense white, odorous flowers. The hietella is another tree that has
remarkable leaves and yields beautiful crimson flowers. He describes
still another tree, without naming it, as having orangelike foliage, large
purple flowers, and as having in its neighborhood other trees, different

ii;

403 THE PIIILIPI'IXKS, PUERTO RICO, AND OTHER COLONIES.

from it, but rcscniblin.i'- il iiiid evidently allied to i<. This I i-ee, he says,
in not found elsewhere. Still another tree, the orte.jjjon, whose (io\ver»
are i»ur|)le sjjikes a yard lonj;-, and whost* v/ood is used for timber, i»
eouinion on (he hi<;h lands near (he coast. And (here are dye woods,
niahoj;any an<l li;jiiuini vi(ae. Ileuee i( is seen tluU the fores(s of Puerto
Kico ai-e generally beautiful, aJid stranye in some of their features.

The words I'uerto Kieo are, when transbded, Rieh Port, and they
are very applicable lo (his snu};- spot in the Atlantic ocean, only a short
<lis(ance olT (he rui(ed S(a(es coasl. Every varie(y of soil is jr<la])ted to
the yrowdk of a iiarliciilar kind of crop. Tlie hij;hes( hills, as the lowest
valleys, i re culdvated wi(h reference to what (hey will b(st produce.
On the hills, rice; in (he valleys, coffee, cotton and su<;ar cane; on the
risiny; j;rounds between the valleys and hills, tobacco. I'uerto Kico rice,
unlike (hat of (he Carolinas, j^rows on dry lands, even on the hi<;hest
hills, without watering,'. It is the stajde food of the laborers. The con-
sular report to AVashinj^ton for 18S)T says the product of coffee that year
was 2(5,(555 tons; of su<;ar, 54,205 tons, and of tobacco, l,()oi) tons. The
number of bales of cotton is not j;iven, but the consul expaliates on its
line <]uality. The richness of the su<;ar lauds may be judji,cd from this
item in the report: "Three ho.t;shea(ls of suj;ar is an averaj;e yield per
acre, without usiu}^' fertilizers of any kind."

Puerto Rico is one of the tinest {^razinj^- countries in the world. Its
herds of cattle are immense, and from them are sup])lied cattle of a
superior (puility to the other West India islands. Great quantities of
hides are shipped to various (.(mntries.

Thouf-h richly aj;ricultural as the island is, and entitled as it is to-
be re;;ar(led as exclusively agricultural, in past times considerable min-
ing was done there, in gold, copper and salt. Indeed, co])i)er is still
mined to a small extent, and salt is still so plentiful that the govern-
ment finds a i)rolit in moiU)p()liziug the sale of it.

Puerto Rico is only 100 miles in length and from fifty to sixty miles
in breadth, and as square as a dry-goods box. East and west and north
and south its coast lines run almost as regularly as if projected by com-
pass. It is the delight of the sailorman, as its fertile soil is the joy of
the agriculturist.

The harbor of San Juan is the chief in Puerto Kico, and one of the
best of its size in the Caribbean sea. It is safe and sheltered, large and
land-locked, and though the entrance is somewhat "foul," ships draw-
ing three fathoms can enter and find anchorage within, good holding-
ground being had at any depth up to six fathoms. The bay is broad as

THE IMIILII'I'IXKS, ITKirro HK'O, AND OTHKU COLOMKS. 403

well as Ix'juiliful, and opeus toward the north, so thai a vcshoI laying
her course from New York could, if there were no obstructions en route,
Rail directly iido the hai'bnv.

The forlilhalions wlilcli surround the city of San Jnan are, like the
Spanish pedij^rees, ancient, Ihindxtyant, beautiful to lo(»k a(, but as
worthless withal. This city of about 2r),0(H) inhabitants is completely
inclosed williiu imiMjsiu};' walls of stone and hardened mortar from 50 to
100 feet in hei^hl. Tlun- have picturescpie <iates and drawbridj^cs, jtort-
cuUises and demilunes, (luaint old sentry boxi s projecting into the sea,
frownin;^' badlemenis, and all that; but nu)st of their cannon date buck
from the last century.

In ancient times the chief fort or castle was called the "morro," or
MooiMsh tower, because it was g-enerally round; and San Jnan, like Ha-
vana, has its Morro as tlie nutst prominent point of its fort ilicat ions. It
staiuls on a blulT juttiu'? out from the city walls and has a li;:;hthouse
immediately in the rear of it. Against the seaward front of the mas-
sive walls the ocean pounds and thunders, but the landward harbor is
quiet and safe for any craft. A broad i)arade {ground is inclosed within
the walls, westward from the citadel, and n(»t far off is the oldest house
in the city, no less a structure than the ancient castle of Ponce de Leon,
one-time governor here and discoverer of Florida. His ashes are also
kept here, in a leaden case, for Ponce the Lion-Heart ed was a ^'r'^at nuin
in his day and cleaned out the Indians of this island with a thorough
ness that earned him an exceeding great reward.

Just under the northern wall of the castle is the public cemetery, the
gate to it overhung by an ornate sentry box, and the bones of evicted
tenaids of graves whose teruis of rental have expired, are i)il(Ml in the
corners of the inclosure. The prevailing winds by day are from the sea
landward; by night, from the inland mountains toward the coast. Far
inland rises the conical summit of the great Luquillo, a mountain about
4,000 feet in height, and from whose sides descend streams that fertilize
the isJand.

It is about ninety miles from San Juan to Ponce, the southern port,
by a line road diagonally across the island. The Sjjaniards generally
are poor road-builders, but in this island they have done better than in
Cuba, and one may travel here with a fair amount of comfort to the mile.
There are several lines of railroads building, a system befug projected
around the island 340 miles in length.

The city of Ponce is the largest, with a population of about 38,000
and an export trade of vast extent. It is the chief s* ,«» -shipping point,

404 THE PHILIPPINES, PUERTO RICO, AND OTHER COLONIES.

though it has no good harbor, and lies nearly three miles from the sea.
It is a rather fine city, with a pretty plaza and a grand cathedral, and
its houses, like those of San Juan, are all built of stone.

Other harbors are: On the east coast, Fajardo and LIumacao; on the
north, besides San Juan, Arrecibo; on the west, Aguadilla and Maya-
guez, at the former of which Columbus watered his caravels in 1493, and
where the original spring still gushes forth.

Going with I'uerto Kico are two small islands cal'ed Culebra and
Vieque, niainl,y inhabited by tishenuen, but with fine forests of dj'e and
cabinet Avoods to be exploited. The commerce of the island is mainly
with the United States. We gained |1,000,000 a year in exports to this
island for the last ten years, and nearly !ij!3,000,000 in im])orts. With
a staple government and under wise control, I'uerto Kico will more
nearly attain to its full productiveness. The annual sugar yield is esti
mated at near 70,000 tons; that of coffee, 17,000 tons; bananas, nearly
200,000,000; cocoanuts, 3,000,000, and tobacco, .',000,000 pounds. Gold
was originally abundant here, and copper, iron and lead have been
found. With enterprise and protection to life and property they will
be profitably exploited.

Colonial Possessions of Spain.

The loss of Cuba and Puerto Kico did not leave Spain without
colonial possessions, as the subjoined table v»ill show:

T, • • » • Area — English „ , ..

Possessions m Asia- square miles. Population.

Philippine Islands 114,326 7,000,000

Suhi Islands , 950 7u,()00

Carolhie Islands and Palaos 500 30,000

Marianne Islands 420 10,172

Total Asiatic possessions 110,256 7,121,172

Possessions in Africa —

Rio de Oro and Adrar 243,000 100,000

Tfni 27 6,000

Fernando Po, Annabon, Corsico, Elobcy, San Juan. . . . 850 30,000

Total African possessions 243,877 136,000

The Sulu archipelago lies southwest of the Island of Mindanao, and
directly south of Manila and the Mindora sea. The chief island gives

000,000
75,000
36,000
10,172

CLARA B^^TON— "THE ANGEL OF THE SICK ROOM"

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THE riiiLirriNEJ^, puerto rico, and other colonies. 4ar

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its namo to tlio pToii]), wliicli oxtoiuls to the tliroc-niile limit of lionioo.
The invn of the whole b:, estimated at 950 square milos; the populaiiou
at To.OOO Melauesiaiis.

The Caroline and Marianne, or Ladrone Islands, are more numerous,
but seai'cely as important or as j)opulons as the Sulu group. They be-
long to what is sometimes known as !Micvonesia, fnmi the extreme di-
minuthcness of the land masses. The two groups are east and northeast
of the IMiilippines, and iti easy sailing reaeh from Manila. From cast
to west they are spread over liO-odd degrees of longitude, a*id from north
to south over 20 degrees of latitude.

Tlie inhabited islands are of coral formation, generallv not over ten
or twelve feet above high water mark. They are, in fact, heaps of sand
and seaweed blown over the coral reefs. ^Nlost of these islands arc nar-
row bands of land from a few yards to a third of a mile across, with a
lagoon partly or wholly inclosed by the reef. Cocoanuts and lish are
the chief reliance of the natives, Avho are an inferior species, even for
Polj'nesians.

First and most attractive of the African dependencies, both by rea-
son of natural resources and of their advantages as a naval base, are the
Canaries, which are regarded as a ]iart of the Spanish kingdom proper,
so long and so secure has been the hold of Sjjaiu upon them.

More extensive in area, if not more attractive for resi'dence purposes, •
is the sandy, itartially desert stretch beai-ing the names of TJio de Oro
(Iliver of Gold), ami Adrar. The imaginary line familiar to schoolboys
under the name of the Tropic of Cancer has an especial fondness for this
region, passing near the north and south center. The district is close to
the Camn-ies on its northern edge, and it is ruled by a sub-governor
under the (ilovermn' of the Canaries. There are two small settlements
en the coast. The only glory Spain gets from this possession is that of
seeing its color mark on the mai)s of Africa.

Of the other African possessions enumerated some are hardlv bi<^
enough to be seen on an ordinary map without the aid of a microscope.
Corisco is a little stretch of coast around an inlet just south of Cnpe St.
John, near the erpuvtor. Fernaiulo To Island will be found right in the
inner crook of the big African elbow. Annabon Island is off Cape Lopez.

Another possession or claim of the decadent peiunsula monarchy re-
mains to be catalogued — the country on the banks of the Muni and
(\impo rivers, 00,000 scpiare miles, and containing a population of 500,-
000. The title to this section is also claimed by France.

CHAPTER XLVII.

PROGRESS OF HOSTILITIES.

Eagerness to Fight — Matanzaa Bombarded — Weyler's Brother-in-law a PrSn
oner of -War — The Situation in Havana — Blanco Makes a Persona?
Appeal to Gomez — The Reply of a Patriot — "One Race, Mankind"—
The Slomentum of War — Our Position Among Nations.

The striking peculiaritj* at the commencement of the war was the
general eagerness to fight. There have been wars in which there wa?
much maneuvering and blustering, but no coming to blows. There have
been campaigns on sea and land in which commanders exhausted the
devices of strategy to keep out of each other's way, but in this war the
Americans strained strategy, evaded rules, and sought excuses to g jt at
the Spaniards.

Given a Spanish fortified town and an American fleet, and there was*
a bombardment on short notice. Given a Spanish fort and a Yankee
gunboat, and there was a fight. There were no "all-quiet-on-the-Poto-
mac" or "nothing-ncw-before-Paris" refrains. The Americans knew
they were right, and they went ahead.

Matanzas Bombarded.

The first actual bombardment of Cuban forts took place on April
27th at Matanzas, when three ships of Admiral Sampson's fleet, the flag-
ship New York, the monitor Puritan, and the cruiser Cincinnati, opened
fire upon the fortifications. The Spaniards had been actively at work on
the fortifications at Punta Gorda, and it was the knowledge of this fact
that led Admiral Sampson to shell the place, the purpose being to pre-
vent their completion.

A small battery on the eastern side of the bay opened fire on the New
York, and the flagship quickly responded with her heavy guns. Prob-
ably twenty-five eight-inch shells were sent from the battery at our
ships, but all of them fell short. A few blank shells were also fired
from the incomplete battery.

One or two of those whizzed over Admiral Sampson's flagshij). After
completiutr their work the ships put out to the open sea, the flagship

PKOGRESS OF HOSTILITIES.

409

returning to its post off Havana, while the Cincinnati and the Puritan
remained on guard off Matauzas, While the flagship New York, her
sister cruiser, the Cincinnati, and the monitor Puritan were locating the
defenses of Matanzas harbor the batteries guarding the entrance opened
fire on the New York. Their answer was a broadside from Admiral
Sampson's flagship, the first fire being from the forward eight-inch gun
on the port side. The monitor attacked the Point Maj-a fortification,
the flagship went in close and shelled Kubalcaya Point, while the Cin-
cinnati was soon at work shelling the fortification on the west side of
the bay. In less than twenty minutes Admiral Sampson's warships
had silenced the Spanish batteries.

The explosive shells from the forts fell wide of the ships. The last
one fired from the shore was from Point Kubalcaya. The monitor
Puritan let go with a shot from one of her twelve-inch guns, and its effeet
was seen when a part of the fortification went into the air. The battery
at Maya was the stronger of the two and its fire more constant, but all
its shells failed to hit our ships.

The taiget practice of the flagship was an inspiring sight. At every
shot from her batteries, clouds of dust and big pieces of stone showed
where the Spanish forts were suffering. The New York, after i educing
the range from over six thousand to throe thousand yards, fired shells at
the rate of three a minute into the enemy's forts, each one creating
havoc. The Puritan took equally good care of Point Maya. When she
succeeded in getting the range, her gunners landed a slell inside the
works at every shot.

When permission was given to the Cincinnati to take part in the first
battle between Yankee and Spanish forces, the cruiser came up to
within 2,000 yards of the shore, and almost immediately her guns were
at work. Cadet Boone on the flagship fired the first gun in answer to
the Spanish batteries.

The Spanish mail steamer Argonauta, Captain Lage, was convoyed
into Key West harbor by the United States cruiser Marblehead on May
3. Colonel Vicente De Cortijo of the Third Spanish cavalry, who, with
nineteen other army officers, was taken on the prize, is a brother-in-law
of Lieutenant General Valeriano Weyler. Colonel De Cortijo and the
other officers were transferred to the Guido and the privates to the
Ambrosio Bolivar, two other trophies of the first week of the war.

The Argonauta herself was uo mean prize, being of 1,000 tons burden,
but the value of the capture was mainly' in the prisoners of war and the
mail matter going to General Blanco. Her cargo was general mer-

410

PROGRESS OF HOSTILITIES,

c'handise, with a large quantity of ammunition and supplies for the
Spanish troops in Cuba.

The Situation in Havana.

A correspondent wrote from Ilavana, on the 3d of May, as follows:

"The dispatch boat succeeded again to-day in opening communica-
tion with Havana, and your correspondent brought away with him the
morning papers of yesterday.

"The City of Havana is a sad sight. There are still a few of the
reconcentrados about the streets now, but starvation has ended the
niiserj' of most of them, and their bones have been thrown into the
trenches outside of the city.

"Starvation now faces the Spanish citizens themselves. Havana is a
graveyard. Two-thirds of the inhabitants have fled. The other third is
beginning to feel the pangs of hunger.

"The prices rival those of Klondike. Beefsteak is |1 a pound. Chick-
ens are .?1 each. Flour is ^50 a barrel. Everything is being confiscated
for Blanco's army. Sleek, well-fed persons are daily threatened with
death to make them divulge the whereabouts of their hidden stores of
provisions.

"Several provision stores in the side streets have been broken into
and looted. General Blanco is being strongly urged to sink artesian
wells to provide water in the event of a siege, as a joint attack by the
Cuban and ^Vmerican forces would destroy the aqueduct. It is not
thought that Blanco will attempt this, as he will not have sufflcieut time.

"A bulletin posted on the wall of the palace this morning announced
that the mail steamship Aviles from Nuevitasa and the Cosme Ilerra
from Sagua arrived last night. It is also stated that the Spanish brig
Vigilante arrived at Matanzas from Montevideo with food supplies for
the government.

"The palace of the Captain General is practically deserted since the
blockade began. Blanco has personally taken command of Mariena bat-
terv, and is directing the erection of new sand batteries all along the
wr : r front west of the entrance to Havana Bay. Lieutenant General
P odo is making Guanabacoa his headquarters, and is planting new
ball i ies and strengthening the fortifications as much as possible. Over
300 draymen are engaged in the hauling of sand from the mouth of
Almandres for use in the construction of the earthworks along the
coast, and in the city suburbs all draymen have been ordered to report

PROGRESS OP HOSTILITIES.

411

for volunteer duty with their drays. The streets are riotous with half-
drunkeu Spanish volunteers crying for American and Cuban blood.

"At night tlie city is wrapped in darkness, all gas and electric lights
being shut oil" by order of Blanco. Spanish soldiers are taking ad-
vantage of this to commit shocking outrages upon unprotected Cuban
families. In spite of these direful circumstances Blanco has ordered
the decoration of the city, hoping to incite the patriotism of the pop-
ulace."

Blanco Makes a Personal Appeal to Gomez.

On May 4 General Blanco made a supreme effort to win over the
Cuban forces, writing a letter to General Gomez. A copy of this letter
and the answer of General Gomez were found upon Commander Lima,
who was picked up by the Tecumseh fifteen miles from Ilavana. The let-
ter of General Blanco was as follows:

General Shixinio Gomez, Cominandcr-in-Chiof of the Revohitionarv Forces:

Sir — It cannot be concealed from you that the Cuban problem has radi
cally changed. We Spaniards and Cubans find ourselves facing a foreign
people of different race, of a naturally absorbent tendenc^^, and with inten-
tions not only to deprive Spain of her flag over the Cuban soil, but also to
exterminate the Cuban people, due to its having Spanish blood.

The supreme moment has, therefore, arrived in which we should forget
T>viY past misunderstandings, and in which, united by the interests of our own
defense, we, Spaniards and Cubans, must repel the invader.

General, due to these reasons, I propose to make alliance of both armies
in the City of Santa Clara. The Cubans will receive the arms of the Spanish
army, and with the cry of "Viva Espana!'' and "Viva Cuba!" w^ shall repel
the invader and free from a foreign yoke the descendants of the same people.

Your obedient servant,

RAMON BLANCO.

To this General Gomez replied as follows:

Sir — I wonder how you dare to write me again about terms of peace when
you know that Cubans and Spaniards can never be at peace on the soil of
Cuba. You represent on this continent an old and discredited monarchy.
We are fighting for an American principle, the same as that of Bolivar and
Washington.

You say we belong to the same race and invite me to fight against a
foreign invader, but you are mistaken again, for there are no differences of
races and blood. I only believe in one race, mankind, and for me there are
but good and bad nations, Spain so far having been a bad one and the United

413

PROGRESS OF HOSTILITIES.

States performing in these movements toward Cuba a duty of humanity and
civilization.

From the wild, tawny Indian to the refined, blond Englishman, a man for
me is worthy of respect according to his honesty and feelings, no matter to
what country or race he belongs or what religion he professes.

So are nations for me, and I'p to the present I have had only reasons for
admiring the United Stales. 1 have written to President McKinley and
General Miles thanking them for Amerieau intervention in Cuba. I don't see
the danger of our extermination by the United States, to which you refer in
your letter. If it be so, history wili judge. For the present I have to repeat
that it is too late for any understanding between my army and j'ours.

Your obedient servant,

MAXIMO GOMEZ.

One Race — Mankind.

The reply of Gomez to Blanco will live in history. Blanco's strange
appeal to the Cuban general was characteristic of a Spaniard. It would
seem that an intelligent man would not have made such an appeal, well
knowing that it would be useless. For three years Gomez had waged
what to many seemed to be a hopeless fight. After these years of sacri-
fice he obtained the United States as an ally, an acquisition tJ^at assured
Lini of final success. Under these circumstances Blanco, the repre-
sentative of the forces against which Gomez had been contending, ap-
pealed to Gomez to join with him in an effort to repel the United States
forces. Such an appeal under the circumstances, in view of the fact
that Blanco was regarded as an intelligent man, showed the Spaniard
to be incapable of appreciating the sentiments which prompted a people
to maintain a struggle for libert}'.

General Blanco based his appeal upon the claim that the Cuban and
the Spaniard belonged to the same race and worshiped at the same
shrine. lie sought to stir up within Gomez' breast racial and religious
prejudices, and went so far as to suggest that in the event Gomez
united his forces with those of Blanco, Spain would give liberty to Cuba,
and would "open her arms to another new daughter of the nations of
the new world who sjieak her language, profess her religion and feel in
their veins the noble Spanish blood."

Gomez' letter was interesting for several reasons. To those who had
pictured him as a coarse, illiterate man this letter was a revelation. It
was not, however, a surprise to those who had carefully studied Gomez'
career and Avho understand that he was a scholarly man as well as a
thorough soldier.

TROGRESS OF HOSTILITIES.

413

"I oiil.y believe in one race, mankind," said Gomez, and tliat sentence
will ()ccui)y 11 c'onspicijoHs jilace in the liistory of tliis continent.

"From the wild, tawny Indian to the refined, blond Englishman,"
said Gomez, "a man for me is ri'si)ectful accordinjj;' to his honesty and
feelinf's, no matter to what country or race he belongs or what relijiion
lie professes. So are nations for me." Snch excellent sentiments were
doubtless wasted on the Spaniard, but men of all civilized nations, even
we of the United 'States, may find great value in these splendid ex-
3)ressions by the Cuban general.

The man who believes that there is but one race to whom we owe
iillegiance, that that race is mankind, and that to that race he owes all
iillegiance, must have his heart in the right place. The man who dis-
<'ards the consideration of accident of birth and, apart from patriotic
iiffairs, applies the term "comrade" to all of God's creatures, that man
Las not studied in vain the purposes of creation. The man who forms
liis estimate of individuals according to the manhood displayed by the
individual, banishing from his mind all racial and religious prejudices,
must certainly have studied the lesson of life to good advantage.

"I only believe in one race, mankind." That is a sentiment that the
religious instructors an<I the sages have endeavored to impress upon
us. But the combined eiforts of all the instructors and all the sages in
teaching of the brotherhood of man have not been so impressive as was
the simple statement of this splendid patriot whei'ein he repelled the
temptation to racial and religious prejudice.

Mankind is the race, and the honest man's the man, no matter to
what country he belongs or what religion he professes. That was a
sentiment of Maximo Gomez, the Cubau'imtriot, the clean-cut American,
a sentiment to which the intelligence of the world will subscribe and
in the light of which prejudice must finally fade away.

The Momentum of War.

As far as the American pooi)le wore concerned, the destruction of the
Maine was the beginning of hostilities. The Nation dropped, on the
instant, the slow-going habits of peace, and caught step to the intense
and swift impulse of war. Great events crowded one another to such
iin extent that Ave made more history in sixty days than in the preceding
thirty years. The movement was not a wild drifting, but was as
straight, swift, and resistless as that of a cannon ball. There was an
object in view, and the government and the people went straight at it.

414

PROGRESS OF UOSTILITIES.

When the Maine was destroyed our navy was scattered, our amiy
was at thirty dill'erent posts in as many states, tliere were no volunteers
in the liehl, no pnrjjose of war in the minds of the people. The Spanish
hold on Cuba seemed seeure; no on<' thoujjjht of Spain's yieldinj;' Puerto
Kieo or the lMiilipi»ine islands. The ])eo])le could not be brou,i;ht to
serious consideralion of (lie Cuban question, and they were indilferent
to the fate of Hawaii. They held back when any one talked of our
rights in the Pacific, and had little enthusiasm in the plans to strengthen
our navy and our coast defenses. All lhes(« (piestions were urgent, but
the i)eople hesitated and Congress hesilated with them.

The explosion that destroyed our battleslii}) and slaughtered our
seamen cut every rope that bound us to inaction. In a week the navy
was massed for offensive movement. In three weeks 150,000,000 had
been placed at the disposal of the President to forward the prejjarations
foi- national defense. Fn a month new war vessels had been purchased,
the old nujuitors had been repaired and put in commission, the Ameri-
can liners had been transferred to the navy. In two nu)nths war luid
been declared, the reorganized North Atlantic squadron had blockaded
Cuban ])orts, and the regular army was moving hurriedly to rendezvous
in the South. In another Aveek 12r),000 volunteers were crowding the
State capitals.

Under the momeuturii of war wa swept forward in a few weeks to
the most commanding position we had ever occupied among nations.
Without bluster or boast we impressed the world with our strength,
and made clear the righteousness of our cause. We proved that a repub-
lic wedded to p^ace can prepare quickly for war, and that a popular
government is as quick and powerful as a monarchy to avenge insult or
wrong.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

8EA FIGHT OFF ^fANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS.

The Eyes of the World Fixed on ilio First Great Naval Rattle of Our War
with Spain — Asiatic Waters the Scene of the Notable Conflict — Iin-
I)ortance of the Rattle in Its I'ossible Influence on the Construction
of All the European Navies — Rravery of Admiral Dewej and the
American Sailors of His Fleet — A Glorious Victory for the Star-
Si)anji^led Ranuer — Capture of ^Manila and Destruction of the Spanish
Fleet.

Seldom has the attention of all the world been so directed upon an
expected event in a remote quarter of the globe, as during the few
days at the end of April when the American fleet in Asiatic watei-s
was steaming toward an attack on Manila, the capital of the Philip-
pine islands. The eyes of every civilized country were strained to see
what would be the result of the encounter which was certain to come.

It was recognized frankly by the authorities on warfare every-
where, that the outcome of this first great naval battle would go far
toward deciding the fortunes of the entire war. But the importance
of the event from this point of view was les^ than that from another
which interested the governments of all Europe. This first test of the
modern fighting machine at sea was expected to furnish lessons by
which the merits of such vessels could be definitely judged. It might
be that they would prove far less efficient than had been calculated by
the lords of the admiralty, and that the millions and millions invested
in the fleets of Europe would be found virtually waste<l. It was this,
quite as much as its bearing on the war, that made universal attention
direct itself upon the meeting of the squadrons in the Philippines.

All America rejoiced at the news that came flashing over the cables
on Sunday, May 1, when the first word of the battle reached the United
States. Even Spanish phrases could not conceal the fact that the en-
counter had been a brilliant victory for the valor of American sailors
and the strength of American ships. A Spanish fleet of superior size
virtually annihilated, a city in terror of capture, the insurgent armies
at the gates of Manila, the losses of Spanish soldiers and sailors ad-
mittedly great, and finally the sullen roar of discontent that was risine

415 *'

41«

SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMKKKWNS VKTOUIOIS.

against tlic ^iovrrr.iiiciit in .Mndrid — all tlieso tliiiijis indicated lluit tlio
victory liad been an ovcrwhclniinj^' one for the Asiatic sqnadron under
Admiral (Jeorj^e Dewey.

Ak the details of the en^aj;-enient l)e«;i;an to innKiiily, in spite of
Spanish ccnsorate over the cables, which j;ai'bled the f'.icts as ;;ener-
ously as possible in favor of the S()anish forces, (he enthusiiisni of (he
peoph' thronj;hout the cities and villages of America swelled in a i*is-
ing tide of joy and ^•■ratitnde for the victory that had been j>iveu to
them. From Eastport to San Diej^o, and from Key West to Seattle,
ila{;s Hashed forth and cheers of nuiltitudes rose toward the sky.
Aronnd the newspaper bidletins, thronj^s j;athered to read the lirst
brief reports, and then scattered to spread the news among their own
ueij'hbors. Seldom has an event been known so widely thron<;hont the
i'ountry with as little delay as was this news of an American victory
in the antipodes. There was a sense of elation an<l relief over the re-
si.lt, and an absolnte assurance grew in every one's mind that no re-
verse to American arms could come in the threatened conflicts ashore
or at sea. .

A Nation in Suspense.

But after the first news of victory was received there came a period
of delay. It was learned that the cable between Manila and Hong-
kong had been cut, and the only means of immediate communication
was suspended.

Then came fretful days of Avaiting and not a word further as to the
great battle. To add to the anxiety, from time to time came ugly
rumors about Admiral Dew^ey being trapped, c.ne '>iien all the cir-
cumstances of the case were considered it is T'ot strange that some-
ching like a chill of aivpreheusion began to be felt -is to the fate of the
American fleet and its. gallant commander. ManiU bay was known
to be mined, and electric connections might again have been made.
The guns of the forts on the landlocked bay might not have been
silenced, and Spanish treachery and guile might have accomplished
what in open battle Spain's fleet had been unable to do.

But the morning of the 7th of May brought word from Hongkong
that sent a thrill of patriotic pride through all America. Our Yankee
tars had won the fight, and won it without the loss of a man.

Even those who witnessed the overwhelming victory could scarcely
understand how the ships and the men of Admiral Dewey's vessels
came out of the battle unhurt and practically unmarked.

SEA FIGHT OFF MANIT.A, AMEUirAXS VICTORIOUS.

417

Soon nftor inl«li)i;;lit on Sunday niornin}i:, May 1, tlio Anioricnn fleet,
led by the ila^slM|> ()lynii)ia, the larj^est vessel amon^ th<'ni, i)asse<l
nnnoticed the batteries which were atteniptinj; to guard tlie wide
entrance to the harbor. Each vessel had orders to keep -100 yards
behind the preceding one, and as tlicre were nine vessels, including the
two transi)orts and colliers Nanshan and Zafiro, in the American Meet,
the line was nearly a mile and three-quarters long, and at the rate of
wteaming it was jH'rhaps three-quai-ters of an hour from the time the
Olympia came within range of the shore batteries until the two trans-
ports were safely inside the Jiarbor.

The 01ymi)ia, Baltimore, IJaleigh, Petrel and Concord ])assed in
safety and the land batteries might never have suspected the pres-
ence of the fleet but for a pecidiar accident on the Mct.'ulloch. The soot
In the funnel caught lire. Flames spouted up from it, and the sparks
fell all over the deck. The batteries must have been awake and
watching. Five minutes later, or just at 11 :.">(), signals were seen on
the south shore, apparently on Limbones point. The ilying si)arks
from this lM)at made her the only target in the American line. She
continued to steam ahead, and at 12:1.5, May 1, just as she came be-
tween the fort at Kestingo and the batteries on the island of Corregi-
<lor she was tired upon by the fort at the south.

The Boston, just ahead, had her guns manned and ready, and she
responded to the shore tire with great promptness, sending an eight-inch
shell toward the curl of smoke seen rising from the battery. Tliis was
the first shot fired bj* the Americans. It was not possible to judge of
its effect. There was another flash on shore and a shell went singing
past, only a few yards ahead of her bow. If it had struck fairly it
would have ripped up the unarmored cutter. This was the McCul-
loch's only chance to get into battle. She slowed down and slopped
and sent a six-pound shot at the shore battery and followed imme-
diately with another.

The Spaniards answered, but this time the shot went w ild. The
McCulloch then sent a third shell, and almost immediately the Bos-
ton repeated with one of her big guns. After that the shore battery
ceased, and the last half of the fleet steamed into the bay without
further interruption. At no time did the batteries on Corregidor fire.
All the firing by the Spanish came from *he south battery, which was
much nearer. Five or six shells were fired by the Americans, and the
Spanish shot three times, doing absolutely no dama^^e. There were
conflicting reports among the naval officers as to the firing at the en*

418 SEA Ti'IGHT OFF MANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS.

trance to the bay, but it is certain that the McCiilloch fired firee shots.
During this firing, the chief engineer of the McCulloch died of nervous
shock.

When Spanish Ships Were Sighted.

After passing through the channel the American line moved very
slowly. The men on the McCulloch were in a fighting fever after the
brush at the entrance to the harbor, and were expecting eyerj minute
to hear cannonading from the heavy ships ahead. The fleet crept on
and on, waiting under the cover of darkness, and not certain as to
their location or at all sure that they would not mn into a nest of
mines at any moment.

It was nearly 1 o'clock when they were safely in the bay. Between
that hour and 4:30 the fleet, moving slowly in a northeasterly direction,
headed for a point perhaps five miles to the north of Manila. After
covering about seventeen miles, and with the first light of day, the
Spanish ships were sighted off to the east under shelter of the stronglj'
fortified naval station at Cavite. The batteries and the town of Cavite
are about seven miles southwest of Manila, and are on an arm of land
reaching northward to inclose a smaller harbor, known as Baker bay.
From where the fleet first stf)pped, the shapes of the larger Spanish
cruisers could be made out dimly, and also the irregular outline of the
shore batteries behind. Tt was evident, even to a landsman, that the
Spanish fieet would not fight unless our vessel;'? made t'e attack, com-
ing witain range of the Cavite batteries.

The signaling from thv> flagship and the hurried movement on
every deck showed that the flev?t was about to attack. In the mean-
time the McCulloch received her orders. She Avas to lie well outside,
that is, to the west of the fighting line, and protect the two cargo ships,
Nanshan and Zaflro. The position assigned to her permitted the Ameri-
''an fleet to carry on their fighting maneuvers and at the same time
to keep between the Spanish fleet and the three American ships which
were not qualified to go into the battle.

Governor-General's Proclamation.

Shortly before 5 o'clock Sunday morning and when every vessel
in the fleet had reported itself in readiness to move on Cavite, the
crews were drawn up and the remarkable proclamation issued by the

SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS. 419

governor-general of the Philippine islands, on April 23, was read to
the men. Eyery American sailor went into battle determined to resent
the insults contained in the message, which was as follows:

Spaniards! Hostilities have broken out between Spain and the United
states. The moment has arrived for us to prove to the vvorhl that we possess
the spirit to contpu'r tliose who, pretending to be hival friends, have taken
advantage of our nnsfortune and abused our liospitalilies, using means
which civilized nations count unworthy and disrejjutiible.

The North American people, constituted of all tlie social excrescences,
have exhausted our patience and provoked war with their perfidious
machinations, with their acts of treachery, with their outrages against laws
of nations and international copventious. The struggle will be short and
decisive, tlie God of victories will give us one as brilliant and complete as
the righteousness and justice of our cause demand. Spain, which counts on
the sympathies of all the nations, will emerge trimnjjhantly from the new
test, humiliating and blasting the adventurers from those states that, with
out cohesion and without history, oiler to humanity only infaimous tradition
and the ungrateful spectacle of chambers in which appear united insolence,
cowardice and cynicism, A squadron, manned by foreigners possessing
neither instructions nor discipline, is preparing to come to this ai-chipelago
with the ruflianly intention of robbing us of all that means life, honor and
liberty.

I'retending to be inspired by a courage of which they are incapable, the
North American scan. en undertake as an enter[»rise capable oi realization
the substitution of protestantism for tlie Catholic religion you profess, to
treat you as tribes refractory to civilization, to take possession of your
riches as if they were unacquainted with the rights of projierty, and kidnap
those persons whom they <ousider useful to man their ships or to be ex-
ploited in agricultural or individual labor. Vain design! Ridiculous boast-
ing! Your indomitable bravery will suffice to frustrate the attempt to carry
them into realization. You will not allow the faith you profess to be made
a mockery, impious hands to be placed on the temple of the true God, the
images you adore to be thrown down by unbelief. The aggressors shall not
profane the tombs of your fathers. They shall not gratify tluMr lustful pas-
sions at the cost of your wives' and daughters' honor or ajvpropriate the
proi)erty that your industry has accumulated as a i)rovision for your old
age. No! They shall not perpetrate the crimes inspired by their wicked-
ness and covetousness, because your valor and patriotism will sufHce to
punish and abase the peojde that, claiming lo be civilized and cultivated,
have exterminated the natives of North Anieilca instead of bringing to
them the life of civilization and progress. Men of the Philippines, prepare
for the struggle, and united under the glorious Spanish tlag, which is ever

420

SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS.

covered with Laurels, let us fight with the conviction that victory will crown
our efforts, and to the calls of our enemies let us oppose with the decision
of the Christian and patriotic cry of "Viva Espana.'' Your governor,

BASILIO AUGUSTIN DIVILIO.

Exploding the Mines.

If the cry of "Kemember the Maine" were not enough to put the
American sailors iu a fighting mood as the warships moved forward
in battle line, the memory of this insulting proclamation helped to put
them on their mettle.

The Oiympia headed straight for the Spanish position a few min-
utes before 5 o'clock. She was moving at moderate speed. The other
vessels followed in the same order which had been observed in enter-
in^ the bay. The Spaniards were impatient and. showed bad judg-
ment, t 5:10 o'clock there was a puff of smoke from one of the Cavite
batteries and a shell dropped into the water far inshore from the tiag-
ship. Several shots followed, but the range was too long. While the
American ships continued to crowd on, two uplifts of the water far in
the wake of the Ol^'mpia, and off at one side, were seen. Two mines
had been exploded from their laud connections. They did not even
splash one of our boats, but those who were watching and following
behind, hebl their breath in dread, for they did not know at what
moment they might see one of the ships lifted into the air. But there
were no more mines. The Spaniards, in exploding them, had bungled^
as they did afterward at every stage of their desi>erace fighting.

Already there was a film of smoke over the land batteries and
al' ;^g the line of Spanish ships inshore. The roar of their guns came
across the water. Our fleet paid no attention.

Tlie Olympia, in the lead, counted ten Spauisli warships, formed in
a semi-circle in front of the rounding peninsula of Cavite, so that they
were both backed and flanked by the land batteries. The ten vessels
which made the fighting line were the flagships Iteiua Christina, the
Castilla, the Antonio de Ulloa, the Isla de Cuba, the Isla de Luzon, the
El Correo, the Marquis del Duero, the Velasco, tlie Gen. Lezo and the
Mindanao, the latter being a mail steamer which the Spaniards had
hastily fitted with guns. The Castilla was moored head and stern,
evidently to give the fleet a fixed spot from which to maneuver, but
the other boats were under steam and prepared to move.

The Olympia opened fire for the American tleet when two milep

SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS.

431

awjiy from the enemy. She bejfan blaKinj; away with her four eight-
inch turret guns. The thunders of sound came rolling across the
water and the flagships were almost hidden in smoke. Now our ships
circled to the north and east in the general direction of the city of
Manila. That is, the American fleet circling toward the northeast
and further in toward shore all the time, turned and came back in a
s<»uthwesterly direction, passing in parade line directly in front of the
Spanish fleet and batteries, so that the first general broadside was from
the port side, or the left of the ships as one stands on the stem
and faces the bow. The McCulloch had taken its position so that the
fleet, in delivering this first broadside, passed between it and the
enemy. The McCulloch and the Naushan and Zaflro played in behind
the heav}' line like the backs of a football team.

Having delivered the po'c broadside, the American fleet turned,
heading towsird the shore, and moved back toward the northeast, de-
livering the starboard broadside.

As our ships passed to and fro, the stars and stripes could be seen
whirling out from the clouds of smoke, and as the line passed the sec-
ond and third times without a sign of any ship being injured, the sailors
began to feel that the Spaniards were not so forr idable after all.
Their shots went tearing away over our ships or splashed the water
farther in shore. Some of the men who fought at the guns said that
after the first general broadside, the sailors laughed at the wild shots,
and exposed themselves recklessly, feeling that they were in no par-
ticular danger.

The story of the first general engagement is that the Americans
1 .. ;d in front of the Spanish line live times, pouring in broadsides
■' :*fi .11 the aA^ailable guns. Each time the fleet drew nearer to shc.e,
au ! ciih time the firing became more terribly effective, while the
Spaiiiavds failed to improve in marksmanship. Our gunners fired first
the port broadsides, then the starbotnd, then tl'e i)ort again, then the
starboju'd and then the port guns for .' third :in>(', and at this last, or
fifth, return for an engagement along tlu- ?'"ae they were within 1,500
yards of the Spanish i)osition. (> ir whole line was choked with smoke,
bxit still unhurt. The Spanish fleet was already wounded beyond re-
covery.

Duel of the Flagships.

It was during the delivery of this last attack that th.^ Reina Chris-
tina made a valiant attack. Up to that time not a Si)5'.nish ship had

SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS.

left the line of battle. As the Olynipia aivproachod, Admiral Montojo
gave orders, and the Keiiui Christina moved oiit from the line to euj>aye
the big tlagship of the American fleet. Admiral Dewey's boat wel-
comed the battle. Ever}- battery on the Olympia Avas turned on the
Keina Christina. In the face of this awful fire she still advanced. The
American sailors had ridiculed the gunnery of the Spaniards, but they
had to admire this act of bravery. She came forward and attempted
to swiJig into action against the Olympia, but was struck fore and aft
by a perfect storm of projectiles. With the Olympia still pounding at
her, she swung around and starte ; back for the protection of the navy
yard. Just after she had turned ^ hIukmI shell from one of the

Olympia's eight-inch guns struck her, >ly wrecking the engine-room
and exploding a magazine. She was seen to be on fire, but she pain-
fully continued her way toward the shelter of Cavite and continued
tiring until she was a mass of llames. It was during this retreat that
Cai>tain Cadarso was killed. The bridge was shot from under Admiral
Montejo. The Spanish sailors could be seen swarming out of the burn-
ing ship and into the small boats. Admiral Montejo escaped and trans-
ferred his pennant to the Cast ilia. He had been on the Castilla less
than five minutes when it was '^et on tire by an (>xploding shell.

Toward the close of tlie decisive engagement, and just after the
Keina Christina had been sent back, hammered to pieces and set on
fire, two small torpedo boats maile a daring attempt to slip up on the
Olympia. A pall of smoke was hanging over the water. Taking ad-
Aantage of this, they <larted out from the Spanish lines and headed
straight for the American flagship. They Avere fully 800 yards in
advance of the Spanish line (or more than half of the way toward the
Olympia) Avhen they were discovered. Admiral Dewey signaled his
men to concentrate all batteries on them. Every gun on the port side
of the Olympia was leveled on the two little craft which came flying
across the water. A flerce Are was ojM'ne<l, but they escaped the flrst
volley and came on at full speed. The flagship stopped. A seconil
broadside was delivered. The torjjedo boats were either injured or else
alarmed, for they turned hastily and started for the shore. An eight-
inch shell struck one. It exploded and sunk immediately, with all on
board. The other, which had been hit, ran all the way to shore and
Avas beached. These Avere the only two attempts the Spanish made
to oft'er offensive battle.

It would be difficult to describe in detail these first two hours of
terrific fighting. The sounds Avere deafening, and at times the smoke

LIEUTENANT HOBSON AND THE SCENES OF HIS HEROIC EXPLOITS

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SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS. 425

obscured almost the whole picture of battle. The American commander
himself could not estimate the injury to the enemy until after he had
withdrawn from the first {general eugayement and allowed the smoke
to clear away. Unfortunately, our fleet had no supply of smokeless
powder. All during the fighting of Sunday morning, Admiral Dewey
stood with Captain Lambertson on the forward bridge of the Olympia.
He was absolutely exjwsed to the heaviest firing, because the Spanish
fleet and the land batteries as well continually made a target of our
big flagship. Captain Wildes, on the Koston, carried a fan as he stood
on the bridge, and at one time drank a cup of coffee while continuing
to give orders to his gunners.

It was 7:45 when the American fleet withdrew out of range, not
because it had suffered any reverses, but merely to ascertain the dam-
ages and hold a consultation.

Not until the commanders had reported to Admiral Dewey did he
learn of the insignificant loss which his fleet had sustained. Not one
man had been killed and not one vessel was so badly injured but that
it was read}' to put to sea at once. Tlirough the glasses it could be
seen tliat the Keina Christina and the Castilla were burning. The
smaller vessels had taken refuge behind the arsenal at Cavite. The
Mindanao had been driven ashore. Already the victory was almost
complete. The American sailors were wild with enthusiasm. Although
hardly one of them had slept the night before, and they had been fight-
ing in a burning temperature, they were more than anxious to return
to the engagement and finish the good work. It was thought best,
however, to take a rest for at least three hours. The decks were
cleaned and the guns readjusted, and after food had been served to the
men, the fleet formed and headed straight for Cavite again. The rem-
nant of the Spanish squadron offered very little resistance, but the
forts at Cavite continued their wild efforts to strike an American
warship.

Making the Second Attack.

This time the Baltimore was sent in advance. She headed boldly
to within range of the Cavite batteries. By this time the American"
had a contempt for Spanish marksmanship. The Baltimore oi^oned
fire and pounded away for thirty minutes. At the end of that time
every gun of the batteries had been silenced. Of the Spanish war-
ships the Antonio de Ulloa was the only one which came out of refuge
to offer battle with the Baltimore and she met with horrible punish-

42G

SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS.

iiu'ut. Her decks were literally swept with shell, but even after she
was appa-reutly wrecked her lower guns were used with wonderful
ixersistence.

The Baltimore, having silenced the forts, turned all her guns on the
Spanish cruiser and actually riddled her. She sank and all her crew
went down with her. That was the end of Spanish resistance. Ad-
miral Dewey ordered his light-draught vessels to enter the navy yard
and destroy everything that might give future trouble. The Boston^
the Concord aud the Peti'el were detailed for this duty, but the Boston^
drawing twenty feet, ran aground twice, not knowing the shoals, and
had to It^ave the work to the I'etrel aud Concord. By the time these
two vessels reached the navy 3'ard they found the vessels there aban-
doned and most of them on fire. They destroyed the fag end of the
Spanish lieet, and when Sunday afternoon came there was nothing
left above water to represent the Spanish naval force in Asiatic waters
except the transport Manila. The arsenal had been shelled to pieces.

At 12:45 o'clock the signal was given that the Spanish had sur-
rendered. The word was passed rapidly from ship to ship. The Ameri-
can sailors were crazy with delight. There was tremendous cheering
on every ship. The enthusiasm became even greater when the word
was passed that not one of our men had been killed and not one
American vessel had been injured. The eight men who were hurt by
the explosion on the Baltimore continued to fight until the end of the
battle. The Boston was struck once and the officers' quarters set
on fire.

For some reason the Spanish gunners seemed to think that the
Baltimore was especially dangerous, having the general build of a
battleship, and, next to the flagship, she had to withstand the greatest
amount of firing, and was struck several times, with no great damage.
Excejjt for the torn rigging and a few dents here and there few signs
could be discovered that the vessels had engaged in one of the most
decisive naval batt'^^s of modern times.

The Concord and the Petrel were not hit at all, although the latter
went deeper into the enemj^'s position than any other vessel in our
fleet The Olympia made a glorious record. She was struck thirteen
times, counting the shells which tore through her rigging, but she came
out afg good as she went in.

SEA FIGHT OFF MANILr\, AMEIUCANS VICTORIOUS. 427

Loss of the Spanish.

Compared with iiiese trivial losses the damage done to the Spanish
was fearful. Five hundred and tifty of them were killed and 625
wounded. Eleven of their ships were totally demolished, and the
Americans captured one transport and several smaller vessels. Their
money loss by reason of the battle wa.s mX less than §5,000,000.

During the naval action a battery of 19-inch guns at Manila opened
an inelfectual fire on our fleet as it was moving into action north of
Cavite. The admiral did not return the tire out of mercy for the people
of Manila, as any shots passing over thi shore batteries would have
landed in a populous portion of the city.

On Monday, May 2, the Ealeigh and Baltimore were sent to demand
the surrender of the forts at the mouth of the bay. These forts were
taken without resistance. The troops had fled and only the com-
mandant remained to surrender himself.

In regard to the cutting of the cable. Admiral Dewey regarded the
action as necessary. He sent word to the governor by the British
consul that if he was permitted to send his dispatches to the United
States government the cable would not be cut. The governor refused
to promise and Admiral Dewey decided to stop all communication be-
tween Manila and Madrid.

On Monday, when the cable was cut, the commander established a
marine guard at Cavite to protect the hospitals and the Spanish
wounded. Surgeons and the hospital corps of the American fleet were
detailed to care for the wounded Spaniards, and they cared for them
as tenderly a** if the"y were brothers in arms instead of enemies.

On Wednesday, May 4, several hundred of the wounded Spaniards
were conA'eyed under the Ked Cross flag to Manila and were cared for
in the hospitals there.

The Spaniards in Manila no longer feared the Americans, but they
were in dread of capture by the insurgents. The rebels were ove»-
ruuning Cavite and pillaging houses. The country back of Manila
was full of burning buildings and wrecked plantations. The reckless
insurgents were applying the torch right and left.

Admiral Montejo's Private Papers.

The most interesting capture made by the Americans was a bundle
of private papers belonging to Admiral Montejo. One of these com*

428 SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMiiRICANS VICTORIOUS.

Kunications, bearing bis signature, sbowed tbat it was bis intention
to have a general review and inspection of the fleet at 7 o'oloclc on
Sunday morning. Tbis proves tbat be was not expecting tbe American
fleet so soon.

Otber papers sbowed tbat it bad been bis intention at one time to
intrust tbe defense of Manila to tbe land batteries and take tbe fleet'
to Subig bay, nortb of Manila, believing tbat be could tbere take up
a strong position and luive an advantage over an attacking fleet.

According to tbe reports from Manila tbe admiral first went ashore
at Cavite and bad bis wounds dressed. He succeeded in evading the
ineurgents, who wished to capture him, and arrived in Manila twelve
hours after tbe fight.

Tbere are some very interesting figures as to the amount of firing
done by our ships during tbe battle. Tbe Olympia fired 1,70-1: shells,
aggregating twentj-'-flve tons in weight. Tbe Baltimore did even
heavier firing, being called upon to reduce tbt forts after tbe first en-
gagement, and sent no less than thirty-five tons of metal into tbe
Spanish ships and the land batteries. The remainder of tbe fleet shot
a total of eighty tons of metal, making a grand total of 140 tons.

Tbe Spanish oflicers attributed the American victory to tbe rapidity
and the accuracy of our fire rather than to the weight of j>rojectiles
used. Also, tbe fact tbat tbe American ships were painted a lead color
and did not stand out boldly against tbe water made them very un-
satisfactory targets and kept the Spanish gunners guessing as to the
correct range.

In spite of bis overwhelming defeat Admiral Montejo did not for-
get the courtesies of tbe occasion. On Monday he sent word by tbe
British consul to Admiral Dewey tbat he wished to compliment the
Americans on their marksmanship. He said tbat never before had
he witnessed such rapid and accurate firing. Admiral Dewey, not to
be outdone in the amenities of war, sent bis compliments to the Span-
ish admiral and praised the Spaniards very highly for their courage
and resistance. He said tbat the Spanish force was stronger than he
had believed it would be before his arrival at the harbor, and he had
really expected a shorter and less stubborn battle. It is said that
this message, although complimentary to the Spanish, did not give
Admiral Montejo any real comfort

Tbe Spanish ships destroyed were: The Reina Christina, flagship
of Admiral Montejo; Cruiser Castilla (v/ooden); Cruiser Don Antonio
de Ulloa; Protected Cruiser Isla de Luzon j Protected Cruiser Isla de

SEA FIGHT OFF MANILA, AMERICANS VICTORIOUS. 429

Cuba; Gunboat General Lezo; Gunboat Marquis del Duero; Gunboat
El Cauo; Gunboat El Velasco; the Steamer Mindanao, with supplies,
burned.

These were captured: Transport Manila, with supplies; Gunboat
Isabella I; Cruiser Don Juan de Austria; Gunboat Kapido; Gunboat
Hercules; two whaleboats; three steam launches.

Secretary Long sent this dispatch immediately to Acting Admira*
Dewey:

The President, in the name of the American people, thanka you and your
officers and men for your splendid achievement and overwhelming victory.
In recognition he has appointed you Acting Admiral, and will recommend a
vote of thanks to you by Congress as a foundation for further promotion.

Dewey's New Bank.

The Senate unanimously confirmed the President's nomination
making George Dewey a rear admiral in the United States navy. Con-
gress made the place for him, and the President promoted him.

He bears on his shoulders two stars and an anchor instead of two
anchors and a star. His pay has been increased from |5,000 a year to
$6,000 a year, while at sea and until he retires. He was presented
with a sword, and medals were struck for his men. His elevation in
rank, his increase in pay, are gratifying tributes to his greatness. But
there is a rank to which the President could not elevate him, a position
that Congress could not create, for he created it himself. In the hearts
of the people Admiral Dewey is the Hero of Manila, holding a place
prouder than a king's, a place in the love and admiration and grati-
tude of a great nation.

Greater than Farragut, greater than Hull, greater than Hawke or
Blake or Nelson, Dewey is the greatest of fleet commanders, the
grandest of the heroes of the sea. It will be recorded ' Y'va that he
was faithful to duty, true to his flag, magnanimous to Ms enemies and
modest in the hour of triumph.

CHAPTER XLIX.

HAWAII. AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY.

Locatiou of the Islands — Their Population — Honolulu, the Capital and the
Metropolis — Political History — The Traditional Policy of the United
States — Former Propositions for Annexation — Congressional Discus-
sion — The Vote in the House of Representatives — The Hawaiian Com-
mission.

A work of this character would be incomplete without mention of
the riawaiian Islands, and their intimate political and commercial con-
nection with our own country. For many years prior to the commence-
ment of the war with Spain there had been a growing sentiment in
favor of their annexation to the United States, and events in Wash-
ington during the first month of that conflict showed conclusively that
a large majority of the members of both houses of Congress were
strongly in favor of the measure.

The Ilawaiians are a group of eight inhabited and four uninhabited
islands lying in the North Pacific Ocean, distant from San Francisco
about 2,100 miles, from Sidney 4,500 miles, and from Hongkong 4,800
miles. They are the most important in the Polynesian group, and were
discovered by Captain Cook in 1788. Their combined area is 0,640
square miles, and their population is about 85,000. The islands are to
a great extent mountainous and volcanic, but the soil is highly pro-
ductive. Sugar, rice, and tropical fruits grow in abundance, and over
ninety per cent of the trade is with the United States.

Fortunes Easily Made.

The world knows comparatively nothing about the great fortunes
that have been amassed in Hawaii in the last thirty years. The chil-
dren of the Yankee missionaries who sailed from Boston and Gloucester
around the Horn to carry the gospel to the Sandwich islands in the '30s
and '40s are the richest and most aristocratic people in Honolulu. For
mer<» songs the sons of missionaries obtained great tracts of marvel-
ously fertile soil for sugar planting in the valleys of the island, and
with their natural enterprise and inventive spirit they developed the
greatest sugar cane plantations in the world.

430

HAWAII, AND OUR ANNEXATION POUCY.

431

When tlie TTnitcd States gave a treaty to the Hawaiian Ivingdom
puttinji' Hawaiian raw Hiif^ai* on tlie free tariff list, tlie profits of tlie
8uji;ar planters went np with a boinul. For twent.y-five years the divi-
dends of several of the Yankee companies operating sugar plantations
and mills on the islands ranged from 18 to 30 per eent a yeai'. Tlie
Hawaiian Comnierclal Sngar Company )>al(l L'." \)or cent <lividends an-
nually from 1870 to 1.S<S2. The world has never known iJrodnctiveness
«o rich as tliat of the valleys "f Maui and Hawaii for sugar cane. The
seed had only to be jdanted and the rains fell and nature did the rest.
One tract of 12,000 acres of land on Maui was given to a young Amer-
ican, who married a bewitching Kanaka girl, by her father, who was
delighted to have a i»ale-face<l son-in-law. It was worth about |200
iit the time. The tract subsequently becante a part of a great sugar
plantation. It was lM)Ught by Clans Spreckels for |IT5,000 and is worth
much more than that now. The Spreckles Alexander, Rish<»]), Siulth
4ind Akers accumulated niillions in one generation of sugar cultivation
in the Hawaiian islands.

Hundreds of Volcanoes.

The volcanoes of Hawaii are a r-lass bj- themselves. They are not
only the tallest, but the bigg<'st and strangest in the whole world.
Considering that they reach from the bottom of the Pacific ocean (18,000
feet deep here) to over 15,000 feet above sea level, they really stand
33,000 feet high from their suboceanic base to their peaks. The active
craters on the islands number 300, but the dead craters, the ancient
■chimneys of subterranean lava beds, are nnmbered by the thousands.
The islands are of lavic formation. Evidences of extiuct volcanoes are
so common that one seldom notices them after a few weeks on the
islands. Ancient lava is pre;sent everywhere. The natives know all
its virtues, and, while some ancient deposits of lava are used as a
fertilizer for soils, other lava beds are blasted for building material
and for macadamizing roads. Titanic volcanic action is apparent on
every side. Every headland is an extinct volcano. Every island ha»^
its special eruption, which, beginning at the unfathomable bottom of
the sea, has slowly built up a foundation and then a superstructure of
lava. On the island of Hawaii and on Molokai are huge cracks several
thousands of feet deep and many yards wide which were formed by the
bursting upward of lava beds ages and ages ago. The marks of the
titanic force are plainly visible.

432

HAWAII, AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY.

Mark Twain is autlioritj' for saying that the two great active vol-
canoes, Mauna Loa and Kilanea, on the island of Hawaii, are the most
interesting in the world. Certainly they are the most unique. Mauna
Loa is 14,000 feet above sea level. Every six or seven years there is an
eruption from its sides and sevi?ral times the flow of lava has threatened
the ruin of the town of Hilo, thirty miles away. The crater on Mauna
Loa is three miles in diameter and 000 feet deep. Over the crater hangs
an illuminated vapor which may be seen at night over 200 miles distant.
When Mauna Loa is in violent eruption a, fountain of molten Lava
spouts every minute over 250 feet in the air, bursting into 10,000
"jrilliantiy colored balls, lilie a monstrous Koman candle pyrotechnic.

Then there is Kilauea — a shorter and flatter volcanic mountain
sixteen miles distant. It has the greatest crater known — one nine miles
across and from 300 to 800 feet deep. And such a crater! In it is a
literal lake of molien lava all the time. At times the lava is over
100 feet deep and at other times it is 200 feet, according to the pressure
on it deep in the bowels of the earth. Signs of volcanic activity are
present all the time throughout the depth of the molten mass in the
form of steam, cracks, jets of sulphurous smoke and blowing cones.
The crater itself is constantly rent and shaken by earthquakes. Nearly
all tourists go to see the marvelous eruptions on Mauna I^oa and Kil-
auea. Hotels have been built on the mountain sides for the accommo-
dation of fc htseers, and there are plenty of guides about the craters.

Oahu LdB* many places of interest outside of Honolulu. One may
visit the sugar plantations, rice farms, and may go to Pearl harbor or
the Punchbowl. The latter is an extinct volcano rising a few hundred
feet above the town. Another lesort is the Pali, the highest jioint in
the pass through the range of mountains that divides Oahu. It is
the fashion, and a very good fashion it is, to see the Pali and
praise its charms. II is the Yosemite of Hawaii. The view from this
height swc-ps the whole island from north to south. In the direction
of the capital the land slopes to a level two miles frcm the sea and
then spreads flatly to the shore. The hillsides are not, as a rule, in a
state of cultivation, although the soil is fertile. The land is now cum-
bered with vvild guava, which bears fruit as big as the lemon, and with
the lantana, the seeds of which are scattered broadcast by an imported
bird called the minah. On the lower ground small farmers, mostly
orientals, make tneir homes, and there are several cane plantations.

Honolulu, the capital and chief city, has a population of abeut
25,000, and presents more of the appearance of a civilized place than

HAWAII, AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY.

433

any other cown in Polynesia. Although consisting largely of one-story
wooden houses, minified with grass huts half smothered by foliage, its
streets are laid out in the American style, and are straight, neat and
tidy. Water-works supply the town from a neighboring valley, and
electric lights, telephones, streiet car lines, and other modern improve-
ments are not lacking.

The arrangement of the streets in Honolulu reminds many Ameri-
cans of those in Boston or the older part of New York. All the streets
are narrow, but well kept, and, with a few exceptions, they meander
here and there at will. A dozen thoroughfares are crescent shaped
and twist and turn when one least expects. All the streets are smooth
and hard under a dressing of thousands of wagon loads of shells and
lava pounded down and crushed by an immense steam roller brought
from San Francisco.

The Independence of the Islands Declared.

In 1843 the independence of the Hawaiian Islands was formally
guaranteed by the English and French governments, and for a number
of yeais they were under a constitutional monarchy. On the death of
King Kalakaua in 1891, his sister, the Princess Liliuokalani, succeeded
to the throne, and soon proved herself to be an erratic and self-willed
ruler. She remained constantly at variance with her legislature and
advisers, and in January, 1893, attempted to promulgate a nyw consti-
tution, depriving foreigners of the right of franchise, and abrogating
the existing House of Nobles, at the same time giving herself power of
appointing a new House. This was resiste<i by the foreign element of
the community, who at once appointed a committee of safety, consisting
of thirteen members, who called a mass meeting of their class, at which
about 1,500 persons were present. The meeting unanimously adopted
resolutions condemning the action of the Queen, and authorizing a com-
mittee to take into further consideration whatev ■• was necessary to pro-
tect the public safety.

The committee issued a proclamation to the Hawaiian people,
formed itself into a provisional government, took possession of the
national propert}', and sent commissioners to the United States inviting
this republic to annex the islands. The United States did not respond,
but continued the old relation of friendly guarantor.

A constitutional convention held session from May 20 to July 3, 3S94,
and on July 4 the constitution was proclaimed, the new government
calling itself the "Republic of Hawaii."

434

HAWAII, AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY,

In refusing to grant this appeal for annexation, the officials at the
head of the United States government at that time were of the opinion
that such action would be in direct opposition to our traditional policy,
and the same argument has since been advanced by the opponents of
the plan.

We were thus brought face to face with the question, "What is
American policy?" Many statesmen of recent years have declared that
our great growth and increasing importance among nations imposed
obligations which should fiUY-e us to take greater part in the affairs of
the world. Following the lead of European statecraft, they also as-
serted that we should adopt this policy to encourage and protect our
expanding commerciar interests. Xot only were we facing problems
the war directly presented, but other nations seemed to think that we
were about to cast aside the advice of W^ashington concerning entan-
gling alliances, and establish the relation of an ally with Great Britain.

Edward Everett foresaw the extension of the republican idea, and
declared that "in the discharge of the duty devolved upon us by Provi-
dence, we have to carry the republican independence, which our fathers
achieved, with all the organized institutions of an enlightened com-
munity — Institutions of religion, law, education, charitj^, art and all
the thousand graces of the highest culture — bej'ond the Missouri, be-
yond the Sierra Nevada; perhaps in time around the circuit of the
Antilles, perhaps to the archipelagoes of the central Pacific."

The treaty of 1783 with Great Britain defined the western boundary
of the United States as the Mississippi river, down to the Florida line
on the 31st parallel of north latitude. The original colonies comprised
less than half of this area, the rest being organized several years later
as the Northwest Territory. In 1803 the United States i)urchased from
:Napoleon for |15,000,000 the province of Louisiana, over 1,000,000
square miles in area, including Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, the In-
dian Territory, most of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, the two
T)akotas, Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and most of
Wyoming. With this cession came absolute ownership and control of
the Mississippi.

By the treaty of February 12, 1819, with Spain, Florida was next
acquired, and Spain abandoned alt claims upon the territory between
the Rocky mountains and the Pacific, embraced in the Louisiana pur-
chase. Texas was annexed in 1845. Under the treaty of Guadaloupe
Hidalgo, in 1848, which ended the Mexican war, California, Nevada,
parts of Colorado and Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona became

HAWAn, AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY.

435

a part of the United States. The Gadsden purchase of 1853 acquired
the portion of this territory south of the Gila river. Fourteen years
later the territory of Alaslia was purchased from Kussia,

Territorial acquisition has been the policy of successive periods of
American politics. Hitherto annexation has been confined to con-
tiguous territory, except in the" case of Alaska, separated only by
narrow stretches of sea and land. But in the case of the Hawaiian
Islands an entirely different problem confronted us.

Hawaiian Annexation in History.

The question of annexation of the Hawaiian Islands has been before
the American people in some form for nearly fifty years. In 1851 a
deed of provisional cession of the islands to the United States was
executed by King Kamehanieha III., and delivered to the United States
Minister at Honolulu — the act being subsequently ratified by joint
resolution of the two Houses of the Hawaiian Legislature. In 1854 a,
formal treat}' of annexation was negotiated between King Kamehameha
and the Hon. David L. Gregg, in the capacity of commissioner, and
acting under special instructions of Secretary Marcy, then S<^cretary
of State under President Pierce. The King died, however, before the
engrossed copy of the treaty had been signe ' a\ Iiich prevented the com-
pletion of the act. But for this there is ■ i lason to believe that
annexation would have been an accomplislu^i fact at that time, as the
administration of President Pierce was thorough!; immitted to it.
The policy then distinctly enunciated was not to have tht islands C' tie
in as a State but as a Territory.

President Grant was a zealous advocate of annexation, and in 1874
a reciprocity treaty with the islands was entered into by Secretary Fish,
under which the Hawaiian government bound itself not to *'ii ase or
otherwise dispose of or create any lien upon any port, harbor, or other
territory . . . or grant any special privilege or right of use tlierci a
to any other govei'ument," nor enter into any reciprocity treaty Ui
any other government. Thirteen years later (1887), under the admin-
istration of President Cleveland, there was a renewal of this treaty,
to which was added a clause giving to the United States aiithority for
the exclusive use of Pearl Biver (or harbor) as a coaling and repair
station for its vessels, with permission to improve the same. Article
IV of this treaty bound the respective governments to admit certain
specified articles free of duty and contained the following provision:

436

HAW AH, AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY.

"It is agreed, on the part of his Hawaiian Majesty, that so long as
this treaty shall remain in force he will not lease or otherwise dispose
of or create any lien upon any port, harbor, or other territory in his
dominions, or grant any special privilege or rights of use therein, to any
other power, state, or government, nor make any treaty by which any
other nation shall obtain the same privileges, relative to the admission
of any articles free of duty, hereby secured to the United States."

This treaty was to remain in force seven years (until 1894), but, after
that date, was declared to be terminable by either party after twelve
months' notice to that effect.

There have been two treaties relating to annexation before Congress
within the last five years, the first negotiated by Secretary of State John
W. Foster during the administration of President Harrison in 1893, the
other by Secretary Sherman under the McKinley administration on the
16th day of June, 1897. The first was withdrawn by President Cleve-
land after his accession to the Presidency. Both were ratified by the
Hawaiian Legislature in accordance with a provision of the constitution
of the republic, and that body, by unanimous vote of both Houses, on
May 27, 1896, declared:

"That the Legislature of the republic of Hawaii continues to be, as
heretofore, firmly and steadfastly in favor of the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands to the United States of America, and in advocating
such policy it feels assured that it is expressing not only its own senti-
ments but those of the voters of this republic."

The necessity for a closer relation of the two republics than that pro-
vided for by a commercial treaty, terminable at the pleasure of either,
has been recognized by nearly every President and Secretary of State
from John Tyler down to President McKinley, by none more strongly
than by Daniel Webster in 1851 and by Secretary IVhircy in 1854, while
like views have been favored by Secretaries Seward, Fish, Bayard,
Foster, and Sherman since.

The strategic value of the islands in case of war and their com-
mercial value at all times are so bound up together that it is impossible
to separate them. The former has been testified to by such eminent
military and naval authorities as General J. M. Schofield and General
Alexander of the United States army and Captain A. T. Mahan, Admiral
Belknap, Admiral Dupont, and George W. Mellville, Engineer in Chief
of the United States navy, and many others. Their commercial value
is demonstrated by the fact that their trade with the United States for
the fiscal year, ending June, 1897 (amounting to 118,385,060), exceeded

HAW An, AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY.

487

that with either of the following States and confederations: Argen-
tina, Central America, Spain, Switzerland, Venezuela, Russia, or Den-
mark; was more than twice that with Colombia or Sweden and Norway;
nearly three times that with Chile; four times that with Uruguay;
nearly four times that with Portugal; nearly seven times that with
Turkey; ten times greater than that with Peru, and greater than that
of Greece, Peru, Turkey, Portugal, and Sweden and Norway combined.

Vote for Annexation.

By a vote of 209 to 91 the House of Representatives on the afternoon
of June 15 adopted the Newlands resolutions, providing for the annex-
ation of Hawaii. The debate, which was continued without interrup-
tion for three days, was one of the most notable of Congress, the pro-
posed annexation being considered of great commercial and strategic
importance by its advocates, and being looked upon by its opponents
as involving a radical departure from the long-established policy of the
country and likely to be followed by tbe inauguration of a pronounced
policy of colonization, the abandonment of the Monroe doctrine and
participation in international wrangles. More than half a hundred
members participated in the debate.

Notable speeches were made by Messrs. Berry, Smith and Hepburn
for, and by Messrs. Johnson and Williams against the pending measure.
Few members were upon the floor until late in the afternoon and the
galleries had few occupants. As the hour of voting drew near, how-
ever, members began taking their places and there were few more than
a score of absentees when the first roll call was taken. The announce-
ment of the vote upon the passage of the resolutions was cheered upon
the floor and applauded generally by the spectators.

The resolutions adopted in a preamble relate the offer of the
Hawaiian republic to cede all of its sovereignty and absolute title to
the government and crown lands, and then by resolution accept the
cession and declare the islands annexed. The resolutions provide for
a commission of five, at least two of whom shall be resident Hawaiians,
to recommend to Congress such legislation as they may deem advisable.
The public debt of Hawaii, not to exceed |4,000,000, is assumed, Chinese
immigration is prohibited, all treaties with other powers are declared
null, and it is provided that until Congress shall provide for the govern-
ment of the islands all civif, judicial and military powers now exer-
cised by the officers of the existing government shall be exercised in

438

HAW AH, AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY.

such manner as tlie President shall direct, and he is given power to
appoint persons to put in effect a provisional government for the islands.

Mr. Fitzgerald spoke against the Newluuds resolutions. In- the
course of his speech he emphasized the failure of the majority of Ha-
waiians to express their desire relative to annexation. He insisted
that every people had the right to the government of their choice.
Speaking further, Mr. Fitzgerald opposed annexation on the gx'ound that
an injurious labor element would be brought into competition with
American laborers.

Supporting the resolution Mr. Berry devoted. much of his time to
showing that annexation was in line with democratic policy. He re-
viewed the territorial additions to the original states to show that prac-
tically all had been made by democrats.

Mr, Berry digressed to speak of the Philippine situation, and while
not advocating the retention of the islands he declared the United States
should brook no interference upon the part of Germany. He said
America should resent any intervention with all her arms and warships.
Mr. Berry's remarks in this connection were applauded generously.

William Alden Smith, member of the committee on foreign affairs,
advocating annexation, said :

"Annexation is not new to us. In my humble opinion the whole
North American continent and every island in the gulf and the Carib-
bean sea and such islands in the Pacific as may be deemed desirable are
worthy of our ambition. Not that we are earth hungrj^, but, as a
measure of national protection and advantage, it is the duty of the
American people to lay peaceful conquest wherever opportunity may be
offered.

"It has been argued that our constitution makes no provisiou for a
colonial system, but if President Monroe had been merely a hnvyer, i/
he had contented himself by looking for precedent which he was unable
to find, if he had consulted the jurisprudence of his time and planned
his action along academic lines the greatest doctrine ever announced
to the civilized world, which now bears liis name, though in unwritten
law, but in the inspiration, the hope, the security ot every American
heart, Avould have found no voice ]X)tent enough and courageous enough
to have encircled the western hemisphere with his peaceful edict.

"Precedent, sir, may do for a rule of law upon which a fixed and
definite superstructure must be built, but it is the duty of statesman-
ship to cease looking at great public questions with a microscope and
sweep the world's horizon with a telescope from a commanding height.'^

HAWAII, AND OUR ANNEXATION POLICY.

43»

Mr. Johnson then was recognized for a speech in opposition. He
laid down the three propositions that annexation was unnecessary as a
war measure in the present conflict with Spain; tliat annexation was
unnecessary to prevent the islands from falling into the hands of some
other power to be used against us, and that the proposition to annex
was inherently wrong and was the opening wedge upon an undesirable
and disastrous policy of colonization.

Advancing to the danger of annexation being the first step in coloni-
zation, he said gentlemen could not deny that the holding of the Philip-
pines was contemplated already. What was more deplorable and sig-
nificant, he said, was the expressed fear of the President lest Spain
should sue for peace before we could secure Puerto Rico. Mr. Johnson
said men were already speaking disparagingly of the Cubans and their
capacity for government, and it was useless to attempt to hide the truth
that American eyes of avarice were already turned to Cuba, although
but two months since action was taken to free and establish that island
as independent.

Beply by Mr. Dolliver.

Mr. Dolliver, speaking in support of the resolutions, complimented
the speec'h of the Indiana member, but suggested its success as an
applause-getter would be greater than as a maker of votes.

"I cannot understand," declared Mr. Dolliver, "how a man who dis-
trusts everything of his own country can fail utterly to suspect anything
upon the part of other great powers of the world." Concluding, Mr.
Dolliver refuted the charge that annexationists had any hidden motives
looking to colonial expansion. As to the future of the Philippines,
Cuba ..lid Puerto Kico, he declared that he knew nothing, but he h^d
faith that in the providence of God the American people would be
gauled aright and these questions would be met and disposed of prop-
erly Avhen occasion should arise.

Mr. Cummings, in a ten-miusite speech, supnorted rainexation and
indulged in severe denunciation of former President Cleveland for his
effort to re-establish the nu)narchy in Hawaii and the hauling down of
the American flag by Comniissiom^r lilount.

Mr. Hepburn was recognized to conclude in support of the resolu-
tions. He believed the people of the country were familiar with the
issue involved, and the time was opportune for a vote and final 'iction.
Answering the claim that annexation would mean launching upon

440

HAWAII, AND OUK ANNEXATION POLICY.

colonization, he disavo-wed any sucli understanding. He said he hoped
to see every Spanish possession fall into the possession of this country
in order to contribute to the enemy's injur}', and that being accomplished
the question of their disposition would arise and be met when the war
should end.

The House resolution extending the sovereignty of the United
States over Hawaii was adopted in the Senate by a vote of forty-two
to twenty-one, and President McKinley's signature added that country
to our possessions. The President appointed as commissioners to visit
the islands and draw up for the guidance of Congress a system of laws
for their government, the following gentlemen: Senator Shelby M.
Cullom, of Illinois; Senator John T. Morgan, of Alabama; Representa-
tive Robert R. Hitt, of Illinois; President Sanford B. Dole, of Hawaii;
Justice W. F. Frear, of Hawaii,

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CHAPTER L. r

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND SAILORS."

Tb(» Tiombardinenl of S)in Juan — Tlu' P^nsa^icmcnt at Cardenas — The Voyage
of the Oregon — The Ratth at (luantanaiao — Santiago Under Fire —
Landing the Troops in Cuba — Tlie Charge of the Rougli Riders — The
Sinking of the Merriniac — The Destruction of Cervera's Fleet — The
Fall of Santiago.

Oil the moriiiug of May 12, a portion of the fleet, commanded by
Admiral Sampson, made an attack on the foi-ts of San Juan de Puerto
Kico. The enf^agemcnt bep;an at 5:15 a. m. and ended at 8:15 a. m. The
enemy's batteries were not sik'nced, but great damajio was done to
them, and the town in the rear of the fortifications suffered great hisses.
The ships taking part in the action were the Iowa, Indiana, New York,
Terror, Amphitrite, Detroit, Montgomery, Wampatuck, and Porter.

At 3 o'ck)ck in the niorning all hands were called on the Iowa, a
few final touches in clearing ship were made, and at 5 "general quar-
ters" sounded. The men were eager for the fight.

The tug Wampatuck went ahead and anchored its small boat to
the westward, showing ten fathoms, but there was not a sign of lite
from the fort, which stood boldly against the sky on the eastern hills
hiding the town.

The Detroit steamed far to the eastward, opposite Valtern. The
Iowa headed straight for the shore. Suddenly its helm flew over,
bunging the starboard battery to bear on the fortifications.

At 5:lf) a. m. the Iowa's forward twelve-inch guns thundered out
at the sleeping hills, and for fourteen minutes they poured starboard
broadsides on the coast. Meanwhile the Indiana, the New York, and
other ships repeated the dose from the rear. The Iowa turned and came
back to the Wampatuck's boat and again led the column, the forts
replying fiercely, concentrating on the Detroit, which was about 700
yards awaj', all the batteries on the eastward arm of the harbor. Thrice
the column passed from the entrance of the harbor to the extreme
eastward battery.

Utter indifference was shown for the enemy's fire. The wounded

443

444

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR TJIE AMEUICANS.

Avcre quickly attended, the blood was washed away, and everything
proceeded like target practice.

MoiTo battery, on the eastward arm of the harbor, was the prin-
cipal point of attack. Kcar Admiral Sani])son and Captain Evans
were on the lower bridjje of the Iowa and had a narrow escajio from
llyinj;' splinters, which injured three men. The Iowa was hit ei^^ht
times, but tlie shells made no impression on its armor. The weathef
was line, but the heavy swell!; made accurate aim difficult.

The broadsides from the Iowa and Indiana rumbled in the hills
ashore for five minutes after they were delivered. Clouds of dust
showed where the shells struck, but the smoke hunj? over everything.
The shells screeching overhead and dropping around showed that the
Spaniards still stuck to their guns.

The enemy's firing was heavy, but wild, and the Iowa and New
York were the only ships hit. They went right up under the guns in
column, delivering broad.'^ides, and then returned. The after-turret of
the Amphitrite got out of order temporarily during the engagement,
but it banged away with its forward guns. After the iirst passage
before the forts, the Detroit and the Montgomery' retired, their guns
being too snmll to do much damage. The Porter and Wami)atuck also
stayed out of range. The smoke hung over everything, spoiling the aim
of the gunners and making it impossible to tell where our shots struck.
The officers and men of all the ships behaved with coolness and bravery.
The shots flew thick and fast over all our ships.

The men of the Iowa who were hurt during the action were injured
by splinters thrown by an eight-inch shell, which came through a bosjt
into the superstructure, and scattered fragments in all directions. The
shot's course was finally ended on an iron plate an inch thick.

At 7:45 a. m. Admiral Sampson signaled "Cease firing." "Retire"
was sounded on the Iowa, and it headed from the shore.

After the battle was over Admiral Sampson said:

"I am satisfied with the morning's work. I could have taken San
Juan, but had no force to hold it. I merely wished to punish the Span-
iards, and render the port unavailable as a refuge for the Spanish
fleet. I came to destroy that fleet and not to take San Juan."

The man killed by the fire from the forts was Frank Widemark, a
seaman on the flagship New York. A gunnei''s mate on the Amphi-
trite died during the action from prostration caused by the extreme
heat and excitement.

The Iowa, Indiana, New York, Terror, and Amphitrite went close

CONTtNUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

44S

under the fortifications after the armed tug Wainpatiuk had piloted
the way and made Houndings.

The Detroit and Montgomery boo.i drew out of tlie line of battle,
their guuH being too small for effective work against fortifications.

Three times the great fighting ships swnng past Morro and the
batteries, roaring out a continuous fire. Whenever the dense smoke
would lift, gi'eat gaps could be seen in the gray walls of Morro, while
from the batteries men could be seen scurrying in haste.

The Spanish fire was quick enough, but ludicrously uncertain.
This was shown after Admiral Sampson had given the oi;der to cease
firing and retire. The monitor Terror evidently misunderstood the
order, for it remained well in range of the Spanish guns and continued
the bombardment alone. The few guns still served by the Spaniards
kept banging away at the Terror, and some of the shots missed it at
least a mile. It remained at its work for half an hour l>efore retiring,
and in all this time was not once hit.

The First Americans Killed.

America's first dead fell on the 11th of May in a fierce and bloody
combat off Cardenas, on the north coast of Cuba. Five men were
blown to pieces and five w^ere wounded on the torpedo boat Winslow.
The battle was between the torpedo boat Winslow, the anxiliaiy tug
Hudson, and the gunboat Wilmington on one side, and the Cardenas
batteries and four Spanish gunboats on the other. The battle lasted
but thirty-five minutes, but wa.s remarkable for terrific fighting. The
Winslow was the main target of the enemy, and was put out of service.
The other American vessels were not damaged, except that the Hud-
son's two ventilators were slightly scratched by flying shrapnel. The
Winslow was within 2,500 yards of the shore when the shells struck.
How it came to be so close was told by its commander, lieutenant John
Bernadou. He said:

"We were making observations when the enemy opened fire on us.
The Wilmington ordered us to go in and attack the gunboats. We went
in under full steam and there's the result."

He was on the Hudson when he said this, and with the final words
he pointed to the huddle of American flags on the deck near by. Under
the Stars and Stripes were outlined five rigid forms.

List of the killed: Worth Bagley, ensign; John Daniels, first-class
fireman; John Tunnel, cabin cook; John Varveres, oiler. The wounded:

446

CONflNtJEt) SUCCESS POtt THE AMfifttOANS.

J. B. Bornadou, lieutenant, commanding the T\'inslow; R. E. Cox, gun*
ner's mote; D. McKeowan, quartermaster; J. Patterson, fireman; F.
Gray.-

, Story of the Fight.

The story of the fight, as told by the Hudson's men, is as follows:

The Winslow, the Hudson, the Machias, and the Wilmingtun were
among the ships off Cardenas on the blockade, the Wilmington acting
as flagship. The Machias lay about twelve miles out. The others were
stationed close in, on what is called the inside line. At a quarter to 9
o'clock the Hudson, under Captain F. II. Newton, was taking soundings
in Diana Cay bars and Itome^'o Cay, just outside Cardenas, so close to
•Bbore that it grounded, but it floated off easily into the shallow water.

At half past 11 the AYilmington spoke the Hudson and the Winslow
and assigned them to duty, the Winslow to start to the eastern shore of
Cardenas Bay and the Hudson to the western shore, while the Wilming-
ton took its station in mid-channel. This work occupied two houi*s.
Nothing was discovered on either shore, and the boats were approach-
ing each other on their return when a puff of smoke was observed on
shore at Cardenas, and a shell whistled over them. The Winslow was
on +lie inside, nearer the shore. The Hudson and the Winslow reported
to the Wilmington, and oiders came promptly to go in and open fire;
but the Spaniards had not waited foi' a reply to their first shot. The
Cardeiias.uarbor shore had already become one dense cloud of smoke,
shot with flashes of fire and an avalanche of shells was bursting toward
the little Winslow:

This Avas at live minutes past 2 o'clock, and for twenty minutes the
firing continued from the shore without cessation, but none of the shots
had at that time found their mark, though they were striking danger-
ously near. Meanwhile the Hudson's two six-pouud(»rs were banging
away at a terrilic rate. How many of the torpedo boat's shots took
effect is not knov.n. The first two of the Hudsoi'^ shells fell short,
but after these two every one floated straight into the smoke-clouded
shore. The Spaniard's aim *a the meantime was improving and it was
presently seen t!:at two empty barks had been anchored oil* shore. It
was twenty-i-.e minutes before 3 o'clock when a four-inch shell struck
the Winslow on the starboard "jeam, knocking out its forward boiler and
starboard '•ngineand crippling the steering gear, but no one was injured.

Lieutenant Bernadou was standing foi vard watching the battle
jFith ca'.ia interest and directing his men aa coolly as if they were at

CONTmUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

447

target practice. B3' the one-pounder amidships stood Ensign Bagley,
the oiler, the two firemenj and the cook. The little boat gasped and
throbbed and rolled helplessly from side to side. Lieutenant Bernadou
did not stop for an examination. He knew his boat was uncontrollable.
The Hudson was a short distance off still pounding away with her guns.
It was hailed and asked to take the Winslow in tow. It was a vital
moment. Guns roared from shore and sea. Lieutenant Scott, in charge
of the Hudson's aft gun, sat on a box and smoked a cigarette as he
directed the fire.

Captain Newton stood near Lieutenant Meed at the forward gun and
watched its workings with interest. Chiei Ebj^iop^'* Gutchin nev^r
missed his bell. A group of sailors was making ready to heave a line
to the Winslow, and Ensign Bagley and his four men stood on the port
side of the latter vessel, waiting to receive it. A vicious fire was singing
about them. The Spaniards seemed to have found the exact range.

Killed by a Bursting Shell.

There was a momentary delay in heaving the towline, and Ensign
Bagley suggested that the Hudson's men hurry. "Heave her," he called.
"Let her come; it's getting pretty warm here." The line was thrown
and grabbed by the Winslow's men. Grimy with sweat and powder,
they tugged at it and drew nearer foot by foot to the Hudson. Almost
at the same instant another four-inch shell shrieked through the smoke
and burst directly under them. Five bodies went whirling through the
air. Two of the group were dead when they fell — Ensign Bagley and
Fireman Daniels. The 3'oung ensign was literally disemboweled, and
the entire lower portion of the fireman's body was torn away. The
other three died within a few minutes. A flying piece of shrapnel
struck Lieutenant Bernadou in the thigh and cut an ugly gash, but the
Lieutenant did not know it then. With the explosion of the shell the
hawser parted and the Winslow's helm went hard to starboard, and,
with its steering gear smashed, the torpedo boat floundered about in
the water at the mercy of the enemy's fire, which never relaxed.

The fire of the Americans was of the usual persistent character, and
the nerve of the men was marvelous. Even after the Winslow's star-
board engine and steering gear were wrecked the little boat continued
pouring shot into the Spaniards on shore until it was totally disabled.

Meanwhile the Wilmington from its outlying station was busy with
its bigger guns and sent shell after shell from its four-inch guns crash*

148

CONTrNUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

ing into the works on shore, and tlieir execution must have been deadly.
Not a fragment of shot or shell from the enemy reached the Wilmington.

The Hudson quickly threw another line to the Winslow, and the
helpless torpedo boat was made fast and pulled out of the Spainards'
exact range. The tug then towed it to Piedras Cay, a little island twelve
miles off, near which the Machias lay. There it was anchored for tem-
porary repairs, while the Hudson brought the ghastly cargo into Key
West, witli Dr. Tichards of the Machias attending to the wounded. Not
until tlii^ mournful journey was begun was it learned that Lieutenant
Bernadou had been injured. He scoffed at the wound as a trifle, but sub-
mitted to treatment and is doing N,ell.

When the Hudson drew up to the government dock at Key West the
flags at half mast told the few loiterers on shore that death had come to
some one, and the bunting spread on the deck, with here and there a
foot protruding from beneath, confirmed the news. Ambulances were
called and the wounded were carried quickly to the army barracks hos-
pital. The dead were taken to the local undertaker's shop, where they
lay all day on slabs, the mutilated forms draped with flags. The public
were permitted to view the remains, and all day a steady stream of
people flowed through the shop.

The AmorJ .'an boats made furious havoc with Cardenas harbor and
town. The captain of the Hudson said:

"I know we destrcyed a large part of their town near the whan^es,
burned one of their gunboats, and I think destroyed two other torpedo
destroyers. We were in a vortex of shot, shell and smoke, and could not
tell accurately, but we saw one of their boats on fire and sinking soon
after the action began. Then a large building near the wharf, I think
the barracks, took fire, and many other buildings were soon burning.
The Spanish had masked batteries on all sides of us, hidden in bushes
and behind houses. They set a trap for us. As soon as we got Avithin
range of their batteries they would move them. I think their guns were
field pieces. Our large boats could not get into the harbor to help us oil
account of the shallow water."

Amid a perfect storm of shot from Spanish rifles and batteries the
American forces made an attempt to cut the cables at Cienfuegos, on the
11th of May. Four determined boat crews, under command of Lieu-
tenant Winslow and Ensign Magruder, from the cruiser Marblehead
and gunboat Nashville, put out from the ships, the coast having
previously been shelled, and began their perilous work. The cruiser
>">irblehead, the gunboat Nashville and the auxiliary cruiser Windom

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

449

drew up a thousand yards from shore with their guns manned for
desperate duty.

One cable was quickly severed and the work was in progress on
the other when the Spaniards in rifle pits and a battery in an old
lighthouse standing out in the bay opened fire. The warships poured
in a tliunderous volley, their great guns belching ^forth massive shells
into the swarms of the enemy. The crews of the boats proceeded with
their desperate work, notwithstanding the fact that a number of men
had fallen, and, after finishing their task, returned to the ships through
a blinding smoke and a heavy fire. Two men were killed, and seven
wounded by the fire of the enemy. Captain Maynard had a narrow
escape from death. A rifle shot hit his side close to the heart, but caused
only a flesh wound and he kept at his post to the end. The officers
Oi the Windom were enthusiastic over the work of the men in the
launches. They fired in regular order and shot well. The Windom
.demolished the lighthouse, which was in reality a fort, and not one
stone was left standing upon another.

On May 14 Admiral Sampson ordered Captain Goodrich to cut the
French cable running from Mole St. Nicholas, Ilayti, to Guantanamo,
Cuba, about thirty miles to the eastward of Santiago. In compliance with
this order the St. Louis and the Wampatnck appeared off Guantanamo
about daylight, and the Wampatnck, with Lieutenant Jungen in com-
mand and Chief Officer Seagrave, Ensign Payne, Lieutenant Catlin
and eight marines and four seamen on board, steamed into the mouth
of the harbor, and, dropping a grapnel in eight fathoms of water,
proceeded to drag across the mouth of the harbor for the cable.

About 150 fathoms of line were run out when the cable was hooked
in fifty fathoms of water. This time the lookout reported a Spanish gun-
boat coming doAvn the harbor and a signal wrs sent to the St, Louis,
lying half a mile outside. She had already discovered it, and immedi-
ately opened fire with her two port six-iwunders. The Wampatnck
then commenced firing with her one three-pounder. The gunboat, how-
ever, was our of range of these small guns and the shells fell short.

The Spaniards opened fire with a four-inch gun, and every shot went
whistling over the little Wam]»atuck and struck in the water between
her and the St. Louis. Reing well out of range of the six-pounders the
gunboat was perfectly safe, and she steamed back and forth firing her
larger gnns. For about forty minutes the tug worked on the cable, while
the shells were striking all around her, but she seemed to bear a
charmed life.

450

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

Captain Goodrich, seeing that he could not get the gunboat within
range of his small guns, while that vessel could easily reach the St. Louia
and Wampatuck with her heavier battery, signaled the tug to withdraw.
The grappling line was cut and both vessels steamed out to sea, leaving
the cable uncut.

As the tug turned and started out it was noticed that riflemen on
shore were firing at her. Lieutenant Catlin opened up with the Gatling
gun mounted aft and the Spaniards on shore could be seen scattering
and running for shelter. The French cable was cut the uc:a:t morning off
Mole St. Nicholas, well outside of the three-mile limit.

Lieutenant Catlin was formerly on the battleship Maine, and perhaps
he took more than ordinai*y interest in firing his guns.

"You could tell by the grim smile on his lace as he fired each shot,"
one of his brother officers said, "that he was trying to 'get even,' as
far as lay in his power, for the awful work in Havana harbor."

Second Call fo^ Volunteers.

The President issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 more volun-
teers on May 25. This made the total army strength, regular and
volunteer, 280,000.

The official call issued by the President in the form of a proclamation
was as follows:

Whereas, An act of Conpress was approved on the 25th day of April,
1898, onlitled "An act doclariug that war exists between the United States
of America and the kingdom of Spain," and.

Whereas, By an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for tempo-
rarily increasiug the military establislniiont of the United States in time of
war and for other purposes," ajiproved April 22, ISnS, the President is author-
ized, in order to raise a volunteer army, to issue his proclamation calling
for volunteers to serve in the anny of the United States.

Now, iherefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, by
virtue of the power vested in me by the constitution land the laws and deem-
ing suflUieut occasion to exist, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do
call forth, volunteers to the aggregate number of 75,000 in addition to the
volunteers called forth Wy my proclamation of the 23d day of April, in the
present year; the same to be apportioned, as far as practicable, among the
several States and Territories and the District of Columbia, according to
l)opulation, and to serve for two years uidess sooner discharged. The pro-
portion of each aim and the details of enlistment and organization will be
made known through the war department.

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

451

In witness whereof, I have hereunlo set ray hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 25th day of May, in the year of
our Lord, 1898, and of the independence of the Ignited States, the 122d.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

I By the President,
W^ILLIAM R. DAY, Secretary of State,

Running Down His Prey.

Four weeks after the victory of Rear-Admiral Dewey at Manila,
Commodore Schlej', in command of the flyiiij? squadron, had his shrewd-
ness and pertinacity rewarded by finding the Spanish fleet in the harbor
of Santiago de Cuba.

For ten days he had, in the face of conflicting rumors, insisted that
the ships of Spain were trying to make a lai-uing on the southern coast
of Cuba. This was evidently not in consonance with certain official in-
formation and bis opinion was not given much weight.

The captain of the British steamer Adula, who was interviewed at
Cienfuegos, told of seeing the Spanish fleet in the vicinity of Santiago de
Cuba, evidently awaiting an opportunity to get in. Captain Sigsbee of
the St. Paul related how he had captured a Spanish coal vessel goin^,
into the harbor of Santiago, and Commodore Schley argued from
these two incidents that the fleet of Spain was waiting in some haven
near by until such time as a visit, fruitless in its results, should be
made there by the Americans when, upon their departure, the Span-
ish fleet would run in.

Consequently, Commodore Schley determined to find it. Himself
in the lead with the flagship, he started toward the harbor. The
Spanish troops at the works and batteries could be seen, through
glasses, preparing in haste to give the American ships as warm a recep-
tion as possible.

When about Ave miles from the batteries the lookouts reported the
masts of two ships, and Flag Lieutenant Sears and Ensign McCauley
made out the first to be the Cristobal Colon. Two torpedo boats were
also made out and a second vessel of (he Vizcaya class was seen.

All this time Commodore Schley was upon the afterbridge of the
Brooklyn making good use of his binoculars. Arrived at the harbor en-
trance, when the ships were sighted from the deck, he turned his eyes
from the glasses long enough to wink and say: "I told you I woulcj
flpd them. The^ will be a long time getting horn?."

453

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

The Voyage of the Oregon.

The voyage of the Oregon from San Francisco to Florida is a mat-
ter of historic interest, for it was the first craft of the kind to weather
the famous cape. When it anchored off Sand Key, Fla., it had com-
pleted the longest trip ever made by a battleship. Altogether she
sailed 18,102 miles in eighty-one dajs, and this includes the days she
spent in coaling. Prior to this trip the record for long voyages had
been held by a British flagship, which steamed from England to China.
Tlie distance from Puget Sound to Sand Key is more than two-thirds
the circumference of the earth. The big trip was a record of itself,
and it included within it several minor records for battleship steam-
ing. For example, the Oregon ran 4,726 miles without a stop of any
kind for any purpose. Such a run is longer than the voyage from New
York to Queenstown or to Bremen or to Havre. It is comparable with
the great runs of the magnificent merchant ships of the Peninsular and
Oriental Steamship Navigation C!ompany from London to Calcutta,
Bombay and Madras. It was a triumph for any kind of a ship, but it
was a wonder for a battleship. The Oregon left Puget Sound March
6, left San Francisco on March 19 and drew up at Sand Key, Fla., on
May 2G. Everything on board of her was shipshape. Her engines, of
11,111 horse power, were bright and fresh and ready for another voyage
of 17,000 miles. Not a bolt was loose; not a screw was out of order.

Hobson Wins Fame.

On Thu'^sday, June 2, Admiral Sampson decided to send the collier
Merrimac into the bay of Santiago and sink it in the channel's nar-
rowest part, for the purpose of holding Cervera and his fleet in the
harbor, until the time when their capture or destruction seemed ad-
visable. He called for volunteers, explaining that it was a desperate
mission, death being almost certain for all those who ventured in.

Then the navy showed the stuff of which it is made. Admiral
Sampson wanted eight men. He could have had every officer and man
in the fleet, for all were more than ready. Lieutenant Richmond P.
Hobson was selected to command the expedition, and Daniel Montague,
rSeorge Charette, J. C. Murphy, Osborn Deignan, George F. Phillips,
Francis Kelly and R. Clausen were detailed to accompany him.

Just before 3 o'clock on the morning of the 3d the collier, deeply

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

453

ladeu with ballast material and some coal, was headed without pre-
liminary maneuver straight for the entrance, over which the remaining
batteries from Morro frowned from one side, and those from Socapa
from the other. In the darkness of the early morning the Merrimac,
without a light showing anywhere, dashed within the line of the forts
before it was discovered, Sampson's ships thundering at the enemy's
batteries to divert their attention from the collier. The Spaniards
soon detected it, however, and brought every possible gun to bear. In
the face of a terrific fire of sli'^+ and shell from Spanish guns the Mer-
rimac ran into the narrow channel, where it was swung across and
anchored. Then Lieutenant Ilobson blew a hole in the ship's bottom
and with his geven men took to a boat. They first made an effort to
row out of the harbor and regain the American fleet, but soon realizing
that to attempt to pass the aroused batteries would mean certain death
to all, they turned and rowed straight towards the Spanish squadron,
and surrendered to Admiral Cervera, who held them as prisoners of war.
Thp Spanish commander sent his chief of staff. Captain Oviedo, under
a flag of truce to Admiral Sampson, bearing the information of the
safety of the heroes. The Spanish oflScers were enthusiastic in their
praise of the bravery shown by Hobson and his men, and looked upon
them with amazement as heroes whose gallantry far exceeded any Span-
ish conception of what men might do for their country, and it was with
great chagrin that Admiral Cervera was prevented by the Madrid
authorities from returning the heroic young officer and his brave men
to Admiral Sampson, but was compelled to deliver them to the military
authorities ashore as prisoners of war.

Thrown Into a Dungeon by Linares.

General Linares, with the brutal instinct that had marked his con-
duct of Cuban affairs already intrusted to him, deliberately placed
Hobson and his men in Morro Castle as a shield against the fire of
Sampson's squadron. Here Hobson was locked up for five days in
solitary confinement in a filthy dungeon under conditions which must
have soon resulted in his serious illness and perhaps in death. The
treatment he received and the scanty food given him were no better
than that accorded to a common criminal condemned to executioa.

This punishment, however, was of short duration on account of the
vigorous protest which was made through a neutral power to Spain,
coupled with Admiral Sampson's notice to the Spanish admiral that

454

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

he would be held personally responsible for Hobson's welfare. Under
these circumstances Admiral Cervera interposed his influence with
General Linares; and Ilobson, with his men, was transferred to the bar-
racks in the city. Here his solitary confinement continued, but he could
look out of a window to the hills on the east and see the smoke from
the American rifles of General Shafter's men firing from their intrench-
ments with the consolation that his captivitj' would be of short duration.

After the assault on Santiago arrangements were made by the com-
manders of the two armies for the exchange of Lieutenant Ilobson and
his men for Spanish prisoners held by the Americans, and a truce was
established for that purpose. The place selected for the exchange was
under a tree between the American and Spanish lines, two-thirds of a
mile beyond the intrenchments occupied by Colonel Wood's Rough
Eiders, near General Wheeler's headquarters, and in the center of the
American line.

The American prisoners left the Reina Mercedes hospital on the
outskirts of Santiago de Cuba, where they had been confined, in charge
of Major Irles, a Spanish staff officer, who speaks English perfectly.

The prisoners were conducted to the meeting place on foot, but were
not blindfolded. Colonel John Jacob Astor and Lieutenant Miloy, ac-
companied by Interpreter Maestro, were in charge of the Spanish prison-
ers. These consisted of Lieutenants Amelio Volez and Aurelius, a
German, who were captured at El Caney, and Lieutenant Adolfo Aries
and fourteen non-commissioned officers and privates. Lieutenant Aries
and a number of the men were wounded in the fight at El Caney. The
Spanish prisoners were taken through the American lines mounted and
blindfolded.

The meeting between Colonel Astor and Major Irles was extremely,
courteous, but very fornml, and no attempt was made by either of them
to discuss anything but the matter in hand. Major Irles was given his
choice of three Spanish lieutenants in exchange for Ilobson, and was
also informed that he could have all of the fourteen men in exchange
for the American sailors. The Spanish officers selected Lieutenant
Aries, and the other two Spanish officers were conducted back to
Juragua.

It was then not later than 4 o'clock, and just as everything was fin-
ished and the two parties were separating Irles turned and said, courte-
ously enough, but in a tone which indicated considerable defiance and
gave his hearers the impression that he desired hostilities to be reqewed
»t once:

dOKl^Ii^tTteD StfCCESS FOR Tflfi AMERICANS.

45S

"Our understanding is, gentlemen, that this truce comes to an end
at 5 o'clock."

Colonel Astor looked at his watch, bowed to the Spanish oflScer,
without making a reply, and then started back slowly to the American
lines, with llobson and his companions following.

The meeting of the two parties and the exchange of prisoners had
taken place in full view of both the American and Spanish soldiers who
were intrenched near the meeting place, and the keenest interest was
taken in the episode.

Santiago Under Fire.

On the morning of June G the American fleet engaged the Spanish
batteries defending the entrance of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba,
and, after three hours' bombardment, silenced nearly all the forts, de-
stroyed several earthworks, and rendered the Estrella and Cayo bat-
teries, two of the principal fortifications, useless.

The fleet formed in double column, six miles off Morro Castle, at 6
o'clock in the morning, and steamed slowly 3,000 yards off shore, the
Brooklyn leading, followed by the Marblehead, Texas and Massachu-
setts, and turned westward. The second line, the New York leading,
with the New Orleans, Yankee, Iowa and Oregon following, turned
eastward. >

The Vixen and Suwanee were far out on the left flank, watching the
riflemen on shore. The Dolphin and Porter did similar duty on the right
flank. The line headed by the New York attacked the new earthworks
near Morro Castle. The Brooklyn column took up a station opposite
the Estrella and Catalina batteries and the new earthworks along the
shore.

The Spanish batteries remained silent. It is doubtful whether the
Spaniards were able to determine the character of the movement, owing
to the dense fog and heavy rain which were the weather features this
morning.

Suddenly the Iowa fired a twelve-inch shell, which struck the base
of Estrella battery and tore up the works. Instantly firing began from
both Rear-Admiral Sampson's and Commodore Schley's column, and
a torrent of si?ells from the ships fell upon the Spanish works. The Span-
iards replied promptly, but their artillery work was of a poor quality and
most of their shots went wild. Smoke settled around the ships in dense
clouds, rendering accurate aiming difficult. There was no maneuvering

456

CONTlNUBiD SttCCESS f^OR frtK AMfiRtCAKS.

of the fleet, the ships remaiuing at their orij^inal statioiiH, firing steadily.
The squadrons were so close in shore that it was difficult for the Anteri-
cau gunners to reach the batteries on the hilltops, but their firing was
excellent.

Previous to the bombardment, orders were issued to prevent firing
on Morro Castle, as tlie American Admiral had been informed tliat Lieu-
tenant Ilobson and the other prisoners of the Merrimac were confined
there. In spite of this, however, several stray shots damaged Morro
Castle somewliat.

Commodore Schley's line moved closer in shore, firing at shorter
range. The Brooklyn and Texas caused wild havoc among tlie Spanish
shore batteries, quickly silencing them. While the larger ships were
engaging the heavy batteries, the Suwanee and Vixen closed with tlie
small in-shore battery opposite them, raining rapid-fr shots upon it
and quickly placing the battery out of the fight.

The Brooklyn closed to 800 yards and then the destruction caused by
its guns and tliose of the Marblehead and Texas was really awful. In
a few minutes the woodwork of Estrella fort was burning and the bat-
tery was silenced, firing no more during the engagement. Eastward
the New York and New Orleans silenced the Cayo b}»ttery in quick order
and then shelled the earthworks located higher up. The practice here
was not so accurate, owing to the elevation of the guns. Many of the
shells, liowever, landed, and the Spanish gunners retired.

Shortly after 9 o'clock the firing ceased, the warships turning 1li or-
der to permit the use of the port batteries. The firing then became a
long reverberating crash of thunder, and the shells raked the Spanish
batteries with terrific effect. Fire broke out in C«talina fort and
silenced the Spanish guns. The firing of the fleet continued until 10
o'clock, when the Spanish ceased entirely, and Admiral Sampson hoisted
the "Cease firing" signal.

After the fleet retired the Spaniards returned to their guns and sent
twelve shots after the American ships, but no damage was done. In
fact, throughout the entire engagement none of our ships was hit and
no American was injured.

One purpose of Admiral Sampson, it appears, was to land troops
and siege guns at Aguadores, after reducing the defenses of the place,
and then make a close assault upon Santiago, which. In view of the
present condition of its fortifications, may be expected to yield soon.

A landing of American troops was effected near Baiquiri, some dis-
tance east of Aguadores, and near the railroad station connecting with

CONTINUED StJCCESS FOll THE AMERICANS.

457

Santiafifo do Cuba. Lator an engagorncut took place between the Ameri-
can force and a column of Spanish troojiH which had been sent against
the landing party. The Spaniards were driven back.

The Marines at Ouantanamo.

Lieutenant-rolonel It. W. ITuntington's battalion of marines lamled
from the transport Panther on Friday, June 10, and encamped on the
hill guarding Uw abandoned cable station at the entrance to the outer
harbor of Guantanamo. On Saturday afternoon a rush attack was made
on them by a detachment of Spanish regulars and guerrillas, and for
thirteen hours the fighting was almost continuous, until re-enforce-
ments were landed from the Marblehead.

The engagement began with desiiltory firing at the ])ickets, a thou-
sand yards inland froni the camp. Captain Spicer's company was doing
guard duty and was driven in, finally rallying on the camp and re-
pulsing the enemy at 5 o'clock. The sky was blanketed with clouds,
and when the sun set a gale was blowing out seaward Night fell thick
and impenetrable. The Spanish squads concealed in the chaparral
cover had the advantage, the Americans on the ridge furnishing fine
targets against the sky and the white tents.

The Spaniards fought from cover until midnight, discoverable only
at flashes, at which the marines fired vollej-s. Shortly after midnight
came the main attack. The Spaniards made a gallant charge up the
southwest slope, but were met by repeated volleys from the main body
and broke bt'fore they were one-third of the V'nj up the hill ; but they
came so close at points that there was almost a hand-to-hand struggle.
The officers used their revolvers. Three Spaniards got through the
open formation to the edge of the camp. Colonel Jose (^ampina, the
Cuban guide, discharged his revolver, and they, finding themselves Avith-
out support, beat a hasty retreat down the reverse side of the hill. Dur-
ing this assault Assistant Surgecm John Blair Gibbs was killed. lie
was shot in the head in front of his own tent, the farthest point of
attack. lie fell into the arms of Private Sullivan and both dropped.
A second bullet threw the dust in their faces. Surgeon Gibbs lived ten
minutes, but he did not again regain consciousness. Four Americans
were killed and one wounded in this engagement.

Sunday brought no rest. Every little while the p-a-t of a Mauser
would be beard, and a spatter of dust on the camp hillside would show
where the bullet struck. During the day the enemy kept well back,

CONTI^aTEl) StTOf^ESS FOR TOE AMEHJflA^S.

Kcaltcrinj^ a few ridcincn llir(ni<;li llic Irccs to keep up a (Icsiillory fin'ou
the camp. There was no niassliijj of forces, evidently for fear of shells
from the Marhlehejul, which lay in the liarbor close by. Hut when ni}j;ht
came on ajjain the Sjtanish forces were greatly auf^mented and in the
dark were bolder in their attacks.

Lieutenant Neville was sent with a small s(|uad of nwn to dislodj^e
the advan«-e jiickets of the enemy, and his men followed him with a
Avill. The Spaniards, who had been potting at every shadow in the camp,
tied wlu'U the American juckels came swinging «h)wn their way. As
the Americans pressed along the edge of the steep hill, following a blind
trail, they nearly fell itito an ambush. Thei'e was a sudden firing from
all directions, and an attack came from all sides.

Sergeant-^fajor Henry (Jood was shot through the right breast and
soon ilied. The Americans were forced back U])on the edge of the
precipice and an elTort was made to rush them over, but without success.
As soon as they re<'overed from the tirst shock and got shelter in the
breaks of the cliff their lire was deadly. Spaniard after Spaniard went
down before American bullets and the rush was checked almost as sud-
denly as it was begun, causing the enemy to fall back. The Americans
swarmed after the tleeiug Spaniards, shooting and cheering as they
charged, and won a complete victory. The S])anish forces left fifteen
dead upon the tield. The American loss was two killed and four
wounded.

The night attack was picturesque, and a striking s])ectacle — the
crack of the Mausers, tongues of tire from every bush encircling the
camp, the twitter of the long steel bullets overhead, while the machine
guns down on the water were rip])ing open the pickets, and the crash of
the field guns could be heard as they wer<> driving in canister where the
fire of the Spaniards was the thickest. Then there was the screech of
the Marblehead's shells as she took a hand in the tight, and the sharp,
quick Hashing of the rapid-tiring one-pounder guns from the ships'
launches.

On Tuesday the brave marines, who had been exposed for three days
and nights to the lire of a foe they could but blindly see, weary of a
kind of warfare for which they were not trained, went into the enemy's
hiding place and inflicted disastrous punis-hment. The primary object
of the expedition was to destroy tne tank which provided the enemy
with water. There are three ridge.^ over the hills between the camp
from which the Americans and their Cuban allies started and the sea.
In the valley between the second and third was the water tank. The

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CONTINUED SUCCESS FOK THE AMEHKANS.

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Spanish hoadciuarters wi'iv locattnl at croiss-roads between the tirst and
second ridges, and it was afj;a5nst this phiee that a detachment of fifty
marines and ten Cnbans under Lieutenants Malione.v and >ra;;ill was
sent. Tlieir instruclions were to capture and liold Oiis position. Cap-
tain Elliot with ninety marines and lifteen Cul>an8 went east over the
last ranu;e of li'lls, and Caittain Spicer with tlie same nunil)er of men
went to (he west. A fourth parly of li^'ty marines and a Cnl)an j^iiide
wndei" command of Lieutenant inj^ate 1 wade a delour and secured a
position liack of Lieutenant .^Lihoney.

The first fij^htin}^ was done by the nu^n under Lieutenant >raj'ill with
the siH'ond platoon of Comjyany E. These parted from the others, j:;oinjj:
over the iirsl hill to the second one. They had advanced but a short
distance when they came to a helit»«iraph station ^iuarded by a company
of Spaniards. Sh(»olin;;' bepin on both sides, the ALinsers of the Spanish
and the ^nns of the Amerij-ans snapjtinf; in unison. Our nun had
toiled up the hillside in the bollinii; sun, but they settled down to slioot-
in<; as steadily and as sturdily as veterans could have done. The
skirmish lasted lifii'en luinutes. At the end of this time the Sitaniaids
could no lon«;er stand the methodical, accurate shootinjj of ^ra^ill's
men, and they ran helter-skeller, leaviti<> several dead \ipon the field.
Lieutenant Maj,dll to(dv possession of the helio^rajjli outfit without the
loss or injuiy tif a man.

Hut this was in truth only a skirmish, and the real liirhlinij; was at
hand. Captains S]ticei' and Elliot ami Lienlenant ilahoney led their
men uj) the second ran^cof hills. A si)atteriii^' of bulh-ts i^a*. e note that
the news of their comiu},' was abroad, hut they toiled up to the toj* of
the hill. Here they found the Si)anisli (.imp situated on ; little ridj^e
below them. There >\aa one larjie house, the olUcers' (|uarteis, and
around this was a iluster of huts, in the center of whit h was the water
tank which th»'y had lonie to desti-oy, <iuickly (hey moved into V\nv
of batth>, and advanced down the mountain, the enemy's bullets sin^in^
viciously, but ;^oiu;; wiltiiy about them.

(iradually the Americans and Cubans 4l(>scended the slope, nhootin^
UK they went, and elosin;; in apon the enemy in hi(lin<; about the huts
and in the brush. Then the r)rder came to make read\ for a bayonet
<har};(', hut it had scaicely Ix-eii jiixeii when the Spaniards broke from
cover and ran, jianic-slricken, for a cliiinp of brush about oiu' hundred
yards further on. Then there was shootinp; (piick and fast. There
were dozens of Spa"isli soldiers wiio did not reach the thicket, for the
American tire was deadly, and man after man was neen to fall.

462

<'ONTINM'EI) SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

The lij;ii(in}; Modd of llu> Ainoricans was up. Elliot's coinmancl
mado slraif^lil, for tlic thickcl to Avliich the tSpauish had lied, i(»uted
tliciii out, aud drove them ou before. Up the ridge they forced theiii^
shooting and reeeiving an answering lire all I he way. I'lirsuers aud
l)ursue<l moved on over the crest of (he hill, and there the Sjtaniards.
received a new .sur]>rise. Lieutenant Magill and his men had made ;i
detour and were waiting for them. As the enemy came wilhin lille
shot over the hill and started to descend Lieutenant ^lagill's men
emplied their rifles. The Spanish turned back dismayed, and wavered
for a time between the two lires of our (ioo])s, uncertain which way to
tnrn, Theii they assembled at the to]> of the hill. This was a fatal
mistake, U>v the Dolphin had taken U]) a position lo the sea side of the
hills in the morning, and the moment her commander espie<l the
Si)aniards on the summit of the ridge he opened lire upon them.

The slaughter was terrilic, but it is but just to record tli<' fact that
the enemy made a brave light. They wonhl not surrender, and made
an allemi>t to light their way al(»ng the summit of the ridge, but they
were ronted and ran in all directions to escape.

While flu- Amerirans „ere destroying the blockhouse, tank and
windmill Mir Cubans lounded up a S])anish lieutenant and seventeen
privates. These were spared and compelled to snrrender. The lieu-
tenant gave the Spanisli loss in tlie battle at sixty-eight killed and
nearly LMK) wounded. iVot an American was k'^ed, and no one seriously
wounded.

Transports Filled With Troops.

After Aveeks of waiting and jjrejtaration the first army of invasion to
Htart from the eastei-n shores of the Uniteil States dejiarled under the
command of i^ieneral Shafter on tlu» morning of June 14 at 9 o'clock.
The licet of transports consisted of thirty-five vessels, four tenders and
fonrteea convoys. The actual embarkation of the troops began on Mon-
day, June (». The work pruceedcMl diligently until late on Wedn(>sday
afternoon, when, after ^Ik? departure of several vessels, an import'int
order came, < aliin^ a halt In the ])roceedings. The alleged cause of the
delay was ihe report that the liornet while out scouting had sighted
several Spanish war vessels.

liike a wet blanket came the order to halt. Cheerfulness was dis-
placed by keen disappointment. Two questions were on every tongue —
"lias Spain surrendered?" "Has (jur fleet met with a reverse?" The

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOll THE AMEHICANS.

4G3

former nu't with the readieKt belief, many believing the words in the
order "iiidetinitely postponed" n'eant peace.

General Miles and his staff wenf to Port Tampa Sunday morninj^ at
6:30 to deliver parting instructions. During a heavy rain scpiall ou
Saturday night at S o'clock while the transports were straining at their
cables the little tug Cjiptain Sam steamed from ship to ship megaphon-
ing the order: "Stand ready to sail at daylight." Above the roar of the
storm wild cheers were heard and a bright (lash of lightning revealed the
soldiers standing in the rain waving their wet hats and hun-alilng.
When the morning broke, piers were lined with transports, the docks
were crowded with box cars, flat cars, stock cars, baggage and express
ears. Most of these were crowded with soldiers who were cheered until
their ears ached, and who cheered in return until hoarse.

liright-colored dresses and fragile i)arasols in the crowds of blue-
coats indicated the presence of the fair sex. Horses and mules were
kicking uj) clouds of dust and the sun ])oured down its hot rays on the
sweltering mass of humanity. Thus Sunday passed, the transports at
the do( ks and those in midstream receiving their quotas of men and the
necessaries to sustain them.

Stirring Scenes Continued.

General Miles again went to the port on Monday on the early train.
The stirring scenes continued; the mad rush had not abated. General
Miles from the observation end of his car watched the crowd as it passed
near him. The transjiorls swinging at their moorings were plainly in
view, as were also many of those at the docks. The embarkatiiUi of ani-
mals was progressing satisfactorily.

Shortly after {) o'clock the funnels of the transports began to pour
forth volumes of black smoke. The Olivette, Jlargarer, Mal'-o and
Laura were visiting the lleet, giving water to one, troops to another,
aniinals and eciuiitments to an<ither. Along the pier could be heard
the voices of the transport commanders as tliey gave their orders to cut
loose. The gangjilanks were luiiled in, the hatchways close<l, lines cast
off am^ the engines W(M'e put in motion.

The vessels backed into the bay and anchored to await the order to
sail. The Matteawan hove her cable short at 10 o'clock. All eyes
were riveted on the Seguranea, the llagshii), and wiien the tinal signal
came a niightv cheer arose. From the lower row of portholes to her
tops hats waw .1 in wild delight. The anchor was quickly weighed and

464

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOU THE AMERICANS.

the great vessel pointed her prow down the bay. In a few minutes the
City of Wasliington, Kio Grande, Cherokee, Iroijuois and Whitney fol-
lowed. As these boats picked their way through the anchored fleet men
shouted pvd bands played. Every vessel elicittnl a wild display of en-
thusiasuu These were the only vessels to depart in the forenoon, some
of them going over to St. Tetersburg to prw'ure water.

General Miles, evidently becoming impatient, embarked on the Tar-
pon at 12:30 and went out among the flcH't, goins as far down the bay as
iSt. I'otersburg and not returning vitil 4 o'rlock. In the meantime
other transi»orts were steaming down tlu' bay.

In the afternoon the Morgan cut a path of white foam down the chan-
nel, and her lead was followed by the Vigilunce, San Marcos, Clinton,
Yucatan, Stillwater, lierkshire, Olivette, Santiiigo, Arkansas, Seneca,
Saratoga, Miami, Ix'ona, Breakwater and Cimjul. I?y the tiuu» these
vessels had moved away darknesG had envelo]H^ the remaining ships,
from whose sides glimmered long rows of lights. The Knickerbocker,
numbered thirteen, and the Orizaba had mucli to take on during the
night. Tl>e last to load were eager to i-orajdete the task for fear (hey
n;ight be left. IJy daylight all the ships except the Seguranca liad
moved down the bay. At 9 o'clock the Seguranca, amid cheers and the
blowing of whistles, followed.

General Sliafter and his staff were the last to leave. The last orders
were handed 1o Lieutenant Miley, an aid to General Sliafter, and im-
mediately the llagship started.

Sampson Again Shells Santiago.

Rear-Admiral Sampson's fleet bombRrde<l the batteries at Santiago
de Cuba for the third time at daylight on the morning of June 1(>.

For hours the ships pounded the batteries at the right and left of
the entrance, only sparing El Morro, where F..ieutonant liobson and his
companions of the Merrinuic were in pris4)n.

As a preliminary to the hammering given the batteries the dynamite
cruiser Vesuvius at midnight was given anotlu-r rhance. Three 250-
pound charges of gun cotton were sent over the fortiflcations a< the en-
trance. The design was to drop them in the !)ay around the angle back
of the eminence on which El Morro is situated, where it was known that
the Spanish torpedo-boat destroyers weiv lying. Two charges went
true, as no reports were heani — a peculiarity of the explosion of gun

CONTINUED SUC?CES8 FOR THE AMERICANS.

465

cotton in water. Tlie third chargr exploded with terrific violence on
Cayo Smith.

From where the fleet lay the entrance to the harbor looked, in the
black night, like a door opening into the livid flre of a Titanic furnace.
A crater big enough to hold a church was blown out of the side of the
Cayo Smith and was clearly seen from the ships.

Coffee was served to the men at 3:30 in the morning, and with the
fii'st blush o( dawn the men were called quietly to quarters. The shipo
steamed in five-knot speed to a 3,000-yard range, when they closed up,
broadside on, until a distance of three cable-ler^g^ha separated them.
They were strung out in the form of a crescent, the heavy fighting ships
in the center, the flagship on the right flank and the Massachusetts on
the left (lank. The line remaineil stationary throughout the bombard-
ment. The Vixen and Scorpion took up positions on opposite flanks,
close in sliore, for the puriiose of enfilading any infantry that might firo
upon the ships.

When tlie ships got into position it was still too dark for any firing:
The Admiral signaled the sViips not to fire until the muzzles of the eflfr
my's guns in the embrasures could be seen by the gun captains.

Fifteen minutes later, at 5:25 a. m., the New York opened with a
broadside from her main battery at the works on th( east of the entrance
to tlie harbor. All the ships followed in red streaks of llame. The fleet,
enveloped in smoke, pelted the hills and kicked up dirt and masonry.

Though the gun captains had been cautioned not to waste ammuni-
tion, but to fire with deliberation, the fire was so rapid that there was
an almost continuous report. The measured crash of the big thirteen-
inch guns of the battleships soundtnl above the rattle o( the gnus of the
secondary batteries like thunder-claps above the din of a hurricane. A
strong land breeze off the shore carried the smoke of the ships seaward,
while it let down a thick curtain in front of the Spanish gunners.

The dons responded spiritedly at first, but their frenzied, half-ora;^;e(l
fire could not match the cool nerve, trained eyes and skilled gimnery of
the Americjin sailors. Our (Ire was much more efTective than in prercil-
ing bombardments. The Admiral's ordnance expert had given exi>!i',it
directions to reduce the powder charge .» and to elevate tlie gunn, so as to
shorten the trajectory and thus to secure a plunging fire.

The effect of the reduc(Ml charges was marveloua. In fift*vn minutes
one western battery was n>mpletely wre<-k«Ml. The Massa«'husetts tore a
gaping hol<; in the emplacement with a t,000-pound projtvtile, nnd thtr

466

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

Texas di'()i)i)t'(l a shell into the powder magazine. The explosion
wrouffht terrible havoc.

The frame was lifted, the sides were blown out and r. shower of de-
bris llew in every direction. One timber, carried out o;! the side of the
batleiy, went tumbling down the hill.

The batteries on the enst of Min-ro were harder to get at, but the New
Orleans crossed the bows of th«» New York to within ."iOO yards of shore
and played a tattoo with her long eight-inch ritles, hitting them re-
peatedly, s'riking a gun stjuarely mu/./de-on, lifting it olT its trunnions
and sendiUj'; it sweeping somersaults high in the air.

Wh'n the order came, at (5:30, to cease flrlng, every gun of the enemy
had been silenced for ten nnn\ites, but as the ships drew off some of the
Spanish courage retunu'd and a half-dozen shots were tired spitefully
at the Massachusetts and Oreg<»n, failing in their wakes.

Went Ashore With a Hush.

Sea and weather were propitious when, on June 22, the great army
of invasion under General Shaft er left their transports in I5ai<piiri
hsubor, and landed on Cuban soil. The navy and the army co-o[)erated
hplendidly and as the big warships clnsed in on the shore to pave (he
way for [hv ajiproach of (he transpor(s and (hi ii went back again, three
cluM-rs for the navy went up from many thousand throats on the troop-
ships and three cheers for the army rose from ship af(( r ship.

The Cuban insjirgents, too, bore (lu-ir share in the enterprise honor-
ably and \\'?)\. Five thousand of them in motintal/i fiisluess and dark
thickets of i-avini'S, lay all (he previous niglil mi their guns watching
every road anil mountain ])a(h lea<ling from Siindago (o <)uan(anamo.
A thousand of (hem were within sight of I?ai<iulri, making the apj»roacb
of (he t^paniards under cover of <larkness an impossibility.

Th.e.'e is a steej), rocky hill, known as Vnnta IJaicpiiri, rising almost
I'erpindicularly at the jdace indi<ated. It is a veritable (Jibraltar in
possibilities of defense. From (he staff at its summit (he Spanish (lag
was detiantly lloating at sunsd; but in (he morning i( was gone, and
v.ith it (lie small Spanish guard which had mMinlained the signal
station. Ketwcen nigl'ifall jind dawn the Spaniards had taken the
alarm and tied from the jdace, ririug the town as tin y left.

The ihnnes were watched with interest from the ships. Two sharp
<»xplo/^ons were heard. At first they were rhoutrhi to ]u' \]u> repoH of

CONTINl'EU SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

467

guDH from Hpanish inuHkod baltciics, but they proved to be explosions
of ainiiiiiiiHinu in a 1)uniing l>uii(ling.

Three liours' wnitinj; nuide tlie men on the transi)(>rt.s iinpaliciit to
j^et ashore and in action, and every move of tlie warships was closely
•wafchcd h\ the soldiers.

A little before !> o'clock Ihe bombardment of the batteries of Juraf^uu
was bej!;iin. This was evidently a feint to cover the real point of attack,
.Inra.i,Mia beinj; jilxMit half-way between I?ni(|uiri and Santiaji'o, The
bombardment lasted abont twenty ndnutes. The scene then quickly
shifted back a<;ain to the ;;reat semi-cii-cle of li'ansports before IJaiciuiri.

At 1):1() o'clock the New Orleans ojjened fire with a jiun that sent a
Hhell rumblin;^- and crashin}? a}j;jnnst the hillside. The Detroit, Wasp,
]Ma<liias and Suwanee followed suit. In five minutes the ser, was alive
Avith (l(»till;is of sinall bo.its, headed by launches, spe<'dinj; for the l?ai-
<iuiri (lock. Some of the bojits were manned by crews «,f sailors, while
others were rowed by the s(ddiers themselves. Kach boat con-
tained si.xteen men, every one in fijihtinp: trhn .'.-.id canyin^ three days'
rations, a shelter tent, a i;nn and 200 cartrid^i's. All wen* reaily to
take the li(dd on louchiii^' the shore sliould they be called upon.

The tiring of the warships provd c U'' a needless precaution, as
their shots were not returned and no Spans:!,' ti.-, were visible.

(leneral Slnifter, on board the Sejjuranca, closely watched the land-
ing? of the troo]).s. I'.rij^adier-deJU'ral Lawton, who had been detailed
to command the landing parly, led the way in a launch, accompanied
by hisstalT, and directed the formation of the line of <»i»eration.

A detachment of eighty regulars was the first to land, followed by
Tieneral Shaffer.- (dd regiment, the First infantry. Then came the
Twenty-fifth, Twenty-second, Tenth, Seventli and Twelfth infantry in
(h(> o) ler nanuHl, and the Second Massachusetts and a (h'tachment of the
Ninth cavalry.

I'he boats rushed forward simulfaneotisly fvom every quarter, in
jjood-nalui'ed rivalry to be first, aj\d their occupants scramb!e(l over
<tne anotlu'i' to leap ; shore. .* s the Ixtats tossed about in the surf get-
ting ashore was no easy matter, and the sohHers had to throw their
rifles on the dork before they could climb up. Some hard tumbles re-
sulted, but n(d)ody was hurt. At the end of the i)ier the companies
nnd rciiinients (luickly !im»d Tip .ind marched away.

(leiieral Lawton threw a strong detachment for the night about six
miles west, on the road to Santiago, and another detachment was posted
to the north of the town auu)ng the hills. The rest of the troops were

468

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

quartered in the town, some of them being housed in the buildings of
the iron e()n'i)any.

S<»nie of tile Iroops were quartered in deserted liouses, while others
prefen-ed tin* shelter of their tents in the adjoining tields.

The morning's tire, it was seen, had destroyed the roundhouse, the
repair shops and several small dwellings. The town was deserted when
the troops landed, but women and children soon appeared from the
surrounding thickets and returned to their lionies.

Part of the sun-bronzed troops quickly searched the biiildings and
beat uj) the thickets in search of lurking foes and then at nightfall
marched into the unknown country bey.,ud, with long, swinging strides
and the alert bearing of the old frontier army men, ready to fight the
Spaniards Sioux-fashion or in the op( n, wherever they could be found.

The landing was accomplished without loss of life, the only accident
being the wounding of an insurgent on the hills by a shell from one of
the warships.

Victory Is Dearly Bought.

On Friday morning, June 24, four troops of the First cavalry, four
troops of the Tenth cavalry and eight troops of Roosevelt's Ixoiigh Rid-
ers — less than 1,000 ukmi in all — dismounted and attacked 2,000 Si)anish
S(ddiers in the thickets within live milt'S of Santiago de <'uba. A bloody
conflict ensued, and th(» Americans lost sixteen men, including Captain
Allyn M. ('apron and Hamilton I'Msh, Jr., of the Rough Riders.

Pra<li<ally two battles were fought at the same time, one by the
Rough Ki<lers under the immediate command of Colonel Wood, on the
top of the |tlateau, and the other on the hillsid«'s, several miles away,
by the regulars, with whom was (Jeneral Young.

The expedition stained front Juragua — marked on some Cuban nmps
as Alt ares- a small lown on the coast nine miles east of Mono Castle,
which was the tirst place oceujiied by the troops after their landing at
Baiquivi.

Information was brought to the American army lieadcpuirlerH by
Cubans that forces of Spanish soldiers had assembled al llie |»litep
where the bafle occurred to block the ntarcli on Santiago.

(leneral Young went there to dislodge them, the underHlamliug be-
ing that the Cubans under (leneral Castillo would co-operate with him,
but the latter failed to ajipear until the light was nearly Mulshed. Then
they asked permission to <hase the Iheiug Spatdards, but as the vie-

CONTINUED HUCCE8H FOR TUE AMEUICANS.

469

tory was already won (Jeueral Youug refused to allow tlieiu to take
part in the fight.

(Jeneral Youu^'h i>laPd contemplated the movement of half of his
command along the trail at the base of the range of hills leading back
from the coast, so that h'^ could attack the Si)aniards on the flank whil
the Ivough Hidcrs went (»ff to follow the trail knuliug over the hill 1i»
attack them in front. This plan was carried out completely. The
troops left Jnragua at daybreak. The route of (Jeneral Young and
the regulars was com para lively level and easy of travel. Thrci' llotch-
kiss guns were taken with this command.

The first i)art of the journey of Ihe Uough Kiders was over steep hills
several hundred feet high. The men carried 200 rounds of ammunition
and heavy camj) equii)ment. Although this was done easily in the
early morning, the weather became intensely hot, and the sun beat
down ujton the cowboys and Eastern athletes as they toiled up the
grade with their heavy jiacks, ami frequent rests were necessary. The
trail was so narrow that for the greater i)art of the way the men had to
prot'eed single file. Prickly cactus bushes lined both sides of the trail,
and the underbrush Avas so thick that it was impossible to see ten feet
on either side. All the conditions were favorable for a murder(»us
ambuscade, but the troopers kept a close watch, and made jis little
noise as ])ossible.

The Kough Riders entered into the spirit of the occasion with the
greatest enthusiasm. It was their first opp(n't unity for a tight, and
every man was eager for it. The weather grew swelteringly hot, and
one by one the men threw away blankets and tent rolls, and emptied
their canteens.

The tirst intimation had by Colonel Wood's command that there
were Spaniards in the vicinity was when they reached a jjoint three or
four miles back frouj the coast, when the low cuckoo calls of the Spanish
Boldlers were heard in the bush.

It was difticult to local*' the exact point from which these soundi
came, and the men were ordered to si)eak in low tones.

Charge the Enem^^

As soon as the enemy could be located a charge was ordered, and
the Americans rushed into the dense thicket regardless of danger. The
Spaniards fell back, but fired as they ran, an«l the battle lasted about an
hour.

470

CONTINUED SUCCESH FOR THE AMEUICANS.

The Siumiards left many dead ou the fiehl, their lo.ss in killed being
not less tliaii lift)'.

The Spanish had carefully planned an anibnsh and intended to
hold the Americans in check. They becainie panic-sUicken at the bold-
ness of the rush made by the iuvadinjj force. The position gained wus
of great advantage.

Where the battle took ]>laee a path opens into a space covered with
high grass on the right-liand side (»f tlie ti'ail ami the Ihickels. A
harbed wii-e fence runs along the left side. The dead body of a ('uban
was found on the side of the road, an<l at the same time Caittairi ('ap-
ron's troopH covered the outposts the heads of several Spaniards were
seen in the bushes for a moment.

It was not. until then that the men wre i)ermitted to load their
carbines. When tlie order to load was given they acted on it with a
Avill and <lisplayed the greatest eagerness to make an attack. At this
time the sound of tiring was heard a mile or two to the right, apparently
coming from the hills beyond the thicket. It Avas the regulars rejdying
to the Spaniards who had op<'ned on them frcun the thicket. Tn addition
to ra])id rille lire the boom of llotclikiss guns could be heard.

Hardly two minutes elapsed before ^laiiser ritles commenced to
crack in the thicket and a hundred bullets whistlji'd over the heads of
the Kough Killers, cutting leaves from the trees and sending chips tiying
from the fence i)osts by the side of the men. The Si)aniards had oi

>1>

and they poiiicd iu a heavy lire, which soon had a most disastrous elTect.
The troops stood their ground with tlu' bullets singing all around them.
Private Colby caught sight of the Spaniards and fired the opening shot
at them before the order to charge was given.

Sergeant Hamilton Fish, Jr., was the first man to fall. He was shot
through the heart and died instantly. Tlie Si)aniar(ls were n()t more
than 200 yards off, but only occasional glimi)ses of them could be sec...
The men eontiniu'd to pour vcdley after v<»lley into the brush in the
direction of the sound of the Si>anish shots, but the latter became more
frequent and seemed to be getting nearer.

Color '1 Wood walked ahtng his lines, displaying the utmost cool-
noss. He ordered froops to de])loy into the thicket, and sent another
detachment into the ojien space on the left of the trail. Tiieuteiumt
Colonel liooseve^lt led the former detachment and tore through fh(»
brush, urging his men on. The shots came thicker and faster every
moment, and the air seemed filled with the singing and shrieking sound
of the Mau.ser bullets, while the short ])op of tin' Spanish rifles could b«»

CONTINUED RT-rrESS FOR THE AMKIUCANS.

1:1

♦liHtiumiislu'd easily from the heavier repnrtH of tlie American veai»ons,
Homenmes the tire wotihl coino in volleys and a;;ain shots would follow
ouch other in rapid succession for several minutes.

Caiptaiu ('apron stood behind his men, revolver in hand, usin;; it
■whenever a Spaniard exposed himself. His aim was sure ami two of
tho enemy were seen to fall under his lire. Just as he was prejiarin;; to
take another shot and shouting orders to his men at the Hanu> time, hiH
revolver (lrop]»ed from his j;rasp and he f<dl to the ;:;round with a hull
thri»u<;h his body. Ills troop was badly disconcerted for a moment,
hut with all the strenj,'th he could muster he cried, "Don't ndnd me,
boys, •■•o on and ti;;ht.'' He was carried from the Held us soon as ik»8-
wible and lived only a few hours. Lieutenant Thomas of tin* sanu' troop
received a wound throuffli the lejj; soon afterward und bccume deliriouH
fruui pain.

Eoosevelt's Narrow Escape.

The troopK that were in the thicket were not lonj; in ^ettinj; Into the
midst of the fi^ht. The Spaniards located thiMU and i)ressed them hard,
but they sent a deadly lire in return, even thoujrh most of the time they
<'onl(l not see the enemy. Aftei- ten (»r tifteen nnnutes of hot work the
firinjj; fell (df some, and Lieutenant Cohmel Roosevelt (U'dered his men
back from tlu' thicket into the trail, narrowly <'scapin<j; a bullet hims(df,
whicli struck .a tree alon},'side his head.

It Avas evident the S])aniards were fallinj; back and chan};in;j their
positions, but the tire continued at intervals. Then the troops tore to
the front and int«> more open country than whei'e the enemy's lire was
eonnnii; from. About this tinn* small s(piads <'onimenced to carry the
wounded from the thiidiet and lay then« in a more jjrotected spot on the
trail until they could be removed to the field hospital.

It was not lonji' before th<> enemy <;ave way and ran down the steep
hill und up another hill to the blockhouse, with the evident intent of
makiu}^ a final stand there.

Colonel Vt cm! '■vas at the front directiu}; the movement and it was
here that M.ijor 'irodie was shot, ('(domd Wo(»d and Lieutenant
(\)lon(>l Koost . Ii Loth led the troojts in jtursiMt of the tleeiut: Spaniards
and a hail of bii!;'..ts was ]ioured into the blockhouse. IJy the time the
American advance ^ot within (iOO yards of the blockhouse the Spanianls
abamloned it and Kcattered umon^ij the brush up another hill iu the di-
rection of Santia<,'o, and the battle was nt an end. ,

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472

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

During all this time just as hot a fire had been progressing at Gen-
eral Young's station. The battle began in much the same manner as
the other one, and when the machine guns opened fire the Spaniards
sent volleys at the gunners from the brush on the opposite hillside.
Two troops of cavalry charged up the hill and other troops sent a
storm of bullets at every point from which the Spanish shots came.
The enemy was gradually forced back, though firing all the time until
they, as well as those confronting the Kough Riders, ran for the block-
house only to be dislodged by Colonel Wood's men.

General Young stated afterwards that the battle was one of the
sharpest he had ever experienced. It was only the quick and constant
fire of the troopers, whether they could see the enemy or not, that
caused the Spaniards to retreat so soon. General Young spoke in the
highest terms of the conduct of the men in his command, and both
Colonel AVood and Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt were extremely grati-
fied with the Avork done by the Rough Riders on the first occasion of their
being under fire.

When it became evident that the Spaniards were giving up the
fight, searching parties Avent through the thicket and tall grass, picking
up the dead and wounded. The latter were carried to a field hospital
half a mile to the rear and all possible attention was given them, while
preparation was made to remove them to Juragua.

Army in a Baptism of Fire.

• After a period of comparative idleness the campaign was opened in
earnest Friday, July 1, when General Shafter's army began an attack at
dawn upon the Spanish fortifications. Shafter had come from Cuero to
El Cauey with his army, making headquarters at Siboney. From these
points the Spanish troops under General Linares had retreated a short
distance and taken San Juan hill, from which they had accurate range
of the American batteries. Shafter's forces were Avithout sufficient
guns, Avhile the Spaniards had more and of a heavier caliber tlian was
anticipated.

The American army slept Thursday night within sight of its bat-
tlefield of the morrow. At daylight Friday morning the forward move-
ment began. Hard fighting Avas expected at El Caney, guarding the
northeastern approach to Santiago, and against this position Avere
massed the commands of Generals Lawton and Wheeler, suppoi ^ed by
Capron's battery of light artillery. Both General W^heeler and General

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

473

Young were sick, so General Sumner was assigned to the command of
the former and Colonel "Wood of the Iiough Riders was placed in com-
mand of General Young's cavalr}' brigade. Colonel Carroll of the Sixth
cavalry took General Sumner's place at the head of the First brigade
of cavalry. Under General Lawton were three brigades — Colonel Van
Horn's, consisting of the Eighth and Twenty-second infantry and the
Second Massachusetts volunteei's; Colonel Miles', consisting of the First,
Fourth and Twenty-fifth infantry, and General Chaffee's, consisting
of the Seventh, Twelfth and Seventeenth infantry. On the eve of
battle Colonel Van Horn was replaced by General Ludlow. Under
General Sumner were four troops of the Second cavalry and eight
troops of the First volunteer cavalrj^; under Colonel Wood the Rough
Riders, the Tenth cavalry and four troops of the First cavalry. These
two cavalry commands occupied the left of the San Juan plain for the
attack on the blockhouse at that point. Thoy were supported by Colonel
Carroll's brigade, consisting cf the Third, Sixth and Ninth cavalry, and
by Captain Grimes' batter^' of the Second artillery.

The southeastern approaches to the cit}' Mere commanded bj^ Gen-
era. Kent's division. His First brigade was commanded by General
Hawkins and consisted of the Sixth and Sixteenth regular infantry and
the Seventy-first New York volunteers. Colonel Pearson commanded
the Second brigade, composed of the Second, Tenth and Twenty-first
regular infantry, «diile the Third brigade, commanded by Colonel
Worth, consisted of the Ninth, Thirteenth and Twenty-fourth regular
infantry. Aguadores was their objective point. Grimes' battery of
artillery and the Rough Riders were to support General Kent in his
attack on Aguadores, while General Duffteld, with the Thirty-third and
a battalion of the Thirty-fourth Michigan volunteers, was in advance
of Kent's left.

Captain Capron Opens the Fight.

The first shot of the engagement came at (5:45 o'clock Friday morn-
ing. It was fired by Captain Allyn M. Capron's Battery E of the First
artillery. The privilege of opening the engagement was granted this
officer because of the killing of his son among the Rough Riders who fell
near Sevilla. The Spanish answered the challenge from their forts and
trenches about Caney, and immediately the battle was on. The Span-
iards for a time fought desperately to prevent the town from falling
into the hands of our forces, but before the fighting had been long under

474

CONTINUED 8UCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

way tlic Ainoricans and Cubaii^^ under Garcia gained advanced ground.
Foot by foot the enemy was driven back into tlie village. The enthu-
siasm of the American forces was intense and their spirit quickly spread
to the Cuban troops.

At one time during this fight one of the big military balloons used
by the signal corps for reconnoissance hung over San Juan, not over
500 yards from the enemy, and for five minutes the Spaniards below
tried to puncture it, but thej- were unable to get the range. This bal-
loon proved of inestimable service in the engagement. It floated just
over the tree tops, and was easily guided along three miles of the I'oad
toward the lines of the enemy. Whenever it halted for the purpose of
taking a photograph of the fortifications below, the Spaniards seized the
occasion for taking pot shots.

In the fighting at San Juan a Spanish shell two and a half inches
in diameter burst in the midst of Captain Puritier's Battery K of the
First artillery, wounding several. Among those injured was Private
Samuel Barr. Roosevelt's Rough Riders Avere also in this fight and bore
themselves with as much credit as in the battle of last Friday in the
bush. Several of the Rough Riders were wounded.

The Fight Before Caney.

Meanwhile the battle was raging fiercely at Caney and Aguadores.
In General Lawton's division the Second Massachusetts up to the mid-
dle of the day sustained the heaviest loss, although other regiments
were more actively engaged. During the afternoon the fight for the
possession of Caney was most obstinate, and the ultimate victory reflect*
great credit upon the American troops. It was a glory, too, for Spain,
though she never had a chance to win at any time dui'ing the day. Her
men fought in intrenchments, covered ways and blockhouses, while the
American forces were in the oi>en from first to last. The Spanish sol-
diers stuck to their work like men, and this, the first land fight of the
war, may well cause Spain to feel proud of her m.'u. The American
soldiers attacked the intrenchments through open ground, and, from
the firing of the first shot until the}- Avere on the hills above Caney,
they fought their way forward and the Si)anish were driven backward,
General Chaffee's brigade held the right of the line with the town of
Caney. General LudloAv's division Avas in the center and Colonel Miles
held the left.

The firing at times was very heavy during the morning, but the Span-

nHRBI

una

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

475

iards in tlic covered wa,y made a most obstijihfc dofoiise and refused
to yield an inch. Time and a<;ain the sliells from Captain Capron's
baltei'.v drove them to cover, but as soon as his fin* ceased tlic}' were up
and at it a<;'ain. Desjiite the heavy tirinji,' of the American troops they
were a)»h' to make bii( little apparent proj;ress duriii};- the morninp;,
althoui>h eventually they steadily drew in and inclosed the town on all
sides.

At noon it became evident tluit the fire from the covered way could
not be stopped by the artillery alone and that no permanent advance
could be made until the place was taken, and (Jeueral Lawton decided
to ca])ture it by assault. Accordinj^ly he sent a messenf^er to (Jeneral
Chaffee, with instructions to take the ])osi(ion by a char}i;e. (Jeneral
Chaffee thereui)ou closed in with his men rapidly from the north, while
Captain Cai)ron maintained a heavy tire on the fort, keepinj;- the Si)an-
iards in the covered way and putting;' hole after hole into the stone walls
of the fort. Shortly afterward he threw a shot from the battery, which
tore away the tlagstaff, bringin<>' the Spanish flag to the ground. From
that time no banner waved above it.

No finer work has ever been done b}' soldiers than was done by the
brigades of General Ludlow and Colonel Miles as thej' closed in on the
toM'^n. The Sjjanish blazed at them with Mausers and machine guns,
but without effect. Nothing could stof) them and they pushed in closer
during the afternoon, and by the time General Chaffee's men were in
form Miles and Ludlow were in the streets of the town, holding with
tenacity the S])aniards from retreating toward Santiago, while Chaf-
fee closed in on the right.

The lighting for hours in front of C<jlonel Miles' lino at a hacienda
knoAvn as "Duero" was very fierce. The Spanish defense was exceed-
ingly obstinate. The house was guarded by rifle ])its, and as fast as
the Spaiuards were driven from one they retreated into another and
continue<l firing.

When the final dosing-in movement was begun at G p. m. the town
of Caney was taken and a large number of prisoners was captured.
The Spanish loss was 2,000 in all.

Attack on Aguadores.

The only movement of the day which did not meet with success
was General Duffleld's attempt to occupy the sea village of Aguadores.
The New York, the Suwanee and the Gloucester shelled the old fort

47G

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

and tlio ritlo ]nts (Invinp; the foronoon, drove all llio Spaniards from
tlio viiinity and bowled ovei* the parapet from wliich ilew the S[)anish
fhi}^'; but, ((win^' to the broken railway brid<;e, General Dnllield's troops
were unable to j>;et across the river whieh sejjarated them from the
little town, and were coniix'lled to jio back to Jnrajiua.

Satni'day at dawn the S|»aniards, (Miconraj^cd by Linares at their
head, attempted to retake San Juan hill, llotchkiss <4uns mowed them
down in platoons. They were driven back into the third line of their
intrenchments, and there their shar])shooters, reported to be amonj;' the
finest in the world, checked the Americans, The batteries of (Irimes,
Parkhurst and l?nrt wer(> compelled to retire to El I'aso hill. Lawton
i-ame willi the Ninth Massachusetts and the Thirty-third and Thirty-
fourth Michij;an and the Spaniards be^au to retreat,

Sampson then be<«an bombardment of the outer forts of Santiago.
The Orcfi'on shot down ^lorro's tlag and battered the old castle into dust.
The batteries at I'unta (lorda were blown u]) by the Oregon and the
Indiana. Not one of the American ships was hit by tlie Spanish tire.

At Guantanamo the Cuban forces under Garcia and Castillo killed
300 Spanish soldiers and routed .'he enemy's army there. Castillo's
forces forced their way to within Ave miles of Santiago.

Shafters Reports of the Fight.

The nation was thrown into a fever of excitement Friday when the
following bulletin was i)osted at the War Department, in Washington:

Canij), Near Scvilhi, Cuba. — Action now going on. The tiring only light
and desultory. Regan on the rij^ht near Caney, Lawton's division, lie will
move on the northeast part of the town of Santiago. Will keep you continu-
ally advised of i)i()gress. SIIAFTER.

For several hours this was the only information from the seat of
war, but later a dispatch came from Colonel Allen, in charge of the
signal station at Playa del Este. lie said that the tight was growing
furious in all directions. At the time he sent the telegram eight Amer-
icans and nine Cubans had been wounded. All through Saturday
rumors of American reverses were rife, and to make public information
d(>finite, so far as it went, the War Department thought it wise to post a
dispatch which it had received early that morning. This was as follows:

Siboney, via Playa del Este, July 1. — I fear I have underestimated
to-day's casualties. A large and thoroughly equipped hospital ship should be

WASHERWOMAN

INDIAN GIRL SELLING FRUIT

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CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

479

sent here at once to care for the wounded. The cliief snrjjjeon says he has
use for forty more medical officers. The ship must bring a launch and boats
for conveying the wounded. SHAFTER, Major-General.

The next message made public sent a wave of apprehension over the
country. The text was as follows:

Camp Near Sevilla, Cuba, via Playa del Este, July 3. — We have the town
well invested in the norlli and east, but with a very thin line. Upon approach-
ing it we find it of such a character and the defense so strong it will be
impossible to carry it by stonii with my present forces. Our losses up to
date will aggregate 1,000, but list has not yet been made. But littk; sick-
ness outside of exhaustion from intense heat and exertion of the battle of
day before yesterday and the almost constant lire whicli is Icept up on the
trendies. Wagon road to the rear is kept open with dilticulty on account
of rains, but I will be able to use it for the present. General Wheeler is
seriously ill and will probably have to go to the rear to-day. General Young
is also very ill, confined to his bed. General Hawkins slightly wounded in
the foot during sortie enemy made last night, which was handsomely
repulsed. The behavior of the troops was magnificent. General Garcia
reported he Iiolds the railroad from Santiago to San Luis and has burned
a bridge and removed some rails; also that General Paudo has arrived at
Palma and that the French consul, with about 400 French citizens, came
into his line yesterday from Santiago. I have directed him to treat them
with every courtesy possible. SHAFTER, Major-General.

General Miles sent the following dispatch to General Shatter:

Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C, July 3. — Accept my

hearty congratulations on the record made of magnificent fortitude, gallan-

ti-y, and sacrifice displayed in the desperate fighting of the troops before

J-'antiago. I realize the hardships, difliculties, and sufferings, and am proud

tliat amid those terrible scenes the troops illustrated such fearless and patri-

fic devotion to the welfare of our common country and Hag. Whatever the

' suits to follow their unsurpassed deeds of valor, the past is already a grat-

il.-pter of history. I expect to be with you within one week, with

i I iii!'(>rc(Mnents.

MHiES, Major-General Commanding.

■ii's reply was as follows:

\i;;nt( rs Fifth Army Corps, Near Santiago, July .'5.—
1 in...... .v.... Ill iii. liiime of tlie gallant men I have the honor to command foi

splendid tribute of jiraise which you have accorded them. They bore them-
selves as American soldiers always liave. Your telegram will be published

«80

CONTINUED KUCCEHS FOU TUE AMERICANS.

at the Itead of the regini(>nt8 in the morning. I fet'l tliat I am master of the
situntion and can hold the enemy for anv length of time. I am delighted to
know that you are coming, that you may see for yourself the obstacles winch
this army had to overcome. My only regret is the great numher of gallant
souls who have given their lives for our country's cause. 811 AFTER.

In the light of these sorrowful, if triumphant, facts it must not be
forgotten that the enemy also suffered a terrible loss. In the fatuous
sortie upon the American position on the night of July 2 General
Linares, commanding in Santiago, was wounded in the foot and shoulder
and 500 of his soldiers died upon the field. Scarcely a nun in our
intrencbments was burt. Of the Spanish 29tb battalion defending El
Caney less tban 100 survived. General Vara de Key, its commander,
was buried witb military honors. General Ludlow taking possession of
his sword and spurs.

Tbe Spanish fought stubbornly throughout, and tbeir retreat, though
steady, was slowly and coolly conducted. They contested every incb of
tbe way and fought with unexpected skill, tbeir officers handling tbe
troops witb bravery and good judgment, and demonstrating that in
them our boys in blue were lighting witb foemen worthy of tbeir steel.

Tbe gallantry of the American oiTicers was con.spicuous througbout
tbe battle. Major-General Wheeler, who was seriously indisposed and
suffering from an attack of fever, ordered an ambulance to convey bim
to tbe front, where tbe sound of fighting seemed to give bim new life,
and in a sbort time be called for bis horse and personally directed bis
division in tbe attack.

General Hawkins, commanding tbe First Brigade, Ninth Division,
was conspicuous for tbe manner in which be exposed bimself to Spanish
bullets. After taking the redoubt on tbe bill witb bis command be
stood for a long time on tbe summit watching the fight. A heavy fire
at times was concentrated on tbe spot, but be surveyed tbe field of battle
while tbe bullets were whizzing past by bundreds.

Shafter Demands the Surrender of the City.

On July 3 General Shafter sent the following communication to
General Toral, commanding tbe Spanish army in tbe province of San-
tiago:

Headquarters of United States Forces, Near San Juan River, Cuba, July
3, 8:30 A. M. — To the Commanding General of the Spanish Forces, Santiago

WBBOsasm

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

481

de Cuba — Sir: I shall be obliged, unlosa yon surrcndpr, to shell Santiago
de Cuba. Please inform the citizens of foreign countries and all women and
children that tliey should leave the cit.v before 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.
Very respecttfully, your obedient servant, W. R. SIIAFTEIl,

Major-General, U. S. A.
General Toral made this reply:

Santiago de Cuba, July 3, 2 P. M.— His Excellency, the General Com-
manding the Forces of the United States, San Juan River — Sir: T have the
honor to reply to your cowmnnication of to-day written at H.'.W A. M. and
received at 1 P. M., demanding the surrender of this city; on the contrary
cas(! announcing to me that you will bombard the city, and asking that I
advis<» the foreign women and children that they must leave the city l>el'ore
10 o'clock to-moriow morning. It is my duty to say to you that this city will
not surrender and that I will inform the foreign Consuls and inhabitants of
the contents of your message. Very respectfully, JOSE TORAL,

Commander in Chief, Fourth Corps.

The British, Portuguese, Chinese, and Norwegian Consuls requested
that non-combatants be allowed to occupy the town of Caney and rail-
road points, and asked until 10 o'clock of the next day for them to
leave Santiago. They claimed that there were between 15,000 and
20,000 people, many of them old, whose lives would be endangered by
the bombardment. On the receipt of this request General Shafter sent
the following communication:

The Commanding General, Spanish General, Spanish Forces, Santiago
de Cuba — Sir: In consideration of the request of the Consuls and officers
in your city for delay in carrying out my intention to five on the city, and
in the interest of the poor women and children who will suffer greatly by
their hasty and enforced departure from the city, I have the honor to an-
nounce that I will delay Au-h action solely in their interest until noon of the
5th, providing during the interval your forces make no demonstration what-
ever upon those of my own.

I am with great respect, your obedient servjint,

W. R. SHAFTER, Major-General, U. S. A.

On July 6 the flag of truce which had been flying over Santiago for
a day or two was still displayed, but a smaller flag was presently seen
coming from the city in the hands of a man in uniform.

A party was sent from General Shatter's headquarters to receive
the bearer of the flag. It was found that he was a commissioner from

482

CONTINUED SrrCESS FOH THP] A.MKHK'ANS.

OciicnU Tonil. lie niinouiwcd to those wlio mot liiiii lliat he had an
iiiiportant communication to deliver to tlie commander of the American
army, coming' direct from (leneral Toral, and he (h'sired to be taken to
(Jeneral Sliafter.

Ordinarily sucli a messen;;('r !;;oin}j; through the lines woidd be
blindfolded. Our ])osition was so stronjj;, however, and our olTensive
works so impressive, that it was decided to }j;ive the commissioner the
free use of his eyes, so that he mij;ht see all the pre])arations that have
been made to reduce the city. The siej^e j^uns and mortar batteries
were pointed out to him, and he was entertained all the way to hen.d-
(puirters with a detailed explanation of the number of our forces, our
fiuns, and other nuitters that must have been of interest to him. In
fact, he was very much impressed by what he heard and saw.

Arriving; at (Jeneral Shaffer's headquarters the communication from
the Spanish comnuinder was delivered with iwine ceremony. It was
(piite long. (leneral Toral asked tl;at the time of the truce be further
extended, as he wanted to communicate with the Madrid government
concerning the surrender of the city. lie alst) asked that cable opera-
tors be sent to operate the line between Santiago and Kingston. He
promised on his word of honor as a soldier that the operators would
not be asked to transmit any matter except that bearing on the sur-
render, and that he would return them safe to El CVmey when a final
reply was received from Madrid. This reiiuest for operators was made
necessary by the fact that the men who had been operating the San-
tiago cable were British subjects, and they had all left the city under
the protection of the British consul when the Americans gave notice
that the city would be bombarded unless it surrendered.

The commissioner said that General Toral wanted to consult with
the authorities in Madrid, for the reason that he had been unable to
communicate with Captain-General Blanco in Havana.

It was finally arranged that the truce, which expired at four o'clock
on the (5th, should be extended until the same hour on Saturday,
July 9th.

The commissioner was escorted back through another part of the
camp which was filled with bristling guns. The British consul having
given his consent to the operators returning to the city, messengers were
sent to El Caney to learn if the men would go. They expressed their
willingness, and were escorted to the walls of the city, where they were
uxe^ by a Spanish escort and taken to the office of the cable company.

■jm&.

COXTIMKl) SUCCEtSH FOK TllK AMEKICANB. 483

Destruction of Cervcra's Fleet.

On the inorninji,' of July .'{, Admiral ('ci'vcm, ('((iiiniandcr of tlic Span-
IhIi tloot in the liarboi* of Santlajj'o dc Cuba, niado a bold dash for liberty
by a desperate atteni])! to break Uiroiigh the American line, in the liope
of reachinfj; the open sea.

In the face of overwlielminy; odds, with nothin*; before him but in-
evitable destruction or ^surrender if lu> remained any lonj^cr in tin- Irap
in which the American fleet held liini, he made a dash from the harbor
at the time the Americans least expected him ^^ '1o so, and finhtinj^
every inch of his way, even when his ship was abi i/" and sinkin}>;, \w
tried to escape the doom which was written on tie muzzle of every
American jjfun trained u])on his vessels.

The Spaniards made a dariny venture, and with n less vigilant foe
they nii;,h"^ liave succeeded. It was known in the fleet that General
Shafter was closinjj^ in on the city and that Admiral Cervera's i)osition
Wu.s desperate, but it was supi)osed that he would remain in the harbor
and train his guns on the American land forces as long' as possible, and
that he would blow up his ships rather than allow them to fall into
the hands of the enemy. It is certain that Admiral Sampson did not
expect Cervera to make a break for liberty, althoiigh the American
commander has known for several days that the sinking of the Merrimac
did not completely block the channel entrance to Santiago harbor.

At 9:35 on Sunday morning the flagship New York, with Admiral
Sampson on board, was many miles to the eastward, bearing the admiral
to a conference with General Shaffer. The fleet as a whole was much
farther off shore than usual. Any one looking seaward from Morro
Castle and seeing the distant specks on the water would not have real-
ized that the port was effectively blockaded. F .dently the Spaniards
had been waiting for the American fleet to become thus scattered.
They thought our fleet was napping, and that this was the time to make
a quick exit and start homeward.

Very soon after the New York had started to Siboney the shore
batteries opened fire on the American fleet. As the vessels were prac-
tically out of range and not in the usual line formation this firing from
the shore caused some surprise. In the first place, these batteries had
been shelled the day before, and it was supposed that they had been
silenced, and in the second place it seemed fooihh of the Spaniards to
undertake haphazard firing. ^ '

484

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

At that time the vessels of the blockading squailron were at varying
distances of from three to ten miles from the harbor entrance. Most
of the American cruisers were at the usual Sunday morning quarters,
and not one ship was really prepared for immediate action. Almost as
soon as the batteries opened fire a Spanish cruiser, the Cristobal Colon,
was seen to emerge from the channel entrance and head toward sea,
firing her forward battery as she came. Then the signals hurried from
one ship to another, and on every American vessel there was a rush of
activity. In every engine room there was a signal for full speed. The
entire fleet began to move in toward the shore, heading for the channel
entrance. At 0:45 the Oquendo slipped out of the channel. By this
time the Cristobal Colon had turned to the west, and with a good head-
way was attempting to slip past the blockaders. The Maria Teresa, the
Vizcaya, the two torpedo-boat destroyers, the Furor and the Pluton,
and a gunboat were all clear of the channel entrance and racing for
liberty when the American vessels opened fire at long range. The
Brooklyn, Massachusetts, Texas, Oregon and Iowa bore down upon the
Spaniaids and opened fire, but they were too far away to get a good
range. As for the Spaniards, they began to shoot as soon as they came
out of the harbor and continued to blaze away until they Avere utterly
defeated, but they showed poor judgment and bad marksmanship.

The Gloucester's Good Work.

As the Americans came in closer and closer the fighting became
general. The Gloucester had been lying olf Aguadores, three miles east
of Morro, when the Spaniards came out. She hurried to join in the
attack, and at first opened fire on one of the large cruisers. Already
they were being pounded with terrific effect by the battleships, however,
so the little Gloucester turned her attention to the two toi*pedo-boat
destroyers which had slipped out of the harbor behind the cruisers.
The Gloucester was one of the swiftest boats in the navy, and although
sl:'^ was equipped with nothing heavier than six-pound guns she made
a resolute attack on the two destroyers, and the chase began. They
headed to the west at high speed, and she flew after them, pouring shot
after shot with such wonderful accuracy, that by the time the destroyers
were five miles to the west of INIorro both were on fire and plainly dis-
abled. They had persistently returned the fire, and a shower of little
shells fell around the yacht, but once more the American gunners showed
their superiority, for the Gloucester was comparatively unhurt.

I<'«

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

485

The Furor turned at last and gave battle to the Gloucester. Ilere
was another instance of American good luck and Spanish inefficiency.
The Furor sent torpedoes against the Gloucester, but they failed to
explode. As soon as the Spanish destroyer stopped the Gloucester sim-
ply raked her fore and uft with rapid-fire guns, and the Furor again
headed west to escape the terrible punishment. The smoke was pouring
out of her sides, and soon she turned in oward shore, evidently in a
sinking condition. The members of the crew flocked tc the small boats
and abandoned their craft. Later on most of them were taken prisoners
on shore. The Furor was floating about, a mass of flame.

The Pluton also was disabled, and headed for the shore. She was
beached under a low blufT, where a heavy sea was running, and was
soon pounded so that she broke in two in the middle. Only about half
of the crew reached the shore alive.

Having disposed of the two destroyers the Gloucester lowered her
Sir^all boats and sent them ashore to rescue the Spanish sailors. The
Furor drifted about until the fire reached her magazines, and then there
were two terrific explosions which shattered her hull. Her stern sunk
quickly, and as it went down her bow rose until it stood almost straight
up in the air, and in this position she disappeared from sight.

Test of Battleships.

While the little yacht had been gaining this notable victory over
the two famous destroyers the big battleships had been following the
line of Spanish cruisers and pounding them with great persistence. The
four Spanish cruisers were under the direct fire of the Brooklyn, and the
four battleships, the Massachusetts, the Texas, the Iowa and the Oregon.
It was the first time that any first-class battleship had ever been put
to the test in a naval bJittle. The huge fighting vessels kept close after
the fast cruisers and fired their big guns with deadly certainty. The
American fire was so rapid that the ships were surrounded by clouds of
smoke.

The Spanish gunners seemed unable to get the proper range and
many of their hihots were very wild, though a number of them fell dan*
gerously near to the mark.

Two guns of the battery just east of Morro also took part in the
game and their shells fell around the American ships. Many of them
struck the upper works of the fleeing Spaniards and must Lave resulted
in killing and wounding many of their men.

486

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

The Spanish ships had now reached a point about seven miles west
of Morro and a mile or two beyond the place where the Furor was
burning and the Pluton broken in two against the cliff.

The flagship and the Oquendo were the first to show signals of dis-
tress. Two thirteen-inch shells from one of the battleships had struck
the Maria Teresa at the water line, tearing great holes in her side and
causing her to fill rapidlj'. The Oquendo suffered about th^ same fate
and both ships headed for a small cove and went agrouna 200 yards
from the shore, flames shooting from them in every direction.

The Gloucester, after sending a boat ashore to the Pluton, steamed
along the coast to where the armored cruisers were stranded and went
to their assistance. There was danger from the magazines, and many
of those on board jumped into the water and swam to the shore, though
a number were unable to reach the small strip of sandy beach in the
cove and were thrown against the rocks and killed or drowned. Many
of the wounded were lowered into the ships' own boats and taken ashore,
but tliis task was a most difficult one.

The Gloucester had all her boats out and one seaman swam through
the surf with a line from the Maria Teresa, making it fast to a tree
on the shore. By this means many on the flagship, including Admiral
Cervera, lowered themselves into the Gloucester's boats. The wounded
were taken to the Gloucester as rapidly as possible, and the lower deck
of the yacht was soon covered with Spanish sailors mangled in limb and
body by the bursting of shells.

Chase of the Cristobal Colon.

The Brooklyn, Oregon, Massachusetts and Texas and several smaller
vessels continued the chase of the Cristobal Colon, and in less than an
hour were lost to view of the burning ships on shore. The Iowa and
Texas both gave assistance to the imperiled v^rew of the Vizcaya. Her
Captain surrendered his command and the prisoners were transferred to
the battleship. The Vizcaya probably lost about sixty men, as she
carried a complement of 400 and only 340 were taken aboard the Iowa.

Soon after Admiral Cervera reached the shore and surrendered he
was taken to the Gloucester, at his own request. There was no mis-
taking the heartbroken expression upon the old commander's face as
be took the proffered hand of Captain Wainwright and was shown to
the latter's cabin, but he made every effort to bear bravely the bitter
defeat that had come to him. He thanked the Captain of the Glouces-

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

487

ter for the words of congratulation offered on the gallant fight, and then
spoke earnestly of his solicitude for the safety of his men on shore. He
informed Captain Wainwright that Cuban soldiers were on the hills
preparing to attack his unarmed men and asked that they be protected.

For hours after Admiral Cervera went aboard the Gloucester the
Infanta Maria Teresa, Almirante Oquendo and Vizcaya continued to
burn and every now and then a deep roar, accompanied by a bui'st of
flame and smoke from the sides of the ships, would announce the explo-
sion of more ammunition or another magazine.

It may be mentioned as a coincidence that Lieutenant-Commander
Wainwright, the Commander of the Gloucester, was executive officer of
the Maine at the time of the disaster, and, although he remained in
HaA'ana harbor two months after the explosion, he lived on board the
dispatch boat Fern and steadfastly refused to set his foot within the
city until the time should come when he could go ashore at the head oi
a landing party of American blue jackets. To-day it was his ship that
sank two Spanish torpedo-boat destroyers and afterward received the
Spanish Admiral aboard as a prisoner of «'ar.

From his position on the bridge of the Gloucester Lieutenant-C im-
mander Wainwright watched the flames and smoke as they enveloped
the decks of the three greatest warships of the Spanish navy, which
were soon to be reduced to nothing but shattered masts and twisted
smokestacks protruding above the water.

The prisoners of war included the captains of both boats. None
offered any resistance and all were glad to go to the Gloucester, as they
feared an attack from the Cubans.

When asked to make some statement in regard to the result of the
battle Admiral Cervera said: "I would rather lose my ships at sea, like
a sailor, than in a harbor. It was the only thing left for me to do."

The work of the American battleships was as rapid as it was ter-
rible. At 9:35 the first vessel headed out past Morro Castle. At 10
o'clock the two destroyers were wrecked and deserted. At 10:15 the
Oquendo and Maria Teresa were encircled by the Iowa, Indiana and
Texas. At 10:40 both were on the rocks. A few minutes later the Viz-
caya was abandoned.

The Cristobal Colon, having the lead, ran farther along the coast
before the persis^^ent firino; by the Brooklyn and Massachusetts brought
her to a stop, ,.^t fought for twenty minutes. At noon she was on the
rocks, perforated and tattered. Spain's greatest fleet was destroyed in
about three hours.

488

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

Chief Yoeman Ellis of the Brooklyn was the only American killed
In three hours of incessant fightinj;, while the Spanish loss reached 600
killed, 400 wounded and 1,100 taken prisoners.

Admiral Sampson's Official Report.

Following is the official report sent by Admiral Sampson to the navy
department at Washington:

United States Flagship Now York, First Rate, Off Santiago do Cuba,
July 15, 1S9S. — Sir: I have llie honor to make the foHowing report upon
the battle, with the destruction of the Spanlsli squadron, commanded by
Admiral Cervera, off Santiago do Cuba on Sunday, July ;}, 1S08:

The enemy's vessels came out of the harbor between 9:35 and 10 A. M.,
the head of the column appearing around C;iyo. Smith at 9:31 and emerging
from the channel five or six minutes later. The positions of the vessels of
my command off Santiago at that moment were as follows: The flagship
New York was fonr miles east of her blockading slation and about seven
miles from the harbor entrance. She had started for Sibonoy, where I
intended to land, accomi>auiod by several of my staff, and go to the front
to consult with Joneral Shatter. A discussion f the situation and a more
definite undeistanding between us of the operations proposed had been
rendered necessary by the unexpectedly* strong resistance of the Spanish
garrison of Santiago. I had sent my chief of staff ou shore the day before
to arrange an interview with General Shaffer, who had been suffering from
heat prostration. I made arrangements to go to his l\oad(inartors, and my
flagship was in the position mentioned above Vtdien the Si)anish squadron
appeared in the channel.

The remaining vessels were in or near theiv usual blockading positions,
distributed in a semi-circle about the harbor entrance, counting from the
eastward to the westward in the following order: The Indiana, about a mile
and a half from shore; the Oregon — the Nov/ York's place between these
two — the Iowa, Texas and Brooklyn, the latter two nnlos from the shore
west of Santiago. The distance of the vessels from the harbor entrance was
from two and one-half to four miles — the latter being the limit of day-block-
ading distance. The length of the arc formed )y the ships was about eight
miles.

The Massachusetts had left at 1 A. M. for Guautanamo for coal. Her
station was between the Iowa and the Texas. TJie auxiliaries Gloucester
and Vixen lay close to the land and nearer the harbor entrance than the
large vessels, the Gloucester to the eastv.ard and the Vixen to the west-
ward. The torpedo boat Ericsson was in comj)any with the flagship, and
remained with her during the chase until ordered to discontinue, when she

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

489

rendered very eflScient service in rescuing prisoners from the burning
Vizcaya.

The Spanish vessels came rapidly out of the harbor at a speed estimated
at from eight to ten knots and in the following order: Infanta Maria
Teresa (flagship), Vizcaya, Cristobal Colon and the Almirante Oquendo. The
distance between these ships was about 800 jards, which means that from
the time the first one became visible in the H[)per reach of the cliannel until
the last one was out of the harbor an interval of only {Ibout twelve minutes
elapsed. Following the Oquendo at a distance of about 1,200 yards came
the torpedo-boat destroyer Pluton, and after her the Furor. The armored
cruisers, as rapidly as they could bring their guns to bear, opened a vigor-
ous fire upon the blockading vessels and emerged from the channel shrouded
in the smoke from their guns.

The men of our ships in front of the port were at Sunday "quarters for
inspection." The signal was made simultaneously from several vessels,
"Enemy ships escaping" and "general quarters" was sounded. The men
cheered as they sprang to their guns, and fire was opened probably within
eight minutes by the vessels whose guns commanded the entrance. The New
York turned about and steamed for the escaping fleet, flying the signal "Close
in towards harbor entrance and attack vessels," and gradually increased her
speed, until toward the end of the chase she was making sixteen and a half
knots, and was rajndly closing on the Cristobal Colon. She was not at any
time within the range of the heavy Spanish ships, and her only part in the
firing was to receive the undivided fire of the forts in passing the harbor
entrance and to fire a few shots at one of the destroyers, thought at the
moment to be attempting to escape from the Gloucester.

The Spanish vessels, upon clearing the harbor, turned to the westward
in column, increasing their speed to the full power of their engines. The
heavy blockading vessels, which had closed in toward the Morro at the
instant of the enemy's appearance and at their best speed, delivered a rapid
fire, well sustained and destructive, which speedily overwhelmed and silenced
the Spanish fire. The initial speed of the Sjtaniards carried them rapidly
past the blockading vessels and the battle develo])ed into a chase, in which
the Brooklyn and Texas had at the start the advantage of position. The
LiooKlyn maintained this lead. The Oregon, steaming witli amazing speed
from the commencement of the action, took first place. The Iowa and In-
diana, having done good work and not having the speed of the other ships,
were directed by me, in succession, at about the time the Vizcaya was
beached, to drop out of the chase and resume the blockading station. The
Vixen, finding that the rush of the Spanish ships \\ould put her between two
fires, ran outside of our own column, and remained there during the battle
and chase.

The skillful handling and gallant fighting of the Gloucester excited the

490

OONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

admiration of every one who witnessed it and merits the commendation of
(he navy department. She is a fast and entirely unprotected auxiliary vessel
— the yacht Corsair — and has a good battery of light rapid-fire guns. She
was lying about two miles from the harbor entrance, to the southward and
eastward, and immediately steamed in, opening fire upon the large ships.
Anticipating the appearance of the IMutou and Furor, the Gloucester was
slowed, thereby gaining more rapidly a high pressure of steam, and when
the destroyers came out she steamed for them at full speed and was able
to close at short range, where her fire was accurate, deadly and of great
volume.

During this fight the Gloucester was under the fire of the Socapa bat-
tery. Within twenty minutes from the time they emerged from Santiago
harbor the careers of the Furor and the riuton were ended and two-thirds
of their people killed. The Furor was beached and sunk in the surf, the
Pluton sank in deep water a few minutes later. The destroyers probably
Buffered much injury from the fire of the secondary batteries of the battle-
ships Iowa, Indiana and the Texas, yet I think a very considerable factor
in their speedy destruction was the fire at close range of the Gloucester's
battery. After rescuing the survivors of the destroyers the Gloucester did
excellent service In landing and securing the crew of the Infanta Maria
Teresa.

The method of escape attempted by the Spaniards — all steering in the
same direction and in formation — removed all tactical doubts or difficulties
and made plain the duty of every United States vessel to close in, immedi-
ately engage and pursue. This was promptly and effectively done.

As already stated, the first rush of the Spanish squadron carried it past
a number of the blockading ships, which could not immediately work up to
their best speed, but they suffered heavily in passing, and the Infanta Maria
Teresa and the Oquendo were probably set on fire by shells fired during the
first fifteen minutes of the engagement. It was aft-erwards learned that the
Infanta Maria Teresa's fire main had been cut by one of our first shots and
that she was unable to extinguish the fire. With large volumes of smoke
rising from their lower decks aft, these vessels gave up both fight and flight
and ran in on the beach — the Infanta Maria Teresa at about 10:15 A. M. at
Nima Nima, six and one-half miles from Santiago harbor entrance, and the
Almirante Oquendo at about 10:30 A. M. at Juan Gonzales, seven miles from
the port.

The Vizoaya was still under the fire of the leading vessels; the Cristobal
Colon had drawn ahead, leading the chase, and soon passed beyond the range
of the guns of the leading American ships. The Vizcaya was soon set on
fire, and at 11:15 A. M. she turned in shore and was beached at Aserraderos,
fifteen miles from Santiago, burning fiercely, and with her reserves of ammu-
nition on deck already beginning to explode.

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

491

When about ten miles west of Santiago the Indiana had been signaled
to go back to the harbor entrance, and at Aserraderos the Iowa was sig-
naled to "resume blockading station." The Iowa, assisted by the Ericsson
and the Hist, took ofif the crew of the Vizcaya, while the Harvard and the
Gloucester rescued those of the Infanta Maria Teresa and the Almirante
Oquendo.

This rescue of prisoners, including the wounded, from the burning
Spanish vessels was the occasion of some of the most daring and gallant
conduct of the day. The ships were burning fore and aft, their guns and
reserve ammunition were exploding, and it was not known at what moment
the fire would reach the main magazines. In addition to this a heavy surf was
running just inside of the Spanish ships. But no risk deterred our officers
and men until their work of humanity was complete.

There remained now of the Spanish ships only the Cristobal Colon, but
she was their best and fastest vessel. Forced by the situation to hug the
Cuban coast, her only chance of escape was by superior and sustained speed.
When the Vizcaya went ashore the Colon was about six miles ahead of the
Brooklyn and the Oregon, but her spurt was finished and the American ships
were now gaining upon her. Behind the Brooklyn and the Oregon came the
Texas, Vixen and New York. It was evident from the bridge of the New
York that all the American ships were gradually overhauling the Colon, and
that she had no chance of escape.

At 12:50 the Brooklyn and the Oregon opened fire and got her range,
the Oregon's heavy sliell striking beyond her, and at 1:10 she gave up without
firing another shot, hauled down her colors and ran ashore at Rio Torquino,
forty-eight miles from Santiago. Capt. Cook of the Brooklyn went on board
to receive the surrender. While his boat was alongside I came up in the
New York, received his report and placed the Oregon in charge of the wreck
to save her, if possible, and directed the prisoners to be transferred to the
Resolute, which had followed the chase.

Commodore Schley, whose chief of staff had gone on board to receive
the surrender, had directed that all their personal efl'ects should be retained
by the oflScers. This order I did not modify. The Cristobal Colon was not
injured by our firing, and probably is not much injured by beaching, though
she ran ashore at high speed. The beach was so steep that she came off by
the working of the sea. But her sea valves were opened and broken, treach-
erously, I am sure, after her surrender, and despite all efforts she sank. When
it became evident that she could not be kept afloat she was pushed by the
New York bodily up on the beach, the New York's stem being placed against
her for this purpose — ^the ship being handled by Capt. Chadwick with ad-
mirable judgment — and sank in shoal water and may be saved. Had this not
been done she would have gone down in deep water and would have been to
a certainty a total loss.

492

GONTINIED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

I rc}>ui'd this c(.nii)lete aud iniportaut victory over the Spanish forces as
the suect'ssfiil linish of several weeks of arduous and close blockade, so
strin},a'ut and ellective during the nij,'l<t that the enemy was deterred from
makiuf; the attemi)t to escape at night and deliberately elected to make the
attempt in daylight. That tliis was the case I was informed by the com-
manding ollicer of the Cristobal Colon.

It was ascertained with fair conclusiveness that the Merrimac, so gal-
lantly taken into Ihe channel on June 3, did not obstruct it. I therefore
niainlained the blockade as follows:

To the battleshii)8 was assigned the duty, in turn, of lighting the chan-
nel. Moving up to the port at a distance of from one to two miles froau the
I\Iorro — dependent ujion the condition of ihe atmosphere^ — they threw a
searchlight beam directly up the channel, and held it steadily there. This
lighted up the entire breadth of the channel for half a mile inside of the
entrance so brilliantly that the movement of small boats could be detected.

When all the work was done so well it is ditficult to discriminate in
praise. The object of the blockade Oi" Cervera's squadron was fully accom-
plished, and each individual bore well his part in it— the commodore in com-
mand on the second division, the captains of ships, their officers and men.
The fire of the battleships was i)owerful and destructive and the resist-
ance of the Spanish squad ion was in great part broken almost before they
had got beyond the range of their own forts. The fine speed of the Oregon
enabled her to take a front position in the chase, and the Ci'istobal Colon did
not give up until the Oregon had thrown a 13-inch shell beyond her. This
performance adds to the already brilliant record of this fine battleship and
speaks highly of the skill and care with which her 'admirable efficiency has
been maintained during a service unprecedented in the history of vessels of
her class.

The Brooklyn's westerly blockading position gave her an advantage in
the chase, which she maintained to the end, and she employed her fine bat-
tery with telling effect. The Texas and the New York were gaining on the
chase during the last hour, and had any accident befallen the Brooklyn or
the Oregon, would have speedily overhauled the Cristobnl Colon. From the
moment the Spanish vessel exhausted her first burst of speed the result was
never in doubt. She fell, in fact, far below what might reasonably have
been expected of her. Careful measui'ements of time and distance give her
an average speed — from the time she cleard the harbor mouth until the time
she was run on shore at Rio Tarquino — of 13.7 knots. Neither the New York
nor the Brooklyn stopped to couple up their forward engine, but ran out the
chase with one pair, getting steam, of course, as rajiidly as possible on all
boilers. To stop to couple up the forward engines would have meant a delay
of fifteen minutes — or four miles — in the chase.

Several of the ships were struck, the Brooklyn more often than the

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

493

others, but vory sliylit material injury was done, (lie {greatest beiujj aboard
the Iowa. Our loss was one nam kilh'd and one wounded, both on the Hiook-
lyn. It i(4 dillicult to exphiin this immuinity from h)ss of life or injur> to ships
in a combat with nu)dern vessels of the best type; but Spanish j!;unnery i»
j)oor at the best, and the sniK-rior weight and aecuracy of our tire speedily
drove the men from their j;uns and sih-nced their lire. This is borue out by
the statements of prisoners and by observation. The Spanish vessels, as they
dashed otit of the harbor, were covered witli the smoke from their own tjuns,
but tliis speedily diminished in volmne and soon almost disajqjeared. The
tii'c fi'om tlic rapid-tire batteries of tlu' battleships aiii)ears to have been
remarkably desti-uctive. An examination of the stranded vessels shows that
the Almirante C)(iuendo especially had sutTered terribly from this fire. Her
sides are everywheic pierced and her decks were strewn with the charred
remains of those who had fallen.

W. T. SAMPSON,
Rear Admiral United States Navy, Commander in Chief United States Naval

Force, North Atlantic Station.

The Secretary of the Navy, Navy Department, ^yashington, D. C.

Burning of the Alfonso XII.

Two batteries silenced; two gunboats put to flight; t'le Alfonso XII.,
a transport of ."ijOOO tons, loaded with ammunition, beached and burned;
those were the Spanish losses in the second battle of Mariel on Wednes-
day, July G. The Ilawk, Prairie and Castine fought it, destroying the
most valuable ship and cargo that Spanish daring emidoj-ed to run into
Havana's relief after the blockading squadron stationed itself before
Morro.

The Hawk began the battle Tuesday night off Havana. Lieutenant
Hood had taken his destroyer yacht far in under the guns to watch the
western approach to the harbor. Twenty minutes before midnight he
reached the eastern limit of his patrol, six miles Avest of Morro, and
went about, swinging farther in shore as he turned. The Hawk had not
finished circling when the forward lookout sighted a huge four-masted
steamer creeping along in the shade of the shore a quarter of a mile
nearer the beach, a mile to the westward. His "sail ho" warned the
master of the steamer that he was discovered and he put about at the cry
and steamed furiously away toward Mariel.

Lieutenant Hood was after him in an instant. Eastwar-^ within call
lay six warships, but Lieutenant Hood wanted the steamer for his own
prize, and started after her without calling for aid. Mile after mile

494

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

the two vessels reeled olT, the Hawk waidnj; to j;et its j»rey well away
from the squadron before striking. Twenty miles from Morro the
steamer began drawing away from the destroyer. The Hawk's men
were at their quarters, and when Lieutenant Hood saw his prize slip-
ping from his grasp his forward six-pounders began to speak. Some of
the shells must have landed, for the Spaniard ran for shoal water, appar-
ently hoping to catch the Hawk among the rocks.

Lieutenant Hood was game, however, and the light-draught Hawk
kept hammering away with her rapid-fire guns and burning signals for
help from the bridge. Two miles east of Mariel the hunted Spaniard
broke for the narrow harbor mouth, and Lieutenant Hood's jackies,
pumping steel across the moonlit waters, groaned in the fear that she
might escape. The raining six-pound shells upset the pilot, however,
and the fleeing ship struck hard on the bar at the west side of the
entrance and stuck fast. "With wild cheers the Hawk's crew tumbled
into the boats and boarded the prize, but the steamer's rail was lined
■with riflemen and the popping Mausers drove the Hawk's tars back to
their ship.

The Hawk guarded the prize till morning and then, seeing her fast
aground, ran back to Havana to report to the lleet and to ask help in
taking her. The Castine was sent down to aid in the work, but the
shore batteries opened on the ships when they appeared. After two
hours' fruitless fighting the Hood went back to the fleet for re-enforce-
ments-. The Prairie, manned by Massachusetts reserves, was dispatched
to engage the batteries, and at 1 o'clock in the afternoon Captain Train
took a position two miles from Martello tower and began pitching six-
inch shells into the tower and sand batteries. Ten shells silenced the
three guns in the tower and sent the artillerymen streaming back over
the hill toward the city.

Two gunboats inside the harbor poured five-inch shells at the Prairie,
but nine shells from that ship routed them and drove them back to the
city. The sand batteries were harder to silence, but fifteen shells did
that work and wrecked the barracks besides. The infantry in the rifle
pits supporting the batteries were driven out by five-inch shells from
the Castine, which fired during the morning and afternoon 250 shots.
The Prairie used thirty-eight of her six-inch shells and about 100 six-
pounders. The Castine and Hawk had taken the steamer, and the Hawk
then reported to the fleet at Havana. The Spanish vessel was so badly
riddled that the name could not be deciphered.

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CONTIJ^UEl) SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

497

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General Miles Assumes Command in Cuba.

On July 13 (Jcnonil Miles arrived at tho front and aKsiiniod personal
eoinniand of the army around Hantiaj^o. N('j<otiati(>nH for llio peaceful
Hurrt'iider of (lie city had been Koinj^ on for several days Ix'twecn (Jen-
eral Sliaf(er, coiiiiiiander of the American forces, and (Jeneral Toral of
the Hpanish army, but it was not until the IfJth that a final af^rccMiient
Avas reached. On this date conditions of surrender were offered, tho
principal articles of which were as follows:

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First, that all liostilities sliall cease pendluj? Ihc uKrecmcnt of final
cai)ituiallon.

Second, that the capitulation includes all tho Spanish forces and the
surrender of nil war 'material within the prescribed limits.

Third, that the transportation of tho troops to Spain shall lye furnished
at the earliest possible moment, each force to be embarked at the nearest
port.

Fourth, that the Sjtanish officers shall retain their side arms and the
enlisted men their personal property.

Fifth, that after the final capitulation the Spanish forces shall assist in
the removal of all obstnutions to navijvition in Santiaj^o harbor.

Sixth, that after the final capitulation tho cominandinf? officers shall
furnish a complete inventory of all arms and munitions of war and a roster
of all soldiers in the district.

Seventh, that the Spanish general shall be permitted to take the military
archives and records with him.

Eighth, that all guerrillas and Spanish irregulars shall be permitted to
remain in Cuba, giving a parole that they will not again take up arms against
the United States unless properly released from pai-ole.

Ninth, that the Spanish forces shall be permitted to march out with all
the honors of war, depositing their arms to be disposed of by the United
States in the futur^-. the American commissioners to recommend to their
tJovernment that the arms of the soldiers be returned to those "who so
bravely defended them."

By the terms of this agreement the southeastern end of Cuba — an
area of about 5,000 square miles — the capital of the province, the forts
and their heavy guns, and Toral's army, about 25,000 strong, passed into
our possession.

The ceremony which sealed the capitulation f ' tsantiago was simple

498

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

and short. Promptl}- at 9 o'clock in the morning all division and
brigade commanders and their staffs reported to General Sh.ifter at his
headquarters. With Major-General Wheeler at his left, General Law-
ton and General Kent behind, and the other officersi, according to rank,
following, the little cavalcade, escorted by a detachment of Kafferty's
mounted squadron, rode around the base of San Ju in hill and west on
the royal road toward Santiago. Just about riidway between the
American and Spanish linos of rifle pits stands a 1 jrdly ceiba, 125 feet
high to the crown, nearly 10 feet in diameter at the trunk and spread-
ing 50 feet each Avay from the polished tree shaft. Under this tree
General Toral and a score of his officers awaited the Americans. As
General Shafter came down the slope toward the tree General Toral
advanced a few feet and raised his hat. General Shafter returned the
salute, and then the quick notes of a Spanish bugle, marking the ca-
dence of a march, sounded on the other side of the hedge which bordered
the road, and the king's guard, in columu of twos, came into vies\.
Before they arrived on the scene the American cavalrymen had lined up
with drawn sabers at a carry, each man and horse motionless.

The Spanish soldiers came through a gap in the hedge in quick time,
the Spanish flag leading the column and two trumpeters sounding the
advance. The soldiers marched in excellent order, but as they passed
General Shafter their eyes moved to the left and they glanced curiously
at the men who had served as their targets only a few days before.
About 200 soldiers and officers were in the king's guard, and the little
command, after moving down the entire front of the detachment of
cavalry, countermarched, and, swinging into line, halted facing the
Americans, about ten yards distant.

For a few minutes Americans and Spaniards faced each other, silent
and motionless. Then the two trumpeters gave tongue to their horns
again; a Spanish officer shouted a command; the Spanish colors dipped
in a salute; the Spanish soldiers pi-esented arms and the Spanish officers
removed their hats. Captain Brett's quick, terse command, "Present
sabers," rang over the hillside, and American swords flashed as the
sabers swept downv.ard. General Shafter removed his hat, and his
officers followed his example. For half a minute — and it seem?d longer
— the two little groups of armed men, each representing an army, re-
mained at "the salute." The Spanish officer in command of the king's
guard was the first to break the silence. His commands put the Span-
iards in motion, and they again passed before the Americans, who re-
mained at "present arms" until the last of the guard had marched by.

CONTINTjED success for the AMERICANS.

499

The Spaniards marched back toward Santiaj2:o a few hundred feet,
halted, stacked their Mauser rifles and then, without arms or flags, filed
back of the American lines and went into camp on the hill just west of
San Juan hill.

The formal part of the proceedings came to an end with this little
ceremon}', then Spanish and American officers mingled, shook hands
and exchanged compliments. While the king's guard and the American
cavalrymen were saluting each other the 5th ai'iuy corps stood on the
crest of the parapet of the rifle pits, forming a thin line nearly seven
miles long. Onl}' a small part of the army could see the groups of
Spanish and American soldiers under the ceiba tree, but every one of
the men who had been fighting and living in our trenches strained his
eyes to catch a glimpse, if possible, of the proceedings which put an end
to hostilities in this part of Cuba.

On the Way to Santiago.

After a few minutes of informal talk General Toral and his officers
escorted General Shafter and his military family to Santiago.

General Shafter's entrance was hardly the triumphant march of a
victor, for the procession of Americans and Spaniards ambled quietly
and unostentatiously- over the cobble and blue flag stones, around the
little public circles and squares, past ancient churches and picturesque
ruins of -vhat once were the homes of wealthy Spaniards, through nar-
row, alleylike streets to the Plaza de Armas, with the cathedral, the
Cafe de Tenus, the governor-general's palace and San Carlos club facing
the square.

General Toral was the first to spring from his horse, and he held out
his hand t;nd welcomed General Shafter to the "palace." This was a few
minutes after 10 o'(dock.

Here General Shafter received the local council and other civic
officials, and the governor, seeking to do the honors ^jroperl}-, gave a
luncheon to the general and his principal officers.

By this time the 9th infantry had marched into the square and
formed two lines, f -cing the palace, and tlie band had taken its station
in the center of the broad walk, with the American officers grouped in
?rout. Just five minutes before noon General Shafter, General Wheeler,
General Lawton and General Kent came from the pah.ce and joined the
officers, and Lieutenant Miley, General Shafter's chief aid-de-camp;

600

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AfMERIOANS.

Captain McKittrick and Lieutenant Wheeler, General Wheeler's son,
swarmed over the red roof tiles to the flagstaff. Then followed five
long, expectant, silent minutes. Some of the oflflcers held watches in
their hands, but most of them kept their eyes on the little ball of bunt-
ing which <2uddled at the foot of the flagstaff. General McKibben, his
long, slim figure erect, stood before the 9th regiment, and when the
first stroke of the cathedral clock bell sounded from the tower he
whirled around and gave the command "Present arms." The final word
was spoken just as the flag fluttered up toward the tip of the staff, and
the crash of hands meeting rifle butts and the swish of sweeping sabers
came with the opening notes of the "Star-Spangled Banner," and every
American there saluted our flag a? the wind caught the folds and flung
the red, white and blue bunting out under the Cuban sun and over a
. conquered Spanish city.

And when the last notes of the national air died away and the rifle
butts had come to an "order" on the pavement, and the sabers had been
slipped into their sheaths, men whose faces and throats were deep
brown, whose cheeks were thin, whose limbs trembled with fa+igue and
Cuban fever, whose heads wore bandages coverin^r wounds made by
Spanish bullets, but who stood straight, with heads erect, were not
ashamed to wipe from their eyes the tears which came when " 'd glory"
spread its protecting folds over Santiago.

Yellow Fever in Shafter's Army.

Yellow fever broke out in the army on July 11, spreading with
frightful rapidity among the men, but it fortunately proved to be of a
mild type, and in comparatively few instances was the dreaded disease
attended with fatal results.

When the landings at Baiquiri and Juragua were made there were
many men to be handled, the facilities were limited and the landings
were made in great haste. No building Avas burned, no well was filled,
no sink was dug. Several of the enthusiastic young aids seized pretty
viueclad cottages as headquarters for their respective generals. Cu-
bans and Americans filed into the empty houses of the town without
inquiry as to their antecedents.

INfajor LeGarde, in charge of the beach hospital, recommended earn-
estly on landing that every building be burned. Major Wood and Colo-
nel Pope indorsed this, but the recommendation went by default. The

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

camp was established in the heart of the Spanish town and the first
yellow-fever case was that of Burr Mcintosh, the actor and newspaper
man, who had been sleeping at General Bates' headquarters in one of
the prett}' vine-covered cottages mentioned.

Dr. Lesser and his wife, "Sister Bettina," the New York workers of
the Red Cross, were among the first victims, and Katherine White,
another Red Cross nurse, was also sent to the yellow-fever camp.

After the fever was discovered every effort was made to check it
and stamp it out, but the camp had already been pitted with it. Cases
were taken out of the surgical wards of the hospital tents and out of
the officers' tents, General Duffield being one of the victims.

Owing to the unhealthful climate and the lack of proper food, medi-
cines, clothing, and shelter, the army was soon threatened with an
epidemic of disease, and it was evident that the detention of the troops
in Cuba would result in loss of life to thousands of brave men. In order
that the authorities at Washington might have a thorough understand-
ing of the situation, the officers of the 5th army corps united in the
following letter which was addressed to General Shafter, and which was
transmitted by him to the war department in Washington:

We, the undersigned officers commanding the various brigades, divi>
sions, etc., of the army of occupation in Cuba, are of the unanimou?. opinion
that this army should be at once taken out of the island of C' ja and sent
to some point on tlie northern seacoast of the United States; that it can be'
done without danger to the people of the United States; tliat yellow fever
in the army at present is not epidemic; that there are only a few sporadic
cases; but that the array is disabled by malarial fever to the extent that its
efl8ciency is destroyed, and that it is in a condition to be practically destroyed
by an epidemic of yellow fever which is sure to come in the near future.

We know from the reports of competent officers and from personal
observation that the army is unable to move into the interior and that there
are no facilities for such a move if attempted, and that it could not bo
attempted until too late. Moreover, the best medical authorities of the island
say that with our present equipment we could not live in the interior during
the rainy season without losses from malarial fever, which is almost as
deadly as yellow fever.

This army must be moved at once or perish. As the army can be safely
moved now the persons responsible for preventing such a move will be respon-
sible for the unnecessary loss of many thousands of lives.

Our opinions are the result of careful personal observation, and the^

502

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS.

are also bascl on the unanimous opinion of our medical officers with the
aiiniy, who understand the- situation absolutely.

J. FORD KENT,
Major-General Volunteers, Commanding First Division Fifth Corps.

J. C. BATES,
Major-General Volunteers, Commanding Provisional Division.

ADNA R. CHAFFEE,
Major-General Commanding Third Brigade, Second Division.

SAMUEL S. SUMNER,
Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding First Brigade Cavalry.

WILL LUDLOW,
Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding First Brigade, Second Division.

ADELBERT AMES,
Brigadier-General Volunteers, Coxnmanding Tliird Brigade, First Division.

LEONARD Vv^OOD,
Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding the City of Santiago.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
Colonel, Commanding Second Cavalry Brigade.

As a result arrangements were completed as quickly as posp:ble for
the transportation of the troops to the United States, and immunes
were sent to Santiago for garrison duty in their places.

Another Naval Engagement.

On the morning of July 18 the vessels on blockade duty in the
vicinity of Manzanillo approached the harbor of that citA' from the
westward. The Wilmington and Helena entered the northern channel
towards the town, the Scorpion and Osceola the mid-channel, and the
Hist, Hornet and Wampatuck the south channel, the movement of the
vessels being so timed as to bring them within effective range of the
shipping at about the same moment. An attack was made on the
^>pauish vessels in the hai'bor, and after a deliberate fire lasting about
two and a half hours, three transports. El Gloria, Jose Garcia and La
Purrissima Coucepcion, were burned and destroyed.

The Pontoon, which was the harbor guard and storeship for ammuni-
tion, was burned and blown up. Three gunboats Avere destroyed, one
other was driven ashore and sunk, and another was entirely disabled.
No casualties occurred on board any of the American vessels. The
Spanish loss was over 100 in killed and wounded, and the Delgado,
Guantanamo, Ostralia, Continola and Guardian, gunboats of the Span-
ish navy, wex'e sent to join Cervera's fleet.

CHAPTER LI.

THE INVASION OF PUERTO RICO.

General Miles' Landing at Ponce — The American Army
Cheers and Open Arms by the Native Puerto Ricans-
Stops a Battle and Brings Hostilities to a Close.

Received witk
-News of Peawi

The United States military expedition, under command of Major-
General Nelson A. Miles, commanding the army of the United States,
left Guantanamo bay on the evening of Thursday, July 21, and was
successfully landed at the port of Guauica, island of Puerto Rico, on
July 25.

The ships left Guantanamo bay suddenly Thursday evening with
the Massachusetts, commanded by Capt. F. J. Iligginson, leading.
Captain Iligginson was in charge of the naval expedition, which con-
sisted of the Columbia, Dixie, Gloucester and Yale. General Miles was
on board the last-named vessel. The troops were on board the trans-
ports Nueces, Lampasas, Comanche, Rita, Unionist, Stillwater, City of
Macon and Specialist.

As soon as the expedition was well under way General Miles called
for a consultation, announcing that he was determined not to go by
San Juan cape, but by the Mona passage instead, land there, surprise
the Spaniards and deceive their military authorities. The course was
then changed, and the Dixie was sent to warn General Brooke, who was
on his way with his army from the United States, with instructions to
meet General Miles at Cape San Juan.

Early on the morning of July 25 the Gloucester, in charge of Lieu-
tenant-Commander "\.^ ainwright, steamed into Guanica harbor in order
to reconnoiter the place. With the fleet waiting outside, the gallant
little fighting yacht braved the mines which were supposed to be in
the harbor, and found that the^e were five fathoms of water close in
shore.

The Spaniards were taken completely by surprise. Almost the first
they knew of the approach of the army of invasion was in the announce-
ment contained in the firing of a gun from the Gloucester, demanding
that the Spaniards haul down their flag, which was floating from a
flagstaff in front of » blockhouse standing to the east of the village,

503

504

THE INVASION OF PUERTO RICO.

The first couple of three-pounders was fired into the hills right and
left of the bay, purposely avoiding the town, lest the projectiles should
hurt women and children. The Gloucester then hove to within abcut
GOO yards of the shore, and lowered a launch having on board a Colt
rapid-fire gun and thirty men under the command of Lieutenant Huse,
which was sent ashore without encountering opposition.

Quartermaster Beck thereupon told Yoeraan Lacy to haul down the
Spanish flag, which was done, and they then raised on the flagstaff the
first United States flag to float over Puerto Eican soil.

Spaniards Open Fire.

Suddenly about thirty Spaniards opened fire with Mauser rifles on
the American party. Lieutenant Huse and his men responded with
great gallantry, the Colt gun doing effective work.

Almost immediately after the Spaniards fired on the Americans the
Gloucester opened fire on the enemy with all her three and six pounders
which could be brought to bear, shelling the town and also dropping
shells into the hills to the west of Guanica, where a number of Spanish
cavalry were to be seen hastening toward the spot where the Americans
had landed.

Lieutenant Huse then threw up a little fort, which he named Fort
Wainwright, and laid barbed wire in the street in front of it in order
to repel the expected cavalry attack. The lieutenant also mounted the
Colt gun and signaled for re-enforcements, which were sent from the
Gloucester.

Presently a few of the Spanish cavali^ joined those who were fight-
ing in the street of Guanica, but the Colt killed four of them. By that
time the Gloucester had the range of the town and of the blockhouse
and all her guns were spitting fire, the doctor and the paymaster help-
ing to serve the guns.

Soon afterward white-coated galloping cavalrymen were seen climb-
ing the hills to the westward and the foot soldiers were scurrying along
the fences from the town.

By 9:45, with the exception of a few guerrilla shots, the town was
won and the enemy was driven out of its neighborhood. The Red Cross
urses on the Lampasas and a detachment of regulars were the first
to land from the transports.

After Lieutenant Huse had captured the place he deployed his small
force into the saburbs. But he was soon re-inforced by the regulars,

TUE INVASION OF PUERTO RICO.

605

who were followed by Company C of the 6th Illinois and then by other
troops in quick succession. All the boats of the men-of-war and trans-
ports were used in the work of landing the troops, each steam launch
towing four or five boats loaded with soldiers. But everything pro-
gressed in an orderly manner and according to the plans of General
Miles. The latter wont ashore about noon, after stopping to board the
Gloucester and thank Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright for his gal-
lant action.

On Wednesday, July 27, the Wasp, Annapolis, and Dixie steamed
from the port of Guanica to Ponce, prepared, if necessary, to shell
the town. The Wasp was the first to arrive, and she found the people
of the town waiting, as the news of her coming had preceded her. The
Spanish garrison, 350 strong, was paralyzed with fear and wished to
surrender or leave, but Colonel San Martin, who was in command, de-
clared that he could not surrender.

The Wasp steamed up close to the shore, with all her guns bearing
on the town, and found, instead of an enemy prepared to give battle, a
great congregation of people awaiting their arrival. Lieutenani; Ward
and Executive Officer Wells sent Ensign Rowland Curtin with four men
ashore, bearing a flag of truce. They suspected treachery on the part
of the Spaniards, and the gunners of the Wasp stood ready to fire at a
second's warning. Ensign Curtin put for the beach as though he had no
suspicion of treachery, and as he stepped from the boat the people
crowded around him, forcing presents upon him and his men, and wel-
coming them with rousing cheers.

A message was sent to the Spanish commander, demanding the im-
mediate and unconditional surrender of the citj, and Ensign Curtin
returned to the Wasp for instructions. In a short time a reply was
received from Colonel San Martin, offering to surrender upon the con-
ditions that the garrison should be permitted to retire; that the civil
government remain in force; that the police and fire brigade be per-
mitted to patrol without arms, and that the captain of the port should
not be made a prisoner. He also imposed the condition that the Ameri-
can soldiers should not advance from the town within forty-eight hours.

Commander Davis, who w^as anxious to complete the surrender, ac-
cepted these conditions and the armor-plated soldiers and policemen
then fled to the hills. The Spaniards left 150 rifles and 14,000 rounds of
ammunition behind them.

Lieutenant Ilaines, commanding the marines of the Dixie, went
ashore and hoisted the American flag over the custom-house at Port ot

506

THE INVASION OF PUERTO RICO.

Ponce amid the cheers of the people. After this Lieutenant Murdoch
and Suryeou lleiskell got into a carriage and drove to the city proper,
two miles distant, where they received a tremendous ovation. The
streets were lined with men, women and children, white and black.
Everybody was dancing up and down and yelling: "Viva los Ameri-
canos!" "Viva I'uerto Kico Libre!"

The storekeepers offered their whole stock to the officers, and de-
clared that they would take no pay for anything. In the IMaza of Jus-
tice the people tore down the wooden-gilded crown and would have
trampled upon it if the officers had not interfered and saved it as a
souvenir.

When General Wilson landed, the firemen lined up to receive him,
and the local band played "The Star-Spangled Banner." Everybody
took off his hat and cheered. The custom-house was taken for the
American headijuarters. The troops landed during the day were the
Second and Third Wisconsin and the Sixteenth Pennsylvania regiments.

When the ships arrived all the people Avho could get small boats
rowed out to them and offered to pilot them in. General Wilson at once
started in to learn the condition of affairs. He sent men into the town
immediately and put a sentry at each foreign consulate. He also de-
tailed a detachment of soldiers to the work of guarding the roads.

General Wilson and General Miles agreed that the conditions of the
surrender relating to the movement of troops were not binding.

Despite the arrival of the troops the celebration in the town went on.
All the Spanish stores were closed, but the Puerto Ricans and the for-
eigners kept open house. Women and men alike were all dressed in
their finest attire.

Miles Issues His Proclamation.

At 10 o'clock General Miles issued his proclamation to the inhabi-
tants, which was as follows:

In the prosecution of the war against the kingdom of Spain by the people
of the United States, in the cause of liberty, justice and humanity, Its mili-
tary forces have come to occupy the island of Puerto Rico. They come bear-
ing the banners of freedom, inspired by a noble purpose, to seek the enemies
of our government and of yours and to destroy or capture all in armed resist-
ance. They bring you the fostering arms of a free people, whose greatest
power is justice and humanity to all living within their fold. Hence, they
release you fros: your former political relations, and it is hoped this will

THE INVASION OP PUERTO RICO.

507

be followed by your cheerful accepluuce of the government of the United
States.

The chief object of the American military forces will be to overthrow
the armed authorities of Spain and give tlie people of your beautiful islaud
the largest measure of liberty consistent with this military occupation. They
have not come to make war on the people of the country, who for centuries
have been ()p[)ressed, but, on the contrary, they bring protection not only
to yourselves but to your property, promote your prosperity and bestow the
immunities and blessings of our enlightenment and liberal institutions and
government.

It is not their purpose to interfere with the existing laws and customs
which are wholesome and beneficial to the people so long as they conform
to the rules of the military administration, order and justice. This is not
a war of devastation and desolation, but one to give all within the control
of the military and naval forces the advantages and blessings of enlightened
civilization.

In the afternoon General Miles and his staff were invited to the
city hall to see the city oificials. The city hall was. surrounded by a
vast crowd of people, and a band was stationed in the park. When the
carriages of General Miles and his staff appeared the band played "Lo,
the Conquering Hero Comes." General Miles appeared upon the bal-
cony of the city hall and took off his hat. The crowd cheered him
wildly, and the band played "The Star-Spangled Banner," "Marching
Through Georgia," and other patriotic airs.

General Miles talked to the officials and told them to remain in
office. He said he wanted things to go on just as before, but there
must be no oppression. He repeated the words of his proclamation,
and said that Spaniards who had arms must give them up; if not, they
would be regarded as bandits, and not as soldiers, and treated accord-
ingly.

On August 5 the city of Guayama, the principal port on the south-
eastern coast, was captured after a sharp skirmish with 400 Spaniards.
The 4th Ohio, Colonel Coit, and the 3rd Illinois, Colonel Bennitt, with
two dynamite guns, all under command of General Ilaynes, composed
the expedition which marched against the towm from headquarters at
Arroyo. When the Americans had reached a podnt about three miles
from the latter place they were viciously attacked on both their right
and left flanks. Colonel Colt's Ohio troops, who were leading the ad-
vance, were splendidly handled and did telling work against the enemy.

The SSpaniards for a time managed to conceal themselves behind

508

THE INVASION OF PUERTO RICO.

barricades, but the Americans soon got at tliem and poured a terrific
lire in tlieir direction. It was Impossible for the Spaniards long to
witlistaud tliis fire, and tliey soon retreated.

As the American troops entered the town they found it practically
deserted. All of the houses had been closed, and the Ohio regiment
raised its colors over the town hall.

A crowd of citizens soon gathered about the invading troops and
welcomed them with enthusiasm. While this demonstration was under
way the Spaniards returned, malcing a heavy attack on the town from
the north.

The Fourth Ohio was sent out to engage the enemy and a hot fight
between the two bodies of troops took place during the next two hours.

Two dynamite guns finally were put in position by the Americans
and five shots were fired. These completely silenced the enemy and
they withdrew, leaving the town in possession of our forces.

Coamo was captured on August 9, after a dashing fight, in which
the l()th IVuusylvauia volunteers won honors, holding the lead in
General Wilson's advance on the town. The skirmishing with the
enemy's outposts began at 8:30 o'clock in the morning. The American
troops were armed with Krag-Jorgenson rifies and were supported by
artillery. They went into the fight with spirit under the ^ye of General
Ernst, and routed tlve enemy, killing twelve of them, including the
Spanish commander. Colonel Illeroa, capturing the town, and taking
AiOO prisoners. No Americans lost their lives, but six were wounded,
one serioUfdy.

General Wilson's troops destroyed the Spanish batteries on the
heights facing Aibouito, on Friday, August 12, after a brilliant advance
of the artillery. The first firing by the battery was at a range of 2,300
yards, which silenced the Spanish guns. Then a portion of the battery,
under Lieutenant John P. Haines, of the 4th artillery, was moved
forward within 1,000 yards of the enemy's rifle pits and there drove
them out and captured a blockhouse.

The firing of the Spanish riflemen and artillerists was very wild,
reaching the American infantry in the hills instead of the attacking
battery. Corporal Swanson of the 3rd Wisconsin volunteers was
killed by a shell which fell in the midst of the Wisconsin men, and the
same missile wounded three others.

THE INVASION OP PUERTO RICO.

509

News of Peace Stops a Battle.

The news that peace was at hand reached Guayama on August 13
just in tiMie to interrupt a battle. General Brooke's force, in three
strong columns, had begun an advance toward Cayey to form a junction
there with General Wilson's division, which had been making its way
along the main road from Ponce to San Juan.

Three miles out General Brooke's troops came upon a force of
Spanish occupying strong intrenchments on the top of a mountain.
Light battery B, Pennsylvania artillery, unlimbered its guns, loaded
them with shells and had just received the order to commence firing
when a message from General Miles announcing peace was received on
the field over a military telegraph wire. The battery immediately was
signaled to cease action, to the surprise of all the men, who were keyed
up for battle. The news that the war was over spread rapidly among
the soldiers, causing general disappointment, for the officers could do
nothing but leave the battle unfought and withdraw their troops. All
returned to their former camp at Guayama.

The signing of the treaty of peace by the United States and Spain
came too soon to suit the commanders of the invading army in Puerto
Rico. Their plans had been perfectly formed and were almost executed.
The simultaneous advance of the four divisions toward San Juan was
interrupted in the very midst of the successful movement. If it could
have been carried out as contemplated it would have been an invaluable
lesson to the Puerto Ricans, quelling such pro-Spanish sentiment as
existed and rendering American occupation and government of the
island a comparatively simple matter.

General Miles felt this and regretted that he was not permitted to
complete the masterly military movement so carefully begun and so
successfully carried forward. The occupation of Puerto Rico was made
with a loss to the Americans of two killed and thirty-seven wounded.

CnAPTER LIT.

THE SUHUENUER OF MANHA.

Landing of Oenoral Mcrritt at Manila — The German Floot Warnod by
Adiiiirjil Dewey — Tlie Ladrone iHlands — Fierce IJatlle iu DurknesH
and Storm — Forei},'n Warsliips Xolified of tlie Allacli — Combined
Assault by Dewey and Merritt — The City Surrenders.

In the moantinip, far away iu the Philippines, Admiral Dewey w'as
sustaining the reputation he made at the outbreak of hostilities. Airer
the battle of Manila there remained but three Spanish warships in
Pacific waters. One of them was in dry dock at Ilongkoug and the
two others were iu hiding in the waters of the I'hilippine group. The
admiral dispatched the gunboat Concord and a cruiser to locate and
destroy the two Spanish vessels. The Concord soon discovered the
Argos, and after a lively battle lasting thirty minutes the Spanish
ship Avas sunk Avith all (»n board and her colors flying. Not a man was
lost or injured on the Concord, nor did the ship sustain any damage.

The first Auu'rican army to sail for foreign shores left San Francisco
May 25. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon Brigadier-General Anderson sig-
naled from the Australia for the City of Pekin and the City of Sydney
to get under way. The signal was seen from the shore, and the waiting
crowds cheered wildly. No time was lost on board the transports.
The crews worked with a will and in a short tinu- the anchors were up
and the vessels were under way. Then the 2,500 soldiers who had been
impatiently awaiting the signal to start cHaiM'u to the rigging and
swarmed all over the big ships, shouting and cheering like mad.

The big transports steamed slowly along the water front, and the
crowd on shore raced along to keep them in sight. The noise made by
the patriotic citizens on sea and shore was something terrible. Every
steam whistle in the city appeared to be blowing, cannon were fired,
and the din lasted fully an hour.

The three transports carried close on to 2,500 men. The expedition,
which was under the command of Brigadier-General Anderson, con-
sisted of four companies of regulars, under command of Major Kobe; the
First Regiment California Volunteers, Colonel Smith; the First Kegi-

610

THE StinnENDER OF MANILA.

611

mcnt Orcjjou Vohintoers, Colonel SnnuncrH; a battalion of lU'ty heavy
artillery, Major Gary; about 100 sailors, and eleven naval otllcers. The
fleet was loaded with sni)plies to last a year, and carried a big cargo of
ammunition and naval stores for Admiral Dewey's fleet.

Four transports bearing about 4,000 men passed through the Golden
Gate shortly after 1 o'clock on the loth of June, amid scenes of great
enthusiasm and i)atriotism unequaled in the history of San Francisco.
The four vessels which carried the troops were the China, Colon, Zea-
landia and Senator. The fleet was accompanied down the bay by a
large number of tugboats and bay steamers.

It was a few minutes pa'^t 1 o'clock when the China hoisted the blue
Peter and warned the fleet to get under way. The Senator had slipped
into the stream and straightened out for the run to Manila. When she
reached the stream the China swung away from her anchorage and
started down the bay, followed by the Colon and Zealandia and a long
line of tugboats and steamers.

At 1:30 p. m. the fleet was off Lombard street and a few minutes later
it w^as steaming past Meiggs' wharf. Thousands of people, attracted by
the blowing of whistles, rushed to points of vantage on the city front
and cheered the departing boats. Soldiers crowded the fort at the
point and shouted aud waved their hats as the squadron passed out
through the Golden Gate. A heavy fog lay outside the bar, and before
2 o'clock the transports were lost in the mists.

Assigned to the China, General Greene's flagship, and th« largest,
fine' t and fastest vessel of the fleet, was the First liegiment Colorado
Volunteer Infantry, 1,022 men ; half a battalion of the Eighteenth United
States Infantry, 150 men, and a detachment of United States engineers,
20 men.

The Colon took four companies of the Twenty-third Infantry and two
companies of the Eighteenth Infantry, both of the regular army, and
Battery A of the Utah Artillery'. In the battery were twelve men and in
each of the infanti-y companies seventy-five men, besides the officers,
making less than GOO military passengers. The control of the ship was
given to Lieutenant-Colonel Clarence W. Bailey, of the Eighteenth
Infantry.

On the Zealandia were the Tenth Penrjsylvania Volunteers and part
of Battery B of the Utah Volunteer Artillery. With the gunners went
two Maxim fighting machines, which as a precautionary' measure were
placed ready for action in the bow of the vessel. In till there were 640
privates and 60 officers on board.

512

THE SURRENDER OP MANILA.

On the steamer Senator was the First Regiment of Nebraska Volun-
teers, numbering 1,023 men and officers.

Took the Ladrones.

The United States cruiser Charleston, with the troopships City of
Sydney, Cify of Pekin and Australia, arrived off Cavite on the 30th of
June. They left Ilonolulu, June 4, with sealed orders from "\^ ash-
ington to capture the island of Guam, chief of the Ladrone Islauds,
and the seat of Spanish government.

The American cruiser and the transports arrived at Guam on the
morning of June 20. They passed the unoccupied Fort Santiago and
advanced opposite Fort Santa Cruz. The Charleston then fired twelve
shots, but, receiving no response from the fort, it steamed on to Port
Luis de Appa, where Agana, tlie capitcJ of the Ladrone Islands, is
(situated.

That afternoon the captain of the port and the health officer came
aboard the Charleston and were informed to their astonishment that
they Avere prisoners of war. They had not heard that Avar existed
between the United States and Spain, and they had thought the firing
by the Charleston was a salute of courtesy. They said Governor
Marina regretted that he had no powder for his cannon with Avhieh
to return tiie salute. Those surprised Spaniards Avere thereupon sent
ashore to request the Governor of the islands to come on board the
Charleston. In replj* the Governor sent his official interpreter and
secretaiw to say to the Americans that the Spanish hnvs forbade him
to leave the shore during his term ov office. However, he invited
Captain Glass of the Charleston to a conference on shore the next
morning and guaranteed his St^fety. Captain Glass sent Lieutenant
Braunersreuther to meet the GoA-ernor and deliver an ultimatum de-
manding the surrender of the Ladrones, giving the Governor thirty
minutes in Avhicu to consider the matter. Lieutenant Braunersreuther
Avas accompained by two companies of Oregon Volunteers.

The governor surrendered gracefidly Avithin the allotted time.
Thereupon forty-six marines from the Charleston landed and disarmed
the 108 Spanish soldiers, confiscated their 110 rifles and 10,000 rounds
of ammunition. The natives were alloAV(»d to retain their weapons.
Tli(>y all shoAvcd delight in renouncing Spanish authority, and tore off
the Spanish regalia from their uniforms with many expressions of satis-
faction.

SCENE IN THE TURRET OF A BATTLESHIP DURING

AN ENGAGEMENT

litis ilUistralion shows the gunners at work, nnJ als.t the ammunition as it comes from the stiip's
maEazines. Usually 8 men lianJIe the two turret guns, each one of whom has his particular Juty to perform.
The shells anJ powder are hoisleJ from the magazines by ijUiiU elevators, the weight beirj; loo great fur men
to hanJI'.', anJ all the loaJoin is also Jone hy machinery.

NICKEL STEEL INGOT FOR TUBE OF A J6'INCH BREECH^

LOADING RIFLE

This enormiius weapon will he, when cumpleleJ, 50 feet iDng. welKhinj; 130 Ions, an J will liirow a : j-
jeclili.' of 2.300 pounJs a distance of IS miles, lis effective range is 12 miles.

■HPilUP^iPW^

THE SURRENDER OF MANILA.

515

General Merritt arrived in ]Manila bay on July 25, and after report-
ing to Admiral Dewey assumed command of the American troops in
the Philippines, lie lost no time in niakin<>; himself familiar with the
situation, and established headquarters at the Cavite arsenal.

The German Fleet at Manila.

W 12

As soon as the American blockade of Manila was declared, Ger-
many began to enlarge her lleet in those waters until all but three of
the German men-of-war on the Asiatic station were either in Manila bay
or its vicinity. The German naval oflicers took pains to show particular
friendliness towards the Spaniards, as for example in saluting the
Spanish flag at Manila on the arrival of every additional ship. The
German oflicers visited the Spanish fortifications and trenches, and the
Manila new>papers assert' d that the presence before the city of so
many Gernian ships enabled the Spanish authorities and tlie people of
Manila to regard t)\e American fleet Avith complacency.

On June 27 the McCulIoch met the Irene, one of the German fleet,
at Corregidor island, preparing to enter tlie bay, and signaled to her:
"We wish to communicate with you." The Irene ])aid no attention to
the signal, and proceeded on her way until a small boat was sent out
to her from the McCulloch, The captain of the Irene explained he
matter bv saving that he had misunderstood the signal. The action
of the Irene in interfering with the attack by the insurgenc vessel,
Filipinas, on the S])anish garrison at Isla Grande, in Subig bay, was
in line with the attitude adopted by the German naval otficers.

The Filipinas, a steamer of about 700 tons, loaded with a half cargo
"■ tobacco, was in hiding in the coves around Subig bay. She was
,r "d and ofticered by Spaniards, but her crew was a native one. The
ew mutinied and killed the twelve oflicers. They then took charge
of tuo ship and hoisted the insurg'^nt flag. On the shore of Subig bay,
and chiefly in the town of Subig, were 400 Spanish soldiers. As the
insurgent forces on the land began to close in on them they fled in a
body to the Isla de Grande, near the ir.'uilii of Subig bay, taking with
them 100 sick and about 100 ivomen. Tliey retaiiUHl their small arms
and had only one Maxim gun. The insurgents hoped to starve them
into submission. About this time the Filipinas incident occurred,
■whereby she passed from the Spanish to tlie insurgents. Two hundred
In; iirgent soldiers tooK the shij) and apjtroaclied the island and fired
on the Sjianiards. Their firing was inetl'ective, but after awhile the

51G

THE SURRENDER OF MANTT.A.

Si)aniar(ls, probably realizing the ultimate hopelessness of their posi-
tion, hoisted the white flag. At almost the same time the German
cruiser approached from within the bay and the Spaniards hauled down
the white tiag, for they evidently had reason to hope for iiiterference-
by the Germans. The German ship at once advanced to the Filipinas;
and said that the flag she flew was not recognized, and if it were not
at once hauled down and a white one substituted she would be taken
with her crew to Manila as prisoners. The Filijunas at once hauled
down the insurgent flag, hoisted the white one and started immediately
south to Manila ba.y. All thi happened July (5. She arrived off the
American flagship late in the ^ ''; and the insurgents at once re-
ported the matter to the admiral.

Dewey Protects the Insurgents.

Admiral Dewey sent the insurgent ship into a safe anchorage. At
12 o'clock midnight the Raleigh and Concord quietly drew up their
anchors and left the bay. They proceeded at once to Subig bay, fired
several times on the island, whe.'e the Spaniards were, and the latter
promptly surrendered. The Irene had disappeared when they arrived,
although she had been in Subig bay for several days for the expressed
purpose of protecting German interests. The Concord then retur:.ed
to report to Admiral Dewey and find out what should be done with
the GOO Spaniards captured. The Kaleigh remained at Subig on guard.
During the 7th the insurgent leader, Mr. Seyba, came out to the flagship
for permission to take the Filipinas and go to Subig for the purpose of
capturing the island. The admii-al told liim that it had already been
done. Seyba went aboard the Filipinas with a strong force of men and
left the harbor.

The Concord, when she returned to report the matter to the admiral,
bore a letter from Captain Coghlan of the Kaleigh begging that the
Spaniards captured be made Auu-riciiu prisoners, and that they be not
turned over to the insurgents, as Admiial Dewey's original orders de-
manded. The Concord was sent back with instructions to turn the pris-
oners over to Aguiualdo, but he exacted an ironclad promise that they
siiould be well and carefully cared for.

Finally Admiral Dewej' sent an officer to the German flagship with .i
request that Admiral Diederichs make a statement of the German
attitude in the matter of tlie blockade of Manila. The German admiral
Bent an immediate explanation. Two days later, however, he sent a

THE SURRENDER OF MANILA.

61?

protent to Admiral Dowey against th(» action of American (jfficers in
boarding- German sliips coming to Manila from Marivles. He cited the
incident of the McCullocli and the Irene at Corregidor,

Admiral Dewey replied to this very courteonsly bnt very firmly. He
pointed ont to the German admiral tliat international law gave to the
commander of a blockading fleet anthority to comnmnicate with all
ships entering a blockaded port. As international law permitted war-
ships to fly any flag they chose in order to deceive the enemy, the nation-
ality of vessels entering the bay conld not be absolutely determined
without communicating with them. For the German admiral's further
information Admiral Dewey told him that if German}' was at peace
with the United States the German naval oflicers would have to change
their methods, and that if Germany was at war with his nation he de-
sired to know it at once in order that he might act accordingly.

The Philippine insurgents un„ u' Aguinaldo continued their savage
attacks, and gradually closed in on the city of Manila. They were
working independently of the American forces under General Merritt,
and it was apparent that they did not intend to recognize Am.erican
authority. The Spanish residents of Manila, fearing that the capture
of the city by Aguinaldo Avould be followed by pillage and slaughter,
appealed to the captain-general to surrender to the American forces,
but that official was determined to resist, in the face of the fact that
resistance could only delay defeat.

Battle in a Storm.

On the night of July 31 the soil of the Philippines was drenched
with American blood. Our troops were strengthening their position
near the Spanisli fort guarding the southern approach to Manila, in the
suburbs of that city. The Spanisli, knowing their situation to be
growing every day more hopeless, ma<le a concerted sortie on the Amer-
ican right flank, held by the 10th Pennsylvania troops. The scene of
the battle was at a place called Malate, which is located half way be-
tween Cavite and the city of Manila. Here General Greene was in
command of 4,000 men. The arrival of the third expedition filled the
Spaniards with rage, and tliey determined to give battle before Camp
Dewey could be re-enforced. In the midst of a raging typhoon, with
a tremendous downpour of rain, 3,000 Spanish soldiers attempted to
surprise tlie camp. The American pickets were driven in and the
trenches assaulted. The Pennsylvania troops did not flinch, but stood

CIS

THE SURRENDER OP MANiLA.

their ground under a withering fire. The alarm spread and the 1st
California regiment, with two companies of the 3rd artillery, who
fought with rifles, were sent up to re-enforce the Pennsylvanians. The
enemy was on top of the trenches when these re-enforcements arrived,
and never was the disci^iliue of the regulars better demonstrated than
by the work of the 3rd artillery under Captain O'llara. Nothing could
be seen but the flash of Mauser rifles. The Utah battery, under Cap-
tain Young, coA-ered itself with glory. The men pulled their guns
through mud axle deep, and poured in a destructive enfilading fire.

The enem.y was repulsed and retreated in disorder. Our infantry
Lad exhausted its ammunition and did not follow. Not an inch of
ground was lost, but the scene in the trenches was one never to be for-
gotten. During the flashes of lightning the dead and wounded could
be seen lying in blood-red water, but neither the elements of heaven
nor the destructive power of man could wring a cry of protest from the
wounded. They encouraged their comrades to fight and handed over
Iheir cartridge belts.

The fighting was renewed on the night of August 1, and again the
following evening, but the enemy had been taught a lesson, and made
the attacks at long range with heavy artilkny. The total American loss
was fourteen killed and forty-four wounded. The Spaniards had 350
killed and over 900 wounded.

On August 5 the Spaniards again attacked the American outworks.
The trenches were occupied by a battalion each of the 14th and 23rd
icegulars and Nebraska volunteers, the latter holding the extreme right
and a company of regulars the extreme left. They returned the Spanish
fire and the battle lasted for a half an hour. Three Americans were
killed, and eleven wounded, four of them seriously.

The City Surrenders.

Admiral Dewey and General Merritt sent an ultimatum to the au-
thorities in Manila on Monday, August 8, notifying them that at the
expiration of forty-eight hours the land and naval forces of the American
army would attack the city, unless they surrendered before that time.
When this time had expired the Spaniards asked an extension of one
day more, in order that they might remove their sick and wounded and
the women and children and non-combatants. This request was
granted.

The foreign warships in the bay were rotified of the attack, all of

THE SURRENDER OF MANILA.

519

theiu withdrawing out of mnge. The English and Japanese warships
joined the Anieriean fleet oif Cavite, and tlie Fren'^h and (lerman war-
ships steamed to the north of the city, where they were out of range.

The attat'li was arranged for the 9th inst., but at the last minute
General Merritt requested that the fleet postpone the bombardment
until his lines could be extended farther around the city. Then Admiral
Dewey informed the Spaniards that the attack would be made on Sat-
urday; that he would destroy Fort Malate and shell the trenches, thns
destroying the opposition to the laud forces entering the city; that he
W'ould not fire on Manila unless their guns opened on his ships, in which
case he would destroy the city.

At 9 o'clock on the morning of Saturday the American fleet, with
battle flags flying at every masthead, left Cavite, the band on the British
warship Immortalite playing "E\ Capitan" at the departure.

The agreement between Dewey and Merritt was to get under way
with the fleet standing toward the city at the same time the troops
pressed forward ready to force an entrance when the ships had destroyed
the forts.

With the fleet the Olympia led the way, attended by the Raleigh
and the Petrel, wiiile the Ca'lna under Lieutenant Tappan and the
launch Barcolo crept close inshore in the heavy breakers.

Perfect quiet prevailed in the lines on both sides as the great ships^
cleared fur action, silently advanced, sometimes hidden by rain squalls.
The Monterey, with the Baltimore, Charleston and Boston, formed the
reserve.

At 9:35 a sudden cloud of smoke, green and white against the stormy
sky, completely hid the Olympia, a shell screamed across two miles of
turbulent water and burst near the Spanish fort at Milate San Antonio
de Abad. Then the Petrel and Baleigh and the active little Calloa
opened a rapid fire directed toward the shore end of the intrenchments.
In the heavy rain it was diflicult to judge the range, and the shots at
first fell short, but the fire soon became accurate and shells rendered
the fort untenable, while the four guns of the Utah battery made ex-
cellent practice of the earthworks and swamp to the east of the fort»
The Spaniards replied with a few shells.

Less than half an hour after the bombardment began Genera^ Greene
decided that it was possible to advance, although the signals to cease
firing were disregarded by the fleet, being invisible on account of the
rain. Thereupon six companies of the Colorado regiment leaped over
their breastworks, dashed into the swamp and began volley firing from

520

THE SUUKEXDER OF MANILA.

till' partial .shelter of low liedj^cs within 300 yards of the Spanish lines.
A few moments later the reniainin<i:: six companies moved alon*^ the
seashore, somewhat covered by a sand rid^e formed by an inlet nnder
the outworks of the fort, and at 11 o'clock occupied this formidable
strou<:hold without loss.

MeauAvhile the lleet, observinjji; the movement of the troops along
the beach, withheld its lii'e. The bombardment had lasted exactly an
hour and a half. An hour later (ieneral (Hreene and his staff proceeded
iilong the beach, still under a hot infantry fire from the right, where the
Eighteenth regulars and the Third regtilar artillery were engaging the
enemy, and directed the movement for an advance into Malate. The
viciniiy of the fort was uncomfortabh^ on account of numbers of sharp-
shooters in the buildings on both sides, 200 yards distant. The for-
ward movement was therefore hastened, and in a feAV minutes the out-
skirts of the suburb were well occupied and the sharpshooters were
driven away.

As the Californiaus under Colonel Smith came up the beach their
band played the national air, accompanied by the whistling of Mauser
bullets, and during the sharpshooting continued to encourage the men
with insi)iring music. Each regiment carried its colors into action.
There was considerable street fighting in the suburbs of Malate and
Ermita, but the battalion of ('alifornians pushed into the Luneta, a
I)opular promenade within two hundred yards of the moat of the citadel.
Then the white flag was hoisted at the southwest corner of the walled
town. General Greene, with a few members of his staff, galloped along
the Luneta, under a sharp scattering fire from the houses near the beach,
and parleyed with an officer Avho directed him along to the gate, further
east.

At this moment the Spanish forces, retreating from Santa Ana, came
into view, fully 2,000 strong, followed by insurgents who had eluded
General McArthur's troops, and noAV o])ened tire for a brief period.
The situation was awkward if not critical, both sides being slightly sus-
picious of treacheiy. The Spanish troops lining the citadel ramparts,
observing the insurgents' action, opened fire on the Califoruians, killing
one and wounding three. The confusion, however, soon ceased by the
advance of the retreating Spaniards t(» the esplanade, when General
Greene ordered them to enter the citadel.

Soon a letter was brought from the captain general requesting the
commander of the troops to meet him for consultation.

General Greene immediately entered with Adjutant General Bates.

THE SURRENDER OF MANILA,

531

Moanwhile, according- to aiTaiij^cmciil, the moment tlie white fla<; was
shown, (kMicral Movvitt, who occui.-icd the steamer Zaliro as temporary
iL-orps headciuarters, sent (Jeneral Whittier, with Flaj;- Lieutenant lirum-
hy, ashore to meet the captain «;eueral and discuss lirst a plan of cai»itu-
lation. (Jeneral Whittier found the olhcials much startled by the news
,that the attack was still vigorously ccmtiuuiug along the whole line,
the American trooi)s even threatening the citadel. ,

• Spanish Troops Massed.

All avj<ilalle S])auish troops were immediately massed in the vicinity
of the palace, awaiting the succession of events, concerning which a
certain degree of anxiety was evident.

General Merritt entered with his staff at 3 o'clock. The situation
was then better understood, and a conference with General Jaudenes
Tvas held. The terms agreed on were as follows:

A u agreement foi- the capitulation of the Philippines.

A provision for disarming the men who remain organized under the
command of their otlicers, no parole being exacted.

Necessary supi»lies to be fui-nished from the captured treasury funds,
any possible deticiency being made good by the Americans.

The vsafety of life and i>roi)erty of the Spanish soldiers and citizens to be
guarauteed as far as possible.

The question of trausjiorting the troops to Spain to be referred to the
decision of the Washington government, and that of returning their arms to
the soldiers to l>e left to the discretion of General Merritt.

IJaidcs and similar institutions to continue operations under existing
regulations, unless these are changed by the United States authorities.

Lieutenant Brumby, immediately after the terms of capitulation had
"been signed, hurried off to lower the Spanish tlag— in reality to lower all
Spain's Hags in the Thilippines by taking down one. He was accom-
panied by two signal men from the Olympia.

This little party found its way after great dilBculty into Fort San-
tiago in the northern portion of the walled city.

There a largo Spanish tlag was flying. Grouped about it were many
Spanish officers. Brumby's presence there in the victorious uniform
iittracted a crowd from the streets.

523

THE SUKltENDEU OF MANILA.

Raises the Stars and Stripes.

They hissed us lie iipproached to haul down the flag. Then the stars
and stripes rose in place of tlie other.

Man}' of tliose i)rc-.sent wept bitterly as the flag of the victorions
stranj^er cliinbed into ])la('e above tlie fort.

Fearing;- that the crowd niij;ht lower "old glory," Lieutenant Brnniby
asked an ^Vnierican infantry ollicer to move up a detachment to guard it.
Fortunately, he met a company coming up with a liand.

The infantrymen jjrescnted arms and the band played "The Star-
Spangled lianner," accom|>aiued by th(> cheers of the soldiers, in which
many oi the residents of the city joined.

The total American loss in the day's battle was eight killed and
thirty-four wounded. The Spaniards had 150 killed and over 300
wounded.

The Americans took 11,000 prisoners, 7,000 being Spanish regulars;
20,000 Mauser rilles, ;>,000 Kemingtons, eighteen modern cannon and
many of the obsolete pattern.

Great credit was given to General Merritt for liis plan of attack,
which was successfully carried out in every detail uiuler unusually com-
plicated conditions. Xor was commendation withheld from Chief of Stalf
General Babcock for his expert co-operation in the admirably conceived
strategy. Prompt action and strictly following fully detailed orders
resulted in every case in the innnediate settlement of every dilticulty,
how(>ver threatening. Tlie con<luct of the Spanish was in a few cases
reprehensible, such as their setting tire to the gunboat Cebu and the
destruction of several armed launches and boats after the capitulation
had been agreed upon.

It fell to the lot of Admiral Dewey to open and to close the active
operations of the war. Ills destruction of the Spanish fleet was the
first engagement of the war. After fighting had ceased in the western
hemisphere, under instructions from the President in accordance with
the peace agreement, Admiral Dewey forced Manila to surrender under
fire of the guns of his fleet.

CnAPTER LIII.

VICTORIOUS CLOSE OF THE WAR.

Spain Sues for Pcaco — Pn'sidcnt McKinlc.v'H TTlliinahiin — French Aml)U8sa-
dor Caiiiboii Acts on IJchalf of Spain — The President's Proclamation
— The Protocol — Spanish Losses in Men, Ships and Territory —
Appointment of the Evacuation Committees and the Peace Com-
mission.

On Tues(la3% July 2(5, the Spanish government took the first well
defined step to bring about a cessation of hostilities. The French am-
bassador, accompanied by his secretary of embassy, called on President
McKinley, and under instructions from his government and at tlie re-
quest of the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, oi)ened peace negotia-
tions by declaring that Sjiaiu was ready to consider terms. The proposi-
tion submitted by the ambassador acting for the Sjjanish government
was in general terms, and was confined to the one essential ])oint of an
earnest plea that negotiations be opened for the purpose of terminating
the w^ar.

Owing to the imi)oi'tance of the communication the ambassador
adopted the usual diplomatic i)rocedure of reading the communication
from the original, in French, the translation being submitted by M.
Thiebaut. In the conversation which folloAved the reading of the
proposition neither the president nor tlie ambassador entered upon the
question of the terms of peace. The instructions of the ambassador had
confined him to the opening of peace negotiations, and it was evident
that the President desired to consider the proposition before giving an}'
definite reply. It was finally determined that the President Avould con-
sult the members of his cabinet, and after a decision 1 • ' heen arrived
at M. Cambon would then be invited to the white house for a further
conference and for a final answer from the United States government.
Before the call closed a brief official memorandum was agreed upon in
order to set at rest misleading conjecture and to give to the public infor-
mation on a subject which had advanced bej'ond the point where diplo-
matic reserve was essential.

After cabinet discussions on Friday and Saturday regarding the
concessions which should be demanded from Spain a definite agreement

523

.•524

NKTOKIOIS CLOSK OF TIIK WAK.

AViiHrcaclKMl, iuid tlic Frcncli aiiihiissndnr was luitirKMl tliat tli'- President
was i)ve|)are(l 1<> deliver liis ultiniatiini. The deiiiaiids iiuide hy the
President were briefly ns IoIIowh:

1. That Spain will leliiuniiHh all claiiiiH of H()verei;,Mity (jver and title

to Cuba.

2. That I'tierto IMco and ether Spanish islands in the West Indies, and
an island in the Ladrones, te be selected by the United Slates, shall be (('ded
to the latter.

:{. That the United States will oceu])y and hold the city, bay and harbor
of Manila pendiii}: the conclnsion of a treaty of peace, whidi shall detennino
the control, disposition and j;overnnient of the riiilippines.

4. That ("\d)a, IMierto Kico and other Spanish islands in the West
Indies shall be immediately evacuated, and that commissioners, to be ap-
pointed within ten days, shall within thirty days from the sij,Miin^; of the
protocol meet at Havana and San duan, respectively, to arranj;e and executo
the details of the evacnaiion.

o. That the United States and Spain will each appoint not more than
five commissioners to nejrotiate and conclnde a treaty of peace. The cora-
nussioners to uii'et at I'aiis not later than October 1.

(>. On the sif^ninfT of the protocol hostilities will be 8usi»ended, and
notice to that effect will be <iiven as soon as possible by each government to
the cominanders of its military and naval forces.

8i)aiiish diplomacy was as nsual iu evidence, and attempts were
made by the Madrid administration to modify the terms, so as to relieve
the Si)anish government of at least a iiortion of the Cuban debt, but the
authoritie.s iu Wasliiuj;tou were firm and insisted tliat no such sn<;ges-
tion couM be considered, and that there could be uo further discussion
until the Sj)anish Hag had been withdrawn from the AVest Indies.

On August Iw Ambassador Cambon received otUcial notice from the
administration at Madrid tliat his action in agreeing to tlie terms of the
protocol was approved, and lie was autliorized to sign it, as the repre-
sentative of the Sjianisli government. Accordingly, at four o'clock ou
the afternoon of that day, he presented himself at the President's man-
sion, in comjiany with his first secretary, M. Thiebaut, Avhere he was met
by President McKinley, {Secretary of Sltate Day, and Assistant Secre-
taries of State Moore, Adee and Cridler,

Two copies of the ]»rotocol had been prepai'ed, one in Englisli for
preservation by this government, and the other in Freudi for the
Spanish government. The signatures and seals were formally attaclied,
Secretary Day signing one copy in advance of M. Cambon, the order
being reversed on the other.

VICTOUIOTH CLOSK OF TIIK WAR.

525

The President llicn conjiriitiiliited (lie Khmk-Ii Jimbnssador iii»(»n llio
Utiri lie liiid liiUm in sccmiu;;- a snspcnsidn (tf liosliJitics and lliaidccd
him for the earnest elTorts lie iiad made io faeilitate a speedy conclusion.
M. Cambon then bo'Ycu himself out of the room and left the white honse
■with the co](_v of the |>rotocol, which he will forward to Spain. The seal
used b_v the {'"rench ambassador was that of Spain, which had been left
with hln) wlien the Spanish minister withdrew from Washiny;ton.

Full Text of the Protocol.

Tlis Excellency, M. Caiulton, Amliassador Extraordinary i.nd .Minister
l'lenij)otentiary of the French Kepuhlic at Wasliinj-tctn, and Mr. William
Day, Secretary of Slate of the United States, having' reoeived r('H])ectively
to that ell'ect ])lenary |)owei'S from the S]>;iiiish (iovcrnaicnt and the (Jovcrn-
inent of the I'nitcd Stales, have estahlisiu'd and sijiued liic following articles
which define the terms on which the two {loverninent.s have agreed with
refjard to the (pieslions enaiaerated hdow ;! <\ of which the object is the
■ebiat)liKhment of p<'ace between the two countries — namely:

Article 1. Si)ain will renoinice all claim to all sovereignty over and
4ill her rijrlits over the Island of Cuba.

Article 2. Sjiaiii will cede to the T'nited States the Island of Puerto
Kico and the other islands which are at j)re.sent under the sovereij;nty of
^pain in the Antilles, as well as an island in Ladrona Archipelago, to be
■chosen by tlie Pnited States.

Article :?. The Tnited States will occupy and retain the City and Ray
•of San Juan dc Pueito I\ico and the I'ort of ;Manila and I5ay of Manila
peudinp the con('lnsi(ni of a treaty of peace which shall determine the
•control and fonn of ffovernmcnt of the i'hilii»pincs.

Article 4. Spain will immediately evacuate Cuba, I'uerto Rico, and the
■other islands now under Spanish sovereijjnty in the Antilles. To this effect
each of the two {governments will ai)i)oint commissioners within ten days
after the sijiniufr of this ]trotocol, and these commissioners shall jueet at
Havana within thirty days after the si;j;nin{; of this protocol with the ol)ject
of coming to an agreement regarding the carrying out of the details of the
aforesaid evacuation of Cuba and other adjacent Spanish islands; and each
of the two governments shall likewise a])point within ten days after the
signature of this protocol other comnussioncrs, who shall meet at San Juan
de Puerto Rico within thirty days after the signature of this protocol, to
agree upon the details of the evacuation of Puerto Rico and other islands
now under Spanisli sovereignty in the Antilles.

Article .5. Spain and the United States shall appoint to treat for peace
five commissioners at the most for either country. The commissioners shall
meet in Paris on Oct. 1 at the latest to proceed to negotiations and to the

626

VICTORIOUS CLOSE OF THE WAR.

conclusion of u treaty of jieace. This treaty shall be ratified in conformity
M'ith the constitutions'! la'.vs of each of the two countries.

Article G. Once this protocol is concluded and signed hostilities shall
be suspended, and to that effect in the two countries orders shall be jriveu
by either 4!;^overunient to the commanders of its land and sea forces as speed-
ily as possible.

Done in dtiplicate at Washington, read in French and in English by the
undersigned, who affix at the foot of the docuu}ent their signatures and
seals, Aug. 12, 1898

JULES CAMBON.
WILLIAM R. DAY.

The President immediately issued the following proclamation:

By the President of the United States of America — A Proclamation.

Whereas, By a protocol concluded and signed Aug. 1!^, 18!)8, by Williani
R. Day, Secretary of State of the United States, and His Excellency Jules
Cambon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of
France at Washington, respectively reprc Jienting for this purpose the Govern-
ment of the United States and the GoNcrnment of Spain, the Uniied Stat( s
and S])ain have fonna'ily agreed upun the tencs on which negotiations for
the establishment of peace between the two countries shall be undertaken;
and,

^V"u '. \is, It is in said protocol agreed that upon its conclusion and sig-
nature hewtilities between the two countries shall bie suspended, and that
notice to that etTect shall be given as soon as possible b\' each government
to the commanders of its military and naval forces:

Now, therefi)re, I, WiHi.iu' McKinley, I'resident of the United States,
do, in accordance Avilh the stipulations of the protocol, declare and proclaim
on the part of the United State's a suspension of hostilities, and do hereby
command that orders be immed'ately given through tbe proper channels to
the commanders of the military and naval forces of (lie United States to
abstaiu from all acts inconsistent with this proclamation.

In witness whei'-of 7 have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
of the United Slates to be affixed.

Done at the city of \\'ashington, this 12th day of August, in the year
of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety-Eight, and of the
independence of the Ufiited States the one hundred and twenty-third.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.
By the President:

WILLIAM R. DAY,

Secretary of State. ' •

VICTORIOUS CLOSE OF THE WAR.

527

In accordance with the prochnnation issued by the President orders
were iss-ied to the naval commanders at the several stations in the
United States, Cuba and the Philippines carryinj^ into effect the direc-
tions of the proclamation. The navy department not only transmitted
the President's proclamation in full to the several commanders in chief,
but also directions as to the disposition of their vessels.

Navy Department, Washington, D. C., Avig. 12. — Sampson, Santiago:
Suspend all hostilities. Blockade of Cuba and I'noi'to Rioo is raised. Howell
ordered to assemble vessels at Ivey West. I'roceed with New York, Brook-
lyn, Indiana, Oregon, Iowa and Jlassacliusetts to Tonqikinsville. Place mon-
itors in safe harbor in Puerto Rieo. Watson transfers his (lag to Newark
and will remain at Guautanamo. Assemble all cruisers in safe harbors.
Order marines north in Resolute.

ALLEN, Acting Secretary.

Navy Department, Washington, D. C, Aug. 12. — Remey, Key West: In
accordance with the President's proclamation telegra])hed you, suspend
immediately all hostilities. Commenee withdrawal of vessels from blockade.
Order blockading vessels in Cuban waters to assemble at Key West.

ALLEN, Acting Secretary.

Similar notification Avas sent to Admiral Dewey, with instructions to
cease hostilities and raise the blockade at Manila.

The orders to General Merritt to suspend were as follows:

Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, Aug. 12, 1898.— Merritt,
Manila: The President directs all military operations against the enemy be
sus]iended. Peace negotiations are nearing completion, a protocol having
just been signed by ri'preseutatives of the two countries. You will inform
the couimanders of the Spanish forces in the l*hiliii])ines of these instruc-
tions. Further orders will follow. Acknowledge receipt. B3' order of the
Secretary of War.

H. C. CORBIN, Adjutant-General.

The orders sent to General Miles and General Shaffer were identical
with the above save as to names.

Sefior Palma, the head of the Cuban Junta, sent the following cable
by way of Santiago:

Bartolome Maso, President Cuban Republic, Santiago, Cuba: I bare
this 1:5th day of August, IHDS, accepted, in the name of the Cuban provisional
government, the armistice proclaimed by the United States. You Mhould
give immediate orders to the army throughout Cuba suspending all hostfll-

628

VICTORIOUS CLOSE OF THE WAR.

tics. Preliminan- tonus of ])eaco, si;;nc(l by rcpresontativos of Spain and
tlic United States, provide that Spain will relinqiiish all claim over and
tide to Cuba. T. ESTRADA TAOIA.

On Anjjust 10 the President appointed as niilitary commissioners
Major-General James F. Wade, TJear-Adniiral William T. Sampson, and
Major-Genera 1 MattheAV C. Butler for Cuba, and ]\Iaj()r-(Teueral Jolui R.
lirooke, Rcar-Admiral Winfield S. Schley, and Brit^adier-General Wil-
liam W. Gordon for Puerto Kico.

As soon as General Shatter received the President's proclamation
for the cessation of hostilities he took steps for the immediate notifica-
tion of the Spanish commanders in the vicinity, and also the insurgent
leaders.

The proclamation was received in Santiago with the greatest euthu
siasm, the officers and men of the army being alike supremely satisfied
with the definite declaration of peace. After the fall of Santiago a
period of uncertainty and inactivity had had its effect upon the soldiers
stationed there. The Aveary waiting for new developments, weakened
by the enervating climate, Avatching the insidious ravages of disease,
sapped the spirits of all, and the news that brought to them a near
prospect of home Avas like a bracing breeze that swept through the
camp, giving new courage to all.

The End of the War.

Thus came to a close our war with Spain for Cuba's freedom. Com-
menced in a spirit of vengeance for the destruction of a battleship, the
Avar was conducted Avith singular freedom, all the circumstances con-
sidered, from viudictiveness. We struck hard, but quickly. We com-
pelled victories, destroyed fleets, but were merciful and considerate
toAvards the captured. There Avas singularly little revilement of the
Spanish enemy and the bravery of the Spanish soldier and sailor was
freely admitted. Put mere personal valor could not supply the place of
skill and discip'inp.

In all history Ihere is not an instance of such unchecked successes
as attended our military operations. For us the encounters were not
bloody, the victories were not dearly purchased. At sea we destroyed
squadrons Avithou.t the loss of a man or a ship; (»u land Ave compelled the
surrend'r of garrisons strongly intrenched. In Puerto Kico our march
was a triumphal procession.

VICTORIOUS CLOSE OF THE WAR.

529

Spain, for the sake of false prido, bij^otry, politics and a child king,
buried in the depths of the sea thirty-live vessels of her navy, valued at
$3(),500,000. By their rustiug hulks lie the bodies of more than a thous-
and gallant tars. She surrendered in tei-ritory to tlie United States*
directly Cuba, with a population of ],r)(>0,«)00 and an area of 45,000
square miles, and Puerto Kico, Avitli a ])opulation of 810,000 and an
area of ^},riTO square miles. lier total direct loss of territory in sipuire
miles Avas 48,(170, and loss in poi)ulrttion l',:UO,000. She also jeo]»ar-
dized, probably beyond all future control by h"]-, the Philippine islands,
with a i»opulation of 8,000,000 and an area of 114,;32() square miles. So
that in the end it appears the Spanish kingdom for the sake of the wrong
gave up 1<»3,000 s(juare miles of territory and over 10,000,000 of tax-
paying population.

This loss was the gain of the United States, which, to bring it about,
placed in sen-ice a first-class navy, with 10,000 men and fifty effective
vessels, and a volunteer and regular ai'mj- of 278,500 men, of which New-
York gave the largest number, Pennsylvania next and Illinois the third.

When the present century began Spain was mistress over nearly
all of the southern continent of Amei'ica and over a good share of the
northern continent. With the exception of Brazil, to which the Portu-
guese held title, i)ractically all of South Americ;! was Spanish. So was
Central America, the present Mexico, and nearly a unllion square miles
of the southwestern part of the United ^'utes. The revolutions of the
early decades of the centurj' stripped ofl .hik h of that <h)main, and now
the la.st shreds of it are also gone. The same jtolicy of persistent greed
and of deadly disregard to the interests of th»' ;ji >('rned that causet!
the early revolutions has also caused the later ones, for • he sake ol which
the United States began its interference in the Antilles.

Now nothing is left to the former queen of all the empires and
kingdoms which once were subject to her and brought her -lory and
power among the nations. Her own sons have read to hei :lie lesson
ihat exploitation cannot continue forever, and that unless the conqueror
has regard for the interests of the conquered the seeds of disruption will
surely be sown.

CHAPTER LIV.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

Telling r!r.u- Onr Soldiers Lived— What Tliov Saw— How They Fought—
Hardships Endured — Bravery Shown ia the Face of the Deadly
Manser Bullets as Well as Fever-Stricken Camps, Etc., Etc.

Charles E. Hands, writing from Santiago to the London Mail, says
of the wounded after the battle of July 1 and 2:

There was one man on the road wliose left foot was heavily bandaged
and drawn up from the ground. He had provided himself with a sort of
rough crutch made of the forked limb of a tree, which he had padded with
a bundle of clothes. With the assistance of this and a short stick he was
l>addling briskly along when I overtook him.

"Where did they get jou, neighbor?'' I asked him.

"Oh, durn their skins," he said in the cheerfulest way, turning to me
with a smile, "they got me twice — a splinter of a shell in the foot and a bullet
through the calf of the same leg when I was being carried back from the
firing line." i

"A sharpshooter?"

"The son of a mon{,'yel was up in a tree."

"And you're walking back to Siboney. Wasn't there room for you to
ride?" I expected an angry outburst of indignation in reply to this question.
But I was mistaken. In a plain, matter-of-fact way he said:

"Guess not. They wanted all the riding mom for worse cases 'n mine.
Thank God, my two wounds are both in the Siime leg, so I can walk quite
good and sjjry. They told me I'd be better off down at the landing yonder,
so I got these crutches and made a break."

"And how are you getting along?" I asked.

"Good and well," he said, as cheerfully as might be, "just good and
easy." And with his one sound leg and his two sticks he went cheerfully
paddling along.

It was just the same with other walking wounded men. They were all
beautifully cheerful. And not merely cheerful. They were all .ibsolutely
iinconscious that they were undergoing any unnecessary hardships or suf-
ferings. They knew now that war was no picnic, and they were not com-

530

AMERICAN PEACE COMMISSIONERS

Sn.N^TOJ CUSHMAN K. DAVIS,

of MInnesiil.i

SENATOR W. \>. FRVE,

of Maine

tX. SECTY OF STATE, WM. 1{. UAV

SENATOR GEORGE GRAY,

of Delaware

WHITELAW Rl ID.

ot New V.,rU

SPANISH PEACE COMMISSIONERS

EXCMO SH. I) E. MONTERO HIOS, PresiJeni

EXCMO SR. D WENCE^LAO

RaNIhEZ 1)E VILLAURRUTIA

EXCMO SK.

D. BUENAVENTURA ABAKZUZA

EXCMO SR. GENERAL CERERO
EXCMO SR. D. JOSE GARNICA

rERSOXAL REMINISCENCES.

531

pliiininp at the absenct' of picnic faro. Some of them had hiin out all the
nifjlit, with the dew falliufc on thnu where the bullets had dropped thera,
before their turn came with the overworked field surgeons.

Captain Paddock Tells of the Fighting Before Santiago.

On the Battlefield, One Mile East of Santia^'o, Sunday, July :i.

ily Dear 'sliu)": I have passed safely throuj^h the most horrible three
days imaginable. We marched nearly all night Tliui-sday (.June SO), to a
point about one and a half miles east from here, and then waited for morning.
About 5 o'clock we started again, and at (! A. M. our extreme right ojit-ncd
the light. The center (our front) and the left moved into position, and at
8 o'clock the Spanish artillery opened on us from the position we now hold.
We deployed as skirmishers and advanced through woods and brush,, a i)er-
fect thicket; our artithiy was hard at work behind us, but we with our
small arms could not do much, as (he Spanish were perfectly iutreiiched for
a mile or more along our front.

We kei»t pusiiiiig along, allhough their fire, both shrapnel and small
arms, was niur<lei'ing us; but on we came, through the tropical underbrush,
and wading a stream up to our chests, firing wlitii we could see the enemy.

We reached the first line along a hillcrest and drove them out; then
the next line, and lh<'y then started l)ack to the city. The lighting was fast
and fearful and never slackened until dark. The second day (^Saturday) was
a continuous fight again till dark; but our loss was small, as we simply held
our position, having driven them all in; at night, however, they made a
furious attack and attempted to retake the phici'. We were not surprised,
and di'ove them back, with small loss on our side.

To-day was like the second day up to 12:o0 o'clock, when a truce was
made. Up to now (5 o'clock P. M.) there has been no tiring siui'e then, but
1 don't yet know what the result of the conference was. We otfeivd the truce
after the naval battle. I only give a brief outline, as the papers have told
everything. I am unhurt and perfectly well.

Told from the Trenches — Council BluflFs Boy Describes the Fight-
ing Before Santiago.

The following letter wa.s written in tlie nenehe.s before Santiago
the morning after tlio att.ick:

' Heights Before Santiago, July S.

Dear Father: I have not been hurt and am fully convinced that Provi-
dential protection alone took me through it. Contrary to all principles of

532

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES,

tactics, but unavoidably, the Twenty-fourth infantry was marched for three
niik'H in a flankinj- lire from artillery, and when we were within about one
and a half miles from the first Spanish position we were heiunied in a narrow
road and sul)je(led to a hail of lire from two blockhouses and intreuchmeuts
on the hills on our right.

We waded about 400 yards down a stream up to our shoulders under
protection of its banks and charj^ed across a field of bull grass as high as
our heads for about (iOO yards, and then up the hill about 200 feet and drove
the Sj)aniards out of their fort. The one we look is called San Juan. We
lost terribly. Lieutenants Curney and Augustine are dead, Cohmel Liscum,
Captains Ducat, lirett and lUirton and Lieutenants Lyon and Laws are
wounded. We lost about 100 men, but the light is virtually won.

During the engagement I threw away my sword, I saw the colonel fall
and T gave him my canteen and he soon revived. We occupied the hill by
the blockhouse, \Ve are within about 400 yards of tlie city and they have
put up a flag of truce. They want until 10 A. M, July !) to hear from Havana.
We have them sewed n\) tight, I have a piece of an eight-inch shell which
tried to get me, but strudc the parapet of my trench. Will try to send it
home.

No one except those thoroughly acquainted with this country will ever
know how dreadfully desperate the fight and charge were. It is a mistake
that the Si)aniards won't tight. The Spaniards have their barracks and other
buildings covered with the Red Cross and abuse all the established i)rin-
ciples of warfare. Tliey put their men in trees hidden with leaves and bark
and they pick off ollicers, surgeons and men of the hospital corps.

Finally it became necessary to systematically hunt these down, and
this has been done with considerable success. The night of the 4th Sampson
began countermining, and the dynamite made such a racket that the Spanish
oflicers ran out under a flag of truce about 11:.'50 I*, M, and w^anted to know
what we meant by firing under a flag of truce. It did not take us long Xo
tell them that our flag of truce did not include the navy. Now, about 9
A. M,, I hear tlie guns of the navy and Morro castle exchanging compliments.

Of all the precautious advised before we started for Cuba I could follow
but few. I wear my woolen bandages, but in wading the stream I was unable
to put on dry clothes again. In fact, for seventy-two hours we were under
fire without sleep and thirty-six hours without water or food of any kind.

Bacon and hard bread are fine. I sleep on the side of San Juan hill
in a ditch, so I won't roll out. I have a raincoat, blanket and slielter half.

This is the most beautiful country I have ever seen, and if we slioulil
have peace I know of no place I would rather live in. I have seen enoug)
of the horrors of the war, btit am proud of the gallant boys of the Twentj
fourth. The fighting is practically over, so have no fear. Your son,

WILL.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES,

633

Colonel Wood Writes of His Battle— Rough Riders' Leader
Describes the American Attack at La Quasina.

Camp First United States Volunteer Cavalry, Six Miles Out of Santiago,
June 27, 1898.

Dear (Jeneral: Thinking tliat a lino about our fight and general condi-
tion would interest .you, 1 talce this opportunity to drop jou a line. We are
all getting along very comfortably thus far and find the climate much better
than we eApected; also the country, which, aside from being awfully rough
and full of undergrowth, is rather ijicturescpie and attractive.

We commenced our advance from our first landing place on the 23d, and
that night General Young and I, as second in command of the Second Cavalry
brigade, had a long war talk about taking the very strong Spanish position
about five miles up the road to Santiago. He decided that he would make
a feint on their front and hold on hard, while I was to make a detour by
trail under a couple of Cuban guides and take them in flank and try to get
them out of their strong position, which was in the wild(?st and roughest
part of the trail toward the town. Our little plan worked. I located the
Spanish outpost and deployed silently and when in position fired on them.
Shortly after I opened I could hear Young on the right, down in the valley.

Fought Two Hours at Close Range.

The fight lasted over two hours and was very hot and at rather close
range. The Spanish used the volley a great deal, while my men fired as indi-
viduals. We soon found that instead of 1,500 men we had struck a very heavy
outpost of several thousand. However, to cut a long storj- short, we drove
them steadily- but slowly, and finally threw tlu^n into flight. Their losses
must have been heavy, for all reports coming out of Santiago sliow a great
many dead and wounded and that they, the Spanish, had l.OOO men and
two machine guns (these we saw) and were under two general officers, and
that the Spanish dead and wounded were being brought in for .-^ix hours;
also that the garrfs(m was expecting an assault that night; that the de-
feated troops reported they had fought the entire American army for i^ar
hours, but, compelled by greatly 8ui)erior numbers, had retreated and tS)»t
the army was coming.

My men conducted themselves splendidly and behaved like veterans,
going up against the heavy Spanish lines as though they had the greatest
contempt for them. Yours sincerely, LEONARD WOOD.

To General R. A. Alger, Secretary of War.

»M

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

Wirt W. Young of Chicago Tells of the Destruction of Cervera's

Fleet July 3.

We have seen some hot times since the Harvard left Newport News with
the Ninth Massachusetts and the Thirty-fourth Michipau on board. We
landed tlieni about six miles from Santiaj;<) at a little town called Siboney,
or Altares, and laid there fonr days unloading stores. On the inorniuf?
of the ;{d I was luclcy enough to row in tlie boat tliat the otlicers took to the
shore. The ship was lying about one and a half miles from shore, and you
can bet it is no Sunday-school picnic affair to pull a twenty-foot oar back and
forth all day. When we landed the oflicers one of them said: "Wait for me."
We waited three hours. Then we saw the New York come on the line. We
made for the boat, do as to rc^ch it before the lieutenant. Just as he got
in the Harvard Hew the recall signal. When we J'ea(;lied her we heard that
the New York h.-id said that the Sjtanish ships had left the harbor and that
the Harvard was io join the Iowa. We cleared for action and went up past
Morro castL'.

Aw;;y up on the coast we could see groat columns of smoke. The Span-
iards had come out and started to run, but the Indiana, Iowa, Massachuselts,
Gloucester and the rest of the fleet were waiting, and in an hour the two
Spanish torpedo-boats were blown out of the water. The Infanta ^laria
Thei'esa and Oquendo were beached and on lire close together, and the Viz-
caya the same about a iriile farther down. It was abotit :{ o'clock when the
Iowa signaled the Harvard to take the Spanish sailors from the burning
ships and from the shore. Before the first boat was lowered it had grown
quite dark and the sea was running high.

The Sight of a Lifetime.

The sight of those magnificent battleshi[)s burning and the magazines
exploding one by one as the flames rea(!hed them, made an impression upon
me I will never forget. They called for volunteers to man the boats, as it
was dangerous work. We did not know whether the Spanish sailors on
shore would show light or not. There is a cadet on board named Hannigan,
from Chicago, who will always show his boat's crew any fun there is going
on. Arling Hanson and I determined to get iu his boat, and we did.

We made for the Vizcaya, and as we neared her we could see men
hanging to ropes down the sides. The ship was on lire from stem to stern,
and any moment the magazines were likely to explode. If they had while
we were pulling the Spaniards off, there would have been several Chicago
naval recruits missing. The surf was running high and made the work
dangerous and diflScalt, but we made connections and brought ofif over 600
men. They were all naked and almost dead.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

535

The only liRlit wo had w«8 from the burning shipH, and the scene
was one of Rreat eonfiisioii. Offi.'ei's Hhouted orders, Spaniards running up
and down the heacli and the Tiiagazines exploding one by one as the firo
readied them. And to crown all a i)arty of Cnhans came down from the
hills and annonnced their intention of "making angels" of all the helpless
Spaniards. Wliereii]Mm the American naval officers said if they tried any-
thing like tliat "there won Id be some strange Cuban faces in hades." The
Cubans thought better of it and stood and watched us.

I have got the dagger and sheath of the Spanish oflBcer Francisco Silvia.
He was pretty near gone, and when he had almost reached the boat he let
go of the line. I swam out, held to the line, and jnst as he swept by me,
caught liim by the belt and got him up to the boat. He got me around
the neck in the struggle, and once I was so full of salt water I thought I
should never see Chicago again. He wanted to give me anything he had.
He had onl;' his belt and caj), so I chose his dagger.

Mutiny Among the Prisoners.

I suppose you have by this time got the report of the mutiny on the
Harvard and the killing of eight and wounding of twenty five of the Span-
iards. Jones from Auburn I'ark, Hanson and I were on guard with some
marines and soldiers. We heard the signal, a long-drawn hiss, and in an
instant the "push" was uj) and at us. They had about ten feet to come,
however, and not one of them ever reached us. There was a hot time for
a few minutes. It was shoot as fast as you could throw up your gun. We
did not stop to pick our men, but tired at the crowd; and when a ^^'iucheste^
or a Springfield bullet hits a man at +en or twelve feet he is going to stop
and go the other way.

Tliere has been a burial at sea for the last five days. When the bugle
sounds "taps" over the place where the bodies are thrown into the sea it
seems to make your blood come to your face with a rush. There is some-
thing solemn in it, and a man who dies and is buried with his country's flag
around him and the bugle and guns to do him honor is lucky.

Town of Santiago Described by One of Our Boys.

Santiago, August 6.
A peculiarity of the climate here is that it is the hottest in the morning.
The sun rises hot; in fact, the heat is most severe from sunrise to 10 A. M.,
when the sea breezes set in and make the situation more endurable. If it
remained as hot all day as it is at 9 A. M. our condition would be unbear-
able indeed. The ocean helps us out, however, and by noon we have a very
refreshing and cooling air stirring.

536

PEHSONAL UKMINISCENCES.

Tlic sickiH'HH In the company is on tin- dccri'iisc. On sonic days only
abont hair the men woro fit for duly, hnt liicy an* all (loin;^ nicely now.
Tho sanio proportion obtained tliroiifjhout the whole rej^iment. Not all
of the disaliled were Hick, bill Home were recoverinj,', while others were wick
and thus we had from 25 to 10 per cent, of the men under the weather, and
it took those who were well to care for the 8i(;k.

I was at Sanlia;;o the other day with Cidoiiel Dick, We called on Oen-
or;;! Shafler and had a very nii'e cliat with him. He showed us a inessaKO
from (lie Se( reiary of War directinj; (hat (he Eijililh Oliio be closely isolated
for a period of ten days and if at the end of that time no yellow fever appears
in our ranks we are to be put on transports and sent away from here.

Santia^io is a (pieer place. We a[>proaciied (he city aloii^ tlie road that
passes by our camit. The street was narrow — not more (han twenty live or
thirty feet wide — not wider than (he paved portion of the street in front
of our house. M;uiy are much narrower — 'mere alleys in fact — but iieoplo
livinj; all alonj; them. Across the streets trenches had been du{^ by the
Spanish tro()i)s and barbed wire netting in front of the trenches. There
were many trenches, sliowin<r wliat jtreparation they liad made for a des-
perate resistance to our advance. The houses are nearly all oiie-s(ory and
have brick (,r stone floors. Few have wood floors and all seem dirty. No
f-lascj is used in the windows, and very little window glass is seen in the
city. The window openiii};s are {j;rated on the outside and have a sort of
portiere or wooden shutters on the inside. Tlie streets are not straij^ht, but
wind aud turn until one loses the jtoints of the comjiass. The houses are
built out even with the streets, no front yards and no spaces between the
houses. Ilousts are mostly covered on the outside walls with plaster and
roofs of red tile. The city is very old and the houses show it. We went into
the cathedral, an old building. They rang the bells and rang them again,
but so far as we could see no one came to worship. The janitors and priests
lounged about — the hitter saluted ns. We strolled all about the interior of
the structure with our spurs on our boots and wc^aring ciartridge belts and
revolvers. The American soldier goes about where he pleases in the city.
Of course we recognized the character of the building and removed our hats
when we went in. The interior was adorned like most Catholic churches,
with pictures and altars and other regalia of the Catholic service. Quite
a nice pictui'e of the Virgin app«irs in the ceiling, and a number of good
pictures are found about the walls. We also went into the ''palace," now
used as (Ji'neral Shafter's headquarters. It is one of the best buildings in
the city, but doesn't compare with the more ordinary public buildings in
our country. There are no street cars — few, if any electric lights, and the
surface of many streets is so rough and uneven that you can have no con-
ception of them. The few that are better than others are paved with cobble-
stones, but these are few. Most streets are full of loose stones and not

BfifHi

PERSONAL UEMIMSCKXCKS.

537

paved, iiiid liltic, if any, j«icl( it " at ^radiii;^'. TIic dirt lies in tli<' strcctH
and Hide strcclH arc flKIiy. In fa<(, it looked to nic like tlic greater (lie Ktink
tlic better the iteoplo like it. M.v seiiHe of nniell \\i\n too acute to reliHli it.
Oar troops liave f^'allicred up ]ar<;<' nunibers of Cnhans aiid |mi1 IIhmii fo
work riciiiiing up Hie streets, and Hie prospeets for eleanliiiess are helter.
I don't believe, liowever, that the Cuban and Hpanish residents will profit
b.V it unless they are absolutely conijx'lled to avoid throwin;; mbbiNJi in the
streets. They liav«' no <el!itrs and no sewers. The jteople tlieinselves have
very little reffard for the ordinary proprieties of eivilized life and children
run stark naked on the streets.

The followinj? letter has been reeeiv<'d from Claude Neis of Company
G, First District of Culumbiu volunteers:

Santia^'o de Cuba, An;;. 0. 1S!)S.

You said that Mr. Ilalcke's son was killed in Santia;j:o. If so, I must say
that I saw his ghost on the wayside in a cluster of woods. I remember see-
ing tlie name. His first name was Cliarley, if I am not mistaken. I feel
very sorry to have heard of his death, but I know that he perished for a noble
cause and fought gallantly as any soldier could.

Lon White is all riglit, and this tri]) is doing him a great deal of good,
only he has had an attack of malarial fever lately. It seems to atTect all
the boys, and if they do not take us out of this place, since peace is virtually
declared, we all will have a harder tight to contend with the yellow fever
than we had with the Spaniai-ds. It has ahvady broken out among several
regiments and we have lost two men already.

Last Friday the First battalion was ordered to guard the Spanish
prisoners, 7,000 in number, and my four days' expedition with them has
made me conceive very readily that they are sui)erior to what I expected. I
made friends with Captain (Jarcia, a vei-y tine-looking nmn and a very gentle
aort of a fellow. We were forbidden to talk, receive or give anything from
or to them, but a soldier in these circumstances disobeys a minor order like
that. I was invited to take dinner with the captain and his two lieutenants,
Menez and Hernandez, two very nice sort of Spaniards. Though prisoners,
they are more cordial than our own officers. The bill of fare and manner
of eating was as follows:

1. Bean soup with rice, well seasoned with pepper a la Mexicauo.

2. Fish, with the best sauce ever tasted since I left home.

3. Fried eggs and potatoes. (Eggs in the market here are 10 cents
apiece.)

After each intermission a glass of claret wine.

4. Rice and roast meat a la Franca ise.

5. Rice pudding.

638

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

6. Coffee (Francaise), bread and butter.

7. Fruit. Glass of good Spanish rum a la rhum.

I have quite a few souvenirs from them and some Spanish buttons for
sister.

We are situated on top of a mountain while the Spaniards are down
in the valley. They bring quite a number of sick people out every morning.

I have even become so acquainted with the men of the battalion,

Cajttain Garcia commanding, that they call me Senor Neis. I have named
one, wlio is the real picture of an Irisls-aan of the Mick type, "Mickey," and
his comrades call him such. They carry my water for me and seem to be
willing to do anything I ask them. The majority of thera are very illiterate,
very few intelligent privates, comparatively speaking. I have a young fellow
obout my age to teach English, and I am attempting Spanish. Both of us
are getting along fairly well. I can make myself understood.

While 1 was dining with Captain Garcia his orderly was fanning the
flies away from me. The country is beautiful, nothing but mountains and
valleys. With American people here it will be worthy to have the island
called the Gem of the Antilles. I can thank Go<l that I have had the best
of health and only two of us in the company have not had the fever. T seem
to have gained in weight and full flushed in the face.

This letter v as written just before the battle of Santiago:

Ten Miles North of Daiquiri, June 20, 1898.
Dear Jim: I am writing this on picket. My troop was sent to the front
and we : -e bivouacked in the woods. Oranges, lemons and cocoanuts are
plentiful, and every trooper has his canteen full of lemonade all the time.
We were seventeen days on the transport, but did not suffer. Every one
is in good spirits and anxious to get at the dons. DICK.

The followinj; breezy letter was written by a Washington lad iu
the trenches around Santiago:

Siboney, July 7.

My Dear General: Have reniiy been too busy to write. Have been iu
a real nice, lively battle, and wasn't a bit sheared and didn't run. The poor
old Twenty-fourth. Markley couimands the regiment now, and temporarily
the brigade. He is a daisy He really ought to get something. So ought
every one. It wns glorious. Only so mtiny were killed and wounded. I'oor
old Shaffer Everybody is roasting him because he was lying on his back
in ihe rear having his head rubbed, which isn't ray idea of what a com-
mander should do.

About mysel'- I was upset by a shell back of Grimes' battery July 1,
whicl killed some people. Very miraculous. Only I didn't get a scratch

mmKiu.srKrf- -'.-■■:..■: ,-., r,.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

S39

to show for it, and, although I most conscientiously wished for a buUethole,
didn't get one the rest of the fight. I overdid the business a little, rode to
the rear twice that day and bade, and then walked after they shot my mule.
Well, anyway, July 2 I was with Blank when he was forced back from
San Juan hill. He told me it was the hottest fire any artillery has had to
stand in modern times. Then he pulled out.' Well, the fever came on tne
3d, and I have been sort of half crazv .-d delirious the last four days. It
isn't yellow fever, though, although i probably will be. I'll cable if it gets
serious. Really, I have distinguished myself, and, if I pull out,' may lead
a fairly decent life and be rather a credit. If anything does happen to me
I'll feel like sudi an ass for not being bowled over like a gentleman in the
battle last week. Love to all. CHARLIE.

P. S. — This is a little disconnected on accouiil ui forty grains of quinine
to-day.

Member of the Houston Post Rifles Faints a Roseate Picture.

Santiago de Cuba, August 6, 1898.

Dear Mother: I am now in Cuba. I like Santiago; it is much cooler
here than at Camp Caffery.

The Cubans all talk Spanish and I am learning to talk Spanish fast.
We are now camped at the city park on the harbor. I saw the smoke-
stack of the Merrimac when we came through the neck of the harbor. The
Merrimac was sunk right near Morro castle. Jlorro castle is almost at the
top of a mountain and is made of white stone. Santiago is surrounded hy
water and mouKtains. There is not a case of yellow fever here at all. The
only kind of siclcness here is malarial fever and wounded soldiers. The fever
was caused by laying in trenches for seventeen days during battle on light
rations.

I like Cuba better than Texas, I can sit right here and see where all
the tighting was done. The Rough Riders are here. General Siiafter is here
also. There are enough rations in the city to feed the volunteer soldiers
for one year, and our money is worth twice as much as Si)anisli money. We
do not want for anything. We get nioi-e to eat here (Ir.iu at <.'ainp Caffery
and have less si( kness, and the weather is not as liot here as it was tliere.
We have pretty brown du<"k and also blue flannel suits. It is fun to see us
buy from the Cubans and get the right change back. The sailors that were
captured olf of Cervera's fleet are here. Tliey can go anywhere they want
to in the city, and the rest of the Spanish prisoners are here also, and we
have charge of tl."m. There are about lifty or seventy five men in the guard-
house at present for drinking rum ixvaI eating fruit. Wo can buy anything
we want except li(iuors and fruit. I hav(! seen a number of Sjianish war
vessels that are half sunk, and there are lots more out of sight. On our trip

540

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

to Cuba we crossed the Caribbean sea. Tell Ernest that there is a fellow
liere by the name of Parsons that he knows. Thi.s man I'arsous was on
jjiiard duty at the wari'honse and a fellow came prowlinfr around and Par-
sous told him to leave, but he would n(tt and he charfjed bayonets on him
and run him out. The next day he found out that this man was his brother
that he had not seen for five years,

The pof>" class of i)eo]»k> are air -t starved. They come around and beg
scraps to eat. Cuba has the richest land I have ever seen; pretty shade
trees and every <hin}x that it takes to make a country look line. The city of
Santiaf,'o is laid off like an old Mexican town. It does not rain here as
often as at Camp Caflery and not so hard. There are lots of cocoanut groves
around here and no monkeys. Tb.'re were only five or six houses that were
hit by the bombshells during the war. I have a Cuban sweetheart already.
It is nothing to see the poor class half naked. Cuban children sleep wher-
ever night overtakes them and eat where they can find sci'ai)s. The Red
Cross ladies that stay in the hospitals are so good and kind to us. We only
have to drill one? hour a day here. A few of the boys on the trip got seasick.
Colonel Hood has water boiled <'very night and next morning we put ice in it
to drink. We have fresh meat packe^l in ice shipped by the Armour Packing
Company. Fried steak every morning, roast or stew for dinner and bacon
for supper. We eat lightbread and not hardtack now. There are a good
many transports laying in the harbor here. There is a basin here in the
park like tin one in the mariu-t house there at home, which we use to bathe
our face and hands in. This letter might be a long time in coming, as the
boat does not run regularly. Well, I will close for this time. With much
love for you and the rest, I remain your affectionate son,

PAGE LIGON.

By Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Senn, U. S. V., Chief of Operating
Staff with the Army in the Field at Santiago.

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps, Before Santiago, July 12.

As the hospital ship Relief came in sight of the seat of war every one
of its passengers watched with interest and anxiety the indications of the
present status of the conflict. When w(? sailed from Fortress Monroe Sun-
day, July ;?, hghting was in progress, and, not having re(!eived infonnation
of any kind since that time, we were impatient for news.

On reaching Guantananid we came in sight of a number of warships
floating lazily on the placid ocean like silent sentinels some six to eight
miles from the shore. The little bay was crowded with empty transports,
all of which indicated that we were not as yet in possession of Santiago.
The pilot of a patrol boat finally, in a voice like that of a foghorn, com-

—^ ' ' ' "^^^

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

641

xnnnicated to us the news that the greater part of the Spanish fleet had been
destroj'ed and that tlie Spanish loss in dead, wounded and prisoners was
great. Among the most important prizes of tlie naval battle was the heroic
admiral of the Spanish fleet, who was then a prisoner on board of one of
the men-of-war. The land forces were near the city making preparations
for the first attack. A partial if not a complete victory had been won, and
we had the consolation of knowing that we had not come in vain.

Bed Cross Flag Flying.

Our captain was directed to bring his ship to anchor near Siboney. When
we came in sight of this little mining town we saw on shore I'ows of tents
over which floated the Red Cross flag, showing us that we had reached the
place for which we Iiad been intended.

The little enuine <jf a narrow-gauge mining railroad was puffing and
screeching up and down alf>f<g the coast, conveying siipplies from the land-
ing to the camj). On the side of a hill were the shelter tents of a company
of infantry on detail for guard duty. On the crest of a number of high
hills which fringe the coast could be seen blockhouses recently vacated by
the Spaniards. A grove of palm trees in a near valley reminded us that
■we had reached the tropical climate.

The steamer Olivette, floating the Red Cross flag, anchored near the
shore. Major Appel, surgeon in charge of this hospital ship, was the first
person to board our vess(>l, and gave us the first reliable account of the recent
battle. His appearance was enough to give us an insight into his experi-
ences of the last few days. He was worn out by hard work and his anxiety
for the many wounded under his charge.

The camp is on the shore in a limited plateau at the base of the mountain
rising behind the little mining village. The condition of the wounded men
furnished satisfactory proof that good work had been done here, as well as
at the front. On my arrival nmny of the wounded had already been placed
on board a transport shi]), but more than 400 remained in the general hos-
pital.

On the whole the treatment to which the wounded were subjected was
characterized by conservatism. Only a very small number of primary ampu-
tations were performed, llullets that were found lodged in the body were
allowed to remain unniolested miless they could be removed readily and
without additional risk. A number of cases of penetrating wounds of the
Abdomen ana chest were doing well without oi)erative interference. Pene
trating gunshot wounds of the skull were treated by enlarging the wound
of entrance, removal of detached fragments of bone and drainage. Several
cases in which a bullet passed through the skull, injuring only the surface

542

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

of the brain, wore doing well. With a few exceptions wounds of the large
joints were on a fine way to recovery under the most conservative treatment.

Bullet Woimds Rapidly Heal.

A study of the immense material collected at the station convinced the
surgeons that the explosive effect of the small-caliber bullet has been
greatly overestimated. The subsequent eniploymert of the X ray in many
of these cases will undoubtedly conlinn. the results of these observations.
The battle at Santiago resulted in 157 killed and over 1,300 wounded. Nearly
all wounds of the soft parts heai rapidly — suppuration in these cases was
the exception, primary healing the rule.

The day after my arrival I went to the front, about ten miles from
Siboney. A colored orderly was my only companion. He rode at a respectful
distance to the rear. The whole distance the road was crowded with mule
teams, soldiers and refugees. The latter made a seething mass of humanity
from start to finish. At a low estimate I must have passed on that day 2,000
souls, including men, women and children and naked infants.

The day was hot and the suffering of the fleeing inhabitants of Santiago, '
the besieged city, and adjacent villages, can be better imagined than de-
scribed. Indian fashion, the women walked, while some of the men enjoyed
the pleasure of a mule or donkey ride. Most of them were barefoot and
dressed in rags; children and infants naked; dudes with high collars, white
neckties and straw hats were few and far between. An occasional old um-
brella and a well-worn recently washed white dress marked the ladies of
distinction. Their earthly possessions usually consisted of a small bundle
carried on the head of the women or a wornout basket loaded with mangoes
or cocoanuts. The color of the skin of the passing crowd presented many
tints from white to jet black. The women were noted for their ugliness, the
men for their eagerness to get beyond the reach of guns.

View on Cuban Soldiers.

Little squads of Cuban soldiers were encountered from time to time,
apparently anxious to get only as far as the rear of our advancing anny.
These men display an appearance of courage just now that is uuirvelous.
Before the bluecoats came here they infested the inaccessible jungles at a
safe distance from the Spanish guns, making an occasional midnight raid to
keep the Spaniards on the lookout. Now they can be seen on the roads
in small groups relating to each other how they cut down the Spanish
marines with their national weapon on reaching the shore after their vessels
were demolished by our navy.

The ragged refugtH's, fleeing in all directions and mingling freely with

|Vi

Stan

I I

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

.743

our troops, as they do, carry with them the filth of many generations and a
rich supply of yellow fever germs which will ultimately kill more of our
men than will the Spanish soldiers.

On reaching General Shafter's headquarters I reported to Lieutenant
Colonel Pope, chief surgeon of the Fifth arai^' corps, for duty. At head-
quarters is the princijial field hospital, in charge of Major Wood, a grad-
uate of Rush Medical College, ably assisted by Major Johnson and a corps
of acting assisting surgeons. At the time of my arrival sixty-eight wounded
officers and men were under treatment. Lieutenant I*ope has worked night
and day since the troops landed here. He has done all in his power to make
Lis limited supplies meet the enormous demands.

Performs an Amputation.

At this hosi)ital Major Wood kindly invited me to perform an amputa-
tion of the thigh for gangrene caused by a gunshot injury which had frac-
tured the lower portion of the femur, and cu the popliteal artery. Here I
found many interesting cases on the way to recovery in which the nature
of the injury would have been ample excuse for rendering a very grave prog-
nosis, among them a number of cases of penetrating wounds of the chest and
aUdomen.

In the afternoon I was accompanied to Canea by Acting Assistant Sur-
geon Goodfellow. The trip was made for the purpose of taking charge of
sixteen wounded Spaniards we were to transfer to the Spanish army. On
the way to Canea we found many recent graves and nunu'rous dead horses,
covered only with a few inches of dirt. The stench from this source was
almost unbearable.

The little village of Canea is located on the summit of a hill, with an old,
dilapidated church as its center. The public square and the few streets are
thronged with refugees — from 8,000 to 10,000 in number. Crowds of refugees
were also seen in the woods around the village gathering mangoes and cocoa-
nuts, about the only food supply at the time. In the only room of the church
we found a representative of the Red Cross Association dealing out hardtack
and flour to the liungry multitude.

The wounded Spaniards were lying in a row on the floor of the church —
one of them in a dying condition. All that could be transported were con-
veyed in four ambulances under a small detaclmient of troops to our fighting
line. Here a flag of truce was secured, which was carried by an orderly. The
detachment was left behind and we passed our line.

In Spanish Lines.

As soon as the Spanish intrenchnient came in sight the signal was given
and was promptly answered by the enemy. Two officers with a flag of truce

544

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

advanced toward us, and we were halted at a little bridj^e very near Santiago
and below the first intrenchment. We were received wry courteously by the
officers and asked to a seat upon the grass in the shade of a clump of trees.
Rum, beer and ci;;arettes were furnished for the entcrhiir.Mient of the callers.
The object of our visit was explained, whereupon a hospiial corps of about
thirty men with sixteen litters in charge of a captain of the line and a
medical officer made their appearance. The wounded were unloaded from
the ambulances and conveyed in litters to within the Spanish line.

The visit was such a cordial and j)leasaut one that we found it very
diflicult to part from our newly made friends. After bidding the officers a
hearty adieu and ■mounting my horse I was urged to dismount and say an-
other farewell — a request which was responded to with pleasure. The two
little parties then separated and made their way in a slow and dignified
manner in the direction of the respective breastworks.

Tells of Bombardment.

The first armistice expired at noon July 11. In the afternoon a heavy
cannonading commenced and was kept up until late in the evening. Next
morning it was resumed, however, with less vigor. During this bombard-
ment the Spaniards renewed their recently gained reputation as effective
marksmen. One of our best cannon was hit and literally lifted into the air.
An officer was killed and a number of men injured.

During the afternoon, while cannonading was still going on, I went to
the front, but on reaching our line the bombardment was discontinued,,
and under a flag of truce the comnmnding generals met and held a confer-
ence. The result of this interview remains a secret at this hour.

Major-General Miles and stall' reached Siboney yesterday on the steamer
Yale, and to-day he proceeded to headquarters.

Th;: appearance of yellow fever at different places occui)ied by our army
has made our troops more anxious than ever to coniitlele their task. The
frequent drenching rains and inadecpiate equipments have also done much
to render the men restless and anxious to fight.

W. B. Collier of the Second United States cavalry, in a letter dated
Auf^nst 3, describen his part in the fight on San Juan hill and the scene
■when the American flag was flung to the breeze in captured Santiago.
lie says :

We have our 2 o'clock rains each day and then the sun comes out and
just burns. This is a good climate for snakes, lizards, etc. Many of the boys
have died, but, thank (lod, I am still in the land of the living. Words are
inadequate to express the feeling of pain and sickness when one has the

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

545

fever. For about a week every bone in my body ached and I did not care
much whether I lived or not. The doctor shoved quinine into me by the
Hpoonful until my head felt as if all the bells in Chicago were ringing in it.
I ((iiild liear them, even when delirious. The news that we are to go back
to the United States in a few weeks has saved many a boy's life.

Fear Yellow Fever.

I was scared at first when I was ordered to the yellow fever hospital, I
thought my time had come, bui. they examined me and pronounced my case
some other than yellow fever. The boys fear yellow jack like a rattlesnake.
When I return I will know how to appreciate my country. I am very weak
and siek, but I think I will be well in a short time after I get home. With
all I have suffered I am ready for more if Uncle Sam wants me.

As to the fight, our four trooi)s of the Second United States cavalry
were the only mounted troops in Cuba. We were the staff escort. I tell
you, it is worth all the trials, and hardships, and sickness which I under-
went, when I contemplated the scene of the surrender of Santiago. When
Old Glory went up I cried and felt ashamed and looked around to see if any
of my comrades had noticed me, I found they were all crying. Then we
began to laugh and yell again so we would not be babies. I tell you, it was
the proudest moment of my life.

Picks off Spaniards.

I was in the San Juan hill fight. We were used mostly as scouts. I
know there are two or three poor Spaniards killed or in hospitals. I took
it coolly and just shot at every Spaniard I could see, far or near. I tvm sure
I dropped three. It is quite ticklish at first to be under fire, but the novelty
soon wears off".

Just Before the Battle at Manila.

A. J. Luther, second lieutenant of the First Colorado volunteers,
writes as follows, dated Camp Dewey, July 27:

You may talk about your Cuban war and all other wars, but you
may rest assured that the Philiiipine war is no snap, either. All the land
around us for miles and miles is nothing but deep jungles and sw.iimpy
ground. On our west lies Manila bay, 100 yards from our camp. On the
north, for four miles, to Manila, in fact, a jungle and swamp, while on the
east it is swamp and on the south more swamp. Our camp is on a long strip

646

PERSONAL REMmiSCENCES.

of land between a heavy jungle on all sides. It is a good camp, considering
the location which is made necessary by the position of the Bpaniards.

I am reliably informed that the natives of these islands are no farther
advanced in civilization than they were 300 years ago. They live in old
boats on the water, in palm trees, in bark huts, or wherever they can hold
on long enough to live. Tlieir life is one of degradation and four-fifths of
them have noxious diseases. You can imagine what a nasty mess we have
got into.

They wear for dress very thin cheesecloth and they keep that scanty
raiment as clean as any class of people, on earth, but their bodies do not
seem to amount to that much trouble in their eyes. From the way they take
care of themselves I imagine that they consider their clothes the only essen-
tial part of their exterior that ouglit to be kept clean.

We have not gone into Manila yet and I cannot say just when we will,
but you will know througli the pai)ers when we do. I want you to send me
all the papers you get hold of which contain an^-thing relating to the Manila
troops. We have a lot of cor"esi)ondents with us and between them you can
glean all the news of importance.

We have only been called out once since our arrival here and nothing
happened then. I have been under the enemy's Are three times, shot land-
ing all around me. Major Moses, Captain Taylor, Captain Grove and Lieu-
tenant Lister, with an interpreter, were detailed to make a special recon-
naissance of the country and the position of the enemy. They went within
300 yards of the Spanish intrenchments and were sighted by the enemy's
patrol. Captain Taylor was standing on the top of a brick wall when they
let fly at the party and one bullet hit about ten inches under his feet.

The other day I was put in charge of the company to repair roads along
behind the insurgents' line, and we were only 300 yards from the enemy's
line all the time, so you can see liow near to the jiiws of danger we work.
Our camp is under the range of their big guns, but they have never thrown
any shells into us yet.

While working on the road they kept up a fire at ils, however, and one
large cannonball plowed up the road not twenty-five feet away. It whistled
through the air like a nail when thrown from the hand. At the same time
you could hear Mauser balls whistling around us. This is a warm country.
One especially feels that way when the bullets come zipping around as they
did when we were on the road.

The insurgents and Spaniards keep up continual volley firing all day
and night. Neither side knows as much about a gun as a baby. They fire
into the air and expect the balls to light on the heads of the enemy. When
the Spaniards run up against us, I think they will find a different game.
We won't play horse with them nor shoot up into the air, but will get
right into direct aiming distance and make them dance.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

547

Digging Graves in Cuba— Walter Zimmer of First Illinois Volun-
teers Writes from Siboney.

Siboney, Cuba, Aug. 17.
* Dear Sister and Brother: Received your Icind and welcome letter last
evening and was glad to hear from you. We are expecting to get back to
the States any day, as they are shii)])ing the army as fast as possible. I am
now on a detail at the yellow fever hospital. This is tough Work, digging
graves and planting the dead. The men are dying at the rate of about ten
a day. A lot of the boys in my company died of yellow jack. I am all right
at present.

We had a lot of fun chasing Spaniards. Some of them got after a crowd
of Cubans and killed them. We scoured the woods and located the Span-
iards and fired a few volleys at them, killing and wounding a number of
them.

Jimmy Edgar is dying. He has been out of his head for a week. I
saw him last night and he did not know me. Out of the regiment there are
about 400 in the hospital. We have a little graveyard on the hill they call
the Chicago cemetery. It is only three weeks old and there are about 100
graves.

Santiago is a dirty place. All the sewers are on top of the ground.
This is Siboney, the town we burned about five weeks ago to keep out the
fever. I have a few souvenirs I hope to take back to the States with me —
two Spanish gold pieces, one machete, a Krag gun, a set of prayer beads,
and a piece of shell that struck me in the hip. I was laid up only two days.
The shell struck a tree and bounded ofif, hitting me. The tree broke the force.
If I ever get out of Cuba I do not want to see it again, even on the map.
By the time you get this I expect to be on Long Island, New York. Hinton
went back to the States a few days ago. Edgar was too weak to go. About
500 convalescents went home, and there are about 1,000 of the boys here too
weak to go. It is pretty tough to see the boys dying here. Our detail has to
dig graves. My back is nearly broke from digging and using the pick. If
you do not dig fast the major orders your arrest and ofif to the guardhouse
you go. YOUR BROTHER.

James Purcell, Company G, Eleventh Infantry, writes the following
interesting letter:

Camp Ponce, Between Town of Ponce and Shipping Port, August 6.

Dear Ones and All : I hope you received my letter from Samono Bay and
that you are all well. I am fine, as well as ever I have been. We arrived
here last Monday and landed on Tuesday. We were on the water eleveu

548

PERSONAL KEMINI8CENCE8.

dajs and it was a prand trip and all enjoyed it greatly, bnt it would have
been much better if we had good food. What we ate consisted of canned
beer", hardtack, canned beans and tomatoes with coffee twice a day.

Well, now to tell you something about this place. It is without excep-
tion the prettiest place I ever saw. We have about live hundred Spanish
prisoners here in this camp and leave to-night by train to cross the moun-
tains and clear the road for the main body of troops, whidi will advance
on San Juan. You will probably know the outcome long before this letter
reaches you. We are camped on the roadside. The thorouglifare is mac-
adamized from one end of the island to the other, and as fine a road as om?
ever saw. It would be a grand place to have a bicycle. Our camp is always
crowded with hungry, starving Cuban men, women and children, some of
them naked and the rest only partially clothed. They will do almost any-
thing for our hardtack, for some of them never had any flour, and when we
purchase we have to pay two cents for a snmll roll, but while we are in
camp we make our own bread and they go crazy for some of it.

There is plenty of tobacco here and the way we gc is to give one
hardtack for a cigar. The men and women are all cigai makers, and, as
our commissary is not yet open, we have to make native cigars. All the
people here seem glad to have the Americans take the island.

W^ine and rum costs two cents a drink and an American dollar is worth
fl.80 in Spanish money. Our regiment and the Nineteenth are the only
regiments of regular infantry on the island. All others are volunteers ex-
cepting one or two regiments of cavalry and artillery, so we are likely to
get the brunt of all the battles. We had a little scrimmage yesterday, but
it did not amount to much. Now I will try to tell you a little about the
island before I run out of paper. Cocoanuts grow in abundance here, with
all other kinds of tropical fruit. As yet we have not been near the banana
or pineapple district. The roads are all shaded with trees, and if I could
get at a desk for a short time I would write a better letter. Tliis one is
only to let you know I am alive and well and as soon as the affair is over
I think I'll buy a farm here, — etc.

Letters from Joe Bohon.

Ponce, Porto Rico, Aug. 4, 1898.

I suppose you know by this time where we are. I have written several
times to the folks and different ones, but have received no mail for twenty
days.

We landed at Gnanica July 25 and were the first troops on the island.
We had considerable music from our gunboat escorts there. You could
see them going over the hills in droves. We stayed there three days, then
Company H and one company from Massachusetts Regiment marched to

PERSONAL REMTNISCENOES.

549

Yaiico. We looked for troublo there but were disappointed. We stayed there
three davH, then started to march for Pon<'e. It took us two davs to coine a
distance of thirt.vflv niles. We were in heavy marcliinjj order witli an extra
100 rounds of aniniunition. Its weight was between SO and 100 pounds.

This is a town of .'{5,000; the}' have banks, electric lights, telepliones and
an ice plant. There are some English-siteakiufj jieople here. I was down
town yesterday. The hotels and restaurants are all run by French people.
It's a wonderful sight how the natives r«'8pe<'t us. Tliey take ofT their hats
and say Viva Americana (long live America). If one of them can get hold of
a blue shirt or [)ants or a small flag they avo the envy of every one of their
people. Our conii)any have four with us since we lauded. They wash our
dishes, carry water and make themselves useful.

There are all kinds of reptiles and varmints. Hamilton and I have killed
three centipedes in our tent. The natives say their bite will kill, but our doc-
tors say not; several of our boys have been bitten; none died so far. A sol-
dier of the Third Wisconsin shot and killed one of the regulars. The wealthy
class of people here dress like us; have fine carriages, but their hors(^ are all
small and pace. They I'aisf hogs and their cattle are Jerseys. They do all
their work with oxen and large two-wheeled carts. The oxen pull with their
horns and you would wonder at the load they imll. The poorer class of peo-
ple are nothing better than slaves. From ten to tliii i.\ will live in one small
house. I have not seen a window glass or chimney on a house since being
on the island. They build their fires in snmll stoves and cook their grub in
kettles. They raise bananas, oranges, limes, the same as lemons, cocoanuts,
pomegranates, mangoes, etc. They also raise melons, tomatoes, cucumbers
and such vegetables. Think of getting those things fresh the year round.

They wear as few clothes as possible. You see children as old as four
years without a stitch of clot lies on. I mean the puoi-, and none of the older
wear shoes; their endurance is wonderful, and they don't perspire like us.
They all smoke either cigars or cigarettes. We see children four years old
smoking cigars. You can buy as good a cigar here for 1 cent in their money as
we can buy at home for 5 cents. One dollar in our money is equal to two dol-
lars in theirs. So we get our smoking pretty cheap. Fruits are sold accord-
iui^ly. We are to turn our Springfield guns in this morning and get the
Krag-Jorgenson; they are much lighter and their bullets are not near so
heavy. Hope this will be of interest to you. Don't forget to send the Times
as we have not soen a paper since leaving Charleston. Regards to all.

In the course of an interesting letter written by -James Burns of the
Twenty-seventh battery, Indiana volunteers, to his mother, and dated
August 15, at Guayama, Puerto Rico, be said that the news of
the cessation of hostilities was received by courier only a short time
before the battery expected to get actively into battle. Most of the

550

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

boys, he said, were unxious to return home. For liimHelf, he exprewHed
a desire to remain for tlie reason tliat the country there in very rich, the
climate liealtliful and tlie possibilities to make money in the future,
throu«>h American push and ener^^y, the best in the world. Speaking
of the daily routine of the battery boys he said:

Every man rooks Ids own uifals and we Rot ])]onty of good food, such
as hacon, jjotatops, beans, onions, hard-tack, canned corn beef, canned roast
l)('cf. canned tomatot'S and the like. The cliniato is the finest I ever expe-
rienced. Wldle tlie tenii»erature is very hi<;h, still the strong trade winds
render it always agreeable, the hottest day being far more pleasant than at
home. Water is jiure and j)k'ntiful. The country is cut up every quarter
mile or so by limpid mountain streams and the beach on this, the south side
of the island, is as tine as any in the world. Palms abound in profusion and
the most beautiful flowers and ferns cluster and grow delightfully every-
where. The cocoanut, mango, bread-fruit, banana. Unnon, lime, sago, prickly
pear, mangrove and bay trees grow luxuriantly about our camp.

The natives here are of small stature. They are black-haired and have
bright, sparkling eyes. They are all of a mixture of either the French or
Spanish with the negro. There is a large population of French and Portu-
guese, the pure Spanish being but little more than one-sixth of the entire
population. The natives are a bright, intelligent class. There are few public
schools, education being given to children at their homes by traveling teach-
ers and governesses. There are but few Protestants or Protestant churches,
the Catholic being the prevailing; religion, and their churches being much
more magnificent than any you havt at home. The priests constitute the
ruling force among the people. Childr?:: run naked until they are six years
old. Every one wears white linen clothing and most of the people go bare-
footed. The men wear straw hats and the women go with their heads un-
covered. There are not a few English and AmL-i'icans here, and they scrupu-
lously maintain tlie Anglo-American costumes. News does not reach us for
ten days or more after you read it in the newspapers in the States. We are
just reading the Indianapolis papers of July 31 and August 1, and the news is
perfectly fresh to us. The marriage rite here is a very loose affair. A man
may have one or two families, as he may elect. One of these may include
the progeny of a wife of his own class and the other by a negry woman or
half-breed. All he has to do is to pay the prescribed duty.

There are no bad fevers here, but smallpox sometimes is prevalent in
certain localities, although they hav? not had the scourge for three years.
Leprosy, elephantiasis and diseases a.ising from a bad condition of the blood
prevail to some extent. Ruins of su^^ar mills and plantations abound on
every side, once great money-producing establishments, but destroyed by
Spanish avarice and the American tariff. Cattie-raising, fruit-growing, coffee,

• «T.ii'i T- rrtl

PERSONAL ULWllNISCENCES.

551

and rlco cuttiirc fiirniHli the piiiiripnl monoy-ninlvlncr vorutloiiM In I'orfd Rico.
Then' uir no railroiKlM (hat aiiiouiit to an.vdiiiijj;. Tlic wa^on mails are all
military roads and the fr('ij,'lilinR Is carried on willi pack mnlcH and bull-
cnrts. The latter are of the cluiiiHieHt character, the yoke restiii-^ on the
horns of the animalH instead of upon their necks, as in (h(> old farm (listricts
in the United States. They carry from (wo to three tons or more at a load.
The horses and males are small, but willing and patient animals. The natives
are sharp traders and boys of from six to ten years of a;j;e can drive close bar-
gains. One of oar American dollars will p\irchase exactly twice as much
as a Spanish dollar. The one particularly cheap ])roduct is the ciffars.
"Smokes" of a good quality sell for one cent each. P>auanas and lemons are
cheap, and of the latter fruit we partake plentifully. Cocoanuts sell for
five cents each; milk, live cents; bread, twenty cents, and sugar, four cents.
These prices are on a basis of the Spanish money.

This letter was written by one of the soldiers of the Sixteenth infan-
try, Ave captains of which led the particular charge in which this regi-
ment participated:

July 24, 1S9S.

\\'e are in bivouac near our trenches, within half a mile of Santiago. The
fighting is all over and we are just waiting for something to happen. The
latest newspaper we have seen was that of July 3, so you see I write like
a person of the past generation.

We have had a hot time. The Spanish got drunk and put up a pretty
good f^ght. At least i have heard they were? all drunk in the battle of the
Ist. I don'i, know whether it is true or not, but I do know that they did not
run as quickiy as we wibhed them to do.

Firing Begun.

We left camp on the 1st about daybreak, but we did not know we were
going into battle. We got into the jungle, after marching for a while, and
then heard firing, apparently all around us. Then our men began to fall, and
we realized we were in it. We kept struggling through the dense under-
brush, first to the right, then to the leW, and then to the front, as fast as
we could find openings. Everything was confnp.ion. Orders could not be
given or obeyed. Companies, battalions, regiments and brigades were all
jumbled up.

We did not fire, for we could not see ten feet in any direction on account
of the dense thickets in the jungle. Finally I found myself with my com-
pany and part of the regiment in a trail or road by a broad, open field,
across which, about 700 yards on a steep bluff, were the Spaniards, strongly
entrenched.

552

PERSONAL KEMINISUENCES.

We opout'd Arc and k('j)t it np for a while, but the road rapidl.v filled up
with oiir soldiers, aud it lie(jini<> too crowded to do anythintr. Tliere was a
six-strand barbed-wire fenee along tin hedge between the road and the op«'n.
All at once we began to try to tear it down iind get at the oneuiy. Captain
Leven C. Allen, Captain W. (\ McFarlaud. Capt.s'.n ("Charles Noble. Captain
(icorge Palmer aud Captain William Lassiter were ciose together with their
companies (all of tl>e Sixteenth infantry). I was in the front, just behind my
captain. Oflicers and men dashed savagely at the fence, tore it down and
lea]>ed into the of)en field, the captains cjilling to their companies to "come
onl" "Now we have a chance at f'heiu! Come on!"

A Hail of Bullets,

The companies, or so mnch of them as heard the call, sjjrang into the
field, the men following the five brave captains, and away we went in a ter-
rible and most desperate charge. The bullets bailed upon ns, bat when the
old Sixteenth gets its "mad up" there is no use trying to stop it.

We had about two hundred men with us, five cajitains in the front line.
Hut soon others began to follow us. and the field was full of soldiers, all
moving to the front, firing as they went. We saw the enemy jump and run
just before we reached th(» foot of th<' steep slope leading up to the crest.
Then one of oi r batteries bi'gan firing over our heads, and when we got
near the top the shells began striking the ground between us and the crest,,
out we did not ;stop. On w- went, climbing on our hands and knees, when
suddenly there arose a gri;it shout down on the plain bt'hind us. "Come
back! Come back!" The trumpets sounded "recall," and our men, who had
followed \heir cai)taius so bravely, hesitated, stoppi'd and began drifting
back down the slope.

In vain our brave leaders swore at the losulmoiUhed skiilkers below.
They had suddenly become feiu-ful for our safety — they were afraid we would
be hit by our own shells. We settled reluctantly back near the foot of the
slope.

Allen Leads His Men On.

Captain Allen told his men to lie down and get their breath. Then he
called our attention to Captain McFarland, who was with some men about
thirty yards to our I'ight and up on the slope. He was waving his hat and the
shells were bursting around him.

Captain Allen called out to us: "Look at Cai)taiu McFarland and E
company I Who of C company will go with me to the top of the hiU in spite
of danger?" We who were near him spniug to our feet and up we went

PERSONAL REMIN1HCENCE8.

668

MoFarland Wounded.

But Captain McFarland bad been wounded and bis men were going
down. Our little group became too small for v. furtl'er attack. "Come
back! Come back!" was shouted from below. Captain Allen stood alone
for ." min-te and then we went back to the foot of the slope and waited
until our battery stopped firing. Tl'pn we all went forward again, and the
Sixteenth infantry colors passed up *<< the works and were planted there.

Color-Bearer Shot.

The color-bearer was shot, but Corporal Van Horn took the flag and
carried it forward. Hundreds of officers and soldiers of other regiments
came across the field while we were waiting, and they went up with ua.
And now they all claim that they were in that rliargc We iiifii and those
five captains I have named know who were in it, and that our captains began
it without orders, and we are cntith'd to all the credit.

The fight was led by captains, and no one else of higher rank had any-
thing to do with it. Our colonel and major now say that they did not see the
c'harge, and therefore can make no recommendations for distinguished gal-
lantry. Well, it is proposed to fight it o«it and to have our claims heard.

A Terrible Fight.

The position we took was San Juan and was the k'y to the Spanish
position. We have heard that there were ;{,()00 SpaniardH in th«' works. I
do not know wliat (he loss was. 1 k. >w that as I juinpf' over their trench
I noticed that it was level fiilJ (»f dead and dying Spanish soldiers. It was
a terrible sight. We had nion fighting (liat afrern'mn, and (hat night we
moved forward, and the Sixtct'iilh entn-ndied 47.''> viirds from the main works.
We held (liis under heavy int. utry fire and a (erril)le enfilade urfilleiy fire
all day of the 2d and 3d, while our right wing was swinging around to en-
velop the city.

Moved to the Right.

On the 10th we were moved to the right v.ing and [ think it was in-
tended for us to make an assault on ihe city and wind up (he business. We
could have done it in fine shape, and all were anxious for a chance.

Oiir artillery got into place on the 11th nt 4 j;. ui., and we opened up
along the whole line and soon silenced every gun and rifle they had.

554

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

The Spanish Weakened.

Next moruins at (layli};ht \vv reHuincd our work and the Spanish weak-
ened. Tliey did not wait foi tl>e assault— t lie jijf was up.

Nearly half the comnhind is sick. We have only Kliort rations of hard
Itread, bacon and coffee. We have no shelter except doj^ tents, and they are
no j^ood in such a climate as this. We have no vegetables, and of course we
will all be sick. We are living miserably. There are thousands of supi)lies
of all sorts in the harbor and on the landing, but they are not sent to us.
The army is in a disabled condition for want of food and shelter.

A box of lianltack and a piece of fat bacon thrown on the ground has
been considered enough for the soldiers and ollicers who are in the trenches.
Somebody will hear from this. Our government intends its soldi«'rs to be
well treated, but our supply department here in the Meld lack experience.
Day before yesterday (Mara Barton sent each company twenty-five pounds
of corn meal and seventeen pounds of Hce. It was a blessing, I tell you.
We all got a spoonful of mush, and it was the best thing I ever tasted in
my life.

If we could only g#'t onr rations, just the regular ration and our tents,
we would b( willing to take our chances with tlu' climate. There will be
enough go liy the board, even if we get our supplies. The soldiers I ',/e
fought bravely and won the victory.

Keep out of the war, Whole armies will be lost by disease and misman-
agement. If we stay here under the present layout not one in four will
ever see the United States again. We could not - ', into another campaign
now, and unless matters impiove very much we may as well be counted out
for the summer.

How a War Ballcon Came Down after Being Pierced more than

Two Hundred Times.

Serr,eant Thomas C. Boone of company K, Sec( nd regiment, wrote
a thrilling letter. Mr. Boone's letter in part says:

I have not told yoii of my ac<'idents before while in Cuba, because I did
not care to aroue;- the anxiety of my friends at home, and, although T have
been unable to walk for some time, still I did not consi<l<'r my condition
as serious as the surgeons here claim it to be. I will tell you how I got
hurt. It was a streak of continuous bad luck. On the 1st of July I went
up in the balloon on the battlefield at 7 a. m., and the balloon waa being
moved all over the field when shot to pieces eighty yards from the Spanish

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 555

•

line at 1 p. in. We thought our hciglit, tof,'etli(»r with their bud marksman-
ship, afforded us protection. We were badly mistulien.

At least 2(»0 biillctH and four shrapnel shots went through the inflated
bag, allowing the gas to escape, and we ijuue down with a rush, striking
the top of a tree alongside of a creek, (hrowiug us out. In falling I was
caught in the abdomen hy a point of the anchor of the balloon, was sus-
pended for a moment — it se»ine<l a lifetiuie — llxn drojiped into the creek,
with the water up to my shoulders. I was badly biuised and shaken up,
but, owing to the e.\citement of the time, I did not notice the pain.

Three of our detachuient were kill(>d and four wounded out of twenty-one
men, which shows that we were in a preKy warm place. Well, I did not go
to the hospital alH)nt my injury until July It, and I was then so weak I
could scarcely walk. The surgeons at the field hospital jilaced me in an old
army wagon without springs at !) o'clock one night to be taken to another
hospital sev<*n miles away, over the worst road in the world, without doubt.
We had gone about half a mile wlicn the wagon turned completely over, the
wngon body catching my neck under its side and the corner of a box striking
me in the abd<Mnen.

I was unconscious for two hours. My neck is still very sore. When I
regained consciousness f was phu-ed in the wagon, but the bumping over
ruts and rocks fairly drove me mad, and I said I could not stand it. T was
told that I could walk, which I did. The wagcui went on. I reached the
hospital at 7 o'clock the ne.xt morning alter a niglil of igony. -Vt this hos-
pital I was t(dd that I was injured internally and that they could do nothing
for me, that J would have to go to the I'nited States for an operation, and here
I am.

I ho]>e to be in Springfield soon, but I am as weak as a child and cannot
walk fifty yards. On tojt of my accidents I had a case r»f bilious fever and
was shoved into the yellow fever hospital for several days. IJilious fever
is a nasty thing, although not dang« reus. There are thousands of cases of it
in our CuImui army. It arises, I believe, from sleeping on the rain-soaked
ground and in wet clothing night after night. There was not a day while
I was in Cuba, with the exception of lime sjient in the ho'^iiKal, that T was
not soaked thnuigh from i-ain. .Mostjuitoes a( night and flies during day
make life unbearable here. They are a thousand times worse than any I
ever sjiw. I am bitten from head to foot. Thi-y bite clear through the
clothing.

Wlien Captain Caproii was kille<l at the battle <»f La (2uasinia Lieu-
tenant Tlnunas became the comuiander of tlie froop. He was on the
point of lending the tierce charge agniDt<t tlie Spaniards when sliot
down by u Mauser bullet pussiug through his right leg bidow the Itnee,

PERSONAL KEMINISCENCES.

He ^ives the following interesting atcouut of his personal experience
and observations:

Our tri]! from the point of hmdiiifr to Sibone.v, a distance of about
eh'vcn liiih's, tool, about three hours, ami was over a trail that was very
muddy in yavtn and crosBed a number of streams. Lieutenant Colonel Roose-
velt on this trip liad his mount, but as we were not mounted he wallved
over tlie trail witli us. l«'adin}j his horse alonjj. That was a simple act, but
it indicated a fodinp of comrade.ship lie iiad for the members of the regi-
ment and it touched a leuder place in the men's hearts.

No Olimpse of Spaniardb.

Lawton's comnuind had gone over this trail before us and the Span-
iards had retreated so that we did not get a glimpse of the Spaniards on
that marcli. A few men wlio had been ill on sliipboard with measles, and
had iccovered only a short tinif Itefore. were still weak and had to drop
out of the line, but they reached Siboney a little while after the main body of
our regiment got there. We got to Siboney on the evening of June 23, and
with our shelter tents were very comfortable until the next morning, al-
though it rained.

We were up at 4 o'clock, had breakfast at (>, and then, on the morning
of June 24th started from Siboney across a high hill leading to Lti Quasina,
where the regiment had its first fight. The battle lasted two hours and
fort^' minutes, th(i\igh to those who took part in it it appeared a very much
shorter time. As we were advancing we were constantly expecting a fire
from the Spaniards, We were not ambushed at all.

After we had gone abon* tv o niiles on that trail we came across the body
of a Cuban, Uiid after ♦ha we kept an espe<ially sharp lookout. Troop L
formed the advance guard, and we had skirMiinh"r8 out ahead of us and to
both the right and left. The skirinisliecrt ahead of us were about 2.')0 yards
from I he main body of our m«'n. and it was on« of ^hese advanced skir-
mishers who discovered the Spaniards. Thomas E. IsbeJi, a Cheroke(! from
^'inita. I. T., was the one to make the discovery of the Spanish force. He
fired the first shot in that battle and dropjx'd a Spaniard Isbell was
wounded seven times an«l then managed to walk l)ack to the tleld hot^pitul,
two and a half or three tniles away, to get his wounds dressed.

Hard Fighting Ahead.

As soon as we learned that the Sjtanish were in advance of us wo de-
ployed the men six feet apart, advancing into the firing line. The Spaniards
Iiud some maohiue guns ahead of us, and oar men received the full force of

;:ns

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

557

tliis (Ire. There was also liring from t je rijjbt and the k'ft. We were iit tbiH
time upon the knoll of a hill, the S]>aiiiar(lH beiiijj about ii8 at lower eleva-
tions. Uefore Isbell discovered the Spaniards a blockhouse had been seen,
and we knew what was ahead of n.s.

It was probably half or three-quarters of an hour after the firing began
that Captain Capron was killed, and perhaps twenty minutes after that I was
struck as we were about to make a charge. Our nu-n had been instructed
to save their ammunition and not shoot unless they saw something to shoot
ut. Our men and the Tenth in'antry afterwards buried about KM) Spaniards,
and great numbers of their killed and wounded among them were carried
to the rear, so that the lire on our side must have been pretty accurate.

When asked to relate some of the scenes taking place about him
before he was struck, he replied:

One of the worit things I saw v.T.s a man shot while loading his gun.
The Spanish Mauser bullet struck th<^ magazine of his carbine, and going
through the magazine the bullet was si)lit, a part of it going through his
scalp and a part through his neck. This was Private Whitney, and from
his neck down he was a nuiss of blood. He was taken back of the tiring
line, and had recovered before we left Siboney and was again back in the
ranks.

Captain Capron showed great pluck on tl:o> field of battle, and refused
to leave even when he was mortally wounded. We were at that moment
deploying and lying down. lie was struck in the left shoulder, the ball torn
fng out of his abdomen. He lived one hour and tlfteen minutes after being
8h(»t. He was taken back to the tield hospital by some of o ir men. About
twenty minutes after that a Mauser ball struck me in the lej,.

Sensation of Being Wounded.

When asked what the sensation was at the time of being wounded
he replied:

My leg felt as if it had been struck by some heavy body. It felt parsi-
lyzed, and then T fell to the gr«uin(l. Then' was no great pain experience.^
at tlu' time, but fifteen minutes later the pain was very great.

A very touching incident happened during the fight. Captain McCliu-
tock was struck in the left leg, two Mauser bullets entering hi;s leg jn.wt
above the ankle. A private who had been sick for some days, si-eiug Captain
McClintock lying on the Held, crawled up to hiai, and lying beside the captain
between the latter and the firing line, said: "Never mind, C.iptain. 1 .-tm
lietween you and the thing line. They can't huit you now."

£d Uulvvr, tt C/heruliec ludiuu, bhuwcd UioutteU ^ai'ti\;ttUfl^ bi-uvc Uui-

558

1»EKS( )X A L REM I X ISCENOES.

in;? tlic fiiihi. TI<' wuh ulon^sidc of Ilaiiiilton Fish when the Inttor wnn
shot. Wlu'U Fisli was hit ho said: "I am wounded." Culver ealh-d back:
"And I am killed."

Culver was shot tliroufjh the left lunjj, the ball coiniuj? out of the mus-
eles of the back. He believed he was dviii);, but said if he was to die lie
would do the Spaniards as much dama^je as possible before leavinjj this
world. He eoiiHnued to fire, and sent fori v five bullets at the enemy before
bein;,' taken away. At first, after receiving;: his wound, he was in a dazed
condition, but after he recovered somewhat he shot straijjht.

Ilan.iiton Fish died a few minutes after receivinj,' his wound. I passed
him just after he was shot, and directed some of the skirmishers where to
move, lie thoufjlit I was sj»eakinj^ to him, and, raisiuf; himself on his elbow,
said: "I am wounded; I am wounded!" and died a few minutes afli'r that.

We thou;;lit at first that the Sprniards were using explosive bullets, but
we found they were merely brass-co /ered bullets.

A (ktailed description <if the Siintia}j;<) lij^ht is told by the Ulouccster
crew, which was first to sight ('<'rveni's fleet as it steamed out of the
harbor on the morning of Sunday, Ji'ly 3. Ensign Sawyer's letter reads;

Last evening we went into (luantananio and saw the camp where our
niarineH had so gallantly held their own. The Marblehead, with McCalla,
was there. ;ilso the New Vork, the Iowa and that hero of the battle, the Ore-
gon. The (iloucester aiso was there.

Th>? greatest desire naturally possessed us to hear the details of the
wonderful battle in which the ('a]U' Verde Meet was destroyed. The Glouces-
ter's Htury, though we had but a few moments, was most interesting so far
as we have heard. KIk- was lying closest to the entrance, and ha<] just
finished Sunday morning inspection when the lookout hailed: "They're com-
iug out!"

Order of the Exit.

Instantly all eyes were directed on the familiar harbor mouth, and they
could hardly believe their eyes to see those nuignificent ships standing out
in broad daylight. The Maria Teresa, N'izcayn, Oquendo and ("oloi) swung
to the windward, and not a shot was fired at the (Jloucesler. Evidently she
was too small to waste shell on, or else all eyes were on the larger vessels.
Following those grand ships came the destroyers IMnton and Furor, which
have been so much dreaded. The (ilouceiiter imnn diately stood foi tliem
full speed and opened fire, the I'luton and Furor tiring rapidly, but not strik-
ing. The (iloucester finally got in between them and rained shell upon
them from her rapid-fire guns. The Iowa also h-t go her battery, and on«' of
her larife ohells literally tore the t»t eru uat of the Furor. The Glouccstet

PERSONAL REMINIRCENCES.

559

Himpl.v ovorwliclmcd flic I'liiton with Iht hIicIIh, and a white flag waH nhown,
wlH'iciipoii Lieutenant Wood went over as (iniclilj na poHHible to save the
lives of the crew. She waH a j)ci*fect lu'll on hoard. On fire below, one en-
j;inc was si ill k"'"K. »h<1 tlu're were only ci;;ht nitm not killed. He put these
in the boat, tried to yo below to save the vessel if possible, but could not
on account of the tire. The boat shoved otf to transfer the men to his vessel,
when the I'luton blew np with a terrible (explosion and sank. The boat was
just a few feet clear when the magazine or boilers exploded.

Meantime the armored cruisers of the enemy stood to the west and were
eufja^'cd by the Brooklyn, Oregon, Texas, Indiana and Iowa. The Maria
Teresa and Oquendo were run ashore, burning? fiercely, five and one-half or
six miles west of the harbor. The Vizcaya and (.'olon enj^aged in a runninj;
fight with the Oregon, Texas and llrooklyn, but the first was practically
destroyed and run ashore thirty-four miles west, and the latter surrendered
sixty miles west of Santiago.

It was a terrible battle, and our escape from terrible loss is nothing
short of miraculous. The SjKiniards were really fighting four ships against
five, and the superiority of the Americans was due more to their skill than
nuiterial. If the Ameri -ans had manned Cei'iv-i )? rieet the victory would
have been ours just the same.

The Massachusetts and Newark were rl fJuantanamo coaling. The New
York had gone tlve miles farther to the vuax Mian her usual station to allow
th<' admiral to communicate with Shaffer. IL Oregon distinguished her-
self by overhauling and jiassing the Hrooklyn and forced the Colon's sur-
render. W'v have not yet seen any of the fellows on the vessels that took
part in the jiursuit.

Our heavy work now commences In landing troops. The First Illinois,
under ('olonel Turner, is among our convoy, and if the boys fight the way
they cheer there will be no question of the result.

PEACE JUBILEE FESTIVITIES.

The nation i)roved its gladness at the return of peace by celebra-
tions and jubilees which extended from shore to shore. Most notable
of all were the elaborate peace jubilees held in Philadelphia and in
Chicago in October and November. The president of the United States
participated in these ceremonies, with his cabinet officers and eminent
warriors of the campaigns on land and sea in Cuba, Puerto Rico and
the Philippine islands. Elaborate illuminations and decorations made
the cities beautiful, while the march of thousands of soldiers home from
the war inspired the pride and the patriotism of multitudes who wit-
nessed the festivities.

Nearly a quarter of a million soldiers again resumed civil life. Many
of our brave soldiers left our shores never to return — some were killed
in battle; some were stricken down with fever; others who were at
the front and saw Old Glory proudly afloat over the once helpless and
down-trodden subjects of Spain started homeward but failed to reach
their loved ones throngli disease contracted while performing their
duties on the field of battle. Such is war. The whole nation will cher-
ish the memorj- of the dead and ever extend gratitude to those who
safely returned.

The Peace Commission.

In accordance with the provisions of the protocol, it was necessary
for commissioners to be appointed by the President of tlie United
States and by the Spanish government to treat at Paris for the details

of the teriii^ of peace. Presuieui lui-Ki

lilt J I •«

*-»♦./., OOfl

} gr'ff ":ire in th»

selection of the American commissinticrs, and his choice was received
with general approbation throughout the country. As the head of the
commiBsiou he named the Honorable William R. Day of Ohio, the secre-

PEACE JUBILEE FEflTIVITlWIL

iary of state in his own cabinet, the other members being George Gray,
U. S. senator from Delaware; Cushman K. Davis, U. 8. senator from
Minnesota; William P. Frye, U. S. senator from Maine, and Whltelaw
Reid, formerly United States minister to France. The Spanish com-
missioners appointed to conduct negotiations in the interests of the
Spanish government had for their chief Senor Montero Kios, the othc
members being Senores Wenceslao Kanirez de Villaurrutia, Buena-
ventura Abarzuza, General Cerero and Jose de Gamica.

As promptly a^i possible after the appointment of the commissioners
of each country, they started for France, and on the first day of October
the peace commission assembled in Paris. The progress of peace nego-
tiations may have seemed slow to Americans who are accustomed to
doing business promptly and without unnecessary delay. But in the
calendar of diplomacy it is not surprising that eight weeks intervened
before definite terms for a treaty of peace were decided upon. There
could be no such thing as informal discussions and conversations upon
such important questions. Every proposition had to be placed in
writing, translated into both languages, discussed in private by the
members of each commission, and then argued before the full body.
If an allegation by one commission was controverted by the other the
same manner of ar^ment had to be maintained.

Spanish Labor in Vain.

To the very end the Spanish commissioners made strenuous efforts
to save for their country whatever wreckage they could out of the
disaster that had befallen her. They strove to save some bit of colonial
empire. They strove to have the colonial debts saddled upon the freed
people of the islands. They strove to have the United States assume
all or any fkortion of the colonial debts. And finally, when those efforts
failed, they devoted their energies to securing as large an indemnity as
possible for their losses.

It was on the twenty-eighth day of November that the Spanish
commissioners finally yielded to every demand of their American asso-
ciates and relinquish -^d all claims to easier terms of settlement. Even
until that day, there had been threats of breaking off peace negotia-
tions on the part of the Spanish. This did not involve a threat of re-
newal of war on their part, because they recognized frankly that such
an effort was impossible to them. Their troops had returned home from

569

PEAOK TTIBILEE PESTTVTTTKfl.

Puerto KIco. Most of tln> troops liad left Ciilta for Spjiin. Thoir flj'ets
were de8troyo<l. Their trensury was empty and their credit low. If
they had been able to embark new armies upon transports on the
Spanish coast to sail for a renewal of hostilities in the West Indies, tlielr
fleet would rever have reached the Caribbean coasts. Lonjjj before the
Atlantic was crossed, American men-of-war would have been able to
intercept the unguarded transports, for which no convoy could have
been provided, and they would have been captured or sunk with all on
board. The Spanish threat to break off negotiations meant only that
they wou'd yield to the superior force of the Americans an«l would
withdraw from further effort to maintain what they believed to be
their rights in the colonies. That movement would have relinquished
the disputed territories to the Americans and the fighting would have
been ov\?r, although there would have been no treaty of peace between
the parties to the war.

Definite Terms of Peace.

Sx>ain's contention rested on a disputed meaning of the protocol.
The Spanish commissioners clairiied that the meaning of the third sec-
tion of the protocol, refe/ring to Manila and the Philippines, was liable
to doubt and that arbitration by a neutral power should be employed
for its interpretation. The American commissioners denied that any
doubt existed on this detail and refused to consider the suggestion for
arbitration. The result was that ultimately the Spanish felt compelled
to yield. At the afternoon joint session of the peace commission, Spain
acc?pted the United States' offer of |20,000,000 and consented without
condition to relinquish Cuba and to cede Puerto Rico, the Philippine
islfunds and the island of Guam in the Ladrone islands.

The document presenting this acceptance contained only 300 words.
It opened with a reference to the final terms of the United States, and
said that the Spanish commissioners, after having taken cognizance of
ths terms proposed by the Americans, replied that their government
haa tried to give as ecjuitable an answer as possible, but that they were
ncit prepared to commit their government to the acceptance of the prin
ciples embodied in the American argument. Spain rejects these prin-
ciples, the note continued, "as she always has rejected them."

Basing her attitude upon the jtistice of her cause, the note then said,

I'FACK .IIJIUI.KK FESTIVITIES.

r><i:i

alio sllll adlicn'd to these i)riii('ij)I('s, "which she has heretofore Invari-
ably forimilat«Ml."

However, the note a<l(le(l, in lier deHire for peace she has jj;one so
far as to proi»»)se certain comprnniiseH, wliicli the Americans have
always rejected. She had also attciiipted, it was fiirther asserted, to
have snhiniltcd to arltitration sonM> of the material i)nrticiilars upon
which the tw<t <fovernments dilTen-d. These proposals for arbitration,
it was added, the Americans had ('(pially rejected.

These allefjations, in Spain's reply, art to attempted arbitration, refer
to her proiHtsal to arbitrate the cojistrnction of the tliird article of the
protocol and also to snbmit the S|<anish colonial debt of Cnba and the
I'hilippines to arbitration. The last ])roposition had been made in a
written comnninication. Since its i)resentation and in rctnrn for snch
arbitration, Spiiin offered to <'ede the territory in dispnte. The Ameri-
cans refnsecl both propositions for arbitration, Si)ain's reply in snb-
stance continncd by declarinjj that the United States has offered, as a
kind of compensation to Spain, somethinj^ v(»ry inadetjnate to the sacri-
fices the latter conntry makes at this moment, and she felt therefore
that the United States' itroposals cannot be considered jnst and
eqni table.

Desire to Avoid Bloodshed.

Spain, however, e.xhansted all the resonrces of diplomacy in an at-
tempt to justify her attitude. Seeinj; that an accei)tance of the i)ro-
posals made to Spain was a necessary condition to a continuance of
nef^otiations and 8eein<; that the resources of Spain were not such as to
enable her to re-enter upon war, she was prepared, in her desire to
avoid bloodshed and from considerations of humanity and patriotism,
to aubniit to the conditions of the confiuerins; nation, however harsh they
may be. She was, therefore, ready to acce|>t the proposals of the Amer-
ican commission as presented at the last sittinj^.

The readiu'T and the translation of the document occupied less than
five minutes, .w he conclusion of the translation the commissioners
empowered & nor '>jeda, secretary of the Spanish commission, ami
Secretary Moo- ■ of rhe American commission to draw up articles to em-
body the relinqui.-*nnient of Cuba by Spain and the cession of Puerto
Kico and the Philippines.

A great deal of interest was taken in the meeting:. The two com-

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TEACE JUBILEE FESTIVITIES.

missious arrived at the foreign office in carriages in ilie rain almost
simultaneously, and repairing to the conference room immediately
opened tbe only business before them. Senor Montero Kios, the presi-
dent of the Spanish commission, has usually preceded the presentation
of a Spanish communication in writing by verbally summarizing it, but
this day Senor Kios was sileiit and unusually grave, llis face was
deeper lined and he clearly showed the mental strain under which he
was laboring as he approached the final relinquishment of Spain's
colonial possessions.

Without a word Senor Montero Kios produced two typcAvritten sheets
and passed them to the interpreter of the United States commission,
Mr. Ferguson, who read them.

Spaniards Completely Dejected.

The Spanish commissioners were gloomy and depressed at the meet-
ing, and there was no interchange of the usual compliments and civili-
ties. They w^ere performing an ungrateful task under compulsion, for
it is now known Senor Kios had asked Sagasta to accept his resignat icm
on the commission rather than to force him to accede to the surrender
of Spain's colonial empire. Sagasta appealed to the commissioners to
fulfill the mission in the interest of the dynasty. For the first time since
the meeting of the commission the Spaniards left first. The gravity of
their demeanor was patriotic. When General Cerrero entered his car-
riage he put a handkerchief to his eye.s; he was overcome with emotion.
The venerable ^Montero Kios came out with bent head and spiritless
gait. 1 he picture of dejection.

Among the Americans only the most grave consideration for their
Spanish colleagues was apparent. The Spaniards seemed to be relieved
at having arrived at the conclusion of a long controversy.

Menibers of both commissions expressed themselves upon the terms
of peace after the meeting was oA'er. '

Senor Abarzuza said: "We have fulfilled our mission here and
agreed to make a treaty of peace, but we do so under ])rotest that our
sovereign rights over the Philippines are still intact. Our memor-
andum to-day sets this fact forth, though admittedly it cannot affect
the treaty. We lose our colonial empire, but America does not know
what new and difficult responsibilities she is undertaking. Mindanao
alone will keep her busy for years."

PEACE JUI^ILEE FESTIVITIES.

5G5

Asked whether the treaty would contain any reference to debts he
said: "No, inasmuch as the Americans liavo put tliese questions aside
and refused to take them into account."

Full Assurance of Peace.

Senor Ojeda, the principal Spanish secretary, said: "Peace is now
assured. Wo have agreed to sign the treaty in accordance with the
protocol from Washington, but at the same time protesting our so-v-
ereign rights over the Philippines and stating we only yield to hard
American terms owing to our inability to renew war and in the pres-
ence of a superior force."

Secretary Moort said: "The? Spaniards accepted every condition un-
reservedly, the draft of the treaty to be laid before the joint meeting.
They have accepted )S:20,000,00() for the Philippines."

The American commissioners were highly pleased and relieved that
the crisis has been successfully surmounted, as they did not at all
relish the possibility of failing in their task. President Day said with
undisguised gratification: "I hope we sliall be sailing for home in a
fortnight. Everything is now clear."

Little more work remained for the commission except to meet and
complete friendly arrangements for the transfer of property. Having
embodied in the treaty all the (juestions mentioned in the protocol, the
remaining work was to consider matters subsidiary and incidental to
the principal provisions, wliich were to form part of the peace treaty
as finally signed. These included the religious freedom of the Caroline
islands as agreed to twelve years ago; the protection of Spanish citi-
zens and their yu'operty in the relinquished colonies; tJie release of poli-
tical prisoners held by Sj)ain in connection with the insurrections in
Cuba and the Philippines; the takiug over of the island of Kusaie or
Ualan in the Carolines for a telegraphic and naval station; cable sta-
tion rights at other points in Spain's jurisdiction, and the renewal of
certain treaties previously in force betweeii the United States and
Spain which ma3' have lapsed or been vitiated b}' tlie war.^ Secretaries
Moore and Ojeda met the next day and began work on the draft of the
treaty, in conformity with the agreement reached, and it was expected
that the treaty would be signed within two weeks. Then all that re-
mained for final completion of peace on the terms named Avas the ratifi-
cation of the treaty by the United States senate and the Spanisli cortes;

666

PEACE JUBILEE FESTIVITIES.

the appropriation and payment of $20,000,000 by the United States to
Si)ain; and the formal transfer of the Spanish colonies to the United
States.

How Peace News Was Welcomed.

The newspapers of Madrid were bitterly grieved and the public of
Spain felt an intense regret at the acceptance by the Spanish peace
commissioners of the American offer of $20,000,000 in retnrn for the
cession of the Philippine islands. It was generally felt that it would
have been better simply to declare that Spain yielded to superior force
and to decline the proffered compensation. The press was most bitter
in its denunciation of Sagasta and the peace commission, declaring
that the premier and his Paris agent had inflicted on Spanish honor its
final humiliation.

In all the United States there was not one regret that the war
was ended and peace again was resting on our country. The war had
been undertaken for liberty and humanity. It had gained all for
which it strove and more. A material reward had come to our nation
altogether aside from the reward of sentiment in satisfaction at having
done our duty. New lands had been added to our possessions in the
East and in the West Indies. New problems were to be faced. New
avenues of industry were opened to Americans. Freedom had come
to millions of whom we hardly knew a year before. We had learned
the prowess of American arms on land and sea. We had taught the
world that our country was a power not to be ignored in the affairs of
nations. And now having accomplished these things the time was
come to prove that we could be as great in peace as in war.