fe, CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BEQUEST OF STEWART HENRY BURNHAM 1943 Cornell paid Library E 715.Q52 1898 le for freedom, conta Wi (iit — dl ff A y Ze == 3 Aa Ae at f sc ae. ia LJ Ny wi = = iS y thn, ‘ fi : ea Y HH _— If ft ml) iN gti AA} fi toma Hf oe a8 Oe y | Na Ae \\ \y a Al > |} A of um A HH " Cy ne Ez , we oo S es ) o> CUBA’S GREAT STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM CONTAINING A COMPLETE RECORD OF SPANISH TYRANNY AND OPPRESSION; SCENES OF VIOLENCE AND BLOODSHED; Daring Deeds of Cuban Heroes and Patriots THRILLING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT; AMERICAN AID FOR THE CAUSE OF CUBA; SECRET EXPEDITIONS; INSIDE FACTS OF THE WAR, ETC., ETC. TO WHICH IS ADDED a FULL ACCOUNT OF OUR WAR WITH SPAIN, INCLUDING ADMIRAL DEWEY’S GREAT NAVAL VICTORY AT MANILA; DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA’S FLEET; DOWNFALL OF SANTIAGO; IN- VASION AND CAPTURE OF PORTO RICO; EVENTS" TO THE END OF THE WAR, ETC., ETC. BY Senor GONZALO de QUESADA Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Cuba, at Washington, D.C, AND HENRY DAVENPORT NORTHROP The well-known author Embellished with many Beautiful Phototype Engravings Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1898 by J. R. JONES. In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. All Rights Reserved. i JAMAICA ss Longitade West 910 fram Greeamich "B's 0g lmeg e eo @T oO s 4 eee eos. emun 40 FIvOS OoOIm OLAOd 40 d¥W $ ssf ZA PunBy 1p “2g O J; 2 SF ° %, “% ba antag Ry, ay Be ¥ J : oo hig Mo, te, _& mening ed) POs Gee Gromrcn St ovspunzz opry, ENS Peraie ] emg ‘epundes yoquey LEAR Dpuoy viyDg, E , anbeley He Koneten TO THE ARMY OF CUBAN PAT RIOTS, . WHO ARE SACRIFICING THEIR Lives IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM, THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED WITH THE HOPE AND BELIEF THAT THEIR GREAT STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE WILL BE CROWNED WITH SUCCESS. APPEAL TO AMERICANS. By a Lieutenant from the Cuban Army. ae Deda Op, te J eer ‘Lert ve adh ‘bee ee Ro Kua Nei a 4 mal Ao verbvatiote in alingeling Ye male Loratra ren Read im Anew fo cA Kve A oaihtie Peogrens one Saya Fricunbl rf Aye real tortie ona uramuacd, Mee fuels of His noc wna 2 isd Meal Ne neront fare (ven ia Co | “Lerung Talk A, bane BAe io mt 2, A oe is ae ‘" i ie thuaiere. by et in gal eg a {ust Owcl ‘yl v Hye Court whith a0 ‘reed Lato oh Ove redline wr Herd (Rete Riatamant rf He cain rats mo” | Bais pa fe PREFACE. HE eyes of the whole world are turned toward Cuba, eagerly watching her Great Struggle for Freedom. The American people recall the long and gory conflict that made this a free and independent nation. Their hearts beat high and their blood grows warm as they read of Cuba’s gallant fight for Independence. The Cuban people have the same reason for their Great Revolu- tion that America had when she threw off the yoke of oppression. For long ages the beautiful “ Queen of the Antilles” has suffered under the curse of Spanish tyranny and injustice. She has been robbed and impoverished. Just rights have been denied to her peo- ple. Repeatedly and gallantly she has fought to be free and has poured out her blood. The whole tragic story is contained in this very comprehensive volume. The reader follows the silver-starred flag of the Cuban Patriots which waves from one end of the Island to the other. He sees an army of heroes fighting as Spartans fought at Thermopyle, as sturdy Scots fought at Bannockburn, as the brave souls in our own Revolution fought at Bunker Hill and Yorktown. Part I. treats of the Great Insurrection. Spanish brutality and injustice are pictured as they really are, and the reader fully under. stands why Cuba demands Independence from the atrocious rule of the haughty Castilian. In a speech on the Cuban question, Congressman Robert R. Hitt, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, used the following stirring words; “Americans, who are descendants of those who iti - iv PREFACE, struggled through a contest against tyranny like that now being waged in Cuba, cannot be false to the memory of their fathers nor to the traditions and spirit of their history.” In this volume the*opening scenes in the beginning of the war are vividly depicted. Then comes General Campos from Spain, with his Army of 75,000 troops. All the stirring incidents of the conflict are pictured in glowing colors—the successes of the Patriot Army, the downfall of General Campos, the arrival of General Weyler, secret expeditions, and pathetic stories of the war. Part II. contains the complete History of Cuba from its discovery by Columbus to the present time. Striking portraits are given of the early Spanish rulers, and all the great events are vividly depicted. The story of Marti, the conspiracy of Lopez, the slaughter of the crew of the “ Virginius,” are told in all their thrilling details. Part III. gives a picturesque description of Cuba, one of the love- liest gardens of the Tropics. This, like every other part of the work, has a peculiar charm to all readers. They behold the natural scenery of the far-famed Island; they see the people in their native homes ; they learn all the manners, customs, peculiarities and charac- teristics of the Cubans, and find at the close of this most instructive volume that they have made a journey through every part of the “ Queen of the Antilles.” This work stirs anew the sympathy of the American people for the brave Cuban Patriots who have resolved to free their beautiful Island from the oppression under which it has long suffered and bled. The conflict has been waged before, but never with such grim resolu- tion and heroic bravery. The day of victory is not far distant, “Freedom’s battle once begun, Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son, Though baffled oft, is always won,” Missing Page Missing Page CONTENTS. PART I. The Great Insurrection. in Cuba. CHAPTER ‘1: PAGE THE LONG STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE ......-.ececeececee 17 CHAPTER II. SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE..-..... sete ween ee 28 -~CHAPTER III. WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT ..... cece eee e 42 CHAPTER IV. BEGINNING OF THE WAR... . 2.22 eee eee sees eeeee 8 CHAPTER V. INSURGENT CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN CUBA... ee eee cere e 66 CHAPTER VI. DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS....... ee CHAPTER VII. GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. ...--++ +e. cece rene. 85 CHAPTER VIII. HORRIBLE STORY OF BARBARITY , Oe OE SHO Bw ees OS viii CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA,...... 206 CHAPTER X. IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES ...... FREEDOM FOR CUBA ........-+.564-6 CHAPTER XII. SPANISH INSULTS TO THE AMERICAN FLAG CHAPTER XIII. HORRORS OF MORRO CASTLE ........ CHAPTER XIV. STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT . . CHAPTER XV. PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR... ... ‘CHAPTER XVI. SUCCESSES OF THE REVOLUTIONISTS .... CHAPTER XVIL PEN-PICTURES OF THE WAR......... ee 114 ecig ce a ec a eo eo DT eh Tey) ep See Go? Wek de se) ae wa 136 Be ae ae eee eee - 142 SE feb teh Se ish oeeees 1 swe we eee eo ee 166 cee ew eee ewe 177 CHAPTER XVIL SIDE-LIGHTS UPON THE STRUGGLE..... CHAPTER XIX. THE UNITED STATES TO THE RESCUE ..., oe ere ere eee + QO CONTENTS. ix PART II. History of Cuba and Spanish Misrule. CHAPTER XxX. WARLY COLONISTS AND RULERS......... see wee ee = BT CHAPTER XXI. WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN... .0....0- see ee ee ee BT CHAPTER XXII THE TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN ......00.% cee eee - 295 CHAPTER XXIII. A WILY OLD GENERAL. 2... 0. ee te ew ts ose + 306 CHAPTER XXIV. RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS .......... sag ise seh ye) Si aay se 317 CHAPTER XXV. STORY OF MARTI, THE SMUGGLER .. 1... ee eee ee ee 334 CHAPTER XXVI. THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ... 1... 1 ee eee ee eee. 840 CHAPTER XXVII. THE BITTER TEN YEARS’ WAR .. 1... 22 ee dee) a erie aia @ BOT CHAPTER XXVIII BUTCHERY OF THE CREW OF THE “VIRGINIUS” .....+.4.% + 367 x CONTENTS. PART III. Picturesque Cuba: Manners and Customs of the People. CHAPTER XXIX. PAGE FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND ......... 0005 -. + 3878 CHAPTER XXX. CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA .......... see ewe eo 889 CHAPTER XXXI. FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS.......... see ee + 400 CHAPTER XXXII. CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS..... cece ee ee ee AB CHAPTER XXXIII SUGAR-MAKING INCUBA... 2... eee ee ee see e eee s 426 CHAPTER XXXIV. DESCRIPTION OF FAR-FAMED MATANZAS......2..2..20eec.s.s 439 CHAPTER XXXV. A QUAINT OLD TOWN .. 2... 2. eee eee eee eee. 455 CHAPTER XXXVI. HERE AND THERE IN CUBA... . 1... 0000. cee ee ee. 465 CHAPTER XXXVI LIFE IN THE COFFEE MOUNTAINS ....... cw meee eee 479 CHAPTER XXXVIIL RURAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS i 497 DISTINGUISHED CUBAN PATRIOTS .. 1... ee eee eee ee SB APPENDIX OF LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA ,..6e6e0e.0202.-.. 545 WAR-SONG OF THE CUBAN PATRIOTS. HIMNO BAYAMES. Al com-bat-te co-rred ba- ya-me - - sess Que la To thecom-bat rush on-ward Cu-ban - - os, That our pa-tria os com-templa or-gullo - - 4808; No te land may with pride look up - on mais u - namuer - te glo - rio - 2+ sa Que mo- death naught that is glo-ri - - ous; For’ to HIMNO BAYAMES. Concluded. iin ca-de-nas vi-vir es-mo - rir por_la pa-tria es vivir, die for one’s country’s to live; Life in chains is naught else but at — — a = = = ee = ae eee “Fer —= = SS EI Bo SS Se SS = =a eS ES SS SSS = SS = SS = = = SS ; , i 3 STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE. 25 He was captured in 1875, but before surrendering shot himself under the chin, the bullet passing out at the forehead. He was sent toze fortress in Spain, and when he recovered made his escape to the United States. Here he and Jose Martie planned another expedition to Cu- ba. They landed and held their ground for six months, only to find that the country was not ripe for revolt. The Cubans, weary of continual turmoil and bloodshed, longed for quiet. At last Garci- was captured and sent once more to Spain. From this time dates the autonomist party, started by a group of men who mzintained that experience would not justify —-/ further attempts to gain freedom for Cuba by force of arms, and that the Island’s hope lay in peace- Le ful measures alone. The party JOSE MARTI, gained a footing very rapidly ; ne Late President of tue Revolutionary Party. deed, its existence and doctrine had much to do with the failure of General Garcia and the Cuban party of freedom. Despite the efforts of the peace party, however, there were revolu- tionist leaders who were ready totryagain. In 1884 Generals Gomez and Maceo visited the United States and Central America with a view of preparing for another invasion. The movement was opposed bitterly by the home-rule party in Cuba, and was abandoned. Small and ill-advised attempts at revolution followed from time to time after that, notably those headed by Limbano Sanchez, Benitez and Aguero. The home-rulers, in the meantime, were attempting to get what con- cessions they could from Spain by peacefiil means. In 1890 they be- came restless again. The peace policy did not prosper. Cuba was growing uneasy again, The concessions, small and unsatisfactory at all 26 STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE. times, began to be regarded as sops which Spain distributed to main. rain peace. They gave no promise of more liberal treatment in future Men began to say that the native Cubans were cheated at the polls, and in time their representatives went to the Cortes no more. For fourteen years the home-rulers, led by such men as Govin Montoro, Figueroa, Fernandez de Castro and Giberga, had made most vigorous fights at the polls, and, notwithstanding conservative frauds, had sent their best orators tothe Spanish Parliament. It was to no purpose. The home-rulers spoke to empty benches in Spain, and no party there recognized them. They succeeded, nevertheless, in forcing the conservatives in Cuba to modify their policy and aided manfully to complete the emancipation of the negro, following the Cuban Constitution, which declared that “all men are free.” With the economic party they forced the government to celebrate the Spanish-American treaty, without which the fate of the Island was sealed. Divided on Important Questions. The conservatives divided into two groups, one leaning toward union with the Cubans on economic questions and hoping secretly for the annexation of Cuba by the United States. They were demoral- ized by the refusal of the liberals to go to the polls, the autonomists having declared that unless the obnoxious suffrage laws which gave the Spaniards a sure majority at the polls and disfranchised the Cuban rural population were abolished, they would never go to the legisla- tive assembly again. The Spanish liberals really formed the economist party, to obtain commercial concessions and secure a treaty with the United States, and by joining hands with the Cubans they forced Spain’s hand in the matter. But this, like the other efforts to restore quiet and content, proved a failure. The Cubans complained that in return for the treaty and its benefits to the Island Spain imposed new taxes, which more than counterbalanced all the good that had been done. Representa- tives were sent to the Spanish Parliament again, the home-rule con- tingent demanding, as of old, electoral reform sufficient to guarantee just representation, STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE. 27 It was then that the Cuban revolutionary party began to gain prominence—the party which has drawn the sword in the latest revo- lution—and asserted boldly that peaceful measures, looking to freedom and equality, had failed, and that Cuba must take up arms again and drive the Spanish soldiers into the sea. Such talk was dangerous on Cuban soil. Leaders of the party who were not already in exile left Cuba and began to plan from the outside, to raise money, to stir up the native population by secret agents—in a word to prepare the Island for one grand united effort to be free. While this sentiment was being nursed at home and outside of Cuba the peace party was still at work on its own lines. In 1894 the reform wing of the Spaniards joined the Cubans in their fight against the Spanish conservatives. They secured some reforms, but these, the Cubans say, are a mere farce, as the proposition is the establishment of a council in Cuba in which the Spanish element will predominate. This council was to consist of thirty members, of which fifteen were to be appointed by the crown, and the remainder elected. The method of electing, the Cubans contend, would insure a majority for the Spaniards, and in any event the council might be dissolved at pleasure by the Captain-General, whoever he might be. The Cubans want universal suffrage, and have been unable to secure it. as the Spaniards have insisted upon certain property qualifications. CHAPTER II. Spanish Tyranny and Injustice. Y agreement that is practically unanimous outside of Spain, the people of Cuba have just cause for complaint. They have been the victims of extortion. They have been systematically robbed and hence impoverished. Time after time they have sought redress, and the answer has been a Spanish army, landed on their shores. They have asked for representation in the Spanish Cortes, and this has been granted so grudgingly that it has amounted to very little. They have plead long and earnestly for the correctior of abuses, only to find that the chains which bound them were riveted tighter. Under such outrages it is no wonder that the people of Cuba have risen repeatedly to throw off the yoke of the tyrant, and in their gallant struggles have had the sympathy of nearly the whole civilized world. ; War is a dire necessity. But when a people has exhausted all human means of persuasion to obtain from an unjust oppressor a remedy for its ills, if it appeals as a last resource to force in order to repel the persistent aggression which constitutes tyranny, this people is justified before its own conscience and before the tribunal of nations, Such is the case of Cuba in its wars against Spain. No nation has ever been harsher or more obstinately harassing; none has ever despoiled a colony with more greediness and less foresight than Spain. No colony has ever been more prudent, more long-suffering, more cautious, more persevering than Cuba in its purpose of asking for its rights by appealing to the lessons of experience and political wisdom. Only driven by desperation have the people of Cuba taken up arms, and having done so, they display as much heroism in the hour of danger as they had shown good judgment in the hour of deliberation. 28 SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. 29 The history of Cuba during the present century is a long series of rebellions; but every one of these was preceded by a peaceful struggle for its rights—a fruitless struggle because of the obstinate blindness of Spain. Cubans were deprived of the little show of political intervention they had in public affairs. By a simple Royal Decree in 1837 the small representation of Cuba in the Spanish Cortes was suppressed, and all the powers of the government were concentrated in the hands of the Captain General, on whom authority was conferred to act as the governor of a city in a state of siege. This implied that the Captain General, residing in Havana, was master of the life and property of every inhabitant of the Island of Cuba. This meant that Spain declared a permanent state of war against a peaceful and defenceless people. Wandering Exiles. Cuba saw its most illustrious sons, such as Heredia and Saco, wander in exile throughout the free American Continent. Cuba saw as many of the Cubans as dared to love liberty and declare it by act or word, die on the scaffold, such as Joaquin de Aguero and Placido. Cuba saw the product of its people’s labor confiscated by iniquitous laws imposed by its masters from afar. Cuba saw the administration of justice in the hands of foreign magistrates, who acted at the will or the whim of its rulers. Cuba suffered all the outrages that can humiliate a conquered people, in the name and by the work of a government that sarcastic- ally calls itself paternal. Is it to be wondered then that an uninter- rupted era of conspiracies and uprisings should have been inaugu- rated? Cuba in its despair took up arms in 1850 and 1851, conspired again in 1855, waged war in 1868, in 1879, in 1885, and has been fighting since the 24th of February, 1895. But at the same time Cuba has never ceased to ask for justice and redress. Its people, before shouldering the rifle, pleaded for their rights. Before the pronunciamento of Aguero and the invasions of Lopez, Saco, in exile, exposed the dangers of Cuba to the Spanish statesmen, and pointed to the remedy. Other far-sighted men wil i im ie . oe “ r a i “e yr : ; | 4 4 4 ie CITY AND HARBOR OF HAVANA. § yi i [ iY i NU a SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. 31 seconded him in the Colony. They denounced the cancer of slavery, the horrors of the traffic in slaves, the corruption of the office-holders, the abuses of the government, the discontent of the people with their forced state of political tutelage. No attention was given to them, and this brought on the first armed conflicts. Before the formidable insurrection of 1868, which lasted ten years, the reform party, which included the most enlightened, wealthy and influential Cubans, exhausted all the resources within their reach to induce Spain to initiate a healthy change in the Cuban policy. The party started the publication of periodicals in Madrid and in the Island, addressed petitions, maintained a great agitation throughout the country, and having succeeded in leading the Spanish Govern- ment to make an inquiry into the economical, political and social condition of Cuba, they presented a complete plan of government which satisfied public requirements as well as the aspirations of the people. The Spanish Government disdainfully cast aside the propo- sition as useless, increased taxation, and proceeded to its exaction with extreme severity. Outbreak of the Long War. It was then that the ten-year war broke out. Cuba, almost a pigmy compared with Spain, fought like a giant. Blood ran in tor- rents. Public wealth disappeared in a bottomless abyss. Spain lost 200,000 men. Whole districts of Cuba were left almost entirely: without their male population. Seven hundred millions were spent to feed that conflagration —a conflagration that tested Cuban heroism, but which could not touch the hardened heart of Spain. The latter could not subdue the bleeding Colony, which had no longer strength to prolong the struggle with any prospect of success. Spain pro- posed a compact, which was a snare and a deceit. She granted to Cuba the liberties of Puerto Rico, which enjoyed none. On this deceitful ground was laid the new situation, throughout which has run a current of falsehood and hypocrisy. Spain, whose mind had not changed, hastened to change the name of things. The Captain General was called Governor General. The royal decrees s 32 SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. 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 abolition of constitu- tional 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, that is, of European Spain. The painful lesson of the ten-year war had been entirely lost on Spain. Instead of inaugurating a redeeming policy that would heal the recent wounds, allay public anxiety, and quench the thirst for justice felt by the people, who were desirous to enjoy their natural rights, the Spanish Government, while lavish in promises of reform, persisted in carrying on unchanged its old and crafty system, the groundwork ot which continues to be the same, namely: To exclude every native Cuban from every office that could give him any effective influence and intervention in public affairs; the ungovernable exploitation of the colonists’ labor for the benefit of Spanish commerce and Spanish bureaucracy, both civil and military. To carry out the latter pur- pose it was necessary to maintain the former at any cost. Systematic Robbery of Cuba. What use the Spanish Government has made of its power is apparent in the threefold spoliation to which it has submitted the Island of Cuba. Spain has not, in fact, a colonial policy. In the distant lands she has subdued by force, Spain has sought nothing but immediate riches, and these it has wrung by might from the compul- sory labor of the natives. For this reason Spain to-day in Cuba is only a parasite. Spain robs the Island of Cuba through its fiscal regime, through its commercial regime and through its bureaucratic regime. These are the three forms of official spoliation ; but they are not the only forms of spoliation. When the war of 1878 came to an end, two-thirds of the Island were completely ruined. The other third, the population of which had remained peaceful, was abundantly productive ; but it had to face the great economical change involved in the impending abolition Ban ca DEADLY ENCOUNTER WITH THE SWORD AND THE MACHETE The Machete, to which constant references are made, is the implement used in cutting sugar cane. The weapon, however, is long and narrower than the ordinary machete, and is very deadly in the hands of the insurgents, GUBAN PATRIOTS FIGHTING FROM THE TREE TOPS Concealing themselves in the tops of palm trees, the insurgents make attacks as represented in the engraving. This mode of warfare is adopted for the purpose of concealment from the enemy, and with practiced riflemen is most destructive, *JSO] 949A SOAT] OPT FOAO vUEABA §O SOQIER 2y} UT aononsyseg sy Ag ‘sdrysremM sawig peu oy) Jo sedreT of} Jo vu sum ,,ouleW,, oa, «ANIVIAL, dIHSAILLVG SALVLS GALINN ADMIRAL W, S. SCHLEY VNVAVH JO HOSYVH SHL NI ANIVW dIHSSTLivd 3HL dO NOILONYLSAG SRE FE are a SS, wo es ‘1oqiey B SEY pus *}se09 FNS oT} HO Aeq & Wo OOe'PZ ‘MorEIndog ‘paytj0y pue poyzoaj01d [Jaa ‘deep ‘eqng jo Teydeg oq} Apletm104 Spur}g “puL[s] eq} Jo JuomyIEedap Uso}s¥a oy} Jo MMO} JoIYO OY} MOU puL Vano ad ODVILNVS Sa GENERAL MAXIMO GOMEZ This is the portrait of the renowned Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Army. He comes from a distinguished family, to which frequent reference is made in Spanish history. His great ability as a general is equalled only by his ardent devotion to -he cause of Cuban freedom. General Gomez is over seventy years of age, and is proud to devote his last days to the cause he has served so long, GENERAL ANTONIO MACEO. This late General was the second in command of the Cuban Army. He had long experience in the ranks of Cuban Patriots, was well educated, and was considered a very able commander. His achievements gave renown to the cause of the insurgents. GENERAL CALIXTO GARCIA This renowned Commander has long been a conspicuous figure in Cuban insurrections. In the latter part of 1895 he was imprisoned at Madrid; being liberated, he returned at once to the United States, and was instrumental in organizing a formidable expedition to aid the Cuban Patriots. He is considered one of the ablest and most courageous Commanders among the Insurgents. Pe concg teres sorbet re Se rn naan BR tttcrescrcccnceongcqe GENERAL MARTINEZ CAMPOS SVZNVLVW NI 3N30S LASYLS—3qVYL YVONS NVENnod GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT NOAYM ZHL ONININVX3 SHAAIC —«ANIVW,, dIHSAaTILLVd 3H wh Ss TES . - - 3 5 <— Lt NO AN30S aE GONZALO deQUESADA Charge d’ Affaires of the Republic of Cuba, at Washington, D, C, ‘aBeBINOS pur YSep Void TUM S¥4oVye aq} yw pue ‘KIUNOD JT]} JO SOT}STIOyORVIeYS Iel[Nded ay} 0} pIMoysnooe ‘siapls pfoq ole Ady], “MemAI[VABI oe s]ua3unsuy oy} Jo Joquinu ssIe, V AYTVAVO NVGNO AO AOYWHO GaLividS he ae a *puEMMOD JO PIO Jy} je SAIY PUB Wet} UOI soUe}SIp JOYS & Je spueE STSIPfos Jo [lejep ve s[Iqm ‘BuraviSue oy} UI uaas se ‘seoT] 0} IaT} POI 0} St MOWNOVKa jo apom [ensn eGL Tei) & Jo Ayeuticy aq} JnogyM peynoexe noeq savy sdooy ystueds ay} Aq painjdeo saids Aneyy SdIdS NVENO dO NOILNOAXA SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. 33 of slavery. Slavery had received its death-blow at the hand’ of the insurrection, and Cuban insurrectionists succeeded at the close of the war in securing its eventual abolition. Evidently it would have been a wholesome and provident policy to lighten the fiscal burdens of a country in such a condition. Spair: was only bent on making Cuba pay the cost of the war. The Sovernment overwhelmed the Colony with enormous budgets, reach- ing as high a figure as forty-six million dollars, and this only to cover the obligations of the State; or, rather, to fill up the unfathom- able gulf left by the wastefulness and plunder of the civil and military administration during the years of war, and to meet the expenses of the military occupation of the country. Oppressive Taxation. The economical organization of Cuba is of the simplest kind. It produces to expoit, and imports almost everything it consumes, In view of this, it is evident that all Cuba required from the State was that it should not hamper its work with excessive burdens, nor hinder its commercial relations ; so that it could buy cheap where it suited her, and sell her products with profit. Spain has done all the contrary. She has treated the tobacco as an enemy; she has loaded the sugar with excessive imposts ; she has shackled with excessive and abusive excise duties the cattle- raising industry; and with her legislative doings and undoings she has thrown obstacles in the way of the mining industry. And, to cap the climax, she has tightly bound Cuba in the network of a monstrous tariff and a commereial legislation which subjects the Colony, at the end of the nineteenth century, to the ruinous monopoly of the producers and merchants of certain regions of Spain, as in the halcyon days of the colonial compact. If Spain were a flourishing industrial country, and produced the principal articles required by Cuba for the consumption of its people, or for developing and fostering its industries, the evil, although always great, would be a lesser one. But everybody knows the backwardness of the Spanish industries, and the inability of Spain to 3 > Th ee | xen Se SS _S=SS===— 34 SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. 3d supply Cuba with the products she requires for her consumption and industries. The Cubans have to consume or use Spanish articles of inferior quality, or pay exorbitant prices for foreign goods. The Spanish merchants have found, moreover, a new source of fraud in the application of these antiquated and iniquitous laws; it consists in nationalizing foreign products for importation into Cuba. As the mainspring of this senseless commercial policy is to sup- port the monopoly of Spanish commerce, when Spain has been com- pelled to deviate from it, to a certain extent, by an international treaty, it has done so reluctantly, and in the anxious expectation of an opportunity to nullify its own promises. This explains the acci- dental history of the Reciprocity Treaty with the United States, which was received with joy by Cuba, obstructed by the Spanish administration, and prematurely abolished by the Spanish Govern- ment as soon as it saw an opportunity. Seeds of Discontent and Dissension. The injury done to Cuba, and the evil effects produced by this commercial legislation, are beyond calculation; its effects have been material losses which have engendered profound discontent. The “ Circulo de Hacendados y Agricultores,” the wealthiest corporation of the Island, in 1894, passed judgment on these commercial laws in ihe following severe terms: “Tt would be impossible to explain, should the attempt be made, what is the signification of the present commercial laws, as regards any economical or political plan or system; because, economically, they aim at the destruction of public wealth, and, politically, they are the cause of iextinguishable discontent, and contain the germs of grave dissensions.” But Spain has not taken heed of this; her only care has been to keep the producers and merchants of such rebellious provinces as Catalonia contented, and to satisfy its military men and bureaucrats. For the latter is reserved the best part of the booty taken from Cuba. High salaries and the power of extortion for the office- holders sent to the Colony; reguiar tributes for the politicians who 36 SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. uphold them in the Metropolis. The Governor General is paid a salary of $50,000, in addition to a palace, a country house as a sum- mer resort, servants, coaches and a fund for secret expenses at his disposal. The Director General of the Treasury receives a salary of $18,500. The Archbishop of Santiago and the Bishop of Havana, $18,000 each. The Commander General of the “ Apostadero” (naval station), $16,392. Fat Salaries of Spanish Officials. The General Segundo Cabo (second in command of the Island), and the President of the “ Audiencia,” §15,000 each; the Governor of Havana and the Secretary of the General Government, $8,000 each; the Postmaster General, $5,000; the Collector of the Havana Custom House, $4,000; the Manager of Lotteries, the same salary. — The Chief Clerks of Administration of the first class receive $5,000 each, those of the second class $4,000, and those of the third class $3,000 each The major generals are paid $7,500, the brigadier generals $4,500, and, when in command, $5,000; the colonels $3,450, and this salary is increased when they are in command of a regiment. The captains of “ navio” (the largest men-of-war) receive $6,300; the captains of frigates, $4,560; the lieutenants of “navio” of the first class, $3,370. All these functionaries are entitled to free lodgings and domestic servants. Then follows the numberless crowd of minor officials, all well provided for, and with great facilities better to pro- vide for themselves. In August of 1887, General Marin entered the custom-house of Havana at the head of a military force, besieged and occupied it, investigated the operations carried on there, and discharged every employee. The act caused a great stir, but not a single one of the officials was indicted, or suffered a further punishment. There were, in 1891, three hundred and fifty officials indicted in Cuba for commit- ting fraud; not one of them was punished. But how could they be punished? Every official who comes to Cuba has an influential patron in the Court of Madrid, for whose pro. tection he pays with regularity. This is a public secret. General SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. 37 Salamanca gave it out in plain words, and before and after General Salamanca all Spain knew and knows it. The political leaders are well known who draw the highest income from the office-holders of Cuba, who are, as a matter of course, the most fervent advocates of the necessity of Spanish rule in Cuba. But Spanish bureaucracy is, moreover, so deep-rooted in Spain that it has succeeded in shielding itself even against the action of the courts of justice. There is a royal decree (that of 1882) in force in Cuba, which provides that the ordinary courts cannot take cognizance of such offences as defalcation, abstraction or malversation of public funds, forgery, etc., committed by officials of the administration, if their guilt is not first established by an administrative investigation. The administration is, therefore, its own judge. What further security does the corrupt office-holder need ? Why Cuba is Ruined. The cause of the ruin of Cuba, despite her sugar output of one million tons and her vast tobacco fields, can be easily explained. Cuba does not capitalize, and it does not capitalize because the fiscal regime imposed upon the country does not permit it. The money derived from its large exportations does not return either in the form of importations of goods or of cash. It remains abroad to pay the interest of its huge debt, to cover the incessant remittances of funds by the Spaniards who hasten to send their earnings out of the coun- try, to pay from Cuban money the pensioners who live in Spain, and to meet the drafts forwarded by every mail from Cuba by the Span- iards as a tribute to their political patrons in the Metropolis, and to help their families. In exchange for all that Spaniards withhold from Cuba, they say that they have given her her liberties. This isa mockery. The lib- erties are written in the Constitution, but obliterated in its practical application. Before and after its promulgation the public press has been rigorously persecuted in Cuba. Many journalists, such as Sefiores Cepeda and Lépes Brifias, have been banished from the country without the formality of a trial, In November of 1891 38 SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE, Don Manuel A. Balmaceda was tried by court martial for having published an editorial paragraph relative to the shooting of medical students. The newspapers have been allowed to discuss public affairs theo- retically ; but the moment they denounce any abuse or the conduct of any official they feel the hand of their rulers laid upon them. The official organ of the home-rule party, “ El Pais,” has undergone more than one trial for having pointed in measured terms to some infractions of the law on the part of officials, naming the transgress- ors. In 1887 that periodical was subjected to criminal proceedings simply because it had stated that a son of the president of the Havana “ Audiencia” was holding a certain office contrary to law. Right of Public Meeting Denied. They say that in Cuba the people are at liberty to hold public meetings, but every time the inhabitants assemble, previous notifica- tion must be given to the authorities, and a functionary is appointed to be present, with power to suspend the meeting whenever he deems such a measure advisable. The meetings of the “ Circulo de Trabajadores” (an association of workingmen) were forbidden by the authorities under the pretext that the building where they were to be held was not sufficiently safe. In 1895 the members of the “ Cir- culo de Hacendados” (association of planters) invited their fellow- members throughout the country to get up a great demonstration to demand a remedy which the critical state of their affairs required. The government found means to prevent their meeting. One of the most significant events that have occurred in Cuba, and one which throws a flood of light upon its political regime, was the failure of the “Junta Magna” (an extraordinary meeting) projected by the “Circulo de Hacendados.” This corporation solicited the co-operation of the “Sociedad Econdmica” and of the “ Junta Gen- eral de Comercio” to hold a meeting for the purpose of sending to Madrid the complaints which the precarious situation of the country inspired. The work of preparation was already far advanced, when a friend of the government, Sefior Rodriguez Correa, stated that the SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. 39 Governor-General looked with displeasure upon and forbade the hold- ing of the great meeting. This was sufficient to frighten the “ Cir- culo” and to secure the failure of the project. It is then evident that the inhabitants of Cuba can have meetings only when the govern- ment thinks it advisable to permit them. Against this political regime, which is a sarcasm, and in which deception is added to the most absolute contempt for right, the Cubans have unceasingly protested since it was implanted in 1878. It would be difficult to enumerate the representations made in Spain, the protests voiced by the representatives of Cuba, the commissions that have crossed the ocean to try to impress upon the exploiters of Cuba what the fatal consequences of their obstinacy would be. A Bold Manifesto. The exasperation prevailing in the country was such that the “Junta Central” of the home-rule party issued in 1892 a manifesto in which it foreshadowed that the moment might shortly arrive when the country would resort to “extreme measures, the responsibility of which would fall on those who, led by arrogance and priding them- selves on their power, hold prudence in contempt, worship force and shield themselves with their impunity.” This manifesto, which foreboded the mournful hours of the present wat, was unheeded by Spain, and not until a division took place in the Spanish party, which threatened to turn into an armed struggle, did the statesmen of Spain think that the moment had arrived to try a new farce, and to make a false show of reform in the administrative regime of Cuba. Then was Minister Maura’s plan broached, to be modified before its birth by Minister Abarzusa. This project, to which the Spaniards have endeavored to give cap- ital importance in order to condemn the revolution as the work of impatience and anarchism, leaves intact the political regime of Cuba. It does not alter the electoral law. It does not curtail the power of the bureaucracy. It increases the power of the general government. It leaves the same burdens upon the Cuban tax-payer, and does not give him the right to participate in the formation of the budgets. 40 SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. The reform is confined to the changing of the Council of Adminis tration (now in existence in the Island, and the members of which are appointed by the government) into a partially elective body. One-half of its members are to be appointed by the government, and the other half to be elected by the qualified electors, that is, who are assessed and pay a certain amount of taxes. The Governor Gen- eral has the right to veto all its resolutions, and to suspend at will the elective members. ‘This Council is to make up a kind of special budget embracing the items included now in the general budget of Cuba under the head of “Fomento.” The State reserves for itself al] the rest. Treated as a Subjugated People. Thus the Council can dispose of 2.75 per cent. of the revenues of Cuba, while the government distributes, as at present, 97.25 per cent. for its expenses, in the form we have explained. The general budget will as heretofore be made up in Spain; the tariff laws will be enacted by Spain. The debt, militarism and bureaucracy will continue to devour Cuba, and the Cubans will continue to be treated as a subju- gated people. ‘All power is to continue in the hands of the Spanish government and its delegates in Cuba, and all the influence with the Spanish residents. This is the self-government which Spain has promised to Cuba, and which it is announcing to the world, in exchange for its colonial system. A far better form of government is enjoyed by the Bahama or the Turks Islands. The Cubans would have been wanting not only in self-respect, but even in the instincts of self-preservation, if they could have endured such a degrading and destructive regime. Their grievances are of such a nature that no people, no human community capable of valu- ing its honor and of aspiring to better its condition, could bear them without degrading and condemning itself to utter nullity and annihi- lation. Spain denies to the Cubans all effective powers in their own country. : Spain condemns the Cubans to a political inferiority in the lane where they are born. : SPANISH TYRANNY AND INJUSTICE. 4] Spain confiscates the product of the Cubans’ labor, without giving them in return either safety, prosperity or education. Spain has shown itself utterly incapable of governing Cuba. Spain impoverishes and demoralizes Cuba. To maintain by force of arms this monstrous regime, which brings ruin on a country rich by nature and degrades a vigorous and intelli- gent population, a population filled with noble aspirations, is what Spain calls to defend its honor and to preserve the prestige of its social functions as a civilizing power of America. Rebellion against Oppression. Tite Cubans, not in anger, but in despair, have appealed to arms in order to defend their rights and to vindicate an eternal principle, a principle without which every community, however robust in appear-. ance, is in danger—the principle of justice. Nobody has the right of oppression. Spain oppresses Cuba. In rebelling against oppres- sion, Cuba defends a right. In serving her own cause she serves the cause of mankind. She has not counted the number of her enemies; she has not measured their strength. She has cast up the account of her griev-~ ances. She has weighed the mass of injustice that crushes her, and with uplifted heart she has risen to seek redress and to uphold her rights. She may find ruin and death a few steps ahead. So be it. If the world is so indifferent to her cause, so much the worse for all. A new iniquity shall have been consummated. The principle of human solidarity shall have suffered a defeat. The sum of good existing in the world, and which the world needs to purify its moral atmosphere, shall have been lessened. The peopie of Cuba require only liberty and independence to become a factor of prosperity and progress in the community of civil- ized nations. At present Cuba is a factor of intranquillity, disturb ance and ruin. The fault lies entirely with Spain. Cuba is not tne offender; it is the defender of its rights. Let America, let the world decide where rest justice and right. CHAPTER III. Why Cuba Demands Self-Government. | E have already seen that there have been in Cuba repeated W uprisings and the most heroic and self-sacrificing efforts to obtain independence. Every intelligent reader will con- clude that there must have been grave and serious causes for this thronic state of discontent and revolution. We will here allow a prominent, distinguished Cuban, whose in« telligence and discernment are not to be questioned, state the case in his own clear and convincing manner. This gentleman is Tomas Estrada Palma, Delegate and Minister Plenipotentiary “ Republica de Cuba.” This gentleman says: The cause of the present revolution in Cuba, briefly stated, may be said to be taxation without representation, a -phrase certainly familiar to American ears and emphasized by the most important event in the history of the nation, the War for Independence. Is it not quite natural, especially in this progressive age, that an intelli- gent and spirited people like the Cubans should demand the right to govern themselves, especially in view of the fact that they have always suffered from misgovernment at the hands of their rulers ? For three hundred years, in the early history of Cuba, Spain almost forgot the existence of the Pearl of the Antilles, her attention being turned to Peru and Mexico, the countries of gold and silver. It is said that some of the Spanish officials even forgot the name of the Island, directing their dispatches to the Isla de la Habana. All the laws for Cuba are made in Spain. The annual budget of the Island, that is, the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure, is made in Spain; all the employés in the governmental service on the Island come from Spain. The Spaniards decide just how much money shall be raised by taxes and all the Cubans have to do is, to 42 WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. 4% use an Americanism, “ step up to the captain’s office and settle.” The annual taxation amounts to between $24,000,000 and £26,000,- 000. Among the items of expenditure are $10,500,000 for interest on the national debt of Spain, nearly $7,000,000 for the army and navy, about $4,000,000 salaries for civil employés, $2,000,000 for pensions to retired military, civil and judicial officials or their widows, nearly $1,000,000 for the Judicial and $700,000 for the Trea- sury Department. No money is appropriated to primary public education, and only an insignificant sum to works of public utility and higher education. The municipalities provide for primary education as best they can, though their means are very limited, all the available methods of raising revenue having been exhausted by the General Government. This taxation, for a country of 1,600,000 inhabitants, is an enormous burden, but does not represent the real amount of money taken from the people. For every dollar raised by taxation another dollar is stolen by the Spanish officials sent to the Island by the paternal Government. Driven.to take up Arms. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the Cubans should demand the right to self-government. It must be remem- bered that they have not resorted to physical force until peaceable methods to secure redress of their wrongs have failed. The people have vainly applied to the Spanish Cortes for the right of self-govern- ment, not only at a comparatively recent date, but for the past seventy years they have vainly endeavored to secure their rights by legislative means and have hoped to avoid a war. The Spanish law-makers have invariably refused to grant them any real redress, I say real redress because the Cortes, about a year before the present revolution, offered a scheme of reform which would not have remedied any of the evils complained of, and was only intended as a sop to blind the eyes of the Cubans and keep them patient under the yoke of their masters. It did not, in any sense, provide for the self-government of Cuba. The Cubans would still be compelled to pay their enormous taxes, all the officials on 44 WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT, the Island would still come from Spain as they have been coming from time immemorial. The budget would still be made in Spain to suit the ideas of the rulers there, and the Cubans would have just as little as ever to say about the management of affairs on their beauti- ful Island. Criminals Protected. The Spanish Government always protects its officials in Cuba when they have been discovered in any crime. It is very rarely that they are ever convicted of a crime, because the court officials are Spaniards and protect them in every possible way. Once in a great while, however, a Spanish official may be found guilty ; but, when he is sent to Spain where he is to receive his punishment, he is invari- ably pardoned. He uses the money which he has stolen from the Cubans to secure his release trom serving any sentence. Mr. Edward A. Gilmore, an American, who was employed on a sugar plantation in Cuba for several years, gave the following illus- tration of Spanish justice in Cuba in one of the New York dailies. Mr. Gilmore says that there was an estate for sale in a town not far from Havana. One of the Superior Judges wanted the estate and began negotiating for it. At the same time a young Cuban lawyer decided that the estate was a property that would suit him. He went to the owner, closed a contract with him, and the deed was made out. When the Spanish judge heard that he had lost the estate he determined to secure it, notwithstanding it had been sold to another party. He made a charge of fraud or some kind wu: illegality against the young lawyer, had the ‘case tried before himself, promptly decided against the young lawyer, throwing him into prison for an alleged ‘violation of the law, and confiscated the estate. Mr. Gilmore closes his recital of this incident by saying that this case is only one of a score of other cases of which he has personal knowledge. “The arrogance and injustice of the Spanish rulers,” he says, “and the long-suffering spirit, the humility of the Cubans under the outrage- ous oppression from which they suffer, are simply incredible to one who does not know the facts,” WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. 46 The attempt on the part of the Spanish Cortes to deceive, to hum- bug the Cubans into the idea that they were going to give them home rule, when they had no intention of so doing, certainly hastened the present uprising. After suffering so many years from the injus- tice of their rulers, showing their discontent: by several uprisings, _notably the war of 1868 which lasted for ten years, the Cubans thought that Spain might finally reform the terrible abuses under which they had suffered so long. But Spain gave them nothing. Now, Cuba is fighting for the reforms which she vainly tried to secure by peaceable means. a Hypocritical Promises. Spain talked about giving Cuba home rule, but there was not the slightest intention of giving to Cuba even the kind of home rule that Canada enjoys. Canada has her own Legislature, makes lier own laws, and has her own government employés appointed from among her own people; and England, the mother country, only sends there a Governor-General. But that is not the case with Cuba, and Spain would never give that kind of government to the Cubans, if they wanted it, which they do not. There is really occasion for but very little commercial intercourse between Spain and Cuba, because the United States sends to the Island about everything that its inhabitants need, while, on the other hand, the United States is Cuba’s great market for sugar. Spain cannot buy her sugar. Spain cannot supply her with flour. The flour that reaches Cuba is first sent to Spain, and from there to Cuba, so that the Spaniards may collect a duty from the Islanders. In that way the Cuban pays very dear for his flour, whereas he could obtain it very cheap if complete commercial intercourse existed between the two countries. The great advantage which Spain has in Cuba, and will hold on to until it is forcibly wrésted from her, is that she has her own officer on the Island to make up the budget, so that it will be to the profit of Spain without regard to the benefit of the Cubans. She wants the Island to pay for her army and navy, consular expenses, and the 48 WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. salaries of the Spanish officials sent to Cuba, who steal from the people as much again as they are. paid for their services. Oh no; Spain will never grant home rule in any sense of the word to Cuba, from which she derives such a large revenue for her lazy and venal officials, The present uprising is, in every sense of the word, a real revolu- tion, because it comes from the whole people. The previous struggles for Cuban independence have generally been inspired by a few men occupying high posi- tions. At such times the mass of the people were not conscious of their rights, but, in the present great struggle, which we firmly believe will result in giving self. government to Cuba, the whole people, the lower as well as the higher classes, have engaged their sympathies in the movement, and, as far as they are able to do so, they give their aid. They have eaieen Cisne: had their eyes opened to the leg- President of the Cuban Republic, islative policy of Spain and her false promises of righting the wrongs of Cuba. They are indignant at the treatment they have received at her hands, both at home and in the Cortes, and they are thoroughly aroused to fight for the rights that they have beep vainly demanding for the past seventy years. It is not the fault of the Cubans that they have appealed to arms, They would be only too glad to secure their liberty without the aid cé war} but it has been plainly and repeatedly demonstrated to them that they cannot obtain their rights without a physical struggle. “Who would be free, themselves must strike the blow.” And so it is that in all orders of Cuban society, from the ignorant Negro to the WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. 47 intelligent merchant and the educated man of letters, all are inspired with one thought, all are animated with one resolve—the indepen- dence of Cuba. : | The revolutionists in Cuba fight according to two methods, one is the guerrilla method, and the other is by massing their troops and fighting the Spanish forces in the open field. Whenever they can secure an advantageous position to meet the enemy in the open field they mass two or three thousand or more men, and battle with the Spaniards; then they divide their forces into bands of two or three hundred each and engage in guerrilla warfare. They are glad to meet the enemy face to face,and do so when they can secure an opportunity. The revolution has extended from the eastern part very far into the western end of the land. I should say that the revolution extends over four-fifths of the Island. Arms and Ammunition. It is not possible for the insurgents to fight in the towns along the coast, because they are guarded by Spanish war ships, still we have troops on the coast, and we are able to protect the landing of new- comers who are going to join our army, and also to land the arms and ammunition, which are continually being sent to the troops. Many of the firearms used by the insurgents have been captured by them from their enemies. Fourteen thousand rounds of ammunition were captured in one engagement alone. I think there are some Cubans who are anxious that their Island shall be annexed to the United States as soon as possible; but there are many more, in fact a vast majority, who believe that the question of annexation is a long way off, and is not to be considered until the Cubans themselves have tried an independent government. This last-named class see no necessity for annexing Cuba politically to the United States, because she is already annexed to this country com- mercially. They see no reason why Cuba should form a part of the United States. When Cuba once secures her independence the Cuban people will then, through the exercise of the suffrage, decide the kind of government they w’ll have. 48 WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. It may possibly be that a‘ majority. of the people will decide that they want the Island annexed to the United States, or the vote may show a desire on the part of the Cubans to be an independent nation. That question is only to be decided after independence has been secured. The first and foremost thing before us now is to get rid of the Spanish Government. When once that has been done and Cuban independence has been secured the question of annexation can be de- cided. We are now printing a pamphiet which will recite the causes of the war, the many grievances from which Cuba has suffered so long at the hands of Spain, and her determi- < nation to rid herself of the Span- ish yoke. This history of Spanish rule in Cuba will be laid before our members of Congress. This will help them in their consideration of BARTOLOME MASSO, = — the Cuban question, and prove con- Vice-President of the Cuban Republic. ‘ ‘ . clusively that our cause is as just as was the cause of the Americans in the Revolution. There will be no argument about annexation. What we demand, what we must have first of all is independence. It is too late now to consider any scheme of home-rule, however feasible such a sugges- tion may have been in the past. “ Independence” is the watchword of the Cuban, first, last and all the time. On the twenty-fourth of February, 1895, the delegates of the revo- lution adopted their Constitution, solemnly declaring the separation of Cuba from the Spanish monarchy and the constitution of Cuba, as a free and independent State, under the name of the Republica de Cuba. The officials of the New Republic were chosen as follows: Presi» dent, Salvador Cisneros Betancourt, Marquis of Santa Lucia; Vice- WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. 49 President, Bartolome Masso ; Secretary of War, Carlos Roloff; Dele- gate and Minister Plenipotentiary, Tomas Estrada Palma; General- in-Chief of the Army, Maximo Gomez ; Lieutenant-General, Antonio Maceo ; Major-Generals, Serafin Sanchez, Francisco M. Carrillo. From the united voice of the American press, from resolutions offered in Congress, and every other possible source, there were expressions of sympathy for the “Queen of the Antilles” in her gallant struggle for liberty. The following poem aptly voices the feeling of the American people: For Cuba. BY MAURICE THOMPSON. Have you heard the call from Cuba Coming northward on the breeze? Have you seen the dark cloud hanging To the southward o'er the seas ? It is a gasp for liberty, That shudders on the air; Spain has relit her torture-fires, And men are writhing there. Oppression’s tempest gathers force, Its tidal wave rolls high ; Old Europe’s shadow dims the stars We kindled in the sky. The time is come for action, Now let the right prevail; Shall all our boasted sympathy With slaves downtrodden fail ? Shall we be mockers of the faith By which our course was set ? Shall we deny what we received From men like Lafayette ? Help! help ! the swarthy patriots cry, While Spaniards beat them down, Because they will not bend the knee To one who wears a crown, 50 WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. The hoary, medizeval lie, That robes the power of kings, And rivets chains on bleeding hands, Once more its logic brings. At subtle diplomatic pleas Let free-born statesmen scoff; Poor, drowning Cuba grips our skirt,— Shall Freedom shake her off? Oh no! fling out the fleet and flag, To shield her from the storm, And let that splendid Island feel The clasp of Freedom’s arm. Early it became evident that there was a strong feeling throughout America, extending to our lawmakers at Washington, in favor of the Cuban cause. Senator Frye of Maine said: “Tf Spain, by her actions at any time, justified us in so doing, I would seize and hold Cuba against the world. This Island has been nothing but a sponge to be squeezed by Spain, utterly regardless of the interests of the people living there. Annexed to our country it would soon become a paradise. As the residents are entirely fit for American citizenship, I regard the acquisition of Cuba, as impera- tively demanded, commercially and politically.” The revolution in Cuba was the subject of a good deal of anxious conversation among public men in Washington. The fact that the previous rebellion lasted for ten years, and cost such a large sum of money to Spain, which, however, she has since shouldered on Cuba, led many of the public men to believe that the present outbreak would be much more serious. It started out under much better con | ditions than the last rebellion, and the fact that Spain was sending such a large body of troops to Cuba conclusively demonstrated to the , Mind of the public that the revolution was a very serious affair. While there was no disposition to act unfriendly to Spain, the sym. pathies of the public men in Washington were all with the Cubans. It was recognized that the Island had been outrageously treated by Spain and that the financial burdens imposed on it were more than WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. 51 the people could bear. Every fresh trouble would add to the burdens , of Cuba because Spain makes Cuba pay the cost of putting down the revolution, and bear every item of expense incurred by Spain in be- half of Cuba. ‘A prominent Senator remarked that sooner or later Cuba would be a part of the United States, and that while people might smile over the outspoken words of Senator Frye and Senator Call on the sub: ject, yet nine out of every ten members agreed with Mr. Frye and Mr. Call on this subject. LAND VIEW OF MORRO CASTLE. Owned by the United States, Cuba would be tremendously pros- perous and would save this country from importing from any other nation sugar, tobacco, oranges and other things now largely im- potted: This feeling would lead to a good deal of aid being given indirectly to the revolutionists. It was agreed that the Government would enforce the neutrality laws in every manner possible, but it would be absolutely impossible to prevent small expeditions from reaching Cuba from the coast of Florida. The Spanish Minister complained because munitions of war were allowed to be shipped from the United States to Central Ameri- . 62 WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. can States, when the Minister maintained that they were intended for Cuban revolutionists. But there is no law whatever to stop the sale of munitions of war during a time of peace, even to Cubans, and according to Spain, Cuba was now in astate of peace. Even custom- house officers were under a false impression in regard to this matter. If Spain should declare a state of war in Cuba then the circumstances would be different. Minister Murauga notified this Government that a torpedo boat was being fitted out in the United States for West Indian waters, and asked that its departure be prevented. If this boat tried to leave the United States ina completed condition it might be seized, asa neutral government is bound to restrain the fitting out or sailing of armed cruisers of belligerents, as determined in the Alabama case. But in 1879 Secretary Evarts’ ruled in reply to an inquiry from Secretary Sherman, that “a torpedo launch, in five sections, ready to be set up, though contraband of war, may be exported from the United States without breach of neutrality.” From an Eminent American. Our Consul General, Ramon Williams, of Havana, sent to the State’ Department a remarkable argument against the continuance of Span- ish rule in Cuba and in favor of tariff independence. Reporting under date of February 5, 1895, regarding the American flour market in the Island, he wrote: “Spain is the only country beside the United States that now sends flour to the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico. But its importation from Spain is done in violation of the natural economic law and at the expense of Cuba by lessening the purchasing power of her exports in their exchange for her imports; for there is scarcely a vestige of natural economic tie remaining between these colonies and their miother country, statistics proving, particularly in the case of Cuba, that they have to send nearly all their exports for outlet to the United States, the beet sugar of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Russia and other countries having excluded the cane sugars of all the West India Islands as well as those of Brazil and the WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. 53 Hawaiian Islands from the markets of Europe, leaving them depen- dent on that of the United States. For the effects are tantamount to a second bounty wrought by Spanish legislation in favor of all other sugar-producing countries against Cuba and Puerto Rico.” Consul General Williams closed his report by instituting a com- parison between the present economic policy of Great Britain toward her sugar-producing West Indian possessions and that of Spain toward Cuba, greatly to the disparagement of Spain. Mr. Williams enclosed translations of articles published in leading newspapers of Cuba, and said: “ These publications will likewise convey to the department samples of the public discontent prevailing here against the ~ommercial sub- jection in which the island is still held by the mother country.” Thousands of Troops. Patriotic Cuban circles were much excited over the coming of General Martinez Campos with a couple of million dollars in cash, a lot of troops and a large personal prestige. It was the same old story of thousands of troops sent by the mother country to suppress Cuban insurrection. Without inquiring for the causes of the rebel- lious feeling, and seeking a lasting remedy, one in keeping with justice and humanity, the answer to Cuba’s revolution was guns and General Campos. When he arrived he issued from Santiago de Cuba a proclamation offering pardon to all insurgents, with the ex- ception of the leaders, who would lay down their arms and surren- der. He made preparations to immediately pursue the members 0° the bands who refused to come in under the proclamation, and the warfare against them was to be waged vigorously. Governor-General Campos pledged himself to carry out all the promised political and economical reforms for the Island if he was supported. He thought the rebellion would soon be crushed, but that the entire pacification of the Island would require a long time Campos warned the planters in the interior against aiding the insurgents. A newspaper correspondent had an interview with the new Captain- $4 WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. General of Cuba before he embarked for Manzanillo. He remained in Santiago de Cuba only two days, and nearly every moment of the time was occupied in making changes of military commanders, receiving deputations and holding consultations with subordinates. General Campos said he understood that the press of the United States had sent several representatives to Cuba to study the situation. He felt gratified that there was a desire to obtain facts, and he wel- comed such investigation. Asked if he proposed to take the field, A REVOLUTIONARY OUTPOST. he replied: “I expect to go everywhere. I intend to direct the movements of the army, and to conduct operations that will tend to secure law and order throughout the island.” “Shall you remain here or go to Havana ?” The Marshal replied indirectly ; said he expected to leave Santiago that evening, but would return. “ Are you taking any step in rhe “ Allianca” affair?” The Captain-General shook his head slightly in a deprecating manner, and said the subject was being considered by Sefior Dupuy de Lome, Spain’s new Minister to Washington. “Sefior Lome isa WHY CUBA DEMANDS SELF-GOVERNMENT. 83 diplomat,” the Generali remarked, “and the question is for the diplo- mats of Spain and the United States to consider. Spain desires to be at peace with the United States and with all other nations.” He was asked how many revolutionists are in the field. “There is no army,” was the reply. “Small guerrilla bands are scattered about the interior at the eastern end of the Island. The country is thinly settled, and very difficult for an army to operate in. A few men who know the paths can roam about in the chapparal, and their capture is difficult. The United States had much trouble with guerrilla bands during the Civil War.” He was asked what disposition would be made of the members of Maceo’s party, imprisoned at Guantanamo. The Marshal shook his head emphatically, and said rather quickly: “They are in the hands of the law.” Then he added: “I do not propose to be severe with- out reason. When those in arms put them aside and submit, they will be well received.” “ How about the leaders?” The Marshal answered by referriny to his proclamation, in which amnesty was made the reward for sur render, but the leaders were not included. The Captain-General, at the close of the interview, declined to issue to the correspondent a special permit to travel in the interior, but said: “The country is before you; go and see for yourself. Your passport as a citizen o the United States will protect you in legitimate travel.” CHAPTER IV. Beginning of the War. ETWEEN April 1% and 12th, 1895, Marti and Gomez, the B Cuban exiles, with a handful of companions, landed at Baracoa, on the eastern coast of Cuba, and proclaimed the republic. The effect of this bold move was instantaneous. The news spread from end to end of the Island, and although the friends of Cuba thought the movement ill-timed, hundreds of sympathizers flocked to the patriot standard. Like a prairie fire before a brisk breeze, the single spark of insurrection fired the dry tinder of the oppressed Cubans, and the rebellion grew in volume as it flew westward. This is not Spain’s first experience of the temper of her colony. For the past seventy years conspiracy, insurrection, rebellion and red war have followed one another in endless progression. A few words will suffice to explain the causes leading up to the latest revolution. Cuba became a possession of Spain by the right of discovery on Columbus’ second voyage. He named it Juana, after the son .of Ferdinand and Isabella, and it has successively been known as Juana, Fernandina, Santiago, Ave Maria and Cuba, the latter being the native name of the “Queen of the Antilles.” It was colonized by Spain, and its early history is a series of sacks and ravages by Euro- peaa foes. Not until the rule of Captain-General Las Casas, begin- ning 1790, did prosperity begin. Under his guidance agriculture and commerce flourish understand the progress of events, it is necessary to describe the campaign of the insurgents in the province of Pinar. .del Rio. - When Gomez retired from this province he left Maceo there, and took up a position east of the Spanish line, where he remained near, but refused to give battle to the Spanish. He had been waiting for Maceo’s work to be finished. All this time he has been within ten miles of Havana, and never more than twenty-five miles away. The highest officers in command of the field operations of the Spanish, commenting upon the strength of the new “ wall of men,” said that “if only Gomez were in so tight a place as Maceo, both would soon be wiped out, as they were hopelessly separated, Maceo burdened with wounded men, and Gomez between lines rapidly converging.” A March of Repeated Victories. ‘yhe truth is that they had not endeavored to meet, but Maceo had gone to the extreme end of Cuba, occupying its most western city, driving the garrison of that town down to the shore, where they fought on the sand-beach, under the fire of a Spanish cruiser out at sea. Maceo’s march had been one of repeated victories. Towns surrendered without resistance ; around others there were some slight encounters. Portions of several Spanish garrisons joined the revolue tionists with their arms. More than 2,000 recruits were made. The new government wa« established 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 other less important places. The capital of the province, Pinar del Rio City, was the one place of great importance that held out, but it was cut off from communi. cation with its port, Colon, and was short of provisions. One supply sent by the Spanish for its relief, 100,000 rations, fe)! into Maceo’s hands. Maceo’s march began as soon as he had left Gomez, near the lower border, between Havana and Pinar del Rio provinces He had 2,000 68 INSURGENT CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN CUBA. mounted men, all armed, in divisions under Gens. Zayas, Varuna, ,,Vivo and Gomez Rubio. Almost immediately the forces were “ divided, Maceo, with the main body, moving southwest, and a small division, under Varona, taking a western course through the northern country, to reunite with Maceo at the western extremity of the pro- vince. In this way it was designed to cover at once the sides of a great loop, embracing every important point in the province. The Spanish Forces Scattered. Gomez’s retreat had been misunderstood by the Spanish, and when Maceo moved, the Spanish forces were scattered and unprepared to check him, being to the east, where they supposed the centre of operations was to remain, near Gomez. With trifling losses, and the wounding of but a handful of his men, Maceo entered Candelaria and San Cristobal on the same day, the third of his marcl.. ° In San Cristobal the Spanish flag on the government building was replaced by the emblem of the new republic, a mayor ana city officials were appointed, resolutions were adopted by the new authorities, and, after all the arms in the town had been collected, and forty or fifty mounted recruits had been made, Maceo remained a day to rest his men and horses, and moved on the following morning at daybreak toward Palacios, just north of which lies Banos de San Diego. He took both these places, and the same scenes were repeated, the people decorating their houses and flying white flags from every roof asa token of their allegiance to the cause. By this time the Spanish saw the trend of Maceo’s plans, and Generals Nevarro and Luque were ordered to pursue the insurgent army, reinforcements at the same time being ordered to Pinar del Rio City. The garrison at Guanajay was strengthened, and an additional force was dispatched from Havana to proceed on a steamer along the south coast to Columa, to reach Pinar del Rio, if possible, before Maceo had arrived. Nevarro made all haste, but was not out of sight of Guanajay, where he had left the terminus of the railroad, before he came upon burning cane fields, whose owners had disobeyed Gomez’s prociama- INSURGENT CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN CUBA. _ 69 tion against grinding. Navarro and Luque had together 5,000 infantry, 200 cavalry and 11 pieces of artillery. They found that the cattle had been gathered up by insurgents or hidden by their owners, but, learning that Maceo was at least two days’ march ahead, they were able to move with freedom, and by forced marches came to the San Juan del Rio sugar estate, where the next day General Navarro met General Arizon’s command, which had encountered Maceo's rear guard the previous day. Arizon had lost, as nearly as can be learned, five men, and had several wounded, and was waiting there to join Navarro’s division. General Navarro had sent a detachment after the smaller body of insurgents moving on the north, but further than a few encounters with some small bands, which may have been either skirmish lines or independent companies of insurgents, their pursuit was fruitless, and they arrived at Cabanas, on the north coast, the day after the insur- gents had taken the place, disarmed the volunteer garrison, secured 11,000 rounds of ammunition, and retired with the loss of two men. This loss was confirmed by the Spanish official reports. Fled in Disorder. To come back to General Navarro, after being joined at the San Juan estate by Arizon’s command, he moved on toward Quivera Hacha, and near there came up to Maceo, who had meantime estab- lished the insurgent government in Consolacion and Rio Hondo, and was preparing to move upon Pinar del Rio City. Near Quivera Hacha Navarro’s skirmishers encountered a small band of mounted insurgents. There was rapid firing, and almost instantly 400 of the insurgents rode down upon Navarro’s extreme vanguard, under Lieu- tenant La Torre, and came within fifty yards, shouting ‘“ Machete,” firing but few shots and retiring without attacking. The cry of “Machete,” the name of the half-sword-like weapons which the Cubans use with such deadly effect in much of their fighting, terrified the Spanish, and considerable disorder followed. Fearing that all Maceo’s army was at hand, lines of battle were quickly formed, the main body being well protected by a cactus 70 INSURGENT CAMPAIGN 1N WESTERN CUBA. fence. Two divisions were deployed right and left in cane fields, part of which had been burned. About 1,000 of Maceo’s men were on higher ground, and although firing lasted twenty minutes, the losses on either side were not serious when the insurgents withdrew. None sf Nevarro’s cavalry or artillery took part in the action. The Spanish followed them, prepared for an ambush at any moment, as the cane and underbrush were dense, but reached the Begona sugar estate safely, where, coming out into the open, they were within sight of 1000 of Maceo’s men, two miles southwest, moving away. The Spanish during the day lost, according to the best information from both sides, about twenty-five men killed and wounded. Regarding Maceo’s losses the Spanish report said: ‘“ The rebels must have lost several men.” Gen. Maceo at the Front. The Cubans say they did not lose a man, and no dead were found on the field. At the Begona estate Gen. Navarro learned that he had been engaged with only a small part of Maceo’s forces, and that the main command was at the Armendares estate. The seat of operations at once changed to the vicinity of Pinar del Rio, Gen. Luque succeeding Gen. Navarro in command of the aggres- sive movements against Maceo, who, learning of the relief being sent to the city, tried to intercept it, probably in expectation of the valu. able capture which he subsequently made. His rapid progress with his cavalry, the Spanish following on foot, of course resulted in several days passing without an engagement. The first encounter took place on January 17, 1896, about five miles south of the city. It was nothing more than a skirmish, neither side suffering, and that night Gen. Luque left part of his forces at the village of St. Luis, through which Maceo had passed two hours ahead of him. He took his main body to Pinar del Rio. During the night he learned that Maceo had taken a position at Tirado, commanding the road to Coloma, between Pinar del Rio and the coast. {twas over this road that the wagon train from the coast was to bring up the supplies to Pinar del Rio. General Luque INSURGENT CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN CUBA. 75 hastened at daylight to drive the insurgents back, but found Maceo strongly entrenched within three miles of the city. This was the morning of the 18th. Luque came upon Maceo’s vanguard under Colonel Velasco, but the moment the attack was made he found himself under fire from the tops of two low hills on both sides of the road, where the insur- gents were well protected. They were in such an advantageous posi- tion that Luque sustained severe losses without 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 mak- ing a stand. With the San Quintin battalion he held the road, send- ing Colonel Hernandez to the right, while another division advanced on the left. The attack was successful. The Spanish made a magni- ficent effort under the withering fire, but both divisions swept Maceo’s - forces before them, not, however, until they had left the field scattered with their own dead and wounded. The Spanish General Surprised. 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 two thousand of Maceo’s men, was directed all of Luque’s command, over four thousand infantry, two hundred cavalry and eleven pieces of artillery. At least half of Maceo’s army, certainly not less than two thousand cavalry, had been moving to Luque’s rear and came upon him, sur- ' prising him just as this second attack was being made. For a time it was a question whether Luque’s command would not ' be wiped out. They were practically surrounded by Maceo’s men, and for fully an hour and a half the fighting was desperate. It is impossible to unravel the stories of both sides so as to arrive at a clear idea of the encounter. Hernandez’s right wing had been weakened by the withdrawal of part of the San Quintin battalion, 72 INSURGENT CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN CUBA. and when five companies of the insurgents fell upon him he suffered so quickly that Luque sent two battalions to his assistance. Her- nandez then succeeded in gaining the hill, where one division of the insurgents was stationed, but not until a cavalry charge had been repelled and seven pieces of the artillery had been turned upon it. When the cannonading ceased four companies of infantry charged up the hill and occupied it before the insurgents, 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 insurgent forces then withdrew to a piece of woods and made another stand about a quarter of a mile from the field where the fight had taken place. General Luque, however, withdrew his shattered forces to Pinar del Rio. The battle had lasted from 9.15 to 11.30. Maceo had about forty of his men wounded and left four dead on the field, taking 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 numbe to 300, and finally to the statement that “the enemy’s losses must have been enormous ’”’—the usual phrase when the true number is humiliating. Luque’s loss has never been officially reported. It is variously estimated between fifty and one hundred men, but his defeat was severest in the failure to save the supply train. Seventeen loaded wagons and twenty pack mules carrying 100,000 rations and perhaps 10,000 rounds of ammunition were in Maceo’s hands at the end of the fight. CHAPTER VI. Downfall of General Campos. HEN the Spanish government sent tens of thousands of troops to Cuba, it evidently imagined the revolution would soon be smothered. General Campos had shown his prowess and military skill on many occasions and was considered the ablest commander in the Spanish army. It was thought that he would soon be able to overtake the insurrection and quench its fires. We have arrived now at a point where his complete failure must be recorded. : It was made plain that he had a larger contract on hand than he was able with all his hosts to carry out. Repeated dispatches had been sent abroad telling of his military movements and successes, but after he had been nine months in Cuba, the stubborn fact still remained that he did not hold the Island, and the ‘fires of the revolu- tion were burning higher and brighter than ever. The insurgents roamed over many parts of the Island at their own sweet will. Their leaders had not been captured and the promised era of peace had not come. _ Secret expeditions from the United States had landed on the Cuban shores in spite of all the vigilance of Spanish ships on the sea and armed bodies of troops on land. Such aid was likely to be furnished to an unlimited extent. The sympathy of high officials in our government with the cause of Cuba was pronounced and emphatic. Arms and ammunition in some mysterious way were constantly shipped, and the spirit of revolution was fanned by the national senti- ment of the United States. General Campos could not do impossi- bilities. The stars in their courses were fighting against him. The government at Madrid became dissatisfied, censorious, and was ready to recall its favorite general as unequal to the situation. The old a 73 74 DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. Spanisn zlement in Cuba, sympathizing with the mother country, became restless and turbulent. The war was costing immense sums of money and nothing apparently was being gained. Heavier taxes would have to be imposed upon the people of Cuba, and this, together with the destruction caused by the movements of both the Spanish and the Cuban armies, frightened the people in the large towns and caused them almost to rise in rebellion, not merely against the insur- gents, but against the home government. About the middle of January, 1896, there was, at Havana, a strong feeling of distrust. On the Exchange the anti-Spanish sentiment was shown in something like seditious utterances. Several colonels and officers of volunteers who were present made speeches against Cap- tain-General Campos, and a general protest was expressed against his military inactivity and over-humane policy. Proposition to Lynch the Captain-General. One major of volunteers proposed that Campos be either forced to resign or be lynched, and the speech was met by cheers from various Spanish merchants. The majority of the representatives of Spanish business houses present signed a petition to close the Exchange, and many favored closing the stores as a protest against Campos’ perman- ence in the Island. A delegation from the volunteer corps’ officers was named to wait on Campos and insist that Pando be called and given full military command and that Campos either radically change his political policy. or else resign the governorship. The Spanish sentiment against him :was increasing hourly, and trouble was feared. Several foreign ves- sels in the port, by the direction of their consignees, suspended the discharge of their cargoes, awaiting the outcome of the affair. Lieutenant-General Marin was hurriedly called from Matanzas, and had a consultation with the Captain-General. Campos depended upon the regular forces and upon the fleet to support him in the event of trouble, but there were few troops in Havana, most of the co|umns being out after Gomez and Maceo, and, unfortunately, all the warships were away cruising up and down the coast. DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. 76 A significant editorial appeared in the “Diario de Marino,” the organ of the Reformist party, saying that the country and business circles could not longer stand the crisis, and openly intimating that if Campos could neither crush the revolution nor effect immediate peace the time had come for a new trial, as no time must be lost in the face of the growing strength of the rebel movement. The next news was that Director-General Martinez Campos had decided to retire from the command of the Spanish forces in Cuba and from the direction of the campaign against the insurgents. This decision was arrived at after his conference with representatives of the three political parties in Cuba, when he found that two out of the three were unalterably opposed to him and his methods. General Martinez Campos did not tell the committee immediately of his decision, but it was understood that he was positive about it, and that his successor would probably assume command of the Spanish army as military governor of Cuba in a short time. The General’s Decision. It was understood that at the conference General Campos asked each of the leaders his opinion. The leader representing the Auton- omist party expressed complete satisfaction with the conduct of the campaign, but the leaders of the Reformists and Conservatives ex- pressed contrary opinions. General Campos at the conclusion of the conference, informed the committee of his decision to consult the government at Madrid. A more detailed account of the Spanish General's failure was given under date of Jan. 16th, as follows: “More grave, every hour, is the state of affairs here, if the feeling of the people is a true barometer. Events now occurring are caus- ing a loud protest against Campos’ method in carrying on the war, and since Gomez has escaped from what Spain believed was a trap in which his downfall was inevitable he is spreading uninterrupted ruin wherever he goes. Spaniards are both angry and discouraged. And the Cubans in Havana are more cautious in their conversation not to tay too much to reveal their interest in the insurgent victories, 76 DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. “A demonstration was made in Havana yesterday, which the censorship has not yet permitted to be published in the local papers or sent out on the cable. A newspaper, the ‘ Diario de la Marina,’ the most conservative organ, notwithstanding the Spanish control of all publications, pudtished a strong editorial criticising as bitterly as the most diplomatic phrases could express, the fruitless results of the methods being used to ‘suppress the rebels,’ and, pointing to the gravity of the situation, declared, reservedly, that public opinion had reached such a stage that it could no longer refrain from giving ex- pression to the general conviction that heroic measures should be adopted at once. Bold Move by Spanish Merchants. “ This was followed later in the day by a meeting of the Produce Exchanges, in which, though its session was supposed to be ex- ecutive, it-is said a number of the merchants of the city participated. Some iively scenes occurred, and the body reached the point of pass- ing resolutions condemning the methods of Campos, when they were side-tracked by a proposition that the merchants, in a body, should surrender their houses to the government and close their places of business as a more effective expression of their dissatisfaction. Busi- ness is being ruined. Prices are at war figures. “Money is scarce,and to make clearer what may have forced others to join in the protests it may be mentioned that the bonds of the railroads are practically abandoned by the companies owning them, sold recently above par, and to-day, when offered by a man forced to sell, found no bidder at 50. The meeting of the merchants, however, adjourned without action after it was decided to make no further manifestation of displeasure for the moment than to compli- ment the newspaper mentioned for the stand it had taken. “ Only two weeks ago, when Campos returned from his unsuccess- ful pursuit of the rebels, the same merchants joined a great de- monstration on the streets of the city, expressing the confidence of all parties in the wise methods of the Government and the ultimate successful crushing out of the revolution. That indicates the change DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. 77? of public sentiment and the increasing gravity of affairs. The majority, however bitter the criticism, seem to hesitate in demanding the retirement of Campos from the leadership, but express their desire that he shall change his methods and aggressively force an issue with the insurgents. “A significant thing about it is that they do not offer one sugges- tion. If Campos, exercising the authority he possesses, command- ing a besieged city, were to call these men before him and say, | What shall I do?’ they would retire as much at sea as they de- clare him, to be. Chasing cavalry with poor infantry, when the troops are as well mounted as Gomez’s forces, and as skillful in separating into several divisions, which flee in as many directions, to congregate later in a country they know so perfectly, is what Campos has been doing for along time. And he has not met with marked success. Indignant Protests. “The protests are arising from the representative merchants of Havana. There are some of the richest and most prominent men of the Island in their number. All three parties, rigid as are their lines in other matters, are united on this point. They are old Conserva- tives who have long stood for almost anything, provided Spain was uppermost; the Reformists who demand more and want certain liberties for Cuba, and the Autonomists, who claim that they would retain Spanish sovereignty, but want Cuba to largely govern herself with an autonomy in reality, which Spain has in the past promised, but never fulfilled. These protests may move Campos to change his methods, even if he can devise any change that is promising, but it is probable that if any concerted effort is made to close the business places of Havana, he will deal summarily with the men who engage in it. “He has manifested a disposition to do this already. When the railroad companies decided to suspend operations, he called the general manager before him. Ina stormy interview which occurred, Campos, it is declared, said, ‘If you attempt to do so, I'll seize all your property and use it for our own facilities.’ The reply is said to 78 DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. have been: ‘We wish you would if it will end the war. But the Government has not protected us; many of our engines are wrecked, our cars burned or destroyed in derailments, viaducts and tracks torn up, we can go no further alone without being ruined.’” Thus it will be seen that there was widespread dissatisfaction with General Campos. To add to the general discontent, news came of another success gained by the insurgents. The details of the taking of the seaport Cabanas, on the north coast, west of Havana, were now coming in and being discussed in the city with more than usual interest. Of course it indicated that nearly all that was heard at first was more or less untrue. The burning of so many buildings in the large town of Bejucal, almost in sight of Havana, was given less importance now than the Cabanas incident, because Cabanas is a sea- port, and the contention from the beginning was that the rebels had never taken a seaport, or at least one of any importance. Wild Charge of Cavalry. Gomez, it was now known, descended upon the town and demanded its surrender. The garrison refused. The gunboat “ Alerta” was in the bay, and there were marines on shore for their assistance. Gomez's lieutenant, a dashing young fellow of about thirty, was fired on when he approached with the message, but he retired jeering at the soldiers who fired so wildly that not one shot took effect. Gomez’s cavalry, it is said about 2,000 strong, descended with a rush on the city, and, invading the streets, drove the Spanish troops into the church. ° The firing was resumed from the roof and tower of the church, but Gomez’s men succeeded in setting fire to the structure, and the regu- lars were forced to surrender. Meanwhile the gunboat also retired. It stopped farther out in the bay, and, according to the Spanish reports, “ placed several perfectly directed shells into the city, doing terrible execution.” Gomez retired after he had sacked the town and burned a part of it, having taken 11,000 rounds of ammunition and a considerable quantity of arms. Despite the demonstration made over the marksmanship displayed by their gunboat, the gov- oe DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. 79 ernment reported that only two rebels had been killed. No mention was made in the official reports about the loss on the Spanish side. These details were not reassuring in Havana, because it was said , by one of the leading Spanish residents of the city: “Gomez began ‘by simply burning some cane fields in the far eastern end of. the Island. Then he began to destroy great estates. Then he moved all over the Island. He began to burn little villages, and now he is not only taking such places as Bejucal, with 8,000 inhabitants, but has captured a seaport, occupied it as long as he wished and retired with rich booty. It is bad and growing worse. Great things must be done at once.” Another Important Capture. In addition to this, word came into the city that another important town of 3,000 population had been taken and burned. Although Gomez was supposed to be still east of Havana, since his escape through “the wall” of men across the narrow part of the. island, the town was San Jose de la Yeargas, west of Havana, in the province of Pinar del Rio, which Gomez invaded when his capture was planned. The report was even admitted as a“ rumor” by some of the Spanish, whose admission that a rumor is circulating does not generally occur until after the exaggerated reports which the Cubans have been spreading have pretty generally been accepted as carrying more or less fact. It was said that the town was partially destroyed after the garrison had been driven out, and that the loss of life on both sides was small. The truth about Gomez’s successful operations within sight, almost, of Havana had not been permitted to go out by cable. He had been so successful that amazement hardly expressed the feeling of the ‘Spanish. About ten days before this the statement reached the world that Campos had Gomez trapped; that the rebels had left the mountains at last and entered the open country in the narrow western province of Havana, on their way into the extreme western province of Pinar del Rio ; that Campos had thrown “a wall of men” suddenly across the Island west of Havana from near Guanajay to the south ‘coast and had hemmed in Gomez and his “band of raiders,” cutting 80 DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. them off from their eastern strongholds, so that it was only a question of days before the whole outfit would be shot down or the residue marched into Havana with a bayonet at every man’s back. It was not made clear why Campos was in Havana when Gomez was crossing the open country back of the city. The Spanish said he stayed in the city because it was necessary to the laying of the trap. The Cubans pointed to the reason in the short campaign which Campos made some days before. His generals had been receiving his daily instructions to “go out and find the rebels; hunt them up and make them fight.” They had been coming home empty-handed ‘so long that he became dissatisfied and went out, saying: “I'll show you how.” He went eastward with a considerable column and met Gomez himself at Mal Tiempo. There was not a pitched battle, but some severe fighting occurred with the rear-guard, Gomez avoiding a decisive issue by his peculiar tactics in battle. At any rate Campos moved his headquarters next night toward Havana—“ fell back,” the Cubans called it. Campos called it an “advantageous change in the base of operations.” . Fell Back to Havana. The rebels continued their skirmishing and there were encounters where a couple of thousand men on each side were engaged, and the next night Campos fell back again. The next day came no change. It began to look as if Campos experienced Jess trouble than his generals in finding rebels, and for the third time Campos moved his quarters back nearer Havana. The next day he arrived in the city. The Cubans said that Campos on his arrival was unstrung, that he declared the situation graver than he had before believed it to be. Some who were in the streets watching the return of the troops con- firmed this, or refused to discuss it. And the Spanish said that Campos returned because he believed that Havana was to be attacked by the insurgents, and the defense of only 20,000 troops made it necessary for him to throw his column into the city at once. The Cubans called this a retreat. It was when Campos was in the city, whatever the real cause may DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. 81 have been, that Gomez came within a dozen miles of Havana, burning villages and plantations right and left, cutting the railroad lines as he had been doing further out, and driving out after disarming the gar- risons he found defending them. When Gomez got into the west he found the whole country ready to receive him. He was soon joined by more of his troops, and while all accounts vary it is fairly probable that he had 4,000 cavalry with him when Campos threw the “wall of men” across the island, and the censor permitted it to be announced to the world that the trap had been sprung. The Garrison Surrenders. The trap was still set, but Gomez passed ‘‘the wall” captured Bejucal, a town of 8,000 people only twelve miles south of the city, and was again east of Havana. Various reports were coming in about the taking of the city, most of them agreeing only that Campos left a strong garrison there, that it surrendered with slight resistance, and that the railroad station in the centre of the city, with thirty-five buildings, was burned. There was not the slightest doubt in Havana after the capture of Bejucal andthe new move of Gomez occurred, that information of the movements of Gomez’s generals indicated the gathering of ten or twelve thousand insurgent cavalry within the provinces of Matanzas and Havana. The Spanish, in the information which they permitted Havana to receive, but cut off from the rest of the world, made no concealment of their alarm, although they would not of course permit any ex- pression of just what they feared would occur. Yet they declared that they wished for nothing so much as a chance for a decisive battle. Meanwhile, divisions of the Cuban army were apparently hurrying eastward to join Gomez. That they were doing so for some other \purpose than to rescue Gomez was apparent from the nature of their progress. Gomez had no difficulty in carrying to a successful issue his western campaign and went back through “the wall” out of the trap without even one battle. Now, the troops he left behind had been ordered to join Maceo, and the first of them reached Matanzas undet General Cespedes, They were less than one hundred and fifty miles 6 82 DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. from Havana. Generals Jose Maceo and Rabi, with other divisions ~ between Puerto Principe and Santa Clara, moved all in the same direction toward Gomez, but their progress was not made as if they had in mind at any time a fear for Gomez’s safety while west of ‘Havana. The Cubans said 25,000 mounted men were in these divisions. They may have had 10,000, but the insurgents were almost without exception finely mounted. Furthermore, théy controlled all the railroads in Cuba. They cut up the lines, burned bridges, destroyed rolling-stock, and ruined the business of the roads. Within a few hours they notified the engi- neers and conductors of the trains still moving on a few sections that they would be shot if they carried Spanish troops again. No Protection from thé"Government. The Spanish troops might man their own trains; but tke first event to follow the new order was the announcement that the rail- road companies would no longer attempt to repair their tracks or viaducts. They lost all their traffic and spent thousands upon thousands of dollars in repairing breaks, but the Spanish Govern- ment neither protected them nor gave them even a Spanish promise to pay the loss. Of course, considering the claim that the Cubans were rioters and raiders, and that actual war did not exist, the com- pany expected the protection of the State from rioters. From this time on the railroads were solely in the hands of the Spanish Government, theoretically; of the insurgents, practically. This action of the companies, which are largely owned by foreign investors, is received in Havana as significant of more than the mere deserting of a losing enterprise. With affairs at this point the question at once arose whether the event for which all the world was waiting, the capture of Havana, was possible for Gomez, and whether Gomez would make the attempt Gomez, in all probability, could have taken Havana. It is just as. certain that Gomez knew the chances of his success in an attack. The question to be settled was whether he wished to do so. He had done about everything he had said he would do since the DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. 83 first wave of the revolution gathered itself at the eastern end of the Island in February, 1895, for the sweep it had just finished in the ‘western extremity. Yet he did not hold one large city. One hun- \dred and thirteen thousand Spanish soldiers fiom abroad and 806,000 volunteers from the Island (according to the Spanish official figures) were holding the cities and towns of greater importance in every province. Gomez had not made serious efforts to capture any of the strongly garrisoned places. He filled the very streets and houses of the cities, however, with smoke from the blazing plantations outside, and passed and repassed with his troops in sight of the Spanish colors, but the Spanish defended the cities successfully, they said. A Most Successful Advance. Gomez has never attacked them. He may have exhibited great wisdom in not doing so. The Spanish say he did. Gomez always disappointed Campos. His progress from Cape Maysi to Cape San Antonio had been so successful, so skillful in tactics, so resourceful in avenues of retreat when they were temporarily necessary, and his objects were so uniformly attained, that it will be one of the greatest chapters in a new nation’s history ofits birth. The ease and apparent lack of seriousness with which he walked into Campos’ trap and then walked out again is but one of a score of instances showing how his generalship proved to be more suitable to the exigencies of Cuban warfare than that of his enemies. Therefore no reason exists for accepting the supposition of the Spanish that Havana was secure from attack so long as all the other cities on the Island were safe in Spanish possession. And a part of the alarm which was felt in Havana following the unexpected massing of Gomez’s armies was due to the suspicion that he would possibly again execute exactly the opposite move from what the Spanish : generals anticipated. The foregoing facts and circumstances will give the reader a clear idea of the reasons which led to the recall of General Campos. He was unable to suppress the revolution, which had taken a firm hold on a large part of the Island. The more insurgents he condemned 84 DOWNFALL OF GENERAL CAMPOS. and executed, the more came forward to fill their places and risk everything in the cause of freedom. In many instances when he suc-- ceeded in getting into close quarters with his foes, they eluded him and slipped from his grasp. The home government grew impatient and began openly to proclaim hisincompetency. Realizing this and feeling that he was unequal tothe task assigned him, General Campos signified his willingness to retire from the field. The government at Madrid believed that his measures were not sufficiently severe and thorough. It was much easier three thousand miles away to imagine how a war should be carried on than it was to win the battles on the ground. With a public demonstra- tion and a show of regret General Campos left the Island. CHAPTER VII. General Weyler in Cuba. HERE was a good deal of consternation in Cuban circles when it was announced that General Weyler was to be made Captain- General, and would soon appear to take charge of the Spanish army, and would suppress the revolution with a strong hand. He had been in Cuba before. He was there during the ten years’ war, beginning in 1868. He gained the reputation of being an active, spirited commander. He also gained the reputation of being a butcher. His bloody dcts followed him. It was believed that his reputation for wholesale butchery was the sole reason for his being sent to “Cuba at this time. Buc where were all the loud boasts of General Campos and Spanish officials that the fires of the revolution would soon be quenched and it would require but a few months to restore the Island to peace and tranquillity ? It was plain that the insurrection was working mightily in the blood of the people. The sense of wrong, the memory of cruel deeds, a long and wearying oppression, the im- poverished condition of the Island had stirred the spirit of ‘Cuban patriots. So, at the end of a year’s conflict, ue was still in arms; fighting for independence. The steamer “ Alfonso XilII.” arrived at Havana, Feb. 10, 1896, having on board General Valeriano Weyler, the new Captain-General of Cuba; and Generals Enrique, Barges, Federico, Ochando, Miguel Melguiso, Marquis Ahumada, Luis Castellvi, Sanchez Bernal and Juan Arolas, the latter being the well-known hero of Jolo, Philippine Islands. , The entire city was brilliantly decorated“n honor of the occasion, and the bay was a splendid sight, ail the warships and merchant craft present being decorated with bunting. The wharfs were crowded 85 F ce 4 a It Ih | iit MILITARY PROMENADE—HAVANA. GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. 87 with people at an early hour, and all the steamers and tugs were loaded with sight-seers. The Chamber of Commerce, the Bourse, all the big commercial houses and Government Departments, the Canar- ian Association, General Weyler’s countrymen and others, crowded upon the chartered steamers or about the landing-place. The troops and volunteers were turned out to a man, together with the fire department and police, and for a long time no such brilliant display had been witnessed in Havana. Among the high military officers present were Generals Suarez Valdez, Pando, Marin and Nevarro, Admiral Yanas and staff, Colonel Castanedo, Major Moriano and many others. Enthusiastic Welcome. General Weyler was welcomed by the City Council on board the “ Alfonso XIII.” He was presented with an address of welcome and assurance of loyalty. At 11 o’clock the Captain-General came ashore, and was received by General Marin and staff. The streets were packed with people, who displayed the greatest enthusiasm. In fact, rarely has a distinguished person been received so warmly as was General Weyler when he landed. There is no doubt that con- siderable real enthusiasm was manifested, in addition to the greet- ings which would naturally be bestowed upon the representative of Spain. The balconies in all the streets about the water-front and in the vicinity of the Palace were full of ladies in holiday attire, and they showered flowers upon the new commander as he passed. Besides, numerous floral offerings of the most beautiful description, prin- cipally in the shape of crowns, were presented to the General, who expressed his thanks in each case in a few brief words. He seemed to be much pleased with his reception, and upon arriving at the Palace formally took over the duties of the captain-generalship, tak- ing the oath of fealty over a crucifix and upon a Bible. General Marin administered the oath of office, and soon afterward he received the local military and civil authorities, the different corporations and the bishops and priests. _ The German warships which were in the harbor saluted th 88 GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. arrival of General Weyler, as did all the Spanish warships in port and the forts ashore. The Loyalists, of course, were out in the strongest force possible; but it may be said that the entire popula- tion of Havana turned out, and hardly a representative of the ship- ping or business interests of the city failed to make the day a holiday. After the reception of the local military and civil authori- ties, corporations and clergy was completed, General Weyler ap-~ peared upon the balcony of the Palace and reviewed the troops. His -appearance before the public was the signal for a long outburst of the most enthusiastic cheering, the firing of cannon and the sound of martial music, all the bands in the city being stationed at different points. In addition to the inhabitants of the city proper thousands of people flocked into the city from all directions before daybreak. Restrictions upon the Press. Accompanying General Weyler were Captains Gelaber and Lin- ares, who are known as “military editors.” They were to have charge of the press censorship, and it was rumored that there would be considerably more difficulty experienced in this connection by the correspondents in the future. The press regulations had been con- siderably relaxed, and not much difficulty had been experienced in getting average matter upon the cable. But, it was thought the new Captain-General would be very severe with correspondents who sent false accounts of Cuban successes or in any way brought about the pub- lication of false news. By this it was not meant that General Weyler intended to interfere with the proper liberty which the press can be allowed in war-time. It really meant only that he would -do every- thing possible to prevent the sending out of news undoubtedly false. .A disinterested observer of the situation wrote as follows under date of Feb. 10, 1896: “So far as the general situation is concerned, there is not much change. Indeed, no change of importance is expected for some days. General Weyler will first devote himself to a complete review of the operations already undertaken, and he will then figure out the situation as it actually exists. For this purpose, almost immediately GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. 89 after taking the oath of fealty, he caused orders to be sent to all the commanders in the field to draw up promptly and forward to head- quarters here complete returns of the condition of their commands, together with the state of railroads, telegraphs and public thorough- fares and the probable location and strength of the enemy in their neighborhoods. Weyler Seeks to Learn the Situation. “ This action upon the part of General Weyler is supplementary to the regular report and returns which were handed over to him by General Marin after the new Captain-General had been sworn in. While it is no reflection upon General Marin or the other Spanish commanders here or in other parts of Cuba, the Captain-General took this.step in order thoroughly to go over the ground himself, and possibly in view of the sensational reports which have been cir- culated by agents of the insurgents and others to the effect that large quantities of stores, arms and ammunition are missing from the dif- ferent depots and have found their way into the hands of the insur- gents. Between this and the tales of wholesale dishonesty circulated here and elsewhere there is quite a difference, and nobody here believes that there has been any treachery of importance. “ General Marin, who has been appointed Captain-General of Porto Rico, is expected to leave for his new post to-morrow. The exact plan of campaign of General Weyler is not known, but it is believed that it will be a very different one from that of Campos. He is likely to call in all of the small detachments of troops, which have from the first had such a weakening effect upon the Spanish operations, and will try to drive the insurgents into a position from which they cannot escape without a pitched battle. General Weyler will also do everything possible to muster as strong a force of cavalry as he can. Considerable reinforcements of this branch of the service have already arrived here, and more are expected during the week. “Some reports credit the insurgents with desiring to concentrate all their scattered detachments and columns into one body, and so bring the insurrection to a direct issue. But Spaniards here who are 90 GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. well posted on the situation say that there is no truth in the report that the insurgents will make any effort to risk a pitched battle.” Captain-General Weyler clearly defined the policy he intended to pursue in the conduct of the campaign for the suppression of the insurrection. Before he had been at Havana many hours he issued the following proclamation : “To the People of Cuba: Honored by Her Majesty, the Queen, and her Government, with the command of this Island, under the difficult circumstances now prevailing, I take charge of it with the determination that it shall never be given up by me, and that I shall keep it in the possession of Spain, willing as she is to carry out whatever sacrifice shall be required to succeed, as she has been in the past. “TI rely upon the gallantry and discipline of the army and navy, upon the patriotism, never to be subdued, of the volunteer corps, and more especially upon the support that I should be given by the loyal inhabitants, born here or in Spain. “Tt is not necessary to say that I shall be generous with the sub- dued and to all of those doing any service to the Spanish cause. But I will not lack in the decision and energy of my character to punish with all the rigor that the law enacts those who in any way shall help the enemy, or shall calumniate the prestige of our name. “Putting aside at present any idea of politics, my mission is the honorable one of finishing the war, and I only see in you the loyal Spaniards who are to assist me to defeat the insurgents. But her Majesty’s Government is aware of what you are and of what you are worthy, and the status of peace that these provinces may obtain. It will grant you, when it is deemed suitable to do so, the reforms the Government may think most proper, with the love of a mother to her children. “Inhabitants of Cuba, lend me your co-operation and in that way you will defend your interests, which are those of the country. “Long live Spanish Cuba! “Your General and Governor, “VALERIANO WEYLER, “ Marquis of Teneriffe.” GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. 91 To the Volunteers and Firemen. General Weyler also offered the following address: “Volunteers and Firemen: Being again at your head, I see in you the successors of the volunteers and firemen who fought with me in the previous war, and, with their bravery, energy and patriotism, brought about peace, defended the towns and cities and contributed most powerfully to save Cuba for Spain. Remember these virtues brighten your spirits, and, relying on my whole attention, my decisive support and my utmost confidence, lend me the same help and co- operation, and with the same ambition, save the prestige of your name and the honor of our flag, which, forever victorious, should fly over this Island. ‘ “Soldiers of the army, I greet you in the name of Her Majesty, the Queen, and of the Government. Having the honor of being at - your head, I trust that at my command you will continue to show the bravery in face of hardships proper for the Spanish soldier, and that you will confer new wreaths to add to those already attained under the command of my predecessors, Generals Martinez Campos and Sabas Marin. “On my part, answering to the great sacrifice made by the nation and using the efforts of all arms and bodies in the work entrusted to each of the organic units, I will not omit anything to place you inthe condition for obtaining the victory and the return of peace to this Island, which is what she longs for. “Sailors, I have again the satisfaction to be at your side, and { again trust that, as in Mindanao recently, you will lend me your powerful co-operation to bring peace to this Island. Thus I expect surely that you will afford me a new chance to express my thanks and my enthusiasm to the Spanish navy.” To the Military Officers. The following circular of General Weyler was addressed to the wuilitary officers : “JT have addressed my previous proclamations at the moment of 92 GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. my landing to the loyal inhabitants, to the volunteers ana nremen, and to the army and navy. “TI may give you a slight idea of the intentions I have and the measures I shall follow as Governor-General-in-Chief, in accordance with the general desire of Spain and with the decided aim of Her Majesty’s Government to furnish all the means required to control and crush this rebellion. “ Knowing this, and knowing my character, J may perhaps need to say no more to make you understand what is the conduct that I am to follow. But with the idea of avoiding all kinds of doubt, even keeping (as you are to keep) the circulars to be published, I deem it necessary to make some remarks. Determined to Aid the Local Governments. “Tt is not unknown by you that the state in which the rebellion has come and the raid made by the principal leaders recently, which could not be stopped even by the active pursuit of the columns, is due to the indifference, the fear or the disheartenment of the inhabi- tants. Since it cannot be doubted that some, seeing the burning of their property without opposition, and that others, who have been born in Spain, should sympathize with the insurgents, it is necessary at all hazards to better this state of things and to brighten the spirit of the inhabitants, making them aware that I am determined to lend all my assistance to the local inhabitants. So I am determined to. have the law fall with all its weight upon all those in any way helping the enemy, or praising them, or in any way detracting from the prestige of Spain, of its army, or of its volunteers. It is necessary for those by our side to show their intentions with deeds, and their behavior should prove that they are Spanish. “Since the defence of the country demands the sacrifice of her children, it is necessary that the towns should look to their defence, and that no precautions in the way of scouts should be lacking to give aews concerning the enemy, and whether it is in their neighbor- hood, and so that it may not happen that the enemy sheuld be better informed than we. GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. 93 “ The energy and vigor of the enemy will be strained to trace the course of our line, and in all cases you will arrest and place at my disposal to deliver to the courts those who in any way shall show their sympathy or support for the rebels. “The public spirit being heatened, you must not forget to enlist the volunteers and guerrillas in your district, this not preventing at the same time the organization, as opportunity offers, of a guerrilla band of twenty-five citizens for each battalion of the army. “T propose that you shall make the dispositions you think most proper for the carrying out of the plan I wish, but this shail not authorize you to determine anything not foreseen in the instructions, unless the urgency of some circumstances should demand it. “T expect that, confining yourself to these instructions, you wil\ lend me your worthy support towards the carrying out of my plan for the good of the Spanish cause. WEYLER.” The People Alarmed. It was considered that General Weyler’s Proclamation was poorly adapted to quiet the storm of revolution. When it was announced that he was coming, an alarm amounting almost to terror spread among the Cubans in the provinces, and every day that brought his landing nearer increased the panic. In two days fifteen hundred peo- ple fled to Matanzas from the country south. Others came into Havana from all directions. In Sabanilla, after the Spanish garrison had killed the men to whom amnesty had been granted, in revenge for their losses and defeat by the insurgents, a reign of terror began in the city. Women dared not leave their homes. In many cases they were dragged out by the Spanish and by the drunken rabble of the town, who had license given to them at the same time that protection was withdrawn from the homes. The whole matter was laid before the Captain-General, but he took no measure of relief. ° A committee of citizens came to Havana from Jovellanos, another place where the same sort of murdering had been going on. It was composed of both Spanish and Cubans. They bad no sooner returned 94 GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. unsuccessful in their mission to General Marin than the inhabitants began to leave, and more than half.the population deserted the city. The alarm spread to other places, and not without cause. Arrests ot “suspects” were made in every town where there was a Spanish garrison. In Havana “suspects” were taken every day. Of a sus- pect’s fate only one thing could be learned from the officials—‘“ He was incommunicado.” That meant that he was buried from the world. Noone but the Spanish officers were then permitted to see him, and unless his arrest was observed by some one who knew him, not one word ever reached a friend or family to explain the cause of his disappearance. The military executions are not public unless the victim is a “rebel chief” or a cause exists for a display. To be a “suspect” it is only necessary to be a “sympathizer,” and “sympathy” is not defined. Ina published statement made by Weyler just before he embarked for Cuba he is quoted as saying: “I will be inexorable toward spies and sympathizers,” and he also omitted to draw the line. In Cuba it does not mean to extend aid or comfort. Large Number of Arrests. In five days there were forty-seven arrests in Pinar del Rio “on suspicion.” From Jovellanos in Matanzas Province six hundred peo- ple fled because thirty-six “suspects” were arrested in two days. Some of these refugees reached Havana, and their story was that six of the prisoners were marched out of the city at night, that firing was heard, and that the guard returned without them. The friends of the victims were too much terrified to manifest their sympathy or attempt to recover the bodies, for fear of being themselves apprehended as suspects. " From Santiago people came to Havana with the same reports. At Hoyo Colorado, between Havana and Guanajay, the Spanish garrison took seventy-nine suspects within a few days. This town was peace- ably held by the Cuban army for several days, and while the ifisur- gents were there they hung some of the dissolute characters in the place, who had used their presence as an excuse for crime. After GENERAL WEYLER IN CUBA. 95 their retirement the Spanish moved in, and the wholesale arrests began. Before General Weyler set out from Spain a cablegram from Madrid was published in the Havana newspapers quoting him as saying: “I desire the insurgents to remain in Havana and Pinar del Rio, because there the ground is suitable for wiping them out. I believe that suspects are quite right in fleeing fiom Havana, and when I arrive many more will go.” It is significant that the newspapers of Havana in which the military censor caused this to be printed dis- played the statement in black full-face type. It is noteworthy that when Weyler was named as a possible suc- cessor to Captain-General Arias in 1894, Campos, who was not a can~ didate for the office—the choice lying between Weyler and Calleja— said: “If Weyler is nominated even the dead would rise from their graves to protest.” Calleja was appointed because affairs in Cuba were already becoming unsettled, and the Spanish Ministry feared that Weyler’s name alone would be dangerous to all interests. When- ever such methods were urged upon Campos, while he was in Cuba, he steadfastly resisted, and declared that humanity had a cal upon any nation’s acts in warfare. CHAPTER VIII. Horrible Story of Barbarity. came out concerning the battle at Paso Real, between General Luque and General Maceo’s division under Bermudez, Zayas and Chileno. From an official Spanish source and also from citizens of Paso Real, who were eye-witnesses of the battle, it was learned that the hospital was invaded, the wounded rebels killed, some of them in their beds, and that when the thirty-seven Spanish prisoners, taken in the battle outside the town, were about to be taken away, Bermudez, in retaliation for the butchery of his sick, ordered a line to be formed, and the thirty-seven were pinioned and shot. The Cubans told a horrifying tale of the fight, and declared that the hospital was the real scene of which Luque wrote in his report: “T had the satisfaction of: seeing at the end of the day sixty-two rebels dead.” Paso Real had been used for seventeen days as the insurgent hospital. Maceo had left all his wounded there when he moved into Havana province to operate with Gomez. The surrounding country was free, practically, from Spanish forces, except Luque’s command in Pinar del Rio City. Maceo counted upon reaching the people with protection if they were threatened, and when word came to him that Luque had left for Paso Real, he sent Bermudez with 1,000 cavalry to hold the town. Luque, as he said in his report, marched twenty-seven hours, almost continuously, and when he reached Paseo”. Real, he found only a small garrison there. His report says: “The rebels made a strong defense, firing from the tops of houses and along the fences around the city. The Spanish vanguard, under Colonel Hernandez, attacked the vanguard, centre and rear-guard of the rebels in the central streets of the town, driving them with con- 96 [Ps previous to General Weyler’s arrival some startling facts ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY THE HERO OF MANILA 000°69L'TS 80) “WaTY O6z X{8 puv Jopunod-9 waeqnoy WO 06 “Mer 01% toy ‘yoap [9098 pojoe}01g ‘SSuI[]VS Inoy pus ‘sung o1y-pidvs Japunod-t ! i Adoyjeq Arepuodag ‘sung aig PIdel YourT-¢ Ua} PUB SUNS YOUT-g Moy ‘K108}9Vq UTBIN “S}OUF 0 baeds ‘suo; Qug'g Gueuaaejdstp tsayoul 9 qaey Tz 4yerp {19ay &¢ ‘Ya peeaq $4907 OFS ‘PUTT Jaye UO YQSUI] { AorOS ULL, VIdWAIO Y3SSINYO SALVLS GALINA ODVILNVS LV SLNAWHONSYLNI AHL DNIYNLdVO SHONOS SALVLS GaLlinn ans ; an ae - = —~ xe VENO—-ODVILNVS YVAN AWYYV SeHSLIVHS TVYSN3SD 4O ONIGNYVTI YALAVHS TVHANAD OL OOVILNVS ONIYSQNSYYNS TIVYOL TVYHSNA9D ADMIRAL W. T. 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HOBSON YVAN L3314 HSINVdS 3HL JO NOILONYLSAG IWLOl OSVILNVS pee * GREAT AMERICAN VICTORY IN THE HARBOR OF MANILA PREPARING A TORPEDO BOAT FOR ACTION i SVNaduaVO dO YOdUVH UNV NMOL SSS ee EEE 98 HORRIBLE STORY OF BARBARITY. tinuous volleys and fierce cavalry charges into the outskirts of the town.” And all this is true. j Then General Luque says specifically that “ up to this point we had killed ten insurgents.” And there the citizens of Paso Real say that the report is also true, but that, having driven the insurgents out, the hospital was attacked, and twenty-eight men, or thirty-two (the accounts vary between these two figures), were killed. They declare that shots were fired through the windows upon men lying in cots, and that, when the doors were broken down, the rest were killed with the bayonet. A Spirited Fight. General Luque’s report continues: “ As Colonel ‘Hernandez was pursuing them (the insurgents) out of the city, he encountered 1,000 cavalry drawn up in line of battle ready to attack him.” This was Bermudez and his cavalry, who had come up at that moment. A Spanish officer who was in this fight said: “It was as hot as any fight we have ever had in this war. It seemed twice as if they were piling all over-us>° We just kept on firing, and I could see men going down on both sides. Sometimes we couldn’t see anything for the smoke, but when it cleared the men only dropped so much faster that we wanted it back again. I came away at once when the fight was over, and I don’t know what the losses were, but they must have been very large on both sides.” Of this the report says: “ The Spanish forces advanced from one position to another, firing volleys. They were met by the enemy, whose cavalry charged, coming as far as the bayonet points of the Spanish soldiers. The first time we repelled them in straight lines, the second time in circular groups.” From anything but a Spanish standpoint this peculiar progression of tactics would indicate that the Spanish straight lines were very seriously broken, and that the “ cir- cular groups” which followed were either accident or necessity, but General Luque says that it really meant that “the rebels were thus utterly dispersed and retreated in the direction of Palacios.” This part of the day’s conflict was where the thisty-seven HORRIBLE STORY OF BARBARITY.— 99 Spanish were made prisoners. It was after the fight that Bermudez learned what had occurred in the town, and then he shot them and left their bodies on the ground, where they were buried that night by the Spanish, all in one grave. General Luque reported this fight as a great victory. There are Spanish school histories which say Nelson’s fleet was defeated at Trafalgar. The Spanish newspapers at Havana were still referring to “the most glorious victory at Los Arrovos,” where in the early fall one of their strong forces was utterly defeated, and the official Spanish report of Ca:npos’ defeat »and retreat from Mal Tiempo still reads, “ Our side had but seventeen killed.” A Disastrous Campaign. Under.date of February 8th, we have an account of the operations of the Spanish General Sabas Marin, who left Havana a short time before. His campaign in search of General Gomez was disastrous, and the official reports of Spanish victories were misleading. 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 ieft Havana. Canellas left Guanajay in the morning with 1,500 infantry. His rout was known to Gomez, who sent Pedro Diaz with 400 infantry and 1,000 cavalry to engage him at the Saladrigas plantation, while the main army moved safely eastward, a few miles to the south. It was Gomez’s intention to come up in the rear of Marin between the Captain-Geneval’s forces and the Spanish line. Diaz reached Saladrigas early in the morning. Near the road the land is cut into small sections by stone fences, and a high fence fronted by a ditch faces the road. Just beyond this point is a sharp hill, around which the road turns. Behind the hill Diaz waited in concealment with the 1,000 cavalry for the sound of firing from the 400 infantry who were hidden behind the fence where Canellas was to pass. Nearly three hours they were lying there, when the head of the Spanish column appeared. The advance guard was allowed to pass, and the main body was completely in the trap when volleys 100 HORRIBLE STORY OF BARBARITY. were poured into them, fairly mowing them down. Canellas made a brave stand and attempted to dislodge the rebels, but his men were panic-stricken, and some of them had fled before he had his force under control. As the first charge was being made Diaz came down upon his Wor 7 ees ooo ” a ees \ — |e a RNS “923 e ‘ wt ” AWHH wit loabena, saccan fe, bg coayay “oa SS her pci apace i fo se CiNoy AACA a a THE OLD FORT HAVANA. flank and rear with the thousand cavalry. The onslaught was irre- sistible. Half of Diaz’s men never fired a shot, but howling “Machete!” they rode furiously upon the Spanish lines, cutting their way through with the ugly weapon of which they are such masters. Diaz had not placed enough men behind the wall to hold it, and the Spanish succeeded in gaining it after a hot struggle. They were but little better off, however, as the insurgents took cover behind another fence on the opposite side of the field. Again they were dislodged and forced back, while from the first position about half of Canellas’ force withstood the cavalry. Diaz, sheltered in under- brush and woods, kept up a scattered firing for over two hours, and then withdrew. That night Canellas remained on the battle-ground. As soon as x HORRIBLE STORY OF BARBARITY. 103 Diaz was gone, picket lines were thrown out and the burying of the dead began, It was midnight when Canellas resumed his march toward San Antonio, and when he brought in what was left of his command Marin hastened back with all his force, to the main line and went down to Quivican. No official report of this battle was issued by the Spanish. So far as the record shows it never occurred. A Spanish general admitted that Carnellas lost 200 men. An eye-witness of the fight, who reached Havana that night, said the loss was greater. Gomez's march was thus saved from interruption by Marin. The next day, while Marin was at Quivican, Gomez’s forces were near Guira, in the Havana province. Gomez ‘himself was that day at the Mirosa plan- tation, east of the Spanish line, with about 400 men. He had come down from the Bahia Honda district, through the same country Maceo was traversing. Capture of a Railroad Train. Next day, while Marin was moving trains loaded with men out over the branch road toward Guira for another move upon Gomez, occurred the second and by far the most serious of the Spanish disas- ters. It was nothing less. Diaz, until now unheard of as a rebel leader, came in behind Marin and captured a railroad train of twenty- nine cars directly on the trocha, two miles south of San Felipe. He took 1,000 Mauser rifles, 200,000 cartridges, two rapid-fire cannon and killed or captured the whole Spanish escort with the train. Then Marin returned again in all haste to Quivican. This event has been embodied in an official report, but the report agrees neither with what the Spanish permitted to be printed in the» Havana papers nor with the facts which were collected down the line. The rebels tore up the rails for a space of 300 yards. They were unmolested, as the Spanish had no idea that they would venture “into the face of death,” as they say when referring to the trocha. Furthermore, Marin was out toward Guira, again engaged in sur-. rounding Gomez. : Diaz, with 400 men, waited for the train in comparative security 102 HORRIBLE STORY OF BARBARITY. until 5 o’ctack in the afternoon. It was guarded by only forty-two Spanish soldiers, and they were part in an armored car and part scat- tered along the top of the train. The engine ran on to the broken track and rolled over into the ditch. As soon as it struck, the rebels. fired on the train, killing Major Lopez Tovezulla, who was in com- mand, a lieutenant, a sergeant and fourteen of the soldiers. Then the rest surrendered their arms and the insurgents demanded the number of the car in which the rapid-fire cannon were stored. The soldiers declared they were left behind, and then the looting of the train began. When all that the 400 men could carry had been loaded on their horses, and some mules taken from the train had been hitched to the cannon, Gen. Linares, who had heard the firing at San Felipe, came up with 2,000 infantry. The insurgents retired in the direction of Guira without waiting to engage with his force. Linareg’ men managed to save eight of the cars with part of their freight. The other twenty-two were burned, having been fired by the rebels. The train had one of the richest freights which had gone down the road in along time. It was to be put ona steamer and sent to several ports on the south coast. The insurgents not only knew the exact time of its passing, but of its contents, and the “ Diario de la Marina,” the Spanish newspaper in Havana, gravely requested in its leading editorial that Gen. Marin investigate to discover how the insurgents became informed and take precautions to prevent the repetition of such an unseemly occur- rence. The Spanish official report said that the Spanish guard did not sarrender, and that they retained their arms. The only arms Gen. Linares brought back to San Felipe which he did not take out were some old shot-guns, muskets and muzzle-loading rifles. The Cubans declare that these were thrown away by the rebels when they secured the Mausers, and they are strong evidence that this Cuban version is the true one, CHAPTER IX. Men and Arms for Cuba. Pie the beginning of the Cuban uprising constant attempts have been made to supply the insurgents with arms and ammunition from our own country. Secret agents were at work in many places, and Spanish spies were equally active. It was well understood that several expeditions had succeeded in effecting a landing in Cuba, aad the supplies thus furnished had been of material help to General Gomez and his troops. Our government officials, while sympathizing with the cause of Cuba, were nevertheless “active in preventing the shipment of arms. But a sea-coast as long as ours, with a great number of ports, has afforded ample opportunity for expeditions to be fitted out secretly, and it seems impossible for Spanish gunboats to prevent entirely the Cuban army from obtaining supplies from outside sources. The following account of the seizure of a vessel will be of interest to the reader: The iron steamer “ Bermuda,” flying the British flag, was boarded and seized by New York revenue officers off Liberty Island late on the night of Feb. 24. The .““ Bermuda” had been under the watch of Spanish spies forsome time. They had reason to believe that she had been bought by Cuban revolutionists and was fitting out as a filibuster. She had been anchored off Liberty Island for several days, and there was evidence that she was preparing for sea. . At 11 P. M., just after a large party of Cubans had gone aboaid, the revenue cutter “ Hudson” steamed alongside, and a boarding party arrested all on the “ Bermuda.” At midnight the revenue cutter “Chandler” started down the bay to catch a lighter loaded with ammunition and look for another party of Cubans who had started to board the “ Bermuda.” The “ Bermuda” was an English-built steamer rmerly running in 103 104 MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. the Outerbridge Line. She was purchased by a firm suspected of being in league with the revolutionary party. She was recently taken to the coal docks at Port Liberty, and there coaled up. Then she went to the Liberty Island anchorage. When the tug ran along- side the marshals and Pinkerton men swarmed aboard. No resistance was offered. by the frightened crew and Cubans, who had just come aboard. Every man was seized. Among the captives were General Garcia and several other prominent Cubans. Several bags of gold were seized by the marshals and a quantity of ammunition. Revolutionists Arrested. General Calixto Garcia and about sixty other of the leading spirits in the Cuban ‘revolutionary cause were brought to the Federal Building. The warrant upon which the 200 Cuban revolutionists were taken into custody was drawn in accordance with the section of the Federal Revised Statutes, which is a portion of what is known as the “ Neutrality Act.” A great many of the prisoners found on the “ Bermuda” and the two tug-boats were survivors of the expedition which left the New Haven river a month before on the “J. W. Hawkins,” which sunk off the south shore of Long Island, a number of, men going -down with the wreck. Afterward the filibusters were watched by spies employed by the Spanish and United States governments. The surveillance led to the discovery that General Garcia and his followers had pur- chased the “Bermuda” to take a large company of insurgents to Cuba, with arms and ammunition. The “Bermuda,” which had been granted clearance papers at the custom house to Santa Martha, United States of Colombia, was making ready to leave port when United States Marshals McCarthy and Kennedy made their raid. The steam lighter “ Stranahan,” which had left one of the Brooklyn piers, was seized, the ammunition in boxes, which was concealed beneath piles of cord-wood, and on the “Bermuda” were found several bags of gold coin. The prisoners were released because their arrest was in violation of the instriictions sent out from Washington by Attorney-General + MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. 105 Harmon, that suspicion merely was not sufficient ground for arrest, but that evidence of intention to violate the neutrality laws was required. The trial of Captain Wiborg, First Mate Petersen and Second Mate Johansen, of the steamship “Horsa,” on the charge of begin-) ning a military expedition, to carry men and arms to Cuba, to aid in | MARINE WHARF—HAVANA. the insurrection against Spain, was held in Philadelphia in the latta part of February, before Judge Butler in the United States District Court. In the course of the proceedings, District Attorney Ingham called for the production by Captain Wiborg of the charter under which the “Horsa” made the trip from Philadelphia to Port Antonio, during which the alleged offence was said to have been committed. Mr. Ker, counsel for the defence, contended that if the “ Horsa” was more than three miles out from the shore at Barnegat, when the men and ammunition were taken on board, the alleged offence did not come within the jurisdiction of the United States. The Judge said that if it was proven that the defendants did no? 106 MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. know where the men were going he would affirm the point. In reply District-Attorney Ingham said that he did not rest the United States’ case on that question. Fe relied on the testimony which was heard to show that there was an organization, and that it took place in the United States, and that under it men and arms were taken to Cuba. Testimony of a Fireman. The examination began with Oscar Svensen, one of the “ Horsa’s” firemen. The witness related that portions of the ship were repainted, and then, coming down to the time when the thirty or forty men were taken on board to be conveyed to Cuba, he said that he told the chief engineer that he did not wish to go along, and desired to go ashore. The witness said that the.chief replied that his life was as dear to him as the lives of the witness and the men complaining with him were to them, and that the captain had said it was all right. Svensen said he had taken five trips on the ‘“ Horsa;” that he knew Firemen Armstrong and Fredericksen of the vessel; also that nothing about money was said by the captain when the witness and the men with him had raised objections to going along. Svensen said that some of the men taken on board on one occasion had an exercise. He had heard the cannon fired and saw the smoke. Regarding the boxes said to have contained ammunition, the witness said that a fellow from Jamaica had opened them. The pay of Svensen was $25 per month. To the question when he had first told his story and to whom, the witness answered by the statement that it was two weeks ago, and toa Pinkerton Agency man. The spay he received for giving information an his detention here was “$2 per day and board. After some further questioning by counsel, the witness, in answer to a question by the Judge, said that he shipped in Philadelphia, but that he did not know whether the other firemen were employed here or not. Svensen was shown a number of swords and machetes, some of which he designated as “ banana snipes.” The next witness was Ludwig Gustav Jensen, who was also a fire- man on the “ Horsa.” Jensen said that he had wanted extra pay to, MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. 107 go on the ship, after the thirty or forty men were taken aboard, and spoke tothe chief engineer about it. The latter had said that if anybody was to get hung it would be him, the chief engineer, and not the crew. In reply to questions from the Judge, the witness described the cartridge boxes, said he saw six of the men taken on board drill, and described the rifles and guns. The Captain on the Stand. Edward N. Taxis and Herbert Ker testified that the machetes car- ried by the men were to be seen strapped to the waists or slung over the shoulders of nearly every inhabitant of the West Indies. Mr. Ker also testified that he had taken a trip to Africa on the “ Horsa” last March, and was thoroughly familiar with the vessel. He said it was customary to paint the funnels and other portions of the vessel at sea, and he had often seen it done. During his trip to Africa he on one occasion happened to particularly notice the name on the stern of the vessel, and he testified that the name was in brass letters about six or eight inches high, and were raised about one inch. Captain Wiborg was then called as a witness in his own behalf. Before beginning his examination Mr. Ker stated to the court that the mere making of an affidavit by any one in the court-room, who might hear this witness’ testimony, would result in his life being for- feited should he ever set foot in Spanish dominion, and he thought it his duty, in order to protect his client as far as possible, to ask the court to forbid the publication of his testimony or to exclude every one from the court-room while he was being examined. Judge Butler said the court was there to try the case according to the evidence, and had nothing to do with the risk the witness took in giving his testimony. He was not compelled to testifi, and what- ever evidence he gave would be voluntary, with the full knowledge on the part of the witness of the responsibility he was taking. Captain Wiborg testified that he had been captain of the steamer “ Horsa” two years. On the evening of November g, 1895, he left Philadelphia for Jamaica between 7 and 8 o'clock. Before leaving port the name of the vessel was scraped off the side of the vessel on 108 MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA, account of iron rust. He had regular clearance papers. The name of the vessel was also on the stern of the vessel in brass letters or composition. He had two boats and two horses, and a lot of empty boxes and barrels. He received a message to go opposite Barnegat and await orders, which he did. He anchored four or five miles from shore. He anchored because the chief engineer told him part of the machinery was not working properly, and he should keep the ship in smooth water. While there anchored he received a message by tug telling him to take the men and boats on board and deliver the boats to the men when they called for them. The men walked through the port between decks when they boarded his vessel. He then proceeded southward and passed Waterland Island towards Jamaica. This route is called Crooked Island passage. Off the Cuban Coast. In taking this route to Jamaica, the captain said, it was necessary to sail along the coast of Cuba for about six hours. It was when his vessel was about six miles off the Cuban coast that a colored man, who was said to be a pilot, told him to stop the vessel and let the men off. He did so, and the men got into the boats, taking as many boxes as they could carry, and then asked him to tow them in towards shore a bit, which he did. In answer to questions, the witness said that the men did not have the appearance of soldiers, and he had no knowledge that they were going to take part in the war in Cuba. In giving them passage he had obeyed orders, and had no right to refuse them. All told, he said, there were 39 men transferred to the “ Horsa,” and they brought a lot of boxes with them. They did not call upon him for meals, but brought their own food with them in the boxes, some of which con- tained canned goods and hardtack. He said the men had guns, but he did not think anything of that, as he had often seen passengers carry guns on his vessel. He saw the cannon which they brought, and at-first he thought it was one of his own, as it was very much like them. The captain said that he had two cannons on the “ Horsa,” MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. 109 one a small brass one, which was used in firing salutes, and the other of considerable size. = The following was Judge Butler’s charge: “The defendants being, or rather having been at the time in question, officers of the ship, the first as captain, and the others as mates, are indicted jointly and also separately, in which indictments it is charged that ‘they, within the territory and jurisdiction of the United States, did begin, set on foot, and provide and prepare the means for a certain military expe- dition and enterprise to be carried on from thence against the terri- tory and dominions of a foreign prince, to wit: Against the Island of Cuba, the said Island being then and there the territory and domin- ions of. the King of Spain, the said United States being at peace with the said king, contrary to the Act of Congress in such case made and provided.’ Was it a Military Expedition ? “The evidence heard would not justify a conviction of anything more than providing the means for or aiding such military expedition, as by furnishing transportation for the men, their arms, baggage, etc. To convict them you must be fully satisfied by the evidence that a military expedition was organized in this country to be carried out as, and with the object, charged in the bill; and that the defendants with knowledge of this provided means for its assistance and assisted it as beforé stated.” In commenting on the Judge’s decisions, counsel for the defence said: “It has been decided that, ‘it is no offence against the laws of the United States to transport arms, ammunition and munitions of war from this country to any foreign country, nor is it any offence to transport persons intending to enlist in foreign armies, and arms and munitions of war on the same ship. In such cases the persons trans- ported and the shipper: run the risk of seizure and capture by the foreign power, against whom the arms were to be used.’ “The Judge further charges that the putting out of lights and the taking on and transferring of passengers and boxes of arms on the high seas are acts which are perfectly lawful, in order to prevent cap- ture by a:Spanish man-of-war. 110 MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. “Tf the Spaniards want to stop the landing of arms in Cuba, let them close the ports of the Island. This, of course, they won’t do.” When the case was given to the jury, they deliberated twelve hours, then brought in a verdict of guilty against Captain Wiborg and his officers, who were sentenced to fines and imprisonment from one year to fifteen months, An appeal was taken, and the men were liberated on bail. What Became of the ‘ Bermuda?” It is necessary at this point to anticipate a little the order of events and state what became of the steamer “ Bermuda,” referred to in the first part of this chapter. The quiet, easy-going people of Somers Point, N. J., Ocean City, Beesley’s Point and Tuckahoe suddenly awakened, on March 17, to the fact that a big Cuban filibustering expedition has just cleared from their midst without one of them for a moment suspecting what the strange movements of the large body of swarthy-skinned visitors meant. The steamer “ Atlantic City” took the Cuban patriots, who reached Tuckahoe on the night of the 16th, out to the famous “ Bermuda,” which at 6 o’clock sharp gave five shrill signal whistles, announciag that she was awaiting them just off the Great Egg Harbor bar. Three hours afterwards the “ Atlantic City” returned to her winter berth at Tuckahoe, having safely transferred her passengers to the “ Ber- muda,” which promptly steamed away southward. The party con- ' sisted of General Garcia and his 32 compatriots, who left Philadelphia on the 15th, and about 30 other volunteers for Cuban freedom, who joined them in some mysterious way afterward. In a clever manner the Cubans eluded the spies in the employ of Spain, who followed their tug down the Delaware on the night of the 15th. The tug started ostensibly for Cape Henlopen, where it was supposed the filibusters were to be put aboard the “ Bermuda.” The tug led the Spanish spies a merry chase about the Delaware Bay, and then, under cover of a heavy fog, slipped back up the Delaware, unsuspected and unnoticed, reaching Kaighn’s Point, Camden, at an early hour on Monday evening, the 16th. Here a special trair on MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. 111 the Reading Railroad awaited them, and the Cuban patriots were swiftly borne to Tuckahoe, which is only about eight miles from Great Egg Harbor Bay. When the big party, which was said to have numbered fully 60, arrived at the little Jersey town, they began looking about for some- thing to eat. There was no hotel of any consequence at the place, and, to make matters worse, no stimulants of any kind could be pro- cured, Finally two handsome young Tuckahoe girls, who were on their way home from an evening sociable on the outskirts of the town, attracted the attention of the Cubans,.and two of the best look- ing men of the party were delegated .o interview them on the “rub” question. Supper for Patriots. The girls readily agreed to prepare supper for them, and were handed $50 each to stimulate them in their efforts to get a hurried meal for the hungry patriots. They were warned not to make any stir over the matter, and to say not a word to their neighbors until the party had left the place. The Cubans ate their late supper in squads, and after liberally complimenting the accommodating girls left the house in the best ol humor and quietly boarded the steamer “ Atlantic City,” which was lying at the wharf, above the drawbridge. The crew of the steamer were asleep at their homes in Tuckahoe, they having no knowledge whatever of the human freight which was taken aboard during their absence by Captain Reuben Young, of the “ Atlantic City.” Meantime a man claiming to be Captain J. F. R. Gandy, of the steamer “ Atlantic City,” had journeyed from Tuckahoe to Somers Point, where he called on Deputy Customs Collector James Scull, and made application to have the certificate of inspection of the “ Atlantic City” changed, so as to permit that boat to navigate anywhere along the coast within ten miles of the shore. The boat had been in service at the Inlet at Atlantic City in the summer of 1895, being one of the fleet of the Atlantic Coast Steamboat Company, at Atlantic City organization. 112 MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. Captain Gandy informed Deputy Scull that he was in a big hurry to get the papers, and was willing to pay handsomely to have them hurried down to Tuckahoe. On being asked where he was going, he said he was engaged to take a party south, and would leave as soon as the weather would permit. It was still foggy when Captain Gandy reached Somers Point, on Monday morning, and he appeared to be very much irritated at the atmospheric outlook. He madea diligent search for the metropolitan morning papers, and paid any price asked for them. He started back to Tuckahoe by way of Beesley’s Point. The inspection papers were mailed on Monday afternoon by Deputy Scull, and could not possibly have reached Tuckahoe before Tuesday morning. General Garcia on Shore. Captain Gandy had inquired if he could not sail without the papers, but was warned by Mr. Scull to wait until they reached him or he might get into trouble. The “ Atlantic City ” left Tuckahoe however, at 6 o’clock on Tuesday morning, long before the morning mail arrived there. She steamed to Ocean City, which is about five miles off, and anchored in the Ocean City channel. Here the sloop-yacht “ Black Ball,” Captain Samuel B. Scull, put out to the “ Atlantic City ” and took a man, who has since been identi- fied as General Garcia, ashore. The General remained on the little wharf, while the sloop carried out several loads of provisions for the consumption of the Cuban patriots aboard the steamer. The fact that Ocean City is a temperance town was a source of serious dis- appointment to the “ Atlantic City’s” passengers, almost all of whom were shivering with the cold after their cheerless night on the Tuckahoe River. All Tuesday afternoon and night General Garcia and his men anxiously awaited a signal from the ‘‘ Bermuda,” which had left New York on Saturday morning. The cramped quarters aboard the “Atlantic City,” and their desire to get away before suspicion was aroused as to the character and destination of the expedition, kept the Cubans in an uneasy state of mind, Not one of them, save MEN AND ARMS FOR CUBA. 113 General Garcia, appeared above deck while the “ Atlantic City” was apchored in the bay, and no one, not even Captain Scull, of the busy “Black Ball,” was allowed aboard. When at last the shrill screeches of the “ Bermuda’s” whistle resounded over the bay, a stifled cheer came from the impatient Cubans below deck, and all was activity aboard the little pleasure- ‘steamer. The anchor was hastily weighed, and the “ Atlantic City ” swiftly headed for the open sea. As she cleared the Great Egg Harbor bar the men swarmed on deck, and cheer after cheer went uy, as they sighted the black hull of the “Bermuda” at a distance. Then, and not till then, did the people of shore towns suspect the true character of the mysterious party of Southern eXcursionists, as they had been frequently referred to. ‘Previous to that it had been industriously noised about that the * Atlantic City ” had been chartered to take a party of laborers to Cor- son’s Inlet, where, it was said, work was to be begun on the proposed new branch of the South Jersey Railroad to Ocean City. The whole ‘details for the transfer of the Cubans from Tuckahoe had evidently been arranged on Saturday, about the time the “ Bermuda” left New York. ek The charter of the Philadelphia tug was a clever ruse to throw the Spanish spies off the track, and evidently worked perfectly in every detail. 8 CHAPTER X. Imprisonments and Massacres. TS ARLY in March the prisons of Cuba were groaning with the J = burden of thousands of innocents. “Suspect” was a terrify- ing word throughout the whole Island: Every town, village and city, from one end of the country to the other, was witnessing scenes that wére heart-rending in their cruelty, but upon which it was impossible to look with anything except hopeless pity. Men who had escaped were helpless to-aid the victims, and to- morrow they might be in chains in the same cell. It required only an anonymous letter of denunciation addressed to the Spanish com- mander of the forces garrisoned in the town or at the nearest post. It might have been written “by a debtor, an enemy, a spy whose ser-* vices were valuable according to the number of his préy, or by some one whose designs might be furthered by removing the protection of women; but it needed only to be written, and a guard of soldiers were at hand, taking a man out of his bed at midnight, or from his table or his office, whence he was dragged to a military prison, chained into a gang of victims like himself, deprived of communication with any one, and, after a few days, a case having been manufactured agaimst him, he was sent to Havana and thence to Africa, to spend in a living grave the brief period that he could survive the notorious horrors of the penal colony at Ceuta. The extent to which this thing was being carried is almost incredi- ble. There was no respect of persons, unless it was that the best men of the towns were a majority of the victims. To be simply a “suspect” meant, in nine cases out of ten, conviction and sentence to death or life servitude. In one instance twenty men were released just as they were about to be put aboard the steamer for deportation, because it had been discovered that the author of their “ denuucia- 114 IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. 115: mento ” was a sixteen-year-old boy, who had written an anonymous letter, probably inspired by the similarity between their names and those of some insurgent leaders. And these men were all merchants and otherwise prominent citizens of Santiago. Not a day passed without several companies of these prisoners reaching Havana. | Crowded Dungeons. Morro Castle was overcrowded. There, in the dungeons which have accumulated the poisons of three centuries, the poor wretches were crowded like sheep in slaughter-pens—ten, fifteen or twentv being crowded into a single cell, where the only light or air reaching them was through a grating which was not more than six inches high from the floor. Unless some one could bribe a guard to give a blanket to a prisoner, the man was left to make the best that he could of bare stones. An American correspondent who was in Morro but two days con- tracted a fever, although he was treated with exceptional considera- tion, as exceptions go in Morro. But the herd, the natives who were being taken away in this manner in greater numbers than the armies . lose in battles, the suspects to whom conviction had come without what Americans would recognize as a trial, these were mercilessly, inhumanly treated. In Jaruco, Maceo, in raiding the town, forced the prison gates, and liberated thirty prisoners, who represented some of the best families of the surrounding country. In Cienfuegos there were over fifty “suspects” held as political prisoners. In Matanzas there were at one time eighty such men, and some of them were afterward brought to Havana. From Pinar del Rio, Santa Clara, Santiago, Candelaria, Marianao and numerous other places, the same reports were coming. There was hardly an hour of the day that women were not besieging the gates of the Palace with petitions. It was a wife pleading for husband, or mother for son, or children for father, but it was always the same plea, not for trial, nor to offer evi- dence of their innocence, but for mercy, always for mercy. There seemed to be a blind conviction that there were no such things as trials or evidence, and no ground for hope in either of the 116 IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES, shadowy forms that represent them. These wretched women reached the city, perhaps having walked for days, or may be they had horses or found some conveyance, but in any way they nearly all made a wearisome journey, having left all their worldly possessions or sold them to get means for reaching the city, since there were no railroad trains left to carry them. Haggard and Frightened. They were hollow-eyed, haggard and frightened, but in desperate earnest. They stood outside the gates or in the corridors of the Palace for hours. They made no scenes, as might be expected. They simply waited, waited, waited; put off on one pretext after another, hour after hour, till the day had passed. Another day and another, tLey were there, patient and waiting and pleading, but to no pur- pose. Some morning a familiar face in the crowd would be missing, and that day she might be seen with others down at the shore, watch- ing the small boats loading with prisoners and going out to the great steamers about to leave with convicts for Africa. Possibly there was one last look, but no embrace or word of farewell. After that she was seen no more at the Palace. It happened one day that one of these prisoners slipped off the steps while getting into the boat with the others and fell into the water. His arms were pinioned behind him and he was helpless, but he managed to struggle to the surface. As he raised his head none of the guard reached out to save him. The other prisoners were also pinioned and could not. He floated for a few seconds at the side of the boat, and then one of the soldiers pointed his rifle down into the man’s face and shot him through the head. It was simply a murder. Nothing was done about it excepting to report that he was “ shot while attempting to escape.” On Feb. 22nd there was a brutal massacre at Guatao, and the poor wretches made prisoners at the time were still confined in Morro Castle, while the government was investigating the slaughter of the eighteen citizens. There was no battle in or near Guatao at the time these prisoners were made, and that is the other side of the story of IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. 117 Spain’s prisoners of war. There were no prisoners made in battles. They were suspects, or, like the Guatao people, escaped from massacre. Official reports of engagements almost ‘never made men- tion of a prisoner taken. Of twenty encounters reported not one return of a captive was recorded. It was always, “The enemy left five dead on the field,” or some other number. It may be that the Cubans were skillful enough to avoid capture, but it was very common to have reports of captured Spanish soldiers. No Spanish soldiers were ever “left dead on the field,’ but it was admitted by the Spanisli generally, and it occasionally crept into a report, that Spanish prisoners had simply been stripped of arms and -let go unmolested out of the rebel camp. High-sounding Proclamation. But -General Weyler had seen the enormity of the abuses whicl. brutal and ambitious officers had been guilty of, and went so far as to issue a proclamation against such wholesale arrests as followed his first decree. On March 6th he gave out the following notice: “My attention has been called to the frequency with which civ] and military authorities and commanders of forces in the country and towns are proceeding to detain civilians, who are afterward placed at my disposal to be deported from the Island, without the said commanders duly justifying the foundation which counseled such determination.” That was the Spanish way of saying that arrests had not been made upon official evidence. Then General Weyler urged that citizens who write anonymous letters should sign their names and testify freely, knowing that they would receive ample protection, and closed his decree with this warning: “TJ will exact most strict responsibility from commanders who pro- pose to me matters of this sort without accompanying them with the elements of justification already expressed.” General Weyler would not personally assume the responsibility of any man’s execution or banishment without clear evidence of his guilt, It would not be possible to find a man who would more merci- 118 IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. lessly execute the penalty of the law than Gen. Weyler, but he was honest. If he had had men in the field whose motives could have been trusted, innocent men’s lives might have been safer than they were; but take such brutes as murdered sick men and beat women into insensibility at Guatao, who referred to their bloody work ina report saying: “Glory and infinite applause to our valiant men; worthy of all praise is the comportment of this column; all merit the consideration of your Excellency; their efforts made exceed all praise,” and arm the leader of such a mob of assassins with a decree making men enemies who sympathize “in thought, word or action” with the insurgents, and it is doubtful if even the iron hand of General Weyler couid hold them in check. Shot for Raising a Flag. A Frenchman was raising a French flag on his estate when a Spanish column came up, shot him dead, captured the flag and madvu off with it. This is another instance of Gen. Weyler’s difficulty in controlling the irresponsibles, who made prisoners of “ suspects,” xilled innocent people or committed other outrages, and left it to the government to square the matter. These were not isolated in- stances, but daily occurrences in all parts of the Island. The shoot- ing of this French citizen occurred at the Olayita estate, near San Domingo. The Cuban commanders, Quintin Bandera, Guerra and Seraphim Sanchez were near the town, and passed so close that they were observed to have about 1,000 cavalry. ; They were going in the direction of the Olayita plantation. Lieut.-Col. Arce and Major Rogelio Anino, with 450 men, followed them, leaving Guines. An encounter took place in a strip of woods on the edge of the estate, but it amounted to little. The insurgents had not enough ammunition to give battle, and the Spanish could de ncthing,but worry them with so continuous a fire with Mausers from a distance. The insurgents replied with a few shots, and then broke into two detachments and left the woods, one force taking possession of the battery, and standing off the Spanish for two hours. There was a hot fight at this point. IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. 11s ® The insurgents had a sheltered position in the buildings, and nursed their precious supply of cartridges until they were where their only alternatives were to retreat or to suffer.a heavy loss of life if they remained till the Spanish could get in upon them. Then the order was given and they rode out, setting fire to the cane field over which they passed in order to make it impossible for the Spanish to follow them through the smoke and flames. When they left, the manager of the estate, Bernardo Duarte, ran out of the house with a French flag and was about to raise it, when he was shot dead. . Curious Spanish Reports. A Spanish officer took the flag and carried it away. Duarte’s body was left where he fell. He had taken no part in the fight. When the fight was going on Duarte was in the great stone house which was the owner’s residence. The heavy walls were ample pro- tection, and with all the inmates he was apparently safe, for he came out when the insurgents left to exhibit the sign of his neutrality. Here a curious thing was revealed by the Spanish report of the engagement, which said briefly, “ We found also a woman and the seven farm hands dead.” There were really thirteen dead. The bodies were buried by workmen from an adjoining plantation. There was no one left te tell whether they were killed by the Spanish or the rebels. Even the Frenchman, Duarte, was shot with his flag in his hands, and the Spanish admitted killing him. The hundreds of refugees coming into Havana declared that the Spanish were shooting the men who were on any estate where they could find that a rebel band was camped. Several owners of large estates within this province and Matanzas stated that this was un- doubtedly true, and that some of their own men, who worked for them, had disappeared after a fight had been reported near their properties. Others deserted the places and came into the city, refu- sing to remain on account of the killing of people near them who were likewise caring for abandoned properties. On March 5 Gen. Melquizo went out from Jaruco with two battal- 120 IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. é ions of cavalry and infantry, and found some of Maceo’s forces at the sugar estate Morales, near Casiguas, between Bainoa and Guines. The estate was occupied by a man named Jose Gregoria Delgado, said to be an American. His son, Jose Manuel Delgado, a doctor, was with him at the time the insurgents and Spanish came together. As usual, the insurgents made a stand in the buildings, because they afford excellent defense. Gen. Melquizo reported after the battle or skirmish, or whatever did actually occur, that “we found eighteen dead on the field.” It has developed since that fourteen of these dead men were the owner, Delgado, his son and their twelve workmen. Not a man was left alive on the estate. -If this did not seem on its face to bear con- siderable evidence of a deliberate killing of these men, such an act would seem to be probable when the Spanish loss is mentioned. Ihe Spanish official report said of this engagement that the Spanish had only two men wounded, none being killed. No One Left Alive. If the Spanish, entirely exposed, charged upon the insurgents, who were occupying protected positions in stone-walled buildings, and succeeded in dislodging them, and did so with no loss whatever, there seems to be some reason for doubting that the fighting was severe enough to cause eighteen dead to the insurgents in actual combat. There was no one left on this estate alive, nor was there any one else from whom it would be possible to learn just what did occur, or why it was that not one man on the whole estate escaped death. — Not one of them was wounded. They were all lying there dead when people from the surrounding country went there and identified the bodies. It is a suspicious circumstance that they were not shot, but all were cut to pieces with swords. . It is easy to understand the alarm that spread over the whole Island as the consequence of such things as these. The stories of the refugees who were fleeing from every quarter into the cities, and chiefly into Havana, gave a dozen such instances. They were not tales of frightened negroes. Neither were they coffee-house fabrica- IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. 131 tions of Cubans. A bookful of these tales could be collected. It was the men who had estates of their own, whose losses in one year alone amounted to anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000, who held on and exhausted every resource to save themselves and their properties, but who were compelled at last to give up and let everything go. They were not men who pack up what few valuables they can carvy away and then bring their families and servants long distances across the country to Havana, just for the pastime or amusement of lying about their reasons for coming. Where aiarm had not driven out the poorer classes, destitution had done so. Forty-two cities and towns had already been burned and destroyed. Great Scarcity of Provisions. This does not indicate the homes of hundreds of others which have gone up in the flames of burning sugar estates. After the armies of both Spanish and insurgents consumed all the fruit and vegetables, and the railroads ceased carrying freight, :ood was almost beyond the reach of the poor. Great was the suffering in conse- quence of the scarcity of provisions, but a new system was put in operation which deprived even those who had a few dollars left from buying what they needed unless they stood in favor of tHe Spanish commanders of towns. This was a hard matter for people in a country where everybody was an insurgent, or of a family with repre- sentatives in the insurgent army. If a man went to a store in any town outside of Havana he was compelled first to make out a statement of what he wished to pur- chase. He was limited to two cents’ worth of salt, five cents’ worth of flour, one pound of meat, one pound of rice and five cents’ worth of coffee, and so on; but he was not permitted to buy oil, candles, medicines, or a multitude of other things. After the list was com- pleted, the storekeeper and the customer had to appear before the Mayor of the town and swear that the articles were for the consump- tion of the purchaser, and not for the aid and comfort of any in- surgent or sympathizer with the insurrection. When this was done the whole formality cleared the way for the 122 IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. ‘purchase of about one scanty meal for four persons, This, with the apprehension of suspects, was driving the country people out. of their homes until whole districts were depopulated. Paso Real, Mantua, Baja, Guane, Tapaste, San Cristobal, and, in fact, nearly all the towns of Pinar del Rio Province, were admitted by the Spanish reports to be practically deserted. In Havana and Matanzas provinces the same state of affairs ex- isted. One man who passed through Guatao and Punta Brava said that where there had been 2,200 people all together a month before, less than 100 remained. Womien came out and begged that he would give them food. They were crying, he said, and pleaded for relief to be sent out to them. There were a few children left in the places, and the desolation he described was something pitiful. The widows made by the massacre were chiefly those who remained. When asked why they did not get away, and so possibly find a place where they could get some relief, they replied that they could not make the journey. Not a Rebel in the Place. The government was investigating the massacre, and the method of the investigation indicated that a denial was in course of prepara- tion. Heré is a significant fact. The “ Diario de la Marina,” the government’s most staunch supporter, published an item which said, “The Mayor of Guatao swears and forswears to Captain Calvo that at the time of the events in’Guatao not a solitary rebel was in the place. Two days after the event this Mayor again met Calvo, who asked him if he had seen any insurgents there. He replied he had not. Notwithstanding, five minutes afterward Captain Calve saw a group of eight men mounted, who ran away.” This was clearly to discredit the Mayor of Guatao. He confirmed the story of all the citizens, and swore that no insurgents were in the- town when the massacre occurred. It also indicated- that Captain Calvo, who was in command of the troops who committed the mas- sacre, was conducting the investigation. It would not be in keeping with the way all this was being done if the “ Diario’s” story were not declared by somebody to be untrue. IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. 123 The gentleman above referred to was in Guatao at the time Captain Calvo was talking with the Mayor. He describes what occurred this way : “T saw they were holding an excited debate about something, so IT held up my driver till it was over. Then I talked to the Alcalde, and asked what occasioned all the fireworks between himself and the officer. He replied, ‘I have just been asked about the rebels. I said I had seen four; he tells me, “ You lie, you have seen a hundred.” I have only seen four, and they are down that road now.’ ” Charges Proved Untrue. If the Mayor told the story just as it had occurred between him- self and the officer a moment before, the account of it in the news- paper was an apparent attempt to clear the way for almost any sort of a report on the massacre. It would be easier after proving the ' chief witness unreliable to dispose of the stories of the women as attempts to shield their husbands. The government also took the ground that the insurgents were concealed in the church, This made it necessary to abandon the original charge that they were in the ittle thatched houses. The authorities of Guatao opened the church and showed the vfficers, who went there to inspect it, that no horses or men could possibly have gotten into it. When this inspection was finished, the keeper of the church handed over the key, and the Mayor joined him in beseeching the Spanish officers to carry it away, so that what- ever might happen again they would be relieved of the responsibility for keeping the structure free from invasion. Ten more prisoners were taken at the time this investigation, as it is called, was going on, A Spanish column came into Punta Brava from the east. At the same moment another came into the place trom the west. The second one picked up ten men working in tobacco fields on the outskirts of the town. A storekeeper, recog- nizing them, went up to the lieutenant commanding, and said that the arrests were unjust, as the men were “ pacificados,” or peaceful citizens. ; kl i if or i CITY OF CIENFuGOS. IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. 125 Then the lieutenant arrested the storekeeper. The two columns were at opposite ends of the main street, their officers disputing as to which was properly in possession of the place, as their orders were slightly conflicting, when a third column arrived with a captain in charge. He settled the difficulty’ by occupying the town himself, and after learning of the arrest of the ten tobacco-workers he lber- ated them all. Heavy Guard of Soldiers. The demonstrations against Americans in Havana were confined to individual encounters, where there were no serious results. A heavy guard of soldiers was quartered ina building near the Consul’s office, and the patrolling of the streets was kept up with vigilance day and night. Where more than four men got together a soldier was at hand to scatter them. In the Plaza, when the military was playing, the crowds were constantly kept moving. An effort to get up a students’ demonstration fell flat, because a majority of the students were in sympathy with the Americans. There never was a time when the students were to be feared, on that account. The source of danger was the volunteers. A corre- spondent relates that he was talking with a hotel waiter after he had been away fora day. He said he was out doing duty as a volun- teer. He was a little sawed-off ignoramus, and’ the correspondent was curious enough to ask him how his companions felt toward Uncle Sam. “Muera Senor Sam,” he hissed, bringing his fist down with a whack on the table. 7 “Death to Mr. Sam?” I repeated. “ Why so?” “Heis going to help the insurrectors. We'll have to kill them all.” “But I’m an American ; would you kill me, too ?” He seemed to be confronted by a situation for a moment only, when he said, sadly but earnestly : “Tam your friend, Senor, but I should have to kill you.” At that moment anotker Spaniard came up. “Senor, allow me to present my friend As I was just teliing this American gentle- 126 IMPRISONMENTS AND MASSACRES. man, Spain will find every loyal son shoulder to shoulder, fighting till the last drop of blood is shed to avenge such an insult to our national honor as this uncalled-for interference of America.” This is not half-hearted hypocrisy. It is the way men talk who have been ruined by the collapse of every kind of business in the Tsland, and who want peace and prosperity restored at any cost. They are Spaniards, but they have been so long in commercial inter- course with the United States that their sentimental attachment te the theory of Spain’s right to Cuba has been blunted by a period of successful business. All Cuba’s enterprises are practically insepara- dle from the States, while Spain stands by as a third party, consum- ing half the profits that would naturally accrue to the other two. At _ such a price sentiment comes too high to maintain a secure position among hard-headed merchants. The Cienfuegos houses resolved to boycott the United States, and proposed to do so by cancelling all their purchasing orders and refu- sing to sell to American buyers. This was considerable of a joke in its way. They would have to buy from Havana instead, and Havana would continue to buy direct from the States until war or something as serious should prevent. The merchants at Havana held a meeting to discuss retaliation of the same sort, but when it was pointed out to them that American houses wouid merely send out their own agents to sell their products they saw the danger ahead and con- tented themselves with resolutions praising the Cienfuegos merchants. They could afford to do that, as their commissions were being helped by the necessity of Cienfuegos buying here. Two nephews of the Queen, the Princes of Caserta, were in an engagement in Sagua on March 3. The insurgents were led by Serafin Sanchez, Nunez and Alvarez. All that has ever been printed about the fight here was contained in a ten-line item, in which the insurgents lost thirty dead and forty wounded. The Queen cabled congratulations to General Weyler upon the glorious victory, and yesterday the insurgent loss was changed to'read “60 dead and 150 wounded.” It is impossible to learn anything els2 here about the battle. CHAPTER XI Freedom for Cuba. HE sympathy in Congress for the cause of Cuba received formal expression on February 28th. On that date the meet- ing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations resulted in, action of a more vigorous character than the most ardent friend of the cause of Cuba was justified in expecting. The committee de- cided, after some debate, that it would not accept the wording of a resolution already adopted by the House Committee, but would cling to one of its own, which was looked upon as even stronger than any yet seriously considered—stronger because the committee capit- ulated to the sentiment represented in the resolution of Mr. Cameron declaring for the independence of the Cuban Republic. It was agreed that when the question reached the voting stage Mr. Sherman, for the commiteee, was to recoramend and urge the passage of the following, which was the language of the substitute reported by Mr. Morgan: “ Resolved, by the Senate (the House of Representatives concur- ring), That, in the opinion of Congress, a condition of public war exists between the government of Spain and the government pro- claimed and for some time maintained by force of arms by the peo- ple of Cuba; and that the United States of America should maintain a strict neutrality between the contending powers, according to each all the rights of belligerents in the ports aud territory of the United States.” As the day wore on_in the Senate the crowds in the galleries and on the floor increased. The diplomatic gallery, for once, was well filled. Nearly every member of the House Foreign Affairs Commit- tee was on the Senate floor, and they listened to the speeches with the greatest interest. 127 128 FREEDOM FOR CUBA. Mr. Lindsay, of Kentucky, addtessed the Senate. He did not think that, in the present emergency, the subject ought to be con- trolled, in any way, by the past conduct of Spain to the United -States. It was, in one sense, a question of humanity. War was being carried on at the very doors of the United States between the people of Cuba and the Spanish Government, and it would result either in the independence of Cuba or in the utter destruction of het people. Sympathy for Cuban People. Expressions of sympathy would avail nothing to the Cuban insur- rectionists. If the United States intended to take any step to bring about a condition of affairs in Cuba different from that which had existed during the last seventy years, that step should be in the jirection of the ultimate independence of Cuba. It might be true—it was true—that affairs had not yet reached a point that would justify the United States in acknowledging the inde- pendence of Cuba. There was a state of things in Cuba that would justify the Government of the United States in considering a proposi- tion for active interference in the struggle, for the reason that it seemed highly probable that, without such interference, either public order could never be restored in Cuba, or could only be restored after such suffering by humanity and such injuries to surrounding States, as would obviously overbalance the general evil of all inter- ference from without. But the pending resolution proposed no such active interference. It proposed only that the good offices of the United States should be offered to Spain to bring about, not merely a cessation of hostilities, but an ultimate peace on the basis of Cuban independence—the only basis on which good government could ever be secured to the people of Cuba. Spain owed to Cuba as much as Turkey owed to Armenia, as much as the United States owed to Venezuela. If Spain did not pay the obligations resting on her, and if her necessities prevented her doing so, then the time had come for steps to be initiated; and they could be properly initiated only by the government of the United States. Overtures should be made to Spain for the sale of the FREEDOM FOR CUBA. 129 Island to the Cubans, the United States to guarantee the payment of che sum to be agreed upon. Mr. Sherman, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, addressed the Senate. He said that he did not disguise from himself the danger and possibility of hostile movements following the action of Congress. Spain was a sensitive, proud and gallant nation, and would not submit to what she considered an injustice. At the same time, his convictions were strong—made stronger every day—that the condition of affairs in Cuba was such that the intervention of the United States must be given, sooner or later, to put an end to crimes almost beyond description. Called a Murderer and Criminal. He quoted from a pamphlet written, he said, in a temperate style, to show what the Cubans had done in the way of establishing a gov- ernment and carrying on the war, and containing an order of Gen. Maximo Gomez, as to the humane treatment of prisoners that might fall into the hands of the insurgents. And yet, he said, this man Gomez had been denounced as a murderer and barbarous criminal, like the one he would speak of after a while—Capt-Gen. Weyler. Speaking of the insurgent Gen. Gomez, Mr. Sherman said that he was a man of standing and character—probably an idealist. But he ougit to be, and would probably soon be, considered a patriot. Mr. Sherman went on to say that he was not in favor of the annexation of Cuba to the United States. He did not desire to con- quer Cuba, or to have any influence in her local autonomy. In his judgment Cuba should be attached to Mexico, because Cubans and Mexicans spoke the same language, had the same origin, the same antecedents, and many of the same circumstances, Mr. Sherman sent to the clerk’s desk, and had read extracts from a Spanish 5ook, printed in a New York newspaper, reciting horrible cruelties charged: against Weyler, some of the incidents being so bad that he directed the clerk to omit them. He spoke of these deed as barbarous atrocities, and as inhuman cruelties, and said that Weyler ‘vas a demon rather than a general. 9 130 FREEDOM FOR CUBA. He denounced the idea of putting such a man in command of a hundred thousand troops, to ride rough-shod, kill and slaughter a feeble body of people; and he declared that if this kind of policy is pursued by Spain in Cuba, and if the people of the United States be informed of it, there is no earthly power that will prevent the people of the United States from going over to that Island, running all over its length and breadth, and driving out from it those robbers and imi- tators of the worst men that ever lived in the world. This statement was greeted by. an outburst of applause from the crowded galleries, which showed the intense feeling awakened by the discussion of the subject of Cuban independence. Belligerent Rights. When the final vote on Mr. Sherman’s resolution was taken in the Senate it was passed by a large majority, but there was an evident desire on the part of many in both Houses to grant belligerent rights to the Cubans, who had already maintained a state of war on the Island for over a year. Concerning this last proposition an eminent New York jurist expressed the following opinion: “The mere recognition of belligerent rights on the part of the Cubans would not involve us in any complication with Spain. It is a different thing from recognizing the independence of the Cubans. “ The recognition of belligerent rights is merely the declaration of our opinion that the insurgents have established a stable government and are entitled to all the rights of war. This was what was done by Great Britain during our late war. “ Such a recognition, however, would not relieve the United States of its obligations toward Spain in the way of preventing the sending out of privateers or filibustering expeditions in aid of the insurgents from our ports. We established this proposition in the ‘Alabama’ arbitration against Great Britain. “Furthermore, such recognition of a state of war between Spain and the insurgents in Cuba would give Spain the right to search our merchant vessels for goods contraband of war. This is the only FREEDOM FOR CUBA. 331 respect in which our relations with Spain would be particularly altered by such recognition, as far as I can see.” “What would be our relations in case Congress should recognize the independence of Cuba?” was asked. ‘‘ That recognition might be treated by Spain as an unfriendly act, although I should hardly think that Spain would so regard it. It would not amount to a declaration on our part that we proposed to aid Cuba in the maintenance of its independence, and hence it would not necessarily be a casus belli (cause of war) as between usand Spain. “ Still it might involve us in serious complications, as we would be bound to regard the insurgent government as the only lawful govern- ment in the Island of Cuba, and to act accordingly and to disregard the rights of Spain. And such conduct on our part might lead to controversies with Spain which might furnish a casus bel. Ido not personally believe, however, that such a result will follow in any event.” Probability of Bloodshed. It was thought by many in Washington that if the Cuban insurgents were not quickly recognized as belligerents, and General Weyler maintained the reputation he had already acquired, it was not stretch- ing speculation too far to assume that there was a probabiltty of the bloody scenes of 1869 being re-enacted, when, under the orders of Gen. Burriel, American citizens were put to death in Santiago de Cuba. The Captain-General of Cuba had issued a decree in which he said that all vessels which might be captured in Spanish waters, and which had on board men and munitions, and whose design was to give aid or comfort to the revolutionists, should be regarded as pirates, and that all on board, regardless of number, should be immediately executed. Secretary Fish, then Secretary of State, made @ ~rotest against the butchery of the Americans, and maintained the right of the citizens of the United States to carry merchandise to the enemies of Spain, except such articles as were contraband of war, and which might be seized upon the high seas. Secretary Fish said the government sould not assent to the punishment by Spain of any citizen of this 132 FREEDOM FOR CUBA. country, except under the laws and treaties existing between Spain and the United States. According to Halleck, one of the accepted authorities on laws between nations, “there is no law or regulation which forbids any person or government, whether the political designation be real or assumed, from purchasing arms from citizens of the United States and shipping them at the risk of the purchaser.” The same authority says further: “ Neutrals may establish themselves for the purposes of trade in ports convenient to either belligerent, and may sell or transport to either such articles as they may wish to buy, subject to risks of capture for violation of blockade or for the conveyance of contraband to belligerent ports.” Exceptions to the Rule. “A belligerent cannot send out privateers from neutral ports, Neutrals in their own country may sell to belligerents whatever belligerents choose to buy. The principal exceptions to this rule are that neutrals must not sell to one belligerent what they refuse to sell to another, and must not furnish soldiers or sailors to either, dr pre- pare nor suffer to be prepared within their territory armed ships or military or naval expeditions against the other.” The position in which the United States would be placed by the recognition of the belligerency of the Cubans is clearly and tersely expressed by Justice Harlan, of the Supreme Court of the United States, in an opinion in the case of Ford vs. Surget. It is based ona careful and exhaustive study of the comity of nations, and the parts that appear applicable to the present situation are as follows : “If the foreign State recognizes belligerency in the insurgents it releases the parent State for whatever may be done by the insurgents, or not aone by the parent State, where the insurgent power extends, “Tf it is a war, the commissioned cruisers of both sides may stop, search and capture the foreign merchant vessel, and that vessel must make no resistance and must submit to adjudication by a prize court; if it is not war, the cruisers of neither party can stop or search the foreign merchant vessel, and that vessel may resist all attempts in FREEDOM FOR CUBA. 1383 that direction, and the ships of war of the foreign State may attack and capture any cruiser persisting in the attempt; if it is war, the insurgent cruisers are to be treated by foreign citizens and officials, at sea and in port, as lawful belligerents; if it is a war, the rules and risks respecting carrying contraband or dispatches or military persons, come into play. “The insurgents gain the great advantage of a recognized status (when belligerent rights are accorded), and the opportunity to employ commissioned cruisers at sea, and to exert all the powers known to maritime warfare, with the sanction of foreign nations. They can obtain abroad loans, military and naval materials, as against every- thing but neutrality laws. What Rights are Acquired. “ Their flag and commissions are acknowledged, their revenue laws are respected, and they acquire a quasi-political recognition. On the other hand, the parent government is relieved from responsibility for acts done in the insurgent territory; its blockade of its own ports is respected, and it acquires a right to exert against neutral commerce all the powers of a party to a maritime war.” It was thought altogether probable that Spain would immediately enter a protest, if the belligerency of the insurgents was recognized, just as the United States did in the early days of the civil war, when France took that action. The then Secretary of State, William H. Seward, acknowledged the right of France to take such a step in these words: “The President (Mr. Lincoln) does not deny—on the contrary, he maintains—that every sovereign power decides for itself, on its respon- sibility, the question whether or not it will at a given time accord the status of belligerency to the insurgent subjects of another power, as also the larger question of the independence of such subjects and their accession to the family of sovereign States.” As to the contention by Spain that war did not exist in Cuba; that there was a revolt against constituted authority, by a mob of rioters, this was pretty thoroughly disposed of by the opinion of the 134 FREEDOM FOR CUBA. Supreme Court of the United States about twenty years ago. It has never been changed or abridged. “A civil war,” said Judge Grier, giving the opinion in what is known as the Prize Cases, “is never solemnly declared; it becomes such by its accidents, the number, power and organization of the persons who originate and carry it on. When the party in rebellion occupy and hold ina hostile manner a certain portion of territory; have declared their independence ; have cast off their allegiance ; have organized armies; have commenced hostilities, the world acknowl- edges them as belligerents, and the contest a war.” The Resolutions Adopted. After much discussion in Congress concerning the form that the resolutions should take, making the action of the two Houses con- current, on April 6th, 1896, by the decisive and emphatic vote of 244 yeas to 27 nays the House of Representatives passed the Senate concurrent resolutions declaring that public war exists in Cuba, and granting belligerent rights to the insurgents. Public interest in the Cuban question was manifested by une people of Washington, and long before the noon hour the Capitol corridors were thronged. When the House of Representatives was called to order there was standing-room only in the galleries, and long lines of waiting people filled the corridors before the entrance doors, There were no proceedings of unusual moment on the floor of the House. There was no debate and no opposition to the proceedings. Congressman Hitt, of Illinois, Chairman of the Committee on For- eign Affairs, arose and demanded the regular order, and Speaker Reed put the question on the adoption of the conference report. The great, swelling chorus of ayes was followed by a feeble, scatter- ing negative vote, and the Speaker was about to declare the motion carried when Mr. Hitt asked for the yeas and nays, Yielding to the appeals of many members, however, he withdrew it; but Mr. Tucker, of Virginia, demanded a record-making vote, and so the roll was called. When Speaker Reed announced that “The yeas are 244 and the FREEDOM FOR CUBA. 138 nays 27, and the resolutions are adopted,” the applause upon the floor of the House and in the galleries was roof-shaking in its inten- sity and continuity. By its action the House agreed to the Senate resolutions, and disposed of the Cuban question. These resolutions are as follows: Resolved, That, in the opinion of Congress, a condition of public war exists between the Government of Spain and the government proclaimed and for some time maintained by force of arms by the people of Cuba, and that the United States of America should main- tain a strict neutrality between the contending powers, according to each all the rights of belljgerents in the ports and territory of the United States. Resolved, Further, that the friendly offices of the United States should be offered by the President to the Spanish Government for the recognition of the independence of Cuba. CHAPTER XII. Spanish Insults to the American Flag. REAT excitement was caused in Spain by the passage of the € resolutions in the United States Senate relating to the inde- pendence of Cuba, and in a number of places the American flag was torn down and trampled upon by boisterous mobs. As show- ing the spirit by which the crowds were actuated, we give here a detailed account of the insults, which it is but just to the Spanish authorities to say they repudiated, calling out troops in some instances to protect our American officials and their residences. At Madrid on March 2nd, 1896, there was a demonstration of students against the American legation, but before any overt acts had been committed the mob was dispersed by the authorities. The ex- citement over the Cuban question was intense. The prompt measures taken by the authorities to suppress disorder and prevent demonstra- tions, large forces of police being everywhere present, convinced the people that lawless acts would not be tolerated. 7 At Barcelona mounted gendarmes were kept busy patrolling the city and dispersing gatherings of persons plotting to vent their wrath upon the representatives of the United States Government there. Re- peated attempts were made to attack the United States Consulate, The rioters were repeatedly charged by the police and scattered, only to form in some other place with a determination to mob the Con- sulate. Such tenacity of purpose indicated that mischief-makers were working upon the excited populace. The greatest activity was displayed in the government dockyards, and every preparation possible was being made by the naval and military forces for an emergency. The “ Imparcial,” a Madrid journal, declared that the utterances of the United States Senate constituted an “ unqualified and unreasening 188 ae 137 YHE MAGNIFICENT ESCURIAL—THE RESIDENCE OF THE KINGS OF SPAIN. . 138 INSULTS TO THE AMERICAN FLAG. ~ provocation,” adding: “If the desire for war was on account of a fault in Spain, the Senators would be doing their duty. But no pro- vocation has been given to the United States, and the Americans judge rashly of the results of a Spanish-American war. The ob- noxious language of the Senate ought not to surprise any one. United States Senators are accustomed to exchange gross insults without crossing swords or exchanging bullets. These are the cowards who are seeking war, and one awaits death with more cool- ness with a good conscience than with pockets filled with dollars.” The Spanish officials at Washington described the occurrences in Spain as merely the outbursts of a few excited Spanish youths, and claimed that the dispatches bore out this view, and there was no probability: of any diplomatic trouble. The prompt disavowal of the Minister of State to Minister Taylor was pointed to as evidence that the Spanish Government did not sympathize with the “ mob.” “Down with the United States.” An anti-American demonstration occurred at Cadiz, Spain, March 7. A mob of about 500 students met in Genove’s Park. They carried two Spanish flags, and, after cheering some fiery utterances, paraded before the town hall with cries of ‘“ Long live Spain!” “ Down with the United States!” etc. Later, they proceeded to a tobacco factory and asked the manager to permit the workmen to join in the demon- stration. The manager, however, refused and called upon the police for protection. The latter charged the mob with drawn swords, and several of the students were wounded before they were driven away from the vicinity of the factory. After leaving that neighborhood the students made a demonstra- tion in front of the military club. There the police were again ordered to charge the mob. This time the students showered stones upon the police and were dispersed with much more difficulty. The authorities anticipated additional outbreaks, The orchestra of the Grand Theatre at Barcelona played the national march, and the audience rose with enthusiastic shouts of “Long live Spain!” “Long live General Weyler!” “Long live the 1NSULTS TO THE AMERICAN FLAG. 139 army!” “ Down with the United States!” etc. The audience, after leaving the theatre, was joined by very many other people, and paradec the streets, uttering similar shouts. The demonstrations took such proportrons that the police were unable to disperse the crowds, and it became necessary to call out the gendarmes, who, with a considerable show of, force, succeeded in quelling the disturbance, There was an anti-Ameri- can riot at Brlboa, Spain, March 9, and it was or greater importance than the previous so-called patriotic disturb- ances caused by the action of the Congress of the United \ States in regard to Cuba. | About 12,000 people took part in the public demonstra- tion. The excitement was GENERAL EYLER. started by a group of young men at a street corner, who began cheering every soldier who passed by. Their conduct was soon imitated by other groups of people, until every soldier seen was cheered by the crowds, and some musicians who refused to repeat the national snthem were hustled, beaten and otherwise maltreated. The excitement increased, and riotous groups formed in the main streets, cheering for Spain and denouncing the United States. The authorities did everything possible to maintain order. Almost the entire police force was turned out as soon as the populace assumed a threatening aspect, and the rioters were dispersed again ard again. Eventually, however, the mob became so numerous and excited that the police were almost helpless. After the first demonstrations of sympathy with the army the crowds had armed themselves with sticks and cudgels, and their numbers 140 INSULTS TO THE AMERICAN FLAG. were so great that the police were swept aside and an immense crow« gathered on the leading thoroughfare, and marched towards the resi- dence of the United States Consul, shouting, “ Long live Spain!” “ Down with the Yankees!” On their way to tne Consul’s residence they hurled stones through the windows of stores and private residences, overturned a number of vehicles, pulled several mounted policemen from their horses and generally behaved in the most threatening manner. Stores dealing in American goods received the most attention from the mob, and the windows of the Consul’s house were badly shattered, althougl the police defended the building. The mob then proceeded in the direction of the United States Con- sulate, evidently intending to stone the building as well. But the authorities had taken the precaution to send a strong force of police to guard that building and another detachment of police was stationed across the streets leading to the Consulate. Therefore when the mob aeared the United States Consulate it was confronted by the police with drawn swords. The mob halted, and then began pelting the police most vigorously with stones and pieces of brick. The policemen, however, held their ground, and a squad of the officers charged the rioters. The latter began firing pistols at the policemen, two of whom were wounded. This caused the police to charge in a body, and, using their swords with good effect, the rioters were dispersed, yelling and hooting at the authorities and shouting, “ Down with the Yankees!” and “ Long live Spain!” The police, who made a number of arrests, experienced considera- ble difficulty in escorting their prisoners to the depots. During the whole afternoon there was more or less disorder. It was decided to keep both the police proper and the gendarmes confined to barracks until further orders, as there seemed to be danger of another ‘ out- break. The United States Consulate was guarded by a strong detachment of gendarmes armed with carbines, revolvers and swords, and they had instructions to protect the Consulate at any cost. There was a serious anti-American riot at Salamanca March oth. INSULTS TO THE AMERICAN FLAG. 141 The students, as usual, were the leaders of the disturbance. They carried Spanish and American flags and burned the latter amid the acclamations of the crowds which gathered to witness the “ patriotic” demonstration. Cheering for Spain. Eventually the gendarmes charged the rioters and dispersed them temporarily. Later the students reassembled and gathered another mob about them. The prefect hurried to the scene and exhorted the students to disperse, but they hooted his utterances, cheering for Spain and denouncing the United States. Finally the prefect was compelled to call upon the police for pro- tection, and the gendarmes again charged the riotous students, who met the onslaught with showers of stones. Order, however, was finally restored, and the university was closed. The authorities feared there would be more outbreaks, and more elaborate precau- tions were taken to promptly suppress them. A dispatch from Madrid, March 12th, was as follows: ‘“ Further demonstrations of students against the United States, as a result of the Cuban resolutions of Congress, have occurred. At Corunna two hundred students belonging to the University joined in a parade yes- terday, cheered for Spain and burned an American flag. The police, however, succeeded in preventing the rioters from approaching ths United States Consulate. “ At Alicante the Mayor and police, while dispersing a similar anti- American demonstration, were pelted with stones. A number of policemen sustained injuries. “A dispatch from Barcelona says that on the arrival there last night of a train from Aragon two men were arrested upon a charge of carrying concealed weapons. When a search of their clothing was made, thirty dynamite cartridges and two daggers were dis- covered. The men asserted they had found the cartridges upon the road, and declared that they had come to Barcelona in search of work. The police discredit their story. The United States Con- sulate is being closely guarded.” CHAPTER XIII. Horrors of Morro Castle. AVANA may, undoubtedly, be called a military city; for at. every corner you meet a soldier, before nearly every public office there is a guard, and at various hours of the day and evening, and in various parts of the city, one’s ear is greeted by the notes of the bugle, or the rattling of the drum; while many of the barracks and a fort or two are right in the midst of the city. At night, sometimes, these sentries are troublesome with their challenging, in an open city; and if one approaches too near their posts, he hears the words, quickly rung out, “Who goes there?” (Quien vive?) As a reply has to be made, the Habafieros say, “ Espatia,’ the regular pass-word. An American finds no trouble in replying, “ Forastero” (foreigner), or “Aericano.” But now-a-days, the latter might be dangerous, as the name does not seem to be popular. : A great deal of good sense has been dispiayed in uniforming the troops for this climate. In lieu of the heavy cloth, the Cuban sol- diers are clad in simple linen, of various cclors—white, blue and brown—than which nothing can look more soldierly. Take, for instance, the infantry soldier, in full uniform. He wears a sort of dark blue dungaree blouse, gathered at the waist to give it a natty shape, a pair of neat brown-drilling pantaloons, and a low-crowned cap of leather, with visor enough to be of some use. In lieu of the stiff, uncomfortable coat collar, and the still more uncomfortable and unhealthy leather stock, he wears a neatly rolled collar, of red cloth, which, with his cuffs of the same, can be taken off when he sends his kit to the wash. Others, again, are uniformed in pure white, with pretty “shoulder knockers,” and collars and cuffs of red; while the cavalry and artil 142 HORRORS OF MORRO CASTLE. 143 lerymen wear loose short jackets, pants of blue linen, and broad palm-leaf hats. This uniform, far from being uncomfortable or unsoldierly, is jfist the opposite ; and Spanish troops have the appear- since of clean and well-instructed soldiers. 3 The Captain-General is the superior military chief of the Island, and commander-in-chief of its armies; while next to him in rank is the second chief, who has the rank of brigadier-general, and pay of ten thousand dollars per annum, and who is also the sub-inspector of infantry and cavalry. The corps of artillery and engineers have special sub-inspectors, with the title of marzscales de campo. The fortresses of the Island, in which are nearly always the prisons and the barracks of the troops, have their owt, governors or com- manders, with special staffs. Large Standing Army. The army consists generally of twenty-five or thirty thousand men, with its proportion of infantry, artillery, cavalry, engineers and marines, Each regiment has a colonel and lieutenant-colonel, a drum-major, and six contract musicians. The battalion has a first and second commander, an adjutant (lieutenant), an ensign, a chap- lain, and a surgeon, a chief bugler, and a master armorer. These regiments are all known by names (not numbers), such as the King’s, the Queen’s, Isabel II. of Naples, of Spain, etc., which does much towards increasing the esprit du corps so necessary to make good soldiers. 7 There is also a battalioa known as the “Guardia Civil,’ a fine body of men, who are scattered in small detachments throughout the Island, mostly as watchmen and police, or, perhaps, as spies. They are generally an intelligent set, handsomely uniformed in well-fitting, dark-blue coats, white pants, and broad-brimmed felt hats, neatly bound with white. One sees them on the wharves, in the opera- house, at the theatre, patrolling the paseo—in fact, everywhere in Havana. A large percentage of the troops die every year when they first come from Spain, and therefore a large supply of recruits is neces- 144 HORRORS OF MORRO CASTLE. sary to keep the regiments up to their maximum, The pay of field, staff, and line is about the same as in our army, being double that which is received in Spain; though, as some of the officers declare, “half pay” is more at home (Spain) than double pay in Cuba, every- thing costs so much more on the Island. Havana is said to be impregnable. If it is not, it ought to be, judging from the number of its stone walls, its frowning fortresses, and its ships of war; and yet it is not so strong as it looks. The day is past for the simple, old-fashioned ways-oi attack by buccaneers, and new modes of war make sad inroads upon the protection afforded by some of these old-time forts. Warning to Filibusters. The Morro and La Punta command the entrance. Across the bay is the Cabafias, with its guns pointing in every direction, and at the end of the bay the Fortress of Santo Domingo de Atares, which commands the bay and holds the city itself under surveillance. East and west, La Punta, El Morro, Cabafias, Number Four, Principe, San Lazaro, Pastora, and the Tower of Chorrera give notice to the adventurous filibuster to “ keep off.” The Castillo de los tres Santos Reyes del Morro, and the Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabafia are the ones which every traveler desires to see, and which every one, if it is possible, should visit, as they are world-renowned, in addition to being well worth seeing, not only on account of their structure, but on account of the magnificent views of sea and land from their battlements. In former years, it was a matter of some difficulty to gain entrance to these forts, and it is not now accomplished very easily. Of course, our consul is the person to secure passes to the forts; he always obliges such parties of Americans as desire to visit them, unless in war times. The authorities have a regular printed form of passes, Starting from the landing just outside the Puerta de la Punta, it is only a short pull directly across to the landing of El Morro. Strolling up the slope from the landing, one begins to realize im- mediately the apparently great strength of the work. The slope itself HORRORS OF MORKO CASTLE. 145 which conr\ucts up to the main gate of the castle is very scrong, with solid stone parapets on each side, and a road laid in mortar with small, regular-sized cobble-stones. To the left, almost on a line with the water, is the water battery known as the “ Twelve Apostles,” —twelve iron guns, mounted on siege carriages, carrying twenty- four pound shot, and worked ex baréette, which would give them great effect at short range on any vessel attempting to pass. Although the soldiers of whom you ask questions in the fort either dare not or w2// not tell anything, yet they are useful guides. The walls here at the. entrance are very thick, you notice, and form case- - mates, the one to the right being the guard-room, which is also occupied by the officer of the day, who sometimes strolls through the fort with foreigners. A Dismal Old Fort. In front of ine entrance are the barracks and the storehouses, which seem to occupy the hollow square formed by the walls of this portion of the fort. They are of solid stone, with their rooms arched, ceiled, and paved in stone, the bunks of the men being simply cots. Looking towards the harbor is the casemate battery, mounting about eight guns. The whole of this first fort, which seems to be separated from the citadel by drawbridges, is very cramped and very dismal. On the extreme corner of the fort, at the very mouth of the entrance to the bay, stands the O’Donnell light-house, a cylindrical tower of stone, seventy-eight feet in height from the wall of the castle, and fifteen feet in diameter, being altogether one hundred and fifty-eight feet above the level of the sea. The light is of the first order of Fresnel, fixed, but alternated with large reflectors that : hine, every half minute, for about five or six seconds, It is ordinarily seen at a distance of eighteen miles, though in fine weather at a greater distance. Near the light-house, but upon the terreplain of the portion above, is a small frame house, used as the signal-station, where are kept the signal-flags, which are displayed from the masts close by; there are so many flags and signals of all nations, that the interior of the house 10 146 HORRORS OF MUKRO CASTLE. looks quite like a dry-goods store. This portion of the fort is reached by a stone slope leading up between the quarters, or by a narrow spiral stone stairway inside the walls, coming out upon a concrete terreplain protected by stone parapets. pierced with embrasures for cannon. From the parapet there is a fine view of the sea, the city, and the surrounding country. Here, also, can be seen the full lines of the land-face of the fort and the position of the others. A Frowning Battery. The moat 1s a dry and very deep one, the scarp walls of which are fully one hundred feet high, and the width full fifty feet. From the battlements one can see how much nature did for this fort in the beginning; for from the sea-side directly up to the counter-scarp, there is a natural glacis, commanded completely from every part by whe guns ex darbeite in this part of the fort. The strongest battery, and the only one that really looks as though it were ready for work, is the one to the extreme right of the fort, entered by a covered way, and forming the sea-coast battery. It mounts about twenty-four iron guns, of thirty-two pounds cali- bre, on siege carriages, and appears to be a very strong battery. Just after entering the fort, by the stone slope, inside the exterior wall, there is to the right hand a long stone-covered gallery, connect- ing the southern face of the fort with the covered way that leads to the sea-coast battery, as also to the road leading over to the Cabajfias on the hrow of the hill. This is a strong affair, arched, and lighted by long, narrow apertures. It is about one hundred yards long. Morro Castle is not only celebrated, for the beauty of its natural surroundings, but notorious because of the untold misery hidden within its walls. The historic structure, intended as a military stronghold, is admirably situated on a high elevation at the entrance’ to the harbor of Havana, and, as already stated, from that location an excellent view is obtainable of the land and water for many miles around. Viewed from a military point of observation, the castle, even with its natural advantages, is no longer a stronghold. HORRORS OF MORRO CASTLE. 147 A bombardment by the elements controlled by the devastating hand of Father Time has created sad havoc with the architectural beauties of the old place, and what was at one time a really powerful fortification is nothing more than a crumbling mass of masonry. Cubans say that a sad tale of horror and misery can be told about the place for every one of the building stones used in the construc- tion of the castle, and they now regard it as simply a shell where human suffering is carefully concealed from the light of civilization. A House of Horrors. While in Cuba an American correspondent viewed the castle from various points of observation. Fortunately for himself he did not view it from the inside, however, although several other American newspaper correspondents have been detained there under exasperat- ing conditions. “ The castle is a grand old place from a distant point of view,” writes the journalist. “In nearly every other consideration it is a House ~f Horrors. A mere mention of the name Morro Castle thrills the heart of the average Cuban with an ill-feeling, and they have a greater dread of confinement there than they have of the yel- low fever. “ Political prisoners and suspects are taken there under a strong guard of armed men. They are taken there in boats about 6 o’clock in the morning, the soldiers having bayonets drawn ready for instant use. While on the way to the castle it would be almost certain death for a prisoner to show the least sign of insubordination, for the guards are authorized to deal summarily with their prisoners when- ever occasion requires, and no hesitation occurs in taking full and instant advantage of that feature. ; “Mr. Michaelson, the correspondent of a New York newspaper, ‘and his interpreter were confined there as suspects. It required ex- ertions of a most vigorous character for other Americans to discover the fact that Mr. Michaelson was really confined there. Murat Hal- stead and other Americans interviewed General Weyler, and finally gained from the Spanish commander a blunt admission that the New 148 HORRORS OF MORRO CASTLE. York writer was in the castle. The treatment Mr. Michaelson received was almost brutal in its nature. “He was compelled to sleep on the bare floor, and the interior of the whole castle is like a dungeon. Stimulants forwarded to the castle by his friends were never delivered to the prisoner. A ham- mock was not permitted to reach him until the day before he was liberated, and meals purchased at a hotel for his benefit were detained on the outside. His food was thrown to him as it might be given to adog. Finally, a prison attendant who saw that he was a gentleman, gave him food on a tin plate, and then said in Spanish, ‘I would like to have a little tip, if you don’t mind, sir,’ Slow Death in Prison Vaults. “While in the cell, the correspondent saw a rat of tremendous size. It was a black rat with a long gray beard, and approached Michael- son, he said, as if bent on opening hostilities. Michaelson took off his boot and hurled it at the animal, the missile striking the cell door with a loud noise. The rat was frightened away, and prison officials were attracted to the cell. They rebuked the prisoner for a breach of prison discipline, the noise not being permissible. “The prison is a damp, unhealthy place, where no regard is paid to sanitary arrangements or conditions. A short confinement within its dreary walls is frequently attended with fatal consequences. The climate is such that dreaded fevers are disastrous in their results, the ravages of yellow fever being terrible in extent. “The hospitals in and around Havana are so crowded with patients that. frequently the military doctors send sufferers to hotels while the unfortunates are suffering from some dreaded disease. The announcement is made that the complaint is rheumatism or some other disease not of an infectious or contagious character, so that this method frequently results in many well persons being subjected needlessly to great dangers of contamination.” In April two hundred and twelve men were confined in two cells of Morro Castle. They were political prisoners, or “ suspects,” await- ing trial. Some had been there a week, some a month, some a year, HORRORS OF MORRO CASTLE. 149 Two were American citizens; one a British subject. There was a boy of fourteen years, born in Spain, and not long enough in Cuba to dream of rebelling against the government. There were men bowed in years, young men, merchants, profes- sional men, clerks and farm laborers, all gathered in and thrown together, with little or no evidence of having aided or taken part in the insurrection. In the Cabanas fortress, close by, and in prisons all over the Island, were other unfortunates. Two thousand, three thousand, perhaps four thousand, altogether, for no man may know how many people Spain had behind the bars at this time in Cuba. Like Subterranean Tunnels. But of the 212 in the Morro. Each cell is about 20 feet wide and nearly 100 feet deep. They are of stone, arched above, and are more like subterranean tunnels.than rooms for human beings. The only openings are at the ends. They are in the lower part of a building, within the outer walls, and having the appearance of being intended for storing supplies. They are damp and filthy, and are said to be infested with vermin. Nothing in the shape of chairs, benches or beds is provided. There are, however, hooks for fifty hammocks ig each room. Friends of the prisoners supplied the hammocks ; but, as there were 108 men in one room, and 104 in the other, more than half the number were compelled to sleep on the stone floor. Water was furnished twice a day in separate cans, which once contained kerosene oil. Regular army rations were served. ‘The sanitary arrangements were vile. Many men were taken from these. cells to the hospitals before the slow-moving authorities saw fit to try their cases, or admit that they had no case. One of the prisoners was Lopez Colona, who left Matanzas in the early days of the rebellion: Like Juan Gualberto Gomez, who died ‘in Ceuta prison, Colona presented himself when Captain-Genera: Calleja issued his proclamation granting amnesty to all insurgents who surrendered. He had been in prison more than a year, had neither been deported nor given a trial, and stood a good chance of dying in prison. 150 HORRORS OF MORRO CASTLE. Another prisoner was Manuel Francisco Aguerro. He affirmed he was an American citizen, and though he was arrested in July, 1895, the American Consul said he had never before heard of the case. Aguerro was a general agent or manager of a traveling circus, He said he had visited the United States yearly to obtain features for his circus, and lived there at one time five years, when he took out citizenship papers. He had taken no part in the war, and was arrested in Guara, Havana province, July 7th, 1895. All of the 212 in Morro Castle were white. One already men- tioned was a smooth-cheeked Spanish lad of fourteen, who was clerk in a store in a small town in the interior of Havana province. He lost his position, and was walking along the highway to Havana when arrested, charged with being a rebel. Aside from those named, the political prisoners are Cubans almost without exception. They are not in any sense prisoners of war. They are peaceable citizens dragged out of their homes, away from families dependent upon them for support, and sent to the Morro. CHAPTER XIV. Stirring Incidents of the Conflict. [’ is evident that there was no opportunity for General Weyler te fight a pitched battle with the entire insurgent army. The reason is plain. The insurgents were scattered and were not massed in large numbers. They were, indeed, separated into two divisions, the one under General Gomez and the other under General Antonio Maceo, but they were not to be found at any one point in very formidable numbers. The insurgent generals exhibited great strategy in avoiding a pitched battle against overwhelming numbers. They knew every inch .of Cuba. They could advance and retreat with the swiftness of the wind. They were well acquainted with all the natural strongholds, and could disappear whenever there was a certainty of being defeated or captured if they risked battle. Thus the war progressed and was not without incidents of the most stirring description. On March 13th, Gomez and Maceo, who were in the province of Matanzas, separated, Gomez remaining in the vicinity of Jovellanos, while Maceo moved west. The Government troops directed atter- tion to Maceo, who showed a tendency to retreat toward Havana. The columns commanded by Generals’ Bernal and Prats, Colonels Vicuna and Inclan, Tort and Molina and the Almanza battalion formed a combination to encircle Maceo and prevent his entrance to Havana province. The official announcement was made at the Palace of the combination of the seven columns. The result was anxiously awaited. Later the Government announced that Maceo declined an engage- ment and entered Havana province. From other sources it was learned that Maceo discovered the combination, and with Lacret and Bandera’s forces, numbering over ten thousand, fell upon the 151 162. STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. Almanza battalion, which happened to be a raw one recently arrived from Spain, broke it to pieces near Los Palos, rode over the remains and crossed the Havana line, leaving the Government combination in the rear. Maceo passed south of Guines and struck the railroad north of Batanao, removed the track and telegraph wires from the trocha, and caused consternation in the block-houses along the strong line. In the vicinity of Pozo Redondo he burned two bridges, and was reported going in the direction of Pinar del Rio line. General Weyler was very angry over the failure of the columns to prevent Maceo’s return, especially since he had just proclaimed the province free of insurgents. The Government troops were rushed west in pursuit of Maceo, and the strong line was again strengthened, There was no improvement in the situation in the other provinces, The Spanish held only three towns in the Western province—Pinar del Rio, Candelaria and Artemisa. In Matanzas many thousand acres of cane were burned, railroada destroyed and towns attacked. The rebels were more numerous than ever. The same was true of Santa Clara and Santiago provinces, General Weyler’s recent decrees were being rigidly enforced, causing panic in many sections. The Speniards Killing One Another. An untoward military accident occurred, growing out of a mis- understanding of the reply to a challenge, resulting in the killing o} twelve soldiers and the wounding of a number of others. A small band of insurgents had set fire to the cane and buildings on a sugar estate near Marianao, Province of Havana, The smoke attracted the ° attention of two columns of Spanish troops who were advancing in search of the rebels. The column which first arrived on the estate entrenched themselves, as a precaution against any sudden attack from the insurgents, who were supposed to be near. The second column, consisting of the San Quintin battalion, arrived on the scene after dark. As they approached the entrench- ments of the first column they were hailed by the usual “ Alerta” from a picket, and responded by calling out the name of their battal- STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. 153 jon—San Quintin. The picket, confused by the sudden appearance of the column, misunderstood the reply, taking it, from the similarity of sound,to be Quintin Bandera, the name of one of the rebel leaders. He at once concluded that the insurgents were moving to attack the column to which he belonged, and, without further parley, discharged his piece and fell back to the entrenchments, where the report of his rifle had caused all the troops to seize their arms and prepare to repel an attack. The second column had in the meantime continued to advance, supposing that they had come upon the rebels for whom they were looking. They had not gone far before the first column poured a volley into their ranks. The second column returned the fire, and then in response to an order fixed their bayonets and rushed forward to take the entrenchments by storm. As they went over the en- trenchments the first column poured another volley into them, and then when the troops came into close quarters it was discovered from the uniforms and flags that a fatal blunder had been made. It was reported that the losses on both sides in killed and wounded were over thirty, but there was a strong suspicion that they were much larger. Defending Havana. “Within three days,” says a journalist, “I have made two journeys out into the surrounding country, and have seen the hurried prepara- tions for the defense of the city which are going oa day and night. I went clear across the Island to the south coast along the trocha, and the work is astonishing. Miles of trenches are being dug; on every high piece of ground commanding a quarter of mile radius has been erected a stone fort with a boiler-iron roof and watch-tower, and outside the limits of the city not a building commanding a street or village, or a hacienda in the country remains which has not been barricaded and garrisoned. The numerous little forts are each capa- ble of holding a hundred or a hundred and fifty men and a machine gun has been sent out to half a dozen of them which are nearest the city. 154 STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. “Tt all looks very much like the hasty defense of a city about to be attacked, and the nature of the fortifications, outside the forts described, bears out this impression. The buildings utilized are topped along the four sides of the roof with a rampart of oil-barrels filled with sand, and when the supply of barrels has failed ordinary sugar sacks have been used in the same way. At Guanabacoa, east of the city in the direction of Matanzas, sardine boxes, flour barrels, empty cracker cases, old lumber and every sort of junk have been piled up in lines and filled with gravel. The following letter, addressed to the American press, was received at Tampa, Fla., March 14th: Outrages by a Despot. “Tf the Government that unhappily rules the destinies of this unfortunate country should be true to the most rudimentary princi- ples 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 the insurgent forces, but vented all his ferocious instincts against innocent and inoffensive peasants. “In Yaguaramas, a small town near Cienfuegos, he arrested as suspects and spies Mr. Antonio Morejon, 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 battalion, doing garrison duty at Yaguaramas, to kili 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, were 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 horrifies to even think of it. Mr. Chapi, who knew the ways of STIRRinG INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. 155 Colonel Jull, on being awakened at 3 o’clock in the morning, and notified by the volunteer of 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 would be taken out of the fort. They did so, but those who were to execute the order of Jull were neither moved nor weakened in their purpose. A Ghastly Spectacle. ‘On the contrary, at the first screams of Chapi and Morejon they threw a lasso over their heads, and pulled at it by the ends. Ina few moments they fell to the ground, choked to death. They were dragged on the earth without pity to the place where they were buried. All this bloody scene was witnessed by Jull from a short distance. Providence has not willed that so much iniquity should remain hid- den forever. In the hurry the grave where these two innocent 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, disinterred the head of one of the victims. He was terror-stricken, and imme- diately gave notice to the Guardia Civil and the Judge. These authorities soon found out that the men had been killed by order of Colonel Jull, and therefore proceedings were suspended. “The neighbors and all civil and military authorities know every- thing that has been related here, but such is the state of affairs on this Island that General Weyler has had no objection to appointing this monster, Colonel Jull, Military Governor of Matanzas. Such deeds as enumerated are common. “The people of the town of Matanzas, with Jull as Governor, and Arolas at the head of a column, wiil suffer the consequences of their pernicious and bloody instincts. “ That the readers may know in part who General Arolas is, I wil\ relate what has happened in the Mercedes estate, near Colon. It having come to his knowledge that a small body of rebels was encamped on the sugar Estate Mercedes, of Mr. Carrillo, General Arolas went to engage them, but the rebels, who were few in nume 166 STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. ber, retreated. Much vexed at not being able to discharge one shot at them, he made prisoners of three workmen who were out in the field herding the animals of the estate, and without aay 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 discharge of musketry they fell dead. *It seems impossible that being so near the United States, so neat that country so free, cultured and generous, innocent peasants can be butchered with impunity. Not even in Armenia happens what is being witnessed in Cuba. The history of the Spanish dominion in this unfortunate Island is a history of crimes.” Appalling Devastation. Some idea of the devastatio. wrought by the war in Cuba may be zathered from the fact that fifty-nine towns were destroyed in the four western provinces. Most of these towns were burned by the insurgents for resisting attacks, or because they were being used as depots of supplies for government troops. In some cases, like that of Cabanas, the Spanish troops demolished the town to prevent the insurgents from occupying it. Very little of the destruction was done wantonly by either side. When tke insurgents, led by Maceo, entered Pinar del Rio every town in the province except the capital city welcomed him with open arms, and no property was injured. Later the Government troops entered the province, and, moving in strong columns, dislodged the insurgents from town after town, establishing their own garrisons there. Thereupon the inhabitants burned their own town, and nearly the entire province was laid in ashes. Spanish troops occupied the city of Pinar del Rio, the towns of Candelaria, Artemisa and the port of Colima. All the rest of the province was in the hands of the enemy A Spanish force was sent to establish a base of supplies at Guane, Upon the approach of the column the residents burned their town, In the general devastation of Pinar del Rio tobacco warehouses were burned, and the indications were that this crop would not be STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. 157 permitted to reach the coast. Banana and pineapple crops were alse interfered with. Shipments from the interior to the sea-coast towns were so completely blocked that at Guines, in this province, cows were offered for sale at $4 each, pigs $1, turkeys 4o cents, and eggs and milk had no price. In Havana these things were worth four times the customary price, and codfish imported in large quantities for consumption in the interior was offered for one and one-half cents per pound, but a little more than the duty alone. Thousands of people were destitute, and had it not been for tropical fruits and the tropical climate starvation would have been theirs. The following report from Defuniak Springs, Fla., under date of March 18th, shows that the friends of Cuba were active in supplying arms and ammunition: Arrival of Munitions of War. “The expedition of General Enrique Collazo, which sailed from Tampa about two weeks ago,-was met at an appointed location in the Gulf by a steamer whose name is given as ‘Jose Marti,’ having aboard General Collazo, Major Charles Hernandez, and Miguel Duque de Estrada, a brother-in-law of Coilazo. The main body consisted of ninety-eight able-bodied men, most of whom are prominent in society in Havana. The steamer will immediately sail for Cuba, intending to land on the northern coast, near Cardenas. The following is a list of the munitions of war taken: “Five hundred Winchester rifles, 500 Remington rifles, 500 ma- chetes, two rapid-firing field-pieces, and a large number of cartridges, caps and considerable dynamite. Sufficient accoutrements and equipments were taken for five hundred men. “The Spanish Consui at Tampa was fully aware of the move, but on account of it being made on Sunday-he could obtain no warrant to arrest the members of the expedition, the United States Marshal refusing to act without it.” The strength of the insurgent army at this time was close to 43,000 men. Cubans themselves estimated the number of men in the field as high as 60,000; but even if unarmed camp-followers, men in 158 STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. charge of provision trains, hospitals and camps were counted, it is doubtful if that number could have been found actually in service. There were thousands of Cubans who would willingly have cast their lot with the patriot army, but lack of arms and ammunition prevented. The insurgent forces operated, as a rule, in zones or districts, and were organized on military lines. The columns of Gomez, Maceo, Lacret and Banderas were, however, limited to no one province, but passed from one to another, under direct orders of Gomez. A Hand-to-Hand Encounter. News was received at Havana of an important battle which was fought in the vicinity of Candelaria, in the Province of Pinar del Rio. The Government troops were unable to drive the insurgents back, and retired from their position with considerable loss. The Spanish forces were commanded by General Linares and Colonels Inclan and Hernandez, and the insurgents by Maceo and Banderas. The fighting was begun on a line parallel with the roadway. The Spanish forces deployed, the Tarifa battalion, a section of the Victoria cavalry and 4 detachment of artillery forming the vanguard and opening fire upos the enemy. The insurgents returned this fire, and at the same time made ax attack upon the rear-guard of the Spaniards, completely enrircling their column. Having entirely surrounded the Government troops, the insurgents advanced upon the artillerymen with machetes. The latter made a vigorous resistance, using muskets and grenades with such effect as to check for a time the enemy’s advance; but, with reinforcements, a second charge was made by the insurgents and a hand-to-hand engagement ensued. The battle terminated with a bayonet charge. After a hot fight, lasting two hours, the Spaniards were defeated, losing many killed and wounded. It was the intention of the enemy to prevent Colonel Inclan from proceeding to Can- delaria. The official report of the fight said the insurgents sufferzd a tre- mendous loss. The Spaniards lost two captains and five privates killed, and one lieutenant, four sergeants and fifty-four soldiers STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE- CONFLICT. 159 wounded. General Linares.arrived at Candelaria an hour after the conclusion of the engagement, when he reported his share in the battle. A dispatch from Havana to the /mparcial at Madrid said: “ Captain- General Weyler feels much hindered by the excessive degree of prudence he is compelled to observe during the discussion in the United States Congress of the question of the belligerency of the Cuban insurgents, which, moreover, prejudices the course of the war.” Mr. Armstrong, Secretary of the United States Legation at Madrid, said: “General Weyler is certainly in a very embarrassing position. He is trying to quell an insurrection in a province in which go per cent. of the population are opposed to him, and as soon as he starts a friendly nation practically tells him that, while he may carry on the war, he must not shoot any one.” A detachment of Spanish troops near Cardenas, province of Matanzas, captured 151 cases of ammunition, nine cases of carbines, fourteen medical chests, twenty boxes of accoutrements and two boxes of cartridge caps. These supplies, evidently intended for the insurgents, were found in three boats, which apparently belonged to some filibustering steamer off the coast. Senor Dupuy de Lome, Spanish Minister at Washington, re- ceived the following cablegram on March 20: “Havana, March 20.—The detachment of Veradero, near Carde- nas, captured 150 boxes of ammunition for Remington and Winchester rifles, nine boxes of cavalry rifles, fourteen tin boxes of medicines, twenty knapsacks covered with oil-cloth, two boxes of explosives and three boats. (Signed) WEYLER.” The Spanish Minister was of the opinion that the war material mentioned was that of the Colazzo expedition, which was shipped from Cedar Key in the schooner “J. S. Mallory,” captured by the United States revenue cutters, released by the authorities at Tampa, and afterwards transshipped somewhere near the southern coast of florida to the steamer “ Three Friends.” With the arrival at Philadelphia of the schooner “J. Manchester 160 STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. Haynes” from Havana, came an interesting account of the state ot affairs at the Cuban capital. For two months the schooner lay at Havana, and during all that time the insurgents tantalized the Span- ish soldiers, who, notwithstanding the vigorous policy that was sup- posed to have been adopted, seemed to be unable to cope with the tactics employed by the patriots. Flames from Burning Plantations. Ninety thousand soldiers were quartered at Havana. During the time the “ Haynes” was at that port the insurgent force, numbering about 6000, were at no time farther away from the capital than fifteen miles. The Spanish soldiers had possession of the city, but just outside havoc was being wrought by the insurgents. Flames from burning plantations could be seen at all times, and frequently a daring patriot would go almost into the capital and destroy property. The Western Railroad, which runs from Havana, was a great sufferer. No sooner were the rails relaid than the insurgents tore them up again. An engineer, more daring than the rest, was warned by the insurgents not to venture out from the town, but, risking it, he was captured, and when the “ Haynes” left Havana nothing further had been heard concerning him. The President of this railroad also lost cattle, which were in the western part of the city. The insur- gents some weeks before raided that section and destroyed a large number of cows, and no milk could be had for several days. Insurgent spies were said to enter Havana frequently to find out whatever news it was possible to learn, especially the plans of the Spanish. They then returned to the country, and the information thus obtained enabled the officers to direct their forces in a manner that baffled the Government troops. The “Haynes” was at Havana when General Weyler arrived. War was to be pushed toa speedy end, it was declared, but there was no sign of an early termination of hostilities. When the United States Senate passed the resolutions favoring the recognition of the insurgents as belligerents, there was bitter feeling expressed by the Spaniards against this country. “Why,” said one, “I could eat ten STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. 16: of those Americans myself!” Somebody remarked that it would be better for his country if he ate ten of the insurgents. The insurgents seemed never to rest, but it appeared otherwise with the Spaniards. A small band of the insurgents would approach very close to the capital, but while the Government troops were pur- suing them the time for eating would come. , This settled it. The soldiers stopped to eat. After they had filled their stomachs with things good to eat and drink, they enjoyed their cigarettes. By this time the insurgents om their ponies were far away. This is quoted to illustrate the activity of one and the apathy of the other of the con- tending forces. Capture of a Band of Insurgents. Some days before the “ Haynes” sailed for Philadelphia several bands of insurgents were captured. One band, numbering seventeen, headed bya negrv chief, was marched through the town in the charge of a large regiment of soldiers. The soldiers with great glee kept swinging thcir swords near the chief’s head. The entire band was taken to Morro Castle, where, it was believed, the chief would be shot. A Spanish commandant, who had been found giving provi- sions to insurgents, was executed in Morro Castle. An American sailor, who had been three years in Morro Castle, was released several weeks before. He had been put there for knocking down a policeman. The sailor was lounging around the docks when the “Haynes ” departed. A day or so before the schooner sailed from Havana an expedition was said to have been landed at Cabanas, a town to the westward of the capital. The gunboats did not seem to be able to prevent the landing of filibusters, who found it comparatively easy to get ashore on the coast from Santa Cruz to Havana. It was stated that property- owners and merchants were openly professing sympathy with the Spaniards, fearing that all that belonged to them would be confiscated if they appeared to favor the other side, but when the turning-point came, it was believed all would actively support the insurgents. Owing to the destruction of the plantations very little new sugar u 162 STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. was coming into Havana from the country districts. There was a lot of old sugar in the warehouses, but this the people did-not care to send out because no new material was coming in. Reference has been made to the expedition of the steamer “ Three Friends,” of Jacksonville, Florida. We here give the complete story of the trip. The steamer, in command of Captain Napoleon B. Broward, arrived at Jacksonville on March 18th, having succeeded in landing in Cuba General Enrique Collazo, Major Charles Hernandez, and Duke 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 was by long odds the most important expedition that 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. Large Cargo of Arms. They declared that it would change the character of the whole war, as the unarmed men would now be armed and these without ammunition would be supplied, 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 cartridges ; 1,200 rifles ; 2,100 machetes ; 400 revolvers, besides stores, reloading 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 discover 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 “ Mal- lory”” and steamed southward under a good head of Stcasic The “ Three Friends” is a powerful tug, and by Monday night STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. 163 ‘was close enough to the Cuban shore to hear the breakers. Severai 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» Shadowed by Detectives. 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 anda 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 undertaking. The Cubans on shore recognized General Collazo immediately, and no words can describe their joy upon seeing him. He is a veteran of Cuban wars, and isone whom Spain fears. In fact, itis 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 Cuba. When it was whispered that Collazo 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. Major Charles H:-aandez and Duke Estrada were also enthusiastically welcomed. It was reported that night that Maceo had recerged 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, in- cluding the “ Three Friends,” had landed, and two more were on the way. Tuesday morning, as the “ Three Friends ” was returning, she sighted a steamer that answered to the description of the “ Commo- dore.” She was headed southward, and pushing along apparently at the rate of fifteen knots an hour. This vessel has an engine capae ble of driving a ship twice her size, and has a speed of seventeen knots an hour. 164 STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. On Wednesday, March 3, General Collazo, Major Hernandez and Duke Estrada leit Tampa, and reached Jacksonville the nex: day. They remained secreted at the house of a Cuban sympathizer until the 12th, General Co!lazo knowing that detectives had been on his. trail for weeks. They intended to leave on the night of March 5th, but their departure was delayed, on account of the capture of the “Mallory,” until the 12th. After release, the “Mallory” sailed with a part of the arms seized at Cedar Keys six months before, some on an wiand, some in a house, and some that had been jettisoned and had deen released through the efforts of H. S. Rubens, general counse) of the Cubans. The schooner “Ardell” left Tampa the same night with fifty-four men and Brigadier-General Vasquez, a brother-in-law of General Collazo, Escape of the Vessel. Five tons of the “ Mallory’s” arms and ammunition .,ere taken from her at Tampa and shipped to Jacksonville, in a sealed car, with instruc- tions not to open until called for. When the car arrived in Jackzon- ville, one of the clerks of the railroad, not knowing of the orders, opened the car and unloaded it in the freight depot of the Florida Central & Peninsular Railroad, and this discovery led to all sorts of rumors. It was known that the boxes contained arms, as they were heavy, and they were labelled “Colt’s Fire Arms Company.” They were promptly removed to the warehouse of the President of the Friends of Cuba Club of Jacksonville. The arms remained in this warehouse until the night of the 12th instant. Meanwhile the “ Mallory ” sailed from Tampa with the re. mainder of the cargo to Alligator Key, the appointed rendezvous, Alligator Key is about 100 miles south of Biscayne Bay. It isa part of the Florida reef, and, being well wooded, is an excellent place for the purpose. There the “ Mallory” was joined by the “ Ardell,” where the two waited for the ‘‘ Three Friends.” This vessel left the dock of the Alabama Coal Company in Jackson- ville at 8 o’clock on the night of Thursday, the 12th inst., and pro- ceeded to the dock, where she loaded with arms, ammunition and STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONFLICT. 168 dynamite. At 10 o’clock she sailed for the mouth of the river, but stopped at Bucki’s on the way and took aboard General Collazo and his party, and A. W. Barra, who had driven out in carriages from the place where they were secreted. At this point a large naphtha launch was taken on, as well as two iarge iron surf-boats, to be used in landing the arms, etc. The steamer proceeded out to the bar that night, and at daylight of Friday, the 13th, she proceeded down the coast. She arrived at Alligator Key Sunday morning, and then took in tow the “ Mallory.” ‘CHAPTER XV. Pathetic Stories of the War. N the 4th of March, Dr. Delgado, an American citizen residing in Cuba, was wounded by brutal Spanish soldiers. There was a ghastly gash made bya machete across the side of his head, extending downward to the throat. It was sewed up by the doctors. The bullet-hole through his side was the most‘painful. He had lived in New York, and had begun practicing medicine there as assistant to Dr. Alexander Mott. He came to Cuba in 1876 tc claim property which belonged to him by inheritance. He grieved a great deal over the young men who were killed on the day of the massacre, when he escaped so miraculously to tell this story. A wewspaper correspondent heard the story of the butchery from Delgado’s old father, who speaks good English. The old man was still suffering from the effects of the weeks which he spent in the damp cane fields with his wounded boy. Frequently, as he told the awful story, his face was convulsed with suffering, and tears flowed from his eyes. In his trembling hands he held the blood-stained bullet which fell from his side when they removed his garments. He said that he would bring it himself to Mr. Cleveland-and would ask the President if there was no protection for Americans in Cuba. “Our plantation,” he said, “is called Dolores, the old name being Morales. It was about half-past one on the 4th day of March when a regiment of rebels, about 400 or 500 men, invaded the place. They told us that 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 officers. “Maceo shook hands politely and asked if I would allow them to take breakfast with us. Of course there was nothing to do but to tay yes, and the men spread themselves over about seventy acres of 166 PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. 367 the plantation, the officers and the ladies coming into the house. They had provisions with them, but desired to cook and serve them, which they did. They sat down at the table, and were soon joking and laughing. “ Suddenly we heard rifle-shots. Hernandez yelled to his wife to hand him his machete. Then all went out and found that the firing had come from what seemed to bean advance guard of the Spanish 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. Bullets Cause Alarm. “The Spaniards had fired the cane, thinking there were other insurgents hiding in it. Spanish bullets rattled on the tiled roof of the house, and farm-hands who were ploughing back of the house got frightened and wished to come in. So the doors and windows were unbarred, and six men and three women, wives of the farm-hands, came in. “ After a while I opened the window to see how matters stood and saw two cavalrymen and a captain, with two soldiers. My son and the farm-hands went out toward the burning cane in an attempt to save some oxen that were near the cane. When the captain saw them he shouted: ‘Who are those people ?” , ‘*T told him they were our workmen, and he then gave orders to clear the house. They rushed their horses right through the house, the captain leading them. J took out my American papers and showed them to him to prove that I-was a peaceful citizen. “They are the worst documents you can have,’ said the captain. They answered my son in the same way, and the captain repeated 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 taken away. “We heard shots and then a second volley. One of the women 168 PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. cried out: ‘They have killed my husband!’ Her words were true. After about three hours I ventured out, and I saw coming toward the house the old farm-hand, a man of about 70. He seemed to ‘be hold- ing 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 cried. “ ¢ He was the first one that they killed,’ he said. “T took the man in the house and tried to bind his arm, which had been shattered by a bullet. I endeavored to pacify the women, and told them that they should go to the nearest neighbors for help. The two white farm-hands, who had been 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 pil- lows and medicine to bring to the missing men in case any of them should be still alive. He said he would shoot them if they diso- beyed, and they did as he directed. They made up a litter, and we walked on till we found the place where the men lay in a pool of blood. “T 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 at these recollections of this awful scene. He led me in to the bedside of his son, who then told me his story of the butchery. “ They marched us along,” he said, “ and I spoke to the General: ‘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 I 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 ina line with our hands pinioned. I knew the sergeant and said to him :— PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. 169 “*Ts it possible that.you are going to kill me ?’ “* How can I help it?’ he answered. Then the order was given and the soldiers rushed upon us with machetes. Their knives cut our ropes as we tried to dodge the blows, and the soldiers fired two, volleys at us. ! “ The first 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 both 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 my breast moved and shouted out: ‘ This fellow is not dead yet. Give him another blow,’ and he raised his machete and gave me a slash across the face and throat. Then I be- came unconscious.” Secreted in a Cane Field. Delgado’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, now jumped from his horse and gave orders to the men to lift my son 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 we afterward found was an insurgent leader, told them they should be quiet, as their lamentations 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 wasin the cane field with my son. It rained upon 170 PATHETIC >TORIES OF THE WAR. us, and then I put the pulows over my son’s chest, in order to protect him. I suffered greatly from rheumatism. Only the young man appeared 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. Then 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.” * : On the Sunday after Delgado was borne down the Prado on 2 covered litter, escorted by a gorgeous Red Cross detachment in Spanish uniform, There was so much theatrical display and pomp about the procession that it looked very much like a clever ruse to impress the newspaper correspondents, who, it was known, were in possession of all the details of the butchery. No Protection for Americans. Here is the story of the three brothers Farrar, all. American citizens and joint owners of the coffee plantation Estrella, in Havana province, near Alquizar. It does not differ greatly from the experi- ence of many other owners of estates in the interior, but as these men happened to be Americans and had made sworn statements protesting against the excesses committed by Spanish troops, and demanding damages, the affair became one of official record, and cannot be brushed away with a general denial. The papers were placed in the hands of Consul-General Williams, and Miguel Farrar, one of the brothers, furnished a copy of the statement. It is as follows: = “On Saturday, March 21st, the dwelling-house of the coffee plan- tation Estrella was the object of wanton attack by the column of General Bernat, operating in that region. The said building received cannon shots of grape and canister, breaking -the door, one window, several piazza columns, and greatly endangering the lives of the families of my brothers, Don Tasio and Don Luis Farrar, both Amer- ican citizens, the wife of the former being enceinte. There were two small children in the house. From my information it appears that PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. 171 the troops mentioned had sustained fire with a rebel band in Paz plantation, a quarter league from Estrella. “The rebels having fled to Pedroso and Buena Esperanza planta- tions, the government troops advanced toward Estrella, in quite an opposite direction from that taken by the rebels. On arriving at the borders .of Estrella plantation, the Spanish columns began firing cannon at the dwelling-house, and it was immediately invaded by soldiers, who ransacked it, carrying off from wardrobes all jewelry and men’s clothing which they contained, as well as a sum of about $60 in money. They also took away everything found in workmen’s dwellings, arresting at the same time twelve of the occupants, whom they conducted to Alquizar as insurgents. It should be observed that the cannon were fired solely at the dwelling-house of the owners, although there were twenty other buildings on the plantation, and the place was entirely clear of insurgents. Immediate Indemnity Demanded. “In consideration of all the above, and particularly on account of the danger to which his relatives were exposed, and also for the unjustifiable looting on the part of the regular troops in the service of a constituted government, the undersigned does most solemnly protest and asks an immediate indemnity for the damage suffered, which he values at $5,000, as all work has been stopped on the plan- tation and everything abandoned.” The Spanish official account of what happened on the Estrella plan- tation was as follows: “ The column of General Bernat found several bands of rebels who fortified the houses of the coffee plantation Estrella, where they were beaten, and by artillery shots and cavalry charges the enemy was dislodged from his position. Twelve prisoners were cap- tured, besides arms, ammunition and instruments to destroy railroad tracks. Itis believed from the trails of blood seen in the place that the rebels had many dead and wounded. All the prisoners will be summarily court-martialed.” On March 2sth twenty prisoners, taken in the operations around Artemisia and Alquizas, arrived in Havana. On being escorted 172 PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. through Obispo street to the palace they were followed by a con- stantly increasing mob, who shouted: “ Viva Espana,” and “ Death to the rebels.” The men were kicked, beaten, and one had his head cut open by a flying missile. It was enough to make decent blood boil to see the poor wretches, with arms pinioned and a mob at their heels shouting for their blood. By the time the prisoners reached the Palace the mob numbered between 200 and 300. General Ahumada, the secundo cabo, or second chief of the government, came out and ordered the guards to disperse the mob. A Heroine who Fought for Cuba. An authentic account is. given of a heroine who fell in defense of the Cuban cause. This woman was Senorita Matilde Agramonte, of Havana, who, after marching and fighting with Maceo’s soldiers, fel: dead at last, riddled with Spanish bullets. Matilde was the last representative of one of the most wdely known of old-stock Cuban families. Her ancestors were among the first Spanish settlers of the Island. In every insurrection that has occurred on the Island men of the Agramonte and Varona families have been found in the field. The wealth of the family has been counted by millions. When uncles and brothers of Senorita Matilde followed General Maceo into battle they left Matilde on the ranch, in charge. The girl set out on a visit to Ciego de Avila. Upon her return she found nothing left but ashes and the bodies of the servants. She decided to join the army of General Maceo, and so the first female soldier to bear arms against Spain was enlisted. The poor girl never saw but one battle. That was at the planta- tien of Olayita,~in Quemado de Guines, province of Santa Clara. The patriots were overwhelmingly outnumbered. To protect the main body in retreat, Maceo called for volunteers, who should remain behind and draw the fire of the Spanish. Amcng those who stepped forward was Matilde. They carried out General Maceo’s plan, but forfeited their own lives. Matilde PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. 173 stood shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers and fired her rifle. She was one of the last to fall. The arrest of suspects continued during March at such a rate that the prisons were full, and epidemics among the prisoners were feared. The Remedios prison was in a terrible sanitary condition, with 200 prisoners in quarters which were very much overcrowded. At Sagua there were 226 prisoners, and there was room for no more. The same state of affairs prevailed at many other points. The decrees of General Weyler were enforced with great harshness against the Cubans supposed to have Cuban sympathies. A state of panic, as a result of these decrees and the action of. troops, prevailed in all portions of the Island occupied by the Spanish. Where were the Prisoners? The peaceable citizens had no fear of the insurgents, who followed more humane methods. It was absolutely impossible for corre- sponderits to learn the whereabouts of the prisoners of war who were reported to be taken in the battles fought. The subordinate Spanish officers said that secret orders had been given to take no prisoners. The Cubans released all the Spanish soldiers captured. The Span- ish gave no quarter. So many plantation employes and managers were butchered that the men dared not remain on the plantations, and the women were left in charge of them. The men hid in the woods at the approach of the Spanish column. Here is the proclamation of General March, commanding the Third Division of the First Army Corps, issued from headquarters at Holguin, Santiago Province: “ Be it known that the forces operating in the territory of this divi- sion have orders to fire, without giving the signal to halt, on any person who travels at night on the roads outside the towns and ham- lets, and for the purpose of preventing accidents this is hereby pub- lished for general knowledge.” This illustrates the kind of war Spain was giving Cuba. Even the Spanish officers were disgusted at the methods used. Under date of March 26th, it was reported that another blunder 174 PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. on the part of two Spanish commanders had once more led to fatal results. The catastrophe which occurred at El Cano was to a great extent due to the darkness of the night, but now news came of columns mistaking each other for enemies in broad daylight, and continuing to fight until thirty men had been killed and over one hundred wounded. With an absence of good taste, and even of common sense, this unfortunate affair was made a subject for self-glorification in the newspapers of Havana. They pointed exultingly to the proof afforded of the extreme valor and discipline of their army, which enabled them in so short a time to inflict such heavy damage. With- out desiring to detract from the acknowledged courage of the Spaniards, it may be stated that this made the fourth time within a few months that leyal battalions fired upon their own men, This argued, to say the least of it, an absence of coolness and judgment the qualities most essential to a good commanding officer. His Own Brother Among the Slain. Tie manner of carrying on the campaign against the insurgents consisted in strong columns, which were supposed to be evntinually on the advance. Three of these were kept within sound of shot of one another, while each leader had orders to attack the enemy any- where, regardless of superiority of numbers or position, and to rely upon the support of the nearest troops. Inexperienced generals and colonels were not capable cf bringing this to a successful issue. On the very first alarm they commenced an engagement either at long range or without proper investigation, to find subsequently to their dismay that they had actually been forwarding the cause of Cuban independence. Some sad stories were told of the scenes that followed upon the battle at Santa Rosa. One soldier, while engaged in succoring the wounded of the opposing column, discovered his own brother among the slain. But in a fatal civil war such episodes are necessarily of frequent: occurrence. A colonel of the Guardia Civil, stationed at Cienfuegos, _ had two sons who, notwithstanding the fact of their being Spaniards, were strongly imbued with Cuban sympathy. They joined the army PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. 175 of Gomez, and in the first action in which they took part one of them was killed by the regiment commanded by his father. One might hear over and over again of similar political differences in families throughout the Island. A merchant of large fortune in Havana sent his eldest boys to the United States to keep them out of harm’s way. Within three weeks they had returned with an expedition, and had been initiated among the insurgents. One still remained, Benjamin; but as he was only thirteen years of age, no apprehensions were entertained on his account. He was missing, however, one morning, and the anxious Spanish father hurried forthwith to General Weyler to report the cir- cumstances and his fears that his son had taken to the woods. Mes- sages were immediately dispatched in all directions, with the result that the juvenile warrior was captured asleep by the roadside, twenty miles from the capital, covered with dust and completely worn out by nis long tramp. A Singular Incident. From these dreary records of battle and spoliation it is a relief to turn to an incident which took place at Bolondron, in Matanzas, though it can hardly be regarded as either admirable or edifying. It appears that sparrows in Cuba are looked upon as loyal subjects, and that good Spaniards have a respect for them which we are far from sharing in the United States. Now, there is a native bird called a pitirri, a. very desperate character, who, from his absolute contempt for European prejudices, may almost be considered as an insurgent. On the 19th of March, it is well to be accurate, an ill-conditioned pitirri got into an argument with a select flock of sparrows, and some very unparliamentary language was exchanged. In the investigation into the matter it has not been fully decided as to what was the origin of the discussion; but it is supposed to have had reference either to the elections or the question of belligerency. Whatever it was, how- -ever, the sparrows called upon the pitirri to retract or come on. He selected the latter alternative, and for a few minutes there was little to be seen but a confused mass of plumage and dust. Though 176 PATHETIC STORIES OF THE WAR. vastly outnumbered, the Cuban champion was game to the back- bone, and, though he carries a white feather or two in his genera’ make-up, there was none in his disposition. The consequence was that courage and skill, as they deserve to do, triumphed. Six spar- rows were stretched in the cold embrace of death upon the earth, while their companions withdrew to carry the melancholy tidings to the widows and orphans. Some volunteers had witnessed the action from a distance, as is their custom, when they witness it at all, and their souls were wroth within them. Reinforcements were hastily summoned, and a guarded advance was made upon this prototype of Maceo. But the pitirri was satisfied with his exceedingly creditable performance, pocketed the stakes, and quietly flew away to his club among the palms. Slowly and sadly the poor, lifeless remains were lifted from the ground, and slowly and sadly they were borne by the volunteers to the barracks. Here it was unanimously decided to honor the defunct birds with a public funeral. At first it was even proposed to bury them in the town cemetery ; but it was finally arranged that the obsequies (or the “ orgies,” as Mark Twain’s tramp would say) should take place in the plaza. The procession to the grave was worthy of the great occasion. Hundreds followed the bier, which was draped with the Spanish colors, and covered with wreaths and emblems, The amazing part of this absolutely true story is that the cura, Father Gurna, actually headed the cortege. A volley of blank cart- ridges over the buried sparrows terminated the proceedings, and never, surely since Homer wrote of the frogs and mice, have the doughty deeds of such small deer been so magnificently recognized CHAPTER XVI Successes of the Revolutionists. FTER Maceo’s return to the Province of Havana his course may be described as one continued triumph. Every opposi- tion which he met with was swept from his path. He defeated detachments, he destroyed military stations, he marched victoriously, until he was on the very borders of Pinar del Rio, when, according to the Captain-General, the rebellion had been crushed forever. It was impossible to obtain perfectly accurate accounts of the engagement, which took place in the vicinity of Palos. The official reports stated that an encounter occurred without furnishing further ‘details ; but from what one could learn from other sources, two bands of the patriot army, commanded respectively by Macec and Quintin Banderas, succeeded in partially surrounding th: column of Colonel Tort, which they routed with heavy loss. Directing their course to the southwest, the insurgents arrived cn the evening of the 12th before the town of Batabano. Batabano is a small seaport, where vessels trading along the coast and passenger steamers from Havana are constantly putting in. The country in the vicinity is rich and fertile, while within a few miles the vast plantations of Melena yield annually the largest return of sugar in the Island. The town was defended by a strong volunteer detachment, whc were further supported by a Spanish gunboat at anchor in the har- bor. As the Cubans advanced, the land and sea forces opened fire, and for a short time there was a brisk fusilade upon the insurgent ranks. These latter, who were, of necessity, sparing of their ammu- nition, returned the fire in moderation, but meanwhile pressed forward without an instant’s pause. As soon as Maceo had succeeded in effecting a lodgment in the 12 : 177 178 | SUCCESSES OF THE KEVOLUTIONISTS. sutskirts of the town, the volunteer army fell back precipitately under shelter of the guns of the guard ship, and left Batabano in the - hands of the invaders. The whole affair did not occupy quite an hour, and the losses on either side were only trifling. The real disaster took place after the combat, for the insurgents then proceeded to set fire to the principal buildings, and as the flames spread with great rapidity, the entire town was quickly in a blaze. A few houses alone escaped, so that in place of the once prosperous seaport there remain nothing now but the blackened and crumbling ruins. Destruction of a Beautiful Residence. Later the hacienda of a Mr. Goicochea was also burned to the ground. This beautiful country residence was called Chico, and lay at a distance of only eight miles from the capital, near the small town of Arroyo Arenas. It was said to be one of the handsomest places in Cuba. The house was the very beau ideal of a planter’s home, with its wide verandas, its spacious apartments and its enclosed court, filled with flowers and luxuriant palms. The owner was a Cuban, but his sympathies were decidedly Span- ish. Indeed, he had at his own expense raised and equipped a body of guerrillas, and in many other ways had shown his hostility to the cause of independence. The estate was partly devoted to the culti- vation of coffee and tobacco, but, in addition to these, there were large pasturages, where about twelve hundred head of cattle and one hundred and fifty horses were at grass. A band of seven insur- gents descended on the land early in the afternoon. They had chosen their hour with great judgment, as the guerrillas were absent and two men alone represented the garrison. The dwelling-house and out-offices were set on fire, the carriages, of which there were many, and the farming implements were spiled together and burned, and the ornamental grounds and gardens were laid waste.. Not content with inflicting this wholesale destruction, the attacking party drove away all the stock, until the estimated loss. is calculated to have amounted to over $200,000. SUCCESSES OF THE REVOLUTIONISTS. 179 Wow, these seven insurgents, though they ‘vere decidedly what the Highlanders call “men of their hands,” were not for that reason deficient in reasoning capacity. They concocted a plot, which simply, as a ruse de guerre, may challenge competition. They terrified the two prisoners whom they had secured by announcing their deter- mination to hang them both forthwith. Such a threat was naturally enough met.by many prayers and entreaties, which were finally granted upon one condition. This was that the released men should proceed to Marianao and there inform the officers in command that the Cubans intended to attack the village of El Cano that very night. Rejoicing at their escape, the two readily consented, with the result that six companies from the St. Quintin and Peninsula regiments were ordered to march at once to the threatened locality. Spanish Troops Outwitted. As El Cano had latterly been supposed to be in danger, it held a garrison of eighty men, under the command of a sub-lieutenant, who had taken the precaution to strengthen his position by a barricade erected midway down the single street. The wily insurgents knew all this well, and so they hovered around the outskirts to precipitate the mistake which they hopefully anticipated. Shortly after nightfall the relieving column was heard approaching. “ Quien vive,” shouted the sentries, to which the reply, “ Cuba libre!” came back instantly from the concealed patriots. The garrison, of course, concluded that they had to do with the enemy, and fired a volley upon their own men, who in their ‘turn imagined that the town was in the hands of the insurgents. Under this delusion both sides continued to shoot, but as the defenders were behind walls, they suffered nothing, while the column speedily had many men hors de combat. — After this had gone on for some time the besieging column was ordered to charge into the town, and they managed to advance as far as the barricade. Here, however, they met with such a warm recep tior that the colonel decided to be satisfied with the half that he had 180 SUCCESSES OF THE REVOLUTIONISTS. gained, and to wait for daylight to resume the combat. With the morning came an explanation. The opposing forces beheld to their dismay that they had made a terrible mistake, and nothing remained but to count up the loss. This was found to consist of thirteen killed and thirty-five wounded, including four officers and eight sergeants, all on the attacking side, for, so cleverly had the young sub-lieutenant disposed his men, that they had not suffered in the slightest degree. One thing deserves mention, and that is that, though these Spanish soldiers were armed exclusively with Mauser and Remington rifles, many of the wounds were found to have been inflicted by other bullets, which leads one to conclude that the seven Cubans had not been altogether idle spectators of the affray which they had so suc- cessfully brought about. A reliable newspaper correspondent in Cuba wrote, under date of March 2ist, 1896, as follows: Doubtful Victories. “No unprejudiced person can any longer deny that hicnerto the ~ efforts of the Captain-General to cope with the rebellion have proved eminently unsuccessful. The army, with a few ultra-loyal Spaniards, ‘ack their invention to smooth over the situation, while optimist newspapers improve upon the official reports of victories. When, however, we see such victories followed by the unchecked progress of the insurgents, it is not difficult to read between the lines. “Nor is it even assuming too much to prophesy that the reign of Weyler will be brief. Martinez Campos, a soldier, and a brave one, to whose capacity as a commander is largely due the existence of the present reigning house of Spain, managed to weather the storm for ten months. He had not the honest support of his military col- leagues, and was further impeded by secret and implacable intrigue. “Under the circumstances, his failure was hardly to be wondered at. His successor, however, was the chosen of the most influential Spanish factions in Cuba, while the soldiers considered him as a man after their own heart, We were told ox his surpassing energy, of his SUCCESSES OF THE REVOLUTIONISTS. 181 exceptional courage, and of his indomitable resolution. Of these we have seen nothing, unless it be an energy to frame oppressive procla- mations, a courage to endure a guilty conscience, and a resolution to sustain the crimes of his subordinates, “The last few days have shown more than ever the worthlessness of his plans. Gomez has returned to the province of Havana. Maceo Quintin Banderas and Periquito Perez have triumphed in Pinar de Rio, and Nufiez and De Robau continue to harass Santa Clara. A Young Hero. “ Among the many brave leaders of the insurgents there is perhaps none who has shown more heroism than young De Robau. After the breaking out of the revolution he was one of the first to join the standard of independence. At that time he was engaged to be married, yet with him the call of duty was paramount over every seifish consider- ation. After having served for some months with conspicuous credit, he was sent with his command into the neighborhood of his fiancé. “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 body of men having appeared on the beach, Commodore Keppel directed the “ Mercury ” and “ Bonnetta” corvettes to disperse them ; but a much greater number having soon afterward presented them- selves with the evident intention of disputing the passage of the Rio Cogimar with the main body of the expedition, Captain Hervey in the “Dragon” was sent to bombard the fort, which afforded the enemy protection, but which very soon surrendered, leaving a free passag¢ for the advance of the invaders. Resistance to the Invasion. From the prisoners taken on the 2d of June in the “ Tetis”” and “Fenix,” the presence of a naval force in the harbor became known to the English, together with the fact that most of the enemy’s ships had completed their supplies of water, and were nearly ready for sea. Till then the governor, as has been stated, was almost wholly unpre- pared. ‘Yhe first notice he had of the actual approach of the expe- dition was obtained from the crew of the small schooner, which escaped from the pursuit of the “ Alarm ” and the “ Echo.” As soon as he became convinced of the fact, the governor, as we have seen, assembled a council of war, composed of the chief officers “under his command. At this junta de guerra the plan of defence was arranged, and a firm resolution was taken to resist the invasion to the last extremity. The defence of the Morro, on the possession of which the fate of the Havana in a great measure depended, was intrusted to Don Luis de Valesco, commander of the ‘‘ Reyna” ship of the line, to whose gallantry and perseverance Sir George Pocock, in his subsequent report to the admiralty, pays a just tribute of com- mendation. His second in command, the Marques de Gonzales, commander of the “ Aquilon ” ship of the line, followed in all respects the example of Valesco, dying sword in hand in defence of his flag. The defence of the Punta Castle was in like manner assigned toa 276 EARLY COLONISTS AND RULERS. naval officer, Don Manuel Briseno, who had a friend in the same branch of the service for his second in command. This arrangement gave deadly offence tu the officers of the army, who thought them- selves unjustly superseded in the post of honor and of danger; but it was urged in excuse, that naval officers were better acquainted than those of the infantry or the cavalry with the use of artillery ; and as the naval squadron had become useless by being locked up in the harbor, this was the only way in which they could be advantageously employed, . CHAPTER XX. War with Great Britain. EFORE the Governor could assemble the militia of the Island B under arms, he thought it necessary to declare war by procla- mation against Great Britain. When his whole force was at length assembled, it was found in gross numbers greatly to exceed that of the invaders. It consisted of nine squadrons of cavalry, in- cluding in all 810 men; the regiment of the Havana, 700; two bat- talions of the regiment de Espana, 1400; two battalions of the regiment de Aragon, 1400; three companies of artillery, 300; seamen and marines of the squadron, g000; militia and people of color, 14,06.—making a grand total of 27,610. The greater part of the Spanish force was stationed in the town of Guanabacao, on the side of the bay opposite to the Havana, bes tween the points where tke invading forces had landed, in order to prevent them from turning the head of the harbor and attacking the city by land. The British force was divided into five brigades, amounting, with detachments from Jamaica and North America, to a total of 14,041 land forces. At daybreak, on the 7th, the troops were already on board the boats arranged in three divisions—the centre commanded by the Honorable Augustus Hervey; the right wing by Captains Barton and Drake; and the left, by Captains Arbuthnot and Jekyl. The first brigade was also the first to land; and as soon as the troops had formed on the beach, Lord Albemarle took the com- mand, and marched in the direction of the city, which he did without further molestation as soon as the Cogimar batteries had been silenced. His Excellency established his headquarters in Cogimar for the night; the troops were served with rations under arms, and several pickets were advanced to the eminences overlooking the 277 278 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. Havana. After a succession of attacks on the part of Lord Albe. marle, and a continued bombardment of the castle, the Morro sur. rendered on the 30th of July, and the town itself on the 14th of August, succeeding. The spoils seized by the captors were of great value, and the dis- tribution was a subject of much discontent ; and it must be admitted that the partition, which gave three or four pounds to a soldier or a sailor, whose life was equally exposed with that of his superiors, and 100,000/, to an admiral or a commander-in-chief, was far from being impartial, Arrival of Troops. The peace having been concluded in 1763, the Conde de Ricla arrived at the Havana on the 30th of June, bringing the powers con- ferred by the treaty for the restoration of the British conquests in the Island of Cuba, and accompanied by General O’Reilly, with four ships of the line, a number of transports, and 2000 men for the supply of the garrison. On their arrival they were received by the English with every demonstration of respect. On the 7th of July the keys of the city were formally delivered up to the Conde de Ricla, on whom the government had been conferred, and the English garrison was embarked on its return to Europe. The restoration of the Island to the Spaniards is regarded by the native writers as the true era from whence its aggrandizement and prosperity are to be dated. It was during the administration of the first governor that the new fortresses of San Carlos and Atares were erected, and the enlargement and rebuilding of the Morro and the Cabafias were begun. The old hospitals were placed on a better footing, and new ones were built. The court of accounts, and the whole department of finance, received a fresh impulse and a distinct form; and an intendant was named, who, among other arrangements, for the first time established the aduana, and created a custom-house revenue, the duties having been first levied on the 15th of October, 1764. The Conde de O’Reilly, as inspector-general of the army, succeeded in organizing and placing on a respectable footing the regular troops, WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 279 as well as the militia of the Island. The city of the Havana having - been divided into districts, the streets named, and the houses num- bered, the truth came to be known, that the capital contained materials for the formation of a battalion of disciplined white militia. ~ Beginning with the formation of a single company, the governor appointed lieutenants, sergeants, and corporals from the regular troops of the garrison, and, after a personal inspection, he followed the same course with the other companies. New Battalions are Formed. Adopting this principle in the other towns of the Island, he soon succeeded in realizing his ideas, and creating a considerable force on which the government had every reason to rely. When the two white battalions of the Havana and Guanabacoa were completed, it was still found that, with the addition of the stationary regiment of regulars and the other troops of the garrison, here would not bea sufficient force for the defence of the capital, so that the idea of forming two other battalions presented itself, the one of blacks, the other of people of color, and was immediately carried into effect. Don Diego Manrique assumed the supreme command in 1765, but died within a few months after his arrival, He was succeeded in 1766 by Don Antonio Maria Bucarelli, who prosecuted with energy the construction of the fortifications begun by-the Conde de Ricla. Bucarely paid great attention to the due administration of justice, and was distinguished by the affability of his manners, the facility he afforded of access to his person, and the readiness with which he heard and redressed the grievances of the people; making it a boast that he had succeeded in adjusting differences and compromising law suits which had been pending for forty years. ! When afterward appointed viceroy of New Spain, the minister for the department of the Indies announced to him, by command of the king, as an unexampled occurrence, that during the whole period of his administration not a single complaint against him had reached the court of Madrid. Another of his merits with the people was the gentleness and address with which he effected the expulsion of the 280 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. Jesuits, who had come to the Island with Don Pedro Agustin Morel, and had acquired there large possessions. The church attached to their seminary is that which is now the cathedral of the Havana. On the promotion of Bucarelli in 1771, the Marques de la Torre was named his successor, and became one of the most popular captains-general who have ever administered the government. He was replaced in 1777 by Don Diego Jose Navarro, who introduced great improvements in the administration of justice, and the police of the tribunals, and in regulating the duties and functions of the abogados, escribanos, procuradores, tasadores, and other officers and dependents of the courts of law, in which the greatest abuses had _ previously and have since prevailed. Attempt to Recover the Floridas. The base and deteriorated coin, which had been for some time in circulation, was also called in and abolisbed in the time of Navarro. In the course of the war which had again broken out between England and Spain, an expedition was prepared at the Havana for the recovery of the Floridas, which produced the surrender of Pen- sacola, and the submission of the garrison. This gave rise to a belief that the English would make reprisals on Cuba or Porto Rico, and led to the dispatch of reinforcements on a large scale to the gar- rison of the Havana. . The peace of 1783 soon followed, on which Lord Rodney prepared to return to England; and taking the Havana in his way, Prince William Henry, afterward William IV., having obtained leave from the admiral to go on shore, was so delighted with the city and the entertainments that were offered him, that he remained there three days, and did not return, if we may believe the Spanish writers, until Lord Rodney sent to his royal highness to say, that if he did not re- embark immediately, the squadron would set sail, and leave him behind. The Spanish general of marines, Solano, is said to have given the prince a breakfast which cost him $4000. During the years which immediately succeeded the peace there _appear to have been other changes in the colonial government besides WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 281 those already noticed, beginning with Don Luis Gonzaga, followed by the Conde de Galves, Don Bernardo Troncoso, Don Jose Espeleta, and Don Domingo Ceballo. In the time of this first Espeleta there was again a great outcry as to the number of lawyers in the colony, and particularly at the Havana, where there were already no less than eighty-five abogados, with an equally liberal proportion of the inferior classes of the profession. Steps were taken to prevent their increase, and a regulation was enforced on the 19th of November, 1784, prohibiting the admission of candidates and the immigration of professors of jurisprudence from the other colonies; and no lawyer who had studied his profession in Spain was to be allowed to practice it in the courts of the Island until six years at least after he had been called to the bar in the Peninsula. Brilliant Epoch in Cuba’s History. Don Luis de las Cusas arrived as captain-general in 1790, and the period of his administration is represented by all Spanish writers as a brilliant epoch in the history of the Island. To Him it is indebted for the institution of the Sociedad Patriotica, which has ever since done so much to stimulate the activity and promote the improvement of education, agriculture, and trade, as well as literature, science, and the fine arts, combined with large and liberal views of public policy. To Las Casas, also, is the Island indebted for the establishment of the Casa de Beneficencia, having been begun by a voluntary subscrip- tion amounting to $36,000. The female department was at first a separate institution, situated in the extra-mural portion of the city, but was added to the other on the completion of the buildings in 1794- In place of a monument to Las Casas, which he undoubtedly deserved as much as any of his predecessors, an inscription has been conspicuously engraved in the common hall of the school for boys, declaring that on its erection it had been expressly dedicated to the memory of the founder of the institution; reminding the young pupils that he had not only been the founder of the Casa de Bene- ficencia, but of the first public library, and the first newspaper which 282 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. had existed in the Island, and of the patriotic and ecoromical society. To increase the commercial prosperity of the Island he had the sagacity to perceive that his object could not be better accomplished than by removing, as far as his authority extended, all the trammels imposed upon it by the old system of privilege and restriction. During his administration, also, large sums were expended in the construction of roads, especially the great Calzada del Horcon and the Calzada de Guadalupe; but since then these highways have fallen so completely out of repair, as for the greater part of the year to have become next to impassable. The Island Desolated by a Hurricane. It was Las Casas, also, who introduced the culture of indigo; and during his time the long arrear of causes on the rolls of the courts of justice was greatly reduced. The hurricane, which desolated the Island on the 21st and 22d of June, 1791, afforded Las Casas a fresh opportunity for displaying the great resources of his mind in the promptitude with which he brought relief to the sufferers. In some districts the sudden rise of water in the rivers was most extraordinary, when the limited extent of land from sea to sea is considered. On the bridge then just finished across the Rio del Calabazal the water rose to the height of thirty-six feet above the parapets ; and in the town of San Antonio, where the wells are sunk into the bed of a subterraneous river, the water rushed up through the artificial openings, and inundated the whole country. The French Revolution having communicated its irresistible impulse to the western parts of St. Domingo, the cabinet of Madrid took the alarm, and from the Havana and Santiago, Vera Cruz, the Caracas, Maracaybo, and Porto Riso, collected a force amounting altogether to 6000 men, the object of which was to suppress the insurrection. The sanguinary struggle which ensued, and the reverses which befell the Spanish troops, belong to another place. Suffice it here to say, by way of memorandum, that the interest of the Spanish Government in the Island of St. Domingo was definitely terminated by the treaty of Basilea soon afterward concluded with the French republic. WAR WITH GREA# BRITAIN. 283 {t was to the energetic measures of Las Casas, at the time of this revolution in.St. Domingo, that the Island ot Cuba was indebted for the uninterrupted maintenance of its tranquillity, in spite of the univers sal persuasion that a conspiracy had been formed at the instigation of the French, among the free people of color, to provoke a similar revolution i: Cuba, - Important Changes and Benefits. On the occasion of his leaving the Island in December, 1796, a formal eulogium on his merits as Captain-General was recorded in the archives of the Ayuntamiento of the Havana, in which are enumerated the great benefits he had conferred on the community ; among which the most prominent are the discouragement of gam- bling; the arrest of vagrants and vagabonds; the clearing of the jails of greater criminals, and the acceleration of the ends of justice in civil causes; the abandonment of a large portion of his own emolu- ments for the erection and support of the Casa de Beneficencia and other charitable institutions; the reduction and pacification of the maroons of Santiago; the suppression of the conspiracy among the people of color; the prohibition of the introduction of foreign negroes who had previously resided in other colonies, and the expulsion of those who had arrived from St. Domingo; the relief of the inhabi- tants from the clothing of the militia; the paving of the streets of the Havana; the making and mending of roads; the building of bridges, and the construction of public walks and alamedas; the erection of a convent, a coliseum, a primary school, a school of chemistry, natu- val philosophy, mathematics and botany; the improvement of the Plaza de Toros, and the rejection, of the profit which his predecesse-s had derived from the supply of provisions for the troops. In this farewell eulogium he is also praised for the very questiou- able virtue of promoting the general prosperity by the copious intro- duction of Bozal negroes from the coast of Africa, which is stated to have greatly extended the cultivation of the sugar-cane, the bread- fruit tree, the cinnamon-tree, and other exotic plants of inestimable value. Itis more sasy to sympathize in the praises bestowed unon 284 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, him for the great hospitality he showed to the unfortunate refugees from St. Domingo, and for the exertions he made and: the liberality he evinced in the institution of the Patriotic Society, the formation of a public library, the publication of the Diario, and of the Guza de Firasteros. Las Casas, in 1796, was succeeded in the government by the Conde de Santa Clara, whose noble and generous disposition, and the affa- bility of his manners, made the loss of his predecessor less sensibly feit. It is admitted, however, that he gave no encouragement to education, that he had no taste for letters. and that in his time the social emulation which had previously prevailed sunk rapidly into apathy and indifference. A People of Dilatory Habits, It is a singular illustration of the dilatory habits of the people, and affords a sort of national characteristic, that for miany years after the formal cession to the French of all interest in St. Domingo, the judges who exercised the supreme civil jurisdiction over the Island of Cuba and other Spanish settlements sontinued to reside in the ceded territory, so that, in consequence of the recommencement of hosti:ities with England, ail communication by sea was so interrupted as to interpose an insurmountanie barrier to the exercise of the right of appeal, and to the ordinary administration of justice. The royal cedula, for the removal of this tribunal to Puerto Principe, is dated on the 22d of May, 1797; but it does not appear at what precise date the actual translation took place. Santa Clara was succeeded, in 1794, by the Marques de Someruelos, whose administration continued for a much longer period than the five years to which, by the practice, if not by a formal regulation of the Spanish government, the term of service of the captains-general of the colonies has been usually limited. The public works which serve to commemorate the administration of Someruelos are the old theatre and the public cemetery; the execution of which last was confided to the bishop, who pursued the object witb “eal, and the work was completed on the 2d of February, 1806, WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 285 Its extent is not great, containing only 22,000 square yards ; but the walls, the chapel, and the gateway, are on a scale which infers the outlay of a large sum of money. The chapel is ornamented with a painting in fresco representing the Resurrection, with the motto, “Ecce nunc in pulvere dormiam.” Someruelos was thought by some to be stern and severe toward the poorer classes of society, and to reserve all his affability and condescension for the rich. On the occasion, however, of the great fire of 1802, which destroyed the populous suburb of Jesus Maria, leaving no less than 11,300 indivi- duals without a roof to shelter them,the Marques, moved by their distress, circumambulated the town, going actually from door to door to petition for their relief. Prospect of Another Invasion. The belief again gained ground at the Havana, in 1807, that tne English government contemplated a descent on the Island; and measures were taken in consequence to put it in a more respectable state of defence, although, from want of funds in the treasury, and the scarcity of indispensable supplies, the prospect of an invasion was sufficiently gloomy. The militia and the troops of the garrison were carefully drilled, and companies of volunteers were formed wherever materials for them could be found. The French, also, not content with mere preparations, made an actual descent on the Island, first threatening Santiago, and afterward landing at Batabano. The invaders consisted chiefly of refugees from St. Domingo; and their intention seems to have been to have taken possession with a view to colonize and cultivate a portion of the unappropriated, or at least unoccupied, territory on the south side of the Island, as their countrymen had formerly done in St. Domingo. Without recurring to actual force, the captain-general prevailed on them to take their departure by a peaceful offer of the means of transit either to St. Domingo or to France, The news of the abduction, by Napoleon, of the royal family of Spain reached the Havana by a private opportunity, at the moment when the cabildo was in session, when every member of it took a 286 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. solemn oath to preserve the Island for its lawful sovereign. The official intelligence did not reach the city till the 17th of July, 1808; when it was brought from Cadiz by the Intendant Don Juan de Aguilar’ y Amat, who arrived in the American ship “ Dispatch.” The colonial government immediately declared war against Napo- leon; and on the 20th, King Ferdinand VII. was proclaimed with general applause. The intelligence from Spain and the resolution. of the captain-general were immediately communicated to all the colo- nial authorities in Spanish America, Pretensions Firmly Resisted. The events in the Peninsula soon began to be felt at the Havana; but the demands of the French intruders for the recognition of their authority were disregarded, and the public dispatches which came from them were destroyed. The Infanta Dofia Carlota made similar pretensions, but these, like those of the French, were firmly resisted. The foreign trade of the Island was reduced to such an extremity by the events of the war, that the local authorities of the Havana, the ayuntamiento, and the consulado, began seriously to deliberate on the expediency of throwing the trade open, and admitting foreign supplies on the same terms with those from the Peninsula. There was some division of opinion; but the majority were for a free com- petition on an equal footing between the Spaniard and the foreigner, on the ground that Spain alone was unable to purchase or consume the enormous mass of produce then exported from the Island; and so it was accordingly decided. _ On the 21st and 22d of March, 1809, a serious disturbance arose, the object of which was to invite the return of the French to the Island; but this popular movement, although considered dangerous at the time, and viewed with alarm by the captain-general, was speedily put down by the display of firmness and resolution on the part of all who had anything to lose, and by the prompt offer of their personal services for its suppression. Proclamations were issued, a respectable force was collected, and the Marques de Someruelos pre sented himself in person to endeavor to pacify the discontented. WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 287 Tranquillity was restored at the end of the second day, with the loss of only two or three lives; but not without the destruction of a great deal of property. The French settlers in the rural districts were, in this respect, the greatest sufferers; and it had, in conse- quence, the effect of driving away several thousands of laborious and intelligent colonists, who were already deeply interested in the pros- perity of the Island. Soon after these events a young man arrived from the United States, of whose proceedings and character, as an emissary of King Joseph, the colonial government had been previously informed. This unfortunate person, Don Manuel Aleman, was not even suffered to land. The alguazils went on board ; took possession of his papers and his person; a council of war was immediately assembled ; but his fate was determined beforehand, and on the following morning, the 13th of July, 1810, he was brought out to the Campo de la Punta, and hanged for his temerity. The revolutionary proceedings in the continental provinces of Spain tere now in full career toward that independence of the mother- country which they have since achieved. In the meantime, the Island of Cuba enjoyed a degree of tranquillity quite remarkable under the circumstances of the sister colonies. This state of things was naturally, and not unjustly, ascribed to the political prudence and sagacity of the Marques de Someruelos. The colonial authorities petitioned the cabinet of Madrid for the farther prorogation of his government beyond the term to which it had been already extended. But the very fact of his having given so much satisfaction to the colonists, if we may judge from experience elsewhere, was not likely to operate with the government of the mother-country in deciding on a farther extension of his stay. Instead of acceding to the prayer of the municipal functionaries of the Havana, the government of Madrid thought fit to mark its sense of the interference by in- stantly recalling the title of “ Excellencia,” which, on a former occa- sion, had been granted to the ayuntamiento as a special mark of the royal favor, and ot which they were not a little proud. The western districts of the Island were visited, in 1810, by another \ 288 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. of those tremendous hurricanes, which sweep away so much life and property in these tropical regions, The city of the Havana was filled with consternation and dismay; the hopes of an abundant harvest were disappointed; in the harbor, so renowned for its security, the ships of war were driven from their anchors, and no less than sixty merchant vessels were destroyed. In the time of Someruelos the Casa de Beneficencia was in danget of falling into decay; but in consequence of his earnest intervention, the Junta de Tabacos, which in Spain as in France is a royal mono- poly, consented to purchase 100 slaves, whose labor or whose wages were to furnish funds for the benefit of the institution; thus by an extraordinary perversion making the practice of cruelty and injustice toward one portion of the human family contribute to a work of charity in favor of another. The slaves were first employed in the manufacture of cigars, but have latterly been hired out for daily wages at whatever employment they could obtain. Outbreak of a Negro Conspiracy. A negro conspiracy broke out in 1812, which excited considerable alarm in the minds of the landed proprietors. That alarm was attended with its usual consequences: The negro leader, Aponte, and his associates were treated with unsparing severity, such as may be supposed to have been dictated much more by the fears of the hacen- dados, than by the strict justice of the case. The successor of Someruelos was Don Juan Ruiz de Apodaca, afterward Conde de Benadito, who arrived on the 14th of April, 1812; and he, for the first time, combined the command of the naval force on the station with the office of captain-general of the Island. This un- precedented combination arose from the fear of the authors of the constitution of Cadiz, that their work and their representative would not be well received in this aristocratical colony. His first duty on his arrival was to proclaim the constitution; and although it doubt- less excited an extraordinary sensation, it was not openly resisted, The success of Apodaca in Cuba led to his promotion tothe rank of viceroy of Mexico; and on the Ist of July, 1816, he was suc WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 289 ceeded at the Havana by Lieutenant-General Don Jose Cienfuegos. In his time the third census of the Island was accomplished. This captain-general made himself exceedingly unpopular at the Havana by the severe measures of police he proclaimed and enforced for the suppression of projects of sedition, and for the preservation of the public tranquillity. He resorted to an expedient which in other great cities would scarcely have become the subject of serious compiaint—he caused the streets of the Havana to be lighted; but this was only a part of the proceeding to which the citizens objected. He insisted, also, on closing up the public thoroughfares immediately after the conclusion of the evening service in the churches; thus from that early hour confining the inhabitants to their own particular quarter of the city, and giving rise to clamorous representations and to the very distuyb- ances which it was the object of the captain-general to prevent. Arrival of a Convoy of Troops. Sefior Cienfuegos was for some time disabled by personal infirmity from the active administration of the government, and during that period his functions’ were performed by Don Juan Maria Hechavarria, as cabo subalterno; but on the 29th of August, 1819, he was finally relieved by the arrival of his successor, Don Juan Manuel Cajigal, in the Spanish ship of war “ Sabina” with a convoy of troops for the supply of the garrison. The following year, 1820, from the events which took place in the Peninsula, was another period of trial and difficulty for a captain- general of the Havana; but it is admitted by all parties that Cajigal succeeded, by the prudence and delicacy of his conduct, in avoiding the evils which might have been expected to arise from the difficult ard extraordinary circumstances in which he found himself placed. The extreme affability of his manners, and the perfect readiness with which he received and listened to all who desired to approach him, conciliated universal good will; and it appears that the high estimation in which he was held by the inhabitants excited in his breast a corresponding feeling, as, on the termination of his com- 19 290 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. mand, he applied for and obtained the special grace from the king of being permitted to take up his permanent abode in the Island; and having retired to the town of Guanabacoa, he died there some time afterward, a simple but respected citizen. The next captain-general was Don Nicolas Mahy, who arrived from Bordeaux in the French frigate “ Therese,” on the 3d of March, 1821; but such was the turbulence which prevailed in these trouble- some times that he proved unequal to the task of controlling the storm, and at length sunk under the difficulties which surrounded him. He died on the 18th of July, 1822, but retained to the last moment of his life the direct administration of the affairs of the government. Erection of a Famous Temple. After his death the government was assumed provisionally by the cabo subalterno, Don Sebastian Kindelan; and on the 2d of May, 1823, the new captain-general arrived, Don Francisco Dionisio Vives, who was afterward raised to the dignity of Conde de Cuba. It was in his time that the fourth and last census of the Island was accom- plished. It was under Vives, also, that the rural militia was organ- ized, and that the construction of the fortresses of Bahia-honda, Mariel, Jaruco, and the Cabafias was begun or completed. It was he who divided the Island into three military departments ; and it was under his auspices that the temple was erected on the Plaza de Armas of the Havana, on the very spot where, if tradition is to be believed, | the first Christian rite was performed in the New World. It is doubtless with the view of adding to the solemnity of the occasion that the temple is opened only once a year, on the anniver- _sary of the day that Mass was first said there, in the presence of Columbus, to return thanks to Heaven for the success which had attended his enterprise. It was also in the time of Vives that the two lunatic asylums, e/ Departamento de Dementes, were added to the Casa de Beneficencia,; and it is recorded of him that he never failed to preside at the meetings of the institution, and to animate by his presence the drooping zeal of his colleagues in the direction. On the 15th of May, 1832, Don Mariano Roquefort took:possession WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 291 of the government; and on the ist of June, 1834, he was succeeded by Don Miguel Tacon, whose administration terminated on the 16th of April, 1838, when Don Joaquin de Espeleta, who had for some time resided at the Havana with the rank of sub-inspector-general of the troops, and second cabo subalterno, was promoted to the rank of captain-general, not provisionally, as had been usual on former occa- sions, but como proprietario, to use a form of expression in constant use, as applied to public offices in the language of Castile as well as in that of France. _ General Espeleta marked his career by a straightforward course, strongly exemplified in his putting down all obnoxious and costly practices to obtain licenses and passports, which were favored, both by those preceding and succeeding him, from sordid and ignoble motives. His uprightness could not, however, wash out the political Stain of his birth; for, by a mere chance, Espeleta was born at Havana. He was consequently soon removed, and before the regular term of five years, allotted to such offices in Spanish America. Met by Opposition. The Prince of Anglona, the next captain-general in order of time, was a gentlemanly and courteous chief who, after one year’s com- mand in 1841, left the charge of the Island to the noble-minded Don Geronimo Valdez, a man whose whole life had evinced a consistent love of liberty, scarcely ever met with in a Spanish soldier, for such he was. Being informed that there was a conspiracy on foot, and that many young men talked in a revolutionary strain, he answered: “TI have a powerful army at my command; let the conspirators sally forth, and I shall destroy them, but not before.” This liberality to the Cubans, and his conciliating course toward the abolitionist Turnbull, who had landed at an unfortified part of the Island, for some sinister purpose, among the blacks; and more than all, his disinterested and faithful observance of the treaties condemn- ing the African slave trade, brought on him the unrestrained attacks of those engaged or concerned in it as capitalists or officials of gov- ernment. He was consequently hurried from his station in the most 292 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, unceremonious manner, and the purty who vainly endeavored te injure his name, charging him with motives treasonable to Spain, found in his successor a man better disposed to forward their selfish and sordid purposes, though for the same reason equally calculated to alienate the hearts of the inhabitants, Valdez had the courage and honesty to issue, during his short com- mand, upward of a thousand grants of freedom illegally withheld by his predecessors from so many Africans who, according to the treaty, had become free. He left the Palace of the captains-general of Cuba in the same high-minded poverty in which he had entered it. ln 1843, General Leopold O’Donnell took the command of the Island, and never was military despotism more successfully directed to destroy popular franchises, to establish individual oppression beyond the possibility of redress ‘by altering existing institutions, and eminently to satisfy the avaricious thirst of the captain-general and his family and favorites. The bloody page of the negro insur- rection, reported in another part of this work, was the most prominent Ceature ox fis governorship. Strange Sources of Wealth. At the close of one of General O’Donnell’s balls, his wife sent for the baker who had supplied the entertainment, to come at 3 o’clock A. M., to take back the loaves not used! The baker retused, saying that he could not sell them except as stale bread, at a very reduced price. To this she replied that she had sent for him at so early an hour that he might have the chance of mixing it with the fresh bread he was to send around to his customers that morning. She was engaged in all kinds of profitable undertakings of the most obscure and common pursuits in life; monopolies of the most repugnant character were introduced for her advantage, based on the un- bounded authority of a provincial tyrant. The cleansing of the sew- ers, and the locality fixed for the reception of the manure and dirt of the city were among the many sources of wealth which she did not scruple to turn to her advantage. But nothing was so fruitful to this family of dealers, as the slave WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 293 trade which, it was publicly asserted, furnished emoluments even to the daughter of the captain-general. O’Donnell was part owner of the marble quarries of the Isle of Pines, whither he, by his sole authority, sent to labor a great number of suspected or accused per- sons, without judgment or sentence passed on them. The agency for obtaining passports, and other services connected with govern- ment, as published in the Havana papers, exhibits a degree of immo- rality and defiance of public opinion hardly to be found in any civilized country. General Frederico Roncali, graced by one of the numerous titles which Queen Christina has so profusedly and undeservedly bestowed within a very recent period, took the command of the Island in 1848. His ridiculous and perplexed action during the movement of the Round Island expedition, shows how weak the strength of bayonets is, where it is unsupported either by the confidence of the soldiery, or by the love of the people for their rulers. Spanish Despotism Doomed. The idea of marching out 4000 men, and stationing them in the central department of the Island, and announcing to the soldiers that they were to receive double pay as soon as the enemy landed, merely because 400 Americans had taken their abode in an island 700 miles off, is a tacit acknowledgment of the impending terming- tion of Spanish rule in Cuba—that tottering column of European despotism in America. General Roncali’s incapacity was never made more manifest, however, than in his management of the Rey affair. Don Cirilo Villaverde, author of a novel entitled “ Cecilia Valdez,” and other literary works, being accused of corresponding with the editor of the Cuban paper called La Verdad, was confined to the Havana prison during his trial, which he had no reason to expect should be fair or favorable in its results to him. While there, a fraudulent bankrupt, by name Fernandez, being on the eve of escaping, through promises made to the jail-keeper Rey, of sharing with him the imaginary spoils of his bankruptcy, Mr. Vil- laverde succeeded in availing himself of the same opportunity to fly, 294 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. and save himself, rather than trust to his innocence or the irregular- ity and corruption of Spanish military justice. The result, fully establishing the moral weakness of a government whose very agents turn against it, served to excite the anger and spiteful revenge of Roncaii. He therefore succeeded, through the consul at New Orleans, Don Carlos Espafia, in abducting the jail-keeper, who was thereby des- tined to be severely punished, or generously rewarded should he act as witness against such influential creoles as were suspected of dis- satisfaction to the Spanish government. It is not necessary to add anything further on this subject. The American public are suffi- ciently acquainted with the subsequent history of this ominous, sacri- legious and insulting act of the authorized menial of a European monarch on the heretofore respected soil of America. Whatever moral qualities and honest wishes some of the captains- general may have possessed, they were compelled to follow out the restrictions and spoliations commenced by Tacon. The path of despotism, when justified by the national excuse of holding a distant colony, must always be one of inevitable and progressive oppression. The historical sketch of Cuba is here concluded. The next chap- ters are designed to furnish an absrtact of its political history, includ- ing a notice of a formidable insurrection, with an account of the remarkable policy whick has brought the Island to its present miserable condition. CHAPTER XXII. The Tyrannical Rule of Spain. REVIGUYS to the eighteenth century, the history of the Island P of Cuba is mostly occupied with accounts of the settlements commenced by the first Governor, Diego Velasquez; the noble defence of the Cazique Athuei, who was burned alive by order of the former; and the usual repartimientos or distribution of the territory and Indians among the Spanish settlers, which, through excess of labor, hastened the depopulation of the country. During that early period is also noticed the sailing of expeditions to more recently discovered and alluring regions; the beginning of the African slave trade, and the occasional descent and depredations of the buccaneers. The latter were so bold, from the scant population and absence of fortifications, that they carried off at one time the venerable Bishop Cabezas Altanurano, and at another, the very bells of the church and the cannons of the castle at Santiago. Soon after the royal decree of 1530, liberating the native Indians, the remnants of this unfortunate race appeared to have congregated in towns such as Guanabac_a, Guaisabana, Ovejas, and Caneyes- arriba, and to have applied their efforts to simple husbandry and grazing. But the advance of Cuba must have been extremely limited or doubtful, since the Bishop Almendares estimated the population of all the towns and cities in 1612 at 6,700 inhabitants. The truth lies in the fact that, after having exhausted the Indiar. population, the Island was only held as a military post on the way to the mines of Mexico, with little else to occupy its reduced. population than the raising of cattle on lands not appropriated. Till the latter years of the past century, commerce was not only confined to Spanish merchantmen, but to the periodical voyage of the fleet belonging to 295 296 TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. the privileged India Company. Foreign trade has only been author- ized in the present century, when the European wars, forcing the Spanish flag from the seas, and the encroachment of contraband trade, made it impossible to oppose it. In the laws and municipal rights of Cuba, we notice the same in- dependent and liberal spirit which prevailed in all the settlements of Spain among the Moors, or elsewhere, as far as the Spanish settlers and their descendants were concerned. Thus in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, public assemblies of citizens were held to elect the members of the corporations; free and bold charges were made and sustained against governors; and no taxation was permitted which was not sanctioned by these bodies, who exercised the same prerogatives in the Spanish peninsula, during the long suspension of representative government. Peculiar Notions and Prejudices. As to the commercial restrictions which prevented the growth of this beautiful garden of America, they did not originate in any right, expressed or implied, to control the fate of Cuba, on the part of the European provinces, but in the peculiar notions of the age on matters of political economy. Equally injudicious was the system observed in the internal trade and relations between the several Spanish provinces themselves, whose wealth and physical advance are to this day obstructed by antiquated prejudices. Aside, there- fore, from the measures adopted to nationalize the commerce and trade of Cuba, or rather to direct their course by legislation, there was not, until the last twenty years, any serious precedent or open effort to justify a difference between the political rights of the Cubans and the Spaniards on the soil of Cuba. Were the conquest held as the foundation of such difference, the privilege should certainly attach to the descendants of those who shed their blood and used their means in the acquisition of the coun- try—not to the emigration, much less to the salaried officers of the government. The recognition of the popular princivle in the Sociedad Patriotica TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. 297 and Consulado, established near the close of the eighteenth century, and the vast influence derived therefrom, and which, in after times, gave a liberal tinge to the local administration, is especially worthy of notice. Struggling for her own independence, and boldly confronting the ambitious and mighty chieftain of the age, Spain, at the opening of the nineteenth century, appeared in a noble attitude. Actuated by the most sacred impulses of patriotism, and intensely engaged in the wars and policy of Europe, she could not and did not refuse what- ever was requested by the Cuban assemblies. Loyalty to the Mother Country. Cuba, on her part, repaid the liberality of the mother-country by an unwavering loyalty. Unseduced by the alluring prospect of inde- pendence, and undismayed by repeated invasions from foreign powers, she shut her eyes to the former, and boldly resisted the latter, at the liberal expense of the treasures of the Island, and the lives of the inhabitants. This brings us to a period marked by fluctuations in the political history of Spain and her dependencies, and it is now to be seen what were their effect upon Cuba. The political changes adopted in Spain in 1812 and 1820 were productive of similar changes in the Island; and when in both instances the constitution was proclaimed, the perpetual members of the municipalities were at once deprived of office, and their success- ors elected by the people. The provincial assembly was called, and held its sessions. The militia was organized; the press made entirely free, the verdict of a jury deciding actions for its abuses; and the same courts of justice were in no instance to decide a case a sec- ynd time. But if the institution of the consulado was very beneficent during Ferdinand’s absolute sway, the ultra-popular grants of the constitu- tional system, which could hardly be exercised with quiet in Spain, were ill-adapted to Cuba, though more advanced in civilization, stained with all those vices that are the legitimate curse of a country 298 TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. long under despotic sway. That system was so democratic that the king was deprived of all political authority, No intermediate house of nobility or senators tempered the enactments of a single elective assembly. This sudden change from an absolute government, with its usual: concomitant, a corrupt and debased public sentiment, to the full enjoyment of republican privileges, served only to loosen all the ties of decency and decorum throughout the Spanish community. Infi- delity resulted from it; and that veil of respect for the religion of their fathers, which had covered the deformity of such a state of society, was imprudently thrown aside. As the natural consequence of placing the instruments of freedom in the hands of an ignorant multitude, their minds were filled with visions of that chimerical equality which the world has never yet realized. The Rich Arrayed Against the Poor. The rich found themselves deprived of their accustomed influence, and felt that there was little chance of obtaining justice from the common people (in no place so formidable as in Cuba, from the heterogeneous nature of the population), and who were now, in a manner, arrayed against them throughout the land. They, of course, eagerly wished the return of the old system of absolute rule. But the proprietors only asked for the liberal policy which they had enjoyed at the hands of the Spanish monarch; not, most surely, that oppressive and nondescript government which, by separating the interest of the country from that of her nearest rulers, and destroying ‘all means of redress or complaint, thrust the last offspring of Spain into an abyss of bloodshed and ruin, during the disgusting exercise of military rule, in punishing by the most arbitrary and cruel mea- sures, persons suspected of engaging in an apprehended servile insur- rection. During the second period of democratic or what was called consti- tutional government, which commenced in 1820, the masonic socie- ties came into vogue as they did in the mother-country. They adopted different plausible pretexts, though, to speak the truth, they TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. 299 were little more than clubs for amusement and revelry. One of them, called the “Soles de Bolivar,’ went so far as to discuss whether, in case of a Colombian invasion, it would be more expedient to avoid a collision in the presence of the slaves, by giving way peaceably before the invading army. Happily for Cuba, and certainly in consequence of the judicious interference of the United States, which foresaw in.the preservation of its tranquillity the advantages of a fruitful commerce, the invasion did not take place. The difficulty of annexation, from the lesser influence the United States then possessed among nations and the controlling importance of the shipping interest in our country, made it unadvisable for Cuba to launch into a revolution unsustained, and in this way to experience a severe scourge, which, at that time, would have proved the principal if not the only fruits of independence to the first generation of its recipients. Under any circumstances the subsequent jealous policy of the Spanish government has been alto- gether unwarranted. Schemes to Keep Cuba a Dependent Province. A respectable portion of the old Spaniards residing in Cuba, were themselves desirous of upholding the constitutional system in the Island which they saw tottering in Spain. General Vives, who com- manded at that time, regarded the circumstance with anxious solici- tude, and very reasonably inferred that, if the constitution of 1812 was sustained in Cuba after the king’s absolute power was acknowl- edged in Spain, the consequences would be fatal to its dependence, however rational and honest the views of the constitutionalists might be considered. Hence his strenuous efforts in 1824, after the restoration of Ferdi- nand, to make the most of the wild and varying schemes which had been proposed in the “ Soles de Bolivar,” under the democratic insti- tutions, and the relaxation of the reins of government. The greatly reduced Spanish military force at that time in the Island, and the fact that much of it consisted of regular regiments and native militia, are sufficient proof that to the solid good sense of the inhabitants, rather 300 TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. than any show of strength, should be attributed the immediate dis- appearance of those germs of disquietude. Not even the weakness of General Kindelan could induce the planters to lose sight of their chief interest. Prosecutions and Imprisonments. Though General Vives subsequently desired to impress the con- stitutional party with the idea that they might be carried farther than they meant to go, and with that view took especial care that a well- concerted scheme for throwing off the Spanish yoke should appear to have been devised, it must be acknowledged that notwithstanding he caused the prosecution and imprisonment of many individuals, and occasionally the ruin and misery of their families, he oftentimes also interfered to mitigate the appalling and unavoidable excesses of those menials of government who are every ready, under such cir- cumstances, to exceed the wishes of the leading statesmen, and to make political difficulties subservient to the vilest purposes. That which should have warned the Spanish ministry of the inexpediency of establishing such inappropriate institutions, brought upon the Island all its subsequent misfortunes; namely, the Royal Order of 1825. By this order Cuba was placed under martial law; and the captain- general was invested “with the whole extent of power granted to governors of besieged towns.” The sad effects of this royal order, which the king only meant to be observed temporarily, and under a strict responsibility, “le mas estrecta responsibilidad,” were not immediately felt. ‘Truth and justice compel me to assert,” says one of the most enlightened Cubans, on being rejected from the Cortes, in common with all the deputies from the province, “that notwithstanding the terrible authority conferred on the captain-general by this royal order, Vives, who then held that office, far from putting it in execution during his long government, discovered that its application would be equally, disadvantageous to Cuba and Spain. Under a mild and conciliatory policy this Island became the refuge of many unhappy proscripts, who were expelled from the Peninsular territory by the arm of tyranny.” TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. 301 The judicious administration of the Count Villanueva, which had undoubtedly an influence materially advantageous to the country, was likewise calculated to make every one forget the depressed political condition to which the new law had reduced the inhabitants of Cuba. Under its fearful and comprehensive provisos, since become the scourge of the land, public bodies were respected. Some of them constantly consulted together on grave subjects, such as the rural and domestic police for the management of slaves, the imposition of taxes and judiciary reform, and enjoyed the privilege of printing their reports, without applying for the consent of the executive officers; and the press was moreover very far from being restricted as it now is. The Problem of Slavery. As a proof that the political servitude created by the royal order of 1825 was not intended to be permanent, an.extract is made from an article on the dangers of the slave trade, published in a periodical of Havana, in 1832, under the despotic government of Ferdinand, and seven years after issuing the royal order above referred to. Immediately following a very precise detail of facts, of the numbers of imported slaves, and of the relative position of the races, we read: “Thus far we have only considered the power which has its origin in the numbers of the colored population that surrounds us. What™ a picture we might draw, if we were to portray this immense body acting under the influence of political and moral causes, and present- ing a spectacle unknown in history! We surely shall not do it. But we should be guilty of moral treason to our country, if we were to forget the efforts now making to effect a change in the condition of the African race. “Philanthropic laws, enacted by some of the European nations, associations of distinguished Englishmen, periodicals solely devoted to this subject, efoquent parliamentary debates whose echoes are constantly repeated on this side the Atlantic, bold exhortations from the pulpits of religious sects, political principles which with lightning rapidity are spreading in both hemispheres, and very recent commo- tions in several parts of the West Indies, everything is caiculated ta 302 TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. awaken us from our profound slumber and remind us that we must save our country. And should this our beloved mother ask us what measures we have adopted to extricate her from her danger, what would those who boast themselves her dutiful sons, answer ? “The horrid traffic in human blood is carried on in defiance of the laws, and men who assume the name of patriots, being no other than parricides, cover the land with shackled victims. And as if this were not sufficiently fearful, with criminal apathy, Africans freed and brought to this country by English policy, are permitted to reside in our midst. Flow different the conduct of our neighbors the Ameri- cans! Political Situation in the United States. “Notwithstanding the rapid increase of their country ; notwithstand- ing the white has constantly been four-fifths more numerous than the colored population, and have ten and a half millions to offset two millions; notwithstanding the importation of the latter is prohibited from one end of the republic to the uther, while European immigra- tion is immense; notwithstanding the countries lying upon. their boundaries have no slaves to inspire dread, they organize associations, raise funds, purchase lands in Africa, establish colonies, favor the emigration of the colored population to them, increasing their exer- tions as the exigency may require, not faltering in their course, and leaving no expedient untried which shall prove them friends of humanity and their country. Not satisfied with these general meas- ures, some states have adopted very thorough and efficient measures. In December, 1831, Louisiana passed a law prohibiting importation of slaves even from other states of the Union. “Behold the movement of a great people, who would secure their safety! Behold the model you should imitate! But we are told, ‘Your efforts are vain. You cannot justly reproach us. Our plan- tations need hands, and if we cannot obtain negroes, what shall we do?’ We are far from wishing to offend a class equally deserving respect and esteem, including many we are happy to call friends. We are habitually indulgent, and in no instance more so than in that before us. The notions and examples to which they have been TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. 303 accustomed, justify in a great measure the part they act, and an immediate benefit and remote danger authorize in others a course of conduct which we wish may never be generally and permanently adopted. We would not rudely censure the motives of the planters. “Our mission requires us only to remark, that it is necessary to adopt some other plan, since the change in politics is inconsistent with and hostile to the much longer continuance of the illicit traffic in slaves. We all know that England has, both with selfish and humane motives, made and is still making great efforts against it by means of treaties. She is no longer the only power thus engaged, since France is also taking her share in the enterprise. “ The United States will soon appear in the field to vindicate down- trodden humanity. They will adopt strong measures, and persever- ingly pursue the pirate negro-dealer. Will he then escape the vigi- lance of enemies so active and powerful? And even should some be able to do so, how enormously expensive must their piracy be! It is demonstrable that the number of imported negroes being then small, and their introduction subject to uncommon risks, their cost would be so enhanced as to destroy the motive for preferring slave labor. - “A prope. regard to our true interests will lead us to consider henceforth other means of supplying our wants, since our present mode will ultimately paralyze our resources and be attended with baneful consequences. The equal distribution of the two sexes in the country, and an improved treatment of them, would alone be suf- ficient, not merely to prevent a diminution of their number, but greatly to increase-it. But the existing disproportion of the sexes forbids our indulging in so pleasing a hope. We shall, however, do much to effect our purposes by discontinuing certain practices, and adopting a system more consonant to the good principles that should be our guide. “Would it not be advisable to try some experiments that we may be able to compare the results of cultivating cane by slaves, with such other method as we may find it expedient to adopt ? “Tf the planters could realize the importance of these propositions 804 TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. to their welfare, we should see them striving to promote the introduc. tion of white and the exclusion of colored hands. By forming asso- ciations, raising funds, and in various ways exerting themselves vigorously in a cause so eminently patriotic, they would at once overcome the obstacles to the introduction of white foreigners, and induce their immigration by the guarantees of good laws and the assured tranquillity of the country. A Serious Emergency. “We may be told that these are imaginary plans, and never to be reaiized. We answer that they are essays, not difficult or expensive. if undertaken, as we suggest, by a whole community. If we are not disposed to make the voluntary trial now, the day is at hand when we shall be odliged to attempt it, or abandon the cultivation of sugar. The prudent mariner on a boisterous ocean prepares betimes for the tempest and defies it. He who recklessly abandons himself to the fury of the elements is likely to perish in the rage of the storm. “*How imprudent,’ some may exclaim, ‘how imprudent,’ to pro- pose a subject which should be forever buried in ‘ lasting oblivion !’ Behold the general accusation raised against him who dares boldly avow new opinions respecting these matters Unfortunately there is among us an opinion which insists that ‘ silence’ is the true policy. All feel the evils which surround us, are acquainted with the dangers, and wish to avoid them, Let a remedy be suggested anda thousand confused voices are simultaneously raised ; and a significant and im- ploring ‘Hush !’—‘ hush {’ is heard on every side. “Such infatuation resembles his who conceals the disease which is hurrying him to speedy death, rather than hear its unpleasant history and mode of cure, from his only hope, the physician’s saving science. Which betrays censurable apathy, he who obstinately rushes head- long to the brink of a mighty precipice, or he who gives the timely warning to beware? Who would not thus save a whole community perhaps from frightful destruction? If we knew most positively that the disease were beyond all hopes of cure, the knowledge of the fact would not stay the march of death, while it might serve but as a ter- rifying annunciation of his approach. TYRANNICAL RULE OF SPAIN. 305 “Tf, however, the sick man is endowed with a strong constitution, that with timely prescription promises a probabie return of health, it would be unpardonable to act the part of a passive spectator. We heed not that the selfish condemn, that the self-admiring wise cen- sure, or the parricidal accuse us. Reflections of a higher nature guide us, and in the spirit of our responsible calling as a public writer, we will never cease to cry aloud, ‘ Let us save our country—let us save our country!’” Nothing would more forcibly illustrate the rapid encroachment of despotism in the Island than the publication of a document like the above, or anything discreditable, or disparaging to the slave-dealers. Whoever should dare make the experiment, would most certainly do it at the risk of his life. Further comment on the progress of tyranny is unnecessary 20 CHAPTER XXIII. A Wily Old General. OT to lose sight of the order of events, it must be borne in mind that immediately after the overthrow of the constitution, and precisely at the time the persecution for revolutionary opinions commenced under the order of 1825, the country was in its most flourishing and healthy period. The fruits of the several acts for promoting the country’s welfare and the development of its resources, which owed their origin to corporations, before they had lost their vitality, had been gathered. Moreover, the judicious and liberal policy already described was continued by the intendant, who could then act with great independence. As chief of the financial department, the Count de Villanueva regulated the mode of keeping accounts, corrected abuses, introduced greater simplicity in the col- slection of taxes, and established several facilities beneficial to the merchants. By means of his great influence at Madrid, he was enabled to. supersede the captain-general in the presidency of the consulado, and directing the labors of that body, he made them subserve the develop- ment and improvement of the country. Availing himself of the general wealth, and of the increasing agriculture of the Island, he daringly taxed its products, and it is generally believed that it was during his administration, taxes of various kinds were imposed for the first time without the consent of those to be affected by them. He represented “de facto” the people of Cuba; was the chief fiscal agent; the friend and adviser of the captain-general ; ihe favorite of Ferdinand’s government. A skillful and mighty authority like his could, at such a period, draw abundant resources from the country for the metropolis, and promote at the same time the interests of the former by reforming 306 A WILY OLD GENERAL, 307 abuses. To both these objects were his exertions successfully directed. To his discriminating judgment it was very evident that a vast territory, capable of great agricultural production, could not maintain its position, much less make progress, should its commerce be again limited to the mother-country. He was aware that the probable results of such limitation would be the total annihilation of the surplus revenue, of which they were so desirous at court; the immediate paralysis of agriculture, the fountain of the Island’s wealth; and a very extensive contraband trade. Public Improvements. Villaneuva had the waters of the Husille brought into the city by a well-devised though costly plan; the roads near Havana maca- damized, and a mud-machine erected to clear the anchorage and preserve the wharves. He established the more modern and rational system of selling at auction to the lowest bidder the performance of various services, particularly for the government or the public, He enlarged the Spanish navy from the navy-yard of Havana; the regular intercourse between the two countries by mail packets was his suggestion, and the Giiines railroad is a crowning, ever-memor- able and enduring monument of his enterprise and genius. Amidst these improvements, beneficial to Spain and the Island, the count was enabled to make frequent and heavy remittances to the general treasury in Spain, which was so received by them that the demands were gradually augmented without any regard to the means of meeting them, and the inevitable consequence was the sacrifice of the necessities of the Island to the urgency of their pay- ment. Thus it happened that the Bank of St. Ferdinand, the estab- lishment of which was one of the acts which do honor to Villanueva, had no opportunity of doing any service to the public, as its capital was specially sent for from Madrid. In brief, Count Villanueva’s administration can in no way be better appreciated than by bearing in mind that whatever liberal and en- lightened views he carried into practical effect, he had nothing similar to guide him or excite his emulation in all the Spanish territory, 308 A WILY OLD GENERAL. His power in Cuba was great, his influence in Madrid had no equal, and his credit abroad was such that his promise and acceptance was a source of revenue at court. The authority of the Captain-General himself being eclipsed by his, it is certainly no matter of surprise that public bodies and individuals should have sunk into insignificance. It was in such a state of political weakness and general prosperity that the enactment concerning the holding of property, which was the first liberal act of Christina’s regency, found Cuba. Under it the inhabitants of the Island observed, as they always had done, the laws promulgated in the mother country. A number of members were added to the municipalities, equal to the number of hereditary mem- bers, and the former were by express proviso to be individuals who were highest on the tax list. Thus formed, these corporations elected the deputies who represented the interests of the Island at the Spanish Congress. Deprived of Deputies to Madrid. This slight political change, which enabled the corporations of Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Puerto Principe to name three depu- ties in the “estamentos” without other free institutions, was certainly not calculated to alarm the royal.authority, however jealous it might be supposed. Three votes, more or less, could not of course cause any uneasiness ; but it is ever the consequence of free institutions, in just proportion to their worth, to diminish the importance of individ- uals. Here, then, was one of the causes of that strenuous opposition so successfully exerted to deprive the Island of deputies to Madrid. Such a refusal, where there is an immense amount of productive capital to be benefited or injured, or destroyed by the enactments of government, and where the colony is not even allowed delegates to represent its interests at court, has no parallel in any civilized country professing to approve of liberal institutions. The Island was at that time governed by General Tacon, whose short-sighted, narrow views, and jealous and weak mind, were joined to an uncommon stubbornness of character. Never satiated with power, it was through his influence that the wealthy portion of the community was divested of the privileges conferred on them by the A WILY OLD GENERAL. 309 estatuto. He even deprived the old municipalities of Havana of the faculty of naming the under-commissaries of police. In his own immodest report of his reign, as it was justly termed, he enumerated the very extensive and costly buildings and public works he had constructed, and from the singular manner in which he accounts for procuring the ordinary means, we must suppose he had the power of working miracles. To sustain his absolute government by trampling on every institution, was the necessary consequence of his first violent and unjustifiable act. It was consequential upon his own and his followers’ efforts. Outrages on Personal Liberty. For any power, any institution, not dependent on the palace of the cantain-general, might be the means of denouncing abuses, of expus- ing the real deformity of his and their pretended patriotism; and the numberless parasites whose interest ever was to blind the royal eyes, magnified tr: virtues of their hero, while they were rapidly accumulating fortunes at his side. In order to obtain credit in the mar zement of the police, he displayed a despotic and even prutal activity in the mode of exacting from the under-officers, distributed in the several wards of the city, under personal responsibility, the apprehension and summary prosecution of criminals. They soon found that there would be no complaint, provided they acted vigor- ously and brought up prisoners. So far from presuming their inno- cence, or requiring proof of their crimes, those who were once arrested were put to the negative and difficult task of proving their innocence. The more unwarrantable the acts of his subalterns the more acceptable to him, since they, in his opinion, exhibited the energy of his authority. They trembled in his presence, and left it to persecute, to invent accusations, to imprison, and spread terror and desolation among the families of the land!. It is but just to add, that the banditti and thieves and professed gamblers were terrified by his sweeping scythe, and became much more modest than they had been during the brief government of the weak and infirm General Roquefort, the predecessor of Tacon. The 310 A WILY OLD GENERAL. timid and short-sighted merchant who perceived this reform, did not comprehend or appreciate the illegality of the system, nor its per- nicious effects on the future destinies of the country, and was the first to justify the man who dared interpose himself between the Spanish monarchs and their subjects, to silence every complaint of the latter, and to say to the former, “ You shall never hear the peti- tions of your American vassals contrary to my pleasure.” The political servitude at that moment implanted in the country was new, and of course excited discontent, which was not unfrequertly vented in the random conversation of. young men. Poor Carlist Prisoners. The consequence of all this was, a regular system of espionage. The prisoners were distributed in the castles, because the jails were insufficient to contain them. In the dungeons were lodged nearly six hundred persons, the cause of whose detention nobody knew ; a fact authentically proved by a casual circumstance. In the streets, in the highways and fortresses, under a scorching sun, and during the unhealthy season, the poor Carlist prisoners, having surrendered themselves, trusting to the faith of liberals, were suffered to sicken and sink miserably into a premature grave. Let it not be supposed, however, that his political persecution was confined to the enemies of the liberal institutions then existing in Madrid. The contrary may be adduced from the inconsiderate pro- tection extended by him to the famous friar Cirillo Almeda, of whose machinations he appeared to approve, and from the fact that events favorable to the queen were at a certain period not permitted to appear in the distorted press of Havana. His creed was soon ascertained. He considered those whom he thought likely to tear the veil from his tyranny, the veritable traitors, the enemies of the throne, and the advocates of independence in Cuba. He destroyed all freedom of discussion in the municipal body, usurped its powers, and frightened away such members as he thought would not bend sufficiently to his will. He constructed an enormously high, massive, level road through the widest avenue of A WILY OLD GENERAL. 311 the city, which has since been removed, at the expense of the same suffering community who had to pay for its erection, and to suffer its unhealthy effects while it remained. General Tacon moreover established a privileged market for selling meat and fish, to the detriment of the public and the public revenue, and for the profit of himself and his nearest friends. Among other things it will there be seen how a man living at the table and board of Tacon, was subsequently found to be interested in the contract for the meat and fish market, without its being absolutely binding on him to perform the condition of paying in his amount of stock in order to be entitled to his share of the profits, which he did nevertheless receive. A System of Robbery. It will likewise be found that the party to that contract was illegally preferred to the more regular bidders. It may further be ascertained from that work that when the contractors obtained the grant and commenced exacting unauthorized fees, to the great injury of the public, a suit was instituted to investigate and reform the abuse at the tribunal of one of the alcaldes, and that the record was claimed and taken possession of by Tacon, who was charged with causing it to disappear, as it was stated in his successor General Espeleta’s official answer, that it was not to be found in the archives of the cap- tain-generalship. Notwithstanding General Tacon’s efforts at the first election under the estatuto, the voice of his Excellency Don Juan Montalvo y Cas- tillo was raised in Madrid at the Cortes, and the misconduct of thé former partially exposed. As it continued, Messrs. Armas and Saco were named for the second congress during his government, both very enlightened and able men, well acquainted with the circum- stances, and friendly to the welfare of the Island, and as much opposed to the ultra-liberal or revolutionary ideas as desirous of removing from the Spanish peninsular government the shame and discredit of such lawless proceedings on the part of the chief metro- politan authority. 312 A WILY OLD GENERAL. To discover imagined conspiracies, to commence suits blindly approved by his assessor, to expatriate, to vex, to imprison the citizens, these were Tacon’s noble exploits. His artful reports found credit at court. He was therefore continued in his government, and the Spanish Cortes in 1836, by a majority exceeding thirteen votes, shut their doors, which had always been opened to American repre- sentatives, against the deputies of the Island, then elected and at Madrid. They were obliged to return without being allowed the privilege of uttering their grievances. This was the single but serious act of usurpation which robbed the descendants of the Island’s con- querors of all interference in its administration and tributary system. Some time after the oath to the constitution had been taken at Madrid in 1837, the Spanish General Lorenzo, commanding in St. Jago, encouraged by the encomiums and rewards conferred in former times and in similar instances, on such authorities as first followed the impulse given at the court of a political change, thought it his duty to conform to the plan most approved by all parties, royalist or liberal viz.: to repeat the cry raised at the seat of government. Brazen Display of Authority. He therefore proclaimed the constitution. The wily old general who had so successfully deprived the country of all representative or delegate system, would not of course very quietly allow his fabric to be leveled to the ground. He made an ostentatious display of his authority, and though well satisfied of the pacific views of the eastern part of the Island, insisted upon fitting out an expensive expedition, which cost the inhabitants more than $500,000, and would have it proceed, notwithstanding that the commissioners sent by Lorenzo made a formal promise that the eastern part of the Island should pre- serve their system until the Queen decided, or would obey at once Tacon’s order to annul the constitution, provided an amnesty were granted for the single act of proclaiming the same, their sole offence, General Tacon again made use of his favorite weapon against the Islanders, applying it to General Lorenzo and the intendant of Havana, by perfidious susvestions calculated to imoair their well- A WILY OLD GENERAL, 313 proven loyalty to their sovereign. Such improbable stories, the ill- disguised animosity of his passionate language, the cognizance by some impartial Peninsular tribunals of some of his grossly-imagined plans of conspiracy, all had an influence to force the Spanish court to acknowledge, without, for reasons of policy, publicly avowing it, the irregular and disorderly course of Tacon’s administration, and he was removed from office. The removal of General Tacon is said to have been effected by a compromise between the ministry and Olivar, acting as agent for Villaneuva, in which the rights of the Cubans were sacrificed to the latter's personal ambition. It was then agreed that no political assembly, or any rights whatever, should be allowed the Cubans, but that Tzcon should be removed. This discreditable compromise was the undoubted origin of the immediate discontent and subsequent rapid adoption of the principle of annexation through the Island. Nothing was more efficient in drawing the mask from his face than the unskillfulness of Joaquin Valdez, his standing conspiracy witness and confidential agent, who in framing one of his plans got intoa strange dilemma by apprehending the intendant of Cadiz, and other respectable old Spaniards, supposed to be concerned in the plot. It should be mentioned, to the honor of the Spanish name, that at the subsequent sittings of the Cortes, and before the removal of Tacon, as if the injuries which had been inflicted on Cuba called for immediate redress, it was generally admitted as a matter of course, what has since been artfully withdrawn from the sight of the con- gress, that the political condition of that distant colony should be attended to and ameliorated without delay. A generous and high-minded Spaniard, Don Antonio Benavide, equally loyal to his country and desirous of the welfare of its inhabi- tants, clearly and ably insisted upon the adoption of any system in lieu of the omnipotence of the Captain-General. But the zeal and high sense of justice entertained by the congress could give no relief, where the agents of the local government were active, and the oppressed country had no delegates to maintain her rights. ; The only result was a royal order authorizing Tacon to call a junta, 3147 A WILY OLD GENERAL. which he took care should be formed to his liking generally, com. posed of authorities named by government, in its pay, with three or four private individuals among the general’s pliant tools. This junta was to propose special laws for the government of the Island. The consequence was exactly what might have been expected. The chief soon perceived that, however yielding the members might be, they must draw up some rules ostensibly to restrain his untamed will, or excite the ridicule of even the Spanish court. After calling together and dispersing them instantly, under a show of separating them into committees, he rendered the whole attempt inefficient, and feigning fear of danger from the plots of the white population, caused every feeling of justice to Cuba to be forgotten in Spain. The only proposition which seems to have transpired from the sitting of that strange, transitory, and expensive junta, was to make the Island a vice-royalty and Tacon vice-king. Ludicrous as as it may appear, it is no less true. Black Men in British Uniform. Notwithstanding it was under free institutions that Spain granted the establishment of the mixed Anglo-Spanish tribunal at Havana, for the cognizance of prizes taken from the African trade, it was when the public bodies of the Island were without sufficient energy to raise their spontaneous protest on political questions, that the Cas- tilian name was humbled by the floating fortress which the English anchored in the port of Havana, as a rallying signal for the blacks, openly and malignantly avowed, and sufficiently evident from the fact that it was manned by black men in British uniform. These soldiers, distributed in the heart of the city, the greater number liberated from slave-ships by the tribunal, who both during and subsequently to their apprenticeship were left in the country in direct communication with their bond-brethren, were the first instru- ments of spreading discontent among the slave population. Very far from independent, and from representing the interest of the wealthy planters, must have been the public bodies of the Island, who thus patiently saw the germs of violent insurrection sown broad- A WILY OLD GENERAL. 318 east over the land, without most earnestly assailing the Spanish ministry with their complaints. It was not, however, until about the year 1835 that the dispropor- tion of the races became alarming. In 1837 General Tacon received an official communication from Madrid, enclosing a copy of a note from the Spanish minister at Washington, containing a vivid picture of the dangers to Cuba from the abolition efforts making in the United States and generally all over the world. He who had heed- lessly given new life and development to the policy which Vives had only partially unfolded, and which consisted in separating the old Spaniards from the natives, was now made to feel that the co-opera- tion of the country’s dourgeoisie, in all their united effort, was requi- site to oppose the encroachments of the abolitionists. Immediate Danger. The exposition of the minister at Washington, though abounding with contradictory opinions, was, in the main, exact. It predicted immediate danger. No public bodies existing which could be con- sidered as emanating even indirectly from the people, rich or poor, he having discredited and crushed all such institutions, what could he do? He contrived to call a general meeting of the planters in the city of Matanzas, whose very judicious report provided for domestic and rural government, material defence, and funds to carry their plans into effect. The colonization of the Island by white inhabitants, which had been unlawfully terminated, was demanded by this meet- ing of planters, who also insisted upon the establishment of a rural militia. In consequence of these requisitions, their resolutions on the first were not carried into execution. The immigration of whites has been materially obstructed by an influential party, who consider it hostile to the introduction of laborers more consonant to their taste and interest. General Valdez was latterly named captain-general, an honest and generous soldier, whose memory is still dear to the liberal party in Spain, wearing many honorable marks of worth, grey in the service of his country, but his capacity undoubtedly impaired by age, 316 A WILY OLD GENERAL. joined to a yeneral ignorance of the colonies and of political affairs, common to all the military as a class. A person observing the progress of English pretensions respecting Cuba, would certainly conclude that Lord Palmerston had himself chosen such a man, who, though beyond the reach of bribery, and incapable of willful wrong to his country, was, from his weakness, a suitable and manageable instrument. Let it, however, be said in his praise, that he had occasion to show that when the captain-general should choose to put an end to the slave trade, it would be in his power to do so. Soon after his arrival, a series of by-laws made for the government of the slaves was published, wherein, instead of providing for the real circumstances of the occasion, the dominical rights of the master were suddenly attacked, yet not so much, perhaps, by their positive provisos, as by the appearance of interference at a period when the restlessness and uneasiness of the blacks required measures of an entirely contrary nature. The management of a slave country is always a difficult matter. To avoid the commission of great errors, in the condition of Cuba, would have been scarcely less than miraculous. The actual feelings of the blacks could not, with certainty, be ascertained by individuals who had either recently arrived from Spain, or never attended on the estates but for a few moments, or during excursions of pleasure. Thus it happened, that many judi- cious planters, judging from the small and gradual changes in the domestic life of the blacks, foresaw the coming storm for years, while the government agent could not comprehend, and resolutely refuted, such opinions as they thought unnecessarily alarming, and decidediy against their interest in the African trade. Mr. Turnbull, the English consul, who, from his European reputa- tion, would never have been allowed to occupy the post of consul at Cuba, had the Cuban proprietors had an organ of complaint, other than the government agents, concerted incendiary plots, and boldly followed them, notwithstanding the timely interference of Garcia, one of the governors of the city of Matanzas. CHAPTER XXIV. Record of Atrocious Deeds. EVERAL incidents might be aamed, evident precursors of an S insurrection, which, for many years before the repeated attempts, demanded a change in the system of the whole Island; a change which would have taken place under a government having the means and disposition to ascertain the true state of things, For the better understanding of the subject, it must be remem- bered that the ancient balance of influence established by the Spanish law between the military class and the judicial or lettered part of the community, had been altogether lost; the former having been intrusted with every branch of the administration, even to the making of by-laws for the black slave population, which was submitted to the control of government agents, perhaps under the direction of their allies, the slave-dealers, At the same time an ominous policy commenced; the colored inhabitants were particularly favored ; had numerous meetings, called cabildos, and enjoyed even greater privileges than the whites—being formed into military bodies for public defence, whereas the whites could not form a militia for their own safety, even in moments of pressing danger, and in those places where the disproportion of th-: races was most frightful. Laws were enacted purporting to alleviate the condition of the slaves; an apparent protection, calculated more to harass the owner than to realize the improvemeut of the former, without any attempt to instruct either. This. was acompanied with the continuation of the slave trade, and the barbarous political oppression of the native creoles, whose every thought was looked upon with jealous suspicion, It seemed evident that the policy consisted in placing the lives and property of the inhabitants of Cuba in such imminent danger as to 317 318 RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. choke any feeling of resentment respecting the political changes which the Spanish government adopted for the exclusive advantage of the metropolitan part of the community. Thus was the dissatisfaction of the blacks fostered. How else can be explained the cause of the progress made in the Island in that respect, and not in those slave-holding countries which surround it, and which, having a more frightful disproportion in numbers between the races, and greater freedom in the press and institutions, were withal enjoying comparative tranquillity ? Threatened War of Races. The bonds between master and slave were gradually severed; the affections destroyed; the mutual relations of the races, for which the Spaniards had been always distinguished, were broken; and while every one deprecated the perilous situation of the Cubans, the latter continued unarmed; the slave trade augmented the causes of fear; and no moral reform was adopted to soften the harsh features and discordant views of the subjected or of the dominant race. It seemed -as if occasional ruptures, which should awaken the natives to a sense of danger, were the most acceptable offering to the administration. Such did come to pass from time to time; what was the nature of these disturbances can, perhaps, be best understood by the following extract from the work of the Countess of Merlin, entitled “The Slaves in the Spanish Colonies;” who, though not a solid writer, has a style which savors of her sex, and is quite entertaining. She wrote somewhere about 1840: “The suavity of manner of the Cuban toward his slave inspires the latter with a respectful feeling, which is akin to worship: there is no limit to this affection; he would murder his master’s enemy publicly in the streets at mid-day, and would perish for his sake under torture, without giving a wink. To the slave, his master is his country and his family. The slave takes the family name of his lord; receives his children at their birth; shares with them the food which was prepared by nature in female breasts; serves them in 4umble adoration from earliest infancy. RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. 319 “ If the master is sick, the slave watcnes over him day and night; closes his eyes in death, and when this takes place, throws himself sorrowfully on the ground, cries wofully, and with his nails rends his own flesh in despair. But if a vindictive feeling is awakened in his bosom, he recovers his natural ferocity ; he is equally ardent in his hatred and in his love; but very seldom does it happen that his master is the object of his revengeful fury. “When an insurrection is not excited by foreigners (which, by the by, is not often the case), the cause of it may be traced to violent enmity toward the overseer. Here is a fact which proves the moral influence of the masters over the minds of these savages. A few months previous to my arrival, the blacks of the sugar estates of my cousin, Don Rafael, became insurrected. The slaves lately imported from Africa were mostly of the Luccoomee tribe, and therefore excel- lent workmen, but of a violent, unwieldly temper, and always ready to hang themselves at the slightest opposition in their way. Protected by Slaves. “Jt was just after the bell had struck five, and the dawn of the morning was scarcely visible. Don Rafael had gone over to another of his estates, within half an hour before, leaving behind him, and still in tranquil slumbers, his four children and his wife, who was in a state of pregnancy. Of a sudden the latter awakes, terrified by hideous cries, and the sound of hurried steps. She jumps affrighted from her bed, and observes that all the negroes of the estate are making their way to the house. She is instantly surrounded by her children, weeping and crying at her side. “ Being attended solely by slaves, she thought herself inevitably lost ; but scarcely had she time to canvass these ideas in her distracted mind, when one of her negro girls came in, saying, ‘ Child, your bounty need have no fears; we have fastened all the doors, and Michael is gone for master.’ Her companions placed themselves on all sides of their female owner, while the rebels advanced, tossing from hand to hand among themselves, a bloody corpse, with cries as awful as the hissing of the serpent in the desert. 320 RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. “The negro girls exclaimed, ‘ That’s the overseer’s body!’ The rebels were already at the door, when Pepilla (this is the name of the lady), saw the-carriage of her husband coming at full speed. That sweet soul, who, until that moment, had valiantly awaited death, was now overpowered at the sight of her husband coming unarmed toward the infuriated mob, and she fainted. “Tn the meantime, Rafael descends from the vehicle, places himself in front of them, and with only one severe look, and a single sign ot the hand, designates the purging house for them to goto. The slaves suddenly become silent, abandon the dead body of their overseer, and, with downcast faces, still holding their field-swords in their hands, they turn round and enter where they had been ordered. Well might it be said, that they beheld in the man who stood before them the exterminating angel. A Last Effort for Life. “ Although the movement,” the countess continues, “had for a mo- ment subsided, Rafael, who was not aware of its cause, and feared the results, selected the opportunity to hurry his family away from the danger. The guztrin, or vehicle of the country, could not hold more than two persons, and it would have been imprudent to wait till more conveyances were in readiness. Pepilla and the children were placed in it in the best possible manner ; and they were on the point of start- ing, when a man, covered with wounds, with a haggard, death-like look, approached the wheels of the quitrin, as if he meant to climb by them. “In his pale face the marks of despair and the symptoms of death could be traced, and fear and bitter anguish were the feelings which agitated his soul in the last moments of his life. He was the white accountant, who had been nearly murdered by the blacks, and having escaped from their ferocious hold, was making the last efforts to save a mere breath of life. His cries, his prayers, were calculated to make the heart faint. Rafael found himself in the cruel alternative of being deaf to the request of a dying man, or throwing his bloody and ex- piring corpse over his children; his pity conquered; the accountant RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. 321 was placed in the carriage as well as might be, and it moved away from the. spot. “While this was passing on the estate of Rafael, the Marquis of Cardenas, Pepilla’s brother, whose plantations were two leagues off, who had been apprised through a slave of the danger with which his sister was threatened, hastened to her aid. On reaching the spot, he noticed a number of rebels, who, impelled by a remnant of rage, or the fear of punishment, were directing their course to the open plains, searching for safety among runaway slaves. The Marquis of Carde- nas, whose sense of the danger of his sister had induced him to fly to her help, had brought with him, in the hurry of the moment, no one to guard his person except a single slave. “Scarcely had the fugitive band perceived a white man, when they went toward him. The marquis stopped his course and prepared to meet them; it was a useless temerity in him against such odds. Turn- ing his master’s horse by the bridle, his own slave addressed him thus: ‘My master, let your bounty get away from here; let me come to an understanding with them.’ And he then whipped his master’s horse, which went off at a gallop. Fell a Viciim to his Devotedness. “The valiant ‘ Jos,’ for his name is as worthy of being remembered as that of a hero, went on toward the savage mob, so as to gain time for his master to fly, and fell a victim to his devotedness, after re- ceiving thirty-six sword blows. This rising, which had not been pre- meditated, had no other consequences. It had originated in a severe chastisement, inflicted by the overseer, which had prompted the rebels to march toward the owner’s dwelling, to expound their complaint. They begged Rafael’s pardon, which was granted, with the exception of two or three, who were delivered over to the tribunals. A remark- able truth of the love of the slaves toward their lord, is the fact of their stopping, in the outset, the engine which was at the time grind- ing, aid preventing the explosion which would otherwise have taken place. “Not only do the inhabitants of Cuba forward the emancipation of 21 322 RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. their slaves by procuring for them the means of gaining money, but they often make the grant without any retribution. A service of im- portance, a mark of attachment, the act of nursing the master’s child, assiduous care during the last illness, or the priority’of services of an old member of the family, are all acts rewarded by the gift of \iberty. Sometimes the slave considers this benefit as a punishment, and receives it weeping.” Anecdotes of Slaves. These are very charming ideas. It is a pity that the countess should, by entering continually in the field of romance, get so far from the regions of truth. This remark, however, applies, in the paragraphs quoted, only to the assertion that the slaves in any case objected to being made free, or that such gifts were so common. There are facts both pleasing to the philanthropist and worthy of credit. The following, from the touching pen of the lady of Merlin, afford a happy illustration of them: “Though the slave enjoys the right of holding property, at his death it passes to the master ; but if he leaves children, the proprietor never deprives them of the inheritance. It sometimes happens that the free negro makes his will in favor of his former master. Here is an example. During the scourge of the cholera, an old woman was attending the sick negroes of my brother. She had continued in his service, although she had freed herself many years before, “ Being taken with the disease, she called my brother and said to him: ‘My master, I am going to die. These eighteen ounces of gold are for your bounty ; this piece of money for my comrades; and this good old man, my husband, also, if your bounty will let him have an ounce to help him on through life, it is well” The poor old woman did not die, but had a most miraculous escape. “JT will refer to anothei anecdote, showing the lofty and delicate feeling in the heart of a slave. The Count of Gibacoa owned a slave, who, being desirous of ransoming himself, asked his master ‘how much he asked for him?’ The answer was, ‘ Nothing; thou art free henceforth. The negro was silent, looked at his master, wept, Z RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. 323 and went off. A few hours afterward he returned, bringing with him a fine doza/, or newly-imported African, whom he had purchased with the sum intended for his freedom; and he said to the count: ‘My master, your bounty had one slave before; it has now two.’ “The blacks become identified with the affairs of their masters, and take part in their quarrels. The captain-general, Tacon, who, during the time of his government in Cuba, performed some few beneficent acts in this colony, but from his harsh and inflexible tem- per excited much ill-feeling, and took pleasure in humbling the nobility by his despotism, had persecuted the Marquis of Casa Calvo, who died while exiled. Some time afterward, and for the purpose of a magnificent banquet, which Tacon was to give the latter, he solic- ited the more renowned cooks of the city ; but the best of them was a slave to the Marchioness of Arcos, a daughter of the unfortunate Casa Calvo. Would not Accept Liberty. “Dazzled by the very height of his station, the general imagined that nothing would oppose his will; and he asked the lady to allow him the services of the cook; but she,as might be expected, refused. Mortified with the failure, the general offered the negro not only his freedom, but an additional and abundant gift, should he choose to enter his service; but the negro answered: ‘ Tell the governor that I prefer slavery and poverty with my master to wealth and liberty with- out him.’” . These acts, however, of devoted fidelity on the part of the slaves are descriptive of a period in the history of the slavery of Cuba long since passed. Though the romantic and very youthful heart of the countess would have prolonged the dream, every one was soon awakened to the sad reality which covered the land. Not very far apart, in time, from the insurrection of Montalvo, another took place somewhere near Aguacate. In 1842 there was one in Martiaro, for the second time. On the last occasion the slaves were made bold by the impunity which, through the deranged system of justice, and the influence of their owners, had been obtained for © them previously. In the same year the captain of the district of 324 RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. Lagunillas found an incendiary proclamation, which had fallen from the pocket of a foreign mulatto, who was employed as mason. A monk appeared on an estate near Limonar, under pretence of request- ing alms for the Virgin, whose image he carried with him, and went on prophesying to the blacks that on St. John’s day they would become free. In July of the same year, the slaves of an estate near Bemba com- mitted several acts of insubordination, and murdered a neighbor._ An Italian hair-dresser was imprisoned in 1841 for receiving procla- mations of an incendiary nature. The negroes of Aldama, under the very walls of Havana, refused to work, and claimed the right of freedom. In January, 1843, a colored man, suspected by his comparions of having revealed the particulars of the murder of an officer of govern- ment, by the name of Becerra, was assassinated by one of his own class, who, being afterward taken, committed suicide in jail. In March, 1843, there happened at Bemba an. insurrection of five hundred hegroes, belonging to the railroad company and others. Very soon after, there was another movement on a large estate; and before that year closed it occurred a second time. Soon after the insurgents made a formal rally, doing many bloody deeds, and murdering num- bers of the whites of different ages and sexes. The above brief retrospective view of a few only of the principal signs which were indicative of disquietude among the slave popula. tion is a very important part of Cuban history. The information re- ceived officially at Havana from the Spanish minister at Washington, and through the court of Madrid, as far back as 1834, in which the dangers which threatened the Island were fully shown, had been altogether slighted. . : So also were these events, though marked with blood, and showing unequivocal symptoms of a coming storm. It gathered not ina single day, but came gradually on; and the humble landholder was doomed to see the clouds of destruction hanging over his property, amid the general apathy of the officers of government, who alone were intrusted with the care of that in which they felt no interest RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS, 325 A rich planter having obtained, subsequently to the last bloody msurrection of November, 1843, by means of a negro woman, and by hiding himself during the night in the room where she slept with her husband, the particulars of a plan of devastation and bloodshed so extended as to make him shudder with horror, the local government seemed at length to awake from a sleep fraught with such imminent danger. me, . One of the immediate results was a meeting of the planters called in the city of Matanzas for the third of December. The meeting was held; a committee named to propose, on the seventeenth, a report, which report being unfavorable to the slave trade, the planters were not allowed to meet again, and the military. administration went through those difficult circumstances, guided by its own incompetent intelligence, or by the suggestions of the ignorant. How did they act? What system did they adopt to quell the general commotion among the colored population, which was so visi- blé to every eye? The answer to these questions will be found in the ungrateful task which it is here necessary to perform. All Considered Criminals. Under the impression derived from some testimony obtained by the military tribunals, established for the occasion, and composed of officers of inferior grade, it was supposed that the conspiracy framed by the blacks comprehended every individual of that unfortunate class. No one was excepted: every one must be guilty; and those who would or could reveal nothing, were marked as the most criminal. Acting upon this ground, a general investigation, or what was called “expurgo,” was ordered throughout the whole land, and intrusted to the most ignorant officers, whose system of inquiry was reduced to questions implying the answers required, and accompanied by the most violent chastisement, often inflicted in such a manner as sooner or later to produce death. Suggestions were made of the utility of employing lawyers of eminent standing, whose ingenuity and capacity would have advanced the proceedings efficiently; but noth- ing of the kind met a hearing. The following are a few of the 326 RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. atrocious acts which resulted from ‘conferring judicial powers upon military officers of an inferior class. Under date of March 6th, 1844, the captain-general addressed a letter to General Salas, who presided over the military tribunal stationed in the interior, in answer to the dispatches of the latter, consulting him as to the necessity of using violent means in the prosecution of those free colored persons under indictment, who should refuse to discover their associates, and setting forth the good effects which those means had produced among the slaves. In this letter his excellency authorized these same means to be employed with the free colored population, and manifested his approbation of. their chastisement in the country where they should be taken, and of the attendance of the officer, in order to certify the testimcay! Brutal Exercise of Authority. These officers, thus raised by a power above the laws, and above the dominical rights of the owners of slaves, with very few excép- tions, exercised their authority in a manner the most sordid, brutal, and sanguinary. Under the universal alarm raised, and extending to every hut, whoever was bold enough to insinuate a doubt respect- ing facts revealed under the most atrocious tortures, was deemed an abolitionist; although his interests and previous conduct presented a much safer guarantee of his opinions than the trust which should be placed in uneducated and hungry officers of the army. It was quite common for the latter to demand and obtain money from the accused, in order to save their lives, or their bodies from barbarous lashing. One of these prosecuting attorneys, judges, and executioners, at one and the same time, namely, Don Ramon Gonzales, ordered his victims to be taken to a room which had been whitewashed, and the walls of which were besmeared with blood and small pieces of flesh from the wretches who had preceded them in this cruel treatment. There stood a bloody ladder, where the accused were tied, with their hezds downward, and whether free or slave, if they would not avow what the fiscal officer insinuated, were whipped to death by two stout mulattoes selected for this purpose. They were scourged with . . RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. 327 leather straps, having at the end a small destructive button, made of fine wire. At the spot called the farm of Soto, were butchered in this manner M. Ruiz, C. Tolon, George Blakely, and other freemen; and their deaths were made to appear, by certificates from physicians, as hav- ing been caused by diarrhoea. This new minister of the law had been formerly prosecuted for theft, extortion, and even deeper crimes, committed while he commanded the criminals’ depot. Inhuman Tortures. Don Mariano F brought on himself the execration and odium of the whole city of Matanzas for his barbarous treatment of Andrew Dodge, a colored man, born free, who was generally beloved and esteemed, and was the owner of considerable property. He was tied to the ladder and flogged on three different occasions, but never avowed what he was accused of; and finally he was executed, in defiance even of these sanguinary laws of old, which instituted the ordeal of torture in ages called barbarous. He also caused a free negro, Pedro Nufiez, to be’tied hand-and-foot and hung to the ceiling of the house, keeping him in this painful position through the night, his body having been previously lacerated by the whip. Again, by threatening to inflict punishment, he obtained from the mulatto, Thomas Vargas, an affidavit against a man of the same class, called Fonten. He used to visit Vargas at his dungeon every day after sentence had been passed on him, to assure him sportingly that he would not fail to receive four bullets through his body. The prophecy was of course fulfilled. Don Juan Costa, another of the acting officers, had likewise his share in this work of accusation ; and there were, in the process of his making, ninety-six certificates of an equal number of deaths of the indicted during the investigation. Of these, forty-two- were freemen and fifty-four slaves. They all had died under the lash; and that you may judge of the intensity of their sufferings, I will record what appears from the process, viz.: “ Lorenzo Sanchez, imprisoned on the first of April, died on the fourth ; Joseph Cavallero, imprisoned 328 RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. on the ee died on the sixth; John Austin Molino, imprisoned on the ninth, died on the twelfth ; and so on through an infinite number. Don Jose del Pozo andicied a negro one hundred and ten years old, who died at the Matanzas jail. Don Francisco Illas, the en- lightened and humane fiscal officer, who appears among those of his class as if to redeem the Spanish name from the dark stain brought upon it by his associates, was called to certify to the death of this old man; but he drew back horror-struck from the spot when he beheld a man so worn by age, having his body cut into pieces by the pitiless lash. The unfortunate victim had complained of the fiscal Pozo, accus- ing him of stealing from him forty-five dollars. Del Pozo, after in- flicting severe punishment, found sport in hanging the accused victims on a tree, and then cutting the ropes to see them fall to the ground in bunches, He had been a journeyman tailor at Havana. A Savage Boast. Don Ferdinand Percher presented his process, having seventy-two certificates of deaths of prisoners during the prosecution; twenty- nine freemen and forty-three slaves. “I have one hundred prisoners in souse,” said he once, before a number of respectable citizens, “and if one escapes I am willing to have him nailed to my forehead.” Don Leon Dulzaides, in July, 1844, had a free negro placed in the jail in what is called “ campaign stocks,” which is a most distressing position of the body, the arms being arranged so as to hold the legs ; and thus placed, ordered him to be whipped unmercifully, until he should confess. Another of the fiscals, who was acting in his official character in the next room, was called by the cries of the victim, and obtained for him a suspension of punishment. Dulzaides demanded the punishment of death for twenty-seven prisoners, but the council sentenced only two. During the reading of the sentence, he used to ask money of such as were saved from death. Seventy prisoners of Don Jyacinth —— died during the prosecution, of whom thirty-five were freemen. This fiscal was suspended from office. Don Miguel! Ballo dela Torre, being on the estate of Oviedo, ex- RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. 329 torted from the negroes affidavits accusing their master, who, being absent, was apprised through his administrator or econome, that he was a lost man, but that the fiscal would save him, provided he paid two hundred ounces of gold. The administrator wrote several letters on the subject, which were handed to General Salas, president of the tribune, who wrote to the fiscal, ordering him not to continue the prosecution on that estate. , Don Manuel Siburu, fiscal of the prosecution against the English and American machinists, had demanded in his accusation the sen. tence of death upon an Englishman named Elkins. The members of the military tribunals, however, being intimidated by the con- sequences that might follow, and at the same time well aware that the testimony had been extorted by the lash, consulted respecting the case with General O’Donnell. What the Treaty Guaranteed. The latter answered, that they should proceed from what they found in the process, and look well to what they did; which, as there was no mention of the torture in the proceedings, meant that they should crown by their sentence the system of barbarous cruelty com- menced by the fiscals. The consultation was repeated, and a similay answer obtained. At the same time, Mr. Crawford, the English consul at Havana officially informed’ the captain-general that he was aware that the British Majesty’s subjects were being indicted and judged at Matan- zas in a manner different from that adopted toward Spanish subjects; that as the testimony had been obtained by forcible means, whatever had been done was null; that there existed a treaty between the two nations, wherein it was stipulated that no Englishman should be judged in the Spanish dominions by special tribunals or committees, but by the regular order of the Spanish laws for Spaniards. The consul was persevering in his demand, and the captain-gen- eral, embarrassed also by the consultations aforesaid, was obliged to give up; and he consequently. ordered that the prosecution against foreigners should be placed in the hands of Don Francisco Illas, to 830 RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. be made anew. This able officer soon perceived that nothing was to be met with in what had been done but falsehood, infamy, and calumny, disconnectedly thrown together by the stupid Siburu. Within two months afterward the prisoners were declared inno- ‘ cent, and liberated. It was in the presence of this same Siburu, that another of his prisoners, the aged and respectable mulatto, Ceballos, well known and esteemed by the merchants of Havana, suddenly expired on being shown the place of torture. Shifting the Guilt on Another. Don Pedro Linares had three old Indians whipped in Cardenas, two of whom died, who lived in that neighborhood, and had resided on the Island since the acquisition of Florida by the United States, whence they had come, from their attachment to the Spanish nation. Don Pedro Acevedo, fiscal of the proceedings against the negroes on the coffee estate of Domech, who had been accused of possessing poison (which, by the by, was never found) for the purpose of killing their master, so contrived it as to throw the guilt on a young white man, a native of the Canary Islands, aged between nineteen and twenty-one, who was executed, declaring his innocence to the last moment of his life. On being exhorted by the priest to pardon his enemies, he complied with the request, excepting the fiscal, Acevedo, whom he could not pardon. Don Pedro Llanes, another of the fiscals, filled up the measure of his crimes, which cried so loudly for punishment, that he was at length accused of numberless robberies, extortions of money, and all kinds of wickedness, and at last was stopped in his dark career, and ‘imprisoned in the Havana jail. There, under the stingings of con- science, he placed in- the hands of General O'Donnell two hundred and fifty ounces of gold, which had been the fruits of his rapacity ; and soon after committed suicide by cutting his throat. Don Manuel Mata, lieutenant-colonel of the Carlist ranks in 1834, another of the fiscals, was imprisoned at Havana for excesses and robberies com- mitted in his official character during these disgraceful proceedings, The remaining fiscals, Gala, Gherci, Flores Apodaca, Cruces, RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. 331 Custardoz, Marcotegui, Maso, Llorens, Sanchez, Rosquin, Baltanas, Alvarez Murillo, and Domenech, traversed the country in every direc- tion, and strictly obeyed the orders they had received; some whip- ping or torturing free colored or slave individuals, and extorting false testimony and accusations, and others seizing horses, cattle, furniture, and whatever was owned by the free colored persons, all which they _ sold and converted into cash. It is hardly necessary to say, that the fiscals teok from their victims every cent which they possessed. ‘It is but -justice to add, that the fiscals named Mendoza, Arango, and Illas are honorable exceptions to this host of miscreants. Signor Illas, above all, has called forth the approbation of all the feeling part of the community, and of the friends of justice and humanity, for his: able, judicious, disinterested, and impartial conduct and deportment in the cases of the French coffee-planters and the English and Ameri can machinists, as well as of all who fell under his control. Prigoners Sentenced to Death. In the cases under the direction of the fiscal Ballo, this officer did not demand that sentence of death should be pronounced on any of his prisoners; the tribunal nevertheless sentenced two. The fiscal Lara demanded death for only one, and the tribunal sentenced four. The sergeant intrusted with the custody of the prisoners in the mili- tary jail at Matanzas is said to have collected twenty thousand dol- lars in cash for prison-fees and other arbitrary charges exacted from the prisoners. In the city of Matanzas, the general persecution of the colored tace was converted by the fiscals into means of gratifying their lewd passions upon the distracted daughters, wives, and sisters of their male victims. So far did they carry their barefaced impudence, tiiat a ball was given by several of the fiscals, and attended by the con- sulting lawyer of the military tribunal, where none but women of color appeared. At a late hour of the night, the doors were closed ; and all the inmates being in a state of disgraceful nudity, one can imagine what scenes of revelry and debauch followed. Acts of such low and stupid infamy serve to show how the several 332 RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. channels of civilization are interwoven, and how easy it is for man, when once authorized to trample on any of the salutary restraints of society, to mock and despise whatever comes in the way of his most sensual appetites. And now, in order justly to estimate the trust placed in the hands of these agents of military justice, the nature of their duties should be stated. They had separately the jurisdiction of a tribunal, with power to imprison and call before them whomsoever they would interrogate. The testimony which they obtained was received pri. vately, no one being present except the fiscal and the witness. The fiscal would write down and sign the declaration, the blacks and the’ majority of witnesses knowing neither how to read nor write. A Mockery of Justice. Not even the notary, who is required to be present at the affidavits before the ordinary tribunals, appeared on these occasions to check the arbitrary, malicious, or blind impressions ‘of the fiscal. Officers of the army were named to act as counsel for the individuals indicted, whether colored or white, free or bondsmen. These counselors, incapable through lack of talent or learning, were not allowed to read the proceedings regarding the persons whom they were to defend. All the instruction they had must be derived from a hasty and gene- ral abstract of facts made by the same fiscal, whose last duty was to demand the sentence which, in his opinion, should be imposed on the criminal, Too much blame should not be attributed to the chief who, com- manding the Island at this delicate period, could not be approached by the wisdom and intelligence of the land. The invariable and jealous policy which, for many years, has directed the administration | of Cuba, drew away from the absolute military authority whatever was enlightened and spirited. Men of vulgar habits and little edu- cation were the natural upholders of a barbarous system; and it was not easy to find officers of superior worth to act under a cruel im- pulse, and to execute sanguinary orders; so that this strange course was unavoidably placed in the most incapable or polluted hands, RECORD OF ATROCIOUS DEEDS. 333 With regard to the truth of the conspiracy, and whatever ground it originally had, it has been so much embroiled and connected with incoherent, false, and improbable testimony, adduced by the fear of punishment, that a general opinion is fast gaining ground at the present day that it never existed, and that the few reports and con- versations of a rebellious nature, mentioned with some plausibility in the course of the investigations, are the constant and latent workings of the slaves, which, in all ages, have accompanied the institution of slavery. This would be a difficult matter to decide. The events which preceded the general and scourging inquisition, together with the simultaneous and visible impudence of the free colored race, were certain indications of a disturbed state of mind in _at least some sections of the country. On the other hand, the indict- ments followed up by different fiscals, and the use of the torture without obtaining satisfactory evidence to dispel all manner of doubt as to the existence of a plot, speak against its credibility. It can also be alleged that the very ignorance of the prosecutors, and the irreg- ularity of their mode of procedure, were calculated to hinder the discovery of a plot, without deciding that it had positively no foundation. It is more likely that the conspiracy was in its infancy; and that when the avenging storm which swept over the land was heard from afar, it increased the number of the discontented, who, through despair, prepared for some last acts of devastation and blood. There ig one painful reflection, which fixes itself upon the considerate ob- server 9f events. While foreigners, after long delay, obtained a hearing of their cases, and after being paraded through the country, tied hand-and-foot on horseback, and kept in a filthy dungeon, were declared innocent, the white creoles, who had been imprisoned with equal injustice, remained still incarcerated, and their cases undecided, because they had no consul to claim for them the rights of civilized man ! CHAPTER XXV. Story of Marti, the Smuggler. NE ef the most successful villains whose story will be written in history, is a man named Marti, as well known in Cuba as the person of the Governor-General himself. Formerly he was notorious as a smuggler and half pirate on the coast of the Island, being a daring and accomplished leader of reckless men. At one time he bore the title of King of the Isle of Pines, where was his principal rendezvous, and from whence he dispatched his vessels, small, fleet crafts, to operate in the neighboring waters. When Tacon landed on the Island, and became Governor-General, he found the revenue laws in a sad condition, as well as the internal regulations of the Island. As already stated, Tacon governed Cuba four years, from 1834 to 1838. The Spanish marine sent out to regulate the maritime matters of the Island, lay idly in port, the officers passing their time on shore, or in giving balls and dances on the decks of their vessels. Tacon saw that one of the first moves for him to make was to suppress the smuggling upon the coast, at all hazards; and to this end he set himself directly to work. The maritime force at his command was at once detailed upon this service, and they coasted night and day, but without the least success against the smugglers. In vain were all the vigilance and ree of Tacon and his agents—they accomplished nothing. At last, finding that all his expeditions against them failed, pany from the adroitness and bravery of the smugglers, and partly from the want of pilots among the shoals and rocks they had frequented, a large and tempting reward was offered to any one of them who would desert from his comrades and act in this capacity in behalf of the Government. At the same time, a doyble sym, most princely in amount, was 334 MARTI, THE SMUGGLER. 335 offered for the person of one Marti, dead or alive, who was known to be the leader of the lawless rovers who thus defied the Government. These rewards were freely promulgated, and posted so as to reach the ears and eyes of those whom they concerned; but even these seemed to produce no effect, and the Government officers were at a loss how to proceed in the matter. A Mysterious Figure. It was a dark, cloudy night in Havana, some three or four months subsequent to the issuing of these placards announcing the rewards referred to, when two sentinels were pacing backwards and forwards before the main entrance to the Governor’s palace, just opposite the grand plaza. A little before midnight, a man, wrapped in a cloak, was watching them from behind the statue of Ferdinand, near the fountain, and, after observing that the two soldiers acting as sentinels paced their brief walk so as to meet each other, and then turn their backs as they separated, leaving a brief moment in the interval when the eyes of both were turned away from the entrance they were placed to guard, seemed to calculate upon passing them unobserved. It was an exceedingly delicate manceuvre, and required great care and dexterity to effect it; but, at’ last, it was adroitly done, and the stranger sprang lightly through the entrance, secreting himself behind one of the pillars in the inner court of the palace. The senti- nels paced on undisturbed. The figure which had thus stealthily effected an entrance, now sought the broad stairs that led to the Governor’s suite of apartments, with a confidence that evinced a perfect knowledge of the place. A second guard-post was to be passed at the head of the stairs; but, assuming an air of authority, the stranger offered a cold military salute and pressed forward, as though there was not the most distant question of his right so to do; and thus avoiding all suspicion in the guard’s mind, he boldly entered the Governor’s ee un- challenged, and closed the door behind him. In a large easy-chair sat the commander-in-chief, busily engaged in writing, but alone. An expression of undisguised satisfaction 336 MARTI, THE SMUGGLER passed across the weather-beaten countenance of the new-comer at this state of affairs, as he coolly cast off his cloak and tossed it over his arm, and then proceeded to wipe the perspiration from his face, The Governor, looking up with surprise, fixed his keen eyes upon the intruder. ‘“Who enters here, unannounced, at this hour?” he asked, sternly while he regarded the stranger earnestly. “One who has information of value for the governor-general. You are Tacon, I suppose ?” “T am. What would you with me? or, rather, how did you pass my guard unchallenged ?” “Ofthat anon. Excellency, you have offered a handsome reward for information concerning the rovers of the gulf?” “Ha! yes. What of them?” said Tacon, with undisguised interest, “Excellency, I must speak with caution,’ continued the new- comer ; “otherwise I may condemn and sacrifice myself.” “You have naught to fear on that head. The offer of reward for evidence against the scapegraces also vouchsafes a pardon to the informant. You may speak on, without fear for yourself, even though you may be one of the very confederation itself.” “You offer a reward, also, in addition, for the discovery of Marti— Captain Marti, of the smugglers—do you not ?” “We do, and will gladly make good the promise of reward for any and all information upon the subject,” replied Tacon. “First, Excellency, do you give me your knightly word that you will grant a free pardon to me, if I reveal all that you require to know, even embracing the most secret hiding-places of the rovers ?” “JT pledge you my word of honor,” said the commander. “No matter how heinous in the sight of the law my offences may have been, still you will pardon me, under the king’s seal ?” “T will, if you reveal truly and to any good purpose,” answered Tacon, weighing in his mind the purpose of all this precaution. “ven if I were a leader among the rovers, myself?” The governor hesitated for a moment, canvassing in a single glance the subject before him, and then said: MARTI, THE SMUGGLER. 337 “ Even then, be you whom you may ; if you are able and will hon- estly pilot our ships and reveal the secrets of Marti and his followers, you shall be rewarded as our proffer sets forth, and yourself receive a free pardon.” “‘ Excellency, I think I know your character well enough to trust you, else I should not have ventured here.” “Speak, then; my time is precious,’ was the impatient reply of Tacon. , “Then, Excellency, the man for whom you have offered the largest reward, dead or alive, is now before you!” “And you are—” “Marti!” The governor-general drew back in astonishment, and cast his eyes towards a brace of pistols that lay within reach of his right hand; but it was only for a single moment, when he again assumed entire self-control, and said: “T shall keep my promise, sir, provided you are faithful, though the laws call loudly fer your punishment, and even now you are in my power. To insure your faithfulness, you must remain at present under guard.” Saying which, he rang a silver bell by his side, and issued a verbal order to the attendant who answered it. Immediately after, the officer of the watch entered, and Marti was placed in con- finement, with orders to render him comfortable until he was sent for. His name remaine“ a secret with the commander; and thus the night scene closed. The Smuggler Kept his Word. On the following day, one of the men-of-war that lay idly beneath the guns of Morro Castle suddenly became the scene of the utmost activity, and, before noon, had weighed her anchor, and was standing out into the gulf stream. Marti, the smuggler, was on board, as her pilot; and faithfully did he guide the ship, on the discharge of his treacherous business, among the shoals and bays of the coast for nearly a month, revealing every secret haunt of the rovers, exposing their most valuable depots and well-selected rendezvous; and many a smuggling craft was taken and destroyed. 22 338 MARTI, THE SMUGGLER. The amount of money and property thus secured was very great; and Marti returned with the ship to claim his reward from the gover- nor-general, who, well satisfied with the manner in which the rascal had fulfilled his agreement, and betrayed those comrades who were too faithful to be tempted to treachery themselves, summoned Marti before him. : “As you have faithfully performed your part of our agreement,” said the governor-general, “I am now prepared to comply with the articles on my part. In this package you will find a free and uncon- ditional pardon for all your past offences against the laws. And here is an order on the treasury for—” He Controlled the Fish Market. “Excellency, excuse me. The pardon I gladly receive. As te the sum of money you propose to give to me, let me make youu proposition. Retain the money; and, in place of it, guarantee to me the right to fish in the neighborhood of the city, and declare the trade in fish contraband to all except my agents. This will richly repay me, and I will erect a public market of stone at my own expense, which shall be an ornament to the city, and which at the expiration of a specified number of years shall revert to the govern- ment, with all right and title to the fishery.” Tacon was pleased at the idea of a superb fish-market, which should eventually revert to the government, and also at the idea of saving the large sum of money covered by the promised reward. The singular proposition of the smuggler was duly considered and acceded to, and Marti was declared in legal form to possess for the future sole right to fish in the neighborhood of the city, or to sell the article in any form, and he at once assumed the rights that the order guaran- teed to him. Having in his roving life learned all the best fishing-grounds, he furnished the city bountifully with the article,and reaped yearly an immense profit, until, at the close of the period for which the monop- oly was granted, he was the richest man on the Island. According. te the agreement, the fine market and its privilege reverted to the MARTI, THE SMUGGLER. 339 government at the time specified, and the monopoly has ever since been rigorously enforced. Marti, now possessed of immense wealth, looked about him, to see in what way he could most profitably invest it to insure a handsome and sure return. The idea struck him if he could obtain the monop- oly of theatricals in Havana on some such conditions as he had done that of the right to fish off its shores, he could still further increase his ill-gotten wealth. He obtained the monopoly, on condition that he should erect one of the largest and finest theatres in the world, which he did, locating the same just outside the city walls. Many romantic stories are told of Marti; but the one we have here related is the only one that is authenticated, CHAPTER XXVI. The Conspiracy of Lopez. HE result of the movement in the western department, LT under Tacon, showed the Cubans that they had nothing to- hope from Spain, while the cruelties of General O’Donneli increased the great discontent and despair of the people. They now became satisfied that the hope of legal reform was but a chimera; and a portion of the liberal party, seeing no issue from their insuffer- able position but that of revolution, boldly advocated the intervention pf arms. In 1848 a conspiracy was formed in Cienfuegos and Trinidad, with the purpose of throwing off the Spanish yoke; but it was soon discovered and crushed by the imprisonment of various individuals in the central department. The principal leader in this movement was General Narciso Lopez, whe succeeded in effecting his escape to the United States, where he im- mediately placed himself in communication with several influential and liberal creoles, voluntary and involuntary exiles, and established a correspondence with the remnant of the liberal party yet at liberty on the Island, at the same time being aided in his plans by American sympathy. The result of the deliberations of himself, his correspond- ents and associates, was to try by the chances of war for the liberation of Cuba. Many of the leading patriots of the Island undoubtedly believed that the government of the United States would second their efforts, if they should decide to unite themselves to our republic, and boldly raise the banner of annexation. A portion of the Cuban liberals adopted the motto, “ Legal Reform or Independence ;” and these two factions of the patriots did not henceforth act in perfect concert with each other—a most fatal error to the interests of both. Time and circumstances favored the war and annexation party; the people 340 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. 341 were more than ever discontented with a government which so oppressed them by a military despotism, and by the enormous. weight of the unjust’ taxation levied upon them. We may here remark that the increase of the public revenue, in the midst of so many elements of destruction and ruin, can only be explained by the facility with which the captain-general and royal stewards of the Island invented and arranged taxes, at their pleasure, and without a shadow of propriety, or even precedent. The colored population of the Island, both slaves and free, hated ‘the Spaniards, for good reasons. The war party, moreover, reckoned on the genius of a leader (Lopez), “the first lance of Spain,” trained to arms, equal in talents to any of the Spanish generals, and beloved by the Spanish troops, as well as by the Cuban population; and they relied, also, as we have said, on the sympathy and ultimate aid of the United States government. Many False Reports. It is undoubtedly true that interested parties in this country, prompted by mercenary motives, increased this latter delusion by false reports; while the Cuban conspirators, in turn, buoyed up the hopes of their friends in the United States, by glowing accounts of the patriotic spirit of the creoles, and the extent of the preparations they were making for a successful revolt. General Lopez was actively arranging the means for an invasion, when, in 1849, the United States government threw terror into the ranks of the filibusters, by announcing its determination to enforce the sacredness of treaty stipulations. This, for a time, frustrated the intended invasion. In 1850 Lopez succeeded in effecting his first descent upon the Island. Having succeeded in baffling the vigilance of the United States government, an expedition, consisting of six hundred and fifty-two men, was embarked on board two sailing-vessels and the steamer “ Creole,” which conveyed the general and his staff. In the beginning of July the sailing-vessels left New Orleans, with orders to anchor at Contoy, one of the Mugeres Islands, on the coast of 342 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. Yucatan ; the general followed, on the “Creole,” on the 7th. At the time when the troops were embarked on the “Creole” at Contoy, fifty-two of the number, who had been deceived as to the nature of the expedition, refused to follow the general, and were left on the island, with the intention of returning to the United States in the two schooners. General Lopez, after gaining some information from a fisherman he encountered, resolved to land at Cardenas, on the northern coast of the Island, a hundred and twenty miles east of Havana. He cal- culated that he could surprise and master the garrison before the Captain-General could possibly obtain intelligence of his departure from New Orleans. His plan was to master the town, secure the authorities, intimidate the Spaniards, and then, sustained by the moral influence of victory, proceed to Matanzas by railroad. War-Ships Hastily Despatched. Roncali, the Captain-General, having received intelligence of the landing at Contoy, dispatched several ships-of-war in that direction, to seize upon the general and his followers. The latter, however, escaped the snare, and effected his landing on the 19th. The garri- son rushed to arms, and, while a portion of the troops, after immaterial loss, retired in good order to the suburbs, another, under the com- mand of Governor Ceruti, intrenched themselves in the government house, and gave battle to the invaders. After a sharp skirmish, the building being set on fire, they surren- dered ; the Governor and two or three officers were made prisoners, and the soldiers consented to join the revolutionary colors! Mean- while, a body of one hundred invaders seized upon the railroad station. The engines were fired up, and the trains made ready to transport, the invading column to Matanzas. But now came a pause. General Lopez, seeing that the native population did not respond to his appeal, knew that as soon as the news of the taking of Cardenas should be circulated he would be in a very critical situation. In fact, the Governor of Matanzas was svon on the march, at the head of five hundred men. General Armero THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. 348 sailed from Havana in the “ Pizarro,” with a thousand infantry, while two thousand five hundred picked troops, under the command of General Count de Mirasol, were sent from Havana by the railroad. Lopez saw that it would be madness to await the attack of these for- midable columns, unsupported save by his own immediate followers, and accordingly issued his orders for the reémbarkation of his band, yet without relinquishing the idea of landing on some more favorable point of the Island. That portion of the garrison which, in the beginning of the affair, had retreated to the suburbs, finding itself reinforced by a detachment of cavalry, attempted to cut off the retreat of the invading general ; but the deadly fire of the latter’s reserve decimated the horse, and the infantry, dismayed at their destruction, took to rapid flight. The “Creole” accordingly left the port without molestation, and before the arrival of the government steam-frigate “ Pizarro.” The Spanish prisoners were landed at Cayo de Piedras, and then Lopez, discovering the “Pizarro” in the distance, made for the American continent, where the steamer was abandoned. General Lopez was arrested by the authorities of Savannah, but liberated again, in deference to the public clamor. The “ Creole” was seized, confiscated and sold. The invaders disbanded ; and thus this enter- prise terminated. A less enterprising and determined spirit than that of General Lopez would have been completely broken by the failure of his first attempts, the inactivity of the Cubans, the hostility of the American government, and the formidable forces and preparations of the Span- ish officials. He believed, however, that the Cubans were ripe for’ revolt; that public opinion in the United States would nullify the action of the Federal government; and that, if he could once gain a foothold in the Tsland, the Spanish troops would desert in such numbers to his ban- aers that the preponderance of power would soon be upon his side ; and, with these views, he once more busied himself, with unremitting industry, to form another expedition. Meanwhile, the daring attack upon Cardenas, while it demon- 344 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. strated the determination of the invading party, caused great anxiety in the mind of General Roncali. True, he had at his disposal an army of more than twenty thousand regular troops; but he was by no means sure of their loyalty, and he therefore determined to raise a local militia; but, as he suffered only Spaniards to enlist in it, he aroused the jealousy of the Cuban-born inhabitants, and thus swelled the force of opposition against the government. General Lopez was informed of this fact, and based new hopes upon the circumstance. The Tyranny Continued. The Spanish government, having recalled Roncali, appointed Don José de la Concha Captain-General of the Island, and the severity of his sway reminded the inhabitants of the iron rule of Tacon. It was during his administration that Lopez effected his second landing at Playitas, sixty miles west of Havana. Several partial insurrections, which had preceded this event, easily suppressed, as it appears, by the Spanish government, but exaggerated in the accounts dispatched to the friends of Cuba in the United States, inflamed the zeal of Lopez, and made him believe that the time for a successful invasion had at length arrived. The following is from a narrative of one of the invaders: “‘ The general showed me much of his co-respondence from the Island. It represented a pervading anxiety for his arrival, on the part of the creole population. His presence alane, to head the insurrection, which would then become general, was all they called for; his presence and a supply of arms, of which they were totally destitute. The risings already made were highly colored in some of the communications addressed to him from sources of unquestionable sincerity.” He was so confident, at one time, of the determination and ability of the Cubans alone to secure their independence, that he wished to embark without any force, and throw himself among them. It was this confidence that led him to embark with only four hundred ill- armed men on board the little steamer “ Pampero,” cn the 2d of August, 1851. This force consisted mostly of Americans, but embraced forty-nine Cubans in its ranks, with several German and THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. 343 Hungarian officers; among the latter, General Pragay, one of the heroes of the Hungarian revolution, who was second in command to General Lopez on this occasion. Many of the foreign officers spoke little, if any, English, and mutual jealousies and insubordinations soon manifested themselves in the little band. They were composed of fierce spirits, and had come together without any previous drilling or knowledge of each other. It was not the intention of the commander-in-chief to sail direct for Cuba, but to goto the neighborhood of St. John’s river, Florida, and get a supply of artillery, ammunition, extra arms, etc. The Invaders Effect a Landing. He then proposed to land somewhere in the central department, where he thought he could get a footing, and rally a formidable force, before the government troops could reach him. But, when five days out, Lopez discovered that the ‘‘ Pampero” was short of coal; as no time could be spared to remedy this deficiency, he resolved to effect a landing at once, and send back the “ Pampero”’ for reinforcements and supplies. At Key West he obtained favorable intelligence from Cuba, which confirmed his previous plans. He learned that a large portion of the troops had been sent to the eastern department ; and he accordingly steered for Bahia Honda (deep bay). The current of the gulf, acting while the machinery of the boat was temporarily stopped for repairs, and the variation of the compass in the neighborhood of so many arms, caused the steamer to run out of her course on the night of the toth; and when the morning broke, the invaders found themselves heading for the narrow entrance of the harbor of Havana! The course of the steamer was instantly altered; but all on board momentarily expected the apparition of a war steamer from the channel between the Morro and the Punta. It appeared, afterwards, that the “Pampero” was signalized as a strange steamer, but not reported as suspicious until evening. The “ Pampero” then made for the bay of Cabajfias; but, just as she was turning into the entrance, a Spanish frigate and sloop-of-war were seen at anchor, the first of 346 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. which immediately gave chase; but, the wind falling, the frigate gave it up, and returned to the bay to send intelligence of the expedition to Havana. The landing was finally effected at midnight, between the 11th and 12th of August, and the steamer was immediately sent off to the United States for further reinforcements. As it was necessary to obtain transportation for the baggage, General Lopez resolved to leave Colonel Crittenden with one hundred and twenty men to guard it and with the remainder of the expedition to push on to Las Pozas, a village about ten miles distant, whence he could send back carts: and horses to receive it. Among the baggage were four barrels of powder, two of cartridges, the officers’ effects, including the arms of the general, and the flag of the expedition. From the powder and arms they should not have separated, but have divided that, against contingency. The Invasion a Failure. In the meantime, seven picked companies of Spanish troops of the line had been landed at Bahia Honda, which force was strengthened by contingents drawn from the neighborhood. The march of the invading band to Las Pozas was straggling and irregular. On reach- ing the village, they found it deserted by the inhabitants. A few carts were procured and sent back to Crittenden, that he might advance with the baggage. Lopez here learned from a countryman of the preparations making to attack him. It was no portion of his plan to bring the men into action with regular troops, in their present undisciplined state; he proposed rather to take a strong position in the mountains, and there plant his standard as a rallying-point, and await the rising of the Cubans, and the return of the “ Pampero” with reinforcements for active operations. As soon as Lopez learned the news from Bahia Honda, he dis- patched a peremptory order to Crittenden to hasten up with the rear- guard, abandoning the heavy baggage, but bringing off the cartridges and papers of the expedition. But the fatal delay of Crittenden separated him forever from the main body, only a small detachment of THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. 347 his comrades (under Captain Kelly) ever reaching it. The next day, while breakfast was being prepared for them, the soldiers of the ex- pedition were suddenly informed, by a volley from one of the houses of the village, that the Spanish troops were upon them. A Spirited Battle. They flew to arms at once, and the Cuban company dislodged the vanguard of the enemy, who had fired, at the point of the bayonet, their captain, Oberto, receiving his death-wound in the spirited affair. General Enna, a brave officer, in command of the Spanish troops, made two charges in column on the centre of the invaders’ line, but was repulsed by that deadly fire which is the preéminent characteristic of American troops. Four men alone escaped from the company heading the first column, and seventeen from that forming the advance of the second column of attack. The Spaniards were seized with a panic, and fled. : Lopez’s force in this action amounted to about two hundred and eighty men; the Spaniards had more than eight hundred. The total loss of the former, in killed and wounded, was thirty-five ; that of the latter about two hundred men killed, and a large number wounded ! The invaders landed with about eighty rounds of cartridges each; the Spanish dead supplied them with about twelve thousand more ; and a further supply was subsequently obtained at Las Frias; the ammunition left with Crittenden was never recovered. In the battle of Las Pozas, General Enna’s horse was shot under him, and his second in command killed. The invaders lost Colonel Downman, a brave American officer ; while General Pragay was wounded, and afterwards died in consequence. Though the invaders fired well and did terrible execution, they could not be prevailed upon to charge the enemy, and gave great trouble to the officers by their insubordination. The night after the battle, Captain Kelly came up with forty men, and announced that the Spanish troops had succeeded in dividing the rear-guard, and that the situation of Crittenden was unknown. It was not until some days afterwards that it was ascertained that Crittenden’s party, attempting 348 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. to leave the Island in launches, had been made prisoners by a Spanish man-of-war. They were taken to Havana, and brutally shot at the Castle of Atares. About two o’clock on the 14th of August, the expedition resumed its march for the. interior, leaving behind their wounded, who were afterwards killed and mutilated by the Spaniards. The second action with the Spanish troops occurred at the coffee-plantation of Las Frias, General Enna attacking with four howitzers, one hundred and twenty cavalry, and twelve hundred infantry. Wandering in the Mountains. The Spanish general attacked with his cavalry, but they were met by a deadly fire, thrown into utter confusion, and forced to retreat, arrying off the general mortally wounded. The panic of the cavalry communicated itself to the infantry, and the result was a complete rout. This was the work of about two hundred muskets, for many of Lopez’s men had thrown away their arms on the long and toil- some march. Tne expedition, however, was too weak to profit by their desperate successes, and had no means of following up these victories. Plung- ing into the mountains, they wandered about for days, drenched with rain, destitute of food or proper clothing, until despair at last seized them. They separated from each other, a few steadfast comrades remaining by their leader. In the neighborhood of San Cristobal, Lopez finally surrendered to a party of pursuers. He was treated with every indignity by his captors, though he submitted to every- thing with courage and serenity.. He was taken in a steamer from Mariel to Havana. Arrived here, he earnestly desired to obtain an interview with Concha, who had been an old companion-in-arms with him in Spain ; \not that he expected pardon at his hands, but hoping to obtain a change in the manner of his death. His soul shrank from the infa- mous garrote, and he aspired to the indulgence of the cuatro tros (four shots). Both the interview and the indulgence were refused, and he was 1 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. 349° executed on the first day of September, at seven o’clock in the morn- ing, in the Punta, by that mode of punishment which the Spaniards esteem the most infamous of all. When he landed at Bahia Honda, he stooped and kissed the earth, with the fond salutation, “ Querida Cuba” (dear Cuba)! And his last words, pronounced ina tone of deep tenderness, were, “ Muero por mi amada Cuba” (I die for my beloved Cuba, General Lopez was born in Venezuela, South America, in 17983 and henge, at the time of his execution, must have been about fifty- two years of age. He early became an adopted citizen of Cuba, and espoused one of its daughters. The remainder of the prisoners who fell into the hands of the authorities were sent to the Moorish fortress of Ceuta; but Spain seems to have been ashamed of the massacre of Atares, and atoned for the ferocity of her colonial officials by leniency towards the mis- guided men of the expedition, granting them a pardon, Cause of the Conspiracy. This uprising, or rather attempt at revolution, was all due to the despotic policy pursued by Spain. Itis impossible to conceive of any degree of loyalty that would be proof against the unparalleled burthens and atrocious system by which the mother country has ever loaded and weighed down her western colonists. They must be either more or less than men if they still cherish attachment to a- foreign throne under such circumstances. But the fact simply is, the creoles of Cuba are neither angels nor brutes; they are, it is true, a long-suffering and somewhat indolent people, lacking in a great degree the stern qualities of the Anglo-Saxon and the Anglo-Norman races, but nevertheless intelligent, if wanting culture, and not without those noble aspirations for independence and freedom, destitute of which. they would cease to be men, justly forfeiting all claim to our sympathy and consideration. During the brief intervals in which a liberal spirit was manifested towards the colony by the home government, the Cubans gave proof of talent and energy, which, had they been permitted to attain their 350 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. full development, would have given them a highly honorable name and distinguished character. When the field for genius was com- paratively clear, Cuba produced more than one statesman and man of science, who would have done honor to a more favored land. But these cheering rays of light were soon extinguished, and the fluctuating policy of Spain settled down into the rayless and brutal despotism which has become its normal condition, and a double dark- ness closed upon the political and intellectual prospects of Cuba. But the people are not, and have not been, the supine and idte victims of tyranny which Spain depicts them. The reader will remember the several times they have attempted, manacled as they are, to free their limbs from the chains that bind them. It is insulting and idle to say that they might have been free if they had earnestly desired and mad? the effort for freedom. Parallel Cases in History. ‘Who can say what would have been the result of our own struggle for independence, if Great Britain, at the outset, had been as well prepared for resistance as Spain has always been in Cuba? Who can say how long and painful would have been the struggle, if one of the most powerful military nations of Europe had not listened to our despairing appeal, and thrown the weight of her gold and her arms into the scale against our great enemy ? When we see how—as we do clearly—in a single night the well- contrived schemes of an adroit and unprincipled knave enslaved a brilliant and war-like people, like the French, who had more than once tasted the fruits of republican glory and liberty, who had borne their free flag in triumph over more than half of Europe, we can understand why the Cubans, overawed from the very outset, by the presence of a force vastly greater in proportion than that which enslaved France, have been unable to achieve their deliverance. . Nay, more—when we consider the system pursued by the govern- ment of the Island, the impossibility of forming assemblages, and of concerting action, the presence of troops and spies everywhere, the compulsory silence of the press—the violation of the sanctity of cor- THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ, 351 respondence—we can only wonder that any effort has been made, any step taken in that fatal pathway of revolution which leads intallibly to the garrote. If Cuba lies at present under the armed heel of despotism, we may be sure that the anguish of her sons is keenly aggravated by their perfect understanding of our own liberal institutions, and an earnest, if fruitless, desire to participate in their enjoyment. It is beyond the power of the Spanish government to keep the people of the Island in a state of complete darkness, as it seems to desire to do. The young men of Cuba educated at our colleges and schools, the visitors from the United States, and American merchants established on the Island, are all so many apostles of republicanism, and propagandists of treason and rebellion. They Only Await the Opportunity. Nor can the captains-general with all their vigilance exclude what they are pleased to call incendiary newspapers and documents from pretty extensive circulation among the “ever faithful.” That liberal ideas and hatred of Spanish despotism are widely entertained among the Cubans is a fact no one who has passed a brief period among them can truthfully deny. They await only the means and the oppor- tunity to rise in rebellion against Spain. We are too far distant to see more than the light smoke, but those who have trodden the soil of Cuba have sounded the depths of the volcano. The history of the unfortunate Lopez expedition proves nothing contrary to this. The force under Lopez afforded too weak a nucleus, was too hastily thrown upon the Island, too ill prepared, and too untimely attacked, to enable the native patriots‘to rally round its standard, and thus to second the efforts of the invaders. With no ammunition nor arms to spare, recruits would have only added to the embarrassment of the adventurers. Yet had Lopez been joined by the brave but u.fortunate Critten- den, with what arms and ammunition he possessed, had he gained some fastness where he could have been disciplining his command, xntil further aid arrived, the adventure might have had a very differ- 352 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. ent termination from what we have recorded in an early chapter of this book. Disastrous as was the result of the Lopez expedition, it nevertne- iess proved two important facts: first, the bravery of the Cubans, a small company of whom drove the enemy at the point of the bayonet; and, secondly, the inefficiency of Spanish troops when opposed by resolute men. If a large force of picked Spanish troops were decimated and routed in two actions, by a handful of ill-armed and undisciplined men, taken by surprise, we are justified in believ- ing that if an effective force of ten thousand men, comprising the several arms of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, had been thrown into the Island, they would have carried all before them. With such a body of men to rally upon, the Cubans would have risen in the . departments of the Island, and her best transatlantic jewel would have been torn from the diadem of Spain. American Sympathy for Cuba. That the Spanish government lived in constant dread of a renewal of the efforts on the part of Americans and exiled Cubans to aid the disaffected people of the Island in throwing off its odious yoke, is a notorious fact, and there were evidences in the conduct of its officials towards those of this government that it regarded the latter as secretly favoring such illegal action. Yet the steps taken by our government to crush any such attempts were decided enough to satisfy any but a jealous and unreasonable power. President Fillmore, in his memorable proclamation, said,‘ Such expeditions can only be regarded as adventures for plunder and robbery,” and declaring Americans who engaged in them outlaws, informed them that “they would forfeit their claim to the protection of this government, or any interference in their behalf, no matter to what extremity they might be reduced in consequence of their: illegal conduct.” In accordance with this declaration, the brave Crittenden and his men were allowed to be shot at Atares, though they were not taken with arms in their hands, had abandoned the expedition, and were seeking to escape from the Island. THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. 353 In a similar spirit President Pierce alluded to our relations with Spain in his inaugural address, in the following explicit terms: “Indeed it is not to be disguised that our attitude as a nation, and our position on the globe, render the acquisition of certain posses- sions, not within our jurisdiction, eminently important, if not, in the future, essential for the preservation of the rights of commerce and the peace of the world. Should they be obtained, it will be through no grasping spirit, but with a view to obvious national interest and security, and in a manner entirely consistent with the strictest ob: servance of national faith.” Honorable Attitude of our Government. A subsequent proclamation, emanating from the same source, and warning our citizens of the consequences of engaging in an invasion of the Island, also attested the determination to maintain the integrity of our relations with an allied power. No candid student of the history of our relations with Spain can fail to be impressed by the frank and honorable attitude of our gov- ernment, or to contrast its acts with those of the Spanish officials of Cuba. A history of the commercial intercourse of our citizens with the Island would be a history of petty and also serious annoyances and grievances to which they have been subjected for a series of years by the Spanish officials, increasing in magnitude as the latter have witnessed the forbearance and magnanimity of our government. Not an American merchant or captain, who had dealings with Cuba, but could furnish his list of insults and outrages, some in the shape of illegal extortions and delays, others merely gratuitous ebullitions of spite and malice dictated by a hatred of our country and its citi- zens. Instances of outrage so flagrant occurred, that the executive felt bound to call the attention of Congress to them in a message, in which he pointed out the great evil which lay at the bottom, and also the remedy. “The offending party,” he said, “is at our doors with large power for aggression, but none, it is alleged, for reparation. The source of redress is in another hemisphere: and the answers to our just com- 3 ~ 354 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. plaints, made to the home government, are but the repetition of excuses rendered by inferior officials to the superiors, in reply to the representations of misconduct. In giving extraordinary power to them, she owes it to justice, and to her friendly relations to this gov- ernment, to guard with great vigilance against the exorbitant exercise of these powers, and in case of injuries to provide for prompt redress.” ” It is very clear that if} in such cases as the seizure of a vessel and her cargo by the port officers at Havana, for an alleged violation of revenue laws, or even port usages, redress, in case of official miscon~ duct, could only be had by reference to the home government in another part of the world, our trade with Cuba would be completely paralyzed. The delay and difficulty in obtaining such redress, in toa many cases, prompted extortion on the one hand, and acquiescence to injustice on the other. Seizure of American Vessels. In 1851 two American vessels were seized off Yucatan by the Spanish authorities on suspicion of being engaged in the Lopez ex- pedition ; in the same year the steamship “ Falcon” was wantonly fired upon by a Spanish government vessel; in 1852 the American mail bags were forcibly opened, and their contents examined by order of the Captain-General; the “Crescent City” was not allowed to land her passengers and mails, simply because the purser, Smith, was obnoxious to the government of the Island. The “ Black Warrior,” fired into on one voyage, was seized for a violation of a custom-house form. More than once, on specious pre- texts, were American sailors taken from American vessels and thrown into Spanish prisons. In short, the insults offered by Span- ish officials to our flag so multiplied that the popular indignation in the country reached an alarming height. It is difficult for a republic and a despotism, situated like the United States and Cuba, to live on neighborly terms; and to control the indignation of the citizens of the former, proud and high-spirited, conscious of giving no offence, and yet subjected to repeated insults, is a task almost too great for the most adroit and pacific _adrinistra- THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. 355 tion. Had she possessed more foresight and less pride, Spain would have long since sold the Island to the United States, and thereby have relieved herself of a weighty care and a most dangerous prop- erty. “So far from being really injured by the loss of the Island,” said Hon. Edward Everett, in his able and well-known letter to the Brit- ish minister rejecting the proposition for the tripartite convention, “there is no doubt that, were it peacefully transferred to the United States, a prosperous commerce between Cuba and Spain, resulting from ancient associations and common language and tastes, would be far more productive than the best-contrived system of colonial taxa- tion. Such, notoriously, has been the result to Great Britain of the establishment of the independence of the United States.” Bold Utterances in Congress. The following remarks are quoted from a conservative speech of Mr. Latham, then member of Congress from California. They pre sent, with emphasis, some of the points we have lightly touched upon. “J admit that our relations with Spain, growing out of that Island (Cuba), are of an extremely delicate nature; that the fate of that Island, its misgovernment, its proximity to our shores, and the par- ticular institutions established upon it, are of vast importance to the peace and security of this country; and that the utmost vigilance in regard to it is not only demanded by prudence, but an act of imperative duty on the part of our government. The Jsland of Cuba commands, in a measure, the Gulf of Mexico. “In case of a maritime war, in which the United States may be engaged, its possession by the enemy might become a source of infi- nite annoyance to us, crippling our shipping, threatening the great emporium of our southern commerce, and exposing our whole southern coast, from the capes of Florida to the mouth of the Rio Grande, to the enemy’s cruisers. The geographical position of: Cuba is such that we cannot, without a total disregard to our own safety, permit it to pass into the hands of any first-class power; nay, that it would be extremely imprudent to allow it to pass even into 356 THE CONSPIRACY OF LOPEZ. the hands of a power of the second rank, possessed of energy and capacity for expansion.” “Rich in soil, salubrious in climate, varied in productions, the home of commerce,” said the Hon. O. R. Singleton, of Mississippi, “Cuba seems to have been formed to become ‘the very button on Fortune’s cap. Washed by the Gulf-stream on half her borders, with the Mississippi pouring out its rich treasures on one side, and the Amazon, destined to become a ‘ cornucopia,’ on the other,—with the ports of Havana and Matanzas on the north, and the Isle of Pines and St. Jago de Cuba on the south, Nature has written upon her, in legible characters, a destiny far above that of a subjugated province of a rotten European dynasty. “Her home is in the bosom of the North American confederacy. Like a lost Pleiad, she may wander on for a few months or years in lawless, chaotic confusion; but, ultimately, the laws of nature and of nations will vindicate themselves, and she will assume her true social and political condition, despite the diplomacy of statesmen, the trickery of knaves, or the frowns of tyrants. “Cuba will be free. The spirit is abroad among her people; and, although they dare not give utterance to their thoughts, lest some treacherous breeze should bear them toa tyrant’s ears, still they think and feel, and will act when the proper time shall arrive. The few who have dared ‘to do or die’ have fallen, and their blood still marks the spot where they fell. Such has been the case in all great revolu- tionary struggles. Those who lead the van must expect a sharp en- counter before they break through the serried hosts of tyranny, and many a good man falls upon the threshold of the temple. “¢ But freedom’s battle once begun, Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son, Though baffled oft, is always won.’” é CHAPTER XXVII. The Bitter Ten-Years’ War. OON after the events narrated in the preceding chapter a G Reformist party sprang up, desirous of coming to a settlement which snould insure the rights of the colony without impair- ing the interests of Spain, and after protracted efforts this party suc- ceeded in obtaining an inquiry at Madrid on the reforms needed by Cuba; but the only alteration decreed was that of a new system of taxation, more depressive than the former. Great sympathy had long been shown for the Cubans by the people of the United States, and in 1848 President Polk had gone the length of proposing through the American ambassador at Madrid a transference of the Island to the United States for a sum of $1,000,000. A similar proposal was made ten years afterwards in the Senate— the sum suggested being $30,000,000—but after debate it was with- drawn. When the Spanish revolution of 1868 broke out the ad- vanced party in Cuba at once matured their plans for the liberation of the Island from the military despotism of Spain, rose in arms at Yara in the district of Bayamo, and made a declaration of independ- ence, dated at Manzanillo, on the roth of October of that year. This insurrection soon assumed formidable dimensions in the eastern por- tion of the Island; on the 18th of October the town of Bayamo was taken, and on the 28th the jurisdiction of Holguin rose in arms. Early in November the patriots defeated a force which had been sent against them from Santiago de Cuba, and the greater number of the Spanish-American republics hastened to recognize the Cubans as belligerents. During subsequent years, in spite of the large and continued increase of the number of troops sent from Spain. and organized by the Spanish authorities in the Island, the yearly can.- paigns up to the present time have shown that in the eastern interios 857 358 THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. the Cuban patriots are practically invincible, and that by maintaining a guerrilla warfare they can attack and harass and even defeat their enemies who may be bold enough to act on the aggressive. In the long war above referred to, the insurgents were never accorded belligerent rights by any power strong enough to take Spain by the throat and force her to conduct operations under the reasonable humanities of modern war. The peculiar form of: Cuba renders the control of every port easy to the Spanish navy; and although battles were won and campaigns steadily conducted for ten years by the insurgents, the United States government chose to close its eyes to the truth. The real facts were, not that a state of war was not fully demonstrated, but the “ Alabama ” claims were in the air, and we were ready first to turn our backs on Cuba in order not to prejudice our money case against England, and after the payment of the award, the precedent was still too fresh. Balmaceda’s Proclamation. The South American republics: which recognized Cuban belli- gerency were powerless, and Europe remained indifferent. Thus Spain, left unrestrained by foreign powers, worked her will with a cynical frankness that laid bare her full savagery. The war having begun, General Count Balmaceda published the following proclama- tion : “Tnhabitants of the country! The reinforcements of troops that I have been waiting for have arrived ; with them I shall give protec- tion to the 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 protection that you have refused them. You know, also, that many of those we have pardoned have turned against us again. “ Before such ingratitude, such villainy, it is not possible for me to be the man that I have been ; there is no longer a place for a falsified neutrality ; he that ts not for me is against me; and that my soldiers may know how to distinguish, you hear the order they carry: THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. 353 “Ist. Every man, from the age of fifteen years upward, found away from his habitation (finca), and who does not prove a justified motive therefor, will be shot. “2d. Every habitation unoccupied will be burned by the troops. “3d. Every habitation from which does not float a white flag, as a signal that its occupants desire peace, will be reduced to ashes, “Women that.are not living at their own homes; or at the houses of their relatives, will collect in the town of Jiguani, or Bayamo, where maintenance will be provided. Those who do not present themselves will be conducted forcibly. “ The foregoing determinations will commence to take effect on the 14th of the present month. “Ex ConDE DE BALMACEDA. “ Bayamo, April 4, 1869.” Tyrants Quoting the Bible. Spanish tyrants are always deeply Christian, so that it can hardly be supposed that Balmaceda, in using solemn words of the Saviour, did so unconscious that the source of his phrase is the source of divine compassion to men. A month later, Mr. Fish, then Secretary of State, correctly branded this proclamation as “infamous,” and wrote ina letter to Sefior Lopez . Roberts (Spanish Minister to the United States) : “Tn the interest of Christian civilization and common humanity, I hope that this document is a forgery. If it indeed be genuine, the President instructs me in the most forcible manner to protest against such mode of warfare.” We have not forgotten the wanton butchery of Americans in the “Virginius ” affair. It remains of value as a proved example with- out which we should be slow to believe that Spanish generals habit- ually shot insurgents captured in battle, as in fact they did. A pub- lished record of the Spanish barbarities of the war gives in detail a list of 2,927 “Martyrs to Liberty,’—political prisoners executed during the war,—and of 4,672 captured insurgents whose fate has never been made known, There were 13,000 confiscations of estates, 360 THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. 1,000 being those of ladies whose only crime was the love of Cuban liberty. The experience of American newspaper correspondents, like O’Kelly, in rebel camps and Spanish prisons, confirms the revolting character of the Spanish conduct of the war; and there are extant letters of Spanish officers which throw gleams of light into the dark- ness of the period? A specimen or two are enough.: Last Words for Cuba. Jesus Rivocoba, under date of September 4, 1869, writes: “We captured seventeen, thirteen of whom were shot outright ; on dying they shouted, ‘Hurrah for Free Cuba, hurrah for Independ- ence. A mulatto said, ‘ Hurrah for Cespedes.’ On the following day we killed a Cuban officer and another man. Among the thirteen that we shot the first day were found three sons and their father; the father witnessed the execution of his sons without even changing color, and when his turn came he said he died for the independence of his country. On coming back we brought along with us three carts filled with women and children the families of those we had shot; and they asked us to shoot them, because they would rather die than live among Spaniards.” Pedro Fardon, another officer, who entered perfectly into the spirit of the service he honored, writes on September 22, 1869: “Not a single Cuban will remain in this Island, because we shoot all those we find in the fields, on the farms, and in every hovel.” And again, on the same day, the same officer sends the following: good news to his old father: “We do not leave a creature alive where we pass, be it man or animal. 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 : so every one receives his due,—the men in balls, the animals in bayonet-thrusts. The Island will remain a desert.” Balmaceda himself paid a visit to the plantation home of the Mora family, and, there being no male patriots on whom to wreak his lust for blood, butchered and burned the sisters Mora and left their home THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. 361 in ashes. A mere enumeration of authentic cases of Spanish inhu- manity in the last insurrection would fill volumes and exhibit one of the blackest episodes of history. The following paragraphs are from an able article by Mr. Clarence King, on the question, “Shall Cuba be Free?” and published in “The Forum”: “Tn Spanish character survives a continuous trait of the Pagan cruelty of Rome, reinforced and raised to fiendish intensity by the teachings of the Inquisition. Had the United States, by one stroke of her pen, recognized Cuban belligerency, as was her moral duty, all the Caligula-Torquemada atrocities would have been stopped, and the war for freedom gone on to victory unstained by the blood of women and children. President Grant lost this noblest opportunity of his civil career by miserable anxiety about the ‘ Alap=ma’ claims. Willing to Stake Everything. “Cubans are under no delusion as to the fateful step they have taken; the men who survived the scourge of the ten-years’ war, in . rushing to arms again, act in full consciousness of what they are doing, and willingly face the cruel odds. If this were a first effort to acquire freedom it might be attributed to the over-confident enthusi- asm of a brave people inexperienced in war and its train of suffering and grief, and ignorant of the combination of money, inaterial, and men their enemy can hurl against her. “ But these are the very people who half a generation ago fought ten years, and felt the shock of 200,000 Spanish soldiers, and suffered as no modern combatants have done. They enter this war as bravely as before, but with eyes open and with memory loaded down with visions of agony and blood. Of that adoration of liberty which is the only sure foundation of modern representative government, this insurrection is as pure and lofty an example as the course of human history can show. “That all the material advantages of war are against them can easily be seen. In the first place, Cuba is a long, narrow Island about seven hundred miles in east-and-west extent, by a north-and- 362 THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. south breadth of twenty-one to one hundred and twenty miles I¢ possesses a truly remarkable series of great and small harbors: the more important ones roomy and landlocked, like those of Havana, Cienfuegos, Santiago, and others of the type; and the small but often admirable ones strung at short intervals along the whole 2,000 miles of sea-coast. The greater harbors are fortified. “Spain has a respectable navy, and has, in fact, occupied all the chief and several of the small harbors with fifteen vessels of war. She nas, besides, a fleet of light-draught gunboats, partly in use and partly under contract on the Clyde, and soon to be available for cruising perpetually along the short intervals of shore between the various harbors which are occupied by larger war-vessels. In her centuries of neglect of useful public works in Cuba she has built practically no wagon-roads, so that if the insurgents possessed artillery, which they cannot obtain, they could not, save by an almost superhuman effort, move it to concentration for the capture of one of the ports. Harbors Blockaded. “ Spain, on the other hand, holds the few rudimentary roads within the theatre of war, and whatever use of field guns is possible is there- fore for Spain alone. Not only is every important harbor under effective blockade against insurgent people and freight, but it is a secure base of supplies. Practically seventy miles would be a maximum distance for any considerable operation from a safely- maintained—even an unthreatened—base, and the average cannot be above fifty miles. “Spain therefore begins her campaign to quell the Cubans with a cordon of impregnable bases, to which at all times she has unre- stricted access by a sea on which not a single Cuban flag floats, except on some hovering, unarmed sea-tug or timid blockade-runner which avoids the ports and creeps in under cover of darkness to bring a handful of patriots or some boxes of arms. By means of this com- plete chain of fortified and occupied harbors, Spain can pour in the whole resources of the nation in men, supplies, and munitions, without a moment’s interruption or a shadow of danger. These resources are THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. 363 a peninsula population of 17,000,000 to draw from, and a standing army, which, on a peace basis, carries 115,735 men, and reaches in nominal war resource something more than 1,000,000. “Financial advantage is also wholly with Spain. Although bent under a debt of over a thousand millions of dollars, and her fiscal affairs in such wretched condition that there has been no parliamen- tary endorsement of expenditures since 1865-67, and the Tribunal of Accounts has not dared to publish the national books since 1869,— nevertheless Spain is a nation still possessing the shattered remnants of a public credit. “She can vote bonds, and there is even yet a price at which they can be sold. Her soldiery face death with courage, in spite of Napier’s epigram that “Spaniards are brave behind walls, cowards in the field, and robbers always,’—their conduct in action in Cuba dis- proving the middle term of an otherwise correct characterization. “The Spanish Jlitary Gazette gives the figures of the national forces in Cuba as follows: 60,000 regulars, the chief part of which are infantry, but including cavalry, 2,596; artillery, 621; engineers, 415; public-order officers, 676; civil guards, 4,400; marines, 2,700; guerrillas, 1,152; the whole under one captain-general, seven division generals, one auditor, one military intendant, one sanitary inspector, and the usual complement of staff and line officers. Besides this there are about 40,000 Cuban militia recruited from the loyal classes and used chiefly for garrison purposes. There are fifteen warships and nineteen vessels in purchase. “ All Cuba has a population of about 1,600,000, of which more than half are in garrison cities and regions so overawed by the power of Spain that they cannot successfully rise until the national forces ' are shattered in the field. Of the portion in revolt (about two-thirds of the area and one-third of the population) it is probable that of the total number of a sex, age and physical condition to bear arms, the figure would not exceed the actual peace force of the Spanish army, to say nothing of the 17,000,000 which the enemy have to draw upon. “\mpoverished by centuries of financial oppression, the Cuban 364 THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. patriots are poor, their slender resources are the sum of innumerable small contributions. Few in number, empty of purse, they stand within this tight-drawn ring of Spanish fire. Cut off from any but dangerous and clandestine introduction of arms and medicines; lack- ing supplies to form a base; with not a cent to pay a single soldier or officer of their little army; with only a skeleton medical corps,— in short, almost nothing to make war with,—these brave souls are facing, not death only, but Spanish death. One Great Graveyard. “The region under revolution is one great graveyard of those fallen in the ten years’ revolt, yet Cubans are undaunted by the num- bers or resources of their foe. Beside this far-reaching patience. of valor a single act of heroism like Thermopyle is pastime ; compared with the raggedness, hunger, and privation which Cubans bravely choose to accept, Valley Forge was a garden party. For ten years these same men with the same slender resources held the arms and pride of Spain at bay, and then capitulated to promises which were made only to be broken. “Of Spain the insurgents have no fear: but if the United States rigorously prevents the shipment of arms and munitions from our shore, we can discourage, we can delay the triumph of patriotism, but in the end we cannot prevent it. In this war, or the next, or the next, Cuba will be free. Although these men are our near neigh- bors, although we are to them the chosen people who have won inde- pendence and grown great in freedom, yet they have never made the slightest appeal to us for active aid in their struggle. “ They expect no good-Samaritan offices. They look for no gal- lant American Lafayette to draw sword for them and share the pen- ury and hardships of their camps. They ask nothing. But I happen to know that they are at a loss to comprehend how a great people to whom Heaven has granted the victorious liberty for which they are fighting and dying, should let months pass in cold half-silence, with- out one ringing ‘ God-speed !’ to cheer them on into battle. “Tt 1s doubtless explicable enough that a people whose own busie THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. 365 ness is so essentially materialistic as ours, and who mind it so ab- sorbedly, should remain carelessly ignorant of the real Cuban ques- tion and the moral attitude of the Island people; but is it fair, is it generous, is it worthy of the real blood of freedom that still flows from the big American heart? Already a change is coming, and isolated expressions of genuine sympathy are becoming frequent. The time will come, and that not long hence, when the voice of America will ring out clear and true. “The Cuban war hangs before us an issue which we cannot evade. Either we must stand as the friend of Spain, and, by our thorough prevention of the shipment of war supplies to the insur- gents, aid and countenance the Spanish efforts to conquer Cuba into continued sorrow, or we must befriend Cuba in her heroic battle to throw off a medizval yoke. Let us not deceive ourselves! Spaif alone cannot conquer Cuba; she proved that in ten years of misera- ble failure. If we prevent the sending of munitions to Cuba, and continue to allow Spain to buy ships and armstand emmunition here, it is we who will conquer Cuba, not Spain. It is we who will crusk liberty! “To secure victory for Cuba it is necessary for us, in my opinion, to take but a single step; that is, to recognize her belligerency ; she will do all the rest. That step the government will doubtless hesitate to take at the present state of the struggle, because as yet the insur- gents have neither instituted a government nor established a capital. In the last insurrection they did both, besides maintaining a state of war for ten years. “ That a state of war exists is virtually admitted by the proclama- tion of Governor-General Campos, who in addition to the army under his command, consisting of about 60,000 regulars and 40,000 militia, calls for heavy reinforcements, and the Spanish war office has been obliged to order out the first class of reserves. Moreover, a com- mander-in-chief routed in battle and fleeing, his ‘rear-guard fighting bravely all the way into Bayamo,’ to use his own words, connotes yothing less than war. “When the Cuban government is set up, as it soon will be, we 366 THE BITTER TEN-YEARS’ WAR. shall have equally as good international authority and precedent to recognize a state of war in the Island as Spain did for our own Con- federate insurgents forty days after the shot on Fort Sumter. We can return to her, in the interests of liberty, the compliment she then paid us in behalf of slavery. The justice will be poetic. With all possible decorum, with a politeness above criticism, with a firmness wholly irresistible, we should assist Spain out of Cuba and out of the hemisphere as effectually as Lincoln and Seward did the French invaders of Mexico in the sixties. “Moreover, according to American precedent, neither a state of hostilities nor the setting up of a civil or military organization is positively necessary to entitle a people to belligerent rights; for before either of these conditions was established in 1838, we went so far as to issue a proclamation for *‘ prevention of unlawful interference in the civil war in Canada.’ “Our record toward Spain is clear. We heartily approved when George Canning invoked the Holy Alliance to prevent her from re- covering her American provinces, and in 1825 we refused to guaran- tee her perpetual possession of Cuba in exchange for commercial concessions to ourselves. “Our obligations to her are measured by an easily terminable treaty, which, however, while in force, in no way prevents us from recognizing Cuba’s belligerency. Is it difficult for us to decide between free Cuba and tyrant Spain? Why not fling overboard Spain and give Cuba the aid which she needs, and which our treaty with Spain cannot prevent? Which cause is morally right p—which is manly ?—which is American ?” CHAPTER XXVIII Butchery of the Crew of the “ Virginius.” NE of the most cold-blooded massacres on record was that of () the crew of the “ Virginius,” a ship that was rendering aid to the insurgents and was captured by the Spanish. Nothing in all the annals of crime, not even excepting the bloody and savage mas- sacres of Armenia, was more brutal or inhuman than this wholesale slaughter of the gallant captain, officers and crew of that ill-fated vessel. Even though forfeiting their lives, the manner in which they were executed shocked the civilized world. After the first firing some were left still alive, yet writhing in the throes of death. These in some instances had the muzzles of guns rammed into their mouths and their heads were blown off. With such an inhuman record, and many others to match it in the long ages of Spanish barbarities in Cuba, it is not strange that both the sympathy and the indignation of the American people haye, from time to time, been aroused to the highest pitch, and it is only by national forbearance, unjustified as many believe, that Cuba has not been snatched from the grasp of hertormentor. The following is the full and tragic story of the butchery of the crew of the “ Virginius,” In 1873 American sympathy for the Cuban struggle for freedom ran high, and we were apparently near war with Spain. To go further back, twenty years before there had been a proposition for the United States to buy Cuba, and it had been haughtily if not contemptuously rejected by Spain. That proposition was the outgrowth of the desire of the Southern political leaders to increase the slave territory and strengthen the pro-slavery representation in Congress by the man=. facture of the new States carved out of the Island of Cuba. In 1873 the situation had changed for the better in the United States as well as in Cuba, The United States had repudiated slavery. 867 868 THE “ VIRGINIUS ” BUTCHERY. America’s sympathy with Cuba’s aspirations for independence, and their desire for the acquisition of Cuba, so far as such desire existed, was sincere, and inspired by lofty if not wholly disinterested impulses. This sympathy animated the American people without regard to partisan affiliations and without accruing benefit to either of the great political parties at the expense of the other. Singularly enough— and the fact is now generally forgotten—Spain was at that time a re- public under Emilio Castelar. Unfounded Hopes. Americans believed that the leopard was going to change its spots. They were urged to wait; that once peace was restored Cuba would share the enlightenment that had begun to shed its beams over Spain and her possessions. All Castelar’s eloquence and sophistry were emplayed in the effort to impress this view upet those in enEnOn ny in Washington, and not without effect. But Cubans resident in this country, especially in New York and other coast cities, nearly all of them naturalized, and all of them rich, thought they knew Spain as well as Castelar,and took no stock in her conversion to republican principles, much less in her willing- ness either under a republican or monarchical form of government, to do anything for Cuba in the way of loosening the ties binding her like whip-cords, not like ties of affection, to the mother country. They encouraged their brethren in chains to revolt. They sent money and men and arms for the reinforcement of the revolutionists, Filibustering expeditions were common. One of the best ships en- gaged in these expeditions was the “ Virginius,” flying the Ameri- can flag, commanded by Captain Frey, of New Orleans, an American citizen and a veteran of our civil war, and manned in part by Ameri- can and British sailors. The “ Virginius” slipped in and out of Cuban harbors with wonderful success; but the pitcher went to the well once too often. In October, 1873, the “ Virginius ” was captured in neutral waters, near the British Island of Jamaica, towed into Santiago de Cuba, declared a pirate and fifty-two of the officers and crew were executed THE “VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY. 369 against the protest of the United States Consul. The whole thing was irregular. A fraudulent use was made of the Stars and Stripes, and the flag could afford the ship no protection. International law had been set at naught by capturing the ship in neutral waters, and in executing the captured, some of whom were naturalized citizens of the United States. The incident served to inform the world of the wholesale, lawless butchery going on in Cuba, and distinguished by Spain as legitimate war. The four principal officers, Gen. Washington Ryan, Varona, Jesus del Sol and Pedro Cespedes, were marched td the slaughter- house of Santiago de Cuba and murdered. They were in irons when they were marched against the low, square structure of adobe. Fifteen feet aboye them the red tile roof projected. At their feet there was a ditch to catch rain-drops. Shocking Barbarities. They were made to kneel, facing the wall. The wall above them was pitted deep with the bullets that flew over their heads. As they fell into the ditch the cavalry rode over their warm bodies, and military wagons crunched and slipped on the bodies. Negroes cut off their heads and carried them on pikes through the city, and the mutilated bodies were dumped into a pit of quicklime. The North American continent thrilled with indignation in view of this outrage. The press voiced the demand of the people for apology, indemnity, revenge and the recognition of the Cubans, un- organized as they were, as belligerents. The government seemed to share the popular feeling to a considerable degree. War between Spain and the United States seemed to be imminent and unavoidable. Our poor little navy, consisting of wooden vessels of antiquated models and of ironclads dusty from disuse, was patched up as quickly as possible and ordered to rendezvous at Key West, whence it might descend upon Cuba in a night. Admiral Scott commanded the North Atlantic Squadron, such as it was. The flagship was the old “ Worcester,” Capt. W. D. Whiting. The “ Wyoming ” was there under Commander Cushing, and the “ Juniata,” under Lieut.-Com- 24 370 THE “VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY mander Merriman. Capt. Jouett commanded the side-wheeler “‘ Powhatan,” with the “ Ossipee,” the “ Pawnee” and some others, eleven or twelve in all. The dispatch boats were the “ Pinta,” Capt. Gorringe (afterward of “ Obelisk ” celebrity); the “ Dispatch,” Capt. Frederick Rodgers, and the “ Fortune,” Lieut.-Commander F. M. Green. Then there were the ironclads which came very near swamp- ing on their tedious cruise down the coast. Only for a Bluff. These war vessels, insignificant as they appear in retrospect and unformidable as they must have looked then in the eyes of navai experts, made a very pretty and warlike show as they lay at anchor in the harbor of Key West, and if they had put in an appearance yromptly at Havana would have commanded some respect from the expected enemy. But a half bluff is worse than no bluff at all. It was soon apparent that the government:at Washington did not mean business any farther than requiring the surrender of the “Virginius,” and of the surviving members of her crew, and an in- demnity, trivial in amount, for the blood of those American citizens whose nationality could be proved beyond peradventure. The State Department did not share the belligerent disposition of the Navy Department. Secretary Fish was able, patriotic and incorruptible but somehow or other the legal representatives of the Sranialt Government managed to block the way, and Spanish diplomacy, then as now, was plausible and resourceful. Whatever the cause, the naval display at Key West was feeble and ineffective. Our flagship, at least, like the British flagship, should have gone to Havana. As a matter of fact, Admiral Scott had to make an excuse and get express authority to send over a dispatch boat, and was dependent upon the newspaper correspondents, or one of them, for news of what was going on in his immediate front. From the versatile pen of Major Moses P. Handy we quote z graphic description of the bloody tragedy : “There was as much newspaper enterprise then as now, although you may not think so, Every New York journal sent sorre- THE “VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY. 371 spondents to the front. The New York ‘ Herald’ was represented at first at Key West by W. B. Stephens and Karl Case, who were reinforced by James A. Cowardin and ‘Modoc’ Fox, and finally by J. A. McGahan, one of the most famous of war correspondents, who came from the European station on one of our men-of-war, and Julius Chambers. The ‘Tribune’ bureau was in my charge, and we also had Ralph Keeler at Santiago de Cuba and W. P. Sullivan, now a New York broker, at Havana. McGahan, Stephens, Cowardin, Case and Fox are now dead. Rivalry to get the News. “The race between the correspondents for news was very hot. Every man as the representative of his newspaper was on his mettle, and enterprise was at a premium. McGahan had the advantage of being ward-room guest on a man-of-war. Fox was paymaster’s yeo- man on the ‘ Pinta,’ the fastest boat in the navy. When we learned that the ‘ Virginius’ was to be surrendered we all realized that that event would end the campaign. The point then was to be in at the death, and to obtain the best if not the exclusive story of the cere- mony and attendant circumstances. The lips of the government officials were sealed as to the time and place appointed. “In fact the programme was arranged at Washington by the Sec- retary of State and the Spanish Minister and communicated con- fidentially to Admiral Scott: However, I managed to get at the secret, and, thus armed, ‘stowed away’ on the ‘ Dispatch,’ which was the vessel appointed to receive the surrender. Captain Rodgers commanded the ‘ Dispatch,’ but the receiving officer was Captain Whiting. The fieet captain and the other officers of the detail were Lieutenant Adolph Marix, Master George A. Calhoun and Assistant Engineer N. H. Lambdin. With them were thirty-nine sailor men from the ‘ Pawnee,’ who were to man the surrendered vessel asa prize crew. All of these people except Captain Whiting were ignorant of their instructions, not even knowing their destination, and the pilot taken aboard before leaving Key West had sealed orders. “We left Key West on a Sunday night at 10 o’clock. We werein 372 THE “VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY. the open sea before I ventured to make my appearance on deck, pre- sent myself to the officers, declare myself a stowaway, and verify my information as to their mission. The next morning at 10 o’clock the blue hills of the Cuban coast rose above the horizon and the bow of the ‘ Dispatch’ was directed toward Bahia Honda, the obscure little port selected for the function. “Tt was about noon when we passed an old fort called Murillo, commanding the entrance to the harbor. Speed was then slackened, and the vessel crept cautiously along the narrow, but clearly marked channel, which leads to the smooth water where the ‘ Virginius’ was supposed to be lying. Raising the Stars and Stripes. “ As soon as the ‘ Dispatch’ was sighted from the shore, the Span- ish flag, bearing the crown, notwithstanding the republic abolishing that mondarchical emblem, was flung to the breeze. We discovered a black side-wheel steamship lying about a mile beyond the fort. It was the ‘ Virginius.’ No other craft, except two or three coasting steamers, or fishing smacks, was then visible, and it was not until we were about’to come to anchor that we discerned a Spanish sloop- of-war lying close under the shore, about two and a half miles away. “Very soon a boat from the Spanish man-of-war came alongside of the ‘ Virginius,’ and immediately the Stars and Stripes were raised by Spanish hands, and again floated over the vessel which carried Ryan and his unfortunate comrades to their death. At the same moment we saw, by the aid of field-glasses, another boat let down from the Spanish vessel. It proved to be the captain’s gig, and brought to the ‘ Dispatch’ a naval officer in full uniform, who proved. to be Senor de la Camera, of the Spanish sloop-of-war ‘ Favorita.’ He stepped briskly forward, and was met at the gangway by Captain Rodgers and Captain Whiting. “ After an exchange of courteous salutations, Commander de la Camera remarked that he had received a copy of the protocol pro- viding for the surrender of the ‘ Virginius,’ and that the surrender might now be considered to have taken place, Captain Whiting THE “VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY. 873 replied that under his instructions the following day was named for the surrender, and that he could not receive it until that time. Mean-- while he would thank the Spanish officer to continue in possession. Nine o’clock on Tuesday morning was then agreed upon as the hour, and after informing the American officer that there was coal enough on board of the ‘ Virginius’ to last six days, salutes were exchanged and the Spanish officer retired. “The next morning, half an hour ahead of time, the gig of the ‘Favorita’ came over to the ‘ Virginius.’ It contained oarsmen and a single officer. As the latter stepped on deck a petty officer and half a dozen men, who had-stood watch on the ‘ Virginius’ during the night, went over the side and remained in a dingy awaiting orders, At 9 precisely by the bells the American flag again flew to the flag- staff of the ‘ Virginius,’ and at the same moment a boat containing Capt. Whiting and Lieut. Marix put away from the‘ Dispatch.’ As they ascended the accommodation ladder of the ‘ Virginius’ the single man on deck, who proved to be Sefior de la Camera, aclvanced and made a courteous salute. Account of the Surrender. “The officers then read their respective instructions, and Capt. de la Camera remarked that in obedience to the requirements of the government and in execution of the provisions of the protocol, he had the honor to turn over the steamer ‘ Virginius’ to the Americar. authorities. Capt. Whiting accepted, and, learning that a receipt was required, gave one in due form. A word or two more was spoken, and the Spaniard stepped over the side, signalled to his oarsmen, and in ten minutes was again upon the deck of his own vessel. Beside the surrendering and receipting officers, I was the only witness of the ceremony. ““While the Spanish officer was courtesy itself, we were all im- pressed with the fact that the ceremony was lacking in dignity, and that the Spaniards had purposely made that lack as conspicuous as they dared. It appeared that the ‘Virginius’ was towed to Havana by the first-class man-of-war ‘Isabel la Catolica,’ the 374 THE “VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY. commander of which retired immediately and left the surrender to be made by the commander of the ‘Favorita,’ which had been in the vicinity of Bahia Honda for several months engaged in surveying duty. The surrender should have taken place either at Santiago de Cuba or at Havana, and a Spanish officer of like rank with Capt. Whiting should have discharged the duty. Bad Condition of the Vessel. “ A quick survey by our officers showed the ‘ Virginius’ to be in a most filthy condition, She was stripped .of almost everything moveable save a few vermin, which haunted the mattresses and cush- ions in cabin and staterooms, and half a dozen casks of water. The decks were caked with dirt, and nuisances recently committed, com- bined with mold and decomposition, caused a foul stench in the fore- castle and below the hatches. In the cabin, however, the odor of carbolic acid gave evidence that an attempt had been made to make that part of the vessel habitable for the an custodians of the ship. “Our officers were reluctant to put the men into the dirty fore- castle and stowed them away into hardly more agreeable quarters afforded by the staterooms of Ryan and his butchered companions. Some attempt seemed to have been made, as shown by the engineer- ing survey, to repair the machinery, but a few hours’ work put the engines in workable order. The ship was leaking considerably and the pumps had to be kept going constantly to keep the water down. After a few hours of hard work we got under way, but had only gone 200 yards when the engines suddenly refused to do duty, and it became necessary for the ‘ Dispatch’ to take us in-tow. “ As we passed the fort at the entrance to the harbor the Sean flag was rather defiantly displayed by that antiquated apology for a‘ fortification, and there was no salute for the American flag, either from the fort or the surrendering sloop-of-war. “We hadahard time that night—those of us who were aboard the ‘Virginius.’ It seemed hardly possible that we could keep afloat until morning. During the night the navy tug ‘Fortune,’ THE “VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY. 375 from Key West, met us and remained with the convoy. At noon the next day, when we were about thirty miles south-southeast of Dry Tortugas, the vessels separated, the ‘Virginius’ and ‘Dispatch’ going to Tortugas and the ‘ Fortune’ returning, with me as a_ soli- tary passenger, to Key West whence I had the honor of reporting the news to the Admiral. Cheers from Excited Spaniards. “Tt was the general opinion among the naval officers that the Sania had endeavored to belittle the whole proceeding by smug- gling the ‘ Virginius’ out of Havana, by selecting an obscure harbor not a port of entry as the place of surrender and by turning the duty of surrender over to a surveying sloop, while the ‘Tornado,’ which made the capture, lay in the harbor of Havana and the ‘Isabel la Catolica,’ which had been selected as convoy, steamed back to Havana under cover of the night. The American officers and American residents in Cuba and Key West agreed that our govern- ment ought to have required that the ‘ Virginius’ should be sur- rendered with all the released prisoners on board either at Santiago de Cuba, where the ‘Tornado’ brought in her ill-gotten prey and where the inhuman butcheries were committed, or in Havana where she was afterward taken in triumph and greeted with the cheers of the excited Spaniards over the humiliation of the Americans. “An attempt was made to take the ‘ Virginius’ to some northern port, but the old hulk was not equal to the journey. On the way no pumping or caulking could stop her leaks, and she foundered in mid-ocean. The government had been puzzled to know what dis- position to make of her, and there was great relief in official circles to know that she was out of the way. “The surrender of the surviving prisoners of the massacre took place in the course of time at Santiago, owing more to British insist- ence than to our feeble representations. As to the fifty-three who were killed, Spain never gave us any real satisfaction. For a long time the Madrid government unblushingly denied that there had been any killing, and when forced to acknowledge the fact, they put 376 THE “VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY. us off with preposterous excuses. ‘Butcher Borrel,’ by whose orders the 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 associates were ‘ unfortu- nately’ received too late, owing to interruption of telegraph lines by the insurgents to whose broad and bleeding shoulders an attempt was thus made to shift the responsibility. ‘Butcher’ Borrel Promoted. “There was a nominal repudiation of Borrel’s act and a promise was made to inflict punishment upon ‘those who have offended ;’ but no punishment was inflicted upon anybody. The Spanish Govern- ment, with characteristic double dealing, resorted to procrastination, prevarication and trickery, and thus gained time until new issues effaced in the American mind the memory of old wrongs unavenged. Instead of being degraded Borrel was promoted. Never to this day has there been any adequate atonement by Spain, much less an apology or expression of regret for the ‘ Virginius’ massacre, “ Newspaper correspondents having figured in this sketch, I cannot close it without referring to the fate of one of my colleagues whose death undoubtedly lies at the door of the Spaniards. Ralph Keeler was his name. He was more magazinist than newspaper man, and had achieved reputation by his stories of actual experiences in vaga- bondage, written, I think, for the ‘Atlantic Monthly” We all ex- pected great things of him as a war correspondent. “After the surrender of the ‘ Virginius,’ he was expected to cover the surrender of the prisoners, but having some misgivings as to whether he would understand what was required to get ahead in the dispatch of the news to New York, I laid plans to cover any default by securing a report from another source. My misgivings had more substantial foundation than I knew, for poor Keeler was probably dead at the moment when his instructions were filed in the telegraph office. “He disappeared as effectually as if the earth had opened and swallowed him. How, why or when he died his friends never knew. THE ‘ VIRGINIUS” BUTCHERY. 377 It is believed, however, that he was another victim of the hatred which in those days inflamed the Spanish breast against every citizen of the United States. Circumstantial evidence indicated that he was assassinated by Spanish volunteers, and I have always thought of my genial and gifted colleague as one of the murdered Americans now vaguely remembered as the victims of the Spanish bloodthirstiness in the matter of the unavenged ‘ Virginius’ incident.” PART III. Picturesque Cuba: Manners and Customs of the People, CHAPTER XXIX. First Impressions of the Island. UBA! Beautiful “ Queen of the Antilles,” the land of che cocoa and the palm—of the golden banana and the luscious orange —well may the hearts of thy sons and the dark, lustrous eyes of thy maidens glow and glisten with pride at the praises of thy sunny Isle! How few Americans there are who have formed any correct conception of “ Life in the Tropics!” To the generality of us, Cuba suggests the idea of heat and yellow fever, of venomous reptiles and insects, slaves and sugar, oranges and ever-blooming flowers—an idea in a great degree erroneous. Few, indeed, can realize that, leaving the snow-clad hills of New York harbor in the depth of winter, in three and a half or four days they will be sailing over the placid waters of the bay of Havana, under a tropic sun, which even in mid-winter rivals that of our own land in its season of dog-day heat, and will see around them the verdure-clad hills, with the graceful palm and cocoa-tree clear against the pure blue sky of the beautiful Isle, so truly called “the most precious jewel of the Spanish crown.” Yet there are many Americans who, each year, either for purposes - of health, business, or pleasure, flock to Havana, all glad to avoid the inclement weather of the icy north; and even with all their traveling it is difficult to get any reliable information as to what preparations 378 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. 379 one needs to make before starting; unless, indeed, some of one’s acquaintances have been there, and even then it is very limited. . To him, therefore, who has any intention of making a visit to the Island of Cuba with the purpose of staying there some time, of travel- ing over the Island, and of really enjoying its beautiful scenery, its oddities of manners and customs, or even of trying its numerous medicinal waters, we recommend to pick up a little Spanish, even if it be only enough to ask for something to eat, to give directions about luggage and such other every-day necessities as occur to the traveler in any land. Not Great Travelers. The Cubans themselves are not a traveling people, and, to use the words of one of their own authors, “have little fancy for traveling, be it on account of the bad roads, that now are disappearing with the advent of steamboats and railroads, or be it from the love with which the localities where we are born and pass the first years of our infancy inspire us,—where exist our interests, and where gather found our sweetest memories. Few foreigners go much away from Havana or Matanzas, or pers haps Cardenas, and the people have not yet learned the necessities of those who travel for curiosity or health; and therefore to us, accus- tomed as we are to have our traveling made easy, many things will seem hard, uncomfortable, and strange, unless one is able by a few werds of Spanish to smooth away the rough peculiarities of places and people not accustomed to a traveling public. : And yet, with all the inconveniences and peculiarities that the traveler experiences after leaving Havana, he is compensated for all of these by the perfect novelty of the sights and scenery he meets with, and by the extreme change in the manner of life, he is accus- tomed to, although he may leave behind him some greater -con- veniences in quitting the prominent places like Havana and Matan- zas, where, after the novelty of the streets, the architecture of the houses, and the odd appearance of the stores, etc., are worn off, he is yeminded of the city life of his own land constantly. The social life 380 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. of the better classes is much the same, the world over; they eat, and drink, and visit pretty much as they do in all the great capitals of the world. z But it is in such towns as Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba, and in such pretty villages as Guines, San Antonio, and Guanajay, or among the coffee-places of the Vuelta Abajo, and the sugar estates of the Vuelta Arriba, that the stranger sees the original habits aud customs of a people who are always loth to change; and it has been truly said that Cuba is more Spanish than Spain; for here it is out of the world, in some degree, while there effort is made to keep up with the new ideas of the day. : Cuban Hospitality. ,A more kind-hearted, hospitable people than the Cubans, partic- ularly to “ Los Americanos,” it would be difficult to find ; no trouble is too great for them if you can make them comprehend the purpose of what you desire; and the “ oiling of the palm” is just as effectual amongst these primitive peope of the interior as in more civilized lands. Many of the people speak English, a great many French,— whick, in fact, is the household language in some parts of the Island,— and many of the young men one finds have been regularly educated . in the United States. In arranging money matters, unless one is very extravagant indeed in his daily expenditures, five dollars gold per day is a very fair allowance for ordinary expenses while on the Island for simply living and traveling; while, of course, if one desires to be extravagant or make purchases, there are just as many ways of getting rid of money as in other places. The provision for these expenses can best be made by a letter of credit. As exchange on London is generally at a premium in Havana, a bill of exchange even up to ninety days on some well: known house can be disposed of to advantage; as, however, there is not the same system of banking in Havana as there is with us, the best arrangement for the general traveler is to take a letter of credit on some well-known house in Havana. He will then only have te FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. 381 pay for money as he uses it, he has no trouble in carrying money with him, and such houses will furnish letters of credit to other parts of the Island, which is a great convenience. An amount of silver in ten-cent pieces, which pass readily as the “real sencilla,’—say from twenty to fifty dollars’ worth, will be found very convenient for the thousand and one daily expenses of the traveler, small change being scarce. Other silver coin it is not advisable to take, since our twenty-five cent pieces pass for only twenty cents (feseta), and the half dollars (medio peso) for only forty cents. American gold passes readily, being generally at a premium of seven or eight per cent.; and if you can supply yourself with the Spanish doubloons at their intrinsic value of sixteen dollars, they will pass for seventeen dollars in Cuba, as that is their value fixed by the government to keep the coin in the country. Letters of Introduction. Letters of introduction to business men in Havana are really not worth the paper they are written on, no matter by whom written, or in whose favor given; for the merchants receive such hosts of them that it would be impossible, even had they the inclination, to show attentions to the bearers. Many amusing incidents we could give of persons with really strong letters, presenting the same under the impression that at least some ordinary civility would be shown them, when on the contrary they were astonished by the very blunt ques- tion addressed to them, without preface, of—‘ Well, what do you want?” Letters to planters or citizens will be found very useful and are generally well and politely received, particularly those to the owners of sugar and coffee estates, than whom a more hospitable, kindly people it is hard to find. They are generally very glad indeed to entertain you at their places, if they themselves are living there; or if not, and you desire to visit a sugar estate, are kind enough to for- ward you, with a letter, to the administrator of the estate, who con- stantly lives upon it, and will take good care of you. Clothing for a stay on the Island needs to be of the very lightest 382 Firs! IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. summer kind; and one can wear, almost without intermission, linen clothes, or a light suit of summer woolens. The nights during the winter months are quite cool and agreeable for sleep, but the middle of the day is always warm, the average temperature in Havana being about eighty degrees. Clothing, particularly linens, of all kinds can be purchased, of the best kinds and makes, in Havana, and at very reasonable prices; and there are certain styles of dresses that can be much better purchased there than at home, some of them being made specially for the Cuban market. A suggestion, prompted by experience, we would here make to any one intending to leave the traveled routes (as in fact it applies as well to the towns, where they have no baggage carts), and that is to have one’s baggage in the shape of good-sized valises (maletas), for these can be easily handled, can even be put in the car with the owner, and, in the country, strapped on the back of mules or horses, which is the common mode of transportation the people are familiar with. Singular Beds and Mattresses. If the traveler is an invalid, and proposes to go to other places. than Havana and Matanzas, it will be well to provide himself with an air-pillow, and, if he cannot sleep on a somewhat hard bed, an air- mattress also. Few of the hotels even in Havana are provided with mattresses to the beds, and the pillows are generally stuffed with hard cotton or hair, the beds being a simple sacking bottom, covered with a linen sheet. This may seem, at first, a great hardship, accustomed as we are to our patent spring-mattresses; but they are much cooler and, after a little experience, as comfortable for that climate as are mattresses. Half a dozen towels will not be found amiss, as at some of the smaller places the supply is somewhat short. And in speaking of invalids who are very far gone with any organic disease, very few mdeed are ever very much benefited bya stay on the Island, any more than that they avoid the inclemencies and changes of a northern winter ; though there are cases in which some wonderful cures have been effected, particularly in the Island of Pines. FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. 383 For the overworked man of business, however, the debilitated or weakly person, or one whose system has from some cause or other become reduced, the climate and scenes of Cuba will work wonders ; and all such cases generally go back at the end of the winter com- pletely restored. But the poor consumptive, who has left it till it is too late for anything in this world to do him good, only comes out here to have his high hopes entirely dispelled, particularly when -he finds so many of the ordinary comforts to which he is accustomed, and which are so necessary to the invalid, entirely unheard of. It is safe for the stranger to visit the Island any time after Decem- ber, though January and February are the gay months, and he can remain until even the first of June, though in May they have it very hot indeed, and also some little fever amongst the shipping. If it is necessary for the invalid to leave home in October, before the winter of the north sets in, he can visit the Island with safety, but will find it pleasanter to go directly to some of the “ places of recreo,” as they are called, near the city,—which are simply pretty villages, such as Guines, Marianao, and Puentes Grandes, where good accommodations can always be had. Merry Christmas. There is, however, not much to be done or seen before January, if one wants to make simply a pleasure trip of it; for at Christmas almost all the families visit their estates and distribute presents to the hands, making a week’s regular holiday of it; after which the grind- ing season begins on the sugar plantations, and the business of the town becomes quick and active. Carnival season, the week before Lent, is the jolly season of the year, when everybody gives up to the spirit of pure enjoyment and mischief; and it is then the Habafieros are seen unbending from their usually dignified manner, and giving loose rein to their tastes for balls, masks and spectacles. Holy Week, the closing of the Lenten season, has also its attrac- tions in a country so thoroughly Romanistic as Cuba; and the pro- cessions and ceremonies of the church, some of which are carried on with great solemnity and splendor, will interest the Protestant traveler. 384. FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. Many persons make the trip to Havana and back solely for the sea voyage, from which they derive great benefit, simply staying over one steamer. We have known business men in New York, who would not tear themselves away until actually sent away by their doctors, take the voyage out, remain ten days in Havana, and return thoroughly recuperated men—so wonderful is the effect of the sea air in the Gulf Stream, and the immense let-up afforded by the entire change of customs, scenes and language at Havana. As the steamers are large and well patronized, their accommoda- tions are of the very best class, and one is always sure to find plea- sant company on board with whom to while away agreeably the short passage of even four days. “We left behind the painted buoy That tossed at the harbor-mouth: And madly danced our hearts with joy, As fast we fleeted to the South. How fresh was every sight and sound On open main or winding shore! We knew the merry world was round, And we might sail forever more. Warm broke the breeze“against the brow. Dry sang the tackle, sang the sail ; The lady’s head upon the prow Caught the shrill salt, and sheered the gale, The broad seas swelled to meet the keel, And swept behind; so swift the run, We felt the good ship shake and reel, We seemed to sail into the sun.” “Will make Cuba in the morning, sir,” says the captain; and sc we stroll forward to watch the porpoises as they race along with the steamer through the blue water, or amuse ourselves watching the tiny mariner, the nautilus, as it floats lightly on the wave. With night comes the never-failing pleasure. of leaning over the vessel’s stern with some charming fair one, watching the ever-sparkling beauties of the phosphorescent light in the vessel’s wake, and enjoy~ ing that indescribable pleasure of a tropical night at sea, FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. 385 “ Cuba is in sight, sir; can see it through your window,” says the steward, rousing you up on the morning of the fourth day out; and, turning over in your berth, there, sure enough, are seen the hills of Cuba, and the indistinct outlines of the Morro Castle—looking, as you see them through your window, like some beautiful painting to which the oval of the dead-eye forms a frame. We are fortunate in arriving so opportunely, for, had we arrived the previous evening after sundown, though it were still daylight, we would have been compelled to lie outside all night, as no vessels are allowed to enter after evening gun-fire, at sundown. There are the signals flying in the morning breeze from the watch-tower of the grim Morro Castle; and as we approach more nearly, we distinguish our dear old bunting, rivaling with its stars and stripes even the bright sky and sparkling waves. First View of Havana. And now we have before us a full view of Havana ani its sur- roundings—the Morro Castle to the left; to the right, the city, with the fort of La Punta (historic, too) on its extreme point—the white, blue, and yellow-colored houses, with their red-tiled roofs, looking fresh and bright in this breezy January morning. Still later, we are passing within easy stone-throw of the grim- leoking Morro, from whose frowning battlements the sentry hails as we go swiftly by ; there, to the left, the white walls on the abrupt hills of the Cabafias fortifications ; to the right, again, the bay side-walls ot the city, with the roofs of houses and towers of churches riled up in close proximity ; and there, fresh and green, like an oasis in the des- ert of stone houses, the smali but pretty Cortina de-Valdes, looking so invitingly cool in the shade of its trees; some of the other Paseos in the outer portion of the city being marked out by the long, regu- lar rows of green trees that stretch away until they are lost in the distant buildings. How one’s heart leaps at such a quaint, novel scene as this! Havana, around whose walls cluster so many memories of the once haughty Spanish Dons, whose foundation dates back nearly two cen- 25 : f 386 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. turies before our own noble country was settled; what visions of gold-laden ships, of wild, reckless, murderoi's freebooters, expeditions of gallant early adventurers and discoverers, and more lately the realization of numerous passages of Irving’s and Prescott’s glowing descriptions, come flooding upon one as he sees for the first time this apparently beautiful city! Still swiftly gliding on up the bay, passing as we go the Spanish men-of-war and vessels of all nations sailing in and out, we see to great advantage this far-famed beautiful bay ; a turn to the right, and we see the long line of covered wharves, with the shipping of the world lying side by side, waiting the completion of their cargoes; to the left, the white walls of still another fort—the Casa Blanca—that commands the city, and farther on in front of us we see the little town of Regla, with its immense warehouses of solid stone and cor- rugated iron for storing the sugar of the Island, as substantial and handsome in their structure as any the world can show. And now we are at anchor. The custom-house officers come on board, and the steamer is sur- rounded by a perfect fleet of small boats, that are a cross between a market-wagon and a scow, from which rush a horde of hotel-run- ners, all expatiating upon the merits of their particular hotels, some of them in the most amusing broken English. These boats, by-the-by, are afloat what the “volante” is ashore; and the traveler must needs use many of them if he wishes to see anything of the bay and surroundings of Havana. Small boats are not allowed to carry more than five passengers, or the large ones ten! “From ten and a half o’clock at night until the firing of the signal gun at daybreak in the morning, no boats will be allowed to pass in the bay.” The traveler is, however, on all long trips, advised to make a bargain with the boatman, using care that he is not over- charged. Having made up our mind before leaving the steamer as to which hotel we propose to patronize, we point out our baggage to the runner of that hotel, who will take charge of it, and we shall have no further trouble about it, except to pass it at the custom-house on FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. 387 landing. The runner has also a boat, into which we go, and have no trouble about fares, the which are settled for, and with the baggage charges will be found in his hotel bill “all right.” Now comes the fun. The passengers crowd into the little boats, a pile of baggage is stowed forward, the sail is set and away skims the little tub to the custom-house, each one trying to get there first. Arrived there, the voyager has his first experience of a Cosas de Cuba in the shape of a stalwart negro who takes a trunk, no matter how large, from the boat, places it on his head, and in the most nonchalant manner walks off with it to the examining office as though it were a trifle instead of a trunk on his brain, if he has any at all of that organ. ‘The officers are very easy and polite ‘n their examination of baggage, passing everything almost with a merely nominal examina- tion, particularly if the keys are politely and readily produced. Hacks and Hotels. And now we are in Havana, and free to go where we like, notwith. standing those two military statues at the door, who look at us so fiercely as we go by, Outside the custom-house wil! be found hacks, which for twenty cents will carry the traveler where ke wants .o go. But here we are at our hotel, and plenty of hotels there are to satisfy every taste and purse, though somewhat different from our great caravansaries. The ease and comforts (or lack of such, as we know them) of one of the hotels are most acceptable with their café con leche or chocolate at early morning, their eleven o’clock breakfast of luscious fruits and cool salads, and their abundant and pleasant dinners at five or six o’clock. After dinner comes the delicious drive on the “ Paseo,” where magnificent equipages, lovely women, and well-dressed men, added to the beautiful surroundings of stately, graceful palms, and avenues of tropical trees, make up a scene that will vie with anything the world can show, the day ending, maybe, by a charming stroll in the magnificent grounds of “El Jardin Botanico,” at the Governor- General’s, where, at no expense, and without let or hindrance, one can wander for hours at a time through a garden that in its luxuriant 388 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISLAND. magnificence of trees, fruits and flowers rivals anything the eye has ever seen in America. “ Café solo o con leche ?” (coffee with or without milk) is about thu first thing one hears of a morning in a Spanish hotel, as “ Boots” puts his head in at the door to make the inquiry ; and as, to make use of a common expression, “you pay your money and you have your choice,” you will very quickly decide, if you want to get into Cuban ways, to have it thus early in the morning con leche. Our reasons for this are that in Cuba the custom is, on first rising, to take only a cup of coffee or chocolate, with a bit of dry toast or roll, which satisfies the appetite until the regular breakfast-hour of nine, ten, or eleven o'clock; and experience has taught that coffee wzt# milk on an empty stomach is better than the coffee without (or cafe noir), which is best as a digestor after meals. Fruit, also, in the morning on rising is used, and is very palatable; but a little experience will show that the Cuban fashion of deginning the breakfast with fruit is best. Excellent Restaurants. Havana, city as it is of quite two hundred and fifty thousand inhab- | itants, with abundance of travel at certain seasons of the year, does not boast of one first-class hotel, as we understand the word, though there are several where the traveler, if he is not too particular, can be tolerably comfortable. There is no giving the reason for this—the fact is so, and though there are numbers of excellent restaurants kept by Spaniards and French, yet there are but few hotels kept by those people that are more than passable. The city is large, there are constant arrivals of people from other portions of the Island, and in the winter season there are crowds of travelers from abroad; and yet, if you discuss the matter with a Cuban, he will only shrug his shoulders, and remark, “ It won’t pay.” But what more can be expected from a city that does not possess a chimney in its whole vast extent of private dwellings? Who ever heard even of a house without a chimney? They don’t need them here, you say? Well, how do you account, then, for the absence of the other things ?—you can’t say they don’t need them, CHAPTER XXX. Curious Sights in Havana. O see the curiosities of Havana and its neighborhood properly, T there is necessarily involved, in addition to a large expendi- ture of shoe-leather, much expenditure of reales and pesetas in cab hire. Although there are few passenger railways in Havana, yet from the abundance of all kinds of public vehicles it can not be said that they are missed much, since, if it is desired to go to any particular spot, all that is necessary is to wait in front of your hotel or at the corner of the street, and inside of three minutes you will have your choice of perhaps a dozen vehicles, that are constantly passing in every direction, and which, for twenty cents, will carry you to any part of the city. These comprise various kinds and styles; but the une most in use to-day, and the latest novelty, is the “ Victoria,” a very comfortable four-wheeled affair, with seats for two, and in front a seat upon the box for the driver of the one horse required to draw it. All of these vehicles are the property of a few owners. Such is the constant busy travel, that there is always a great demand for them, even at what would seem a high price, in com- parison with what the ca/eseros (drivers) are allowed to charge the passengers; and yet the owners could rent out a greater number still, each driver, at that rate, making from two to four dollars per day. Wherever you go in the city, you see a constant stream of these carriages going in every direction, without and with occupants; those that are not occupied have a little tin sign hanging over the box, “Se alquila” (to hire). One of the owners of a line of these car- riages had made over $100,000, and was desirous of selling out and going back to his delle France, whence he originally came. Although the popular name of the “volante” has made it familiar 389 390 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. even to the foreign mind, there is in fact a great mistake about that conveyance—since the volante proper was a different affair in times gone by, and is to-day, from what is now called volante, which in truth is really the “ quitrin.” The old volante is now almost extinct, or used simply by some business man to drive to and from his place of business, or is found in a very dilapidated state in some of the interior towns of the Island. It, like the volante vulgar, is a two-wheeled affair, with long shafts, which rest upon the horse or mule, upon whose back sits the driver in a clumsily-made big saddle. The shafts have one end resting upon the axle, the other upon the horse, on the same principle as the poles of the old-fashioned litter; and the volante body is also on the same principle, being with its huge leather springs, constantly in motion from side to side. The main difference between the two vehicles is, that the old volante does not lower its top, which is permanent, while the vo- lante or quitrin of to-day permits of the top being lowered or raised at pleasure—a very great improvement and convenience. As public vehicles in Havana, these are fast giving entire place to the carriage and the Victoria; but the private quitrin is, and always will be, one of the cosas de Cuda, for it is the only vehicle used on the bad roads by the families in going to and from their places, while in the city it is splendidly adorned and decorated with silver-platings and rich stuffs—the most elegant and handsome affair in which the Sefioritas can take their airings, and show off their handsome persons. It is amusing sometimes to see these long-poled conveyances attempt to turn one of the corners in the usually narrow streets of the old town, It is a matter of considerable difficulty, the horse and OLD VOLANTE. VOLANTE AS IT Is. CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. 391 rider appearing as though they would have to enter some store-door to get out of the way of the volante behind it, and is the occasion of much hard swearing. A few years ago the volante was the only con- veyance seen; and now, on the contrary, one sees carriages of all kinds and styles, of as fine and striking appearance as anything in Central Park. But the volante or quitrin of the livery-stable is, par excellence, another affair, as any one will find out to his cost who orders one innocently from the stable without inquiring its expense. When, however, he sees it drive up with two fine horses, the ca/eseyvo ina stunning red livery, covered with gold lace, high boots coming almost up to his waist, and the horses decked out in harness that reflects the sun from a hundred silver-plated buckles, rings, and knobs, he begins to have a glimmering that this is going to cost something, and must “be settled” for. Different Kinds of Vehicles. On the public stands can also be had two-horse carriages, usually very comfortable barouches, and used generally for a party of four or five for a drive on the Paseo. The livery-stables, also, furnish very handsome carriages of the same kind, which, with the two-horse volantes, can be had at all times by applying at the hotels, as they generally have some particular stable at which they get carriages. The prices are in all cases quite high enough. An American traveler in Cuba relates the following incident: “‘Cabmen appear to be the same the world over; and I shall not soon forget an amusing episode that took place on our first departure from Havana. One of these fellows, of an early morning, had carried us to the depot, and upon settling with him I gave him double fare in consideration of his putting our trunks in his wagon. This was a proceeding so unusual, that he immediately thought I must be a novice indeed, and demanded double the fare already paid him. I politely declined to comply with his request, on the ground that I had already paid him double; whereupon he stormed and swore that ke was being robbed, very much to our amusement and that of the 392 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. bystanders. I could not resist laughing in the fellow’s face at his cool impudence, which aggravated him so much that he thrust the fare back into my hand, vowing he would take nothing. “TI thanked him very kindly, and, with the utmost gravity, tola him I weuld drink his health, and raising my hat to him, politely bade him good-by ; and, showing my ticket, was about entering the cars, when the fellow was so taken aback at this peculiar way of meeting him, that he rushed at me, holding out his hand, and remarked, ‘Ah, you are an American; give me what you please!’ upon which I returned him his gift, and left him with a smile upon his countenance, and the remark, ‘A pleasant journey to you, sir;’ when, had you seen him five minutes previously, raving and lament- ing, you would have truly thought he really meant what he said.” In the Public Markets. It is always a matter of interest to the traveler in any land to know how and from where the supplies of food for the people generally come; and this is best seen by a visit to the public market-place, where not only the material with which they are fed can be seen, but a great deal may be learned of the manners and habits of a certain class of the people theniselves. Therefore, as fruit is said to be best in these warm climates before breakfast, we will stroll down to the markets, and while doing a little inspection duty, make an investment in some of the fruits of the country. The most convenient one inside the city is that of the “ Mercado de Cristina,” in the Plaza Vieja, situated at the corner of Teniente Rey street and San Ygnacio. Here, in the centre of a hollow square, the sides of which are formed of ranges of stores of all classes, faced by an arcade, is one of the great marts for the sale of vegetables, fruits and meats for the supply of the city. It is a large stone build- ing apparently, though really a simple quadrangle, open to the sky, occupying the whole of a square, and was erected in 1836, during Tacon’s administration. The arcade of stores is filled with shops of all kinds, but princi- pally occupied in the sale of such “notions” as will please the country CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. 393 people or the negroes, while the Plaza is filled with immense piles of onions, and cabbages, and sweet potatoes, which are the principal productions of the Island in the vegetable way ; and there are smaller piles of oranges, green mangos, pine-apples, and other tropic fruits, new in name and appearance; clusters of the plantain, or banana, as we call it, of various colors, and pyramids of the green cocoa fruit meet the eye at every turn, all presided over by dusky negroes in all varieties of costume, or swarthy Cubans, the native country people. These come in from the surrounding country with their products, raised upon the small estancia in the neighborhood of the city. Here and there, too, may be seen the patient donkey, with his load of greer. fodder, giving comic life to the scene. Wholesome Vegetables. The plantain, of which we see such large quantities exposed, is the vegetable upon which the lower classes depend for food, and which is cooked in various ways; and with the “ ¢asajo” (jerked beef, or fish), constitutes the diet of the poor. Of the many delightful vege- tables that grow in such abundance in our summer season, there is not a single one to be seen. Of berries of any kind there is not one raised upon the Island, owing to the great heat, which burns them up, it is said. The market presents a very different appearance from one of ours, with its profusion of everything arranged in the tidy-looking stalls, and presided over by clean-looking vendors. Here it is very different; a great proportion of the market people are negroes, most of whom are free, and such a chattering as they keep up, particularly the women, who are scolding, laughing, or rail- ing at each other in the most deafening way. It is very amusing to walk along in front of the little tables, or more usually the piles of fruit on the ground, and buy some of the queer-looking fruits you see, and which are totally unheard of by the names which the negroes give them, many of them, nevertheless, being quite palatable. The little banana and the orange are, however, the most agreeable of all, tasting very pleasant and cool in the early morning before one’s breakfast; but there are others that are very iuscious when 394 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. eaten perfectly ripe and in season, and which the market people will gladly tell you all about, as soon as they find you are a stranger,— particularly an “ Americano.” The choicest of these, after the luscious pine-apple, orange, and banana, are the delicious “anon,” the “ zapote,” and the “ mamey colorado,” the latter sometimes called “ angels’ sweetmeats ;” any of which, if they happen to be in season, will please the palate of the stranger, if he is fond of rich, luscious fruits ; many persons find them too rich and sweet. Having heard so much of the milk of the cocoanut when drank fresh from the green fruit, you seize this opportunity to get a new experience of a cosas de Cuba ; and, negotiating for a good large one, for which you pay uz medio (five cents), the negro takes a huge sharp knife, and slices off the top of the fruit, in which he punches a hole from which you are to drink. Seizing it with both hands, you raise it to your mouth like a water-jar, and empty the contents, as you think, down your throat ; and sweet, cool, and pleasant it certainly 1s te the palate, only this is rather an awkward and inconvenient way ot drinking it, as you find on examining your shirt front, which has received a good share of the contents. A much more convenient way is to carry the green cocoanut to one’s hotel, and there, pouring out the milk into a big glass, add plenty of ice and a little brandy, and it makes a delicious drink— sweet and wholesome—pronounced capital as a diuretic. Strolling through the market, one sees every variety of Cuban peasant and negro—many of the latter coming into town only to bring a small quantity of the sugar-cane, which is bought and eaten by the people with great zest. Then, in going through the stores surrounding the market, one sees innumerable strange sights and articles, a busy throng of buyers and sellers of all kinds of merchan- dise, of oddities and antiquities of architecture ; and, perhaps, heard above all the din and bustle, are the loud nasal tones of the lottery- ticket vender, calling out in his protracted high key the number of the tickets he has for sale. From here we will stroll over to the fish market, or “ Pescaderia,” CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. 395 as it is called, and see another cosas de Cuba. This is situated over on the other side of the town, on the bay side, and we reach it by -going directly along the street Mercaderes, on the lower side of this market, which comes out directly opposite the fish-market, in Empe- drado street. It is a well-built stone building, with the lower portion open on the side facing the street, and supported by pillared arches, which give the place somewhat the appearance of an arcade. In the interior, as permanent structures, in lieu of tables, are square stone forms with tiled tops, upon which the fish, fresh from the sea, are exposed for sale, and which are of great variety, many of them resembling ours—such as the flounder, and bass, and one something like the blue-fish. All the fish on the coast are very fine, with some few exceptions,—as the pez espada, gato, picua, and some others that have the peculiarity of making persons sick, or poisoning those that eat of them. The Lively Shark. Of all the many species (and there are said to be one hundred species and more), the argo and the radi-rudia are the best, being somewhat scarce, except during the prevalence of north winds in the winter season, when they sell as low as twelve cents per pound. The shark, small and large, in pieces or whole, may also be seen here for sale, under its name of “tiburon,” the which abounds in these waters, and. from it is extracted the oil. It is very fierce, and many accidents happen each year from persons recklessly going in to bathe in some of the bays frequented by these creatures, who attack the swimmers without hesitation, and gobble a leg or arm, or maybe the whole person; the little ones, that are called “ cazones,” are eaten. Their fish are not all brought from along the coast, but many of the larger fishermen have properties on the coast of Yucatan, and bring the fish from there, as also from Florida and the Tortugas. Generally, however, the first come from the coast in the neighbor- hood, many being caught just off the bay. 396 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA, At the little village of Chorrera, directly on the coast and about two miles from Havana, is, however, the great fishing place for this district, and one can go out any time, taking the passenger (horse) cars at the station opposite the Tacon theatre, and going out there. The cars leave every hour, take about half an hour to go, and return the following hour ; fare twenty cents. On the way out, the traveler passes through a portion of the city he is not otherwise likely to see, that is parallel with the coast, passing by, also, the large charitable institution, the Real Casa de Beneficencia, at the corner of the street Belascoin. A Large Donation. This is a flourishing institution, being an asylum for destitute orphans and the prevention of vagrancy, by putting all vagrants therein. It was established during the time of Las Casas, in 1790-96, and in 1802 enjoyed the protection of the Marquis-Governor Someruelos, who at one donation bestowed twenty-five thousand dollars. It is a fine, large building, and has beautiful grounds. Tke village’of Chorrera itself is a small place, celebrated as being the first site of Havana, and as being the place where the English attacked and landed, the commanding officer of the fort or castle blowing it up and retiring. There is now a queer-looking tower, with portcullis, still there for protection, though the Fort Principe commands the place. It is rare indeed that a meal in Cuba is served without fish, for even in the interior some of the streams are abundantly supplied. it is stated by one of the old authors that that was the reason all the set- tlements were located on the coast of Cuba by the early inhabitants, in order to be convenient to the supplies of fish. In connection with the inhabitants of the deep, there is one that they have in Cuba, known as the manati, a species of sea-hog, some what resembling those met with in Florida—different from the sea- calf or cow—that frequents the mouth of the rivers, and even mounts up on the earth. From its flesh they make /asazo, its oil is useful and medicinal, and from its skin canes are made that are very beautiful, but very expensive. . CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. 897 Of the shell-fish there is a great variety—amongst them the lobster, the craw-fish, and (best of all) the shrimp, both salt and fresh water, which is par excellence the most delicious thing they have on the Island, being as tender and resembling the white meat of the crab. They are eaten simply boiled, and served cold with a little salt, or made into a delicious salad. Some of them are quite large, and resemble a lobster-claw, are considered very wholesome, and used in great profusion all over the Island. Camarones, bear in mind, is the name for them in Cuba, and they are identically the same as those we have south. The Cuban oysters are quite small, and it would take a dozen of them to make one of our noble York river oysters or chincoteagues ; but they are nevertheless very good, being very appetizing, eaten at breakfast, as they have the briny and somewhat -coppery taste of the French oyster. Fish and Fishermen. To finish up the morning’s walk before breakfast, let us take a Victoria out to the other market of Tacon—unless, indeed, you want to turn the corner here, go upthose old stone steps, and take a stroll along the Paseo de Valdes, which is cool and shady at this hour in the morning. Then, too, perhaps, at this end near the steps, we may see some odd kind of fish we have not seen in the markets, for this is also frequented at times by fishermen, who do a small trade with the negroes, cutting up the small fish, even into quarters and halves, to sell to those villainous, filthy-looking negroes, who are probably too lazy to work to buy themselves better food. On our way out, since it is a fine, breezy morning, and the sea is coming in heavily, we will pass by the Puerta de la Punta, and see the surf beating on the rocks in a most beautiful, violent way, dash- ing the spray high in air. This is always the case after a norther; and it is a most attractive sight, either after or during one of these blows, to come out here on the point and see the ocean worked up into a state of fury, entirely different from its usually calm, placid appearance ; and here, just outside the gate, is always to be seena lively party in that cove-like place with the gravelly shore—for here 398 CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. gather, of a morning, sometimes as many as a dozen or more negro drivers, with their two and three horses each, and entirely naked, except a short pair of pants. They swim the animals into the salt water, which is most ex- cellent for them. It is a jolly sight, when the sea is rough, to see these fellows, laughing, shouting and singing, enjoying their bath on horseback, the sea breaking clean over them at times, and the horses bracing themselves against the shock with their hind quarters to the waves, The odd-looking building you see in the background is the old Bateria de la Punta, and the end of the new building is part of the government ordnance shed; the circular-looking iron affairs scattered along the shore being the old-fashioned sugar-pans. Special Types of Cubans. And now for the Plaza de Vapor, which is a market very similar to that of Cristina, known more generally as “ Mercado de Tacon.” It is situated at the corner of Galiano and Reina streets, or calzadas, the name generally given to fine, wide streets like avenues. This market is rather better in appearance than the others, being elevated some distance above the ground, and is two stories in height, with very good-sized stores around its four sides, with the portico facing on the street; the market itself being inside the square. : Here we have the opportunity of seeing to advantage special types of the lower class of Cubans,—countrymen as well as citizens. Here, for example, is the malojero, who comes from some distance in the country simply to bring that load of maloja that he has on the back of his horse, and which is the product of an inferior kind of corn that does not run to seed, and is raised with so little trouble that these lazy fellows prefer to let it grow on their places rather than trouble themselves to plant crops that require cultivation and attention. The guajiro, or small property-owner from the country, is also seen here in his glory, with his varied stock of produce seeking a market. There is rather greater profusion of fruit here, but the meat carts with their uninviting’ loads are in appearance bad enough to CURIOUS SIGHTS IN HAVANA. 399 take one’s appetite away, as he sees these sides and quarters swinging ‘to and fro, or piled up one upon the other in these small carts which bring the beef from the mazaderos on the outskirts of town, no butchering being allowed within the city limits. The shops, and in fact the whole market, present the same general appearance as the others; if you see one you see them all, with, per- haps, this difference—that there is always a great variety in the colored human nature, which at times presents itself very grotesquely to one’s notice. CHAPTER XXXI. Famous Localities and Buildings. NE of the best and pleasantest ways of getting an idea of () Havana within the walls, and particularly that portion of it lying on the water side, is to hire a carriage by the hour, and start early in the morning, or, if more convenient, after an early dinner in the afternoon, when the sun is sufficiently down to make it cool. _ There is always this advantage in going anywhere within the old city in the afternoon—that almost the entire general buisness of the city is confined to this portion of it; and as most of the mercantile houses do no business after four or five o’clock, that portion of the city at the water side does not present as lively an appearance as in the early hours of the morning, when the business community, taking advantage of the freshness and coolness, attend to most of their busi-~ ness out doors and upon the quays, which thereby present a much more stirring and active picture to the stranger. On the contrary, outside the walls in the afternoon all is life, fashion, and pleasure. We direct the driver to enter the city by the extreme north gate, known as La Puerta de la Punta, which is the entrance at the extreme end of the city on the bay, and where commenced the walls of the old city, which are here entered by an ordinary stone arch, some twenty-four feet long, the sides of which were casemates for storing artillery implements, etc., while the top of it formed a battery ex dar. dette, with terreplain, stone rampart, and a slope leading up from the ground; while mounted for defence were some half-dozen rusty, old fashioned carronades that would be no earthly use in case of need, across from it can be seen the Morro. Inside the gate and extending along the street, parallel with the water, quite up to the Maestranza, is a stone cevered way, with a 400 FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. 401 stone parapet to serve as breastworks in case of need. Outside the gate and to the left is the landing quay, or the point used for landing and embarking timber, horses, etc., and a good place whence to start for the Morro Castle, there always being a boat or two there. Con- tinuing down Cuba street, we come to a fine, large building on the left hand, evidently a modern affair, built of brown stone, and several stories in height. Here are the offices and officers’ quarters, and in fact the head- quarters of the artillery, known as the “ Maestranza,” or Parque de Artilleria. Keeping on down past the building, we come to the street Chacon, turning into which to the left we can go inside the arsenal belonging to the Maestranza, where is a large supply of ordnance of various kinds, and a number of old bronze cannon, bearing some very antique inscriptions and strange names, such as the “ Peacemaker,” the “ Thunderer,” etc. Stone Seats and Delightful Breezes. Immediately opposite to this is the entrance to the Paseo de Valdez, which extends along the bay side to Empedrado street. We direct the carriage to meet us at the other end, and then find it pleasant to stroll down the walk. Though the Paseo is not now in the best order, it has still a pretty row of trees, stone seats, and always a delightful bree::e, and commands a fine view of the fortifications across the bay. At the entrance there is a sort of an arch and fountain erected, which, though now in sad repair, has been in its day quite handsome, and, as its tablet informs us, was erected by the corps of Royal Engi- neers, in 1843, the slab upon which is the inscription being marble from the Isle of Pines, and on the top of which are grouped different symbols of the military and particularly the engineer profession. Here, of an early morning, it is pleasant to stroll, if you have nothing better to do, and hear the music of the military bands performing inside the walls of the Cabafias opposite, and which comes softly and pleasantly mingling with the breeze of the ocean, which is only a short distance off, 26 cd 402 FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. Entering the carriage, we drive through the street Tacon, passing the Pescaderia and the Intendencia, which is directly in front of La Fuerza, the oldest fort in the city, and around which cluster many traditions of antiquity, of assaults and defences, and attacks of pirates and enemies. Desiring to enter and see it, we pass around into the barrack yard on O'Reilly street, and are permitted to go through it. It is still a star-shaped bastioned fort, having a good line of fire upon the entrance and the bay, and having fine, large quarters near it for the troops. An Ancient Fort. This old fort dates back as far as the time of Fernando de Soto, the conqueror of Florida and discoverer of the Mississippi, who, being governor of the Island, gave orders to the engineer, Captain Aceituno, to build, in 1538, this fort, allowing for the purpose the-sum of $4,000, —the which was paid by the inhabitants of Havana and Santiago de Cuba, for the purpose of having a fortified place on this side the Island. It was completed six or seven years after it was commenced. At the beginning, it was simply a quadrilateral of walls of double thickness, twenty-five yards high, with arched or casemated terreplains, and a bastion in each angle, the whole encompassed by a foss. In subse- quent years, it has suffered various reforms, but still is of the general form as when first erected. The portcullis and the barracks of the troops were erected in 1718 by Don Guazo, the then Governor-General. De Soto’s wife, it is said, died here, after waiting many years for news of her gallant husband. The statue on the top of the castle is that of an Indian, who (so runs the legend) was the first to receive Columbus on landing. Opposite is the public square, known as the Plaza de Armas, and on the west side of that is the residence of the Captain-General of the Island. The large building adjoining the square of La Fuerza is the head- quarters of the military governor of the vity, the official who grants permission to visit the Morro Castle and Cabafias, at the written request of the consul. The sentries and guards on duty are worth~ of a little attention FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. 403 from those fond of military matters, They are generally picked men, whose “get up” is quite unimpeachable when on duty during the day, being clad in a uniform of pure white, with trappings, “ neat and gay” of red cloth, and who, in their comfortable linens, look “ natty ” and soldierly. Passing around the square to the lower or east side, we come to what is known as “El Templete” (little temple), at the corner of Ena Street. Tradition relates that in 1519, on the removal of the city to its present site, there was celebrated under an old ceiba tree the first mass in commemoration of this event; and upon this same spot was erected, in 1828, the present temple to perpetuate it. It is a substantial stone building, not very large, erected in imitation ofa Grecian temple, with a portico and pillars, standing some distance back from the street, from which it is protected by iron railings con- nected with heavy stone columns, the whole resting upon a solid base of stone. Within this railing stands the stone column that marks the spot where the old tree grew. A Celebrated Hostelry. As we enter the square of San Francisco, the old yellow building at the left-hand corner is the former “ Hotel Almy,” probably one of the most celebrated in its day of any in the city. It was there that Dr. Kane, the arctic explorer, died, the hotel occupying the second story over the warehouse. On the opposite side of the Plaza, the antique, worn-looking building is the old church of San Francisco, which has had its formerly sacred halls turned into a custom-house store-room. This old church, it is said, was in its day the best church in the city. It was consecrated in 1737, and shut in 1843. Its tower to-day is the most elevated one in the city, the immense weight of which is supported upon the arches of the principal door- way. It is a singular-looking old building, and has undergone some changes since its occupation for business purposes. The towers have been despoiled of their bells, and an additional door knocked in its side. The front of the church, in the narrow street Officios, cannot 404 FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. be seen to advantage; but in the niches, of which there are two, one on each side of the front, there are queer old statues, in stone, of monks, one of whom, from his peculiarity of attire, is ‘readily per- ceived to be a Franciscan. As one looks at these hard old boys, that have stood here for so many ages, he is struck with the thought of what capital sentries they have made. Posted, each one of them in his niche, like a sentinel in his sentry-box, they have stood here, doing that which they were placed here to do, without any relief ever passing around in so many years to make a change for them. “These Stolid Old Fellows.” There they have stood, year after year—aye, scores upon scores of years, too—and seen these portals, that once swung back only for the entrance of the devout and prayerful, open for the. entrance of the worldly, with their bales of goods; there, calm and immovable, they have seen the busy throngs of ages past go by, and yet still they stand impassive and inanimate as in days of yore, as the busy throng of to-day still goes by, many of whom, throwing but a casual glance at these stolid old fellows, perhaps know not, and care less, that this was the first place where their mothers’ mothers knelt and prayed. Though the world has changed, though governor after governor has come and gone, though the small group of houses that once was the original town has grown into a vast assemblage of what is now a fine city, though other churches have been erected—aye, even amid the roar of the tempest and the lashing of the stormy waves which in the wild fury of a tropical storm have dashed almost to their very feet—there they stand still, not a muscle changed or a position altered since they were first posted in their stony guard-houses, on guard. Passing through the handsome iron gateway which separates the square from the quay, you enter upon the landing, known as the “ Caballeria,” being a portion of the continuous wharves that extend from the Castillo La Fuerza to the marine barracks and quarters, and the whole of which is devoted to shipping -purposes. Here, any FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. 408 morning, you will find a busy throng of merchants, clerks, etc., talk- ing, and smoking, and driving their bargains—for this is, in fact, the Exchange—while the active portion of the business is done by sturdy negroes and swarthy laborers of many climes. The whole series of quays is covered so completely with roofs that one may walk a considerable distance free from exposure to the sun, amusing oneself in examining the variety of vessels—of which there are crowds, side by side—from every nation in the world. In this ocean-loving city of Havana, boatmen take the place of the _. persistent cabmen who assail one the moment of coming from a depot. Here, the moment you put your foot upon the quay, every boatman imagines you must want a boat, and a crowd gathers round you immediately, each vociferating the name of his boat, and you have considerable difficulty in getting away from the swarthy, pirati- cal-looking fellows who cease not to accost you with—“ Quzere bote, Seftor ?” all desirous of securing you for a paseo on the water. o A Gorgeous Boat. ._And now we are catching the fresh breezes from the bay on the Quay de Machina, or machine wharf, which is the landing used for the men-of-war, and is, in fact, a naval storehouse on a small scale, The objects that will probably interest the stranger here are the state barge of the Captain-General, a very large and gorgeous affair of a boat, as also the very diminutive garden, about the dimensions of a good-sized parlor, seeming to be made simply to see how small a garden can be. It is quite pretty, though, with miniature walks, shrubbery, and flowers, and also a fountain containing gold and silver fish, the whole affair being surrounded by an iron railing, anc guarded by some nautical individual, who takes great delight in showing you through, particularly if one tips nim a trifle. Just beyond the ,quay of the Machina are the ferries for crossing over the bay to the little village of Regla, where are the wonderfully large storehouses for storing the sugar; also, the depot of the railroad for Matanzas and for Guanabacoa, 406 FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. The boats run every five minutes to the other side, the fare upon which is ten cents each way. They are exceedingly well-built boats, having all been made in the United States (as in fact are nearly all the steamboats in Cuban waters), and are kept in very good order, more so than most of our ferry lines. If one has nothing better to do of a morning, it is quite a refreshing trip to go and return on one of these boats, since there is a fine view of the different portions of the bay, the shipping and the city; add to which there is always a fine breeze felt on them when in motion. Stretching from these ferries, almost continuously, are what are known as faseos, or promenades, They are a species of boulevard, in fact, running parallel with the bay, laid out in trees and a well-made walk, with solid stone wall, erected at the water side, and fountains and stone benches scattered at intervals throughout their length, some of the former being very pretty and tasteful in their designs. Stone Fountain with Military Trophies. The first and most imposing of these paseos is that of the “ Alameda de Paula,” erected, in 1802, by the Marquis-Governor Someruelos. It is also called Salon O’Donnell (after the marshal of that name, who was inspector of the Island), and is situated between the quay De Luz and the bastion of “Paula,” overlooking the bay. It has seats of stone, trees on the land side, and a breastwork on the water side formed of a balustrade composed of plaster concrete, with ornaments of the same, alternated by iron railings. In the middle there is a semi-circular glorieta, or stone look-out, furnishec with seats, behind which is a handsome stone fountain, having in its centre 2 marble column with military trophies and national symbols in very good taste. Next to this one is that of the “ Paseo de Roncali,” from which one has a fine view of the upper part of the bay, with the castle of Atares in the background, and fine views of the surrounding country. This is a beautiful place of a moonlight night to get a view of the bay, but is not much frequented. This castle of Atares that you see in the centre of the bay is said to be the one where young Crittenden and FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. 407 his fifty fellow-prisoners—all young men from the United States, who had come out in the Lopez expedition—had been captured, and were there shot, being brought out, twelve at a time, compelled to kneel down, six at a time, in front of the other six, and thus were all gradually murdered. Protest by the English Consul. A noble story is related of ofd Mr. Crawford, the then English consul, who, disgusted as every one else was by the inaction of our consul, Mr. Owens, when seeing these poor fellows shot down, went to the authorities, and told them that these massacres must cease; that, though these men were Americans and filibusters, they were yet human beings, belonging’ to the Anglo-Saxon race; and that, if the shooting did not cease, he would throw the English flag over them on the score of humanity. All honor to such a noble, brave spirit! And we are glad to say it was appreciated by the Americans living at the port at the time, for they presented him with a handsome set of silver. As a matter of curiosity, to see what is understood by a navy-yard in Cuba, it is well to pay the “Arsenal ” a visit, where is at once the naval dock, navy and store yard, situated at the extreme southwestern corner of the town, just outside the walls where they commence at the water side. It is entered from the city by the Puerta del Arsenal, and, with its pretty officers’ quarters and green trees, looks quite attractive from the outside. At present it certainly does not amount to a great deal, though it has ship-houses, docks, machine-shops, and other things peculiar to naval construction. In days past, however, the arsenal of Havana was very celebrated. In 1722 they began building vessels of war, and quite a large number were built; and the vessels obtained such a good reputation from the excellent quality of wood used that an arsenal was, in 1728, regularly constructed, and finished in 1734. Cannon were also cast, at one time, of bronze, the copper being furnished on the Island from the Cobre mines ; but everything in this way seems to be at a stand-still, the yard deserted, and no work of 408 FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. any important nature being carried on. The dock is capable of dock. ing a vessel of one thousand tons, and their engine is of only twenty horse-power. Everything is very different from the bustle and life and extent of our navy-yards. Guards Mounted at the Gates. And now we will finish up our morning by returning by the way of “ Los Ejidos,” a street running iffside and parallel to the old walls. Here were some of the most interesting features about Havana, giv- ing it that old air of walled antiquity, and offering some attractions to the student of history in the events so closely connected with their construction. Some are still standing, in tolerably good order, though they all have a somewhat dilapidated look, and are all to be torn down. A good smart cannonade would knock them to pieces very quickly. They are of not much use now, for they may be said to be in the very heart of the city, and would be of no avail in a strong attack. against the city, as a city, except as a dernier resort for a small body of men. Guards are, however, still mounted at some of the gates, and cannon yet frown from the grass-grown battlements ; and the moat, with time and indifference, has become filled with all manner of structures—even truck gardens being laid out in some of them. These gates and walls used to be of great interest to most travelers, as they were for so many, many years, connected with the history of the old city of Havana; and though as walls they no longer stand, yet the expression has become so familiarized that one still hears “ in- side the walls” and “ outside the walls ” freely used. As portions of these walls are still in existence, and the trenches also, with their nondescript appearance, it may not be amiss to give here some historical facts pertaining to them. Some of the gates were constructed with an eye to architectural beauty originally, but are now among the memories of the past. The best of them was the Puerta de Tierra, near the Ursulinos con- vent, on Sol street, which still looks well, and had a somewhat imposing design. The gates of Monserrate were probably more FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. 409 used than any other of the gates, there being two of them—one of egress, and the other ingress, for the busiest streets of Obispo and O'Reilly. As early as 1589, under the superintendence of the Governor and engineers Lejada and Antonelli, these walls were traced out, destined to take an important part in the defense of the town from the repeated attacks of the pirates, and have lasted nearly three centuries. If the old adage be true, that “the nearer the church the farther from God,” then we fear much the people of Havana have no hope of future salvation; for to almost every square in the old city, within the walls, there seems to be a church of some kind, to many of which are attached religious societies or organizations. Priests with Three-cornered Hats. The priesthood and the church have probably a greater share in the life of the Cubans, particularly with the female portion, than any- thing else that goes to make up the sum of their simple daily life; and as one strolls along the street, he is met at almost every turn by some priest of some particular order, either in shovel or three-cor- nered hats, or, perhaps, like a stout old Franciscan—whose vows prevent him from having anything comfortable in this world—forced by the heat of the sun to forget his resolution of baring his head to the elements, and sporting an enormous palm-leaf, that answers the purposes of both hat and umbrella. The superior authority of the secular portion of the Cuban Church is the Captain-General, as Vice Royal Patron, and as his deputy in the Arch-bishopric of Cuba, the Commanding General of the Eastern Department. There are attached to the church a number of digni- taries of different grades, all drawing salaries in proportion to their rank; while the government of the church is divided into four vicarages and forty-one parishes, the grand Cathedral being situated in the town of Santiago de Cuba. Besides the churches actual, there are a number of convents, monasteries, etc., belonging to the different orders of St. Domingo, San Francisco, Jesuits, San Agus- tin, etc., etc, 410 FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS, The Cuban Church, in comparison with that of other countries, is said to be poor, especially in the Arch-bishopric, the temples needing the magnificence and those church ornaments that the traveler on the continent of Europe admires so much. Notwithstandiug, in some of the principal towns there are a few imposing structures, interest- ing from their great antiquity and ancient style ef architecture, while upon special occasions the services carried on are tolerably rich ana imposing. The first church that the traveler from any land (and particularly we Americans) will desire to visit, is the Cathedral, not from any great beauty of itself—though it is perhaps the most interesting church edifice in the city of Havana—but since within its walls lies ensconced beneath a simple slab all that remains of him who gave to the world, from his combined wisdom and courage, not only a. new continent, but also a new theory of a world—Columbus. Magnificent Old Church. This old church, now the most magnificent one in the city, is very odd indeed, seen from the outside. Constructed of a peculiar col- ored brown stone, now blackened by age, it has no great beauty in its exterior architectural design; but yet, with its two queer old towers, its facade of pillars, niches, cornices, and mouldings, it is a striking looking edifice. It was erected in 1724, for a college of Jesuits, who at the time occupied the site where now is the Palace of the Captain- General. It is composed of the church edifice itself and the capa- cious buildings adjoining for the use of the priests of the order. It was, in November, 1789, constituted into a cathedral; has one large doorway in the centre, and two smaller ones, one on each side of that, with a solid stone piazza, reached by short flights of stone steps, at its front. There is also a side entrance by means of a stone court, on the other side of which are the dormitories of the priests. The church is shown to strangers at any hour of the day, by in- quiring of any of the priests you meet in the courtyard, and it is also open every morning and evening for Mass; though it is best seen in the morning, when the soft sunlight comes into the building, giving FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. 411 good effect to the shadows and shades of the massive pillars and arches; while the kneeling devotees serve to illustrate the great size of the structure by comparison, The grand altar is very handsome, as is also the choir in the rear. The carving of the stalls is exceedingly fine, being done in polished mahogany, in very light and graceful designs. At intervals around the church are several very beautiful al- tars, formed with solid pillars of mahoga- ny and cornices and moulding of the same material, richly gilt upon the most promi- nent parts. Each one of these altars is devoted to some particular saint, and boasts of some very good altar-pieces, copies of Raphael, Murillo, etc. QS The grand object of interest, however, ——- Sass is the “Tomb of Columbus;” and it is astonishing how many people there are who come to Havana that are ignorant of the remains of Columbus being ia the precincts of Havana—having been trans- ferred from the place of his death, History tells us that Columbus died in Valladolid, Spain, on Ascension-day, the 20th of May, 1506; that his body was deposited in the convent of San Francisco, and his obsequies celebrated with funeral pomp in that city. His remains were afterwards transported, in 1513, to the Carthusian Monastery of Seville, known as “ Las Cuevas,” where they erected a handsome monument to him, by com- mand of Ferdinand and Isabella, with the simple inscription, borne upon his shield, of— Po ee aT iL ah ce Te TOMB OF COLUMBUS. A CASTILE Y LEON, NUEVO MUNDO DIO COLON. In the year 1536, his body and that of his son Diégo were re moved to the city of St. Domingo, in the Island of Hayti, and in- terreJ at the principal chapel, But they were not permitted to rest 412 FAMOUS LOCALITIES AND BUILDINGS. even there; for, on the 15th of January, 1796, they were brought to Havana, and interred in their present tomb, amidst grand and impos- ing ceremonies, participated in by the army, navy, and church officials, and an immense concourse of spectators. To use the words of a Spanish author: “ Havana wept with joy, admiration, and gratitude at seeing enter within its precincts, in order to guard them forever, the ashes of Cristobal Colon.” ; The ashes, it is understood, were deposited in an urn, which was placed in a niche in the wall, at the entrance and to the left of the chancel of the cathedral. Over this has been placed a slab of stone, elaborately .carved, in a stone frame, and representing the bust of Columbus in the costume of the time, a wreath of laurel around his head, and symbolical emblems +t the foot of the medallion, upon which is inscribed, in Castilian : “Oh, rest thou, image of the great Colon, _ Thousand centuries remain, guarded in the urn, And in the remembrance of our nation.” Well may the question be asked: Where, then, were all the muses when they inscribed such lines as these? CHAPTER XXXII Celebrated Avenues and Gardens. OR a simple drive outside the walls, on the Paseo, in order to see and be seen, the afternoon hour of five or six o’clock is decidedly the best; but for combining pleasure with the busi- ness of sight-seeing, the cool, breezy hours of early morning are best, even though one does not then expect the pleasure of seeing the bright-eyed occupants of the elegant quitrin on his journey. The driver is directed to start trom the end of the Prado, which opens directly upon the sea, with the Morro Castle opposite, on the other side of the entrance, while close at hand is the queer old fort of La Punta, originally a bastioned, star-shaped fort, now somewhat rambling in its form. This is, also, one of the antiquities of Havana; for on the very spot where it now stands landed the pirate, Robert Baal, when he attacked and burned the city, in 1543. San Salvador de la Punta, which is its original name, was begun at the same time as the Morro, and by the same engineers, in 1589, and finished in 1597. To the left of the Prado, directly on the sea, can be seen the various sea baths. Now facing toward the city, we begin our journey down the street Prado, or Paseo Isabel, a wide, capacious street, arranged as a boulevard, with rows of trees in the centre, beneath which are, at intervals, stone seats, and a promenade for foot-passengers, and on each side of this, again, the drives for carriages. The sides of the street are occupied by rows of fine buildings—private dwellings, many of them—with pillared porticoes, and tasty fronts of white ur blue. This drive was first begun in 1771, and in 1772 was first opened. In 1797, under Santa Clara, it was extended, and several fountains erected upon it, and in Tacon’s administration it received some improvements, After leaving the Punta, the first building that we notice is the 413 414. CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. large yellow one to the left hand, occupying a whole square... It is the Royal Prison, and general headquarters of the council—singular" combination—the front on the Paseo being used as quarters and offices, while the rear part, facing towards the walls, is the public - prison for malefactors. This was also erected in 1771, and is in the form of a hollow square, the courtyard of which is used by the prisoners for exercise; and they can be seen any day through the iron-grated gates or windows, as well also as much of the prison as one wants to see. The student of physiognomy will find some interesting subjects at these windows any day, about twelve o'clock, when the prisoners are sometimes allowed to receive, through the gratings, packages from their friends, being first inspected by the sentries always on guard in the narrow, barred passages which separate the outer and inner world. Where Lopez Met his Death. The large open space beside the dungeon is used as a parade. ground; and it was here that the unfortunate Lopez met his death, dying like a brave man, after the unfortunate expedition, which, induced by the promises of the Creoles, he had conducted to Cuba, and in which he was defeated. Here, as already stated, in the fres- ence of a vast body of troops, on the Ist of September, 1851, he was garroted, his last words being: “I die for my beloved Cuba.” Scattered along the Paseo, at different intervals, are various foun- tains of stone and marble, many of them of very handsome design, and a few of them of some antiquity, though nearly all of them appear to be dry. On the right-hand side of the Prado is the Gym- nasium and Fencing School, where is the best gymnasium in the city, with a very excellent instructor in calisthenics and dumb-bell ‘exer- cise, as well also asa good French master-at-arms. The Cubans are, many of them, very fine gymnasts; and of a morning, from seven to nine, there is generally a very good class exercising under the supervision of the instructor. To the left is the theatre of Villa Nueva, a rather poor affair, and used mostly as a French theatre, or for the smaller Spanish dramatis CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. 415 companies. It is built of wood, principally, and never seems to be well filled. It has now become a historical place, from the fact that it was here the troops fired on the audience while attending a repre- sentation, during the ten years’ war. On the Prado, opposite the gates of Monserrate, is what is known as the “ Parque de Isabel,” a portion of the street being laid out with grass-plots, gravel-walks, trees, and handsome iron settees, while in the centre is a marble statue of Isabel II. The Field of Mars. On the Paseo is the large square known as the “ Campo de Marte,” or field of Mars, where the troops are generally in the habit of exer- cising early in the morning, or during the winter about two o'clock in the day. It is a square somewhat in the form of a trapezium, with its longest side about two hundred and twenty-five yards in length, and surrounded by an iron railing upon a base of stone, combined with pillars of stone at regular intervals, and upon the top of each one of which is an iron bomb-shell, of large size, by way of orna- ments. It has four principal entrances, closed by iron gates, upon the top of the posts of which are placed bronze mortars; and as the coluenns are large and well built, the gates have a good effect. They are called after the distinguished men who bore the names of Colon, Cortes, Pizarro, and Tacon, the latter being the founder of the sq) are, which at various times has suffered considerable damage frory the tornadoes. It is now repaired and beautified. Directly opposite the square, in the centre of the Paseo, ‘s the beautiful Glorieta, and fountain of India, surrounded by noble jalmas- veales, The fountain is a work of considerable beauty, carved out of Carrara marble, and erected at the expense of the Count of Villa Nueva. It is one of the most beautiful of the public fountains, and does equal credit to the taste and heart of the patriotic citizen who erected it. Nearly opposite the fountain, on a smati paseo ieading from the Prado, is the Circus, and on the other side of the Campo de Marte 416 CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. is the magnificent private residence, or in fact palace, of the Aldama family, which was one of the richest in Cuba, and owned a number of the finest sugar estates in the Island, but since confiscated, owing to the family having interested themselves in the rebellion of 1868. The Queen’s Street is a fine wide street, upon which there is gen-i erally seen more life of an afternoon than on any other, although on some portions of it the buildings are not so fine as in the other streets. At its junction with the Paseo Tacon, there commences one ‘of the prettiest drives about the city, having double rows of trees, with a promenade for foot passengers, and a fine, wide carriage-drive, which is the fashionable one of an afternoon, and where splendid equipages may be seen to advantage. At different intervals along this Paseo there are fountains erected, statues, and g/orictas; and of a fine day, with its beautiful women, elegant equipages, and long rows of shady trees, it presents a perspective and near view perfectly charming. Beautiful Botanical Gardens. Nearly at the end of the Paseo is a fine gateway, giving entrance to the beautiful gardens known as the Botanical Gardens (/ardin Botanico), and adjoining which are also the beautiful gardens belong- — ing to the country place (Quznta) of the Captain-General, known as “Los Molinos.” These are all so very beautiful and interesting that the stranger will, if he have time, want to pay them several visits, both morning and evening, as they offer more attractions than any public place pertaining to Havana. Even in the middle of the day, whea it is too hot to go anywhere else, this is a cool, pleasant, shady place, in which to pass the midday hours. They are open day and night, and any one is allowed to enter and stroll through the beauti- ful walks, shaded and surrounded by most exquisite tropical flowers, shrubs, and trees. : Nothing can be more delightful, of a warm morning or evening, than a saunter through these magnificent grounds, rivaling in their beauty, luxuriance, and novelty any garden that we have in the United States. The best plan, on a casual visit, is to leave your carriage at the entrance of the Botanical Gardens, and direct the CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. 417 driver to meet you at the entrance to the Quinta, some distance above; and you can then, after strolling through the gardens, pass into those of the Captain-General, and, enjoying them, sally out by the magnificent Avenue of Palms that leads from the gateway to the house. In the Botanical Gardens there are specimens of almost every tropical plant, and directly in the centre is a large stone basin, filled with the finest water-lilies, and in the middle of that a rustic fourtain, made of shells. Lovers’ Romantic Walk. Passing from these gardens, you enter those belonging to the Quinta, which are somewhat larger, and contain some very beauti- ful walks,—one of which, nearly one hundred yards long, is as com- plete a lovers’ walk as the most ardent pair could desire. It is formed of the rose of the Pacific Ocean, growing to a good height, and covered with flowers of a light pink color, the bushes forming 2 handsome green and fragrant arch over the head of the pedestrian. There is an artificial fountain or cascade, formed, also, by permitting the waters of a small creek to pass over artificial rocks, which form underneath a damp and, it must be said,.unattractive cavern; while the waters are carried off by a canal, upon the surface of which rest the pleasure-boats of his Excellency, the banks being shaded by the overhanging trees, and. inhabited by some curious breeds of ducks. An aviary or two there are also, filled with some species of doves of different kinds, while in the centre of the gardens stands the comfortable house of the Captain-General, and the buildings per- taining thereto. The avenues of palms in these gardens will strike the visitor with astonishment, as something surpassingly graceful, beautiful, and majestic; while he can study to advantage the cocoa and plantain trees, with which the gardens are filled. The whole place would be perfect in itself, in the way of a garden, were it not that it has been necessary to run a railroad through the middle of it, the noise from the passing trains of which breaks at times inharmoniously upon the ear as one saunters enjoyingly through the fragrant and otherwise quiet paths. 27 418 CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. The gardens seem to be divided off under different names, as may be seen by the sign-boards, at different places, designating the gar- dens of San Antonio, the Queen, the Wood of the Princess. A military guard is in and about the gardens all the time. It has been the custom for the Captains-General to spend their summers here ; but it having got abroad that the place was unhealthy, it has not been so often occupied’ lately, the Governors going out to Marianao or Puentes Grandes. Be that as it may, it is a lovely spot for the stranger, on his winter visit, to stroll into and pass his time agreeably, whether sauntering through the shady walks with some lady friend, or smoking his fragrant Havana beneath the stately palms. View of the Surrounding Country. From these gardens, if the traveler is anxious for exercise, he can mount up to the fort upon the hill, known as the “ Principe,” whence there is a good view of the surrounding country, always provided the sentry will allow him to pass. The fort itself is small, though some: what old, having been built, in 1763, for the protection of the village and bay of Chorrera. Leaving now the Quinta, we have a very pretty view of the contin- uation of the Paseo, with its rows of trees that shade the road so nicely, and which have attained such a luxuriant growth that it makes this, with reason, one of the most charming portions of the afternoon drive of the Habaneros. Turning again into a fine, wide avenue, known as the “Calzada de la Infanta,” we drive over to a long, handsome street, known as “ El Cerro” (the hill), and leading out to a little village of that name. It is a very handsome street, about three miles long, lined on each side with the beautiful and comfortable residences of the fashionable and wealthy, for whom this with its surroundings is the principal place of residence, particularly in the summer. Here is an ample field for the study of tropic architecture, hardly any two houses being alike, yet all with the same general plan, very different indeed from our ideas of comfort, and yet probably the best plan that can be adopted for this climate. Not only on the “Cerro,” ~ CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. 41$ but everywhere in the cities, is the stranger struck by the peculiari- ties of this Cuban architecture, with its enormous windows, without a particle of glass, but grated with strong iron bars, the single story of height, the tremendous doorways, their massive doors studded, many of them, with numerous brass knobs and decorations, all bearing: the appearance of having been built for defence from outside attack. Houses of Singular Construction. . Upon the Cerro, the houses are modernized somewhat, haying their stables and carriages in their rear, and in front stone piazzas, elevated some distance above the level of the street. Passages are not at all frequent in the houses, and the principal entrance opens directly into large and cool halls, which are in fact rooms and fur- nished as such, laid with marble-tiled floors, and connected with th¢ rooms beyond by large archways. These halls are usually the dining-rooms, where always there is a breeze from the open courtyard or through the wide sa/a, or parlor, at the entrance ; the whole being devoid of curtains, and exposed to the eye or curiosity of every passerby. The ceilings are uncom- monly high, and the houses are, without exception, open on the interior side to the fatio, or courtyard, which affords, even of the warmest days, a chance for some air. This Sato takes with those in the cities the place of our gardens; all the rooms open to it, and where there is a second story, a gallery runs around the entire square, having either blinds or fancy-colored awnings for protection from the sun’s rays, which have full scope in the open centre of the square. This secures a free circulation of air, a shady place in which to sit or walk, and very often, when the pazzo is laid out with walks, flow- ers, fountains, and orange, pomegranate, or mignonette trees, a charming place in which to dream one’s idle hours away. Here are also to be seen some superb specimens of the cactus, which in Cuba grows to an immense size, and possesses great strength, for a plant of this kind, in its branches, some of which will bear a man seated on them. In the trenches around Havana are 490 CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. also other fine specimens, which have a very odd appearance at times from the large quantities of fine dust that settle on them. On our return, we pass through the “Calzada Galiano,” one of the finest streets in the city, and always having new charms, with its width, pil- lared porticoes, and regular architecture, to say nothing of the con- stant life there visible. The great charm of Cuba for the traveler from the United States is the entire change of appearance of matters and things from what he is accustomed to. From the time of landing at Havana, with one’s mind filled with the Spanish life as described in Irving’s “ Alhambra” and “Granada,” or as written in Prescott’s works, there is an additional pleasure of seeing, verified with one’s own eyes, those peculiarities of houses, climate, and people, described somewhat -in those works. Charm and Novelty Everywhere. From the moment of entering the bay of Havana, where one sees the city before him, with all its oddities of colors, and shapes, arid styles of its walls, with an occasional palm or cocoa tree to give a marked type to its appearance, to the time of turning his back upon the luxuriant Coffee Mountains of the east, or sugar-cane clad prairies of the valleys, there is one constant charm of novelty, and very often ridiculously so. The first thing that strikes the novice, in wandering through the old town of Havana, is the solidity of the buildings and the narrow- ness of the streets, the smallness of the sidewalks of which will cause him at first some considerable annoyance in stepping off into, perhaps, the muddy street, for the purpose of giving the “right of way” to some pedestrian who is keeping to the right, “as the law directs ;” or, when disgusted with the constant getting out of the way, he takes to the middle of the street, and is suddenly punched in the ribs by the shafts of some volante, whose driver has gauged his pulling up so nicely that he just avoids running over you. Then the houses, hardly ever more than one story high—never more than two—with their tremendous doors and windows ; when, if the door is open, you see a handsome flight of stone steps, perhaps, CELEBRATED AVENUES AND’ GARDENS. 421 leading to the upper story, the walls all gaily painted in white and blue, or yellow; the entrance probably taken up with a gorgeous quitrin, or, perhaps, a handsome carriage, according as to whether the family are wealthy, and occupy the whole house, or only well-off, and keep the upper stories, renting out the lower ones, which are probably filled with merchandise. Notice, now, this great door to the large and showy mansion. It is shut; but see how resplendent it is with brass decorations, latches, hinges, door-plates, or studded with quaintly-shaped brass-headed bolts, with shining handles. Is it wonderful that an American, with his national character for impudence, should follow in the steps of the courtly and stately Spaniard, when he sees a pair of lovely eyes peeping at him from behind the curtain of the barred window, and, doffing his hat, should exclaim, with antique gallantry, “Sefiorita, I put myself at your feet,” or “the surprising beauty of your lovely eyes will not permit of my passing by, Sefiorita, without doing them homage ?”—grateful if he is rewarded, as he always will be, by bright glances from the dark- haired damsel, who, with a stately smile, utters her “ Gracias Seftor,” in return for what she deems only due tribute. Peculiar Types of Character. Here’s a contrast! Now mark that great negro, withhis ridiculous- looking wheelbarrow, appearing as though it had come out of the ark, such is the simplicity of its construction; the negro himself, without head-covering, with as little clothing as the law allows (if there is any law in such matters), generally ragged pants, and a por- tion of a shirt only. Here we are in the ever-busy street O'Reilly, which, like Obispo or Ricla, one never gets tired of wandering in. Do not imagine for a moment, if you want to find any particular store, that you must ask for Mr. Smith’s or Mr. Jones’s establishment; oh, no,—these people do not generally travel under their own names; but, like a hotel, stick up something that is unique, expressive, or easily re- “membered. As a consequence, you have “The Nymphs,” “The Looking Glass,” “ The Little Isabel,” the “ Green Cross,” which you 422 CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. see gets its name from the big Maltese cross, built into the wall of that corner store, and hundreds of other funny, curious, and expres- sive names. Just look down that street, this hot February day. See those fancy- colored awnings, stretching across all the way down, to keep the warm sun away from our heads; those handsome shop windows, or the stores themselves, in fact, with their shelves almost upon the street, PINE-APPLE PLANTATION. all reminding one of the descriptions of Eastern bazaars, were it not that the well-dressed men that are scattered through the non-coated, cool-looking people, show the presence, in a civilized land, of capital tailor’s work. And now, while intent upon the sights, you hear a shout of “ Cud- dado! cuidado!” (take care), behind you, and jumping out of the way, in the expectation that your last hour is come, you are convulsed with laughter at the cause of your alarm, in a most ridiculously small ° donkey pulling a big cart, while upon the back of the donkey, per- haps, are piled a dozen folded blankets or cloths ; upor. top of which, again, isa great cumbersome saddle, big enough ang heavy enough for a French cuyirassier, CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. 423 Poor little donkey! He has just twice as much load as is neces- sary to carry, but the plucky little fellow goes sturdily along as if it was all right. Now, turning a corner, we are suddenly taken aback by a negro girl, with a white child in her arms, out for an airing, we suppose, from the nature of the apparel, which consists of just th. amount of hair usually found on the heads of children, and which probably the novice thinks is a little too airy for the public streets of a city like Havana. Only his Head to be Seen. “Halloa! what’s up now, in this narrow street we are going through?” you will ask, as, looking ahead, you see it completely stopped up with a mass of green vegetable matter that is coming down on you with hardly any perceptible propelling aid; however, now it is near, you descry the long-eared head of a small donkey, or perhaps a Cuban horse, almost buried under a load of green fodder, piled upon and beside him in such manner that nothing is to be seen except the head and feet of the little fellow, who, while thus buried, has not even the satisfaction of a quiet little chew of the material that surrounds him, for his mouth is muzzled up in a curiously netted muzzle of twine. This fodder constitutes, with corn, the only food given to horses in Havana, and is all brought in from the surrounding country on the backs of mules, sometimes ten or twelve in number, strung together like a lot of beads, head and tail. No oats are raised, or grain of any kind, in the Island, except the small sweet ears of Indian corn which is grown everywhere, and the stalks of which, with the tender tops of the sugar-cane, make up the only food to be had for horses, There’s another fellow bawling out at this early hour something — he calls “ leche, leche ;” and which we find to be milk he is carrying around in those immense tin cans, stuck away in the straw or palm panniers hanging over his horse’s back, and which, with the hot sun and the motion, would soon get churned to butter, or rather oil, the latter being the way they use it on the Island. Again is heard a- peculiar clattering, as if crockery was being 424 CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. hardly dealt with, and which is found to proceed from the hands of a peripatetic “ Chinois,” who takes to the street for a market for his wares. Here he is, now, a regular thorough-going “John China- man,” who, after having served out his time as a Coolie on perhaps some large sugar estate, has become imbued with the ambitious desire of being a merchant, and no longer remaining in his hard- working way of life as a “¢vabajador” in the hot sugar fields. Having saved sufficient money from his hard earnings, or, what is more likely, made his capital by gambling with his more verdant and less fortunate fellows, he has started in trade, with a bamboo yoke carried over his shoulders, and pendant from the ends of which hang two large, round baskets, filled with crockery of all kinds. Clad in thin, wide pantaloons, a blue dungaree shirt, with a broad palm-leaf hat on his head, and his feet thrust into loose, heelless slippers, he perambulates the streets, seeking to tempt the cautious housewife into purchasing something of him—not by the dulcet sounds of his voice (which sounds like a turkey-gobbler), but by the insinuating music of the wares themselves, emitted in a peculiar sound and way by the half-dozen saucers he carries in his hand, and which he is constantly throwing up gently, and letting them fall one upon the other with a sharp, continuous, rattling sound that will bring the indolent housewife quickly to the window, if she wants anything in that line. No danger of his breaking them in this way ‘of making himself known, for the Chinese are celebrated for their sleight of hand, and this is evidence of it. Now we hear the fruit-venders crying out their wares, as they walk beside their pannier-loaded horses. “ Naranjas, naranjas, dulces” (oranges, sweet oranges), he cries; which, in the season pro- per for them, you can buy of him, the largest and ripest kind, for a peseta (twenty cents) the dozen, or less,—as well as other fruits of the country. Although the oranges are ripe all the year round, there seems to be a profusion of them in the early Spring months, unless, as is the case some years, they are somewhat scarce from the torna- does having destroyed many of the trees. Look at this ridiculous sight,—that fellow, a poultry-dealer, going CELEBRATED AVENUES AND GARDENS. 425 up the street there ahead of us, mounted upon his donkey, his feet projecting out in front, while he is high up on the pack that holds his large, square panniers of chickens, which he has brought in from the country to dispose of, and which he carries safely in the baskets, corded over the tops with a net work, or more frequently a cloth, the pollos sticking forth their heads from time to time, and doubtless wondering, as they keep up their cachinating, why their master is thus treating them to this morning’s paseo. Now we meet a “ dulce” seller. As a general thing they are neat- looking mulatto women, rather better attired than most of the colored women one me: ts in the street. They carry a basket on the arm, or perhaps upon the head, while in their hands they have a waiter, with all sorts of sweetmeats,—mostly, however, the preserved fruits of the country, and which are very delicious, indeed,—much affected by ladies, We need not have any hesitation in buying from these women, as they usually are sent out by private families, the female members of which make these duces for their living, the saleswoman often being the only property they own, and having no other way (or, perhaps, too proud, if they have) of gaining a livelihood. Here is something that won't strike you quite so agreeably. Did you ever see anything more disgusting than that great negro wench, —a large clothes-basket on her head, a colossal cigar sticking out from between her thick lips, while she walks along, majestically trailing an ill-fitting, loose dress (probably the only article of apparel she has on) after her slip-shod strides? She puts on airs, occa- sionally, if you scold her for spoiling your clothes, that you have rashly trusted her to wash for you. CHAPTER XXXIIIL Sugar-making in Cuba. , BOOK on the Island of Cuba without a chapter on sugar-mak- A ing would hardly be complete. ‘fc the cultivation of the cane is also added, on the same place where the carie is raised, and by the same proprietor, the manufacture of sugat, suct: places being called in the Cuban dialect zngenios, or sugar estatés, the carrying on of which requireés a large amount of capitai, a great degree of intelligence, and much mechanical skill. These ingenios vary in size from five hundred to ten thousand acres, though the results of their crops are not always in proportion to the number of their acres, that depending more particularly upon the nature of the soil of the particular locality in which they are situ- ated, and the degree of intelligence and amount of labor with which they are worked. Each one of the zmgenios is, in some degree, lis a small village, or, as with the larger ones, quite a town, in which are substantial edifices, numerous dwellings, and expensive machinery, together with a large number of inhabitants, the different officials aecessaty for their government and management representing the zivil officers, except with, perhaps, greater power. The buildings upon a first-class sugar estaté are generally a dwell- ing-house (casa de vitienda), which, from its size, style, and cost, might sometimes be calléd a palace, some of them having, in addition to numerous other cc-nveniences, sriall chapels in which to celebrate the religious services of the estate, the dwelling being occupied by the owner and his family, if living on the estate ; if not, by the admin- éstrador, who is charged with the care and management of the estate in the absence of the owner, and who, in fact, may be said to be the man of the place. There is also the house occupied by the mayoral, as he is called. the chief of the negro laborers, whose business it is to follow the 426 SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. 427 laborers to the field to see that they do their work properly, and that sufficient amount of cane is cut to keep the mill constantly supplied with material to grind; in fact he has a general supervision of all the agricultural duties of the estate, receiving his orders only from the owner or administrador, as the case may be. The mayorales are gen- erally very ordinary men, of no education, the intelligence they pos- sess being simply that gained by long experience in this kind of business. The maquinista, or engineer, is really the most important man upon the place, as upon him depend the grinding of the cane and the care of the mill and its machinery—that it is kept in good and run- ning order, so that no delay may take place in the grinding season. His quarters are generally in some part of the mill, where he man- ages to be pretty comfortable. American Engineers. These engineers are mostly young Americans, with now and then an Englishman or a German; but the Americans are much preferred on account of their superior intelligence and assiduous attention to their business. Their pay is from one thousand two hundred to two thousand five hundred dollars for the grinding season, which begins about December and ends nearly always in or before June, most of the engineers going over to the States to pass the summer, or, as ‘hey express it, “to have a good time.” The Hospital is always an important building on these places, as it is the only place where the sick can be treated and properly taken care of. It is usually arranged with a great deal of care and neat- ness, the building being divided off into different wards for men and women, and also for contagious diseases; it is generally in charge of a hospital steward, who has quite an apothecary shop in his charge, and who receives his instructions from the attending physician, who also attends a number of the estates in the same locality, visiting each one genefally évery day, and receiving compensation at so much per year. Asa matter of simple economy, to say nothing of charity, the invalids get the best of treatment, and are not sent back to work 428 SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. until they are completely restored, though while convalescing they are required to do light work, such as making baskets, hats, etc. The Nursery is also quite an important place, and is highly amus- ing to visit, for here the future hopes of the plantation are cared for. These little black, naked sinners, running and tumbling over each other in great glee, are generally kept in a large room. with rows of cradles or cribs on each side, in which each little ere is kept at Bea a CVA \. rT Sa eae ROH Nea INTERIOR OF A SUGAR-MILL. night, the old women who are too feeble to work any longer being retained as nurses in charge, while the mothers of the little ones are out at work in the fields, being allowed, two or three times a day, to return and suckle such infants as need the mother’s milk. It is very amusing to enter one of these nurseries when the children are being fed, and see their gambols and antics, and the expression of the little ones’ eyes as they see the white master, as he is called, and with whom they keep on friendly terms, enter their quarters. They all appear to be happy and jolly, and make as much noise and have as much fun as would satisfy any “radical” in the States. Poor things, they happily know nothing of the hard lot in store for them. SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. 429 But the most important of all the buildings is, of course, the Sugar- mill, which generally consists of the engine-house, where is all the machinery and powér for grinding, boiling and working the cane and juice, and the purging and drying-houses. The engine-house is gen- erally an extremely large roof, supported by pillars and posts, and entirely open on all sides—in fact, nothing more than a very well constructed shed to keep off the sun and rain, the floor being mostly paved with brick, and the stairways leading from one portion of the building to another being of solid stone. In fact, one of these mills of the first class is a very handsome affair—everything about it, the engines and the machinery being kept in the most scrupulously clean order, equal to a man-of-war. How the Employees Live. On the larger places there are generally what are called barracoons, or quarters for the workmen. They are large buildings, constructed of stone, in the form of a quadrangle, on the inner side of which are the rooms for the negroes, to which there is only one main entrance; this is shut at night when the hands are all in On the outside, and much better built, there are rooms occupied by the different white men connected with the place and not other- wise provided for; probably, also, a long row of stables for the many horses usually kept upon places of this kind, and of which there is no lack, either for work or play. On other places, again, the negroes live in dohzos, or huts—some few constructed of stone, but most of them simply log or cane huts, of the most ordinary description, thatched with palm-leaf or grass, and making no attempt at comfort, but simply serving as shelters from the rain. In the Southern States the miserable habitations called cabins are bad enough; but these are worse; though, to be sure, in a climate like this it does not matter much about shelter— all one wants is shade. The Purging-house is generally of very great extent, being two stories high, and of great length. The floor of the upper story is simply a series of strong frames, with apertures for placing in them 430 SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. the hormas, funnel-shaped cylinders of tin or sheet-iron, into which is put the molasses to drain into troughs beneath. One side of this house is open, in order to permit the gavetas, or large boxes upon wheels, into which are put the forms of sugar, to be run in and out conveniently. In these boxes, which are immensely large, the sugar i) A TX v\ ‘ NE HA Hy SECTION OF PURGING-HOUSE. in forms is broken up and exposed to the air and sun, for the purpese of thoroughly drying it. The number of these Aormas is something wonderful, there being in some of the houses as many as twenty thousand. Beneath the upper floor are a number of troughs, each trough having a slant to a main trough. Over the minor troughs are the mouths of the aforesaid funnels, which permit the molasses draining from the pans of sugar above to run into the troughs, which again convey it to large vats or hogsheads, called docoyes, each of which holds from twelve to fifteen hundred gallons. It is in this process that they make the distinction of the different sugars—d/anco, or white; guebrado, or broken; and the common, dark-colored sugar called cucurucho, SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. 431 In making these three qualities of sugar, a layer of moist earth or clay is placed upon the top of the pans of crystallized syrup, from which the moisture, draining constantly through, carries off all the imperfections, leaving the pans full of dry sugar in the form of solid cases, and generally of three colors ; that nearest the top, pure white; next below that, the discolored ; sad at the bottom of that, the moist or dark colored. If, however, it is desired to make only a moscabado sugar, which is of a rich brown color, and does.not require the same time or pains as the finer qualities, the syrup is simply put in the large hogsheads, before described, and allowed to drain off in the natural way without the process of “claying” it, as it is called. This, of course, makes more sugar of an average inferior grade, which weighs more, having the molasses in it; and this is the sugar generally preferred by sugar refiners. : Various Workshops. Besides the above, other buildings there are, of different kinds, necessary to large establishments like these, such as cooper, carpen- ter, and blacksmith shops; while there are also, on the best estates, gas works, at which is manufactured the gas with which the mill and buildings are illuminated, it being found much cheaper and cleaner to manufacture and use gas than oil. Of the persons directly in charge of making the sugar there are one or two upon each place whose business it is to see to the boiling and refining of the sugar, and who are known as sugar-makers, receiving for their services from eight hundred to one thousand dollars each per annum. It is calculated that to every one thousand boxes of sugar, con- sisting of four hundred pounds each, it is necessary to have from fifty to seventy-five hands; for, of course, the greater supply of labor there is, the better are the chances of making the sugar of superior quality. Of these laborers the larger proportion are negroes, while upon nearly every place there are more or less Chinese or Coolies, all of whom are diyided into classes and divisions, according to the labor for which they are desired, 432 SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. Guardianes, or guardians, are stationed in smafl huts at the entrances to the estates, and‘ act as porters, though their !odges are nothing more, usually, than a simple shelter hut, of grass or palm-leaf, the occupants being generally old men unfit for hard labor. Firemen attend to keeping up the furnace fires, which are generally placed in a cavity, or sort of cellar in the ground, upon one side of the mill there being left a large space in front of the furnaces into which the carts, upon backing up to its edge, empty their loads of mashed cane, the only fuel used to generate steam. These carts are rude, rough affairs, invariably drawn by either one or two yoke of oxen. The Bill of Fare. The bulk of the hands used in the general operations of the place, cutting cane, plowing, etc., are known as the gente, or “people.” They are pretty well taken care of as regards food, at least in quantity if not in quality; they get ¢asajo, or dried beef, donzatos, or sweet potatoes, rice, and plantains which answer for bread, and of which they are very fond, eating them either roasted or fried. The clothing they wear is limited, not only in quality, but quantity, the children usually going about stark naked—the women with only a calico dress on, and the men wearing only their pants. It is rather a novel sight, at the eleven o’clock halt from work, to see these peo- ple gathering for their rations. Attached to every estate is the potrero, or corral, where are herded the cattle used in doing the hauling on the place, and also those in- tended for supplying the hands with meat. Of the cane itse'f there are several species known in Cuba. The criolla, or native cane, is the oldest known, being: that brought to Spain by Columbus, on his second voyage, from the Canaries, but is thin, poor, and not very juicy; that of Otaheite, which is large, thick, and preferred by the sugar-makers, being introduced into the Island in 1795; that of the Cristallina, last introduced, and cultivated by many us preferable to that of Otaheite, a cartful of which will give a pan and a half of dry sugar, amounting to about sixty pounds, The height attained by the cane, averaging as it does six or eight SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. 433 feet, and sometimes reaching twenty, the length of joint, the color, and many other particulars, vary with different species, with the character of the soil, and with the mode of culture adopted. The stems are divided by prominent annular joints into short lengths from each joint of which there sprout long, narrow leaves, which, as the canes approach maturity, drop off from the lower joints. The outer part of the cane is hard and brittle, but the inner con- sists of a soft pith containing the sweet juice, which is elaborated separately in each joint. This is very nutritious, and is eaten in large quantities by the negroes, who in their leisure moments are generally supplied with a piece at which they constantly suck, hav- ing prepared it by stripping off the outer skin, which leaves in a good piece of cane almost a solid lump of sugar. The cane is propagated by slips or cuttings, consisting of the top of the cane with two or three of the upper joints, the leaves being stripped off. These are planted, either in holes dug by hand or in trenches formed by a plough, about eight or twelve inches deep, the earth being banked up upon the margin, and well manured; two or more slips are laid longitudinally at the bottom of each hole, and covered with earth from the banks to the depth of one or two inches. In about a fortnight the sprouts appear a little above the earth, and then a little more earth from the bank is put in the hole, and as the plants continue to grow, the earth is occasionally filled in a little at a time, until, after four or five months, the holes are entirely filled up. The planting takes place in the intervals of the rainy season, which commences regularly in June, and lasts until October or November, the cutting taking place immediately after the Christmas holidays, and continuing on up to May, even, in some cases. The maturity of the cane is indicated by the skin becoming dry, smooth, and brittle, by the cane becoming heavy, the pith gray, approaching to brown, and the juice sweet and glutinous. It is usual to raise several crops in successive years from the same roots, the plan, I believe, being to plant about one-third of the grounds every year. When the cane is ripe for cutting, the mill is put in complete run- 2 434 SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. ning order, and the hands, under the charge of the mayoral, proceed to the field of now green cane, each negro—man, woman, or child— armed with a machete, or knife of peculiar construction, something like a butcher’s cleaver, and very strong and sharp. Spreading them- selves out over the field, they begin the cutting of the cane, first by one cut at the top, which takes off the long leaves and that part of the cane which is worthless, except as it is used for food for the cattle ; a second cut is then given as near the root as possible, the cane falling carelessly to the ground, from which it is gathered as wanted, A Lively Scene. A field in the cutting season presents a lively sight, with its three or four hundred laborers superintended by the mayoral on horseback, its carpet of cut cane, and its long lines of slowly-moving carts, with their noisy drivers, while the sea of standing cane, sometimes extend. ing for miles and miles, is stirred by the gentle breeze into waves of undulating green. ; The carts being now piled up with the cane, and the fodder left upon the ground to be carried off another time, they drive back in a long line to the mill, where they empty the cane under a large shed, close to that portion of the mill wherein is the crusher. This pile of cane generally becomes immense, as the carts keep continually bringing it in faster than the mill can grind during the day; and at night, work in the field, as a general thing, ceases—a portion of the hands going in the early part of the evening to get their rest, while the others keep feeding the cane to the mill. Towards morning, when the stock on hand gets low, the negroes are called up, and sent out to the field to keep up the supply of cut cane, the engine never ceasing to run night or day, unless in case of acci- dent, during the whole of the grinding season. The cane being deposited under the shed at the mill in sufficient quantities, the engine is started, and the machinery put in motion. The cane is then thrown by the hands upon an endless inclined flexi- ble conductor, formed of strips of wood and links of chain, which, being constantly in motion, and passing round a cylinder near the SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. 435 crushers, throws the cane into their jaws, by which the juice is com- pletely pressed out of it, and passes in a continuous stream into the troughs beneath, while the refuse cane is carried out on the other side intc a wooden trough, from which it is taken by hand, placed in carts, and carried off to the furnaces. These crushers, or maquinas de moler, as they are called, consist of three immensely large, solid, iron rollers, placed horizontally, revolv- sing, one above and two beneath, in a kind of pyramidal form, the opening between the upper and first lower one being larger than that between the upper and second lower one, in order to form more of a mouth with which to draw in the cane from the feeder. The juice, as it now runs out in a liquid state, is an opaque fluid, of a dull gray or olive-green color, of a sweet, pleasant taste, and is known by the name of guarapo. It is quite thick, and holds in sus- pension particles of the cane and refuse, which are separated from it by filtration. This liquid is so exceedingly fermentable that it is necessary to clarify it immediately. It runs from the mill by means of troughs or conductors, passing in its course into pans of copper, pierced with holes like a cullender, thro. zh which the liquor runs, leaving its refuse matter on the surface to be‘ disposed of by a man constantly in attendance for the purpose, It is then forced, by means of pumps, into large tanks, from which it is conveyed by a trough to the clarifiers, which are large kettles heated by steam. In these, defecation takes place, the process being assisted by four or five ounces of lime to every four hundred and fifty gallons of boiling liquid contained in each kettle. Sometimes more lime is required, this depending entirely upon the density of the juice. In connection with these vats, which are known as clarifiers, there is generally used a test paper, by which the juice is tested as it comes from the mill, to ascertain the amount of acidity in it. This is a simple chemically-prepared paper, of a blue color, which, on being put into the liquid, turns to a red color, more or less intense according to the degree of acidity in the juice. From the clarifiers, the juice, after settling, is filtered through vats, 436 SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. filled nearly up to the top with bone-black, which is usually used two - or three times, or until the juice changes color or does not run off well. The length of time which the bone-black is used is the real secret of the difference in some sugars ; and, as proof of this, on the estates where the finest sugars are made, the bone-black is changed every eight hours; while on the estates where the poorest sugar is made, it is changed only once in two or three days. From these clarifying vats there are three copper troughs,—one for molasses, one for cane-juice, and one for syrups. ¥rom these three troughs as many pipes lead to large tanks, which are simply receptacles for the material accumulating. From these tanks, again, the liquor is conveyed to the vacuum-pans, the principle of latent heat being made use of to evaporate the cane-juice. These vacuum-pans are three in number, the first of which is for juice, the second for syrup, and the third a strike-pan, as it s called. The vacuum-pan consists of a close copper vessel, perfectly air tight, the middle portion cylindrical, and from six to seven feet in diam- eter, the upper portion convex or dome-shaped, and the bottom also convex, but less so than the top. The bottom of the pan is double, the cavity between the inner and outer bottom forming a receptacle for steam; and there is also a coiled steam-pipe just over the upper bottom. There is one pipe of communication with the vessel of clar- ified syrup, one with the vessel which is to receive the crystallized sugar, and one with an air-pump, and there are numerous valves, gauges, etc. In using the pan, a quantity of liquid sugar is admitted, and the air-pump is set to work to exhaust all the air from the pan in order that the contents may boil ata low temperature. To enable the per- son who superintends the process to ascertain when the syrup is sufficiently evaporated, the pan is supplied with a very ingenious appendage called the proof-stick, by which a little of the sugar can be taken out, and its state ascertained by the touch. Some of the pans have a small glass window, through which can be seen the liquid in a boiling state. The clarified juice from the tank before mentioned is pumped into SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. 437 the first pan, from the first into the second, it having now become syrup of twenty-eight degrees density ; thence it is pumped into syrup clarifiers, then skimmed, then run again through filters of bone-black; out of these filters it goes to the syrup-trough, and thence to the syrup-tank before mentioned. It is now ready for the third or strike-pan, being drawn up by the vacuum at the option of the sugar-maker, and when the pan is full, it is discharged by a valve into the strike-heater, a double-bottomed kettle with a sufficient amount of steam to keep the sugar warm, and create a certain degree of crystallization; from this it goes into the moulds, or ormas, before described. Common Grades of Sugar. These moulds are then run on small railway trucks into the purg- ing-house, and then through the different finishing processes before described. The molasses that drains off in the purging-house is afterwards re-boiled and made into acommon grade of sugar, known as molasses-sugar. The best molasses comes from the moscabadc sugar, since it nas not passed through so many purifying operations, and, therefore, has more saccharine matter in it. The sugar being thoroughly dried, sorted, and pulverized, is car- ried into the packing-room, where, ranged upon a slightly elevated frame, are the empty packing-boxes, capable of holding four hundred pounds each. These are filled with the loose sugar,a gang of negroes or coolies range themselves on each side of the rows, with broad, heavy packing-sticks in their hands, and thus all together they pound away, keeping time with their strokes, and making music with their voices. This seems to be a very primitive way of packing the sugar, taking as it does so much time; but no other plan has ever been successfully tried. : The sugar being now tightly packed in the boxes, the latter are closed up and strapped with narrow strips of raw hide. and are then shipped to market. The foregoing process of sugar-making differs, of course, in some respects, on different estates ; but the general method is the same, the 438 SUGAR-MAKING IN CUBA. differences being generally due to some variation in the kind of machinery,—some of the manufacturers, for instance, still clinging to the old-fashioned method of boiling the sugar in open pans, which of course allows a great deal of valuable matter to escape; others not going through so much of the refining process with the crop. In concluding this chapter, it may interest the reader to know that sugar-making was first tried in Cuba as far back as 1535, whena grant of land was made for that purpose on what is now known-as the Cerro, near Havana, though good authorities state that it was in Havana itself, and at Regla, on the other side of the bay, in 1598, that really paying sugar estates were established. CHAPTER XXXIV. Description of Far-Fameéed Matanzas. F all the towns in the Island of Cuba visited by travelers, Matanzas is the one that gives entire satisfaction to the gener- ality of visitors. Built with regularity and in good style, it lies prettily at the foot of surrounding hills, on the shore of the beautiful bay of Matanzas, while through its limits run two small rivers, which empty into the bay and serve to give additional character and beauty tothe place. Away from the grand rush of travel that fills up Havana in the winter, Matanzas gets a smaller share of attention which, from its many attractions, it more richly merits than almost any place upon the Island. The inhabitants are polished and hospitable, and there is great wealth amongst them, while the women are remarkably pretty (naturally). These things, with the natural beauties of the city, make it the pleasantest place for an invalid, or any one desiring to pass several months on the Island without traveling. Matanzas, now the second city of the Island in riches and com- merce, is situated at the depth of the bay of the same name, formed by an arni of the sea, into which empty the waters of the rivers San Juan. and Yumuri. The city proper is bounded on the north by the river Yumuri, and on the south by that of San Juan, while on the east side are the brilliant waters of the noble bay. It is said that the town is built upon the sight of a former Indian village, Know by the early discoverers by its original appellation of “Yuéayo.” Some thirty families, having emigrated from the Canary Isles, located themselves upon the spot, or in the neighborhood; for Marizaneda, to effect a settlement, had purchased from Charles II. about one hundred and fifty acres of land, with the adjoining corral (a cattlé-field), known as Matanzas, which signifies “ slaughter-pen.” @9 440 FAR-FAMED MATANZAS, The same name is retained to-day, with the addition of those of its patron saints, San Severino and San Carlos. The above regular settlement took place on the roth day of October, 1693, which was on a Saturday, and on Sunday, Bishop Compostello arrived. On Monday, the ground having been previously marked out, he laid the first stone for the future church or cathedral, with the celebration of a grand Mass; at the same time were traced the lines of the castle, known as San Carlos, still standing as a fort upon the Punta Gorda. Like many of the towns of the Island, Matanzas was threatened at various times by attack from buccaneers and enemies, and has even had naval engagements off its harbor; but its most serious loss was in 1845, when there took place, in the month of June, a great confla- gration, which destroyed over two million dollars’ worth of property. Handsome Houses and Stores. It is now, however, a pretty, well-built city, with a really fine public square—the Plaza de Armas—which is prettily laid out with walks, shrubbery, and flowers, with a fine statue of Ferdinand VII. in the centre. On the east side are the residence and offices of: the commandante, while on the other three sides are well-built, handsome houses and stores, with one or two cafés, the whole having a very fine appearance. There is only one church, a large antique-looking old building, re- markable for nothing except the rough architectural beauties of its towers, particularly the taller one of the two, which has some con- siderable height. There is a fine new theatre, the handsomest on the Island; also a number of public buildings, none of which are re- markable in any way. That portion of the town lying to the south of the river San Juan is known as “ Pueblo Nuevo,” in which is situated the railroad depot, and in its outskirts several beautiful country places, the river being crossed by well-built bridges of solid stone. On the other side of the river Yumuri, this portion of the town is known as Versailles, reaching to the very foot of the hill, known as the “ Cumbre,” frova FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. 44) the summit of which is seen the beautiful valley of the Yumuri; while on the hills facing the bay stand the military hospital and the barracks of Santa Isabel, capable of containing over fifteen hundred men. Close to it, on the extreme edge of the bay, is the beautiful paseo of Versailles, the favorite drive of the inhabitants, of an evening. At the end of the paseo is the small castle and fort of San Severino. The object of greatest attfaction, however, to the passing traveler are the “Caves of Bellamar,” situated to the south-east of the city, about two anda half miles, and reached by a very pleasant hour’s drive, a portion of the way being by the sea-side. This trip is usually made in the early morning, though it is a pretty drive at any hour, and the caves are worth going to see several times. Resembling Scenes in Venice. Having ordered your volante (if only gentlemen are in the party, g on horseback) the night previous, you will find, at six c’clock in the morning, waiting’ your coming, a two-horse volante and driver; for which you will be charged about six dollars and thirty-seven cents for the excursion. On the way out, you cross the stone bridge over the San Juan, known as the “Belen Bridge,” and pass through the town beyond, known as “New Town.” These rivers running through the city in this way give it a particularly Venetian appear- ance, and views taken from one or two blocks upon the river bank might be readily mistaken for scenes in Venice. In the new town there is a handsome street that the traveler should direct his driver to go through ex route to the cave; it is called the “Calzada de Esteban,” and contains together, in one block, a col- lection of private dwelling-houses, the newest, most tasteful and beau- tiful seen in Cuba. The houses aie large, beautifully built, with very imposing and handsome pillared fronts and porticoes, generally with large and luxuriantly-flowering gardens, while the combination of iron-railing of pretty designs, with stone pillars and bases, gives a most charming effect. There will, also, be noticed here the happy use made of prettily- colored tiles in the formation of terraces (if we may so call them) to 442 FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. the fronts of the piazzas. There is a pleasing effect to this style of architecture in Cuba, when, if the same style were adopted with us, it would be pronounced too gaudy, or ginger-bread looking; while here, from the peculiar climate, where the sky is always so beautifully blue, and the sun brightly hot, the high colors used in architecture seem in harmony with those of nature. Leaving now the town behind us, and passing by some straggling houses, we come out by the side of the bay, whose emerald-green waters wash gently the sandy shore, and from whose blue distance come the cooling ocean breezes of early morning; while across the bay are the verdure-clad hills that over-top the valley of lovely Yumuri; the picture being completed on our right hand by green banks and hills, overshadowed by the tall and graceful palm, or the fan-like branches of the cocoanut tree. Entrance to the Cave. Turning off from the sea-side, and winding up a rugged and stony road, some distance up the hills, upon the top of the plateau, we come to the “Cave House,” a large frame building erected over the entrance to the cave, and containing the visitors’ register, as also numerous specimens of the crystal formations of the cave. In the centre of the building is the stairway leading into the entrance of the cave. We would advise all visitors to the cave to divest themselves of any superfluous clothing in the way of coats, shawls, vests, etc., which they can leave in charge of the attendant; for the atmosphere inside is quite warm, and, with the exercise, gets to be, before coming out, quite oppressive. Well, we pay our dollar each ; the muchacho takes his one candle, and, following him, we descend the stairs into the cave. After a few paces, we cross a small wooden bridge, and find ourselves in the “Gothic Temple.” Even in the obscure light (though in this par- ticular place one or two lanterns are hung up) one can see that it is very, very beautiful, with its millions of crystals, its thousand weird forms, and gloomy corners. When the candle is placed behind some vf the columns or projecting crystals, their transparency produces a FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. 443 most lovely effect, their colors varying from the purest white to amber and the most tender of rose tints. This temple is quite two hundred feet long, and about seventy wide, and is about one hundred and fifty feet from the entrance of the cave; and while it far surpasses in richness and splendor the temple of the same name in the Mammoth Cave, it does not equal it in size or solemn grandeur, though, as far as the ease and comfort with which the cave is seen, it is far ahead of the Kentucky cave, as the proprietor has had enterprise enough to make strong bridges, plank walks, and, when necessary, strong iron-railings for protection from slipping. “A Dream of Fairyland.” The Mammoth Cave leaves upon the mind an impression o! solemn, gloomy grandeur, and one peoples it with gnomes and demons. This cave is a dream of fairy-land, with its sprites and lovely fairies keeping gay revel to soft music; and one almost expects to see shooting from the crystal shadows some lovely Undine o beauteous naiad. One becomes thus dreamy under the influences of the names of some of the most striking places, many of which, the muchacho says, “some call one thing and some another ;” for every pillar has its great name—as “ Columbus’ Mantle,” and every mass is likened unto the “ Guardian Spirit,” or more sacred “ Altar,” while without the “Cloak of the Virgin ” it would not be a Cuban cave. This “ Fuente de Nieve” (fountain of snow) is one of the loveliest portions and most striking objects in the cave; but it contains attrac- tions enough to bring one here again and again, when he can get the chance. The cave is thus far opened about three miles in extent, and its greatest depth below the surface of the earth is five hundred feet. It has been opened about twenty years, having been first dis- covered in an accidental way, by one of the workmen of Senor Don Manuel Santos Parga, who, while working near by, saw his lever sink through the hole which proved to be the entrance to the cave. “Who has not seen the Caves of Bellamar has not seen Cuba,” The views of the valley of the Yumuri should by all means be 444 _FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. seen both at sunrise and sunset. This excursion should be made on horseback, by young people, as it is a beautiful road of an afternoon, winding up the hill, the town being left behind until it becomes only a confused mass of buildings in the distance; while to the right hand is the bay with its shipping and forts, and beyond, the hazy landscape; and after a short ride, a full and splendid view of the ocean breaks upon you. The ascent is a steep one, though over a very fair road, particularly for horses, and the change in the atmos- phere can be noticed almost immediately after the first turn on the hiil, while before the return at night it is quite cold, so that a shawl will not be amiss for lady travelers. N The Far-famed Yumuri. After ‘about an hour and a half continuous ascent, the road sud- denly winds around the brink of a grassy precipice, and there, spread out at one’s feet, lies the far famed, poetically described, beautiful valley of the Yumuri, with its patches of green and gold, and its- groups in twos and threes of graceful waving palm-trees, while meandering through its grassy banks is the little stream of Yumuri, looking like a silver ribband, except where, here and there, its waters are golden-h \ed from the setting sun ; and over all these hangs that air of perfect stillness—that grand, quiet solitude—which one often realizes amid such noble expanses of nature as this. All travelers are in the habit of stopping to see a sugar-house in the vicinity, and get a view from the top of the dwelling. One can get a general idea of sugar-making, though on a very small scale; or he can taste the boiling guarapo (sugar-juice) from the trough, and, if he is consumptive, “ sniff” the odors of the boiling sugar, said to be so beneficial to weak lungs. Says a traveler: “ Our interview with the little black zztos 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 towards us, and crossing their arms upon their breasts, fell upon their knees before us, and jabbered and muttered, out of which could be distinguished, “ Master, master, give us thy blessing,” FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. 445 which we interpreted to mean “tin ;” whereupon we scattered sundry medios amongst them. Hey! presto! what a change! The little black devils fell over one another, fought, tugged, and scrambled to secure a prize; while any one who had beeh lucky enough to obtain a coin, marched off ina state of dignified delight, his distended little stomach going before him like a small beer-barrel, while the ownex of it kept shouting out, ‘ Medto, yo tengo medio’ (five cents, I have five cents).” Sublime Scenery. ; There is another view of this charming valley of the Yumuri to the west of the town, out over the hills, known as the “Abra de Yumuni,” or “ Boca,” as it is sometimes called. The view is of the whole valley, from the left bank of the river, with the grand, majestic opening in the rocks, as though they had been sandered expressly to let the river through. ' From the top of the hill can be seen the picturesque towers of the city, and the waters of the bay, with all its shipping displayed therein ; while in the background, towards the south, are seen the distant hills that extend from the hill of San Juan to those of Camarioca, looking like blue clouds against the roseate sky. The livery stables of Matanzas furnish very fair teams, and the saddle-horses are also very good; they can be had by ordering them at your hotel. Ladies who are not accustomed to riding much will find riding the Cuban ponies a very easy. affair indeed; for their gait is a species of amble—what we call racking—and our fair novices in equestrianism pronounce it “ divine.” Securing a stylish turn-out, about six o’clock in the evening, we will drive down to El Paseo, which is on the extreme edge of that portion of the city known as Versailles, and immediately on the shore of the bay, whence come, morning and evening, the delightful sea-breezes which everybody comes down here to get. This paseo is a pretty drive, about half a mile long, and beyond it a road of about the same length to the castle. It is laid out with gravel-walks, rows of trees, and a stone parapet, with iron-gates at 146 FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. each end of the drive; and if the stranger wants to see the beauty and fashion of Matanzas, it is here that he can do so, particularly on Sunday afternoon—that being the great day. Quite as many elegant equipages can here be seen, in proportion to the population and size of the place, as in Havana. Starting from the front gate, they drive the whole length of the paseo, turning at the other end and retracing their course; and this they do for an hour or more at atime, until there is a perfect string of carriages following one another around and around. Towards eight o’clock, if it is the night of the vetreta (always Sunday), when the band plays at the Plaza, most of the carriages file off to that. square. Grotesque Street Scenes. One of the most delightful pleasures in Matanzas is that of the bath at.the Ojo de Agua (eye of water), where, on the bank of the Yumuri River, some springs of pure, cool water burst forth, and many of the young men walk out in the fresh mornings, and get a dip. The reader will be interested in the following description by a tourist in Cuba: “Tt 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 ceremonies 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 the young men, generally known as ‘EI Liceo,’ organized for artistic and literary purposes, and for social recreation. “A fine large building is generally occupied by the association, with ample space for theatrical representations, balls, etc.; in addition to which there are billiard-rooms, and reading-rooms, adorned, probably, with fine paintings. In Matanzas, this association is known as ‘El Liceo Artistico y Literario de Matanzas,’ and is a particularly fine one, being composed of the é¢e of the city, with a fine large house, to which they made an addition by purchasing the ‘ Club,’ beautifully situated upon the Plaza. - FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. 447 “Thanks to our letter of introduction, we were, through the kind offices of members, permitted to enjoy the pleasures of their grand ball, called the ‘ Pifiata,” which was indeed a very fine affair, attended by the beauty and fashion of Matanzas. The ball commenced at the sensible hour of eight o’clock in the evening; and at entering, eacb 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. “Passing through the main hall, which was ablaze with light reflected from the highly colored walls and polished marble floor, we entered a Sala de reception—which, even at this early hour, was quite full, and which opened into the ball-room. Dear me, what a sight it was! Such crowds of beautiful women, such pretty dresses, such elegant coiffures, in which, from the abundance of the raven tresses of the Sefioras, no ‘rats’ or ‘ mice’ were necessary—at least, I don’t dhink there were; but then we men are so zxnocentf Ido not think T ever saw so many beautiful women together. Great Array of Female Beauties. “ The. ball-room was a long, large hall, at the other end of which was a pretty stage, for theatrical representations; on each side of the room was an arched colonnade, over which were the galleries, where the bands were posted. Ranged in doubled 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 together at the other end of the room, wanting the courage (it could not be the inclination) to pay their respects to las Sehoritas. “ What is exactly the trouble in Cuba between the gentlemen and the ladies I have never been able quite to understand. The men are polished and gentlemanly, as a general thing—sufficiently intelli- gent, apparently; while the ladies are dignified and pretty. And yet I have never seen that appearance of easy and pleasant inter- course between the sexes which makes our society so charming. 448 FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. . “T 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 formality. This would seem to apply to the natives only; for nothing can be kinder, more friendly, and courteous than the man- ners 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 different with strangers, Sefior, and particularly with the Americans, who are celebrated for their chivalric gallantry to ladies,’ Now, I call that a very 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, 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 educated abroad, either in the United States or Europe, he finds them highly accomplished and entertaining. Several that I had the plea- sure 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 this time going on with great éclat. It opens with the advent upon the stage of a dozen or more young men, under the direction of a leader, in some fancy cos- tume very handsomely made, who, after making their bow to the audience, go through some novel kind of dance. The performers take this means of filling up the intervals of the general dance, and amusing the audience.” Galops, quadrilles, and waltzes are on the programme ; but the pre- vailing dance here, as everywhere on the Island, is, or used to be, the creole dance or waltz called “ Za Lanza”—a quiet, graceful dance, and the only one which, owing to the heat of the climate, can be en- joyed with any degree of comfort. The following description of the dance, written by a Cuban author, gives the best idea of it: “Though there are known and executed in the Island all the FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. 449 modern dances, yet preponderating over them and eclipsing them al! is the irresistible Danza Criolla—true Cuban specialty. It is nothing else than the old-fashioned Spanish contra dance, modified by the warm and voluptuous character of the tropical climate. Its music is of a peculiar style—so much so, that any one who has not heard it played by one already initiated in its mysteries, will attempt in vain to play it, though he may have it perfectly written before him. Pretty and Amusing Ceremony. “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 the evening is yet to come off, we are told, and so we linger on, and are finally rewarded by the grand ceremony of the Pif#ata, 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 pendant from the ceiling a form of ribbands and flowers, the ribbands numbered and hanging from the flowers, the rights to pull which are drawn like prizes ina lottery. Uf 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 then the privilege of crown- ing any lady he may deem worthy of the honor, ‘ Queen of the Ball,’ to whom every one is obliged to yield obedience, homage, and admi- ration, 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, deviltry, 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 masters and betters are doing the same 29 450 FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. thing under cover. This is a Carnival sight indeed, and only to be seen in a tropical climate. “Some one suggests that we go down to tite theatre, as the fun only commences there after midnight; and so we go there, passing a soldier or two on guard, to see a new phase of life in the form of a mascara, or ball of the lower class, known as the ‘Czfa,’ where peo- ple of all colors and sexes go who are not required to show certifi- cates of character (and could not do it if they were) other than a golden dollar, which is taken at the door. A Hilarious Crowd. “Truly it is a mob indeed—a dancing, noisy, masked mob, who, amidst shouts, the din of music, and the shuffling of feet,are going through a// the figures of the danza criolla, most of which are en- tirely unknown to its more refined female admirers. Keep your hand on your pocket-book, my friend, and cover up your watch- chain with your coat, as you go through the crowd; and more than all, don’t tread on any one’s toes, unless you are prepared to ‘hit out’ quickly.” If, while at Matanzas, the traveler wishes to visit a Cuban watering- place—the Cuban Saratoga, in fact—it can be easily done, any day, by taking a ticket for Madruga. Now, unless indeed thou art an invalid, troubled with partial paralysis, stiffened with rheumatism, or suffering from some other unfortunate malady, think not of going there, even if thou feelest for a moment the growing influence of a Cuban’s description of the waters and place. Madruga is a small village, to the south-west of Matanzas, about two hours’ ride by railroad, and can be easily reached twice a day, being on the direct road to Havana, by way of the long route. Madruga is simply a watering-place, and as such is celebrated for its mineral ‘springs, which are certainly very beneficial—and wonderful, if all the accounts be true that are given of them. The season begins for the fashionable world about the middle of April, though the baths are taken all the year round by the villagers and strangers. The hotels are not by any means first class, and are entirely dif- FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. 45) ferent from anything we are accustomed to; but any one desiring particularly to try the waters, can make himself pretty comfortable. Though there are some inducements on the score of health that might tempt one to make a prolonged visit, yet we advise all those who have any thoughts of staying there to run down from Matanzas before moving their baggage, just to “look before they leap.” The village itself is an ordinary country village, the principal part of it being around the Plaza, and is situated on high ground, in a beautiful rolling country, celebrated for being remarkably healthy. Its public buildings are confined to one small, neat church, in addi- tion to the baths, which are all public. These are the property of the town, having been presented to it by Don José O’Farrell, Gover- nor-General in 1820, on condition that the town should keep them ir order and have them in charge. They are in direct charge of the captain of the district, and are kept in repair by the contributions ot the people of the village, who find it to their interest to attract strangers to their town. The baths are all more or less impregnated with sulphur, some iron and magnesia, and some potassa, and are said to be sovereign cures for rheumatism, paralysis, weakness of the stomach, scrofula, and some other complaints. The baths are very pleasant to take, the water being rather cold. They are taken early in the morning, and then, after the szes¢a, in the middle of the day,a glass or two of the water being drank after each bath. Invalids from all parts of the Island come here, and it is not avery pleasant sight to go into the bath-room, sometimes, and have the eye displeased and the mind shocked by the cases of paralysis, rheumatism, etc., that are there presented. With a jolly party, one can have a pretty good time at Madruga —bathing, riding on horseback, and walking to the tops of the neighboring hills, from which fine views may be had. The view of the “Valley of Glory,” from the top of the hill “ Cupey,” is very fine, as are also some of the other views, and the change of tempera- ture from the country below is very agreeable. Far as the eye can reach are seen the waving fields of sugar-cane, 452 FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. darkened here ar! there by patches of woods or clumps of palms, while in the foreground are the tall, white chimneys of the sugar- mills belching forth their black smoke. In the distance there is just the faintest glimpse of the hazy sea, the distant mountains and hills seeming to fade quite away into it. Mode of Conducting Funerals. One sees a good deal of primitive life in a village like this, off of the main route of travel, and away from the “ grand world” influ. ences. Observe the method of conducting funerals. First come the small boys, with white linen gowns over their clothes, short enough to display their ragged pants and dirty boots, the boy in the centre bearing a tall pole, upon the top of which is a silver cross partially draped, while each of the other boys carries a tall candlestick. 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 holds an open umbrella; behind him, again, comes tottering along a venerable old maa, personating whilom the acolyth, the bell-ringer, the sacristan, or other church functionary, as may be necessary, and now croning cut in his dreary voice, as he goes swinging the burning censer, the sccond to the chants of the priest. The coffin then makes its appearance, formed of rough boards, but covered with black paper-muslin, and borne upon the shoulders of four of the 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 the funeral cortege. At the church are further ceremonies of reading prayers, burning candles, and sprink. ling the coffin with holy water ; after which the priest goes his way, and the procession take up the line of march for the new-made grave in the dilapidated and neglected cemetery, where the coffin is depos- ited without further ceremony. No females are present during the whole affair. This humble funeral is a very different affair from what one could see in the larger cities, and particula.‘yy Havana, with its ostentatious FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. 453 display of the corpse upon a sumptuous catafalque or under a crystal urn, its crying and screaming women, its long line of carriages, and its various ceremonies, arranged and provided for by a “ funeral agency.” A family in mourning in Cuba not only dress in dark clothes upon which there is no lustre, but they keep the windows of the house shut for six months; in fact, by an ordinance of the government, it is now prohibited to display the corpse to the public through the open windows, as was formerly done, both they and the doors being now required to be shut, An Attractive Village. The traveler can leave Madruga for Havana or Matanzas, passing on his way to Havana the beautiful little village of Giiines, where - many people stay during the hot season. There is no particular attraction here, except that the village is pretty, and the country around attractive, there being some pretty rides and drives, and the horses being very good. The road to Havana runs through a very beautiful country, amid lovely scenery, and is a very pleasant ride. Near to Matanzas, on the road to Bemba, is a very pretty little town, known as Limonar, one of the pleasantest places on the Island, and most desirable for the invalid, as the air is fresh and very invig- orating. From there, one can drive over to the baths of sulphur, at -San Miguel, which, in the early spring months, are well patronized by the people of the district. From Matanzas, there are a great many pretty drives to neighbor- ing places, where lovely views can always be had; and it is as much owing to this fact as to the pleasant society of the town that Matan- zas is so popular a place with the stranger. After Yumuri, one of the most extended and pleasing views is that from the Hill of Paradise, looking down into the Valley of the ‘tigdalen. A picture, vast and interesting, is offered to the eye of he spectator by this magnificent panorama. Imagine a space some fifteen miles long, surrounded by hazy mountains, in a country slightly rolling with verdure-clad hills, which 454 FAR-FAMED MATANZAS. serve as points for the eye to rest on; graceful groups of palms and other trees, and the picturesque edifices of an immense number of tngentos ; the whole limited in the distance by the city of Matanzas— the bay with its shipping; beyond which is seen the almost atmos- pheric sea uniting with the azure sky. If the traveler, being at Matanzas, desires to visit Cardenas or Sagua la Grande (and he will do neither, if he takes our advice, unless business compels him), he has the choice of two routes—by cars or by steamboats. This latter, however, we will not take into consideration—the boats being small and dirty, and irregular in their trips. CHAPTER XXXV. A Quaint Old Town. HAT a glorious morning it is, as we come in sight of the superb Bay of Nuevitas!—the very perfection of a’ May- day; but such a May-day as few northern eyes have ever seen, with the brightness of the verdure, and the purity of the won~ drous atmosphere and sky. And then the water—it is so hard to resist the temptation of its sparkling clearness and depth, and of its seductively cool appearance, and not make a dash overboard. Irving, in describing the feelings of Columbus on arriving off this very spot, says: “Columbus was struck with its magnitude and the grandeur of its features; its high and airy mountains, which reminded him of those of Sicily; its fertile valleys, and long, sweeping plains, watered by noble rivers; its stately forests, its bold promontories, and stretching headlands, which melted away into the remotest dis- tances.” But we have entered the bay, which gradually opens out into an immense land-locked sheet of water. On its extreme southern side lies the small town of Nuevitas itself, with its few white-walled houses glaring in the morning sun. The bay is said to be the second one in size on the Island, containing within its area a space of fifty-seven square miles, though its depth is not very great. On the 14th of November, 1492, Columbus anchored in this bay, to which he gave the name of Puerto Principe, erecting a cross upon a neighboring height in token of possession, and passing a number of days in exploring the collection of beautiful islands in the vicinity, since known as “El Jardin del Rey,” or the King’s Garden. This, it is said, was the foundation of the town of Nuevitas, which was originally known as Santa Maria; but it was not until 1513 that a permanent settlement was made under Diego Velasquez, when the 455 456 A QUAINT OLD TOWN. principal town was removed to the Indian village Caonao, and soon afterwards to the town of Camagiey, now known by its name of Puerto Principe. Nuevitas, a town of about six thousand inhabitants, gets its importance simply from the fact that it is the port of entry for the city of Puerto Principe, situated’ in the interior, at forty-five miles distance. As a modern town, it made its commencement in 1819, under the name of San Fernando de Nuevitas. It is a growing little place, and is becoming the depot of shipment of a good deal of the sugar and molasses of the neighborhood, as well as of large quantities of hides. Sponge and Turtle-fishing. There is alse an interesting branch of commerce pursued here, though not amounting toa very large trade. This is the sponge and turtle-fishing; carried on by almost an entirely distinct set of people from those ashore. The sponges are those mostly used on the Island, and a rough calculation estimates the annual production at one hundred thousand dozen, worth one dollar per dozen, which is quite a business for a people who carry it on as they do. The turtle-shell is prepared usually for export, the meat being sent to the markets of the vicinity in which the turtles are caught. It is quite an amusing sight to see the habitations of these people, dotting some portions of the bay, and, as it is almost perpetual summer, their life is not a very unpleasant one. Puerto Principe is connected with Nuevitas by a railroad forty-five miles long, and is, probably, the oldest, quaintest town on the Island —in fact, it may be said to be a finished town, as the world has gone on so fast that the place seems a million years old, and, from its style of dress, a visitor might think he was put back almost to the days of Colon. The road to the town runs through a fine, rolling country, afford- ing many beautiful views, and, from the hills around the place itself, not only the town, but the neighboring country, can be seen to advantage. But may heaven help you, O stranger! if you wander to Puerto Principe without having some friends to depend upon; for A QUAINT OLD TOWN. 457 it is sadly deficient in hotels. It is, probably, for this reason that the Cubans, as a people, are so hospitable that they will not allow thei: friends to go to hotels, and even to strangers who have been pre- sented to them they insist on showing this attention. Lest we be misunderstood in relation to this matter, we wish to say that it is the custom in Cuba for one friend visiting the town of , another friend to stay with him at his house, the kindness being re- turned as occasion demands; and no one having the slightest claim to a courtesy of this kind need hesitate to accept it, either on the plantations or in the interior towns. This can be done without fear of disturbing the hospitable household of the host, for he gives you what he has himself, and, as a general thing, every one in Cuba lives in a free, opén-handed way, with abundance of rooms, servants, and an extremely profuse table. Cuban Hospitality. In many cases, too, it is as mucha kindness to the giver of the invitation to accept it as for him to extend it, for the simple reason that there is not much travel or intercourse on the Island, and the stranger, whether from some other part of the Island or from abroad, has news to impart, a novelty to give, or business to transact with his host. The stranger may be sure the. courtesy is sincere when ex- tended with, ‘Frankly, Sefior, I wish you to stay with me, and I shall order your baggage to my house.” Santa Maria del Puerto Principe is situated in the heart of the grazing country, from which business it derives its importance. Its streets are narrow and tortuous, many of them entirely unpaved and without sidewalks; its buildings comprise several queer old churches, various convents, large quarters for the troops, a tolerable theatre, and a fine lot of public buildings for government officers. The gene- ral style of architecture, though Cuban, offers many peculiarities to the artist or antiquarian. This town has always been looked upon with suspicion by the au- thorities on account of the strong proclivities its people had for insur- rection ; and its sons have had a greater or smaller share in almost 458 A QUAINT OLD TOWN. every revolution that has taken place in the Island. It has received its baptism of blood in the cause of liberty for “free Cuba,” having sustained a siege, been attacked, and almost starved out. Although there is not much in the actual town to occupy the trav- eler, the surrounding country affords fine opportunities for studying some peculiarities of the Island not so advantageously seen elsewhere as here. First among these are the fotreros. Potrero, in the Castilian, really means a horse-herd, a pasture-farm; but in the Cuban dialect, it has a somewhat different meaning. In the early days of Cuba when land was plenty and the government liberal in the disposition of it, they called all grounds or properties, whether belonging to the crown or to private persons, used for the purpose of sheep-folds or cattle herding, haciendas or hatos. A Cuban Stock-farm. These were large extents of ground, of circular form, with a radius of over nine thousand yards, the centre of which only was marked out, where the pens and buildings were usually erected. The corral was also a circular tract, one quarter the above size, that is to say, with a radius of four thousand five hundred yards, intended for the care of smaller cattle, sheep, pigs, etc. its centre being also marked by the hog-pen, or the fences.of the sheep-folds. . Owing to the difficulty of always laying out the exact lines (caused by the location of woods), the surveyors adopted the method of describing polygons, with a large number of sides, each of which was equivalent to so many yards. The spaces left between these polygons, almost circular, were considered as the property of the crown, and were known as realengos. But as time advanced, and the government kept on increasing these gifts, without any particular reference to the line of demarcation in the land, many centres of the new farms or folds were fixed in such a manner that, in drawing their boundary-lines according to their radii, they cut those already established, one new circle falling within an old one, creating thereby inextricable confusion, which ended in every man going to law with his neighbor about the boundary-lines; A QUAINT OLD TOWN. 459 and from this came the belief that every Cuban had a farm anda lawsuit. Many of these tracts were then, by the decision of the courz, divided, and afterwards, by the will of their owners, sub-divided into small lots, appropriated for the various uses of cultivating grain, raising cattle and fruits, while others were again cut up and laid out in town lots. Out of these divisions came all the different rural establishments known as cattle farms, farms proper, and small truck- gardens, and which, under various names, bother the stranger or the student of Cuban life. The largest of all the above is the potrero, where cattle are raised, fed, and looked after with care; while in the corrales they are left to run wild in every direction, getting water from the running brooks, and only attended to, from time to time, by the keepers. But the potreros are large places, encircled by walls of stone piled up, or stone-fences. Not only the cattle of the place are taken care of, but those also belonging to neighboring zmgenzos, or farms, are fed and attended to. The raising of cattle is a very profitable business indeed, particu- larly as no attention is paid to the fattening of beef, but the cattle are sold just as they are thought to be fit for market. The con- sequence is, that it is rare indeed that a piece of beef fit to roast is seen—at least as we know it. . It is a great sight to see these immense herds of cattle, scattered over extensive plains, with here and there large clumps of palm or cocoa trees affording shade, while, at regular intervals, long stone walls serve to separate the herds. Many of the fiercest bulls used in the bull-ring come from this district; and when so noted upon the play-bills, an audience is sure to be attracted by the superior “ sport” they offer. Valuing the cattle at the lowest prices, and calculating from various teports as to the number of such on the Island, it is estimated there is represented, by the stock of these cattle-places and at the sugar and coffee estates and smaller farms, a capital of twenty-one millions of dollars. This is exclusive of horses and mules, too, of whick 460 A QUAINT OLD TOWN. there are large numbers raised upon the Island, the value of which is estimated at two millions of dollars. At one time, camels were introduced into the Island, in the hope that they would answer the purposes of transportation ; but they did not do well, for, strange*to say, the smallest insect, the migua, that buries itself in the feet and there procreates, utterly ruined all of them. . At almost all of these places, the beef is cured by putting it, salted, in the sun, and it then is known as ¢asajo (jerked beef); and prepared in this way, it will kcep for two or three weeks, being used princi- pally for home consumption, that which is prepared for market requiring more curing. This is the great article of food amongst the masses of the population, and is found sometimes even upon the table of the better class, when no strangers are present. Large quantities of the hides of the cattle are exported, while the bones are made into “bone-black,” of which immense quantities are required by the sugar manufacture of the Island. - Unique Breed of Horses. From Puerto Principe come, also, some of the finest horses raised on the Island. The Cuban horse is not supposed to be a native either of the Island or of these climes—in fact, if we believe the accounts of the early discoverers, the animal was not kaown upon this continent; for, in every case when the natives first saw a horse, they were struck dumb with astonishment, showing that they had never seen one before. It is, therefore, suspected that the Cuban horse of to-day, peculiar breed as it is, is simply the result of some of the Spanish stock trans- ferred to the Island and affected by the peculiarities of the climate in its breeding. At all events, it is a fine animal now, with a short, stout, well-built body, neat, clear limbs, fine, intelligent eyes, with a gait for long journeys under the saddle not to be surpassed. These horses have sturdy necks, heavy manes, and thick tails, and, seen on the plains, where they are raised, and before being handled and dressed, they present a very rough and wild appearance. Their gait is something peculiar, it would seem, to themselves; and on a wel!- A QUAINT OLD TOWN. 461 broken horse the greatest novice in the art of riding need not hesitate to mount. The marcha, or fast walk, is simply the easiest gate in the way of a walk; and ¢/ paso, or the rapid gait of the horse, is something like the movement of our pacing horses, or, as they call it in the Southern States, a single-footed rack, only it is a great deal more easy. Some of the horses have a movement so gentle that a rider can carry a full glass of water without spilling. It is for this reason that the Cuban horses are so much admired by lady travelers fond of horseback riding, for they can ride miles and miles without experiencing the slightest fatigue. If we were to tell all the wonderful stories about the performances of these horses, the reader would be incredulous; but this we can say, that, day after day, the Cuban horse will journey from forty-five to sixty miles without showing the slightest sign of giving out, and on forced rides, seventy to eighty miles is no unusual occurrence. Plaited Tails and Fancy Ribbands. The price varies, according to circumstances, and it is amusing to see with what care those owned by wealthy people are created. Owing to the sticky nature of the mud of the country roads, it has been the custom to plait the tails of all the horses (the end being fastened to a ring in the cantle of the saddle), and to crop the manes. But in the cities, especially, is great display made in plaiting the tail with fancy ribbands, and the mane is trimmed with mathematical pre- cision, Judging from experience, we should say that all Cuban horses were good, even-tempered animals. The Cubans explain this by saying that the horse is one of the family, as in town he is kept in some por- tion of the Jazio, usually near the kitchen, and in the country he is treated with even more familiarity. One of the first things in a Cuban house that strikes the stranger with its novelty is the guava with cheese, which may mean either guava jelly or marmalade; and from this universal custom, one wishes to know what is this guava they make so much use of; and as Puerte 462 A QUAINT OLD TOWN. Principe is a place noted for its manufacture, we will give here a de- scription of it. In some of the towns of Cuba, such as Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba, and Puerto Principe there is a class of women remarkable for their beauty, whose race it would be hard for the stranger to tell, with any degree of certainty—some appearing even lighter in color than Cubans; others, again, like the far-famed octaroons of Louisiana; and still others, of the light mulatto order—all resembling each other, how- ever, in the wonderful blackness and brilliancy of their eyes, the jet of their hair, and a certain indescribable grace of outline and movement of figure, having in it a dash of that voluptuous languor that we believe peculiar to the Orient. Makers of Sweetmeats. Who they are, and what their fathers and mothers have been, it . would be hard to say. Some of them, however, claim to have “gentle blood” running in their veins, and, if appearances are worth anything, with good reason. Be that as it may, they are the seam- stresses, very often the lady’s maids, but more frequently the manu- facturers of the delicious preserve known as “ Jalea” and “ Pasta de Guayaba.” The dulce or sweetmeat of guava, then, is of two kinds,—the jelly, a pure, translucent, garnet-colored substance. similar to our currant- jelly ; and the marmalade, an opaque, soft substance, similar to good quince marmalade, and of about the same color, or darker. Both of these are made from the same fruit, though prepared in a different way ; and there are also two kinds of the fruit,—one known as the guayaba del Peru, which is very scarce, and the other, guayabas cotorreras, the common red apple-bearing tree, which is the one most found in Cuba; the fruit of the former being of a greenish color in the inside, while that of the latter is either red, yellow, or white. The fruit is small and edible, having a fragrant but peculiar odor, and a sweetish taste; and the making of the jelly is an extremely simple operation, as follows: The fruit is cut in halves, and separated from the seeds; then gently stewed; then the sugar, thoroughly boiled A QUAINT OLD TOWN. 463 to a syrup, is cleared. The guava is now strained through a bag, and the juice only being united with the syrup, it is all boiled until it reaches a proper state of consistency, when it is taken out, put into moulds of the different-sized boxes required, and allowed to cool and get firm, when it is placed in long, shallow boxes of various sizes, lined with paper, then closed up, papered to keep out the air, and labeled for market. A Rare Delicacy. The paste is made in the same way, except that only the seeds are taken out, and the whole fruit incorporated with the syrup is used to make the marmalade, which by many is considered the richer for that reason. To any who have ever tasted the guava jelly it needs no recommendation; but to those who- have not, and who wish a “new sensation,” we advise them to try it, being careful, however, to buy the small, flat boxes, which are the best, the round boxes usually being filled with very poor stuff. Large quantities of this sweet- meat are exported each year, and there are many manufactories of it in Havana; the best, however, comes from Puerto Principe and Trinidad. Hot as it may be in Cuba, there is some way of keeping cool. You can get up in the morning, when the breeze is always fresh and strong, transact your .business, and return to your breakfast, where, in some sweet-sitelling, flowered court-yard, you can, by keeping quiet, and, with the aid of refreshing drinks, keep cool. The after- noons bring the delicious sea-breeze, that carries with it new life for the paseo, or the music in the evening. But your landlady cautions you, as you sit in your room, leoking out upon the blue sea, where lies, far away, your northern home, “ Not to make any #0ise.” You ask: “ Why?” “‘ Because there is a poor, sick stranger in the next room” “Ts he very sick?” | “ Yes, but he will go away in a day or two.” “ What's the matter with him?” “ He has a very bad case of yellow fever.” 164 A QUAINT OLD TOWN. Notwithstanding you are told that you are not a fit subject for the fever—that there is no danger, you think it just as well to antici- pate your neighbor’s departure, particularly as Havana is no longer the gay place it was early in the winter. The opera season is over, ‘he circus is closed, and even the bull-fights offer no attraction. The hotels, where once during the past months it was a hard matter to get lodging-room, are now dull and deserted, and the long, gaunt faces and bearded chins of Americans are no longer seen in the cool pre- cincts of the Louvre, sipping their cobblers or cold rum-punches, CHAPTER XXXVI. Here and There in Cuba. F the traveler in Cuba desires to see its most beautiful portions, I and also some of its prettiest, quietest towns, he will do well to make a trip along the south coast, from Batabano to Santiago de Cuba, stopping at Trinidad, and, if he likes, taking the steamer at Santiago home to the States. Or if he desires to visit the British West Indies, he can do so by means of the French steamers running from that place. The trip is a very enjoyable one, even for ladies, the boats are large and fine, and the accommodations on board them excellent; the voy- age is as pleasant and beautiful as a summer trip on the Hudson, or as a sail on Lake George, the sea being generally as calm as a lake. With a good party and plenty of light reading it is as agreeable a trig as can be taken. Leaving Havana at 5.45 in the morning, the traveler reaches Batabano at 8 o'clock, and goes immediately on board one of the steamers lying at the wharf; and he should immediately see the cabin-boy and make his choice of a stateroom, which should always be taken in the upper cabin, if one can get it there. An eye after one’s baggage will not be amiss now, for they do sometimes make mistakes. : And now we are afloat and have time to look about us, and we already feel quite at home from finding the boat and machinery are “Yankee notions,” being made either in New York or Philadelphia, while the cheerful looks and courteous manners of the passengers demonstrate that we are in good company. Acquaintance will be easy if the traveler is able to speak any Spanish ; if not, all he has to do is to look pleasant, like the rest of the people, and watch his chance of finding some one who speaks English, and who will be 30 465 466 HERE AND THERE IN CUBA. delighted to explain to the stranger, in his own tongue, the beauties of the Cuban shore. Ten o'clock, and there goes the breakfast bell. No hurry, gentle- men, everybody is provided for, and there is none of that scrambling and struggling for a seat at the table, so disgraceful to us Americans on our boats; no, everything here is quiet and orderly, and ladies go leisurely to their table in the upper cabin, and the men to theirs arranged in a cool place on the main deck. Now you will want your Spanish bill of fare, for the table is boun- tifully supplied with the best of food cooked in the best Spanish fashion, while there is an ample supply of ice and vino catalan to wash it down with; don’t hurry, either, my friend, these people don’t pro- pose to make a labor of what should always be a pleasure. Bold Coast and Rocky Islands. The coast for some distance after leaving Batabano is quite low, and generally marshy ; but, on nearing Cienfuegos, it gets higher and even mountainous. To the right, some distance from the coast, and inside of which the steamer always keeps on her passage, are low keys or rocky islets, known as Los Jardines, and likely to prove very dangerous to the navigator, if not acquainted with their locality. Many of the passengers, after breakfast, seat themselves at a table with the game called “ Loto,” at which they all gamble more or less. Even the chambermaid is a party to the gambling speculation, for she goes about the boat offering you a ticket in a raffle for a gold watch, or something else, and finding as many purchasers among the _ ladies as among the men. And so the day slips round, and we have the beauties of a moonlight night in a tropic sea, which add vastly to our pleasure before turning in for the night into our cane-bottomed berth, over which is simply thrown a sheet—a capital idea for boats in warm weather, for such beds, being cool and quite elastic, are most comfortable. We arrive off the harbor of Cienfuegos some time during the night, but as vessels are not allowed to enter any of the ports of the Island at night, particularly during war times, we have to wait until HERE AND THERE IN CUBA. 48% daybreak, when we get under weigh and enter that beautiful port by the light of the rising sun. The bay is a very extensive one, the en- trance itself being quite narrow, with a lighthouse on the extreme point, and stone forts upon the adjacent hills at the mouth, none of which appear to be very strong. Anchorage for Large Vessels. The bay has anchorage for vessels of the largest class, while the high hills that surround it afford ample shelter from any stormy winds that may blow. It was this bay that Columbus visited on his first voyage, and Padre las Casas, in speaking of it, calls it the most mag- nificent port in the world, comprising within its shores six square leagues. Herrera, also, describing the port and bay of Cienfuegos, as seen by Ocampo in a voyage round the Isiand, says: ‘‘ There was Ocampo very much at his ease, well served by the Indians with an infinite number of partridges, like those of Castile, except some- what smaller. He had also abundance of fish (4zas, skate). They took them from this natural fish-pond, where there were millions of them just as safe as if they were in a tank attached to one’s home.” The steamer reaches the wharf about six o’clock, and, as she re- mains until eleven, the traveler has ample time to go ashore and see the town or try the excellent oysters, of which they have large quan- tities. Probably no place on the Island offers greater advantages for seeing sugar-making in its most favorable aspects than Cienfuegos, as it is surrounded by an immense cane-growing district, with some of the best estates on the Island. Still, keeping close to the coast, we begin to see some of its moun- tainous beauties ; for, sailing within a mile or two of the shore, we have a constantly changing panorama of green hills, that come down to the very water’s edge, while, in the distance, they stretch away until some of their tops appear to be holding up the heavens. We know not if Tennyson was ever in the tropics in person, but he must have been there in mind when he wrote, as though filled with their ardor: 168 HERE AND THERE IN CUBA. “Oh, hundred shores of happy climes, How swiftly streamed ye by the bark! At times the whole sea burned ; at times, With wakes of fire we tore the dark; At times a craven craft would shoot From heavens hid in fairy bowers, With naked limbs and flowers and fruit, But we nor paused for fruits nor flowers.” Breaking in upon our romantic musings comes the sound of the hand-bell, and we wonder what it can be for. Our late breakfast was over only an hour or so ago. It cannot be anything to eat; no, innocents, it is only something to drink, in the shape of frescos, which may be made either of lemons or oranges, placed nice and cold, in large pitchers, for you to help yourself to at discretion. Small Hands and Ruby Lips. It is an attractive sight to see these pretty Cuban women sipping their frescos, holding the glasses to their ruby lips with the smallest hands imaginable; while, perhaps, peeping out from beneath their dresses, are the tiny feet for which they are celebrated, evidently never intended by nature to walk on. “To be sure” (we think we hear some uncharitable lady reader -say), “if I made as little use of my hands and feet as they do, I could have such trifling appendages.” Nevertheless, they are very pretty, and we think most of the Sefioritas are positively aware of the fact, from the way they display’ them. About four o’clock in the afternoon, we arrive in sight of those high and beautiful mountains of Trinidad, a continuation and part of the range which we have been seeing all day, known as the “ Guana- huya;” and, at last, we see Trinidad—beautiful Trinidad—on this balmy south coast, which, seen from some distance out at sea, looks, as it lies far up the mountain side, its white walls glistening in the golden light, like a babe nestling on its mother’s breast. It takes some time to get up to its port, for in front of the bay there is a large narrow point of land, which, with the main land, forms the bay and port of Casilda. HERE AND THERE IN CUBA. 469 Reaching this, we steam around the point, and then, retracing our course in the direction from which we have come, we see, upon the shore of this beautiful bay, the little viltage of Casilda, which is the port of entrance for Trinidad. There are two other ports of entrance, though not in use—that of “La Boca,” to the south-west, where empties the river Tayabo, and that of the river Muse, to the south- east. ‘ The anchorage in the bay is not a very good one, as the water is so shallow that it necessitates the loading of vessels by lighters, unless they happen to be quite small. The town has quite an ex- tensive series of wharves and warehouses, the principal portion of the shipping business being done down here, though the town itself is a straggling village, with a few large warehouses and the depot of the railroad which connects it with Trinidad. A Hotel in Trinidad. If the traveler can find a volante, we would advise him to take that and ride up, unless the cars are ready to start, for sometimes there is a delay of several hours after the arrival of the boat, before the train gets off, and as the distance is only three miles, over a good road, with beautiful views, it is quite as pleasant to go in a volante as in the cars, though somewhat more expensive. It is an ascent all the way. : One is not very greatly struck with the appearance of the town of Trinidad upon getting out at the depot, for the streets lying immedi- ately in its neighborhood are anything but attractive, though they are rather antique and rugged, looking as if you had come to some third-rate village. One has to look out now for his own baggage, engaging a cart to carry it, and seeing himself that it is put upon the cart, which is then driven to the designated hotel. Generally there is not much choice of hotels in Trinidad, and the best way is to examine all of them that are tolerable enough to go to, before deciding. Says a traveler, speaking of a large boarding-house : “Our first experience there was very amusing. After securing our room, we 470 HERE AND THERE IN CUBA. ordered the waiter to provide us a dinner, hot, good, and as quickly as possible, which instructions were received with a frequent ‘Sz, Se or, warm and quickly, Sefior.’ A few minutes finds us seated at table, and prepared to enjoy the said dinner. «Serve the soup, waiter.’ “*There is none, Sefior; there is theatre to-night, sir.’ “We try the fish. ‘Why, confound it, this fish is as cold as a stone.’ “Yes, Sefior, do you go to the theatre to-night ?’ ““* Hang the theatre, we want dinner! What else have you?’ “ «Salad and meat, Sejior.’ “We try the oil; it is bad. The meat turns out to be pork. We are hungrily, furiously angry by this time, and, jumping up from the table, we ask if we can have a dinner or not. “) A STARVING AMERICAN FAMILY IN CUBA, 588 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Two phases of the subject were presented. First came the ques- . tion of relief to destitute and starving Americans in Cuba. This was presented in the President’s message as soon as the session opened. Immediately following the reading of the message, Mr. Davis, chairman o1 the Committee of Foreign Relations, presented a favorable report on the joint resolution originally introduced by Mr, Gallinger, appropriating $50,000 for the relief*of American citizens in Cuba. There was only one brief speech—from Mr. Gallinger— and then the resolution went through by unanimous vote, there being no response to the call for nays. It took exactly eighteen minutes for the reading of the message, the presentation of the committee report, the brief speech and the final passage of the resolution. A New Departure. In the House of Representatives the resolution was passed without dissent. Speaking of the President’s message, one of our leading journals commented as follows: “It is an essentially new departure in inter- national affairs, and it is in order for the sticklers for precedent to enter fussy protestation, as they did in connection with the Venezu- elan question, against the Monroe doctrine, declaring that it was not to be found in the code of international law. It is certainly very 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 situation is wholly exceptional. 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 the 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 subjects in rebellion and American citizens sojourning in the island. If the policy of starvation can not be maintained without LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 589 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 conse- quences.” The second phase of the Cuban subject came up in the Senate when the Morgan resolution, declaring that a state of war exists in Cuba, was taken up. Mr. Wellington, the new senator from Mary- land, came forward for his initial speech in the Senate, making a vig- orous protest against the resolution, on the ground that it threatened war with Spain. He said the first duty of Congress was to pass the tariff bill, The senator condemned “ jingoism,” and gave his indorse- ment to President Cleveland’s conservatism on the Cuban question. Warm Words in Behalf of Cuba. Senator Daniel, of Virginia, said the senator from Maryland (Wel- lington) had “taken a shot at creation” while presumably discussing the pending resolution. He had gone into the tariff, currency, the late and the present administrations in their various ramifications. Mr. Daniel asserted that the Maryland senator entirely misappre- hended the resolution-in declaring that it involved hostility to Spain. In sarcastic tones Mr. Daniel referred to Mr. Wellington’s statement that some debt of gratitude existed because Spain had produced a Christopher Columbus. “It were better had there been no Colum- bus,” said Mr. Daniel, “if America was to continue a savagery that prevailed here before the country was discovered.” The senator then took up the legal questions involved in the recognition of belligerency. After concluding his legal argument on the powers of Congress and the President, Mr. Daniel branched to the general subject of Cuba, and again aroused the keenest attention by his vigorous words. The diplomacy of Spain had succeeded for two and one-half years, he said, in blinding American diplomacy in the belief that war did not exist in Cuba. But the world knew that war existed there, high- handed, red-handed, bloody, cruel war. It is a war in which Spain employs more troops than England employed in seeking to put down the American revolution. 590 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. And yet senators were met with the statement that a recognition of a state of war in Cuba would be inimical to Spain. He denied that the recognition of an existing fact could be construed as a hos- tile act, but in any event the fact should be recognized and the great influence of the United States thrown toward the cause of civilized and Christian usage. It might subject some American vessels to search, but this would be a small matter compared with the results achieved. It might give Spain a right to blockade Cuba, but in that Spain would suffer more than the United States. A Calamity Greater than War. “Tt is said this means war,” continued Mr. Daniel. “TI deny it. If Spain should declare war against us because we recognized the belligerency of her former subjects, who had carried on a war for two and one-half years, she would have an unjust cause of complaint and war against us, and we will have a just cause of complaint and war against her. I do not wish to see the American people involved in war. I look upon war as one of the greatest calamities that can befall a people. But it is a greater calamity for the high public spirit of a great nation to be so deadened that it can look upon murder and arson and pillage with indifference and for the public spirit of that nation to be so dead as to delay one instant in doing an act of justice because of fear of war.” During the debate Senator Mason, of Illinois, made a bold, patri- otic and eloquent speech, denouncing Spanish atrocities in Cuba. The inhuman barbarities inflicted upon innocent people, the savage attacks made upon them and their expulsion from their own homes, condemned to suffering and starvation, were depicted in burning language. Among other things he said: “ Here is the proof in the communication of the President, stating that 800 citizens of the United States have been driven from their homes, and are destitute. Who forced them there? Was it the Insurgents? Then, there is war in Cuba. Was it the Spaniards? Then, if there is no war, there ought to be, and with us. Eight hundred Americans driven from home starving, and still some senators say it is not much of a war.” LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 591 Again and again the galleries broke into loud applause as the sturdy Senator expressed in eloquent terms the feeling of the Ameri- can people. The excitement was at white heat; handkerchiefs waved ; cheers burst forth that could not be repressed. Senator Foraker, of Ohio, produced an unpublished letter of Secre- tary Olney, addressed to the Spanish government in April, 1896, in which the President offered to Spain the mediation of the United States to bring the war to a close, which was firmly refused by the Spanish government, who stated, through their minister at Washing- ton, that there was no effectual way to pacify the Cubans except upon the condition that they should first submit to the mother country. The Morgan Resolution. Mr. Foraker’s speech was delivered with much warmth and earnest- ness. Several of his well-rounded periods, in which sympathy was expressed with the struggling Cubans, and in which the cruelties and barbarities of the Spanish military forces were denounced, called forth demonstrations from the galleries. The Morgan resolution declared: “That a condition of public wai exists between the Government of Spain and the Government pro- claimed and for some time maintained by force of arms by the people of Cuba, and that the United States of America shall maintain a strict neutrality between the contending parties, according to each all the rights of belligerents in the ports and territory of the United States.” The resolution received in its favor the votes of 18 Republicans, 19 Democrats, and 4 Populists; 12 Republicans and 2 Democrats voted against it—a total vote of 41 to 14. Early in May President McKinley sent Hon. W. J. Calhoun, of Illinois, as a special commissioner to Cuba, who was charged pri- marily with helping Consul-General Lee to investigate the circum- stances surrounding the death of Dr. Albert Ruiz in a Spanish prison. The Spanish government was represented by Dr. Congosto, Spanish Consul at Philadelphia. Under date of May 28th a reliable corres- pondent in Cuba made public the following communication: 592 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. “There will be trouble over the Ruiz investigation. In fact, there has been trouble already. It will be set down in the future as an irritant in the relations between Spain and the United States, whereas President McKinley built hope of another kind upon it. “Tn ten days the joint commission, of which General Lee and Dr. Congosto are the heads, has had exactly one session, which had little; result beyond showing General Lee and Mr. Calhoun how little they might expect. “The delay has been caused by Dr. Congosto on the flimsiest pre- text, and the Spanish representative, too, by talking recklessly about General Lee, and other Consuls came within an ace of being told that the American representatives would have nothing more to do with him personally and officially. Dr. Ruiz in His Cell. “Ruiz died, according to the 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 Spanish 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, Ruiz was running at the heavy door and butting it with his head. “Ruiz had only one wound on the top of his head. Had he butted this door, as the jailor says he did, his scalp must necessarily have been lacerated in several places. “The American representatives have decided that they will not ask a single question of the guards if they are called, feeling it absurd to waste time on them under the circumstances. Dr. Congosto has been told plainly that from all that is known the testimony of these men would not be received in any court in the United States, unless ' they were prisoners and chose to speak in their own defence. “The Americans asked for the official record of the arrest of Ruiz and the charges made against him. Dr. Congosto said that the record was in Madrid. It has not been furnished.” LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 593 General Weyler succeeded for ten days in concealing from every one in Havana the startling news that the city of Santiago de Cuba, a Spanish stronghold considered to be as impregnable as Havana itself, was raided and practically captured early in September by the insur-~ gents. They remained there nearly all day, and retired only after securing a very large amount of valuable plunder. Capture of Arms and Ammunition. The insurgents entered Santiago de Cuba, most unexpectedly to the _ Spaniards, on September 8, by way of El Sueno ward, and, dispersing the detachments from the garrison that attempted to check them, they advanced to the Marte Square, which is in the heart of the city. There a strong body of the Spanish garrison was defeated, and the Spanish took refuge in the forts. Two Spanish gunboats which were in the port approached the city to bombard it upon the first order from the Spanish military commander. Meanwhile the insurgents were plundering the principal stores and capturing arms and ammu- nition from the volunteers, who were scattered through the city. When they had completed their work they retired, because the bom- bardment from the Spanish forts and gunboats would surely damage the many Cuban families living in their own houses in the city. Murders were committed by the Spanish in Cuban hospitals every day, and the terrible retaliation of the insurgents on the Spanish guerrillas continued. The guerrillas were slain whenever they were caught by the Spanish soldiers. Among the hills of Lastra, between La Salud and Quivican, Hav- ana province, a Spanish spy discovered a Cuban hospital, and imme- diately piloted the dreadful guerrillas of Bejugal to the place. Thirty-two Cubans, sick and wounded, with their wives and children, were assassinated. Near Guane, in Pinar del Rio province, after a hard fight in which the Cubans, commanded by Major Luis Laza, sur- rounded the Spanish forts, a Spanish detachment of twenty-five guer- rillas was captured, and all the prisoners were killed with the machete. General Montaner, with 2,000 Spanish soldiers tried to capture a filibustering expedition near Harmonia, Santa Clara province. He 38 . 594 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. arrived too \ate, and found only twenty-six empty boxes and one small open boat left on shore by the filibustering steamer. On return- ing from the coast the insurgents, under Alvarez, attacked him, and a fierce fight ensued, in which eleven Spanish guerrillas of the “ Guer- rilla of Death,’’ well known throughout the province for their massa- cres of peaceful citizens and their raids on Cuban hospitals, fell into the hands of the revolutionists. Two hours later they were all hanged in the neighboring forest. A trainwas blown up with dynamite bythe insurgents between Man- gas and Punta Brava, Pinar del Rio province. The locomotive was shattered and many Spanish soldiers were killed and wounded. The Spanish forces of Candelaria advanced to attack the Cubans, who were under command of General Perico Diaz. A hard fight was the result. It lasted several hours, with heavy losses on both sides. President McKinley’s Decisive Action. When President McKinley appointed General Woodford Minister to Spain, it was commonly believed that vigorous measures would be adopted by our Government to bring the war in Cuba to a close. General Weyler, with his army of 200,000 Spanish troops, appeared to be no nearer subduing the revolutionists than when he landed on the Island. Bombastic reports had been sent by him to Spain affirm- ing that several provinces had been brought into subjection, and the long and bloody struggle was nearly ended. Facts, however, dis- proved these statements, as facts in so many instances before had shown that statements sent out from the Governor’s palace at Havana were false. There was a universal feeling in the United States that our country was losing much by the continuance of the war. Very little trade was carried on with Cuba and the Island was desolated from one end to the other. The torch had consumed beautiful residences; the finest plantations had been destroyed; thousands had lost their lives, and multitudes were impoverished ; peaceful citizens had been driven into the towns where, unable to obtain food, they were in danger of starvation. A reign of terror existed in nearly every part of the island. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 595 Under these circumstances it is not strange that the people of the United States hoped that President McKinley’s administration would adopt most rigorous measures to end the long and terrible struggle. It was understood that instructions to this effect had been given to General Woodford before he left New York for Madrid. Unusual measures were taken to protect him on his journey from San Sebas- tian to the Spanish capital, but the trip was quite uneventful. A party of gendarmes, commanded by a sub-lieutenant, guarded the Southern Express, on which he was a passenger. Secret police were posted at the station, and the prefect of police was in waiting to escort him to his hotel. The drive through the streets was marked by no special incident, though several people saluted him, receiving a bow in return. Fear of Anarchists. The Spanish Government protected our Minister, as it does all prominent officials; not because of fear that public sentiment might crystallize into mob violence, but because Spain and other European countries are infested with Socialists and Anarchists, any one of whom might be unexpectedly guilty of some overt act. The Government of Spain fully understands that any act of vio- lence upon the Minister from this country might arouse our populace beyond the bounds of reason, and possibly beyond the control and direction of our conservative administration. Therefore, our Minister was carefully guarded, so that there might be neither excuse nor palliation for complaint on the part of this Government in the event that some irresponsible person should make himself infamous by seeking to become famous. So it was stated at Madrid, yet there is no denying that the public feeling was profoundly excited. General Woodford immediately called upon the Spanish authorities and presented his credentials. He stated afterward that his con- ference with the Duke of Tetuan, the Foreign Minister, was of the most satisfactory character. The unexpected bitterness of the press and of public opinion painfully impressed him, but he hoped this would soon be allayed, as he considered his mission favorable to 596 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Spanish interests, and could not believe that Spain would reject mediation designed to end an impoverishing war. He did not name any time at which the war must be terminated, but he trusted, as the result of his friendly offices, that it would be ended quickly. He gave the Spanish Government to understand that the war was inflicting great losses upon the United States, and that it was im- possible to prevent filibustering expeditions. While our Government wished to abide by international law and maintain peace with a friendly nation, so many were the friends of Cuba in our country and so great were the opportunities for sending expeditions to aid the insurgents, that it was impossible to prevent all filibustering. Downfall of the Government at Madrid. On September 29 it was announced at Madrid that the Spanish Cabinet had resigned. The news was startling, for it was instantly felt that there was a crisis in the Cuban revolution and that Minister Woodford was making his power felt in Spain. It was well under- stood that the administration thus suddenly brought to a close had been friendly to General Weyler, and had supported him in all his severe measures for conquering the Cuban people. If the Liberals in Spain came into power, it was believed that General Weyler would be recalled and there would be an earnest effort to find some means of bringing the war to a close. The Queen Regent of Spain accepted the resignations of her Ministry and called Senor Sagasta to be the head of the new Govern- ment. The prospect of his returning to power was well received in political and financial circles, and the decision shown by the Queen Regent in hastening the solution of the Cabinet crisis was much praised. People jumped to the conclusion that a change of Government at Madrid would immediately affect Cuban affairs and the relations of the Spanish Government with this Republic. There was no apparent ground for such inferences or conclusions. Sagasta did not pledge himself to make any great changes in the Spanish policy toward Cuba, yet it will soon be seen that he was dissatisfied with the situation. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 597 There is much evidence to show that from the first it was the policy of President McKinley to endeavor to secure self-government for Cuba, while causing the Island to remain a colonial possession of Spain, with a Governor-General to be appointed by the Crown. This would render Cuba practically free, and Spain would enjoy the fiction of sovereignty over her last American possession. On September 30 it was announced that General Nunez, head-of the department of Cuban supplies, had returned from Cuba where he had a lengthy interview with Generals Gomez and Garcia and officers of the Republican Government. “The present crisis in Spain,” he said, “is due entirely to the presence of Mr. Woodford at Madrid and his conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Duke of Tetuan. Undoubtedly Mr. Woodford has demanded several concessions from the Spanish Government which have em- barrassed the Cabinet to such an extent that they resigned rather than try to grant them. Possible Settlement of the Conflict. “T think Mr Woodford has taken a decisive step and it is high time, as the United States has been in a most embarrassing position for many months. The people of the country favor Cuban freedom, the Executive and Congress fail to interfere.” General Nunez was asked if he had heard of a rumor to the effect that an important communication had been received by the Spanish Government from the leaders of the Cuban insurgents suggesting the basis of a possible settlement of the difficulties ? “That is entirely possible,” he said, “and I would not be surprised if General Gomez has made an offer. He communicated with the. ‘Jnited States Government to the same effect during Cleveland’s administration, and the Cubans are willing to buy their freedom. Remember they will have freedom and any negotiations must be to that effect. Cuba will never, never accept anything less than positive freedom from Spain. Ifthe present war should not bring it a later one will. We fought twelve years in one struggle and are prepared to keep up the conflict until we gain the desired end.” 598 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. It was known that the new Spanish Premier, Sagasta, before he assumed the reins of government, was dissatisfied with the conduct of the war. As late as September 14th, referring to the Cuban in- surrection, he said the uprising, instead of dying out, was spreading considerably. He added that the situation in the Philippine Islands was serious. He asserted that the Carlist propaganda in Spain could not be viewed with indifference, and he expressed the belief that a reconciliation between the political parties in Spain was impossible so long as the Conservatives were in power. Captain Wiborg Liberated. While the public were awaiting the action of the new Spanish Cabinet an incident occurred which will be of interest to all readers. Captain Wiborg, an alleged filibuster, was arrested in Philadelphia, in November, 1895, by Deputy United States Marshall Lloyd, on the charge of violating the neutrality laws in carrying arms and ammu- nition to Cuba while serving as commander of the steamship Horsa. He was tried in the United States Court, before Judge Butler, in March, 1896, and, after being found guilty, he was sentenced to six- teen months’ imprisonment. On March igth, after serving two days of his sentence, he was released from the Eastern Penitentiary, his case having been taken to the Supreme Court by his counsel, W. W. Ker, when a stay was granted. The Supreme Court, at its next session, sustained the action of the lower court, and on July 6, 1896, Captain Wiborg began serving hi3 term of sixteen months’ imprisonment. In the meanwhile he had been honored by being one of the distinguished guests at a public -meeting of one of the city’s most fashionable clubs. He served out his sentence, but was unable to pay the fine that had been imposed. Commenting on this, one of the public journals said : “Last Saturday, in the Eastern Penitentiary of the great Keystone Commonwealth, there expired the regular term of imprisonment of a bronze-bearded Dane, who risked his liberty in behalf of the free- dom of the oppressed people of the Star of the Caribbean Sea. On that day Captain J. H. J Wiborg, of Holstein, Denmark, commander LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 599 of the steamship Horsa, alleged to have been engaged in aiding Americans. to help Cubans to throw off the yoke of the Spanish Kingdom, finished the term of imprisonment of sixteen months placed upon him by a United States court. Yet he still languishes in jail, because there was added, as a penalty for his alleged misde- meanor, a fine of $300 and costs, making a total of $500, which, un- less paid, will subject him to an additional imprisonment of thirty days. No one has come forward to say that this man’s confinement shall no longer continue ; probably because no one has been informed of the fact.” Friends Come to the Rescue. A public subscription was immediately started and tne next day the same journal said: “ Friends of Cuba and lovers of liberty and fair play have been quick to respond to the call for subscriptions to pay the fine, his inability to pay which would keep him behind prison bars for another month. His term has expired. He has paid the penalty, so far as time is concerned, of aiding the struggling patriots of Cuba to wage war against the tyrannies of Spanish rule. But there is money to be paid. A fine and the costs of the case. “The former captain of the steamer Horsa spent his last penny in defending his case, but the law says that he must pay now or locks and bars will keep him from freedom for thirty days. The captain’s wife is living on the charity of friends and must continue to so live until he regains his liberty and can again earn the wages or a thorough seaman.” On the day following the same journal made the pleasant announce- ment: “ Wiborg is free. He, the daring captain of the celebrated Horsa; he, the Cuban aider and patriot; he, the lover of liberty, was last night released from the Eastern Penitentiary, where for fifteen months and two days he had been imprisoned, deprived of the very freedom for which he had so valiantly and untiringly contended. “It was a happy moment for the representatives of this journal when, as the big gong rang out the hour of 10 through the white- washed corridors of the prison, they presented the release to the 600 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. authorities and were led to Wiborg’s cell; it was a still happier moment for Wiborg himself, and all the more so on account of the surprising nature of the glad tidings, for, although he had been inform- ed of the efforts in his behalf, he had not hoped to become free again for at least another twenty-four hours. Indeed, while our representa- tives were making their way to his cell he was wrapped in sleep, all unconscious of the freedom awaiting him just outside the bolted door of his whitewashed cell. “Cuba Will be Free.” “When first awakened he did not grasp the full meaning of the words addressed to him. Five minutes later he did though, for then it was that he stepped forth, in company with friends, from the last prison door between durance vile and the outer world and liberty. And then it was that the hale upholder of freedom said in answer to a question, while a smile, full of meaning spread over his honest features : ‘“ Yes, I’m free, and Cuba will be free, too.”’ In a few seconds the big doors of the gruesome-looking structure swung behind Captain Wiborg and his friends, and once again the Danish skipper, who had risked his life and served a term of imprison- ment because he had assisted the Cubans in their heroic struggle for liberty, was a free man. At midnight, October 8th, it was announced at Madrid that the Cabinet had decided upon the immediate recall of General Weyler from Cuba, and a decree would be issued, appointing Captain-General Blanco Governor General of the island. The Queen Regent would sign the decree at once. It was also stated that 20,000 reinforcements would accompany General Blanco to Cuba. Already there had been a demonstration in Havana in favor of retaining General Weyler, which, it was shrewdly suspected, had not only been authorized, but even inspired by himself. It was openly asserted that he found his position too profitable to be willing to part with it. The demonstration was spectacular and was a good deal overdone, much after the manner of a party demonstration in which the followers of some political “boss” have received orders to hurrah. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 601 Nevertheless Captain-General Weyler found it necessary to resign. In the course of the cable message sent by him to Premier Sagas- ta, placing his post in Cuba at the disposal of the 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 has- tened to resign. But the twofold character of my mission and my duty as commander-in-chief in the face of the enemy prevent my tendering a resignation. General Weyler Resigns his Office. “ Nevertheless, although I can rely upon the absolute, uncondition- al support of the autonomist and constitutional parties, as well as upon public opinion, this would be insufficient without the confidence of the Government, now more than ever necessary to me after the cen- sure 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 confi- dence 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: “Ithank 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 authorities should be at one with the ministry.” Captain General Ramon Blanco, successor to General Weyler, has had his chief experience in the Philippines, where he was for a time Governor General, ending his career there in 1894, and for his ser- vices, receiving the rank of Marshal in May, 1895. In August, 1896, he reported to the Spanish Minister of the Colonies the existence of an extensive plot aiming at the independence of the islands. This rapidly,took on the proportions of a formidable insurrection, which the efforts of General Blanco were powerless to check. In Septem- ber of that year he narrowly escaped assassination. 602 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. A plot was formed to surprise the garrison at Manila, to seize the headquarters, and to murder the Captain-General. It was discovered just in the nick of time, and more than one hundred persons were arrested for complicity in it. Prior to this, General Blanco had not resorted to extreme measures; but, spurred on by the personal danger to which he had been repaaed, he issued a decree ordering that all property belonging to residents of the Philippine Islands who had been implicated in 1 the rebellion should be forfeited for the bene: fit of the Government, a week’s grace being offered to those who were willing to surrender. Story cf Evangelina Cisneros. But neither this decree nor General Blanco’s military tactics nor other exceptional measures which he took to repress the rebellion prevented it from spreading, and in December, after a broad hint from the Government that his methods were not sufficiently severe, he tendered his resignation. Shortly after this Marshal Blanco was appointed Chief of the Military Household of the Queen Regent. He has been described as the “ softest-hearted soldier in Spain,” and his whole career indicates his disposition to employ mild rather than violent measures. An incident occurred in October which plainly stiowed the interest taken by the American people in Cuban affairs, and their sympathy for the cause of the insurgents. Evangelina Cisneros, niece of President Cis- neros of the Cuban Republic, accompanied her father to the Isle of Pines whither he had been banished by the Spanish authorities at Havana. His offence, of course, was his love of liberty and his efforts in be- half of Cuban Independence. His daughter, well educated, culti- vated, popular socially, and remarkable for her striking personal appearance, clung to her father and determined to share his sufferings in his exile. It was reported, and subsequent events confirmed the report, that a Spanish officer became charmed with her, showed her many attentions, and, to. gain her favor, granted her father. many liberties. Her love for Cuba, however, was as ardent as ever and was not to be bought. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 6038 She rejected the attentions of the officer, and particularly his pro- posal that she should compromise her honor. Failing to gain his ends, he became the avowed enemy of Miss Cisneros, accused her of plotting against the cause of Spain, and she was arrested and sent to a prison in Havana. Public Indignation. It is not surprising that such a high-handed outrage became known and awakened indignation. The family of the young lady is one of best known and influential in Cuba. When the story of her wrongs was published in this country it created universal comment. The friends of Cuba were aroused and adopted active measures to secure the fair prisoner's release. In fact, so much was said, and so pro- found was public interest in the case, that it was likely to have a bear- ing on the relations of Spain with our own country. Quite likely some of the statements and some of the demands of the public press ware extravagant, yet the main facts were well authenticated, and there was a wide public demand that Miss Cisneros should receive her liberty and should not suffer for the heroic part she had been acting in favor of the country she and her people loved so much. The story of her escape from the prison in Havana is thrilling and romantic. One day two gentlemen, respectable in appearance, rented a house adjoining the prison. No questions appear to have been asked concerning the use they intended to make of it, and no suspi- cions were awakened. The sequel proved that this house would not have been rented if it had not adjoined the prison in which the niece of the President of Cuba was confined. She was allowed some privi- leges not ordinarily granted to insurgents who are incarcerated, and seems to have known that outside friends were making efforts to lib- erate her. A New York journal had a correspondent in Havana, whom we will allow at this point to tell his story: “T 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 604 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. blind the Queen to the real character of Evangelina, but he could not build a jail that would 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- members that there has been a change in the Ministry. What mat- ter 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? Kept in Concealment. “These are questions asked to-night by the frequenters of the cafes throughout the city, where the people of Havana congregate. It is conceded by all, by the officials of the palace included, to be the most daring coup in the history of the war, and the audacity of the deed is paralyzing. No one knows where Evangelina is now, nor can know. “To tell 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 families in the Island, and herself a martyr to the unsatisfied desires of a beast in a Spanish uniform. I arrived at Cienfugos late in Sep- tember, 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 gritty as Sahara, and then pro- ceeded 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 im-~ possible any clever work of this kind. Both the men who accom- panied me, Joseph Hernandon and Harrison Mallory, pursued the same course, and remained quiet until all plans bad been completed. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 605 “The fact that Miss Cisneros was incommunicado made the at- tempt seem at first beyond the possibility of success, but we finally, through Hernandon, who was born 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 communication with her, we began work without losing a day.” Over Two Roofs to Freedom. The drugged candies were passed around to the other inmates of the room in which Miss Cisneros was confined—eleven women charged with political offences—and they slept soundly on the night appointed for the escape. By sawing the prison bars and making use of a rope ladder and wooden bridge, the young lady passed over the roofs of the two buildings and placed herself in the custody of her daring captors. She soon after arrived in New York, her coming being chronicled as follows in one of the city journals: “ Evangelina Cisneros, one week ago a prisoner among the outcast wretches in a Havana prison, is a guest at the Waldorf Hotel. Surrounded by the luxury and elegance, she is alternately laughing and crying over the events of one short week. One week ago last night a correspondent broke the bars 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, Sezeca, and was taken from the steamer by a boat at quarantine, thanks to the courtesy of the Government and quarantine authorities. When the Seneca sailed from Havana there figured on the passenger list one Juan Sola. A girl who signed the name 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 nothing dutiable into the country. 606 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. “If ever that declaration was truthfully made, it was made in the case of this brown-eyea, 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 planter’s son might have worn. “Those were the clothes that Juan Sola wore when he run up the gang-plank in Havana, with a big hat slouched over the chestnut hair that even danger of discovery could not tempt her to ¢ut, 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. “There was no reason 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. Disguised in a Boy’s Suit of Clothes. “ Of course, Juan Sola was the girl the correspondent fad rescued from prison, and the fame of whose escape was on every tongue in Havana, the girl for whose capture the police had for three days 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 danger any more 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 experiences, and when she saw the light she could contain herself no longer, but simply overflowed. “Nothing could be seen of the Cuban girl as the Sexeca slowed opposite quarantine to permit the boarding of the health officer. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. "607 The other passengers after the habit of ocean travelers, grouped amidships 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 stateroom, 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 the door of her stateroom.” Details of her Imprisonment and Escape. On the way to the hotel she told the story of her imprisonment and release. “It is a dream, a happy dream,” she said, as she settled down into the cushions of her carriage. “Ithas all gone so quickly. It seems as if I must wake up and find myself looking out through those bars again and wondering if I should ever see the sky uncrossed by iron, “It was only yesterday or it seems so, that I was hiding in the house of those good friends of mine in Havana, while the whole city was hunting me as if I was a vicious animal that must be taken or the whole city would be in danger. “To-day I’m here riding up the most beautiful street I ever dreamed of, where every building seems a palace reaching to the skies, in the midst of people all happy, all comfortable, all content.” She spoke of the mother she had never known and of the kind family in Saqua that brought her up as their own daughter. She traveled all over the Island. Then’she went back to her father. He Wwas not as wealthy as her foster parents, but he had had enough to provide for her and her sisters comfortably, and this father whom she had scarcely known became dear to her. Then the dark time came and he was seized, and on suspicion that the heart of the patriot burned in his bosom, he was exiled to the Isle of Pines, a sort of purgatory between liberty in Cuba and the hell of the African penal settlements. She could not bear to be apart from her father, and soon she went to share his exile 608 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. The next day after her arrival in New York she was accorded a great public reception in which many thousands participated. It was commonly believed that there would not be any interna- tional complications, or trouble of any sort about the escape of Miss Cisneros from the Cuban prison in Havana, for the very good reason that those who helped her out, as well as those who held her as a prisoner, practically agreed that her escape was a necessity. Quite Willing to have her Escape. It would have been utterly impossible for Miss Cisneros to escape. from the Cuban prison, to walk on a vessel in the port of Havana in open day, and pass the inspection of the Cuban police and detectives, even to the extent of examining her passport two days after she had escaped from prison, if the Spanish officials had not been made to understand that it was necessary for them not to recognize her at any time until she had successfully fled from the Island. Neither General Weyler nor any of the Spanish authorities in Cuba dared publicly confess that they actively or passively aided the escape of Miss Cisneros, and the official proclamation from the Military Judge of Havana calling upon her to return to prison was simply play- ing for the galleries. High Spanish officials in Cuba would have been seriously compromised if the true story of the indignities offered to Miss Cisneros, when a voluntary prisoner with her father, was crystallized in history, and the whole civilized world took up her cause with such earnestness that the only hope of escape from very serious complications was in practically opening the doors for her freedom. : Of course she was taken out of prison through a top window and down over the roof of the prison, and plausible appearances of a miracu- lous escape were presented. Generous means were at hand to meet the emergency, and to help some of the Spanish officials to escape a worse fate than that suffered by the young lady who became the hero of the hour in this country, not only among the ardent friends of Cuban independence, but among all American men and women with whom love for chivalric justice and fair play to women is paramount. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 609 As already stated, it was understood that General Blanco wuuld adopt peaceful measures for the suppression of the great insurrection in Cuba, General Weyler’s harsh measures having failed even in those provinces which he boasted he had subdued. It was also understood that the new Spanish Cabinet would offer through General Blanco to che people of Cuba a system of autonomy, or self-government, by which the one great desire for independence on the part of Cuba would be satisfied. Certain reforms were promised and certain rights and privileges were to be guaranteed, and, with these, the Spanish Government, with charming innocence, supposed the insurgents would be delighted and would at once lay down their arms. But the insurgents knew some- thing of Spanish promises and how much, or rather how little, they meant, When General Blanco attempted to introduce this wonderful ‘system of self-government, the insurgents not only treated it with scorn, but warned the messengers who were sent with it to various parts of the Island that they would be treated as Spanish spies. Absolute independence, and not a false and hypocritical system of self-government, offered by Spain to cheat them into submission, was what the Cuban people wanted iis were determined to have if it cost the last drop of blood. It Means Extermination. Very little fighting was done, but multitudes have perished by an enemy as brutal as the sword, that of starvation. General Weyler had ordered that in all the provinces still under Spanish authority the people should be driven into the towns and fortified strongholds | where they could be guarded and could be prevented by Spanish troops from making further trouble. This infamous order proved to be one of extermination, for the innocent people were left to die of disease and starvation. " Meanwhile, much was said both in Spain and in our own country concerning the friendly relations existing between the two Govern- ments. Our Government at Washington had endeavored to the utmost to fulfill every obligation, yet it was openly asserted by the 39 610 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Spanish newspaper press that the insurrection would have been stamped out long ago except far the aid secretly furnished from this country to the Cuban patriots. It has been evident from the first that almost the entire American people have been in hearty sympathy with the cause of freedom in Cuba. As an evidence of this President McKinley issued an urgent appeal to the American people to send relief to the starving multitudes in Cuba whose sufferings were described as being most pitiable. Honorable Charles W. Russell, Assistant United States Attorney in the Department of Justice, went to Cuba on a tour of personal investi- gation to ascertain the true condition of the Island. Under date-of January 11th, 1898, Mr. Russell put forth the following statement: “T feel it a solemn duty to humanity to make the American people realize the terrible’ distress which exists there. Much has been written on the subject, but, judging others by myself, I feel quite sure that because we do not commit, and have not in our history com- mitted, such atrocities as Spain -is committing on that Island the American reading public regards the reports as biased by the precon- ceived opinions of newspapers or grossly exaggerated. Sickening Spectacles. “T spent just two weeks 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 Do- mingo, Santa Clara and Sagua la Grande. I visited Marianao, a short distance west of Havana, and saw along the railroads thirty or forty towns or stations. In Havana I visited the Fossos, the hospital prison at Aldecoa, where I talked with the father of Evangelina Cisneros, and a place called the Jacoba. I found reconcentrados (people who had been driven into the towns) at all three places, and begging everywhere about the streets of Havana. “The spectacle at the Fossos and Jacoba houses, of women and children emaciated to skeletons and suffering from diseases produced by starvation, was sickening. In Sagua I saw some sick and ema- ciated little girls in a children’s hospital, started three days before by e LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 611 charitable Cubans, and saw a crowd of miserable iooking reconcen- trados 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 little children, seven or eight years old. In another case, where I talked to the people in broken Spanish, there were four individuals, a mother, a girl of four- teen, and two quite small girls. The smallest was then suffering from malarial fever. The next had the signs on her hands, with which I had become familiar, of having had that dreadful disease, the beri- beri. These four were all that the order of cencentration had left alive of eleven. At San Domingo, where two railroads join, the depot was crowded with 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. No Means of Subsistence. “San Domingo is little more than a railroad station in times of peace, but at present it has a considerable population living in cabins thatched with the tops of royal palm 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 requires these people to live within a circle of small block houses commonly dignified in the dispatches by the name of forts. They had no work to do, no soil to till, no seed to plant, and only begging to live on. Ido not know the exact measure of the dead-line circle drawn around them, but there was certainly nothing within it upon which a human being could subsist. “Practically they are prisoners. At every one of the numerous stopping places along the road a similar collection of huts could be seen, and at most of them beggars, often nice-looking women and beautiful children, invaded the cars. Between the stations, although I traveled always by daylight, as the trains do not run at night, and was observing as carefully as possible, I saw no signs of the recon- & 612 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. centrados g-ing away from the forts. If they had gone, it takes seeu, instruments, land and three or four months to raise the vegetable which could be soonest produced, and nowhere 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 planting of vegetables, tobacco, etc., seemed to be going on. At this a very few persons, possibly some of them reconcentrados, found employment. The Whole Land Lying Idle. “All along the railroad as far as could be seen, were stretches of the most fertile and beautiful country, with very few trees, even on the low mountains, and most of these the royal palms. I saw many dozens of burned cane fields, and one evening, going from Guines to Havana, saw the sky all lighted up along the road with fires princi- pally of the tall grass of the country, but partly of cane. The whole land was lying ‘perfectly idle except that I saw two or three or four sugar mills where cane was growing, but in all such instances the mill and cane were surrounded by forts, manned by soldiers who are paid, as I was told, by the owners. Except in the cities I saw no indication that any relief 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 wants of the starving except that at the Fossos and some other places charitable Cubans were nursing 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. An Appalling Loss of Life. “As the country was stripped of its population by the order of concentration, 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 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 618 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 star- vation. I know from the official register of the city of Santa Clara, which ordinarily has a population of about 14,000, that the deaths for November were over 1000, and the number of deaths for December was over goo, and showed an increase, considering the loss of the former 1000 from its total population. “The exact figures for December are 971. At that city the Gov- ernment was distributing 500 single rations per day out of a total appropriation for the purpose of $15,000. This was not relief, but a mere prolongation of the sufferings of a small part of the reconcen- trados of that city. Neither Food nor Medicine Provided. “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 people are in the same condition and have the same prospect of starvation before them as had their kindred who have died, There is as much need of medicine now as of food, and they are getting neither. “ The reason given by the Spanish sympathizers in Cuba is that the troops must first be fed, and it is certain that many of the soldiers are sick and suffering for want of proper food. I saw many myself that looked so. I was informed on all sides that they had not been paid for about eight months, and that most of the civil officials had not been paid for a similar period. It is, therefore, most probable that Spain is practically unable to supply the millions which are im- mediately necessary to prevent the death of most of the surviving reconcentrados, but this leads to political questions, which I desire to avoid. Something Must be Done. “T wish merely to state in such a way as to be convincing that in consequence of the concentration of the people some 200,000 Cubans are daily suffering and dying from diseases produced by a lack of 614 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 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 once, or a few months will see their exter- mination. : “So far as I could see they are a patient, amiable, intelligent set of people, 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 permission 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 treatment. The Outlook Hopeless for Many of the Sufferers. “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 pecuniary assistance to the extent of $20,000 a day, distributed by our consuls. Private charity will hardly, it seems, produce that amount. Twenty thousand dollars would be but ten cents a piece for medicine, clothes and food. When I left Havana I was informed that Consul General Lee had received $5000 and some hundreds of cans of condensed milk. As there are about 30,000 sufferers in Havana alone, the inadequacy of such contributions is manifest, 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 charitable to believe the statements of facts which I have made and try to realize what they mean.” ‘The foregoing statement made by one of the Government officials at Washington reveals a state of things in Cuba that may well arouse not only the sympathy but the indignation of our whole country. It is the statement of an impartial observer and can be relied upon as truthful. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. . 615 A story of the bravery of Americans serving under General Gomez and General Calixto Garcia in the eastern provinces of Cuba, and.an account of the death of W. Dana Osgood, the famous University of Pennsylvania football playér, was told by Lieutenant- Colonel Frederick Funston, who arrived in New York early in January, 1898. The Colonel had landed in Camaguey in August, 1896, with the -expedition of Raphael Cabrera, and went at once to Gomez, who was then in force near the coast. After Cascorro, Gomez and Garcia formed a junction in the early part of October, they moved toward Guimaro. Garcia had with him a twelve-pound Hotchkiss rifle and four American artillerymen—W. Dana Osgood, the famous Univer- sity of Pennsylvania athlete and football player; Latrobe and Janney, of Baltimore, and Devine, of Texas. rs The Cubans attacked Guimaro on the morning of October 17th, using two of their three guns only because ammunition was scarce. They had about 2000 infantry. They opened fire in the morning at ranges of from 400 yards to 700 yards, the infantry being protected by a breastwork of earth, in which openings were left for the guns. Hot Firing all Day. The Spanish garrison consisted of 200 men in 11 forts, and they maintained a hot rifle fire all day. Gradually, however, the Hotch- kiss rifle, the fire of which was directed by Osgood, made the largest and nearest fort untenable, and it was abandoned by the garrison and immediately occupied by Colonel Menocal and forty men. One of the Cuban guns was moved forward and stationed in this fort in the night, and from that point of vantage the other forts were shelled on the following day. Naturally the rifles of the garrison were trained most of the time -upon the man sighting the Hotchkiss in the captured fort, and there, leaning over the gun in the early morning, the intrepid Osgood was shot through the head. He was carried off by his comrades undet fire, and died four hours later. The death of this gallant young American was universally lamented, yet many others of similar spirit 616. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. have held themselves ready to enlist in the cause of Cuban inde- pendence. On the 12th of January, 1898, a riot broke out in Havana, and for a time it was feared that Americans residing there were in danger from themob. The Spanish Minister called on the Secretary of State in Washington, and conveyed to him the latest information from Havana. The Minister told Mr. Sherman that the Havana military government would see to it that the danger would be confined to the Spaniards themselves, and that measures had been taken to suppress the ardor of the officers who were chafing under newspaper criticism, and especially the gathering of mobs on the streets. He alsoassured the Secretary that there would be ample protection to the American Consulate and American interests in the event of any demonstrations against*them, but he added that the riot was in no sense an anti-American one, and was merely an outbreak on the part of the extreme pro-Spanish element against several of the autonomist newspapers. Reassuring Despatches from General Lee. General Lee sent two cipher dispatches to the State Department concerning thetroubles. One simply gave the facts of the riot briefly and added that everything had quieted down. In addition to this, ‘General Lee telegraphed the State Department that if he needed a war vessel he would cable. One of the State Department officials said that the news, although the rioting was confined to the Spaniards themselves, was the most interesting that had been sent to Washington since the beginning of the war. It showed that the way was open for internal dissensions ir. the only city of importance in Cuba, and that the spirit of the rioting, meaning the suppression of free speech, demonstrated that the Span- iards would need another army to repress the malcontents made by the audacious attitude of the military officers toward the independent press. Every effort was made by the Spanish authorities at Havana to belittle the riotous demonstration, but it is plain that it was an ominous uprising. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 617 In February an incident occurred which created universat Comment and threw all other public questions into the background. First, there came a rumor that the Spanish Minister in Washington, Senor Dupuy De Lome, had written a letter reflecting severely upon Presi- dent McKinley and our Government at Washington, on account of the policy they were pursuing toward the war in Cuba. It was thought by many that the rumor was unfounded, as the action of President McKinley and his Cabinet was so conservative that no possible occasion of offence could have been given to Spain, and, therefore, it was not believed that the Spanish Minister could be guilty of a gross insult to the United States. The rumors, however, multiplied and ina short time were confirmed. It was openly asserted that such a letter had been written, and had fallen into the hands of the Cuban Junta in New York and that its text would soon be trans- mitted to Washington. The Notorious Letter of the Spanish Minister. Very soon the public were permitted to read the following most extraordinary communication addressed by the Spanish Minister to Jose Canelejas, editor of a newspaper at Madrid, who, after having traveled in the United States, had gone to Havana, where the letter in question was sent. Its translation was as follows: “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_' 618 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. not yet declared to be legally constituted, and the discovery ot the intentions and purposes of this government. The exiles will return one by one, and when they return will come walking into the sheep- fold, and the chiefs will gradually return. “Neither of these had the courage to leave ex masse, and they will not have the courage to thus return. The President’s message has undeceived the insurgents, who expected something else, and has paralyzed the action of Congress, 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 Weyler, it shows once 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 the 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. Talking only for Effect. “JT agree entirely with you that without a military success nothing will be accomplished there, and without military and political success there is here always 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 attention to the role of England. Nearly all that newspaper canaille, which swarm in your hotel, are English, and while they are correspondents of American journals, they are also correspondents of the best newspapers and reviews of London. “Thus it has been since the beginning. To my mind the only object of England is that the Americans should occupy themselves with 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 importance, in order that I might use him to make a propaganda among the Senators and others, in opposition to the Junta and.to win over exiles. “There goes Amblarad. I believe he comes too deeply taken up LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 619 with political matters, and there must be something great or we shall lose. Adela returns 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 hands. “ENRIQUE Dupuy DE Lome.” Profound Sensation Created by the Letter. The authenticity of the letter was not doubted by the Junta. The letter at the Junta’s office was said to be on the official stationery of the Spanish Legation. Its discovery created a profound sensation among New York Cubans. No news that had come from Cuba for a long time interested them so much. The man to whom De Lome wrote was Jose Canelejas, editor of the Heraldo in Madrid, the acknowledged organ of the Sagasta Min- istry. He has for years been an intimate friend and confidant of Sagasta, and was sent out as a sort of unofficial agent for Sagasta to sound the Cubans on the autonomy proposition. Armed with full credentials from the Madrid Ministry, he reached Havana early in December. It was there that he received this letter from his friend, Senor de Lome. At first it was reported that the Spanish Minister denied having written any such letter, but soon afterwards finding that a letter in his own handwriting, containing all the allegations charged against him was in the hands of the Cuban Junta, and seting that it was impossi- ble to deny its authenticity, he at once admitted his guilt and instantly cabled his resignation to the Spanish Government. He also went to the State Department in Washington and withdrew his passports, thus preventing his abrupt dismissal, which would have added to his disgrace. The insolent conduct of De Lome thoroughty aroused the indigna- tion of the American people, and not a little surprise was expressed that a man who had represented his Government for twenty years at Washington, and was supposed to be a trained diplomat, should have so far forgotten himself as to fling an insult in the face of the Presi- 620 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. dent. The question was freely discussed whether his disgrace and re~ tirement from his post would have any actual bearing upon the official relationship of the United States and Spain with reference to Cuba. It was generally agreed that the message had opened the eyes of the American people to the duplicity of Spain’s agents and their rep- resentations toward this country, and had already redounded to the benefit of the Cuban cause, inasmuch as it intensified the strong feel- ing of sympathy which has characterized the American people since the conflict in Cuba began. How the Letter was Obtained. As soon as the letter of De Lome was given out for publication by the Cuban Junta it was branded as a forgery by some of those who thought they knew Spain’s Minister to this country. But De Lome acknowledged the authorship by the resignation of his post. When this startling news was flashed over the country it brought to the minds of all the next most interesting point in the affair: how was the letter obtained ? Half a dozen stories regarding this latter feature were published, but we are able to publish the true version of the matter. Its author- ity is a Cuban of the highest standing in the councils of his party and a leading and popular citizen. His information came directly from headquarters in New York. Here is the story of the getting of the famous letter, which aroused two continents and gave renewed strength to the cause of the struggling Cubans: The letter was not stolen from the United States mails, but was secured by an agent of the Cuban Junta in the post office of Havana. Don Jose Canelejas, to whom the letter was addressed, never saw the original. He did not know until eight days after the letter reached Havana that such a letter from Spain’s representative in Washington had been written him. De Lome wrote the letter in his private residence in Washington instead of at the Spanish Legation. The paper, however, was marked with the official type and read in the corner “Legation de Espana.” The same inscription was upon the left-hand upper corner of the envelope. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 624 Senor De Lome did not mail the letter from his house. In fact he had not quite completed it upon the morning it was written and car- ried it to the legation, where it was first seen and noticed by a person who was in the employ of the embassy, acting in a sub-official capa- city. The letter lay upon the desk of the Minister in his inner office, the outer office being his place of reception to visitors. During an absence of half an hour from the inner office of De Lome the clerk in question saw the open letter and read some of it. On its Way to Havana. The next day this same person sent word to his Cuban associates in Washington to the effect that he had seen a letter from De Lome to Canelejas, in which President McKinley was villified and autonomy called a scheme. Several of the Cuban leaders got together and asked the employee of the Embassy to secure the letter. They did not believe implicitly in his story, although he urged them to come into the public print and make charges against De Lome. Because they did not have the letter in their possession the leaders refused to say anything about it. The employee of the Legation was urged to use all means in his power to secure the letter, although it was con- sidered probable that the letter was already in the mails when the Cubans at the Hotel Raleigh were informed of its existence. The clerk in the employ of Minister De Lome saw no more of the letter. His memorized abstracts were forwarded to New York, and it was quickly agreed that could possession of the letter be obtained and his statements proven to be true the letter would be of incalcul- able value to the Cuban cause as substantiating what Cuban leaders had maintained regarding autonomy and the general Spanish feeling, in official circles, toward this country and its officers. Immediately. words of warning and urgings to be on the alert were sent to every Cuban who might be in a position to obtain track of or intercept the much-sought-for missive. The letter reached Havana five days after its postmark in Wash- ington. An agent of the Cuban party who is an employee of the Spanish post-office, knew that the letter was on the way, and when it 622 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. came into his hands it was carried from the post-office and a copy was made of it. Word to this effect was sent to the Cuban leader in Jacksonville, Fla. who at once asked the secret Cuban Junta in Havana to secure the original letter—that a copy was not what was desired. The Havana post-office clerk was not willing to do this at first, but afterward consented, as he was obliged to account for a cer- tain number of letters to other employees of the department. Arrested and Discharged. The original was then taken, several blank sheets‘were substituted in place of the paper upon which De Lome had written, and the letter finally postmarked in the Havana office and sent in its routine way. Eight days from its arrival in the Havana office the sealed envelope, properly addressed to Senor Canelejas, was delivered at the Hotel Inglaterra. Senor Canelejas did not regard the matter se- riously at the time, although the hotel boy who brought him the letter, and the post-office employee who had last charge of it were arrested. So, also, was the hotel employee who went several times daily to the post-office for the mails. All three were discharged after an examination. Senor Canelejas communicated almost immediately with Minister de Lome, and for several weeks letters and cablegrams passed be- tween the two, but no trace of the letter could be obtained. Canele- jas shortly thereafter left Havana, going to Madrid. It is not ex. plained why the letter was kept by the Cubans for several weeks before it was given out for publication. An informant other than the person who gave the foregoing, but who is on the inside in Cubar. official circles, declares that the delay was occasioned by a desire on the part of the Junta to be assured absolutely that the writing was that of the Spanish Minister, so that he might not have any chance to deny its authorship, and thus cause a reaction which undoubtedly’ would have been the result of the propagation of a fake. \ Dr. John Guiteras, the Cuban leader in Philadelphia, commenting on the securing of the letter, said that it was clever work, and that the letter itself told the American people, in a better way than could LA1EST EVENTS IN CUBA. 623 any number of Cuban speeches or pamphlets, the inmost feelings of Spanish officials toward this country, its people and Government. Commenting further on the letter, Dr. Guiteras said: “There are portions of the De Lome letter concerning which it cannot be said that the incident is closed. Nor can I understand how honest citizens in. Spain can consider it closed whilst the present Ministry remains in office. That a Government should propose two important measures directed to an understanding with the United States, and that a rep- resentative of that Government should declare both these measures to be merely for effect, is a very serious matter. “ The said representative was in charge of both these measures—: autonomy and a commercial treaty—as far as these measures con- cerned the United States, and he writes to a man prominent in poli- tics, and who apparently was charged with seme secret mission to that Government. Will the American people ‘ow believe what the Cubans have repeatedly said, namely, that autonomy is a farce? Disparaging our Public Men. “J would like to forget that part of De Lome’s letter which refers in a disrespectful way to President McKinley. Although it is very offensive I do not believe it will have any influence upon the action of the Government. But there is a great lesson to be learned from this disagreeable incident. I do not hesitate to say that we are, our- selves to blame, for the boorish conduct of this foreign representative. We have a confirmed and pernicious habit of speaking in disparag- ing terms of our public men and our institutions. I have no doubt that Mr. de Lome has found in this country willing ears for such ‘statements as he makes in his letter, if he has not himself frequently heard similar expressions from American lips. “Freedom of speech is a great thing. The faults of our public men should be pointed out openly and without fear. Specific charges should be made, where there is a foundation for them. But there is avast difference between this and the loose generalizations we hear so frequently. Men in office seem to be honored for a moment by the popular vote, only to be villified as public criminals. We lack 624 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. patriotism. If we do not love and honor our institutions we cannot expect foreigners to respect them.” Justice Brewer, of the United States Supreme Court, in speaking an the subject, said: “No one knew better than Senor De Lome that President McKin- ley, instead of attempting to cater to the popular prejudice in con- nection with the Cuban agitation, was distinctly the one bold restrain- ing figure which sought to check the growth of Sentiment in this direction, He knew that it was President McKinley who opposed the jingo element in both branches of the National Legislature, and by whose firm, yet politic course, several dangerous crises in the relations between the two nations had been passed over with com- paratively little friction. Why he should have written the letter was and is a mystery, and not to be explained on any reasonable hypothesis. Hypocrisy Unmasked. “Of course, its effect will be to add to the strain which already exists in the relations of the two countries. Apart from the natural resentment which will be felt in this country because of De Lome’s references to President McKinley, are the unpleasant revelations the letter contains as to the motive for urging the reciprocity treaty with this country. It smacks so strongly of duplicity it will add greatly to the charges which have been made all along against Spain.” Meanwhile the terrible struggle in Cuba went on. The failure of Pando’s campaign in the eastern part of Cuba was regarded as proof that in a military way Spain’s condition was utterly hopeless. The martality from starvation according to the latest official reports did not decrease. In the city of Santa Clara, which has only 12,000 inhabitants, the deaths numbered 1000 in January, as compared with 78 in the same month the year before. There were ten thousand reconcentrados forced into Santa Clara city, and out of that number over 8000 died. That was the story from all parts of Cuba, and the starvation still went on. Before the war there were 200,000 resident Spaniards on the island, and according to the census just taken there were only about 137,000 left, LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 625 The sequel of the letter by the Spanish Minister already referred to deserves to be noted. Spain was compelled to officially disclaim in a positive manner the reflections contained in the letter and offer a suitable apology. The following is an abstract of the note sent by the Spanish Government to Minister Woodford, at Madrid: “The Spanish Government on learning of the’ incident in which Minister Depuy De Lome was concerned, and being advised of his objectionable communication, with entire sincerity laments the inci- dent, states that Minister De Lome had presented his resignation, and it had been accepted before the presentation of the matter by Minister Woodford. That the Spanish Ministry, in accepting the resignation of a functionary whose services they have been utilizing and valuing yp to that time, leaves it perfectly well established that they do not share, and rather, on the contrary, disauthorize the criti- cisms tending to offend or censure the Chief of a friendly State, although such criticisms had been written within the field of friend- ship and had reached publicity by artful and criminal means. “That this meaning had taken shape in a resolution by the Council of Ministers before General Woodford presented the matter, and at a time when the Spanish Government had only vague tele- graphic reports concerning the sentiments alluded to. That the Spanish nation, with equal and greater reason, affirms its view and decision after reading the words contained in tke letter reflecting upon the President of the United States. New Commercial Treaty. “As to the paragraph concerning the desirability of negotiations of commercial relations, if even for effect and importance of using a representative for the purpose stated in Senor Dupuy De Lome’s’ letter, the Government expresses 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 subsequent facts, any doubt should exist that the Spanish Government has given proof oi its real desire and of its innermost convictions with respect to the new com mercial system and the projected treaty of commerce, 40 626 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. “That the Spanish Government does now consider it necessary to lay stress upon, or to demonstrats anew the truth and sincerity of its purpose and the unstained good faith of its intentions. That publicly and solemnly, the Government of Spain contracted before the mother country and its colonies a responsibility for the political and tariff changes which it has inaugurated in both Antilles, the natural ends of which, in domestic and international spheres, it pursues with firm- noss, which will ever inspire its conduct.” Closely following the resignation of the Spanish Minister came news of an appalling disaster in the harbor of Havana. The Ameri- can battleship “‘ Maine” was lying in the harbor, having been sent on a friendly visit to Cuba. On the evening of February 15th a terrific explosion took place on board the ship, by which upwards of two hundred and forty sailors and officers lost their lives and the vessel was wrecked. Appalling Results of the Explosion. The cause of the explosion was not apparent. The wounded sailors of the “ Maine” were unable to explain it. It was believed that the battleship was totally destroyed. The explosion shook the whole city. The windows were broken in many of the houses. The wounded sailors stated that the explosion took place while they were asleep, so that they could give no particulars as to the cause. The Government at Washington and the whole country were horrified at the destruction of one of our largest cruisers and the loss of so many of our brave sailors. The excitement throughout the country was intense. The chief interest in the “ Maine” disaster now centered upon the cause of the explosion that so quickly sent her to the bottom of Havana harbor. With every day the reticence of the naval officials seemed to increase. Secretary Long declined to express any opinion on the terrible affair, and all others in authority were similarly silent. _A naval board of inquiry was appointed to proceed at once to Havana to make a thorcugh investigation. The navy officers who would talk were skeptical as a rule of the accident theory. The story LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. | 627 of a percussion hole in the “Maine’s” side was not generally be- ~ lieved, but the sentiment was strong that the affair needed a strong light to dispel the ugly shadows. Every suggestion of a possible reason for an explosion seemed to be met by certain facts that controverted it. A bill was introduced in the National House of Representatives to appropriate money for the heirs of the “ Maine’s” dead. The funeral of victims whose bodies were recovered was held at Havana. Mes- sages of condolence were received at Washington from the rulers of most of the great nations of the world. King, Emperor, Sultan, President, united in a tribute to the devoted dead. Many Legisla- tures adopted resolutions of sympathy and regret for the disaster. The message of Queen Victoria was as follows: “ Secretary State :— “] have the honor to inform you that I am commanded by the Queen to con- vey to the President the expression of her Majesty’s sympathy with the American people on the occasion of the sad disaster which has befallen their navy by ths loss of the battleship ‘Maine’ and of so many members of her crew. I request that you will be good enough to transmit the above message to its high destination. ** IT have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant, JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE.” The Emperor William, of German~ , telegraphed as follows: “ BERLIN, February 17. “ President United States, Washington :— ‘Let me express my sincere sympathy to yoti and your country at the terrible loss of the ‘Maine’ and the death of so o many brave officers and men of your navy. a WILLIAM, I. R.” The following dispatch came from Paris: ; ; ‘ PaRIs, February 17. “ Sherman, Secretary, Washington :-— “President Faure asked personal interview in which he requested me to express his warmest sympathy and profound sense of condolence to President McKinley regarding the appalling catastrophe to the ‘ Maine,’ and to convey assurance that the French people, especially the French navy, are deeply touched by the death of the gallant officers and men who Jost their lives at their post of duty. “PORTER.” Similar expressions of sympathy and condolence came from othet 628 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. rulers, all expressing horror at the catastrophe which resulted in the loss of so many lives. The reader will be interested in a description of the United States battleship “ Maine.” She was launched at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in November, 1890, and was first commissioned September 17, 1895. She was a steel armored battleship, with two ten-inch barbette tur- rets. Her cimensions were: Length, 318 feet; beam, 57 feet; draft, 21 feet 6 inches; and displacement, 6,682 tons. She had eight steel horizontal boilers, vertical inverted cylinder direct-acting triple ex- pansion twin-screw engines of 9,000 indicated horse-power. She sarried 822 tons of coal, with which she could steam 2,770 knots at 14.8 knots an hour, or 7,000 knots at 10 knots an hour. She ha? 2 double bottom and numerous water-tight compartments. A Formidable Naval Battery. Her armor consisted of a side armor belt, twelve inches thick. Four ten-inch rifles, en barbette in turrets, constituted her main battery, and six six-inch rifles on the battery deck for the auxiliary battery, Four six-pounders, eight three-pounders and two one-pounder rapid dre guns, four revolving cannon and four Gatlings made up the tecond battery. There were armored tops on each of the two masts, As a fighting machine the “ Maine” was as formidable as any of her class. The hull was encased in an armor belt twelve inches in thickness, tapering to seven inches below the water-line. Like most vessels of her class, her ends were unprotected by side armor, but at both ends there were transverse armored bulkheads of sufficient thick- ness to deflect projectiles, A steel deck covered the vital parts of the ship and afforded protection to the machinery and boilers. The barbette armor was twelve inches in thickness and the plates of the turret armor were eight inches thick. The armor of the for- ward barbette cost $125,000, that for the after barbette $122,000. The cost per gross ton was $575, plus 214 cents per pound for har- veyizing the plates and ¥% cent per pound for introducing nickel, The “ Maine” was propelled by twin screws of manganese bronze. A bulkhead divided the engine room, so that each set of the ma- LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 629 chinery was in a water-tight compartment by itself, The fire rooms were fitted for forced draught. The vessel was fitted for a flag ship, which means that she had a separate cabin for an admiral and addi- tional state rooms for state officers. The cost of the “Maine” was $2,500,000. Only a comparatively small number of bodies were recovered from the wreck of the “ Maine,” and many of these were mutilated beyond recognition. The scene was ghastly and sickening. The interment of the dead. took place at 5 o’clock on the afternoon of February 17th. Shortly before that hour all Havana was moving. The flags on the public buildings were at half mast and many of the houses were draped in mourning. All classes were represented in the throngs that filled the streets along which the funeral procession passed to the cemetery. The order of the procession was as follows: Funeral of the Victims at Havana. The Municipal Guards on horseback, in full uniform, the city fire brigade, the municipal employees, the Aldermen in seven splendidly decorated firemen’s cars, special cars bearing the bodies, the clergy, deputations consisting of the chief officers of the army, navy, and. the volunteers, representatives of various official bureaus and of the custom house, a committee representing the Chamber of Commerce, a delegation representing the grocers. Elaborate preparations had been made for the interment of the dead, the twenty-two bodies having been brought to the City Hall, where they rested in coffins covered with beautiful crowns of silk ribbons, with appropriate inscriptions. The crown from the City Council bore the inscription: “The people of Havana to the victims of the Maine.” There was a handsome crown of silk ribbons in the Spanish national colors, with the inscription, “The Navy Department at Havana to the victims of the Maine.” The Marquis de Esteban, Mayor of Havana, headed the cere- monies, the burial expenses being paid by the municipality. General Solana assisted at the funeral, representing Captain General Blanco. Manuel Santander, the Bishop of Havana, had donated the ground 630 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. for the burials. The population that lined the route of the funeral procession, gave every indication of the profoundest respect. The funeral cortege started from the principal entrance of the City Hall on Weyler Street, then turned to the right on Mercadores Street, then up O’Reilly Street along the right side of Central Park and finally to the right along San Rafael Street to the cemetery. Consul General Lee, General Parrado, the Marquis Larinaga, Admiral Monterola, the chief officers of the ‘“ Maine,” the represent- atives of foreign Government: and numerous other officials were present. Two Spanish battalions furnished the bands. The Investigation Begins. A Naval Board of Inquiry, composed of Captain Sampson, of the “Towa ;” Captain Chadwick, of the “New York;” Captain Marix, of the “ Vermont,” and Lieutenant-Commander Potter, of the “ New York,” went to Havana, and proceeded promptly to investigate the causes of the explosion that destroyed the battleship. The further the inquiry into the causes that led to the “ Maine ” disaster proceeded, the more remote appeared the chances that any evidence would be discovered to show that the disaster was due to accident. Those divers who penetrated into the forward part of the wreck found that the whole forward end of the ship from a point just abaft the forward turret had been twisted fifteen or twenty degrees to starboard. That part of the vessel was a wilderness of debris and curled and twisted plates. The sharp, jagged edges of some of the plates added danger to the difficulties of the divers’ getting life lines into a tangle and fray- ing the cords. In one instance they almost cut through a rubber tube which supplied a diver with air. One important discovery made was the position of the bodies found in the wreck, one hundred of which were floating about the torn compartments. A full score of these were examined. All of these bodies were in hammocks, and all had the arms curved upward. They looked as if the men had been startled by some sudden shock of danger and were in the act. of reaching up for their LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 631 hammock hooks to swing themselves on deck when death came. This seemed to confirm what had already been said about there hav- ing been two explosions—the first startling the men into the act of arising from their hammocks, the other dashing the life out of them while they were in that position. Before the explosion the ten-inch magazine was located on the starboard side forward and beneath the forward turret. What was left of the magazine seemed to have been driven toward the port bow, in a diagonal and upward direction. The six-inch magazine, which had its location in the port side of the ship forward, was hurled in a direction directly opposite to that of the ten-inch magazine. One of the copper cylindrical tanks for the six-inch magazine was found by the divers in the wreck of that structure. It contained no powder charge. Strange Tales of the Shocking Disaster. The.ten-inch magazine was not closely examined, but such inspec- tion of it as was made led to the belief that a big pile of twisted wreckage that lay about the top of it was composed of unexploded ten-inch charges. It was believed that the six-inch magazine was exploded by the first shock that was felt and that there was another explosion in the ten-inch magazine. Many strange tales of the disaster were brought out as the days wore on. One of these was made known publicly, when the captain of an English bark anchored in the harbor, nearly a mile distant from the “ Maine,” told how a man’s jaw had fallen on the deck of his; vessel. The captain was asked to appear as a witness before the Court of Inquiry. Every one in Havana believed that a crisis would follow close upon the heels of the investigation. The Spanish authorities realized that Spain was perilously near a rupture with the United States, and the suppressed excitement was felt in the air. Captain Sigsbee and other officers of the “ Maine” were called by the Board of Inquiry, and it was evident no effort would be spared 632 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. to get the most complete information concerning the causes of the explosion. Photographs of the wreck having been taken, these were sub- mitted to Mr. Charles H. Cramp, the well known shipbuilder, of Philadelphia, who made the following comments : “ Examination of the original photographs of the ship as she lies indicates much greater destruction than at first thought. From them it appears that the ship is completely wrecked as to her upper works for at least half her length forward, and much damaged for a conisid- erable distance abaft the region of total wreck. “The mainmast, though left standing, shows considerable injury, doubtless by flying pieces of wreckage from forward. The prostra- tion of both smokestacks indicates very great damage, if not entire wreckage, in the boiler spaces. This could not happen without serious effect in the engine rooms, though the engines may not be totally disabled. Damaged Beyond Repair. “To sum up, the photographs indicate an area of effect that could not have been caused by a single explosion in the forepart of the ship. Such wrecking could be caused only by several stupendous forces acting in quick succession. “ The photographs also indicate that the ship is too badly wrecked, and through too great a part of her length, for successful raising and restoration. The submerged portion is doubtless filled to a depth of several feet with the silt and ooze which covers the bottom of the Havana harbor, and this alone would seriously impede raising opera- tions, even if there was enough left of the ship forward to get hold of, which, from the surface conditions as shown by the photographs, does not appear probable. “ From the meagre information before me I think the only practic- able mode of raising the ship will be that of building a coffer dam around the wreck, pumping out and then patching her up, so she wiil float. And even this may be found impracticable.” As the investigation proceeded, a strong public opinion was aroused in support of the Government at Washington. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA, 633 REPORT OF THE NAVAL BOARD. For upwards of twenty days the country awaited in profound sus- pense the result of the inquiry of the Naval Board. During this tine all sorts of conflicting rumors were afloat, but it was well un- derstood that the government at Washington was pursuing a con- servative course, and would not plunge the country into war without the greatest provocation. At length the investigation by the Naval Board was completed and was transmitted to Congress, accompanied by a message from President McKinley, as follows : To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES : For some time prior to the visit of the “Maine” to Havana harbor our consular representatives pointed out the advantages to flow from the visit 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 American interests, even though no immediate need therefor might exist. Accordingly on the 24th of January last, after conference with the Spanish Minister, in which the renewal of visits of our war vessels to Spanish waters was discussed and accepted, the peninsular authorities at Madrid and Havana were advised of the purpose of this government to resume friendly naval visits at Cuban ports, and that in that view the “ Maine ” would forthwith call at the port of Havana. This an- nouncement was received by the Spanish Government with apprecia-. tion of the friendly character of the 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” entered the port of Havana on the 25th of January, her arrival being marked with no special incident besides the exchange of customary salutes and ceremonial visits. The “ Maine” continued in the harbor of Hana during the three weeks following her arrival. No appreciabie excitement attended her stay; on the contrary, a feeling of relief and confidence followed the resumption of the long interrupted friendly intercourse. So 634 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. noticeable was this immediate effect of her visit that the Consul Gen- eral strongly urged 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 Feb- ruary the “ Maine” was destroyed by an explosion, by which the entire forward part of the ship was utterly wrecked. In this catas- trophe two officers 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. Recovering the Bodies of the Dead. Prompt assistance was rendered by the neighboring vessels an- chored in the harbor, aid being especially given by the boats of the Spanish cruiser “Alphonse XII.” and the Ward Line steamer “City of Washington,” which lay not far distant. The wounded were gener- ously cared for by the authorities of Havana, the hospitals being freely opened, to them, while the earliest recovered bodies of the dead were interred by the municipality in the public cemetery in the city. Tributes of grief and sympathy were offered from all official quarters of the island. The appalling calamity fell upon the people of our country with crushing force and for a brief time an intense excitement prevailed, which in a community less just and self-controlled 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 war- ranted, 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 its 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 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA: 635 Inquiry was at once organized, composed of officers weil qualified by rank and practical experience to discharge the duty imposed upon them. 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 determination of the causes of the explosion. Its operations have been conducted 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. Sudden Destruction of the Ship. The finding of the Court of Inquiry was reached after twenty-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 force of the North Atlantic station, was transmitted to the Executive. It is herewith laid before the Congress, together with the volumi- nous testimony taken before the court. Its purport is in brief as follows : When the “ Maine” arrived at Havana she was conducted 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 haa been reported secure and all was quiet. At forty minutes past ninc o’clock the vessel was suddenly destroyed. There were two distinct explosions with a brief‘interval between them. The first lifted the forward part of the ship very perceptibly ; 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 forward maga- sines, 636 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. The evidence of the divers establishes that the after part of the ship was practically intact and sank in that condition a very few minutes after the explosion. 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 elever 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 had the ship sunk uninjured. The outside bottom plating is bent into a reversed V shape, the after wing of which, 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 bottom plates. This break is now about six feet below the surface of the water and about thirty feet above its normal position. Caused by the Explosion of a Mine. 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 frame 18 and somewhat on the port side of the ship. The conclusion 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 officers or members of her crew: That the ship was destroyed by 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 destruction 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 govern- ment 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 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 637 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 Wixiiam McKIntey. Executive Mansion, March 28, 1898. Finding of the Court. The following is the full text of the report of the Court of Inquiry appointed to investigate the disaster to the “Maine” at Havana: U.S. S. “Towa,” first rate, Key West, Fla., 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 Havana, Cuba, on the twenty-fifth day of January, Eighteen Hun- dred and Ninety-eight, and was taken to Buoy No. 4, in from five and a half to six fathoms of water, by the regular government pilot. The United States Consul-General at Havana had notified the author- “ities 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 regulations in regard to the care and safety of the ship were strictly carried out. All ammunition was stowed in accordance with prescribed instructions, and proper care was taken , whenever ammunition was handled. Nothing was stowed in any one of the magazines or shell rooms which was not permitted to be stowed there. The magazine and shell rooms were always locked after having been opened, and after the destruction of the “ Maine” the keys were found in their proper place in the captain’s cabin, everything having been reported secure that evening at 8. p.m. The temperatures of the magazine and shell room were taken daily and reported. The only magazine which had an undue amount of heat was the after 10- inch magazine, and that did not explode at the time the “ Maine” was destroyed. 638 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. The torpedo warheads 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 deto- nators 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 combust- ibles of this nature were stowed on or above the main deck and could net 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, Careful Inspection of the Bunkers. The coal bunkers were inspected daily. Of those bunkers adja- cent to the forward magazines and shell rooms four were empty, namely, “ B3, B4, B5 and Bo.” “As ” had been in use that day and “ A16” was full of new river coal. This coal had been carefully in- spected before receiving it on board. The bunker in which it was stowed 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 37; the engineer officer 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 auxiliary purposes only, with a compara- tively low pressure of steam and being tended by a reliable watch. These boilers could not have caused the explosion of the ship. The four forward boilers have since been found by the divers and are ina fair condition. . On the night of the destruction of the Maine everything had been reported secure for the night at 8 P. m. by reliable persons, through the proper authorities, to the commanding officer. At the LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 639 time the “ Maine” was destroyed the ship was quiet, and, therefore, “least liable to accident caused by movements 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 being 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 ex- plosion. The first explosion was more in the nature of a report, like that of a gun, while the second 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.” Wreck of the Forward Part. 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 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 destruction of the forward part. 4. The following facts in regard to the forward part of the ship are, however, established by the testimony: That portion of the port side of the protective 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 explo- sion of two or more of the forward magazines of the “ 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 above the surface of the water, therefore, about thirty- 640 LATEST EVENTS IN .CUBA. four feet above where it would be had the ship sunk uninjured. The outside bottom plating 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 itself against the con- tinuation of the same plating extending forward. Not Due to Negligence on Board. 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 thirty feet above its normal position. 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 framé 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 forward magazines. 8. The court has been unable to obtain evidencée ee the respon- sibility for the destruction of the “ Maine” upon any person or persons, W. T. Sampson, ‘Captain U. S. N., President. A. Marrx, Lieutenant Commander U. S. N., Judge Advocate, LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 641 Important Message from President McKinley. Following the destruction of the battleship ‘“ Maine,” which, as already noted, stirred the resentment of the entire country to a marked degree, negotiations were continued by our government with Spain for the purpose of putting an end to the war in Cuba, which, it was admitted by all, had been attended with intolerable cruelties. Perhaps the exact number of those who perished by starvation, as the result of the Spanish policy in that Island, will never be known; suffice it to say, that the land was in desolation; starvation and death on every side aroused the indignation of the civilized world. Meanwhile there was a very restless feeling in Congress, and defi- nite action toward intervention between Spain and Cuba was delayed only by the expectation of a message from President McKinley that would deal vigorously with the whole question. The message was held back in order that the views of our government might, if pos- sible, be accepted by Spain and the issues between the two governments settled by diplomacy. On the 11th of April, 1898, the President transmitted to Congress his message, which contained the following statements and recom- mendations : To the Congress of the United States : Obedient to that precept of the Constitution which commands the President 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 ‘ny duty now to address your body with regard to the grave crisis 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 neighbor- ing island of Cuba. I do so because of the intimate connection of the Cuban question with the state of our own Union, and the grave relation the course which 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. . 42 642 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. The present revolution is but the successor of other similar insur- rections which have occurred in Cuba against the dominion of Spain, extending over a period of nearly half a century, each of which during its progress has subjected the United States to great effort and expense in enforcing its neutrality laws, caused enormous losses to American .rade and commerce, caused irritation, annoyance, and dis- turbance among our citizens, and by the exercise of cruel, barbarous, and uncivilized practices of warfare, shocked the sensibilities and offended the humane sympathies of our people. Ravages of Fire and Sword. Since the present revolution began, in February, 1895, this country has seen the fertile domain at our threshold ravaged by fire and sword in the course of a struggle unequalled in the history of the island, and rarely paralleled as to the number 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 lucrative commerce virtually paralyzed, its exceptional productiveness dimin- ished, its fields laid waste, its mills in ruins, and its people perishing by tens of thousands 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 nations commands, to police our waters and watch our own seaports in prevention of any unlawful act in aid of the Cubans. Our trade has suffered, the capital invested by our citizens in Cuba has 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 from time to time in the National Legislature, so that issues wholly external to our own body politic stand in the way of that close devotion to do- mestic advancement that becomes a self-contained Commonwealth, whose primal maxim has been the avoidance of all foreign entangle- ments. All this must needs awaken, and has indeed aroused, the ut- most concern on the part of this Government as well during my pre- decessor’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 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 643 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 submission of the insurgents to the mother country, and then only on such terms as Spain herself might see fit to grant. The war continued unabated. The resistance of the insurgents was in no wise diminished. The efforts of Spain were 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 history of civilized Christian peoples. The policy of devastation and concen-~ tration by the Captain-General’s bando of October, 1896, in the prov- ince of Pinar del Rio was thence extended to embrace all of the island to which the power of the Spanish arms was able to reach by occupa- tion or by military operations. The peasantry, including all dwelling in the open agricultural interior, were driven into the garrison towns or isolated places held by the troops. The raising and moving of provisions of all kinds were interdicted. The fields were laid waste, dwellings unroofed and fired, mills destroyed, and, in short, every- thing that could desolate the land and render it unfit for human habi- tation or support was commanded by one or the other of the contend- ing parties and executed by all the powers at their disposal. Misery and Starvation. By the time the present Administration took office a year ago, . reconcentration—so-called—had been made effective over the better _ part of the four central and western provinces, Santa Clara, Man- tanzas, Havana and Pinar del Rio. The agricultural population, to the estimated number of 300,000 or more, was herded within the towns and their immediate vicinage, deprived of the means of sup- port, rendered destitute of shelter, left poorly clad, and exposed to the most unsanitary conditions. As the scarcity of food increased with the devastation of the depopulated areas of production, destitu- tion and want became misery and starvation. 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 reconcentrados, from starva- tion and the diseases thereto incident, exceeded 50 per centum of their total number. No practiced relief was accorded to the desti- tute. The overburdened towns, already suffering from the general dearth, could give no aid. 644 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. In this state of affairs my administration found itself comronted 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 honor- able settlement. The assassination of the Prime Minister. Canovas, led to a change of Government in Spain. The former Administration pledged to subjugation without concession gave place to that of a more liberal party. committed long in advance to a policy of reform involving the wider principie of home rule for Cuba and Porto Rico. Relief for the Suffering Cubans. The overtures of this Government made through its new Envoy, General Woodford, and looking to an immediate and effective amel- ioration of the condition of the island, although not accepted to the extent of admitted meditation in any shape, were met by assurances that home rule, in an advanced phase, would be forthwith offered to Cuba, without waiting for the war to end, and that more humane methods should thenceforth prevail in the conduct of hostilities. While these negotiations were in progress, the increasing destitution of the unfortunate reconcentrados and the alarming mortality among them claimed earnest attention. The success which had attended the limited measure of relief extended to the suffering American citizens among them by the judicious expenditure through the Consular agencies of the money appropriated expressly for their succor by the joint resolution approved May 24, 1897, prompted the humane exten- sion of a similar scheme of aid to the great body of sufferers. 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’ succor of the starving sufferers in Cuba, following this on the 8th of January by a similar public announcement of the formation of a Cen- tral Cuban Relief Committee, with headquarters in New York City, composed of three members representing the National Red Cross and the religious and business elements of the community. Coincidently with these declarations, the new Government of Spain continued to complete the policy already begun by its predecessor of testifying friendly regard for this nation by releasing American citi- zens held under one charge or another connected with the insurrec- tion, so that, by the end of November, 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 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 645 extermination a final military victory for either side seems impractica- ble. The alternative 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 and conclusion of the present strife is a contin- gency hardly to be contemplated with equanimity by the civilized world, and least of all by the United States, affected and injured as we are, deeply and intimately by its very existence. Realizing this, it appeared to be my duty in a spirit of true friend- liness, no less to Spain than to the Cubans who have so much to lose by the prolongation of the struggle, to seek to bring about an im- mediate termination of the war. To this end I submitted on the 27th ultimo, as a result of much representation 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 peace with the good offices of the President, Measures Proposed by Spain. In addition I asked the immediate revocation of the order of re- concentration so as to permit the 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 3Ist ultimo. It offers as the means to bring about peace in Cuba, to confide the preparation thereof to the Insular Parliament, inasmuch as the concurrence of that body would be necessary to reach a final result, it being, however, understood that the powers reserved by the Constitution to the central Government are not lessened or dimin- ished. 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 case to determine the duration and conditions of the armistice. The propositions submitted by General Woodford and the reply o1 the Spanish Government were both in the form of brief memoranda, the texts.of which are before me, and are substantially in the lan- guage above given. There remain the alternative forms of intervention to end the war, either as an impartial neutral by imposing a rational compromise be- tween the contestants, or as the active ally of the one party or the other. 646 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. As to the first, it is not to be forgotten that dumng the last few months the relation of the United States has virtually been one of friendly intervention 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 earnest, unselfish desire for peace and prosperity in Cuba, untarnished by differences between usand 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 large 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 justifiable on rational grounds. It involves, however, hostile constraint upon both the parties to the contest as well to enforce a truce as to guide the eventual settlement. Intervention to End the War. The grounds for such intervention may be briefly summarized as follows: 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 pro- tection and indemnity for life and property which no government there can 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 to the commerce, trade, and business of our people, and by the wanton destruction of property and devastation of the island. Fourth. Aid which is of the utmost importance. The present con- dition of affairs in Cuba is a constant menace to our peace and entails upon this 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 powerless altogether to pre- vent, and the irritating questions and entanglements thus arising—all LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 647 these and others that I need not mention, with the resulting strained relations, 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 Maine Tragedy. These elements of danger and 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 harbor 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 officers 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 *xterior 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 referring in this connection to recent diplomatic correspon- dence, a despatch from our Minister to Spain, of the 26th ultimo, contained the statement that the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs assured him positively that Spain will do all that the highest honor and justice required in the matter of the Maine. The reply above referred to of the 31st ultimo also contained an expression of the readiness of Spain to submit to an arbitration all the differences which can arise in this matter, which is subsequently explained by the note of the Spanish Minister at Washington of the roth instant as follows :— As to the question of fact which springs from the diversity of views between the report of the American and Spanish boards, Spain pro- poses that the fact be ascertained by an impartial investigation by experts, whose decision Spain accepts in advance. To this I have made no reply. 643 4sATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. In view of these facts and of these considerations, I ask the Con- gress to authorize and empower the President to take measures to secure a full and final termination of hostilities between the govern- ment of Spain and the people of Cuba, and to secure in the island the establishment of a stable government capable of maintaining order and observing its international obligations, insuring peace and tran- quillity and the security of its citizens as well as our own, and to use the military and naval forces of the United Statesas may be neces- sary 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 distribu- tion 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 Congress. It is a solemn responsi- bility. I have exhausted every effort to relieve the intolerable condi- tion of affairs which is at our doors. Prepared to execute every obligation imposed upon me by the Constitution and the law, I await your action. The Addenda. Yesterday, and since the preparation of the foregoing message official information 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 proclaim a suspension of hostilities, the duration and details of which have not yet been communicated to me. This fact, with every other pertinent consideration, will, I am sure, have your just and careful attention in the solemn deliberations upon which you are about to enter. If this measure attains a suc- cessful result, then our aspirations as a Christian, peace-loving peo- ple will be realized. If it fails, it will be only another justification for our contemplated action. (Signed) WILLIAM M’KINLEY, Executive Mansion, Aprii 11, 1898. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 649 rrompt Action of Congress on the Message. Congress acted at once upon the President’s message. The House of Representatives passed unanimously a resolution embodying the recommendations contained in the message, authorizing the President to use the land and naval forces of the United States to put an end to the war in Cuba and establish an independent government on the Island. The Senate, however, desired that stronger action should be taken, and a resolution was passed recognizing the Republic of Cuba and granting the President authority to employ the military forces of the United States for the purpose of giving effect to the resolution. Then followed an earnest effort on the part of the two branches ot Congress to come to an agreement. After one of the hardest fought battles between the two Houses known in many years, Congress at an early hour on the morning of April 19th, came to an agreement upon the most momentous question it has dealt with in a third of a century. The-Cuban resolution was passed and sent to the President. Its provisions meant the expulsion of Spain from the island of Cuba by the armed forces of the United States. There were many roll calls in both Houses and each body held tenaciously for its own resolution. | The conference had great difficulty in agreeing. _ The first confer- ence showed a determination on the part of the House not to yield a single point, and it was only after long consultations with the House leaders that they agreed to allow the little words “are and” in the first section of the Senate resolution, which declares that the people of Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free and indepen- dent. The resolution as finally adopted was that reported from the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, with the addition of the fourth sec- tion, known as the Teller amendment, disclaiming any intention on the part of the United States to acquire Cuba. The conference report was adopted in the Senate by a vote of 42 ayes to 35 noes. In the House the report was adopted bv a vote of 310 to 6. 650 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. The Resolutions. " The resolutions as finally passed are as follows: Joint .resoiutio.. for the recognition of the independence of the people of Cuva, de- manding that the Government of Spain relinquish its authority and government in the island of Cuba, and withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the President ot the United States to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry these resolutions into effect. Wuereas, The abhorrent conditions which have 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 Christian civilization, culminating, as they have, in the destruction of a United States battle ship with 263 of its officers and crew while on a friendly visit in the harbor of Havana, and cannot longer be endured, as has been set forth by the President of the United States in message to Congress of April 11, 1898, upon which the action of Congress was invited ; therefore, Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the Jnited States of America in Congress assembled, First, That the people of the Island of Cuba are, .nd of right ought to be, free and independent. Second, That it is the duty of the United States to demand, and the Government of the United States does hereby demand that the Government of Spain at once relinquish its authority and government in the Island of Cuba, and withdraw its land ard naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. Third, 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 these resolutions into effect. Fourth, That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over said Island, except for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determina- tion, when that is accomplished, to leave the government and control of the Island to its people. At 1.15 o’clock in the morning the Senate received the report of the Conference Committee of the two branches of the Congress, and twelve minutes afterwards had adopted it. There was a fight to the. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 851 last minute, however, the advocates of recognition of the independ- ence of the Island Republic standing their ground until they were fairly knocked down by a vote of 43 to 35. The minority vote was cast by those who wanted radical action and insisted that the resolution should carry with it recognition of the in- dependence of the Cuban Republic. Upon this a split developcu which very nearly proved fatal to any action at all. The adoption of the conference report brought to a close one of the most interesting and tumultuous sessions of the Senate held in years. Such scenes of con- fusion and excitement have rarely been witnessed in the ordinarily staid and dignified body as characterized its proceedings from noon until nearly 2 o’clock in the morning. , Settlement of the Great Question. Interest in all other questions was dwarfed into insignificance by the one overwhelming question of war—war which all now regarded to be absolutely inevitable. A feeling of bitterness grew up between the Senate and the House during the late afternoon and evening that at one time seemed likely to delay action. Cooler councils prevailed, however, and determination of the momentous question was finally reached. Those who were fighting for recognition of the Island Republic early decided that the Senate should not take the initiative in request- ing a conference between the two Houses. They further resolved that, when the Senate conferees were finally appointed, at least two of them should represent the majority sentiment of the body. The radical advocates of independence slowly, but none the less surely, lost ground, however, being swept back by the powerful and compact minority opposed to them. They yielded only after one of the bitterest contests in the history of the Senate. They capitulated, but did not surrender. The House was held true to the Administration mainly through the efforts of Speaker Reed. By a vote of 178 to 156 the Senate resolutions, amended so as to strike out the clause recognizing the Republic of Cuba, were adopted. The acceptance of the Senate res- “ 652 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. olution by the House was an invitation to harmony of action that should have been accepted, but the Republican Senators who voted originally for recognition met in Senator Quay’s room and ten of them voted to continue to act with the Democrats, Populists and Silverites in upholding the Cuban Junta, without regard to the effect of such action upon their own country. The Senate refused to concur in the amended resolutions as returned from the House by a vote of 32 yeas to 46 nays. The Senate also refused to ask for a conference, and the resolutions were sent back to the House. An effort was made to secure concur- rence in the Senate resolutions, including that recognizing the Cuban Republic, but the administration forces stood firm, the vote resulting —yeas, 148; nays, 172. The House asked for a conference, and a Conference Committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Adams, Heatwole and Dinsmore, the latter having voted for the Senate reso- lutions unamended. A Final Vote. The Senate acceded to the request for a conference, and the Vice- President appointed, on the part of the Senate, Messrs. Davis, Fora- ker and Morgan. After a full and free discussion the conferees reported to the respective Houses that it was impossible to agree, The Senate conferees yielded the clause explicitly recognizing the Republic of Cuba, but insisted that the words “are, and,” should remain, making the first section of the House resolution read ; “That the people of the island of Cuba ‘are, and’ of right ought to be, free and independent.” The House stood firm on a test vote after the report of disagree- ment by its conferees, and gave no signs of weakening. A second conference resulted in an agreement declaring that the people of the island of Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free and independent, but omitting the recognition of Cuban independence. The Senate accepted this report, thus receding from its original position. There was objection, however, to this reading as embarrassing the President, who could not consistently refuse recognition. e LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 653 The President’s message io Congress on Cuba had long been awaited, the delay for several days having occurred in order that General Lee and other consuls might escape from Cuba before hostilities broke out. On April 11th the message was finally sent, and a week later resolutions passed both houses of Congress calling upon our Govern- ment to intervene and demand independence for Cuba. Our ultimatum to Spain embodying the demands of the resolutions of Congress was delivered to the Spanish minister at Washington on the 20th. He immediately called for and received his passports, and left for Canada. The same ultimatum was sent to the Spanish Gov- ernment at Madrid, and on April 21st Minister Woodford was curtly handed his passports, thereby severing all diplomatic relations between the two governments. The President’s Call for Volunteers. Aggressive measures were at once adopted by the authorities at Washington, and on April 22nd Admiral Sampson blockaded the port of Havana with the North Atlantic squadron. On the same date the United States gunboat “ Nashville” captured the Spanish mer- chantman “Buena Ventura” in the Gulf of Mexico. In this capture the first gun of the war was fired. On the next day President McKinley promulgated a resolution of Congress calling for 125,000 volunteers. The same day two more Spanish vessels were captured off Havana and towed into Key West. Also on that date Morro Castle, commanding the entrance to Havana harbor, fired on the United States flagship New York, but without inflicting any damage. Several other captures of Spanish vessels followed, chief of which was the steamship “ Panama,” which was taken by the “ Mangrove,” and proved to be a very rich prize. These captures of Spanish vessels proved the activity of the smaller United States vessels attached to Admiral Sampson’s squadron, and served to create enthusiasm on all the ships of the fleet, at the same time affording the country assurance that the war was to be prose- euted with vigor. The next event of importance was the bombardment of Matanzas 654 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. by the cruiser “New York,” the flagship of Rear Admiral Sampson, the monitor “ Puritan,” and the cruiser “Cincinnati,” on April 27th, From the fact that the Spaniards opened fire on our ships while the lat- ter were making a reconnoissance in force, and when the vessels were nearly five miles out from the batteries, led to the belief that the enemy thought that all that was necessary to induce the United States fleet to move further away was for the batteries to open fire on them Opened Fire with a Vengeai.ce. But if, from former experience, they reached this conclusion, they found that forbearance had reached the limit, and they must have been intensely astonished when the “New York,” being the farthest west, but the nearest in shore, opened fire with her batteries with a vengeance, and, steaming nearer shore, accompanied by her consorts, made such excellent practice with her guns that in eighteen minutes every Spanish gun was silenced. While there are no casualties reported on board any of the attack- ing boats, the loss of life on the Spanish side must have been large. The guns of the monitor “Puritan” are believed to have caused the most havoc on the shore, but the markmanship of all the boats was superb. ‘The attack began shortly before 1 o’clock, and was concluded in less than twenty minutes. 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 prevent 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. Probably twenty-five 8-inch shells were sent from the battery at our ships, but all of them fell short. A few blank shells wére also fired from the incomplete battery. One or two of these whizzed over Admiral Sampson’s flagship. While the ‘New York” and the “Cincinnati” were locating the de- fences of Matanzas, the monitor “ Puritan” attacked the Point Maya fortifications. The flagship then went in close and shelled Rubalcaya Point, while the “ Cincinnati” was soon at work shelling the fortification LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 65. on the west side of the bay. The range at the beginning of the en- gagement was about 7,000 yards, but it was reduced to about 3,000 when it was seen that the shots from the batteries fell wide of their mark. The last shot fired from the shore was from Point Rubalcaya. The monitor “ Puritan ” let go with a shot from one of her 12-inch guns. Its effect was seen when a part of the fortification went into the air. The target 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” fired shells at the rate of three a minute. Cadet Boone, on the flagship, fired the first gun in answer to the Spanish batteries. The Great Battle of Manila. On May Ist, the American squadron, commanded by Dewey, won a complete and glorious victory over the Spanish fleet in the Philip- pines. The fighting was of the fiercest character, beginning in the early morning and lasting several hours. The bravery of the American seamen was of the highest character, and, led by the intrepid Dewey, inflicted upon the enemy a blow that may be termed almost a veritable rout. The news of the battle, which came through Government sources and by way of the Spanish cable, showed that the attack was terrible initsenergy. Signalling for the American transports to keep well out, and that the “Olympia’’ and “Baltimore” would engage the Spanish admiral’s flagship, the ‘Reina Christina,” and the “Castilla,” the largest of ‘the enemy’s fleet, the American warships moved in line of battle on the Spaniards. On both sides of Manila are erected forts well manned, though the reports as to the strength of the armament were conflicting. As soon as his ships had been worked around so that their star- board batteries presented a broadside to the enemy, Commodore Dewey began a terrific cannonading of the enemy’s ships and the Spanish forts. Every shot told. The “Olympia’s” battery consisted of four 8-inch rifles, ten 5-inch rapid-fire guns, fourteen six-pounders, six one-pounders, four machine guns and six torpedo tubes. The 656 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. heaviest battery of the enemy was on the “ Reina Christina,” which had twenty-one guns and five torpedo tubes. Commodore Dewey directed the movements of the squadron from the conning tower of the “Olympia.” He moved his ship close up to the “Reina Christina” and sent shell after shell ploughing into the Spanish admiral’s hull. Captain Charles V. Gridley, of the “ Olym- pia,” was with him. The superior aim and heavier projectiles of the “Olympia” soon began to tell, and the fire from the Spanish grew more wild and somewhat slower. Captain Dyer, of the “ Baltimore,” put his ship in close fighting distance to the “ Castilla.” The “ Baltimore’? had four 8-inch and six 6-inch guns in her main battery to the “ Castilla’s”” four 5.9-inch Krupp guns and two 4.7-inch and three 2.2-inch guns. Both ships had good secondary batteries for cruisers. Loud Thunders of Battle. The din of battle was terrific. All the while the Spanish forts were keeping up an incessant fire on the American fleet. The ships were enveloped in a cloud of smoke, weighted by the early morning air, and the incessant crack of the rapid-fire guns and booming of the big guns mingled into voluminous thunder. The hot work on the “ Olympia’’ brought the end of the “ Reina Christina.” A shot from the American exploded a magazine on the latter boat, and she took fire. Despite the efforts of the Spaniards the flames made rapid headway. Captain Gridley worked his ship around to rake the Spaniard. He fought the Spanish ship with one battery, and kept up a fire on the forts with the other. The masts on the American boats were shot away, but few shells got through the armor. Several of the Spanish ships were deliberately blown up to prevent their capture by the American fleet. Pouring a murderous fire into the forts, the American flagship and several more of the boats forced the entrance to the harbor. They steamed to the west side of the bay and there landed their wounded. The victory of the American squadron was complete, and the Spanish fleet was annihilated. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 657 Further details of the great battle at Manila fully confirmed the first reports. In the first assault Admiral Dewey's flagship, the Olympia, took the lead, the other vessels following in her wake at four ships’ length. The Spanish fleet was approached by laps, each turn bringing the contestants nearer. By this plan the American vessels frequently poured broadsides into the enemy, but were them- selves more exposed to fire. At one time the smoke became so dense that it was necessary to draw aside, allowing the cloud to lift. ‘The vessels were examined, and it was found that they had sustained no damage. Breakfast was served to the men, and in a few minutes they re-entered the fight with the greatest enthusiasm. The second fight was even more fierce than the first. It was in that that the Baltimore was struck. A Shell that Did Terrible Execution. During the first fight the Spanish Admiral’s ship put bravely out of the line to meet the Olympia. -The entire American fleet concen- trated fire on her, and she was so badly injured that she turned around to put back. At this juncture the Olympia let fly an 8-inch shell, which struck her stern and pierced through almost her entire length, exploding finally in the engine room, wrecking her machinery. This shell killed the captain and sixty men, and set the vessel on fire. In the heat of the fight the two torpedo boats moved out to attack the fleet. They were allowed to come within 800 yards, when a fusilade from the Olympia sent one to the bottom with all on board, and riddled the other. The second boat was later found turned upon the beach covered with blood. In the second fight the Baltimore was sent to silence the fort at Cavite. She plunged into a cloud of smoke, and opened all her bat- teries on the fortifications. In avery few minutes a shell struck the ammunition, and the fort blew up with a deafening roar. The work on the Baltimore was glorious. After the principal ships had been destroyed the Concord, Raleigh and Petrel, being of light draft, were sent in to handle the remaining vessels of the fleet. They made quick work of them. In taking possession of the land 42 658 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. forts several hundred wounded Spaniards fell into the hands of the Americans, and nearly 200 dead were accounted for on the spot. Several shots struck the Olympia, and’ she was pierced a number of times. One shell struck the side of the ship against the hospital ward. The chaplain and nurses who were watching the fight through a port hole a few inches away were stunned by the concussion. Experts figured out the fighting volume of the guns of the respective sides as three for the Americans against seven for the Spanish. In honor of his distinguished services Commodore Dewey was raised to the rank of Admiral, and Congress passed a series of reso- lutions thanking him and his men for services rendered their country. Death of Ensign Bagley. On May. 1ith Ensign Bagley, of the torpedo boat Winslow, and five men were killed, and five others were wounded, in Cardenas harbor, on the northern coast of Cuba, in an engagement with Spanish gunboats. The Americans displayed great bravery in the face of danger, the action of the United States gunboat Hudson being es- pecially notable in going to the rescue of the Winslow, and towing her out of range of the enemy’s fire. Ensign Bagley was the first to lose his life in the war. On the same date there was an engagement between United States vessels and Spanish troops at Cienfuegos, on the southern coast of Cuba. One American was killed, and six badly wounded. The object of the expedition, however, was suc- cessful in cutting the cable from that point. On May 12th General Wesley Merritt was appointed Military Governor of the Philippines, and orders were given for troops to be sent to Manila for the purpose of capturing the town and occupying the Island. Agreeably to this order the cruiser Charleston sailed on May 18th for Manila, loaded with supplies and ammunition, On May 12th Admiral Sampson's squadron arrived off Porto Rico, and for three hours bombarded the forts of San Juan, inflicting serious damage upon them and the town. The Admiral then withdrew, stating that his objeet was not to capture San Juan, but to find, if possible, the Spanish fleet which had sailed some days previously LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 659 “from the Cape Verde Islands. Great mystery attended the move- ments of the Spanish squadron. On May Ioth the long suspense occasioned by the difficulty of as- certaining what Admiral Cervera intended to do with his fleet was over, and it was definitely known that his vessels were entrapped in the harbor of Santiago. The government resolved to send troops at once to that point to aid the fleet in capturing the town. While it was known that the Spanish vessels were inside the harbor of San- tiago it was considered impossible for our battleships to enter the har- bor on account of mines which had been planted, and the formidable attack sure to be made by batteries on shore. The entrance to the harbor of Santiago is very narrow, and vessels are compelled at one point to go through a channel not much over three hundred feet wide. Here oc- curred on the morning of June 3d one of the most gallant acts recorded in the annals of naval warfare. Lieutenant Hobson, naval construc- LIEUT. R. P. HOBSON. tor on the flagship of Admiral Samp- son, conceived the plan of blocking this narrow entrance by sinking the collier Merrimac, thus “bottling up” Cervera and his fleet. The reader will be interested in a detailed account of this remarkable exploit. When the Admiral’s consent for making the daring venture was ob- tained, Mr. Hobson became impatient of all delay, and that very night, after the moon went down, he set the time for the attempt. Volun- teers were called for on-all the ships of the fleet. Whole cheering crews stepped forward at the summons for the extra-hazardous duty. About three hundred on board the New York, one hundred and eighty on board the Iowa, and a like proportion from the other chips 660 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. volunteered, but Mr. Hobson decided to risk as few lives as pov~ sible. : He picked three men from the New York and three from the Mer- rimac. The latter were green in the service, but they knew the ship and had pleaded hard to go, and one man stowed away on board the collier. Six other men selected from various ships, with Ensign Powell in command, manned the launch, which was to lie at the harbor mouth and take off those who escaped. The Merrimac was made ready. Six torpedoes were strung along her port side, with wire connections to the bridge. Her anchors were lashed at the bow and stern. Her cargo of coal was shifted, and her cargo ports were opened so that she would more readily fill when the time came to cut her anchor lashings, open the seacocks and torpedo her bulkheads. A Critical Moment. The work was not completed until after four o’clock Thursday morning; but, with the sky paling in the east, Mr. Hobson headed in on his desperate mission. On board the ships of the fleet picketed about the entrance every officer and man, with many warm heart beats for their brave com- rades, awaited the issue, with eyes anxiously fixed on the jutting headlands that marked the entrance of the harbor. But as the Mer- rimac steamed forward Rear Admiral Sampson, pacing the deck of the flag-ship, looked at his watch and at the streaks in the east, and decided that the Merrimac could not reach the entrance before broad daylight. Consequently the torpedo boat Porter, which was along- side, was despatched to recall the daring officer. Mr. Hobson sent back a protest, with a request for permission to proceed. But the Admiral declined to allow him to take the risk, and slowly the Mer- rimac swung about. During the day Lieutenant Hobson went aboard the flagship. So absorbed was he in the task ahead of him that, unmindful of his ap- nearance and of all ceremony and naval etiquette, he told the Admiral in a-tone of command that he must not again be interfered with. 661 UNIFORMS OF UNITED STATES MARINES AND NAVAL OFFICERS. 662 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. “T can carry this thing through,” said he, “but there must be no more recalls.. My men have been keyed up for twenty-four hours and under a tremendous strain. Iron will break at last.” When Mr. Hobson left the ship and the extended hands of his shipmates, more than one of the latter turned hastily to hide the unbidden tear. But the Lieutenant waved them adieu with a smile on his handsome face. The Merrimac started in shortly after three o’clock Friday morn- ing. The full moon had disappeared behind a black cloud-bank in the west. Three thousand strained eyes strove to pierce the deep veil of night. Suddenly there were several shots from the rocky eminence on which Morro Castle is situated. They were followed by jets and streams of fire from the batteries opposite. The Mer- rimac had reached the entrance of the harbor. She must have passed so close that a stone loosened from the frowning parapet of the Castle would have fallen on her deck. It seems a miracle that her apparently riddled “hull could have reached the goal. After five minutes the firing ceased and all became dark again. When the curtain of the night was at last lifted the light disclosed a tiny steam launch riding the waves at the very throat of the entrance of the harbor. In an instant the guns of the shore batteries were turned upon her, and, with a last linger- ing, vain look for the crew of the Merrimac, Ensign Powell headea his launch close along shore to the westward. In this lay his salva- tion. The guns of the batteries to the westward could not be de- pressed enough to hit the little launch, and the guns on Morro Castle would not bear upon her. But the Spaniards, nevertheless, fired wildly, overshooting the J. W. POWELL AS A CADET. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 668 launch, until the latter was fully two miles up the coast. Then some of the shells began to drop fairly close, and one of them threw a cloud of spray on board the small craft. In the meantime the ships of the fleet had drawn on until the New York, Massachusetts, Texas and Marblehead were barely three miles from Morro Castle. er HARBOR AND FORTIFICATIONS OF SANTIAGO, The star shows where the Merrimac was sunk. The fire of the great guns continued, but the gunnery seemed to grow worse, until the Spaniards became tired. They were not rash enough, except in two instances, to fire at the fleet, fearing probably to provoke an antagonist with the strength of Admiral Sampson. Knowing Hobson’s desperate plan, the despatch boat had taken up a, position opposite the narrow harbor entrance and just outside the line of the blockading war ships. From here the Merrimac was seer “ntering the harbor. A few minutes later the fire of the Spanish batteries was seen to be concen- trated westward close to the shore. There a tiny thread of smoke disclosed their target. It was the New York’s launch which Ensign Powell had gallantly held close under Morro’s walls until after day- light, when, driven out by the fire of the big guns, he had run far up the shore, under the partial cover of the bluffs and had turned and 664 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. eventually boarded the Texas out of range. Then he passed the New York. The brave fellow was broken-hearted at not finding Hobson and his men. Lying closer in than the war ships, Powell’ had seen the firing when the Merrimac and her dare-devil crew, then well inside Morro Castle, were probably first discovered by the Spaniards. He also heard an explosion, which may have been caused by Hobson’s torpe- does. The Ensign was not sure. He waited vainly, hoping to rescue the heroes of the Merrimac, until he was shelled out by the forts. The work, however, was done. The big vessel had been swung across the narrow entrance to the harbor, the torpedoes had been fired, the explosion had come, the great collier was sinking at just the right point; and her gallant crew, having jumped into the water to save their lives, were taken on board the flagship of the Spanish Admiral, who praised their bravery, and sent an officer under flag of truce to assure Admiral Sampson that the heroic band was safe and would be well cared for. Spanish chivalry was forced to admiration. Bombardment of Forts at Santiago. On June 6th Admiral Sampson’s vessels made a combined attack on the forts at Santiago. The bombardment lasted for about three hours and nearly all the fortifications at the entrance of the harbor were silenced, more than half of the guns being dismounted and ren- dered useless. During the last hour of the bombardment the forts failed to reply, as the gunners were driven from their places by shot and shell from the Anierican ships. In stately style the vessels moved to the attack; the marksmanship of Sampson’s fleet was remarkably effective considering that heavy mist and rain obscured the batteries and the battle may be said to have been fought in the clouds. As our ships steamed away some of the Spaniards returned to their guns and fired a parting shot; none of the American vessels were seriously injured and not a life was lost. Admiral Sampson’s official report stated that he had silenced the enemy’s works. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 665 On June 13th, about 15,000 men under General Shafter left Key West for Santiago, and on June 22d the troops were landed at Baiquiri, on the southern coast of Cuba, The landing was very suc- cessful, having been accomplished in two days, with the loss of only two men, and that by accident. Preparations were immediately made to move the army forward towards Santiago, with a view to capturing the town. ‘ It was not long after General Shafter’s army landed before the United States troops were engaged in active service and had a sharp conflict with the enemy. The initial fight of Colonel Wood’s Rough Riders and the troopers of the First and Tenth regular cav- alry will be known in history as the Battle of La Quasina. That it did not end in the complete slaughter of the Americans was not due to any miscalculation in the plan >f the Spaniards, for as per- fect*an ambuscade as was ever formed in the brain of an Apache Indian was prepared and Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt and his men walked squarely into it. For an hour and a half they held their ground under a perfect storm of bullets from the front and sides, and then Colonel Wood, at the right, and Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt at the left, led a charge which turned the tide of battle and sent the enemy flying over the hills toward Santiago. Number of Killed and Wounded. It is definitely known that sixteen men on the American side were killed, while sixty were wounded or reported to be missing. It is impossible to calculate the Spanish losses, but it is known that they were far heavier than those of the Americans, at least as regards actual logs of life. Thirty-seven dead Spanish soldiers were found and buried, while many others were undoubtedly lying in the thick under- brush on the side of the gully and on the slope of the hill. That the Spaniards were thoroughly posted as to the route to be taken by the Americans in their movements towards Sevilla was evident, as shown by the careful preparation they had made. The main body of the Spaniards was posted on a hill, on the heavily 666 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. wooded slopes of which had been erected two block houses, flanked by irregular intrenchments of stone and fallen trees. At the bottom of these hills run two roads, along which Lieutenant-Colonel Roose- velt’s men and eight troops of the Eighth and Tenth Cavalry, with a battery of four howitzers, advanced. These roads are but little more than gullies, rough and narrow, and at places almost impassable. In these trails the fight occurred. Nearly half a mile separated Roosevelt’s men from the regulars, and between them and on both sides of the road. in the thick underbrush was concealed a force of Spaniards that must have been large, judging - from the terrific and constant fire they poured in on the Americans. Beginning of the Battle. The fight was opened by the First and Tenth Cavalry, under General Young. A force of Spaniards was known to be in the vicinity of La Quasina, and early in the morning Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt's men started off up the precipitous bluff back of Siboney to attack the Spaniards on their right flank, General Young at the same time taking the road at the foot of the hill. About two and one-half miles out from Siboney, some Cubans, breathless and excited, rushed into camp with the announcement that the Spaniards were but a little way in front and were strongly en- trenched. Quickly the Hotchkiss guns out in the front were brought to the rear, while a strong scouting line was thrown out. Then cautiously and in silence the troops moved forward until a bend in the road disclosed a hill where the Spaniards were located. The guns were again brought to the front and placed in position, while the men crouched down in the road, waiting impatiently to give Roosevelt's, men, who were toiling over the little trail along the crest of the ridge, time to get up. At 7.30 A. M., General Young gave the command to the men at the Hotchkiss guns to open fire. That command was the signal for a fight that for stubbornness has seldom been equaled. The instant the Hotchkiss guns were fired, from the hillsides commanding the road came volley after volley from the Mausers of the Spaniards, LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 661 “Don't shoot until you see something to shoot at,” yelled General Young, and the men, with set jaws and gleaming eyes, obeyed the order. Crawling along the edge of the road, and protecting themselves as much as possible from the fearful fire of the Spaniards, the troopers, some of them stripped to the waist, watched the base of the hill, and when any part of a Spaniard became visible, they fired. Never for an instant did they falter. One dusky warrior of the Tenth a with a rugged wound in his thigh, coolly knelt behind a rock, loading and firing, f and when told-by § one of his com- rades that he was wounded, laughed and. said: “Oh, that’s all right. That’s been there for some time.” @ In the meantime, Saye away off to the left could be heard the crack of the rifles of Colonel Wood’s men and the regu- NEW GATLING GUN READY FOR ACTION. lar, deeper-toned volley-firing by the Spaniards. Over there the American losses were the greatest. Colonel Wood’s men, with an advance guard well out in front and two Cuban guards before them, but apparently with no flankers, went squarely into the trap set for * them by the Spanish, and only the unfaltering courage of the men in the face of a fire that would even make a veteran quail, prevented what might easily have been a disaster. As it was, Troop L, the advance guard under the unfortunate Captain Capron, was almost . surrounded, and but for the reinforcements hurriedly sent forward every man would have probably been killed or wounded. 668 < LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. ““There must have been nearly 1,500 Spanish in front and to the sides of us,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt when discussing the fight. “They held the ridges with rifle pits and machine guns, and hid a body of men in ambush in the thick jungle at the sides of the road over which we were advancing. “Our advance guard struck the men in ambush and drove them out. But they lost Captain Capron, Lieutenant Thomas and about fifteen men killed or wounded. The Spanish firing was accurate, so accurate indeed that it surprised me, and their firing was fearfully heavy. “T want to say a word for our own men,” continued Lieutenant- Colonel Roosevelt. “ Every officer and man did his duty up to the handle. Not a man flinched.” : Gallant Charge on the Enemy. From another officer who took a prominent part in the fighting more details were obtained. ‘‘When the firing began,” said he, “ Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt took the right wings with Troops G and K, under Captains Llewelyn and Jenkins, and moved to the sup- port of Captain Capron, who was getting it hard. At the same time Colonel Wood and Major Brodie took the left wing and advanced in open order on the Spanish right wing. Major Brodie was wounded before the troops had advanced one hundred yards. Colonel Wood then took the right wing and shifted Colonel Roosevelt to the left. “Tn the meantime the fire of the Spaniards had increased in vol- ume, but, notwithstanding this, an order for a general charge was given, and with a yell the men sprang forward. Colonel Roosevelt, in front of his men, snatched a rifle and ammunition belt from a wounded soldier and, cheering and yelling with his men, led the advance. “For a moment the bullets were singing like a swarm of bees all around them and every instant some poor fellow went down. On the right wing Captain McClintock had his leg broken by a bullet from a machine gun, while four of his men went down. At the same time Captain Luna lost nine of his men, LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 669 “Then the reserves, Troops K and E, were ordered up. There was no more hesitation. Colonel Wood, with the right wing, charged straight at a block-house about eight hundred yards away, and Colonel Roosevelt, on the left, charged at the same time. Up the men went, yelling like fiends and never stopping to return the fire of the Spaniards, but keeping on with a grim determination to capture that block-house. - “That charge was the end. When within five hundred yards of the coveted point the Spaniards broke and ran, and for the first time we had the pleasure which the Spaniards had been experiencing all through the engagement of shooting with the enemy in sight.” Deeds of Heroism. In the two hours’ fighting, during which the volunteers battled against their concealed’ enemy, enough deeds of heroism were done to filla volume. One of the men of Troop E, desperately. wounded, was lying squarely between the lines of fire. Surgeon Church hur- ried to his side, and, with bullets pelting all around him, dressed the man’s wound, bandaged it, and walked unconcernedly back, soon returning with two men and a litter. The wounded man was placed on the litter and brought into our lines. Another soldier of Troop L, concealing himself as best he could behind a tree, gave up his place to a wounded companion, and a moment or two later was him- self wounded. Sergeant Bell stood by the side of Captain Capron when the latter was mortally hit. He had seen that he was fighting against terrible odds, but he never flinched. ‘Give me your gun a minute,” he said to the sergeant, and, kneeling down, he deliberately aimed and fired two shots in quick succession. At each a Spaniard was seen to fall. Bell in the meantime had seized a dead comrade’s gun and knelt beside his captain and fired steadily. When Captain Capron fell he gave the sergeant a parting message to his wife and father, and bade the sergeant good-bye in a cheerful voice, and was then borne away dying. Sergeant. Hamilton Fish, Jr., was the first man killed by the 670 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Spanish fire. He was near the head of the column as it turned from the woodside into the range of the Spanish ambuscade. He shot one Spaniard who was firing from the cover of a dense patch of underbrush. When a bullet struck his breast he sank at the foot of a tree with his back against it. Captain Capron stood over him shooting and others rallied around him, covering the wounded man. The ground was thick with empty shells where Fish lay. He lived twenty minutes. He gave a small lady’s hunting case watch from his belt to a messmate as a last souvenir. Impressive Burial Service. With the exception of Captain Capron all the Rough Riders killed in the fight were buried the following morning on the field of action. Their bodies were laid in one long trench, each wrapped 1n a blanket. Palm leaves lined the trenches and were heaped in profusion over the dead heroes. Chaplain Brown read the beautiful burial service for the dead, and as he knelt in prayer every trooper, with bared head, knelt around the trench. When the chaplain announced the hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee,” the deep bass voices of the men gave a most impressive rendering of the music. The dead Rough Riders rest right on the summit of the hill where they fell. The site is most beautiful. A growth of rich, luxuriant grass and flowers covers the slopes, and from the top a far-reaching view is had over the tropical forest. Captain Brown marked each grave and preserved complete records for the benefit of friends of the dead soldiers. Captain Capron’s body was brought into Juragua, but it was deemed inadvisable to send the remains north at this season‘and the interment took place on a hillside near the seashore, back of the pro- visional hospital. After a brief service a parting volley was fired over the grave of the dead captain and a bugle sounded “ Taps” as the sun sank over the mountain tops beyond Santiago. The valor of the American troops had been tested, and so far from being found wanting, it was found that the volunteers acted with as great bravery as is commonly shown by veterans, ——, —~ —— — —s i = a = = oo =< — = — — Ea Tae Ul f 671 UNITED STATES TROOPS LEAVING SAN FRANCISCO FOR MANILA. 672 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Troops from the Pacific slope were ordered to San Francisco, and on May 25th the transports which were to carry them to the Philip- pines were ready to sail. At four o’clock in the afternoon Brigadier- General Anderson gave the signal from the Australia for the City of Peking and the City of Sydney to get under way. The signal was seen from the shore and the waiting crowds commericed to cheer wildly. They knew what it meant as well as the sea captains for whom the signal was intended. No time was lost on board the trans- ports. The crews worked with a will, and in a short time the anchors were up and the vessels were under way. Expeditions Sail from San Francisco. The fleet was loaded with supplies to last a year, and carried a big cargo of ammunition and naval stores for Admiral Dewey’s fleet. ~ It was thought the fleet would not keep company with the Charles- ton after leaving Honolulu. All the vessels carried enough coal to steam at full speed from Honolulu to Manila, while the Charleston, in order to economize coal, would not go faster than ten knots an hour. A second expedition weighed anchor at San Francisco on the afternoon of June 15th. As the sun was setting the last transport passed out of the olden Gate, and, led by the flagship China, the fleet steamed away toward Honolulu, where the vessels will recoal. That day’s expedition carried 3,500 men, distributed among four vessels, as follows: assigned to the China, General Greene’s flagship, the largest and fastest of the fleet, were the First Regiment 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. A third expedition for Manila was made ready at San Francisco, and on June 25th the troops went on board the transports. The same scenes of enthusiasm on the part of the people of the city were witnessed as attended the departure of the two preceding expeditions. It was considered that General Merritt would have a force quite sufficient to enable him te capture and hold Manila. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 673 Admiral Sampson ascertained that Admiral Cervera’s fleet had moved into the upper harbor of Santiago. General Shafter in his des- patches to the Secretary of War complimented the fleet for its assistance in landing troops. With the soldiers landed from the Yale, and General Garcia’s army transported from the westward, twenty-one thousand men in all had been disembarked in the vicinity of Santiago on June 29. The American officers showed the utmost energy in preparing for the attack on Santiago; by July Ist everything was in readiness, and General Shafter ordered a forward movement with a view of investing and capturing the town. The advance was made in two divisions, the left storming the works at San Juan. Our forces in this assault were composed of the Rough. Riders, commanded by Lieutenant- ‘Colonel Roosevelt, and the First, Third, Sixth, Ninth and Tenth dis- mounted cavalry. Catching the enthusiasm and boldness of the Rough Riders, these men rushed against the San Juan defences with a fury that was irresistible. Desperate Resistance by the Spaniards. Their fierce assault was met by the Spaniards with a stubbornness born of desperation. Hour after hour the troops on both sides fought fiercely. In the early morning the Rough Riders met with a similar, though less costly, experience to the one they had at La Quasina just a week before. They found themselves the target for a terrific Spanish fire, to resist which for a time was the work of madmen. But the Rough Riders did not flinch. Fighting like demons, they held their ground tenaciously, now pressing forward a few feet, then falling back, under the enemy’s fire, to the position they held a few moments before. : The Spaniards were no match for the Roosevelt fighters, however, and, as had been the case at La Quasina, the Western cowboys and Eastern “dandies” hammered the enemy from their path. Straight ahead they advanced, until by noon they were well along toward San Juan, the capture of which was their immediate object. There was terrible fighting about the heights during the next two 43 674 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. hours. While the Rough Riders were playing such havoc in the enemy’s lines, the First, Third, Sixth, Ninth and Tenth cavalry gal- lantly pressed forward to right and left. Before the afternoon was far gone these organizations made one grand rush all along the line, carrying the Spaniards off their feet, capturing the San Juan fortifications, and sending the enemy in mad haste off toward Santiago. It was but three o’clock when these troops were able to send word to General Shafter that they had taken possession of the position he had given them a day to capture. In this attack the cavalrymen were supported by the Sixth and Sixteenth infantry, who made a brilliant charge at the crucial moment. The advance was up a long steep slope, through a heavy underbrush. Our men were subjected to a terrific fire from the enemy’s trenches, and the Rough Riders and the Sixth cavalry suffered severely. Enemy Driven Back into the Village. There was no artillery to support the attack. The dynamite gun, which a detachment of Rough Riders, under charge of Sergeant Hallett Alsop Borrowe, had hauled up from the coast with such tre- mendous effort, was jammed during the opening hours of the engage- ment and rendered useless for the time. On the right General Lawton’s division, supported by Van Horne’s brigade, under command temporarily of Colonel Ludlow, of the Engineers, drove the enemy from in front of Caney, forcing them back into the village. There the Spaniards for a time were able to hold their own, but early in the afternoon the American troops stormed the village defences, driving the enemy out and taking pos- session of the place. Gaining the direct road into Santiago, they established their lines within three-quarters of a mile of the city at sunset. While the battle was raging about Caney, Cuban scouts brought in the report that General Pando was_hastening to the relief of the Spanish commander, General Linares, with four thousand trained Spanish troops.. These reinforcements, the scouts reported, were within ten miles of the city. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 675 General Shafter’s advance against the City of Santiago was resumed soon after daybreak on the morning of July 2d. The American troops renewed the attack,on the Spanish defences with impetuous enthusiasm. They were not daunted by the heavy losses sustained in the first day’s fighting. Inspired by the great advantages they had gained on the preceding day, the American troops were eager to make the final assault on the city itself. When the attack began the command of General Lawton occupied a position between Caney and Santiago, within three-quarters cf a mile of the city. The Rough Riders, with Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt in command, were but a short distance further from the city, to the northwest of Aguadores. Between these troops, present- ing a solid front along the entire eastern side of the city, was the main body of General Shafter’s army. Successes of Shafter’s Troops. Our forces began the day’s fighting, hoping that the city would fall into their hands before dark. Their advance had been an uninter- rupted series of successes, they having forced the Spaniards to retreat from each new position as fast as it had been taken. Admiral Samp- son, with his entire fleet, joined in the attack. General Shafter, by sending forces to the south of Caney during the first day’s fighting, made it impossible for the Spaniards in that village to fall back into Santiago when they were driven from their position. They had to retreat toward the west, where an attempt was made to form a junction with four thousand of General Pando’s troops, who were hurrying forward to reinforce General Linares. It was estimated that the American losses in the first day’s fighting, including killed and wounded, were over one thousand. The battles before the intrenchments around Santiago resulted in advantage to General Shafter’s army. Gradually he approached the city, holding every foot of ground gained. In the fighting of July 2d, the Spanish were forced back into the town, their commanding general was wounded, and the day closed with the certainty that soon our flag would float over Santiago. 876 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. The fleet of Admiral Cervera had long been shut up in the harbor, and during the two days’ fighting gave effective aid to the Spanish infantry by throwing shells into the ranks of the Americans. On the morning of July 3d, another great naval victory was added to the successes of the American arms, a victory no less complete and memorable than that achieved by Dewey at Manila. Admiral Cervera’s fleet, consisting of the armored cruisers Cris- tobal Colon, Almirante Oquendo, Infanta Maria Teresa and Viscaya, and two torpedo-boat destroyers, the Furor and the Pluton, which had been held in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba for six weeks by. the combined squadrons of Rear-Admiral Sampson and Commo- dore Schley, was sent to the bottom of the Caribbean Sea off the southern coast of Cuba. Hurricane of Shells from Sampson’s Fleet. The Spanish admiral was made a prisoner of war on the auxiliary ‘gunboat Gloucester, and 1,000 to 1,500 other Spanish officers and sailors, all who escaped the frightful carnage caused by the shells from the American warships, were also made prisoners of war by the United States navy. The American victory was complete, and the American vessels were practically untouched, and only one man was killed, though the ships were subjected to the heavy fire of the Spaniards all the time the battle lasted. Admiral Cervera made as gallant a dash for liberty and for the preservation of the ships as has ever occurred in the history of naval warfare. In the face of overwhelming odds, with nothing before him but inevitable destruction or surrender if he remained any longer in the trap in which the American fleet held him, he made a bold dash from the harbor at the time the Americans least expected him to do so, and, fighting every inch of his way, even when his ship was ablaze and sinking, he tried to escape the doom which was writ- ten on the muzzle of every American gun trained upon his vessels. The Americans saw him the moment he left the harbor and com- menced their work of destruction immediately, For an hour or two LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 677 they followed the flying Spaniards to the westward along the shore line, sending shot after shot into their blazing hulls, tearing great holes in their steel sides and covering their decks with the blood of the killed and wounded. At no time did the Spaniards show any indication that they in- tended to do otherwise than fight to the last. They displayed no! signals to surrender even when their ships commenced to sink and the great clouds of smoke pouring from their sides showed they were on fire. But they turned their heads toward the shore, less than a mile away, and ran them on the beach and rocks, where their destruc- tion was soon completed. Spaniards Escape to the Shore. The officers and men on board then escaped to the shore as well as they could with the assistance of boats sent from the American men-of-war, and then threw themselves upon the mercy of their cap- tors, who not only extended to them the gracious hand of American chivalry, but sent them a guard to protect them from the mur- derous bands of Cuban soldiers hiding in the bush on the hillside, eager to rush down and attack the unarmed, defeated, but valorous foe. ; One after another of the Spanish ships became the victims of the awful rain of shells which the American battleships, cruisers and gun- boats poured upon them, and two hours after the first of the fleet had started out of Santiago harbor three cruisers and two torpedo- boat destroyers were lying on the shore ten to fifteen miles west of Morro Castle, pounding to pieces, smoke and flame pouring from every part of them and covering the entire coast line with a mist which could be seen for miles. . Heavy explosions of ammunition occurred every few minutes, sending curls of dense white smoke a hundred feet in the air and causing a shower of broken iron and steel to fall in the water on every side. The bluffs on the coast line echoed with the roar of every explosion, and the Spanish vessels sank deeper and deeper into the sand or else the rocks ground their hulls to pieces as they rolled 678 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. or pitched forward or sideways with every wave that washed upon them from the open sea. Admiral Cervera escaped to the shore in a boat sent by the Glou- cester to the assistance of the Infanta Maria Teresa, and as soon as he touched the beach he surrendered himself and his Command to Lieutenant Morton and asked to be taken on board the Gloucester, which was the only American vessel near him at the time, with sev- eral of his officers, including the captain of the flagship. The Spanish admiral, who was wounded in the arm, was taken to the Gloucester, and was received at her gangway by her commander, Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, who grasped the hand of the graybearded admiral and said to him: “T congratulate you, sir, upon having made as gallant a fight as was ever witnessed on the sea.” Wainwright's Wonderful Fight. Lieutenant Commander Wainwright then placed his cabin at the disposal of the Spanish officers. At that time the Spanish flagship and four other Spanish vessels had been aground and burning for two hours, and the only one of the escaping fleet which could not be seen at this point was the Cristobal Colon. But half a dozen curls of smoke far down on the western horizon showed the fate that was awaiting her. The Cristobal Colon was the fastest of the Spanish ships, and she soon obtained a lead over the others after leaving the harbor, and escaped the effect of the shots which destroyed the other vessels. She steamed away at great speed with the Oregon, New York, Brooklyn and several other ships in pursuit, all of them firing at her constantly' and receiving fire themselves from her after guns. There seemed no possibility whatever for her escape, and while her fate was not definitely known for some time, it was predicted from the words of Captain Robley D. Evans, of the Iowa, who returned from the westward with 340 prisoners from the Vizcaya. In answer to an inquiry, he shouted through the megaphone: “I left the Cristobal Colon far to the westward an hour ago, and the LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 679 Oregon was giving her hell. She has undoubtedly gone with the others, and we will have a Fourth of July celebration in Santiago to- morrow.” Captain Evans, who had been in the thick of the engagement up to the time he took the Vizcaya’s officers and crew from the shore, said that to the best of. his knowledge not one American ship had been struck. The torpedo-boat Ericssong which also returned from the westward at about the same time, made a similar report, saying it was believed no man was injured on board the American ships, though another report had it that one man was killed aboard the Brooklyn. This report was afterward confirmed, . Decks Strewn with Dead and Wounded. There was no means of telling what the Spanish loss was, but it was believed to have been very heavy, as the prisoners in custody re- ported their decks strewn with dead and wounded in great numbers, and besides, there was a statement that many bodies could be seen fastened to pieces of wreckage floating in the sea after the fight was over. A large number of the Spanish wounded were removed to the American ships. Another account by an eye-witness gives additional particulars of the great battle : “Three of the Spanish cruisers that were bottled up in Santiago harbor and two torpedo-boat destroyers were pounded into helpless hulks by the guns of Admiral Sampson’s fleet on Sunday in a vain attempt to escape from the harbor. The vessels were beached in a last effort to save as many of the lives of the crews as possible. “ Admiral Cervera, on board the Maria Teresa, headed his fleet in the attempt to get away at about half-past 9 o’clock. So little were the Americans expecting the dash that the flagship New York was cruising up the coast to the east and returned only in time to see the finish of the fight and to fire a shot or two at the torpedo- boat destroyers, “The Iowa, Indiana, Oregon, Massachusetts, Texas, Brooklyn and the converted yacht Gloucester, formerly the Corsair, formed in 680 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. position to give battle as soon as the Colon was sighted rounding the wreck of the Merrimac. “The American vessels did not open fire at once; they waited until Cervera’s ships were out of the range of Morro’s guns before giving battle. Cervera headed to the west, the Colon in the lead, followed by the Vizcaya and Oquendo and the destroyers, all firing rapidly. e “All of the American battleships opened fire-at once, and the Spanish were soon ina hurricane of shot and shell, but the Teresa kept on bravely till when ten miles from the westward of Morro Cas- tle, Admiral Cervera turned his vessel to the shore and beached her. She was blazing in a score of places, but her guns kept at work and the white flag never showed until she was completely disabled. Desperate Bravery on Both Sides. “The Oquendo and Vizcaya were opposed to the Iowa, Texas and Indiana and went down to defeat with fearful swiftness, covering only about half the distance made by the Colon before their captains ran them ashore. Their crews fought with desperate’ bravery, but their courage was no match for the courage of our men, added to their superb gunnery. The Spanish shells went wild for the most part, but the American gun-fire was marked by merciless precision. The two cruisers, both on fire, were beached not more than one-quarter of a mile apart. “ A most dramatic feature of the battle was the contest between the torpedo-boat destroyers and the Gloucester. The latter was struck several times and is the only American vessel reported damaged. At first the Gloucester fired upon them with her six pounders, but they ran past her and engaged the battleships. “Finding the fire too hot, they turned and attacked the Gloucester again until both destroyers were afire and had to be beached. Their crews threw themselves into the surf to save their lives. Just before this the New York came up and assisted in giving the finish blow to the destroyers. There was explosion after explosion from the beached vessels,” LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 681 General Shafter at noon, July 5th, repeated his demand for the surrender of the city, and notified General Linares that unless San- tiago surrendered, hostilities would be resumed at noon on that day. Conferences with the Consuls of the foreign powers were conducted near General Wheeler’s headquarters. The Consuls said there were 31,000 men, women and children foreign subjects in the city, and they required a cessation of hostilities in order to enable them to be removed outside Santiago, and to be placed under the protection of the United States. This was definitely refused by the American commander, who declined to accept any such responsibility. Consuls Insist on Surrender. The Consuls were told that it rested with them to insist upon General Linares’ surt .nder. The conference was resumed at 9 o’clock next morning, when the Consuls expressed grave doubts as to Gen- eral Linares’ surrender, on account of the false telegrams in regard to Spanish victories and yellow fever among the American troops sent daily to Madrid, which caused the Spaniards to think they dare not surrender and return to Spain. However, the foreign Consuls demanded the surrender of the city, but it was doubtful whether they would prevail. All the negotiations were submitted direct to Washington, thus causing some delay. General Shafter denied the existence of a regular armistice under the white flag, and it was believed hostilities would recommence on Tuesday, July sth, at 10 o’clock in the morning, before which time the exodus of the 31,000 foreigners would be accomplished. General Garcia’s appearance at Dos Palmas was in accordance with plans agreed upon by General Shafter and the Cuban commander. It was feared by both generals that the Cubans under Garcia would be unable to prevent General Pando from forcing his way into the city, owing to superior numbers. But General Shafter believed that Garcia would be able to hold Pando in check long enough to enable the American forces. to the east of the city to gain material advantages. From the news brought by the refugees it was impossible to give particulars of the fight at Dos Palmas between the Cubans and 682 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Pando’s men. All that was knowa was that Garcia’s band, though out- numbered two to one, made a bold stand against the advancing Span- iards, and contested the way for a considerable distance. The Span- iards finally broke through the Cuban lines, however, and pressed on towerd Santiago, effecting an entrance to the city from the west, GENERAL WILLIAM R. SHAFTER. General Pando was at the head of his troops in the fight with tne Cubans. He passed along the line often, seeking to encourage his men at those points where the fighting was fiercest. His men were discouraged when he fell to the ground, suffering from a wound in his arm, but they quickly rallied and forced their way through the Cuban columns. General Pando was the third conspicuous Spanish leader to fall in battle in the attack upon Santiago. Considerable comment was caused among the officials of the War LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 683 Department, at Washington, by the great loss of American officers in the two days of fighting at Santiago. Official reports received indicated that fifty-eight American officers were either killed or wounded, and the list was only partial. Speaking of the matter, Adjutant-General Corbin said that a finer lot of officers than was with General Shafter’s corps in Cuba never wore shoulder straps. They were, he said, brave, aggressive, and brilliant, and were well worthy to carry the honor of the stars and stripes. General Corbin did not forget the enlisted men in his com- mand, saying that the great majority of Shafter’s force was the pick of the regular army—strong, resolute, admirably disciplined, and thoroughly enthusiastic and patriotic. Heavy Losses of Our Army. Shafter’s army was labering at great disadvantage, not only on account of the intense heat and the shock of a great battle, but also © on account of the loss and disability of so many officers. While none of the general officers had been wounded, no less than five of them were ill, and were they at home would be in bed. The heavy loss of officers was due to the dash and bravery of the officers themselves. Instance after instance was disclosed of officers springing in front of their commands and leading them in brilliant sorties against the enemy. Quite naturally the Spanish sharp- shooters singled out the officers as targets, and the result was that the American forces suffered particularly heavy in this respect. Intelligence was received on July 6th that between 12,000 and 15,000 innocent victims ot the war had fled to El Caney, just outside the city, in wild panic to escape the terrors of the threatened bom- bardment of Santiago, and they were confronted by the horrors of starvation. In their hopeless confusion they were appealing to General Shafter for succor. Most of them were foreigners, princi- pally French, or with an admixture of foreign blood, and their inter- ests were being looked after by their Consuls. When they were informed that General Toral refused to consider the question of surrendering they swarmed out of the north gate of 684 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. the city all day, and trudged under the blazing sun over the road, which in many places was ankle-deep in mud. Tottering. old men and women were supported by children, and mothers with babes at their breasts struggled on toward El Caney, San Luis and other towns. Most of them reached El Caney on July 5th, and over five thousand of them slept i in the village, which, under ordinary circum- stances, hardly accommodates three hundred people. They were crowded together in the houses, upon the verandas and in the streets. At daylight those who had been overtaken by darkness on the wayside began to pour into the village, numbering more than 15,000. They were not allowed to bring food with them, and those who had money were as destitute as those who were without. Rich and poor, cultured and ignorant, white -and black, were huddled together, choking the passage-ways between the houses, all with gaunt despair written on their countenances, Pathetic Sights on Every Side. The ignorant desired only to be fed and the cultured wanted to get away, anywhere, anyhow, away from the war which had driven them from their homes. Pathetic sights were witnessed on all sides. There were ladies of good ‘birth and education, supported by frail girls who hid their faces from the vulgar gaze of others who surged about them. In the eyes of both mothers and daughters was the haunted look which wild animals have when driven to bay. Admiral Cervera sent to General Blanco at Havana the following report of the naval battle at Santiago: “In compliance with your orders I went out yesterday from San- tiago de Cuba with all the squadron, and after an unequaled combat against forces more than triple mine had all my squadron destroyed by fire. Teresa, Oquendo and Vizcaya beached and the Colon fleeing. I accordingly informed the Americans and went ashore and gave myself up. The torpedo-chasers foundered. “T do not know how many people were lost, but it will surely reach 600 dead and many wounded. Although not in such great numbers, the living are prisoners of the Americans. The conduct of the crews LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 685 rose to a height that won the most enthusiastic plaudits of the ene- my. The commander of the Vizcaya surrendered his vessel. His crew are very grateful for the noble generosity with which they are treated. Among the dead is Villimil and I believe Lasaga (spelling uncertain), and among the wounded Concas and Eulate. We have lost all; are necessarily depressed. “ CERVERA.” Exchange of Hobson and his Brave Men. Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson, of the flagship New York, and the seven seamen, who, with him, sailed the collier Merrimac into the channel of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba on June 3d last, and sank her there, were surrendered by the Spanish mili- tary authorities, July 7th, in exchange for prisoners captured by the American forces. Hobson and his men were escorted through the American lines by Captain Chadwick, of the New York, who was awaiting them. Every step of their journey was marked by the wildest demonstra- tions on the part of the American soldiers, who threw aside all sem- blance of order, scrambled out of the entrenchments, knocked over tent guys, and other camp paraphernalia in their eagerness to see the returning heroes, and sent up cheer after cheer for the men who had passed safely through the jaws of death in their desire to serve their country. As Hobson and the men of the Merrimac approached the first line of entrenchments, occupied by the Rough Riders, low murmurs ran from one end of the line of cowboys and Eastern athletes to the other, and by the time the returning party reached them every man was on his feet, refusing to be restrained by the admonishing of the officers, cheering wildly and rushing over every obstacle that chanced to be in their way, in their efforts to reach Hobson and his party and grasp them by the hand. The released prisoners were soon sur- rounded and compelled to stop to receive the greetings, congratula- tions and vigorous, heartfelt handshaking of men they had never seen before. Hobson, so far as possible, grasped each hand extended towards 686 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. him, and neither he nor his men made any protest against the rnost uncomfortable crowding and jostling which they had to undergo, If the young officer, whose home is in Alabama, had any race pre- judice, he certainly forgot all about it as he passed through the lines of soldiers on his way to General Wheeler’s headquarters. He saw it was the uniform of the United States army, and he cared not for the color of its wearers, grasping the hands of the ebony-hued troop- ers of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry, and expressing his thanks for their patriotic welcome with as much heartiness as he displayed to- wards men of his own race. He and all of his men were completely overcome by the reception accorded them, and tears rolled down their cheeks as the soldiers crowded around them. Hearty Cheers from Sailors and Marines. The same scenes of enthusiasm were repeated upon the arrival of the men at the hospital station and at our base at Juragua. Hobson, who reached there in advance of his companions, was taken on board the New York immediately. The flagship’'s decks were lined with officers and men, and as Hobson clambered up her side and stepped on board his vessel the harbor‘rang with the shouts and cheers of his comrades, which were echoed by the crews of a dozen transports lying near-by. Hobson had little to say in regard to his experiences except that he and his companions had been well treated by the Spaniards and that they were all in excellent health. In conducting the exchange Colonel John Jacob Astor and Lieu- tenant Miloy, accompanied by Interpreter Maestro, were in charge of the Spanish prisoners. These consisted of Lieutenants Amelio Volez and Aurelius, a German, belonging to the Twenty-ninth Regu- lar Infantry, who were captured at El Caney on Friday last, and Lieutenant Adolfo Aries, of the First Provisional Regiment of Bar- celona, one of the most aristocratic military organizations of the Spanish army, 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. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 687 The meeting between Colonel Astor and Major Irles was extremely courteous, but very formal, 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 Hobson 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 finished and the two parties were separating, Major Irles turned and said courteously enough, but in a tone which indicated considerable defiance, and gave his hearers the impression that he desired hostili- ties to be renewed at once: “Our understanding is, gentlemen, that this truce comes to an end at 5 o'clock.” Oo Siege Guns Ready for the Fight. Colonel Astor looked at his watch, bowed to the Spanish officer, without making a reply, and then started back slowly to the American lines with Hobson 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 entrenched near the meeting place, and the keenest interest was taken in the episode. During the truce which General Shafter effected with General Lin- ares, the Spanish commander at Santiago, the American land and sea forces perfected plans to deal a smashing blow upon the city of Santiago. It is impossible to tell yet just when this blow will be delivered, but it was expected to fall at noon on Saturday, July oth. General Shafter succeeded in getting his siege guns in command- ing positions at the front, and Sergeant Hallet Alsop Borrowe had his dynamite guns repaired and in position on San Juan Hill. Our troops also fortified themselves with protected rifle pits, from which they would be able to do the enemy much harm without themselves being especially exposed to the enemy’s fire. In addition to these advantages gained on land by General Shafter 688 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. he arranged with Admiral Sampson for the fleet to participate in the attack on the city. It was found impracticable for the fleet to shell Santiago from the bay, owing to the presence of mines and the sta- tioning of Spanish riflemen to protect the mine fields. To get around this difficulty Admiral Sampson decided to bombard Santiago from off Aquadores, from which point the guns of the fleet would be able to do great damage in the beleaguered city. The results of the operations against Santiago were foreseen by General Toral, who at once put himself in communication with the Spanish Government for the purpose of deciding whether to surren- der or continue a hopeless conflict. After attempting to save the Spanish troops from being included in the terms of capitulation, General Toral, on July 14th, made an unconditional surrender to General Shafter. Surrender of Santiago. Cervera took his ships to Santiago on May 19, and on May 30 Com- modore Schley reported that he had the Spanish Admiral bottled up. That was just six weeks before the surrender. On June 3, the Mer- rimac was sunk in the mouth of the harbor in an attempt to cork the bottle, which was not entirely successful. Shafter’s troops began landing at Baiquiri, fifteen miles from Santiago, on June 22, and Cer- vera’s fleet was taken out of the harbor and destroyed on July 3, after a sanguinary battle by the land forces, lasting two days, July 1 and 2. After that time there was no fighting of consequence, ten days having been consumed in negotiations for the surrender of the city. The campaign really lasted no more than twelve days—from June 20 to July 3—but the losses were very heavy, aggregating at least 1,800 out of the army of 16,500 originally landed. The appearance of yel- low fever was an admonition that these losses would be greatly in- creased if the army should be kept at Santiago. By the terms of surrender our Government agreed to transport the ten or twelve thousand soldiers captured back to Spain. The down- fall of Santiago was hailed with delight throughout the country. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 689 We are able to furnish a reliable account of the preliminaries that preceded the surrender. It appears that on Monday, July 11th, General Shafter did not again demand the unconditional surrender of Santiago, which General Toral had refused on Sunday; but he offered, as an alternative proposition, to accept the capitulation of the enemy and to transport the Spanish officers and troops to Spain, they to leave all their arms behind. He offered also to accept their parole. This proposition General Toral declined. Notable Council of War. It was decided next morning to hold a personal interview with General Toral. General Miles and his staff, accompanied by General Shafter and his staff, rode out to the front shortly before eight o’clock under a flag of truce. A request for a personal interview with the Spanish commander- in-chief was made and acceded to, and about nine o’clock General Miles, General Shafter, General Wheeler, General Gilmour, Colonel Morse, Captain Wiley and Colonel Mestre rode up, passed over our entrenchments and went down into the valley beyond. They were met by General Toral and his chief of staff under a spreading mango tree, at the bottom of the valley, about half way between the lines. the interview that followed lasted almost an hour. The situation was placed frankly before General Toral, and he was offered the alternative of being sent home with his garrison or being attacked by the combined American forces. The only condition im- posed was that he should not destroy the existing fortifications and should leave his arms behind. This latter condition the Spanish general, who does not speak English, explained through his inter- preter, was impossible. He said the laws of Spain gave a general no discretion. He might abandon a place when he found it untenable, but he could not leave his arms behind without subjecting himself to the penalty of being court-martialled and shot. His government, he said, had granted him permission to evacuate Santiago. That was all, Further than that he was powerless to go. Without saying so in words, General Miles stated that the tenor of 44 690 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. General Toral’s remarks all betrayed his realization that he could not hold out long. When General Shafter explained that our reinforce- ments were coming up, that he was completely surrounded, and that new batteries were being posted, General Toral simply shrugged his shoulders. “TI am but a subordinate,” said he, “and I obey my government. If it is necessary we can die at our posts.” The Spanish General. General Toral is sixty years old, with a strong, rugged face, and, fine soldierly bearing. His brave words inspired a feeling of respect and admiration in the hearts of his adversaries. Nevertheless, the Spanish General’s anxiety to avoid further sacrifice of life in his com- mand was manifest, and he did not hesitate to ask for time to com- municate the situation to Madrid, although he dubiously shook his head when he spoke of the probable response. During the course of an interview General Toral said the bom- bardment of Sunday and Monday had done little damage. He ad- mitted the shells from the guns of the fleet had destroyed four houses, but he asserted that only half a dozen soldiers of the garrison had been injured. He also volunteered the information when General Miles gallantly inquired after General Linares’ condition that the lat- ter would probably have his left arm amputated at the shoulder. General Miles at the interview did not attempt to assume the direc- tion of the negotiations, but, as General of the United States Army, he vouched for the. conditions General Shafter offered. Upon the return of our commanders to the American lines an important con- sultation was held at General Wheeler’s headquarters. Generals Garcia and Castillo, with their staff, had ridden around from the ex- treme right to see General Miles. It was a notable group gathered under the protecting awning of General Wheeler’s tent. General Toral was made to see that it would be madness for him to attempt to continue the struggle, that the American army was master of the situation, and the downfall of Santiago was only a question of time. There was but one thing for General’ Toral to do, and that wasto surrender, 5. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 691 After tne first announcement that General Toral would surrender, and commissioners had been appointed to arrange the details, the negotiations were halted by the urgent request of the Spanish com- mander that his troops be allowed to retain their arms. This request was peremptorily refused by our Government, and after further par- leying, the Spanish government, seeing that continued resistance was useless, consented to the terms proposed by General Shafter. The formal sanction by the Madrid government of the terms of capitulation unraveled the tangled skeins of demands and counter- demands between the opposing commanders which threatened to end the negotiations and compel a return to arms. Terms of Santiago’s Surrender. The agreement consisted of nine articles : The first declared that all hostilities should cease pending the agreement of final capitulation. Second, That the capitulation includes all the Spanish forces and the surrender of all war material within the prescribed limits. Third. The transportation of the troops to Spain at the earliest possible moment, each force to be embarked at the nearest port. Fourth. That the Spanish 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 obstructions to navigation in Santiago harbor. Sixth. That after the final capitulation, the commanding officers shall furnish a complete inventory of all arms and munitions of war, and a roster of all the 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 per- mitted to remain in Cuba if they so elect, giving a parole that they will not again take up arms against the United States unless properly released from parole. Ninth. That the Spanish forces shall be permitted to march out 692 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. with all the honors of war, depositing their arms to be disposed of by the United States in the future, the American commissioners to recommend to their government that the arms of the soldiers be returned to those “who so bravely defended them.” On the evening of July 17th the War Department at Washington posted the following despatches from General Shafter : “T have the honor to announce that the American-flag has been this instant, 12 o’clock noon, raised over the House of the Civil Gov- ernment in the city of Santiago. An immense concourse of people was present, a squadron of cavalry anda regiment of infantry pre- senting arms and a band playing national airs. The light battery fired a salute of twenty-one guns, The Situation. “Perfect order is being maintained by the municipal government. The distress is very great, but there is little sickness in the town. Scarcely any yellow fever. A small gunboat and about two hundred seamen, left by Cervera, have surrendered to me. Obstructions are being removed from the mouth of the harbor. “Upon coming into the city I discovered a perfect entanglement of defences. Fighting as the Spaniards did the first day it would have cost five thousand lives to have taken it. Battalions of Spanish troops have been depositing arms since daylight inthe armory over which I have guard. General Toral formally surrendered the plaza and all stores at 9 A.M.” Amid impressive ceremonies the Spanish troops laid down their arms between the lines of the Spanish and American forces at nine o’clock in the morning of July 17th.” General Shafter and the American division and brigade commanders and their staffs were escorted by a troop of cavalry, and General Toral and his staff by one hundred picked’ men. Trumpeters on both sides saluted with flourishes. General Shafter returned to General Toral the latter’s sword after it had been handed to the American commander. Our troops, lined up at the trenches, were eye-witnesses to the ceremony. General LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 693 Shafter and his escort, accompanied by General Toral, rode through the city, taking formal possession. The city had been sacked, before they arrived, by the Spaniards. General McKibben was appointed temporary military governor. The ceremony of hoisting the Stars and Stripes was worth all the blood and treasure it cost. A vast concourse of 10,000 people wit- nessed the stirring and thrilling scene, that will live forever in the minds of all the Americans present. A finer stage-setting for a dramatic episode it would be difficult to imagine. The palace, a picturesque old dwelling, in the Moorish style of architecture, faces the Plaza de la Reina, the principal public square. Opposite rises the imposing Catholic Cathedral. Raising the Stars and Stripes. On one side is a quaint, brilliantly painted building, with broad verandas—the club of San Carlos; on the other a building of much the same description—the Cafe De La Venus. Across the plaza was drawn up the Ninth Infantry, headed by the Sixth Cavalry Band. In the street facing the palace stood a picked troop of the Second Cav- alry, with drawn sabres, under command of Captain Brett. Massed on the stone flagging, between the band and the line of horsemen, were the brigade commanders of General Shafter’s division, with their staffs. On the red tiled roof of the palace stood Captain McKittrick, Lieu- tenant Miley and Lieutenant Wheeler ; immediately above them, upon the flagstaff, the illuminated Spanish arms and the legend “Vive Alfonso XIII.” All about, pressing against the veranda rails, crowd- ing the windows and doors and lining the roofs, were the people of the town, principally women and non-combatants. The chimes of the old cathedral rang out the hour of twelve; the infantry and cav- alry presented arms. Every American uncovered, and Captain McKittrick hoisted the Stars and Stripes. As the brilliant folds unfurled in a gentle breeze against a fleckless sky, the cavalry band broke into the strains of “The Star Spangled Banner,” making the American pulse leap and the American heart 694 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. thrill with joy. At the same instant the sound of the distant boom- ing of Captain Capron’s battery, firing a salute of twenty-one guns, drifted in. When the music ceased from all directions around our line came floating across the plaza the strains of the regimental bands and the muffled, hoarse cheers of our troops. The infantry came to “order arms” a moment later, after the flag was up, and the band played “Rally Round the Flag, Boys.” Instantly General McKibben called for three cheers for General Shafter, which were given with great enthusiasm, the band playing “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Hungry Army of Refugees. Since 4 o’clock in the morning a stream of refugees had been pour- ing into the city, some naked, and all hungry. Many had fallen by the wayside. The town of Santiago presented a dismal sight. Most of the houses had been sacked and the stores had all been looted and nothing to eat could be had. In the streets of the city, at the en- trenchments, at the breastworks and at every hundred feet or so of the barbed wire fences were the living skeletons of Spanish soldiers, Among the arrivals were the German, Japanese and Portuguese Consuls and their families, the British and French Consuls having arrived two days before. Three thousand five hundred men from Manzanillo arrived on July 3d, making the total garrison 7,000. The contact mines in the harbor were removed the day Admiral Cervera left, but two chains of electric mines, one from Estrella Point and the other from Socapa, were still down. Twenty-two thousand refugees were quartered at El Caney, 5,000 at Firmeza and 5,000 at Cuabitas El Bonito and San Vincente, where they had been living for a fortnight. In one case 500 were crowded into one building. The Spanish troops were encamped two miles outside the city limits, under guard, awaiting their embarkation. The docks were crowded by incoming refugees in a starving con- dition, awaiting the arrival in the harbor of the Red Cross Society’s steamer State of Texas with eatables. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF THE DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA’S FLEET. Official reports made by Rear Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley on the destruction of the Spanish fleet at Santiago on July 3d were not made public until July 27th. They tell in detail of the work of each American ship in that great sea fight. U. S. Fracsuip New York, First Rate. Off Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, July 15, 1898. Sir—I have the honor to make the following report upon the bat- tle with and the destruction of the Spanish squadron commanded by Admiral Cervera off Santiago de Cuba on Sunday, July 3, 1898 :-— 2. The enemy’s vessels came out of the harbor between twenty-five minutes to ten and ten a. M., the head of the column appearing around Cay Smith at twenty-nine minutes to ten, anc emerging from the channel five or six minutes later. 3. The positions of the vessels of my command off Santiago at that moment were as follows:—The flagship New York was four miles east of her blockading station, and about seven miles from the “harbor entrance. She had started for Siboney, where I intended to land, accompanied by several of my staff, and to go to the front to consult with General Shafter. A discussion of the situation and a more definite understanding between us of the operations proposed had been rendered necessary by the unexpectedly strong resistance of the Spanish garrison of Santiago. I had the day before arranged to go to General Shafter’s head- quarters, and my flagship was in the position mentioned above when the Spanish squadron appeared in the channel. Position of the Fleet. The remaining vessels were in or near their usual blockading posi- tions; distributed in a semi-circle about the harbor entrance, count- ing from the eastward to the westward in the following order:—The Indiana about a mile and a half from the shore, the Oregon—the New York’s place between these two—the Iowa, Texas and Brooklyn, the ‘ 695 696 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. latter two miles 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 blockading distance. The length of the arc formed by the ships was about eight miles. The Massachusetts had left at four a.m. for Guantanamo for coal. Her station was between the Iowa and Texas. The auxiliaries Gloucester and Vixen lay close to the land and nearer the harbor entrance than the large vessels, the Gloucester to the eastward and the Vixen to the westward. The torpedo boat Ericsson was in company with the flagship, and remained with her during the chase until ordered ‘to discontinue, when she rendered very efficient service in rescuing prisoners from the burning Vizcaya. I enclose a diagram showing approximately the positions of the vessels as described above. 4. 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 eight hundred yards, which means that from the time the first one became visible in the upper reach of the channel until the last one was out of the harbor an interval of only about twelve minutes elapsed. Following the Oquendo, at a distance of about twelve hun- dred yards, came the torpedo-boat destroyer Pluton, and after her the Furor. Shrouded in Smoke. The armored cruisers, as rapidly as they could bring their guns to bear, opened a vigorous fire upon the blockading vessels, and emerged from the channel shrouded in the smoke from their guns. 5. 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’s ships escaping,” and a general quar- ters 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, LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 697 flying the signal, “Close in toward harbor entrance and attack ves- sels,” and gradually increasing speed, until, toward the end of the chase, she was making sixteen and one-half knots, and was rapidly 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 from 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. Turned into a Chase. 6. 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 Spaniards carried them rapidly past the blockading vessels, and the battle developed into a chase, in which the Brooklyn and Texas had at the start the advantage of position, The Brooklyn maintained this lead. The Oregon, steaming with amazing speed from the commencement of the action, took first place. The Iowa and the Indiana, 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 blockading stations. These vessels rescued many prisoners. The Vixen, finding that the rush of the Spanish ships would put her between two ffres, ran outside of our own column, and remained there during the battle and chase. 7. The skillful handling and gallant fighting of the Gloucester excited the admiration of every one wh witnessedit and merits the commendation of the 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. 692 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Anticipating the appearance of the Pluton and Furor, the Glouces- ter 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 to short range, where her fire was accurate, deadly and of great volume. . During this fight the Glou- cester was under the fire of the Socapa battery. Destroying the Destroyers. Within twenty minutes from the time they emerged from Santiago harbor, the careers of the Furor and Pluton 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 suffered much injury from the fire of the secondary batteries of the battleships 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. 8. The method of escape attempted hy 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, immediately 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 engage- ment. It was afterward 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 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 fifteen minutes past ten A. M., at Nima Nima, six and one-haif miles from Santiago Harbor entrance, LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 699 and the Almirante Oquendo at about half past ten a. M., at Juan Gonzales, seven miles from the port. g. The Vizcaya 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 fifteen minutes after eleven she turned in shore and was beached at Aserraderos, fifteen miles from Santiago, burning fiercely, and with her reserves of ammunition on deck already beginning to explode. When about ten miles west of Santiago the Indiana had been sig- nalled to go back to the harbor entrance, and at Aserraderos the Iowa was signalled to resume blockading station. The Iowa, assisted by the Ericsson and the Hist, took off the crew of the Vizcaya, while the Harvard and the Gloucester rescued those of the Infanta Maria Teresa and the Almirante Oquendo. Brave Rescue of Prisoners. This rescue of prisoners, including the wounded, from the burning Spanish vessels was the occasion of some of the most daring and gal- lant 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 addi- tion 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. 10. There remained now of the Spanish ships only the Cristobal Colan—but she was their best and fastest vessel. Forced by the situ- ation 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 chase, and that 700 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA; she had no chance of escape. At ten minutes to one the Brooklyn and the Oregon opened fire and got her range—the Oregon’s heavy shell striking beyond her—and at twenty minutes after one she gave up without firing another shot, hauled down her colors, and ran ashore at Rio Torquino, forty-eight miles from Santiago. Enemy’s Last Ship Lost. Captain Cook, of the Brooklyn, went on board to receive the sur- render. While his boat was along side 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 effects should be retained by the officers. 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, treacherously, 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 Captain Chadwick with admirable 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. 11, I regard this complete and important victory over the Spanish forces as the successful finish of several weeks of arduous and close blockade, so stringent and effective during the night that the enemy was deterred from making the attempt to escape at night, and de- liberately elected to make the attempt in daylight. That this was the case I was informed by the commanding officer of the Cristobal Colon. 12. It seems proper to briefly describe here the manner in which % LATEST EVENTS IN. CUBA. 701 this was accomplished. The harbor of Santiago is naturally easy to blockade—there being but one entrance, and that a narrow one, and the deep water extending close up to the shore line, presenting no difficulties of navigation outside of the entrance. Method of the Blockade. At the time of my arrival before the port—June 1—the moon was at its full, and there was sufficient light during the night to enable any movement outside of the entrance to be detected ; but with the waning of the moon and the coming of dark nights there was op- portunity for the enemy to escape, or for his torpedo boats to make an attack upon the blockading vessels. It was ascertained with fair conclusiveness that the Merrimac, so gallantly taken into the channel on June 3d, did not obstruct it. I therefore maintained the blockade as follows: To the battleships was assigned the duty, in turn, of lighting the channel. Moving up to the port, at a distance of from one to two miles from the Morro, de- pendent upon the condition of the atmosphere, they threw a search- light beam directly up the channel, and held it steadily there. This lightened 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. Why the batteries never opened fire upon the search- light ship was always a matter of surprise to me, but they never did. Stationed close to the entrance of the port were three picket launches, and at a little distance farther out three small picket vessels, usually converted yachts, and when they were available one or two of our torpedo boats. With this arrangement there was at least a certainty that nothing could get out of the harbor undetected. After the arrival of the army, when the situation forced upon the Spanish admiral a decision, our vigilance increased. The night block- ading distance was reduced to two miles for all vessels, and a battle- ship was placed alongside the searchlight ship, with her broadside trained upon the channel in readiness to fire the instant a Spanish ship should appear. The commanding officers merit the greatest praise for the perfect 702 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. - manner in which they entered into this plan and put it into execution, The Massachusetts, which, according to routine, was sent that morn- ing to coal at Guantanamo, like the others had spent weary nights upon this work, and deserved a better fate than to be absent that morning. I enclose, for the information of the department, copies of orders and memoranda issued from time to time relating to the manner of maintaining the blockade. All Did Good Work. 13. When all the work was done so well it is difficult to discriminate in praise. The object of the blockade of Cervera’s squadron was fully accomplished, and each individual bore well his part in it—the commodore in command of the second division, the captains of ships, their officers and men. The fire of the battleships was powerful and destructive, and the resistance of the Spanish squadron 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 Cristobal Colon did not give up‘until the Ore- gon 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 advan- tage in the chase, which she maintained to the end, and she em- ployed her fine battery 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 Cristobal 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 measurements of time and distance give her an average speed from the time she LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 703 cleared the harbor mouth until the time she was run on shore at Rio Tarquino of 13.7 knots. Lost No Time in Starting. Neither the New York nor the Brooklyn stopped to couple up her forward engines, but ran out the chase with one pair, getting steam, of course, as rapidly 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. 14. Several of the ships were struck, the Brooklyn more often than the others, but very slight material injury was done, the great- est being aboard the Iowa. Our loss was one man killed and one wounded, both on the Brooklyn. It is difficult to explain this immunity from loss of life or injury to ships in a combat with modern vessels of the best type; but Spanish gunnery is poor at the best, and the superior weight and accuracy of our fire speedily drove the men from their guns and silenced their fire. This is borne out by the statements of prisoners. The Spanish vessels, as they dashed out of the harbor, were cov- ered with the smoke from their own guns, but this speedily dimin- ished in volume and soon almost disappeared. The fire from the rapid-fire batteries of the battleships appears to have been remarka- bly destructive. An examination of the stranded vessels shows that the Almirante Oquendo especially had suffered terribly from this fire. Her sides are everywhere pierced and her decks were strewn with the charred remains of those who had fallen. 15. The reports of Commodore W. S. Schley and of the com- manding officers are enclosed. 16. A board appointed by me several days ago has made a critical examination of the stranded vessels, both with a view of reporting upon the result of our fire and the military features involved, and of reporting upon the chance of saving any of them and of wrecking the remainder. The report of the Board will be speedily forwarded. Very respectfully, W. T. Sampson, Rear Admiral, U. S. N.; Commander in Chief U. S. Naval Force, North Atlantic Station, THE SECRETARY OF THE Navy, Navy Department, Washington, D, C, 704 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Commodore Schley’s Report to Admiral Sampson. U. S. Flagship Brooklyn, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 6, 1898. Sir :—I have the honor to make the following report of that part of the squadron under your command which came under my obser- vation during the engagement with the Spanish fleet on July 3, 1898: 2. At 9.35 A.M. Admiral Cervera, with the Infanta Maria Teresa, Vizcaya, Oquendo, Cristobal Colon and two torpedo-boat destroyers came out of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba in column at distance and attempted to escape to the westward. Signal was made from the Iowa that the enemy was coming out, but his movement had been discovered from this ship at the same moment. Tais vessel was the furthest west, except the Vixen, in the block- ading line: signal was made to the western division as prescribed in your General Orders, and there was immediate and rapid movement inward by your squadron and a general engagement, at ranges be- ginning at eleven hundred yards and varying to three thousand, until the Vizcaya was destroyed, about 10.50 a.m. The concentration of the fire of the squadron upon the ships coming out was most furious and terrific, and great damage was done them. Nortu ATLANTIC FLEET, SECOND SQUADRON, | Beginning the Destruction. 3. About twenty or twenty-five minutes after the engagement began, two vessels, thought to be the Teresa and Oquendo, and since verified as such, took fire from the effective shell fire of the squadron, and were forced to run on the beach, some six or seven miles west of the harbor entrance, where they burned and blew up later. The torpedo-boat destroyers were destroyed early in the action, but the smoke was so dense in their direction that I cannot say to which vessel or vessels the credit belongs. This, doubtless, was better seen from your flagship. 4. The Vizcaya and Colon, perceiving the disaster to their cone LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 705 sorts, continued at full speed to the westward to escape, and were followed and engaged in a running fight with the Brooklyn, Texas, Iowa and Oregon until ten minutes of eleven, when the Vizcaya took fire from our shells, She put her helm to port, and with a heavy list to port, stood in shore and ran aground at Aserraderos, about twenty one miles west of Santiago, on fire fore and aft, and where she blew up during the night. Observing that she had struck her colors, and that several vessels were nearing her to capture and save her crew, Signal was made to cease firing. The Oregon, having proved vastly faster than the other battle- ships, she and the Brooklyn, together with the Texas and another vessel, which proved to be your flagship, continued westward in pursuit of the Colon, which had run clpse in shore, evidently seeking some good spot to beach, if she should fail to elude her pursuers. End of the Chase. 5. This pursuit continued with increasing speed in the Brooklyn, Oregon and other ships, and soon the Brooklyn and the Oregon were within long range of the Colon, when the Oregon opened fire with her thirteen-inch guns, landing a shell close to the Colon. A moment afterwards the Brooklyn opened fire with her eight-inch guns, landing a shell just ahead of her. Several other shells were fired at the Colon, now in range of the Brooklyn’s and Oregon’s guns. Her commander, seeing all chances of escape cut off, and destruc- tion awaiting his ship, fired a lee gun and struck her flag at a quarter past one P.m., and ran ashore at a point some fifty miles west of San- tiago Harbor. Your fligship was coming up rapidly at the time, as were also the Texas and Vixen. A little later, after your arrival, the Cristobal Colon, which had stuck to the Brooklyn and the Oregon, was turned over to you as one of the trophies of this grea: victory of the squadron under your command. 6. During my official visit, a littie later, Commander Eaton, of the Resolute, appeared, and reported to you the presence of a Spanish battleship near Altares, Your orders to me were to take the Oregon 45 706 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. and go eastward to meet her, and this was done by the Brooklyn, with the result that the vessel reported as an enemy was discovered to be the Austrian cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa, seeking the com- mander-in-chief. 7. I would mention for your consideration that the Brooklyn occu- pied the most westward blockading position with the Vixen, and, being more directly in the route taken by the Spanish squadron, was exposed for some minutes, possibly ten, to the gun fire of three of the Spanish ships and the west battery at a range of fifteen hundred yards from the ships, and about three thousand yards from the bat- teries, but the vessels of the entire squadron, closing in rapidly, soon diverted this fire and did magnificent work at close range. Deadly Shots from Our Fleet. I have never before witnessed such deadly and fatally accurate shooting as was done by the ships of your command as they closed in on the Spanish squadron, and I deem it a high privilege to com- mend to you for such action as you may deem proper, the gallantry and dashing courage, the prompt decision and the skillful handling of their respective vessels, of Captain Philip, Captain Evans, Captain Clark, and especially of my chief of staff, Captain Cook, who was directly under my personal observation, and whose coolness, prompt- ness and courage were of the highest order. The dense smoke of the combat shut out from my view the Indiana and the Gloucester, but as these vessels were closer to your flagship, no doubt their part ir, the conflict was under your immediate obser- vation. 8. Lieutenant Sharp, commanding the Vixen, acted with conspicu- ous courage; although unable to engage the heavier ships of the enemy with his light guns, nevertheless was close in to the battle line under heavy fire, and many of the enemy’s shot passed beyond his vessel. g. I beg to invite special attention to the conduct of my flag lieu- tenant, James H. Sears, and Ensign Edward McCauley, Jr., aid, who were constantly at my side during the engagement, and who exposed LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 707 themselves fearlessly in discharging their duties; and also to the splendid behaviour of my secretary, Lieutenant B. W. Wells, Jr., who commanded and directed the fighting of the Fourth division with splendid effect. , 10. I would commend the highly meritorious conduct and courage in the engagement of Lieutenant Commander N. E. Mason, the exe- cutive officer, whose presence everywhere over the ship during its continuance did much to secure the good result of this ship’s part in the victory. 11. The navigator, Lieutenant A. C. Hodgson, and the division officers, Lieutenant T. D. Griffin, Lieutenant W. R. Rush, Lieuten- ant Edward Simpson, Lieutenant J. G. Doyle, Ensign Charles Web- ster, and the junior divisional officers were most steady and conspi- cuous in every detail of duty contributing to the accurate firing of this ship in her part of the great victory of your forces. Brave and Competent Officers. 12. The officers of the Medical, Pay and Engineer and Marine Corps responded to every demand of the occasion, and were fearless in exposing themselves. The warrant officers, Boatswain William L. Hill, Carpenter G.H. Warford and Gunner F. T. Applegate, were everywhere exposed in watching for damage, reports of which were promptly conveyed to me. 13. I have never in my life served with a braver, better or worthier crew than that of the Brooklyn. During the combat, lasting from thirty-five minutes past nine until fifteen minutes past one, much of the time under fire, they never flagged for a moment, and were apparently undisturbed by the storm of projectiles passing ahead, astern and over the ship. 14. The result of the engagement was the destruction of the Span- ish squadron and the capture of the Admiral and some thirteen hun- hundred to fifteen hundred prisoners, with the loss of several hundred killed, estimated by Admiral Cervera at six hundred men. 15. The casualties on board this ship were G. H. Ellis, chief yeo- man, killed; J. Burns, fireman first class, severely wounded. The 708 “LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. marks and scars show that the ship was struck about twenty-five times, and she bears in all forty-one scars as the result of her partici- pation in the great victory of your force on July 3, 1898. The speed cone halliards were shot away, and nearly all the signal halliards. The ensign at the main was so shattered that in hauling it down at the close of the action it fell in pieces, 16. I congratulate you most sincerely upon this great victory to the squadron under your command, and I am glad that I had an opportunity to contribute in the least to a victory that seems big enough for all of us. 17. I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of the com- manding officer, and a drawing in profile of the ship, showing the location of hits and scars; also a memorandum of the ammunition expended and the amount to fill her allowance. Planned to Ram the Brooklyn. 18. Since reaching this place and holding conversation with several of the captains—viz.: Captain Eulate, of the Vizcaya, and the second in command of the Colon, Commander Contreras, I have learned that the Spanish admiral’s scheme was to concentrate all fire for a while on the Brooklyn, and the Vizcaya to ram her, in hope that if they could destroy her the chance of escape would be increased, as it was supposed she was the swiftest ship of your squadron. This explains the heavy fire mentioned and the Vizcaya’s action in the earlier moments of the engagement. The execution of this pur- pose was promptly defeated by the fact that all the ships of the squad- ron advanced into close range and opened a terrific fire upon the enemy’s squadron as it was coming out of the harbor. 21. I cannot close this report without mentioning in high terms of praise the splendid conduct and support of Captain C. E. Clark, of the Oregon. Her speed was wonderful and her accurate fire splen- didly destructive. Very WS A (hig Commodore United States Navy, Commanding Second Squadron, North Atlantic Fleet, To the Commander-in-Chief, United States Naval Force, North Atlantic Station, LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 709 CAPTAINS TELL OF OUR NAVAL VICTORY. The following are the reports of Captain Chadwick, of the New York ; Captain Taylor, of the Indiana; Captain Philip, of the Texas; Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright, of the Gloucester; Captain Clark, of the Oregon; and Captain Evans, of the Iowa, on the de- struction of Cervera’s fleet, which were included in Admiral Samp- son’s report. Captain Chadwick’s report was as follows: The ship had started at 9.30 A.M. for the army landing at Siboney, the commander-in-chief having an appointment with the general commanding the army. A few minutes after the crew. had been called to quarters for Sunday inspection, firing was heard, and a ship was seen leaving the harbor. entrance. The helm was at once put over, the crew called to general quarters, signal “ Close in towards the harbor entrance and attack vessels”” madg, orders given to spread all fires, and the ship headed back for the enemy, whose ships were seen successively coming out at a high speed. The Flagship on Fire. The nearer ships had immediately engaged, and by the time we were off the entrance one, the flagship, was already afire, and was soon ashore; the Indiana and Gloucester were actively engaged with the torpedo boats. This ship fired some 4-inch shells at the one nearer the port, towards which she was already headed, and seemed attempting to return; but she was already practically out of the fight, the boiler of the more advanced one having blown up, showing a vast column of condensed steam, During this time the batteries, whose line of fire we had crossed close to, repeatedly fired upon us, ‘but without effect. This ship stood on, leaving the Gloucester, which had shown herself so capable, to look after the survivors in the tor- pedo-boats. By this time a second cruiser was ashore and burning (the Almi- rante Oquendo), while the third, the Vizcaya, and the Cristobal Colon were still steaming rapidly westward, The Indiana was now 710 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. signaled (11.26 A.M.) to return to her blockading position, to look after anything which might be there. Very shortly the Vizcaya turned shoreward, smoke began to issue from her after part, and, by the time that she was ashore on the reef at Acerraderos (fifteen miles west of Santiago), she was ablaze. The Iowa had signaled a little before that she had surrendered, and stopped off this place, where she gave much assistance in the rescue of the Vizcaya’s people. This ship stood on in chase of the Cristobal Colon, with ahead of us the Brooklyn, Oregon, Texas and Vixen, the Oregon being much nearer inshore of the two headmost ships, but not in gunshot. We were rapidly increasing our speed. Spanish Ship Struck Her Colors. About 12.50 the Oregon opened fire, and some of her shells were observed to strike beyond the Colon; this made her capture a fore- gone conclusion, and shortly after 1 o’clock she turned in towards shore and soon struck her colors. She had been beached at a small inlet known as Rio Torquino. By the time we arrived a boat was alongside of her from the Brooklyn, and Captain Cook, the boarding officer, came alongside this and reported. This ship then sent a boat to take possession, the commanding officer going in the boat. I was received by the commodore of the squadron, the captain, Captain De Navio Don Emilo Moreu, and Captain De Navio, of the first-class Don Jose de Paredes y Chacon (which latter had been civil governor of Santiago and had only just been attached to the squadron). I arranged for the transfer of the crew and officers, a division to each ship present, and the engineer force to be left aboard. While aboard, however, the Resolute arrived, and it was arranged to transfer the whole number to her. Though the ship was not able to come to action with any of the larger ships on account of her distance to the eastward, every nerve was strained to do so, and all was done that could be done; our speed had rapidly increased, so that we were going sixteen knots at the end. We werc immediately astern while all others were considerably to seaward, We were thus in a position to prevent a possible doublinz LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 711 to the rear and escape to the southeast. The officers and crew, as they always have done, acted in the most enthusiastic and commend- able manner. The Indiana’s Part. Captain H. C. Taylor, commanding the United States steamship Indiana, first rate, reported as follows: The Spanish squadron was seen emerging from the harbor at 9.37, and-in a few moments a general action ensued. The leading ship, which proved to be the Infanta Teresa, flying the flag of Vice Ad- miral Cervera, was followed by the other vessels of the squadron as follows: Vizcaya, Cristobal Colon, Oquendo and the torpedo-boat destroyers Furor and Pluton. The enemy’s vessels headed to the westward. This ship fired on all of them as they came out one by one, and continued the action later by firing principally on the Maria Teresa, Oquendo, Furor and Pluton. Several of our shells were seen to take effect on these vessels. Our secondary battery guns were directed principally on the de- stroyers, as also were the “6” guns. The destroyers were sunk through the agency of our guns and those of the Gloucester, which vessel had come up and engaged them close aboard. The initial fire of the last two ships was directed at this vessel, and although falling very close, only striking the ship twice without any injury to ship or crew. One of our “13” shells was seen to enter the Maria Teresa under the quarter deck and explode, and that ship was observed on fire very shortly afterwards. About 10.15 a.M. observed the Maria Teresa and Oquendo on fire and heading for the beach, the fire from their guns having ceased. - We then devoted our special attention to prevent the escape of the destroyers, which appeared more than a match for the Gloucester, she being the only small vessel near to engage them. They were soon seen to blow up, apparently struck by our “6” and 6-pounders. We now fired our large guns at the Vizcaya, which was at long range ; she made for the shore soon after, on fire and battery silenced. These ships hauled down their colors as they made for the beach, The Spanish flagship hoisted the white flag as she grounded. 712. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. We now ceased firing. The Colon was observed well over the western horizon, closely pursued by the Brooklyn, Oregon and Texas, off shore of her. The flagship New York, steaming full speed to the westward as soon as the Vizcaya surrendered, signaled us, “ Go back and guard entrance of harbor.” Several explosions were observed on board the burning ships. At noon turned and stood to the eastward for our station in obedience to the above signal. Observed the Har- vard and several transports standing to the westward. During this action we used no armor-piercing shells, except the smokeless pow- der 6-pounders, and the good effect of the common shell is shown by the fires on the enemy’s ships and the short time taken to disable them without piercing their armor and with almost no injury to our ships. Captain Taylor commended all his officers and crew, and especially Lieutenant-Commander John A. Rodgers, the executive officer. What the Texas Did. Captain J. W. Philip, commanding the United States battleship Texas, the sister ship to the Maine, destroyed in Havana harbor, reported to Admiral Sampson as follows: Just at 9.35 as general signal No. 250 was made the Texas, which was lying 5,100 yards distant from Morro, the enemy’s ships were sighted standing out of the harbor. As the leader bearing the admi- ral’s flag appeared in the entrance she opened fire, which was at 9.40 returned by the Texas at range of 4,200 yards, while closing in. The ship leading was of the Vizcaya class and the flagship. Four ships came out, evidently the Vizcaya, the Oquendo, Maria Teresa and Colon, followed by two torpedo-boat destroyers. Upon seeing these two we immediately opened fire upon them with our secondary battery, the main battery at the time being engaged with the second and third ships in line; owing to our secondary bat- tery, together with the Iowa and Gloucester, these two destroyers were forced to beach, and sunk. While warmly engaged with the third in line, which was abreast and engaging the Texas, our fire was blanketed for a short time by LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 718 the Oregon forging ahead and engaging the second ship. This third ship, after a spirited fire, sheered in shore, and at 10.35 ran up a white flag. We then ceased fire on the third, and opened fire with our forward guns at long range (6,000 yards) on the ship (which was ‘then engaged with the Oregon) until 11.05, when she (enemy’s second ship) sheered into the beach on fire. At 11.10 she struck her colors, we ceased fire, and gave chase with Brooklyn and Oregon for the leading ship unti? 1.20, when the Colon sheered into the beach and hauled down her colors, leaving them on deck at the foot of her flagstaff. We shut off forced draught and proceeded at moderate speed to close up. I would state that during this chase the Texas was holding her own with the Colon, she lead- ing us about four miles at the start. Captain Philip concluded with expressing the approval of the bear- ing and performance of duty of all his officers. The Gloucester’s Plucky Fight. Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, formerly of the Maine when that ship was destroyed in Havana harbor, and who commanded the Gloucester, the converted yacht, in the plucky fight with Cervera’s two torpedo-boat destroyers, reported as follows : le was the plain duty of the Gloucester to look after the de. stroyers, and she was held back, gaining steam, until they appeared at the entrance. The Indiana poured in a hot fire from all her secondary battery upon the destroyers, but Captain Taylor’s signal, “ Gunboats close in,” gave security that we would not be fired upon by our own ships. The escape of the Gloucester was due mainly to the accuracy and rapidity of the fire. The efficiency of this fire, as well as that of the ship generally, was largely due to the intelligent and unremitting efforts of the executive officer, Lieutenant Harry P. Huse. The result is more to his credit when it is remembered that a large proportion of the officers and men were untrained when the Gloucester was commissioned. Throughout the action he was on the bridge and carried out my orders with great coolness. That we 714 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. were able to close in with the destroyers—and until we did so they were not scriously injured—was largely due to the skill and constant attention of Passed Assistant Engineer, George W. McElroy. The blowers were put on and the speed increased to seventeen knots without causing a tube to leak or a brass to heat. Lieutenant’ Thomas C. Wood, Lieutenant George H. Norman, Jr., and Ensign John T. Edson, not only controlled the fire of the guns in their divi- sions and prevented the waste of ammunition, but they also did some excellent shooting themselves. Acting Assistant Surgeon J. F. Bransford took charge of one of the guns and fired it himself occasionally. Acting Assistant Paymas- ter Alexander Brown had charge of the two Colt guns, firing one himself, and they did excellent work. Assistant Engineer A. M. Proctor carried my orders from the bridge and occasionally fired a gun, when I found it was not being served quite satisfactorily. All were cool and active at a time when they could have had but little hope of escaping uninjured. Lieutenants Wood and Norman, Ensign Edson and Assistant Engineer Proctor were in charge of the boats engaged in saving life. They all risked their lives repeatedly in boarding and remaining nea the two destroyers and the two armored cruisers when their guns were being discharged by the heat and their magazines and boilers were exploding. They also showed great skill in landing and taking off the prisoners through the surf. The wounded and exhausted prisoners were well and skillfully tended by Assistant Surgeon Bransford, assisted by Ensign Edson, who is also a surgeon. The admiral, his officers and men were treated with all consideration and care possible. They were fed and clothed as far as our limited means would permit. Part the Oregon Took. Captain Clark, of the famous Oregon, reported as follows: I have the honor to report that at 9.30 4. M. yesterday the Spanish fleet was discovered standing out of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. They turned to the westward and opened fire, to which our ships LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 715 replied vigorously. For a short time there was an almost continuous Aight of projectiles over this ship, but when our line was fairly engaged, and the Iowa had made a swift advance as if to ram or close, the enemy’s fire became defective in train as well as range. The ship was only struck three times, and at least two of them were by fragments of shells. We had no casualties. As soon as it was evident that the enemy’s ships were trying to break through and escape to the westward we went ahead at full speed with the determination of carrying out to the utmost your order: “ If the enemy tries to escape the ships must close and engage as soon as possible and endeavor to sink his vessels or force them to run ashore.” We soon passed all our ships, except the Brooklyn, bearing the broad pennant of Commodore Schley. At first we only used our main battery, but when it was discovered that the enemy’s torpedo boats were following their ships we used our rapid-fire guns as well as the six upon them with telling effect. Driven Headlong on the Beach. As we ranged up near the sternmost of their ships she headed for the beach, evidently on fire. We raked her as we passed, pushing on for the next ahead, using our starboard guns as they were brought te bear, and before we had her fairly abeam she, too, was making for the beach. The two remaining vessels were now some distance ahead, but our speed had increased to sixteen knots, and our fire, added to that of the Brooklyn, soon sent another, the Vizcaya, to the shore in flames. Only the Cristobal Colon was left, and for a time it seemed as if she might escape, but when we opened with our forward turret guns and the Brooklyn followed she began to edge in towards the coast and her capture or destruction was assured. As she struck the beach her flag came down and the Brooklyn signaled “ cease firing,” following it with “ congratulations for the grand victory ; thanks for your splendid assistance.” The Brooklyn sent a boat to her, and when the admiral came up with the New York and Texas and Vixen she was ‘aken possession 716 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. of. A prize crew was put on board from this ship under Lieutenant Commander Cogswell, the executive officer, but before 11 p.m. the ship, which had been filling in spite of all efforts to stop leaks, was abandoned, and just as the crew left her she went over on her side. I cannot speak in too high terms of the bearing and conduct of all on board this ship. When they found the Oregon had pushed to the front and was hurrying to a succession of conflicts with the enemy’s vessels if they could be overtaken and would engage, their enthusiasm was intense. As these vessels were so much more heavily armored than the Brooklyn, they might have concentrated upon and overpowered her, and consequently I am persuaded that but for the way the officers and men of*the Oregon steamed and steered the ship and fought and supplied her batteries, the Colon and perhaps the Vizcaya would have escaped. Therefore I feel that they rendered meritorious ser- vice to the country, and while I cannot mention the name of each officer and man individually, I am going to append a list of the officers, with their stations that they occupied, hoping that they may be of service to them should the claims of others for advancement above them ever be considered. The Iowa Fired the First Shot. Captain Evans’ official statement of his ship’s work in the destruc- tion of Cervera’s fleet, was as follows: I have the honor to make the following report of the engagement with the Spanish squadron off Santiago de Cuba on the 3d of July. On the morning of the 3d, while the crew was at quarters for Sun- day inspection, the leading vessel of the Spanish squadron was sighted at 9.30 coming out of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. Signal “Enemy’s ships coming out” was immediately hoisted and a gun fired to attract attention. The call to general quarters was sounded immediately, the battery made ready for firing, and- the engines rung full speed ahead. The position of this vessel at the time of sighting the squadron was the usual blockading station off the entrance of the harbor, Morro LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 717 Castie bearing about north and distant about three to four miles, The steam at this time in the boilers was sufficient for a speed of five knots. After sighting the leading vessel, the Infanta Maria Teresa, Ad- miral Cervera’s flagship, it was observed that she was followed in succession by the remaining three vessels of the Spanish squadron, the Vizcaya, Cristobal Colon and Almirante Oquendo. The Spanish ships moved at a speed of about eight to ten knots, which was steadily increased as they cleared the harbor entrance and stood to the westward. They maintained a distance of about 800 yards between vessels. The squadron moved with precision, and stations were well kept. . Immediately upon sighting the leading vessel fires were spread and the Iowa headed toward the leading Spanish ship. About 9.40 the first shot was fired from this ship at a distance of about 6,000 yards. The course of this vessel was so laid that the range speedily diminished. A number of shots were fired at ranges varying between 6,000 and 4,000 yards. The range was rapidly reduced to 2,500 yards and subsequently to 2,000 and to 1,200 yards, Heavy Broadsides From the Iowa. When it was certain that the Maria Teresa would pass ahead of us, the helm was put to starboard, and the starboard broadside delivered at a range of 2,500 yards. The helm was then put to port, and the ship headed across the bow of the second ship, and as she drew ahead the helm was again put to starboard, and she received in turr the full weight of our starboard broadside at a range of about 1{,800 yards. The Iowa was again headed off with port helm for the third ship, and as she approached the helm was put to starboard until our course was approximately that of the Spanish ship. In this position, at a range of 1,400 yards, the fire of the entire battery, including rapid-fire guns, was poured into the enemy’s ship. About 10 o’clock the enemy’s torpedo-boat destroyers Furor and Pluton were observed to have left the harbor, and to be following ~ ‘the Spanish squadron. At the time they were observed, and in fact 718 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. most of the time that they were under fire, they were at a distance varying from 4,500 and 4,000 yards. As soon as they were discov- ered the secondary battery of the ship was turned upon them, while the main battery continued to engage the Vizcaya, Oquendo and Maria Teresa. The fire of the main battery of the ship, when the range was below 2,500 yards, was most effective and destructive, and, after a continu- ance of this fire for perhaps twenty minutes, it was noticed that the Maria Teresa and Oquendo were in flames, and were being headed for the beach. Their colors were struck about 10.20, and they were beached about eight miles west of Santiago. About the same time (about 10.25) the fire of this vessel, together with that of the Glouces- ter and another smaller vessel, proved so destructive that one of the torpedo-boat destroyers (Pluton) was sunk, and the Furor was so much damaged that she was run upon the rocks. Rescuing Defeated Spaniards. After having passed, at 10.35, the Oquendo and Maria Teresa, on fire and ashore, this vessel continued to chase and fire upon the Viz- caya until 10.36, when signal to cease firing was sounded on board, it having been discovered that the Vizcaya had at length struck her colors. At 11 o’clock the Iowa arrived in the vicinity of the Vizcaya, which had been run ashore, and it was evident that she could not catch the Cristobal Colon and that the Oregon, Brooklyn and New York would, two steam cutters and three cutters were immediately hoisted out and sent to the Vizcaya to rescue her crew. Our boats succeeded in bringing off a large number of officers and men of that ship’s com- pany, and in placing many of them on board the torpedo boat Ericsson and the auxiliary dispatch vessel Hist. About 11.30 the New Vork passed in chase of the Cristobal Colon, which was endeavoring to escape from the Oregon, Brooklyn and Texas. We received on board this vessel from the Vizcaya Captain Eulate, the commanding officer, and twenty-three officers, together with about 248 petty officers and men, LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 719 The United States military expedition under the command of Major General Nelson A. Miles, commanding the Army of the United States, which left Guantanamo Bay during the evening ot Thursday last, July 21, was landed successfully at Guanica, July 25, after a skirmish with a detachment of the Spanish troops and a crew of thirty belonging to the launch of the United States auxiliary gun- boat Gloucester. Four of the Spaniards were killed and no Amer- icans were hurt. General Miles’ Army Lands in Porto Rico. At noon on the 24th, 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 and the, transports con- veying our troops, which had been ordered to Cape San Juan. Early in the morning the Gloucester, in charge of Lieutenant Com- mander Wainwright, steamed into Guanica harbor in order to recon- noitre the place. With the fleet waiting outside, the gallant little fighting yacht Gloucester braved the mines which were supposed to be in this harbor and found that there were five fathoms of water close in shore. Guanica Bay is a quiet ‘place, surrounded by culti- vated lands. In the rear are high mountains, and close to the beach nestles a village of about twenty-one houses. 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 the flagstaff in front of a block-house standing to the east of the village. The first couple of three-pounders were fired into the hills right and left of the bay, purposely avoiding the town, lest the projectiles hurt women or children. The Gloucester then hove to within about six hundred 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. 720 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Quartermaster Beck thereupon told Yeoman Lacy to haul down the Spanish flag, which was done, and’ they then raised on the flag- staff the first United States flag to float over Porto Rican soil. Sud- denly 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 3 and 6-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. Built a Fort for Defense. 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 1einforcements, which were sent srom the Gloucester. While the Mausers were peppering all round, Lieutenant-Com- mander Wainwright called to the Associated Press correspondent, and said: “ They fired on us after their flag was down and ours was up and after I had spared the town for the sake of the women and children. The next town I strike I will blow up.” Presently a few of the Spanish cavalry joined those who were fight- ing in the street of Guanica, but the Colt fired to a purpose killing our of them. By that time the Gloucester had the range of the town, and of the blockhouse, and all her guns were spitting ins, the doctor and the paymaster helping to serve the guns. Soon afterwards white-coated galloping cavalrymen were seen climbing the hills to the westward, and the foot soldiers were scurry- ing 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 nurses on the Lampasas and a detachment of regulars were the first to land from the transports. After Lieuteuant Huse had captured the place he deployed his small LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 721 force into the suburbs. But he was soon reinforced by the regulars, who were followed by Company G of the Sixth Illinois, and then by other troops in quick succession. All the boats of the men-of-war and the transports were used in the work of landing the troops, each steam launch towing four or five boats loaded to the rails with soldiers. But everything progressed in an orderly manner, and according to the plans of General Miles. The latter went ashore about noon, after stopping to board the Gloucester and thank Lieu- tenant-Commander Wainwright for his gallant action. Report from General Miles. The War Department at Washington at 11.30 posted the following: St. Thomas, July 26, 1808, 9.35 P.M. Secretary of War, Washington: Circumstances were such that I deemed it advisable to take the harbor of Guanica first, fifteen miles west of Ponce, which was suc- cessfully accomplished between daylight and 11 o’clock. Spaniards surprised. The Gloucester, Commander Wainwright, first entered the harbor; met with slight resistance; fired a few shots. All the transports are now in the harbor, and infantry and artillery rapidly going ashore. This is a well-protected harbor. Water sufficiently deep for all transports and heavy vessels to anchor within two hun- dred yards of the shore. The Spanish flag was lowered and the American flag raised at 11 o'clock to-day. Captain Higginson, with his fleet, has rendered able and earnest assistance. Troops in good health and best of spirits. No casualties. MixEs, Major-General Commanding, Coincident with the landing of our troops at Guanica the Spanish Government made a move to end the war and secure peace. The proposition was formally submitted to the President at 3 o’clock July 25th, by the French Ambassador, M. Jules Cambon, who had received instructions from the foreign office at Paris to deliver to the United States Government the tender of peace formulated by the Spanish Cabinet. President McKinley and his advisors immediately tock the proposition into consideration. 46 722 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Major General Miles made his invasion of Porto Rico a triumpha) procession, Having landed a force at Guanica, that pushed on against some ineffective opposition and took possession of the rail- road at Yauco, he sailed to Ponce with the other troops that had ar- rived in the meantime. The Dixie first entered the port and secured its surrender and General Miles then landed and occupied the town, the Spanish garrison withdrawing hastily and the inhabitants wel- coming the Americans as deliverers. On July 29th, the Navy Department at Washington posted the following bulletin: “St. THoMAS, July 29, U. S. S. Massachusetts, Ponce, Porto Rico, July 28. “Commander Davis with Dixie, Annapolis, Wasp and Gloucester, left Guanica, July 27, to blockade Ponce and capture lighters for United States army. City of Ponce and Playa surrendered to Com- mander Davis upon demand. American flag hoisted 6 a.M., 28th. Spanish garrison evacuated. Provisional articles of surrender until occupation by army: “ First—Garrison to be allowed to retire. Second—Civil govern- ment to remain in force. Third—Police and fire brigade to be main- tained without arms. Fourth—Captain of Port not to be made pri- soner, “ Arrived at Ponce from Guanica with Massachusetts and Cincin- nati, General Miles, and General Wilson, and transports at 6.40 A. M., 28th. Commenced landing army in captured sugar lighters. No resistance. Troops welcomed by inhabitants, great enthusiasm. Captured sixty lighters, twenty sailing vessels and 120 tons of coal. HicGInson.” General Miles Reports His Victory. The War Department received the following dispatch from General Miles ; “Port Ponce, Porto Rico, va St. Thomas, July 29. “On the 26th Garretson had a spirited engagement on the skir- mish line. Our casualties were four wounded, all doing well. The Spanish loss was three killed, thirteen wounded. Yauco was occu- LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 723 pied yesterday. Henry’s division is there to-day. Last evening Commander Davis, of the Dixie, moved into this port, followed by Captain Higginson with his fleet early this morning. General Wilson with Ernst brigade now rapidly disembarking. “Spanish troops are retreating from the southern part of Porto Rico. The populace received the troops and saluted the flag with wild enthusiasm. Navy has several prizes, also seventy lighters. Railway stock partly destroyed now restored. Telegraph com- munication also being restored. Cable instruments destroyed. Have sent to Jamaica for others. This is a prosperous and _ beautiful country. The army will soon be in the mountain region; weather delightful ; troops in best of health and spirits; anticipate no insur- mountable obstacles in future. Results thus far have been accom- plished without the loss of a single life. “Netson A. Mies, Major General.” Another dispatch which was received at the War Department Washington, read as follows: “Tn the affair of the 26th, Captain Edward J. Gibson, Company A, was wounded in left hip. Captain J. H. Prior, Company L, slightly wounded in hand. Private James Drummond, Company K, two wounds in neck, and Private Benjamin F. Bosbick, Company L, slight wound in right arm. All of Sixth Massachusetts. All doing well. The Spanish retreat from this place was precipitous, they leaving rifles and ammunition in barracks and forty or fifty sick in hospital. The people are enjoying a holiday in honor of our arrival. “ MILEs.” The Sixth Massachusetts and Sixth Illinois went to Porto Rico on the Dixie. American Flag Welcomed. The following general dispatch was also received at Washington: Port oF Ponce, ISLAND OF Porto RICo, July 28, via the Island of St. Thomas, Danish West Indies. “The Port of Ponce surrendered to Commander C. H. Davis, of the auxiliary gunboat Dixie, yesterday. There was no resistance, and the Americans were welcomed with enthusiasm. 724 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. “ Major General Miles arrived here this morning at daylight with General Ernst’s brigade and General Wilson’s division on board transports. General Ernst’s brigade immediately started for the town of Ponce, three miles inland, which capitulated this afternoon. ‘The American troops are pushing towards the mountains and will join General Henry with his brigade at Yauco, which has been captured by our troops. “A fight before the latter place on Thursday last was won by the American volunteers. The Spaniards ambushed eight companies of the Massachusetts and Illinois regiments, but the enemy was repulsed and driven back a mile to a ridge, where the Spanish cavalry charged and were routed by our infantry. | “General Garretson led the fight with the men from Illinois and Massachusetts, and the enemy retreated to Yauco, leaving four dead on the field and several wounded. None of our men were killed and only three were slightly wounded. The wounded are: Captain Gihon Barrett, Private James Drummond, Private H. C. Gary. “The Porto Ricans are glad the American troops have landed, and say they are all Americans and will join our army. The roads are good for military purposes. Our troops are healthy and General ' Miles says the campaign will be short and vigorous.” Proclamation by General Miles. General Miles issued the following proclamation : “Tn 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 military forces have come to occupy the island of Porte Rico. They come bearing 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 resistance. 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 from your former political relations, and it is hoped this will be fol. lowed by your cheerful acceptance of the government of the United States. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 425 “The chief object of the American military forces will be to over- throw the-armed authority of Spain and give the people of your beau- tiful island 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 oppressed, 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. “Tt 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 advan- tages and blessings of enlightened civilization.” Towns Captured by American Troops. Without seeing or hearing anything of the enemy the advance guard of General Henry’s division, which landed at Guanica on July 26th, arrived at Ponce on the 29th, taking en route the cities of Yauco, Tallaboa, Sabana Grande and Ponuelas. Attempts by the Spaniards to blow up bridges aud otherwise destroy the railroad be- tween Yauco and Ponce failed, only a few flat cars being burned. Our troops fired up the locomotives, and began operating the road from end to end, carrying supplies, messages and men. At Yauco the Americans were welcomed in an address made by the Alcalde, and a public proclamation. was issued, dated, “Yauco, Porto Rico, United States of America, July 27.” Major Webb Hayes, of the Sixth Ohio, son of former President Hayes, hauled up the flag on the palace amid cheers from the populace. The people seemed really glad that the Americans had arrived; but they feared an uprising of the natives in the interior, who, it was asserted, would rob, kill, and destroy property in revenge for many years of Spanish misrule. General Miles was in constant command of all his forces, and kept the artillery steadily in advance. He acted throughout with a promptness that promised success. 726 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. After Admiral Dewey’s great victory at Manila on May Ist, there was no more fighting between the Americans and. Spaniards until July 31st. Meanwhile, as already stated, several expedi- tions had sailed for the Philippines from the Pacific coast. These were under command of Major-General Wesley Merritt, who arrived at Manila on July 25th, and upon the arrival of the third expedition EYE EEN GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT. had 11,500 troops with which to conduct operations for the capture of the city. General Merritt and Admiral Dewey consulted as to the best method of procedure, and it was agreed that all the interests of foreigners and non-combatants in the city should be protected as far as possible. The fight on the night of July 31st indicated a degree of vigor on LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 727 the part of the Spanish garrison for which they have not been given credit. It was a night attack on the flank of the American line. The insurgents were not fighting that day, it being one of their holi- days, and they withdrew to enjoy it at leisure. The Spanish improved the opportunity to attack, but they found the American soldiers, as usual, equal to the occasion, and General Merritt reported the result with quiet gratification. The first intelligence of this important engagement came in a despatch dated Hong Kong, August oth, as follows : “Word has been received here to the effect that there was a neavy land engagement between the American and Spanish forces on the night of July 31st at Manila. The Spanish led in the attack, attempt- ing toturn our right. After three hours of fighting, the Spanish were repulsed, with the loss of over 200 killed and 300 wounded. Our loss was only nine killed and forty-four wounded. A Glorious Defence. “The American troops engaged were the Tenth Pennsylvania, First California Battalion, Third Artillery, United States Regulars, and Battery A of Utah. Our volunteers madea glorious defence against upwards of 3,000 men, who composed the attacking force. “The Spaniards made several desperate charges upon the Amer- ican lines, but each time the fire of the American troops drove the Spaniards back, and finally broke the Spanish centre and the enemy retreated. Later, however, the Spaniards made a second attack, but were again repulsed and retreated into the bush, keeping up an inces- sant fire on the road leading to Manila, over which they apparently expected the American troops to advance. Some estimates placed the Spanish losses at over five hundred killed and wounded.” General Green’s force, numbering 4,000 men, had been advancing and entrenching. The arrival of the third expedition filled the Span- iards with rage, and they determined to give battle before Camp Dewey could be reinforced. The trenches extended from the beach, three hundred yards to the left flank of the insurgents. Sunday was 728 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. the insurgents’ feast day, and their left flank withdrew, leaving the American right flank exposed. Companies A and E, of the Tenth Pennsylvania and Utah Battery, were ordered to reinforce the right flank. In the midst of a raging typhoon, with a tremendous downpour of rain, the enemy’s force, estimated at 3,000 men, attempted to surprise the camp. Our pickets were driven in and the trenches assaulted. The brave Pennsylvania men never flinched, but stood their ground under a withering fire. The alarm spread, and the First California Regiment, with two companies of artillery, who fought with rifles, were sent up to reinforce the Pennsylvanians. The enemy were on top of the trenches when these reinforcements arrived, and never was the discipline of the regulars better demonstrated than by the work of the Third Artillery under Captain O’Hara. Nothing could be seen but flashes of Mauser rifles. The Enemy Repulsed. Men ran right up to the attacking Spaniards and mowed them down with regular volleys. The Utah Battery, under Captain Young, covered itself with glory, The men pulled their guns through mud axle deep. Two guns were sent around in flank and poured in a destructive enfilading fire. The enemy was repulsed, and retreated in disorder. Our infantry had exhausted its ammunition, and did not follow the enemy. . Not an inch of ground was lost, but the scene in the trenches was one never to be forgotten. During flashes of lightning the dead and wounded could be seen lying in blood-red water, but neither the ele- ments of Heaven, nor the destructive power of man, could ring a cry of protest from the wounded. They encouraged their comrades to fight, and handed over their cartridge belts. During the night the Spanish scouts were seen carrying off dead and wounded of the enemy. The American dead were buried next day in the convent of Maracaban. On the night of August rst, the fighting was renewed, but the enemy had been taught a lesson, and made the attack at long range with heavy artillery The Utat Bat- tery replied, and the artillery duel lasted an hour, qond ip ™y oOShang-sila Toong-gin 6 ° 6 Yung-Chow ok, Quei-Yang 6 Chang-Chow : Que-Ling Swatow fi i Kiang Canton = wore’ re KING cocuin © CMINA 5 CH/INA -O CAMBODIA 9 \ Cambodig=R= = Sa Sam panmangio-P: _ MAP OF THE PHILLIPPINE ISLANDS. 729 730 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. The correspondent of the London Zimes at Cavite, under date of August Ist, wrote: “Yesterday I visited Camp Dewey and the American entrenchments before Malate. Captain Grant and Captain Young, of the Utah Artillery, were busy throwing up advanced earth- works for guns, under protection of the Nebraska Volunteers. From the upper floor. of a European house facing the alignment of the earthworks I was observing the Spanish positions when a Nebraska sharpshooter beside me fired the first shot discharged by the Ameri- cans upon the Spaniards, who were crouching in the forward trench. “This was contrary to General Merritt’s orders. He had forbidden - an aggressive attitude unless the Spaniards advanced. The insur- gents now.in force inland on the right of the American lines also opened fire, the Spaniards replying briskly with quick-firing guns and rifles, but their shooting was high and their shots fell half a mile behind the entrenchments, where a Colorado Volunteer picket was hit by a Mauser bullet. Cool in the Face of Danger. “Personally I was impressed by the nonchalant demeanor of the Americans in the fighting line. They were like high-spirited youths out on a picnic, while groups lying in the second line were playing cards. Had the Spaniards, who were unaccountably non-aggressive during the American landing and advance, dropped shrapnel from Malate fort, they would have wrought terrible havoc, one house forming a conspicuous mark, being within easy gun range. “The natives follow the American advance, occupying. the houses within the fighting line. General Aguinaldo’s guerrillas cause the- Americans considerable trouble. While I was in camp information was received that a party of California volunteers, engaged in felling timber, had been arrested by the insurgents. Colonel Smith, under General Green's instructions, ordered out an armed detachment, which released the prisoners and brought the insurgents into Camp Dewey. General Green sent a message to General Aguinaldo saying that if the Americans were further molested he would disarm the whole Filipinos,” LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 731 The same correspondent, under date of August 3d, wrote: “A heavy monsoon has been blowing since Sunday, and deluges of rain have greatly increased the difficulty of landing and moving the ADMIRAL MONTOJO, COMMANDER OF THE SPANISH FLEET. United States troops and multiplied the discomforts in camp, which were already almost unendurable. “Saturday was comparatively quiet, and so was Sunday until nightfall, when the Tenth Pennsylvania, Colonel Hawkins com= manding, occupied the trenches after some desultory picket firing. At 11.30 p. m., the enemy opened fire vigorously, under cover of the 732 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. dense undergrowth. Their movements were further hidden by the floods of rain. The Pennsylvanians met the attack with a succession of volleys, covering their right with two companies stationed in the swamp beyond the entrenchments. “ After about three-quarters of an hour two companies of the Third regular artillery, under Major O’Hara, arrived at double quick to relieve the Pennsylvanians, whose ammunition was almost ex- hausted. They soon silenced the enemy’s fire, the First California, under Colonel Smith, and the First Colorado, under Colonel Hale, acting as supports. The affair lasted two hours. But not- withstanding the tremendous fusillade and the heavy shell fire, only nine Americans were killed and forty-seven wounded, though there were some casualties among the supports during the advance of the relieving battalions. “ Although the engagement scarcely attained the importance of a pattle, it thoroughly tested the quality of the United States troops and had an excellent effect, stimulating their zeal and enthusiasm and inspiring them with confidence. Sharp Fire from Spanish Guns. “The Spaniards, whose losses in the engagement are not known, are adopting tactics intended to irritate the Americans. Every night they maintain an annoying fire. They have now got the true range of the earthworks, and their shell and shrapnel fire is very accurate. “General MacArthur’s brigade, which arrived: Sunday, is landing to-day through the heavy surf. Nothing more serious than a thor- ough wetting has occurred as yet, although the operation is not with- out considerable danger. Hardly any cases of sickness are reported.” Malate, where the engagement took place, is a small suburb of Manila on the road between that city and Cavite. It was there that the family of Captain-General Augusti was captured by the rebels two months before. The place had been strongly fortified and held by the insurgents, and was occupied by our troops on their arrival from the transports. General Green issued the following address to our troops: 733 734 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. “ The brigadier-general commanding desires to thank the troops en- gaged last night for gallantry and skill displayed by them in repelling such a vigorous attack by largely superior forces of Spaniards. Not an inch of ground was yielded by the Tenth Pennsylvania Infantry and Utah Artillery stationed in the trenches. “A battalion of the Third Artillery and First Regiment California Infantry moved forward to their support through a galling fire with the utmost intrepidity. The courage and steadiness shown by all in their first engagement is worthy of the highest commendation.” “Mr. Williams, formerly United States Consul at Manila, has called the leaders in fifteen provinces of the Philippines to a confer- ence, from which good results are hoped.” The scarcity of food was affecting even the richest class in Manila. There was no meat, bread or flour, except a very small reserve, chiefly laid under requisition for the Spanish troops. Famine and Epidemic. The newspapers, though rigidly censored, admitted that the famine and the unprecedented rains were causing an epidemic. They pre- tended that the disorders were trivial intestinal ailments, but it is believed most of them were dysentery, due to the wretched food and the dangerous character of the water.» A number of important per- sons were ill. An abattoir was established for slaughtering horses and dogs. The newspapers admitted that the military bakers were reduced to the necessity of using rice, the stock of which would shortly be ex- hausted. The stock of fuel, too, was exhausted, and bakers were burn- ing doors and window frames. It is impossible to eat uncooked rice. A decree was issued authorizing the entry of private premises and the seizure of cattle and horses there, for nominal payments, made in worthless drafts. Several animals belonging to British owners were taken, though there were plenty belonging to Spanish owners that had not been seized. An attempt was made to seize the indispensable pony of the consular physician, and considerable indig- nation was expressed, LATEST ‘EVENTS IN CUBA. 735 In an engagement five miles beyond Guayama on August 8th, five of the Fourth Ohio Volunteers were wounded. The Americans were ' caught in an ambuscade, and the only wonder is that half of Com- panies A and C, of the Fourth Ohio, were not wiped out. Ever since Guayama had been occupied three days before, the natives were most demonstrative in praising the Americans, and in showing how delighted they were at the retreat of the Spaniards. Soon there came a change, which was not at all surprising to those who know the character of the Porto Ricans. It was just 1 o’clock in the afternoon when a horseman came gal- loping into the town, shouting: “Send the dynamite guns at once! The Fourth Ohio is being annihilated!” Soldiers Hurry to Their Quarters. In less than five minutes the alarm had spread throughout the town, and the streets were filled with soldiers hurrying to their quar- ters. The natives disappeared as if by magic, not a single one of them remaining in sight. Shutters were hurriedly put up on all the shops that were open, the hackmen rushed their horses to their stables, and everywhere the natives showed by their actions that they anticipated the recapture of the town by the Spaniards. The fears of some of the women led them to seek protection in the cathedral, where they spent the time in prayer. The Spanish attack grew out of the fact that Colonel Coit, Major Dean and Lieutenant Wardman of General Brooke’s staff, had, with Companies A and C of the Fourth Ohio, started early in the morn- ing to reconnoitre to the northward with the object of ascertaining the truth of the reports that the Spaniards had mined the bridges on the road to Cayey, whither General Brooke’s command was bound. On account of the smallness of the. reconnoitring party, the report that they had been attacked by the Spaniards caused consternation at the Guayama headquarters. A srtong force was, however, at once hurried to the front. There were no horses to haul the dynamite guns, but the men buckled to and dragged them over the hills for five miles to the scene of action. 736 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA, On the way sevéral privates of Company C were met. They reported that that company and Company A had been practically annihilated by Spanish artillery. They declared that they were too tired to fight any more. At 2 o'clock the reinforcements reached a turn of the road, and the whole scene of the engagement lay before them. They stood directly on the spot where the first ambuscade had been made. The road here takes a sudden turn to the right, while 300 yards further on it makes a quick turn to the left. Thus the marching troops were exposed at both turns to fire from the hills on either side. The Spaniards were about 600 yards away. They were intrenched on one side behind a blockhouse and on the other behind earthworks on top of a hill. Nothing but a shallow ditch on the left side of the road saved the American troops. That the fire had been blistering hot there was shown by the trees, whose leaves and boughs had been torn away by the Spanish shot. For the greater part of two hours the Americans lay in the ditch, the Spaniards meanwhile directing a hot fire against them, but not attempting to charge them. Hot Fire from the Blockhouse. A stampede was started in Company C by the collapse of Captain Biddle, who was prostrated by the heat. When he fell it was gener- aily believed that he had been shot, and the effect on the men might have been serious had it not been for Lieutenant Wardman, who assumed command of the company and fought gallantly through the engagement. As soon as the reinforcements arrived he pressed for- ward with his men to the top of the hill. Some time before this the | enemy had. stopped their cross-fire, but as soon as the Americans climbed the hill the Spaniards opened a hot fire from the blockhouse. The Americans rushed through the hail of bullets toward the block- house, and the Spaniards started to retreat. Just at this time the dynamite guns got into action. The first shell landed at one side of the blockhouse and exploded with a terrific roar. The Spaniards were simply thrown into a state of panic by the explo- sion of the shell and were seen fleeing from the hill at top speed in all directions except toward the Americans. They could hardly be LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 737 derided for evincing such a presiding desire to get out of range. The shell tore a hole in the ground for a distance of fifty fect and the shock of the explosion could be felt where the Americans stood. From the place in the road where the guns were fired the sight was a beautiful one. All up the hill the American soldiers, their brown hats silhouetted against the sky, kept volleying away at the enemy and chatting at the same time in a manner to shock regular troops. Welcome to our Troops. After the third shot from the dynamite guns the Spaniards were in full retreat. The Americans then retired to Guayama for the night. They found the houses still closed as tight as traps. Not until the dynamite guns appeared would the natives even open their windows. Then one by one they straggled out, shouting: “Long live the Americans!” and displaying the American colors. Captain Biddle had just left the hospital, and was scarcely in condition to command his company. That the Spaniards intended to put up a fight to prevent the ad- vance of the Americans was evident. Natives reported this morning that 400 infantry and 150 cavalry camped within four miles of Guay- ama the night before. They also reported that there were heavy artillery intrenchments within five miles of the town. No artillery or cavalry was engaged in the fighting. The Americans crossed three bridges, and upon examination found that none of them had been mined or otherwise tampered with. There was a two hours’ fight before day-break at Cape San Juan August goth, in which the Spaniards were worsted. Eight hundred Spaniards attempted to retake the lighthouse, which was guarded by forty of our sailors, commanded by Lieutenant Atwater. The Span- iards were driven back by shells from the Amphitrite, Cincinnati and Leyden. Refugees reported that one hundred Spaniards were killed. The Spanish advance began from Rio Grande, whither the Spaniards had retreated after the first landing of troops at Cape San Juan the week before. They marched through Luquillo and pulled down the American flag at Fajardo and replaced the Spanish flag. 47 738 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. The terrified refugees warned the light-house force that the spanish were coming. Sixty women and children were in an outbuilding of the lighthouse during the fight. The Spaniards opened with a machine gun at a distance of three hundred yards. The Leyden, Ensign Crosley commanding, rushed within one hundred yards of the shore and poured one-pounders into the Spaniards. Captain Barclay, of the Amphitrite, used six-pounders and the Cincinnati five- inch guns, The ships landed two hundred and fifty men during the fight and reinforced the lighthouse. A machine gun, rifles and ammunition were left by the retreating Spaniards. Ensign Crosley took the refu- gees off at daybreak and went to Ponce. Our flag was still on the lighthouse, but the forces were withdrawn. The Amphitrite guns covered the lighthouse, ready to annihilate it if our flag was hauled down. It is one of the most important lights on the islaad. An Engagement Suddenly Stopped. Hostilities were brought to an end at Guayama, Porto Rico, August 14th, amid the groans and murmurings of the soldiers under General Brooke, who were about to begin a movement whose end seeméd certain victory. Spaniards, massed in strong defences, lay right before our lines, in easy range. Light Battery B, of Pennsylvania, had been ordered into position to begin the engagement. The guns of the first section had been brought up and a gun had been unlimbered. A shell had been placed in the chamber. A Pennsylvanian stood ready to fire. Suddenly there was a shout from the rear. Two men on horseback dashed into view, frantically waving their arms. The men at the guns waited. The horsemen were Signal Lieutenant McLaughlin and an orderly. They had ridden hard from the end of the military wire that was built in the field to General Brooke’s headquarters. The order to commence firing had been given when the lieutenant and orderly reached the gun. “Cease action!’ shouted the lieu- tenant. Then to the wondering artillerymen he explained that the LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 739 war was over. A message had been received from General Miles by General Brooke, he said, directing that all hostile military operations | should be stopped. The peace protocol had been signed by repre- sentatives of both governments. The Pennsylvanians, officers and men, howled with disgust, and when the lieutenant delivered General Brooke’s order that they should return to the camp at Guayama they sullenly wheeled the guns about and went, sullenly, to the rear. The position of these men was superb. Brooke had thrown out three strong columns to the left of Guayama. His plan was to shell and rush his way to Cayey, where he was to form a junction with General Wilson. His main column, himself in command, consisting of three light batteries, three regiments of infantry and two troops of cavalry, advanced over a mountain road, with its flanks effectually protected. It met with no opposition. Three miles out beyond the scene of Monday’s fight the enemy was discovered, intrenched in a splendid defensive position on the top of a mountain, but the range was easy. It was then that the notice of peace arrived and sent the soldiers sadly back with the gun that was to have sent the first shell on the way to victory. The Dawn of Peace. The Department of State at Washington, on the afternoon of August 2d, issued a statement announcing officially the President's terms of peace which were handed to Ambassador Cambon. They were that Spanish sovereignty must be forever relinquished in the Western Indies; that the United States should have a coaling station in the Ladrones, and that this country would occupy Manila’s bay and harbor, as well as the city, pending the determination of the con- trol, disposition and governinent of the Philippines. The statement was as follows : “In order to remove any misapprehension in regard to the nego- tiations as to peace between the United States and Spain, it is deemed proper to say that the terms offered by the United States to Spain in — the note tendered the French Ambassador on Saturday last are in ' substance as follows: 740 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. “The President does not now put forward any claim for pecuniary indemnity, but requires the relinquishment of all claim of sovereignty over or title to the Island of Cuba, as well as the immediate evacua- tion by Spain of the Island; the cession to the United States and immediate evacuation of Porto Rico and other islands under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies, and the like cession of an island in the Ladrones. “The United States will occupy and hold the city, bay and harbor of Manila, pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace which shall determine the control, disposition and government of the Philippines. “Tf these are accepted by Spain in their entirety, commissioners will be named by the United States to meet commissioners )n the part of Spain for the purpose of concluding a treaty of peace on the basis above indicated.” Spain Expected to Agree to Terms. The announcement on August 7th, from Madrid, that the Spanish -Ministry had formally decided to accept the proposition of the United States for a peace convention relieved the anxiety that was felt for a definite decision. No doubt was entertained that Spain would agree to the terms offered by President McKinley, nor was the faith of the President shaken in the ultimate outcome by reason of what the impatient public regarded as delay on the part of Spain in making answer. The public were not admitted to all the councils of the govern- ment and therefore were not prepared to form an intelligent opinion. There were reasons why an immediate reply could not be made to the American proposition, and these reasons were understood and appreciated by the President and Secretary Day. Convinced that Spain would accept the terms there was no disposition on the part of the President to insist upon hasty action. It was felt that the reply would be made within a reasonable time, and the good judgment and sagacity of the President were vindicated by the action of the Spanish Cabinet. On the evening of August 12th, 1898, President McKinley issued tae following proclamation : LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 741 “By THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. “ A PROCLAMATION. “Whereas, By a protocol concluded and signed August 12th, 1898, by William R. Day, Secretary of State of the United States, and His Excellency, Jules Cam- bon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France at Washington, respectively representing for this purpose thesGovernment of the United States and the Government of Spain, the United States and Spain have formally agreed upon the terms on which negotiations for the establishment of peace between the two countries shall be undertaken; and ‘Whereas, It is in said protocol agreed that upon its conclusion and signature hostilities between the two countries shall be suspended, and that notice to that effect shall be given as soon as possible by each government to the oommanders of its military and naval forces; “Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, do, in accordance with the stipulations of the protocol, declare and proclaim on the part of the United States a suspension of hostilities, and do hereby command that orders be immediately given through the proper channels to the commanders of the military and naval forces of the United States to abstain from all acts incori- sistent with this proclamation. “In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of tha United States to be affixed. “Done in the city of Washington, this 12th day of August, in the year of ou. Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.” ‘« By the President, WILLIAM R. Day, Secretary of State.” Provisions Stated in the Protoco1. The protocol, signed by Secretary Day on behalf of the United States and by Ambassador Cambon on behalf of Spain, contains the following provisions : That Spain will relinquish all claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba. That Porto Rico and other Spanish islands in the West Indies, and an island in the Ladrones to be selected by the United States, shall be ceded to the latter. That the United States will occupy and hold the city, bay and herbor of Manila pending the conclusion of the treaty of peace, which shall determine the control, disposition and government of the Philippines. 742 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. That Cuba, Porto Rico and other Spanish Islands in the West Indies shall be immediately evacuated, and that commissioners, to be appointed within ten days, shall, within thirty days from the signing of the protocol, meet at Havana and San Juan, respectively, to arrange and execute the detailsvof the evacuation. That the United States and Spain will each appoint not more than five commissioners to negotiate and conclude a treaty of peace. The commissioners are to meet at Paris not later than the Ist of October. On the signing of the protocol, hostilities will besuspended and notice to that effect will be given as soon as possible by each govern- ment to the commanders of its military and naval forces. The closing chapter of events that led up to the signature of the protocol and the cessation of hostilities were full of interest. There were rumors in the early morning that over night the French Em- hassy had received the long-expected final instructions from Madrid, but these, upon inquiry, proved groundless, and it was not until half- past 12 that the note began to come from Madrid in small lots. The Formal Ceremony. At 2.45 o’clock Secretary Thiebaut, of the French Embassy, appeared at the State Department to inform Secretary Day that the Ambassador was in full possession of the note, was fully empowered to sign the protocol for Spain, and only awaited the pleasure of the State Department. He intimated that the Ambassador would be pleased to have the final ceremony conducted in the presence of President McKinley, where the negotiations were begun. Leaving the Secretary of Embassy in his own. office, Secretary Day made a short visit to the White House to learn the President’s wishes in the matter. The latter immediately consented to accept the suggestion, and M. Thiebaut hastened to inform his principal that the President would receive him at the White House at 4 o’clock. At the appointed hour a driving rain storm prevailed, obliging all the parties to resort to carriages for transportation to the White House. Secretary Day came first, with a large portfolio under his arm, enclosing copies of the protocol, of the proclamation to be issued LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 743 by the President stopping hostilities, and some other necessary papers. He was accompanied by Assistant Secretary Moore, Second Assistant Secretary Adee and Third Assistant Secretary Cridler. They were shown immediately into the Cabinet room, where the President sat in waiting. When Ambassador Cambon reached the White House the rain was still violent, and the Ambassador abandoned his usual custom of alighting at the outer gates of the Executive grounds. He was driven under the porte cochere, passing through a cordon. of news- paper men, before he and Secretary Thiebaut were ushered inside. They went direct to the library adjoining the Cabinet room on the upper floor. At 4.05 they were announced to the waiting party in the Cabinet room, and were ushered into their presence. After an exchange of diplomatic courtesies no unnecessary loss of time occurred and Assistant Secretary of State Cridler, on the part of the United States, and First Secretary Thiebaut, on the part of Spain, retired to a window, where there was a critical formal exam- ination of the protocol. This inspection had all the outward formali- ‘ties due a document of this importance and was considered proper in a matter of such grave importance. How the Protocol Was Arranged. It was prepared in duplicate at the State Department, one copy to be retained by the United States Government, and the other to become the property of Spain. The text was handsomely engrossed in a running Old English script. Each copy of the protocol was arranged in double column, French and English standing alongside for easy comparison as to the exactness of the translation. The protocol sent to Spain was accompanied by the credentials is- sued by President McKinley, specially empowering the Secretary of State to affix his signature to this document. The authorization was brief and in type-writing, save for the President’s characteristic bold signature. Written credentials of the Span'sh government were sent to M. Cambon bearing the signature of Cristina. The cable dispatch received by him conferred full authority to sign the proto- 744 LATEST EVENTS iN CUBA. col, and stated that the written authorization would follow, signed by the Queen Regent in the name of the King. The examination of the protocol was satisfactory, and the docu- ment was handed to M. Cambon first, and then to SecretaryDay, who affixed signatures in that order to each side of the two copies. Then the last detail in making the protocol binding was administered by Assistant Secretary Cridler, in charge of the chancery work, who attached the seal of the United States. Throughout the ceremony all but the two signers remained stand- ing. M.Cambon, in signing for Spain, occupied the seat which Secretary of the Navy, Long, now away on a vacation, usually occu- pied. The President stood at the left hand corner at the head of the great Cabinet table. Secretary Day, M. Thiebaut and M. Cambon, in the order named, on the left side of the table. The rest of the party were standing in other portions of the room. The Signatures Are Attached. It was 4.23 o’clock when the final signatures were attached to the protocol, and within the knowledge of all the officials present this was the first time that a protocol or treaty had been signed at the White House. As this ceremony concluded, Acting Secretary Allen, of the Navy Department; Secretary Alger and Adjutant General Corbin appeared having been summoned to the White House by the President, and they were admitted into the Cabinet room just in season to witness one of the most impressive features of the ceremony. The President requested the hand of the Ambassador and through him returned thanks to the sister republic of France for the exercise of her good offices in bringing about peace. He also thanked the Ambassador personally for the important part he has played in this matter, and the latter replied in suitable terms. As a further mark of his disposition, President McKinley called for the proclamation which he had caused to be drawn up suspending hostilities, and signed it in the presence of M. Cambon, who expressed his appreci- ation of the action. LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 745 The following are fac-similes of the signatures of the French Am- bassador and Secretary Day, which were attached to the Protocol: President McKinley Praises the Troops. The following official correspondence between President McKiniy and General Breckinridge, in which the President pays tribute to the troops who could not be sent tc the front, was made public August 12th. ‘““THE PRESIDENT : ‘“CHICKAMAUGA PaRK, Ga., August Io, 1898. ‘May I not ask you, in the name and behalf of the forty thousand men of this command, to visit it while ic is still intact ? There is much to be said show-- ing how beneficial and needed such a visit is ; but you will appreciate better than I can tell you the disappoincment and consequent depression many men must feel, especially the sick, when they joined together for a purpose, and have done so much to show their readiness and worthiness to serve their country in the field, but find themseives leaviag the military service without a battle or campaign. All who see them must recognize their merit and personal interest, must encour- age all if you can find time to review this command. ‘‘ BRECKINRIDGE, Major General Commanding.’” The following is the President’s reply: “ EXECUTIVE MAnsIoN, Washington, August 11, 1898. “Major GENERAL BRECKINRIDGE, Chickamauga Park : “Replying to your invitation I beg to say that it would give me great pleasi re 746 SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE WAR. to show by a personal visit to Chickamauga Park, my high regard for the forty thousand troops of your command, who so patriotically responded to the call for volunteers and who have been for upwards of two months ready for any service and sacrifice the country might require. My duties, however, will not admit of absence from Washington at this time. “ The highest tribute that can be paid to a soldier is to say that he performed his full duty. The field of duty is determined by his government, and wherever that chances to be is the place of honor. All have helped in the great cause, whether in camp or battle, and when peace comes all will be alike entitled to the nation’s gratitude, “ WILLIAM MCKINLEY.” On Saturday, August 13th, another and very important victory was added to those already gained by our military and naval forces. Manila fell before the guns of Dewey’s fleet and the assaults of Gen- eral Merritt’s troops. No news having reached the Philippines of the end of the war by the signing of the protocol on August 12th, the long deferred attack upon Manila was made, and after a spirited re- sistance by the Spanish troops, the city surrendered. Early in the morning Dewey’s fleet, which had blockaded the town since May Ist, advanced and signalled a demand for a surrender, which was refused. The forts were then bombarded with great effect, and the city was taken by our land forces. The Spanish General Augusti, was taken off by a German cruiser late at night and with his family went to Hong Kong. The capture of Manila completed a series of military events of the most brilliant description and destined to change the map of the world, placing America in the front rank of naval and military powers, a position which she had not held up to the time of our War with Spain, owing to the fact that it has never been necessary for us to take on the character of a military nation. Condensed Record of the Events of the War. The following is a condensed record of the Events of the War, including the dates on which all the principal events took place: F ebruary 15, 1898.—Destruction of the Battleship Maine in the har- bor of Havana. February 17th,—Court of Inquiry on Maine explosion appointed. SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE WAR. 747 March 28th.—Court of Inquiry reports Maine blown up by externa. causes. April 5th.—Consul-General Lee recalled from Havana. April 1oth.—Consul-General Lee sails from Cuba. April 11th.—President McKinley sends a message to Congress o1. the Cuban question. April 16th.—Senate passes the Belligerency resolutions. April 18th.—House refuses to recognize the belligerency of the Cubans. Spain sends memorandum to the Powers. April 19th.—Congress adopts conference report. April 20th.—The President signs the Cuban bill, and sends an ulti- matum to Spain in accordance therewith. He also makes public notification of blockade of Cuban ports. April 21st.—Passports sent Minister Woodford. April 23d—Havana blockaded by North Atlantic Squadron, and cruiser Nashville fires first shot of the war, taking as prize steamer Buena Ventura. The President issues proclamation calling for 125,000 men. April 24th.—Spain makes declaration of war. April 25th—Congress declares war against Spain dating from April 2Ist. April 26th.—Congress passes Army Reorganization bill, and the President proclaims adherence to the Declaration of Paris. England proclaims neutrality. April 27th.—Matanzas fortifications bombarded by New York, Puri- tan and Cincinnati. Admiral Dewey sails from Mirs Bay to Manila to engage Spanish fleet. April 28th—France declares neutrauty. Congress passes Naval Appropriation bill. April 29th.—Admiral Dewey arrives oft Philippine Islands. Army moves from Chattanooga for Tampa. Portugal declares neutral- ity. Fleet under command of Admiral Cervera sails from Cape Verde Islands for West India waters. April 30th.—Battleship Oregon and the Marietta reach Rio from San Francisco. 748 SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE WAR. May tIst.—Admiral Dewey’s fleet entirely destroys the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, May 2d.—Admiral Dewey demands surrender of fortifications in har- bor of Manila, and cuts cable to Hong Kong. May 3d.—Government decides to send an army to the Philippines. May 4th.—Oregon and Marietta leave Rio. May 5th.—Gunboat Wilmington covers landing of arms from tug Leyden for the Cubans. Spaniards routed. May 7th.—Admiral Dewey announces the capture of Cavite. May gth.—At the request of President Congress unanimously gives vote of thanks to Admiral Dewey. Torpedo boat Wir slow has a fight with Spanish vessels in Cardenas harbor. May 11th.—Ensign Bagley and four of the crew of the Winslow killed during an engagement in Cardenas harbor. Cable at Cienfuegos cut. May 12th.—Admiral Sampson bombards San Juan de Porto Rico. General Merritt accepts command of Philippine Islands army. May 13th.—Commodore Schley sails from Hampton Roads with Flying Squadron. May 14th.—Admiral Cervera’s fleet reported at Curacoa. May 17th.—Censorship of Cable messages established. May 18th.—Alabama launched. Cables cut by St. Louis and Wam- patuck under heavy fire. May 19th.—_Commodore Schley’s fleet at Key West. Cervera’s fleet reported at Santiago. May 20th.—Six regiments of immunes ordered raised. May 22d.—Cruiser Charleston sails from San Francisco to Manila. May 24th.—Battleship Oregon arrives at Jupiter, Fla. May 25th.—President calls for 75,000 additional volunteers. First expedition of troops sailed for Manila. May 26th.—Colonel Lacret lands in Cuba with 432 men. May 29th.Commodore Schley reports finding Admiral Cervera’s fleet in Santiago Bay. May 30th.—General Shafter ordered to embark with 15,000 or more men for Santiago campaign. SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE WAR. 749 May 3Ist.-- Commodore Schley bombards fortifications at Santiago. June 1st.—Admiral Sampson takes command at Santiago. June 2d.—House passes urgent deficiency bill of nearly $18,000.- ooo. Spain makes another appeal to the Powers to intervene in her behalf. June 3d.—Hobson and crew of seven men sink Merrimac in entrance of Santiago harbor to prevent egress of Cervera’s fleet, and are captured by Spanish. June 6th.—Santiago fortifications again bombarded and Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes sunk. Admiral Dewey reports insurgent successes around Manila. June 7th.—Fortifications at Caimanera in Guantanamo Bay destroyed. Monitor Monterey sails for Manila. June 1oth.—Congress passes war revenue bill. Six hundred marines land at Caimanera. June 11th.—Spanish troops attack marines, but repulsed with heavy loss. Four Americans killed. June 12th—Attack renewed, but Spanish troops again repulsed. Philippine insurgents declare independence and choose Aguin- aldo President. June 13th.—Attack on marines at Caimanera at night. Two Ameri- cans killed and 15 Spaniards. Latter repulsed. June 14th.—General Shafter sails from Tampa for Santiago with 15,000 men. American marines and Cubans storm blockhouse at Caimanera, capture it and rout the enemy. June 15th—Second expedition for the Philippines sails. House passes Hawaiian resolutions by vote of 209 to 91. The ex- change of Lieutenant Hobson is authorized by the Spanish Government. June 16th.—The Cadiz squadron, under Admiral Camara, sails for the Philippines. June 19th.—Admiral Sampson and General Garcia confer. June 20th.—General Shafter’s army lands at Baiquiri. June 21st.—Forts at Nipe Bay silenced and Spanish vessel Jorge Juan sunk. Sampson and Shafter visit Garcia. Cruiser Charles- ton captures Guam, Ladrone Islands. 75U SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE WAR. June 22d—Part of General Shafter’s army disembarks. The St Paul disables the Terror in harbor of San Juan, Porto Rico. June 23d.—General Shafter’s troops all landed without accident. Monitor Monadnock sails for Manila. June 24th.—Battle of La Quisima, 16 Rough Riders and Regulars killed and 40 wounded. June 27th.—Commodore Watson ordered to command squadron to proceed to Spain. Third expedition for Manila sails. June 28th.—President orders Cuban Blockade extended. June 29th.—General Merritt sails for Manila. June 30th.—First expedition to Manila arrives. General Shafter’s army advances near Santiago. The Egyptian Government orders Camara’s squadron to stop coaling in its waters. July 1st—Battle of Santiago begun. General Lawton’s division storms and captures El Caney, and another division, including Regulars and Rough Riders, storm and capture San Juan. American troops lose about 1,800 men. July 2d.—Spanish forces try unsuccessfully to recapture San Juan, July 3d —Commodore Schley destroys Admiral Cervera’s fleet. July 4th.—Spanish cruiser Alphonso XII, sunk off Havana by the Hornet. July 6th.—Senate votes affirmatively on Hawaiian resolutions Hob- son exchanged. President McKinley issues a Thanksgiving proclamation. July 7th.— Admiral Dewey captures Isla Grande, Subig Bay, and forces German cruiser Irene to retire. President McKinley signs Hawaiian resolutions of annexation, July 8th.—Congress adjourns. Camara’s squadron sails back to Spain, July 11th.—General Miles arrives at Santiago. July 13th.—General Shafter reports yellow fever among the troops. July 14th.—General Toral surrenders the Spanish army in the greater part of Santiago province, including the city, to General Shafter. July 15th.—The fourth expedition for Manila sails. July 17th.—The American flag raised in Santiago. SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE WAR. 752 July 1%th.—The President issues a proclamation regarding the gov~ ernment of Santiago, July 20th.—Troops sail from Tampa for Porto Rico. July 21st.—General Miles sails with troops for Porto Rico from. Guantanamo Bay. July 25th—General Miles lands at Guanica, Porto Rico, and Generali Merritt reaches Manila. July 26th.—Spain sues for peace through French Ambassador Cambon. July 27th.—Nearly 3,000 fever cases among American troops at Santiago. July 29th.—Ponce, Porto Rico, surrenders, and inhabitants give warm welcome to General Miles July 30th.—President McKinley makes reply to Spain’s plea for peace. July 31st.—Battle of Malate, an outskirt of Manila. Spanish troops attack at night and repulsed with heavy loss, estimated at 500 killed and wounded. American loss, 14 killed and 44 wounded. August 2d.—General Merritt asks for 30,000 more troops. Spain in- timates she will accept the terms of peace demanded by the United States. August 3d.—Colonel Roosevelt and Generals under General Shafter unite in a Round Robin, asking that troops be sent home om account of yellow fever. August 5th.—Embarkation of Shafter’s troops for home begins. Gen- eral Hains captures Guanama after a sharp skirmish. August 9th —Spain sends long reply to United States terms of peace. August 12th.—Peace protocol signed in Washington. War and Navy Denartments cable Generals and Admirals to suspend hostilities. Blockade of Havana raised. August 13th.—Hot battle between Spanish and American forces at Asmonte Ridge, Porto Rico, Americans victorious. May- agues captured. Havana batteries open fire on American war- ships, and one shot strikes the San Francisco, but injures no one. Flag of truce announcing peace then sent in. Bombard- ments of the forts at Manila by Admiral Dewey’s fleet and a cap- ture of the city after an assault by General Merritt’s troops. 752 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. Before the attack on Manila August 13th, detailed in the foregoing pages, General Merritt issued the following order to his army: “Tn view of the extraordinary conditions under which this army is operating, its commanding General desires to acquaint the officers and men with the expectations he entertains as to their conduct. “You are assembled on foreign soil, situated within the western confines of a vast ocean separating you from your native land. You have come not as despoilers or oppressors, but simply as the instru- ments of a strong, free government, whose purposes are beneficent and which declared itself in this war champion of those oppressed »y Spanish misrule. “It is therefore the intention of this order to appeal directly to your pride in your position as representatives of a high civilization, in the hope and with the firm conviction that you will so conduct yourselves in your relations with the inhabitants of these islands as to convince them of the lofty nature of the mission you have come to execute. “Tt is not believed any acts of pillage, rapine or violence will be committed by soldiers or others in the employ of the United States, but should there be persons with this command who prove them- selves unworthy of this confidence, their acts will be considered not only as crimes against the sufferers, but as direct insults to the United States flag and be punished on the spot with the maximum penalties known to mi itary law.” Dewey’s Terrific Bombardment. Further details of the battle before Manila show that with a loss of eight killed, fifty wounded and not even a shroud carried away on one of the warships, the American land and naval forces captured the city. Seven thousand prisoners, twelve thousand rifles, a number of field guns and an immense quantity of ammunition fell into the hands of the victors. The fortifications and shore defenses and part of the city itself were lestroyed by American shot and shell during a terrific bombardment of two hours by eight ships of Admiral Dewey’s fleet. The Ameri- cans killed lost their lives in storming the Spanish trenches, when LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 753 they swept everything before them like a whirlwind, and gave the Spaniards and Filipinos a splendid exhibition of Yankee valor. Three demands for the surrender of the city were made by Admiral Dewey before Manila was attacked. The first was made on August 7th, In it the Spaniards were given forty-eight hours to lay down their arms. The German Consul immediately embarked all German subjects on the German warships for protection. On the afternoon of August gth-the demand for surrender was again made. The Spaniards asked a delay to enable them to get instructions from Madrid. This was refused. On the 13th the final demand was made. A message was sent to the Spanish commander at 8 o'clock. The Spaniards were given one hour in which to surrender. They immediately refused to do so. The American squadron promptly cleared for action. They moved into a line between Malate and Old Manila. There were eight ves- sels in the squadron—the Olympia, the flagship; the Monterey, the Boston, Baltimore, Charleston, Petrel, Raleigh and Hugh McCul- loch. The German and French vessels lay north of the Passig river. The greatest excitement prevailed among the vessels of the foreign fleet, which lay across the bay. The British and Japanese warships were nearest the American fleet. Signal to Open Fire. At 9.30 o’clock the signal to open fire fluttered from the signal tines of the Olympia. The flags were scarcely set when there was a roa: from the big guns of the flagship herself. Instantly ail the other vessels opened, and a shower of steel missiles sped toward the doomed city. At the same time along the line of the American en- trenchments the field guns opened on the Spanish position, and the American infantry were massed in the intrenchments ready for the final assault. The din was terrific. The heavier guns of the warships roared at intervals, while the rapid-fires barked viciously and the guns of the secondary batteries spat and sputtered fast and furiously. Through the awful noise the great 13-inch guns of the big monitor Monterey 48 754 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. could be heard distinctly like great thunderclaps, and the awe-inspir- ing shrieks of her immense shells could be readily distinguished from the tenor and alto songs of the smaller missles. Great gaps were torn in the Spanish fortifications as the shells struck and exploded, and buildings in the outskirts of the city could be seen to tumble or rise in the air as the shells passed through or exploded within them. In the midst of the bombardment the order to storm the Spanish trenches was given to the American soldiers. The Spanish lines extended a distance of ten miles around the city, and from two to four miles outside the walls. Grand Assault by Americans. With a cheer the Americans sprang from their trenches and dashed for the Spanish earthworks. The First Colorado Volunteers were in the van. A deadly fire was poured in from the heights occu- pied by the Spaniards, and it was this that caused the American losses. But the men never hesitated. They swept the enemy from the outer line of intrenchments to the second line of defense. This was at once attacked, and from there the Spaniards were driven into the walled city. Then the Spanish commander saw that further resist- ance was useless, and he sent up a white flag. The bombardment -was at once stopped, and soon afterward the American forces entered the city. General Merritt assumed command and temporarily restored the civil laws. The Spanish forces numbered about 7,000 men, but they were well intrenched. Nearly 10,000 Americans were engaged in the assault, and their losses under the circumstances are considered small. The Colorado troops were the first to storm the trenches, and every man was a hero. On August 18th the War Department at Washington received the following official report from General Merritt : *Manita, August 13. “ ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Washington : “On 7th instant Admiral Dewey joined me in forty-eight hour notification to Spanish commander to remove non-combatents from LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 755 city. Same date reply received expressing thanks for humane sentiments and stating Spanish without places of refuge for non-com- batants now within walled town. “On oth instant sent joint note inviting attention to suffering in store for sick and non-combatants in case it became our duty to re- duce the defences, also setting forth hopeless condition of Spanish forces, surrounded on all sides, fleet in front, no prospect of reinforce- ments, and demanded surrender as due to every consideration of humanity; same date received reply admitting their situation, but stating council of defence declares request for surrender cannot be granted, but offered to consult Government if time was granted necessary to communicate wa Hong Kong. Joint note in reply declining. “On the 13th joined with navy in attack, with following result : After about half-hour’s accurate shelling of Spanish lines, McArthur’s brigade on right and Greene’s on left, under Anderson, made vigorous attack and carried Spanish works. Loss not accurately known— about fifty in all. “ Behavior of troops excellent; co-operation of the navy most valuable. Troops advanced rapidly on walled city, upon which white flag was shown and town capitulated. Troops occupy Malate, Binondo, walled city San Miguel. All important centres protected. Insurgents kept out. No disorder or pillage. MERRITT.” What Is Thought of Our Soldiers. A correspondent of the Hong Kong Telegraph, writing from Ma- nila, furnishes the following estimate of the United States soldiers who were sent to the Philippines : “In the early part of the day the raw recruits from Roaring Camp or Dead Man’s Gulch are being ‘licked into shape’ by Sergeant Whatshisname, with a California twang. In the afternoon they have a rest, and may prowl about the native town, or bathe in the bay, or exercise their ingenuity in finding something else to do.. They are a fine, big, strong-looking lot, of about the toughest type of the Wild West, I should imagine; splendid fellows, no doubt, thorough 756 LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. ‘rough diamonds,’ extremely rougb. Great, hulking backwoodsmen, bull-punchers, diggers, cargo-lumpers from ’Frisco, farm hands from San Diego, and all apparently selected for their size. Among the lithe little Philipinos they are an army of Goliaths. “A strapping six-footer in non-commissioned officer’s uniform came and asked us some questions in very broken English, with a Norwegian accent, and, after giving him the information he desired, we asked him, jokingly, ‘Have any of your soldiers ever been in America?’ He stared for a minute or two, pondering over the true inwardness of the query, and then replied: ‘ Ve vas all Amurricans. Vat you dinks?’ In some trepidation, as I gauged the man’s height and fighting weight, I replied, ‘I begs bardon, I dinks you vas some Norske shib’s garbenders,’ He took it quite goodna- turedly, and laughed as we parted. Mixture of Nationalities. “Tt is impossible to guess how many of these troops are of Ame- rican birth. Possibly we miscalculated. (I say ‘we’ because I had a companion in all my peregrinations, an excellent and invaluable friend.) We guessed that there might be a fairly thick sprinkling of aliens, say 10 or 15 per cent., British and a similar proportion of Continental Europeans; the rest, 70 or 80 per cent. American born. They look as if they should make the finest troops in the world, after being drilled and disciplined; strong, brave, intelligent, and with plenty of ‘ go,’ not merely clay to be moulded like Chinese or Egyp- tian raw material, but full of fire and life. “ At present, however, roughness is the chief characteristic notice- able about them. Their uniform intensifies the impression; it is a coarse brown canvas, beside which our Indian campaigning dress of khaki is as silk beside floor matting. The color is darker than khaki, and I think better for invisibility; but the material is altogether too much like coal sacks. “The Americans seem to carry their republicanism to such ex- treme lengths as to studiously avoid any suggestion of spruce or smart appearance ; they could be dressed quite as plainly and still be LATEST EVENTS IN CUBA. 787 neat and trim. Iam not finding fault with the California Volunteers, nor do I overlook the fact that they had only just. landed froma very long voyage. But, after making all allowances, it must be re- cognized that they are dressed in coarse canvas which after being worn some time looks slouchy. It is nothing against their fighting qual- ities; as I have said, they seemed to me to be magnificent fighters.” Our Regular Army. The regular army did not receive the credit it deserved for the part it played in the war with Spain. Nearly all the reports received gave glowing and deserved accounts of the bravery, dash and effi- ciency of the volunteers, but almost wholly neglected the performances of the regulars. Yet a careful study of the campaign will show in- disputably that it was mainly through the discipline and steadiness of the regulars that the volunteers were able to give such an heroic account of themselves, and that a threatened disaster was turned into a glorious victory. Few realized the splendid and invaluable charac- ter of the work performed by the regulars in the Santiago campaign, but when all is known these brave men should and will receive the full credit due them, and their true worth will be appreciated, While there was a large number of regiments of the regular army engaged in the battles near Santiago there were only three volunteer regi- ments. It was natural perhaps under the circumstances that at the outset the volunteers should receive the greatest attention from the public, and there was not the slightest reason to suppose there was any in- tention to glorify them at the expense of the regulars. The latter are the pride of the nation—always excepting the practical politician, who can see no personal profit in their existence ; but it was almost purely sentimental considerations that gave the most enthusiastic praise to the volunteers. In a sense the volunteers are closer to the mass of the citizens. Every regiment almost is composed of fathers, bro- thers, husbands, neighbors and friends of the people of a certain lo- cality, while the members of a regiment of regulars are recruited from all parts of the country, 758 LATEST LVENTS IN CUBA. As much was not expected from the volunteers as from the regu- lars, for they had not the same training in the art of war. Without detracting in the least from the courage and valor of the volunteer forces, it is evident that both were strengthened and sus- tained by the coolness, the magnificent discipline and long military training of the regulars. It is generally admitted that it was the clearheaded, cool conduct of the regulars that gave strength and con- fidence to the Rough Riders and the other volunteers, even if they had been disposed for a moment to waver during the terrible and bloody charge up San Juan Hill to that glorious victory. Commissioners Appointed by Our Government. The commissioners appointed in behalf of the United States to arrange for the Spanish evacuation of Cuba are Rear-Admiral Samp- son and Major-Generals Wade and Butler. The commissioners for Porto Rico are Rear-Admiral Schley and Major-Generals Brooke and Gordon. The Commissioners appointed by Spain were as follows: For Cuba: Major General Gonzales Parrado, Rear Admiral Pastor y Landero, Marquis Montoro. For Porto Rico: Major General Ortega y Diaz, Commodore of First Rank Vallarino y Carrasco, Judge Advocate Sanchez del Aguila y Leon. On August 24th it was announced that the following American Peace Commissioners to settle the future of the Philippine Islands had been selected by President McKinley: William R. Day, of Canton, Ohio, Secretary of State; Cushman K. Davis, United States Senator from Minnesota, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Com- mittee; William P. Frye, United States Senator from Maine, mem- ber of the Foreign Relations Committee. He has served ten years in the House of Representatives and fifteen in the Senate; suc- ceeded James G. Blaine in the Senate; Whitelaw Reid, of New York, for several years American Ambassador to the French Republic; and George Gray, United States Senator from Delaware, who succeeded Thomas F. Bayard in the Senate in 1885. The sessions of the Peace Commission are to be held in Paris, commencing not later than Octo- ber first and continuing until an agreement is reached. TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. HE Peace Commissioners appointed by the United States and Spanish Governments finally reached an agreement respecting the terms for establishing peace between the two Nations. The Commissioners met in Paris on October Ist and at once began their labors. Reports from time to time indicated that serious dis- agreements had developed, and it was even rumored that it would be impossible to reach an agreement that would satisfy both parties. The result, however, proved the contrary. The Spanish Commissioners were compelled to yield to the force of circumstances, to realize the hopelessness of further opposition, and to accept the inevitable. In other words, the title of the United States to the possession of a vast colonial territory was confirmed and ratified by the joint commission in Paris after negotiations con- tinuing more than two months. What the Territory Includes. This territory includes Porto Rico, the island of Guam and the Philippine archipelago, considered in its broadest geographical sense —that is, comprising the Sulu Islands. At the same time the Spanish sovereignty over Cuba was also relinquished. The length of the proceedings alone would indicate that every concession was wrested with difficulty from the Spanish delegates, while the completeness of their surrender proves the moral strength of the American position. It seemed at one time that the sittings might be dragged out indefinitely. The American Commissioners, however, gradually and skillfully bound down their adversaries to the real issue. At length it became manifest that the moment had ar- rived when Spain must decide between accepting the essential con- ditions of the United States or the resumption of hostilities. The American Commissioners presented a long, detailed reply to all the Spanish objections. The arguments advanced were shown to be inadmissible. The different points of law raised by Spain were discussed and disposed of, and the Americans finally pointed out that as the negotiations had lasted nearly two months, it was impossi- 759 760 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. ble to prolong the unreasonably strained situation that at any mo- ment might jeopardize the peace of the civilized world. They therefore, in diplomatic but unmistakable language, gave Spain the choice between an acceptance of their terms and a fresh appeal to arms. Demands Made on Spain. These terms were, first, the relinquishment of Spanish sovereignty in Cuba; second, the complete and unconditional cession to the United States of Porto Rico, the Island of Guam, and the Philippines, between latitudes 5 degrees and 20 degrees north, and longitude 115 degrees and 130 degrees east. The ceding to us of the Philippines cannot have been an after- thought upon the part of the Commissioners, for a careful collation of information from various sources proves that from the very be- ginning they included the Sulu archipelago in the Philippine group, to which it belongs, both geographically and politically, as it has always been governed from Manila—a view amply borne out by the action of Germany and Great Britain some twenty years before, Upon the condition that these preliminaries should be accepted the United States Commissioners expressed their willingness to dis- cuss amicably the settlement of the various questions which the change of regime made it desirable to have regulated. Among these were the purchase of an island in the Carolines, pre- ferably Ualan, the most easterly of the group, for a cable station, the release of political prisoners and the establishment of religious free- dom in the Caroline Islands. The necessity of an island, to be used as a naval station, between Honolulu and Guam, is made clear by a glance at the map. With reference to the second point, the release of political prison- ers, the United States could not humanely take any other attitude than one of commiseration and interest in those who have fallen into disgrace while struggling to throw off the rule of Spain in either Cuba, Porto Rico or the Philippines. The Commissioners, therefore, deserve the hearty approbation of all for having included this matter among those it is desirable to have arranged in the peace treaty. TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. 761 The establishment of genuine religious freedom in the Carolines is also. a question intimately concerning the United States. These islands have offered a wide and fertile field for missionary work. The majority of the natives are Christians, and their conversion is in a preponderating measure the work of the American missionaries. Therefore, in endeavoring to secure a real, as opposed to a theoreti- cal religious freedom, the United States Commissioners were only assuring to their countrymen peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of their labors in the cause of Christianity. Pledge of the ‘“‘Open Door.” The Commissioners further went on to discuss the treatment to be accorded to Spanish importations to the Philippines. After assuring the Spaniards that the policy of the United States was an “open door” in these islands they offered to guarantee, during a certain period, identically the same commercial privileges to Spain as would be accorded to America, and, indeed, to Europe. This agreement would still be binding upon the United States, even though their policy in this respect might otherwise undergo modification. It appears that this term of years is sufficiently long to be worth Spain’s consideration, while not so extended as to unduly bind the United States. The Commissioners, in fact, were actuated, on the one hand, by a desire not to pledge the government here to a definite policy for too lengthy a period, and, on the other hand, to avoid the accusation of trifling with their adversaries by making a derisive offer of commercial advantage. This, in substance, was the ultimatum given to the Spanish Com- missioners, and subsequently Spain replied to it. While refus- ing to admit the arguments of the United States, and at the same time disputing the justice of their conclusions, the Spanish delegation yielded to the force of circumstances, and accepted the inevitable, avowing their willingness to agree to these terms. There was a mutual agreement concerning the indemnity of $20,000,000 offered by the United States, this being accepted by Spain, as part and parcel of the agreement. 762 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. The document presenting this acceptance of our terms by the Spanish Commission 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 the terms proposed by the Americans, replied that their government had tried to give as equitable an answer as possible, but that they were not prepared to commit their government to the acceptance of the prin- ciples embodied in the American argument. Spain rejected these principles, the note continued, “as she always has rejected them.” Won’t Give Up Her Principles. Basing her attitude on the justice of her cause, the note then said, she still adhered to those principles “which she has heretofore invariably formulated.” However, the note added, in her desire for peace she had gone so far as to propose certain compromises, which the Americans had always rejected. She had also attempted, it was further asserted, to have submitted to arbitration some of the material points upon which the two governments differed. These proposals for arbitration, it was added, the Americans had equally rejected. These allegations in Spain’s reply as to attempted arbitration, referred to her proposal to arbitrate the construction of the third article of the protocol, and also to submit the Spanish colonial debt of Cuba and the Philippines to arbitration. The last proposition was made in a written communication. Subsequent to its presentation, and in return for such arbitration, Spain offered to cede the territory in dispute. The Americans refused both propositions for arbitration. Spain’s reply in substance continued by declaring that the United States had offered, as a kind of compensation to Spain, something very inadequate to the sacrifices the latter country makes at this moment, and she feels, therefore, that the United States’ proposals cannot be considered just and equitable. Spain had, however, exhausted all the resources of diplomacy in an attempt to justify her attitude. Seeing that an acceptance of the proposal made to Spain was a necessary condition to a continuance TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. 763 of negotiations, and seeing 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 patri- otism, to submit to the conditions of the conquering nation. She was therefore ready to accept the proposals of the American com- mission, as presented at the last sitting. The reading and the translation of -the document occupied less than five minutes. At the conclusion of the translation the commis- sioners empowered Senor Ojeda, secretary of the Spanish Commis- sion, and Secretary Moore, of the American Commission, to draw up articles which were to embody the relinquishment of Cuba by Spain and the cession of Porto Rico and the Philippines. The commissioners left the Foreign Office immediately after the secretaries had been directed to prepare the articles of the peace treaty. There was scarcely any conversation between the American and Spanish commissioners after the adjournment. End of a Long Controversy. 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. Having embodied in the treaty articles all the protocol questions, the two commissions entered upon friendly- negotiations regarding the matters suggested in the American ultimatum, matters subsidiary and incidental to the principal provisions, which must form part of the peace treaty as finally signed. Thus Spain honorably accepted the situation, and while entering a protest against the demands of the United States, yielded to superior force and entered into a treaty upon the conditions imposed. Beyond the general rejoicing that the war was thus definitely and successfully ended, there was no disposition among Americans to exult over the fallen foe. The very completeness of Spain’s defeat and her acknowl- edged helplessness appealed, if not to sympathy, at least to con- sideration, and strengthened the conviction everywhere of the inevit- ableness of the result. 764 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. The time had come, in the course of history, when Spain’s govern- ment of her colonies had failed and they must of necessity pass under more enlightened control, for the sake of the people them- selves and of the wide interests of humanity. Circumstances threw this necessary task upon the United States, and our ground for rejoic- ing is that we were equal to the opportunity. We can see now that to Spain’s weakness as well as to our strength was due the quickness and completeness of her overthrow in both her Western and her Eastern possessions, and that these have passed into our hands because she was no longer fit to hold them and because in the natural evolution of events their control has devolved upon ourselves. The Result Could Not Be Otherwise. Thus the agreement at Paris is not merely the acquiescence of a defeated nation in the demands of its conquerors, but rather the rec- ognition, upon both sides, of an historical event of vast importance which neither side nor both together could successfully avert and which their disagreement could no more than delay. Spain’s great part in the development of a new world has long been played and the power she was unable to hold has passed from her finally. That Spain may eventually be the stronger by the concentration of her energies at home is quite conceivable. Whether this country shall become stronger by the wide extension of its energies in new fields must depend entirely upon the use we make of the opportunities and duties which have come to us in the history of the world. Upon the assembling of Congress at Washington on the 5th of December measures were taken for ascertaining the sentiments of the Senators concerning the terms of the treaty, and it was discovered that without doubt the work of our Peace Commissioners at Paris would be endorsed and the treaty would be ratified by the Senate. It was thought by the majority of the Senators that our demands on Spain were quite reasonable under the circumstances. There were others, however, who voiced a certain public sentiment by affirming that we did not want the Philippine Islands at any price and would be better off without them. 4 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. 765 Meanwhile the Joint Commission at Paris continued its delibera- tions. Much of the discussion concerned details as to the guaran- teeing of the rights of Spanish citizens in the ceded colonies. The debate was occasionally energetic, and the Spaniards often appeared to be dejected. The Spanish Commissioners received authority to bind their gov- ernment on certain matters, but there were important questions on which their instructions were unsatisfactory, and it was thought that: many of the details involved in the change of sovereignty in the Spanish possessions would have to be left for settlement by the regular diplomatic processes when relations between the two govern- ments are resumed. The history of the document which will certify the downfall of the oldest colonial power in the world and the advent of the newest was epitomized by Judge Day in a single sentence: “A peace treaty can contain anything which the victors put into it.” What the Spanish Commissioners Wanted. The Americans listened with their accustomed patience to the technicalities employed by the Spaniards with their customary shrewdness and persistency against every proposal making for the dismemberment of their empire. The burden of the Spanish arguments was that matters outside the bare cession and evacuation of the conquered territories, which the Americans proposed to cover by the treaty, were beyond the legiti- mate and customary scope of a peace treaty. Behind this bulwark Senor Montero Rios, president of the Spanish Commission, fortified himself, bombarding his opponents with a supply of arguments and precedents which inspired the feebly expressed admiration of the Americans. Finally Judge Day summarized the American position in the foregoing memorable utterance. It was given and taken in good spirit, and from that moment the proceedings were entirely friendly. i The bargain for a coaling station in the Carolines was not cemented, and was thought likely to fail. The temper of the Americans in this 766 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. matter was: We have made you a good offer for an island. You may take it or leave it. The Spaniards seemed disposed to leave it. The Americans did not regard it as a prize which they could demand as one of the natural fruits of the war, while the whole policy of the Spaniards was to confine the negotiations as narrowly as possible to the letter of the protocol signed in Washington and to exclude all extraneous matters, The result of this policy may be the leaving of many details involved in the change of sovereignty over the various pos- sessions to settlement by the regular diplomatic processes when normal relations between the two governments have been resumed. TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND SPAIN. The Treaty of Peace between the United States and Spain was at first comprised in eight articles containing the essential features of the agreement. These were afterwards subdivided into seventeen articles as follows: The United States of America and her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, in the name of her august son, Don Alfonso XIIL., desir- ing to end the state of war now existing between the two countries, have for that purpose appointed as Plenipotentiaries : The President of the United States, William R. Day, Cushman K. Davis, William P. Frye, George Gray and Whitelaw Reid, citizens of the United States ; and her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain, Don Eugenio Montero Rios, President of the Senate; Don Buenaventura de Abarzuza, Senator of the Kingdom and ex-Minister of the Crown; Don Jose de Garnica, Deputy to the Cortes and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; Don Wenceslao Ramirez de Villa-Urrutia, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Brussels, and Don Rafael Cerero, General Division. Who, assembled in Paris, and having exchanged their full powers, which were in due and proper form, have, after discussion of the matters before them, agreed upon the following articles; TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. 167 ArtTIcLE I. Spain relinquishes all claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba. And as the island is, upon its evacuation by Spain, to be occupied by the United States, the United States will, so long as such occupa- tion shall last, assume and discharge the obligations that may under international law result from the fact of its occupation, for the protec- tion of life and property. ArticLteE II, Spain cedes to the United States the island of Porto Rico and other islands*now under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies and the island of Guam in the Marianas or Ladrones. ARTICLE III. Spain cedes to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine Islands, and comprehending the island lying within the following line: A line running from west to east along or near the twentieth parallel of north latitude, and through the middle of the navigable channel of Bachi, from the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) to the one hundred and twenty-seventh (127th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich, thence along the one hundred and twenty-seventh (127th) degree meridian of longitude east of Green- wich to the parallel of four degrees and forty-five minutes (4° 45’) north latitude, thence along the parallel of four degrees and forty-five minutes (4° 45’) north latitude to its intersection with the meridian of longitude one hundred and nineteen degrees and thirty-five minutes (119° 35’) east of Greenwich, thence along the meridian of longitude one hundred and nineteen degrees and thirty-five minutes (119° 35’) east of Greenwich, to the parallel of latitude seven degrees and forty minutes (7° 40’) north, thence along the parallel of latitude seven degrees and forty minutes (7° 40’) north to its intersection with the one hundred and sixteenth (116th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich, thence by a direct line to the intersecticn of the tenth (10th) degree parallel of north latitude with the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich, and thence along the one hundred and eighteenth (118th) degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich to the point of begin- ning, 768 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. The United States will pay to Spain the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) within three months after the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty. ArtTicLE IV. The United States will, for the term of ten years from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty, admit Spanish ships and merchandise to the ports of the Philippine Islands on the same terms as ships and merchandise of the United States, is ARTICLE V. The United States will, upon the signature of the present treaty, send back to Spain, at its own cost, the Spanish soldiers taken as prisoners of war on the capture of Manila by the American forces. The arms of the soldiers in question shall be restored to them. Spain will, upon the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty, proceed to evacuate the Philippines, as well as the island of Guam, on terms similar to those agreed upon by the Commissioners appointed to arrange for the evacuation of Porto Rico and other islands in the West Indies under the Protocol of August 12, 1898, which is to continue in force till its provisions are completely exe- cuted, The time within which the evacuation of the Philippine Islands and Guam shall be complete shall be fixed by the two Governments. Stands of colors, uncaptured war vessels, small arms, guns of all calibres, with their carriages and accessories, powder, ammunition, live stock, and materials and supplies of all kinds, belonging to the land and naval forces of Spain in the Philippines and Guam, remain the property of Spain. Pieces of heavy ordnance, exclusive of field artillery, in the fortifications and coast defences, shall remain in their emplacements for the term of six months, to be reckoned from the exchange of ratifications of the treaty; and the United States may, in the meantime, purchase such material from Spain, if a satisfactory agreement between the two Governments on the sub- ject shall be reached. Articte VI. Spain will, upon the signature of the present treaty, release all prisoners of war, and all persons detained or imprisoned TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. 769 for political offences, in connection with the insurrections in Cuba and the Philippines and the war with the United States. Reciprocally the United States will release all persons made pris- oners of war by the American ‘forces, and will undertake to obtain the release of all Spanish prisoners in the hands of the insurgents in Cuba and the Philippines. The Government of the United States will at its own cost return to Spain, and the Government of Spain will at its own cost return to the United States, Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines, according to the situation of their respective homes, prisoners released or caused to be released by them, respectively, under this article. : ArTIcLE VII. The United States and Spain mutually relinquish all claims for indemnity, national and individual, of every kind, of either Government, or of its citizens or subjects, against the other Government, that may have arisen.since the beginning of the late insurrection in Cuba, and prior to the exchange of ratifications of the present treaty, including all claims for indemnity for the cost of the war. The United States will adjudicate and settle the claims of its citizens against Spain relinquished in this article. Articte VIII. In conformity with the provisions of Articles I, II and III of this treaty, Spain relinquishes in Cuba, and cedes in Porto Rico and other islands in the West Indies, in the island of Guam, and in the Philippine Archipelago, all the buildings, wharves, barracks, forts, structures, public highways and other immovable property which, in conformity with law, belong to the public domain, and as such belong to the Crown of Spain. And it is hereby declared that the relinquishment or cession, as the case may be, to which the preceding paragraph refers, cannot in any respect impair the property or rights which by law belong to the peaceful possession of property of all kinds, of provinces, munici- palities, public or private establishments, ecclesiastical or civic bodies, or any other associations having legal capacity to acquire and possess property in the aforesaid territories renounced or ceded, or of private individuals, of whatsoever nationality such individuals may be, 49 770 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. The aforesaid relinquishment or cession, as the case may be, includes all documents exclusively referring to the sovereignty relin- quished or ceded that may exist in the archives of the Peninsula. Where any dccument in such archives only in part relates to said sovereignty, a copy of such part will be furnished whenever it shall be requested. Like rules shall be reciprocally observed in favor of Spain in respect of documents in the archives of the islands above referred to. In the aforesaid relinquishment or cession, as the case may be, are also included such rights as the Crown of Spain and its authorities possess in respect of the official archives and records, executive as well as judicial, in the islands above referred to, which relate to said islands or the rights and property of their inhabitants. - Such archives and records shall be carefully preserved, and private persons shall without distinction have the right to require, in accordance with law, authenticated copies of the contracts, wills and other instruments forming part of notarial protocols or files, or which may be contained in the executive or judicial archives, be the latter in Spain or in the islands aforesaid. ArticLeE IX. Spanish subjects, natives of the Peninsula, residing in the territory over which Spain by the present treaty relinquishes or ° cedes her sovereignty, may remain in such territory or may remove therefrom, retaining in either event all their rights of property, including the right to sell or dispose of such property or of its pro- ceeds; and they shall also have the right to carry on their industry, commerce and professions, being subject in respect thereof to such laws as are applicable to other foreigners. In case they remain in the territory they may preserve their allegiance to the Crown of Spain by making, before a court of record, within a year from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty, a declaration of their decision to preserve such allegiance; in default of which declaration they shall be held to have renounced it and to have adopted the nationality of the territory in which they may reside. The civil rights and political status of the native inhabitants of the TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. 771 territories hereby ceded to the United States shall be determined by the Congress. ARTICLE X. The inhabitants of the territories over which Spain relinquishes or cedes her sovereignty shall be secured in the free exercise of their religion. ARTICLE XI. The Spaniards residing in the territories over which Spain by this treaty cedes or relinquishes her sovereignty shall be subject in matters civil as well as criminal to the jurisdiction of the courts of the country wherein they reside, pursuant to the ordinary laws governing the same; and they shall have the right to appear before such courts and to pursue the same course as citizens of the country to which the courts belong. ArticLe XII. Judicial proceedings pending at the time of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty in the territories over which Spain relinquishes or cedes her sovereignty shall be determined according to the following rules: I. Judgments rendered either in civil suits between private indi- viduals, or in criminal matters, before the date mentioned and with respect to which there is no recourse or right of review under the Spanish law, shall be deemed to be final, and shall be executed in due form by competent authority in the territory within which such judgments should be carried out. 2. Civil suits between private individuals which may on the date mentioned be undetermined shall be prosecuted to judgment before the court in which they may then be pending, or in the court that may be substituted therefor. 3. Criminal actions pending on the date mentioned before the Supreme Court of Spain against citizens of the territory, which by this treaty ceases to be Spanish shall continue under its jurisdiction until final judgment; but, such judgment having been rendered, the execution thereof shall be committed to the competent authority of the place in which the case arose. Articte XIII. The rights of property secured by copyrights and patents acquired by Spaniards in the Island de Cuba, and in Porto Rico, the Philippines and other ceded territories, at the time 772 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. of the exchange of the ratification of this treaty, shall continue to be respected, Spanish scientific, literary and artistic works, not subver- sive of public order in the territories in question, shall continue to be admitted free of duty into such territories for the period of ten years, to be reckoned from the date of the exchange of the ratification of this treaty. ArticLE XIV. Spain shall have the power to establish consu- lar offices in the ports and places of the territories, the sovereignty over which has been either relinquished or ceded by the present treaty. Article XV. The Government of each country will, for the term of ten years, accord to the merchant vessels of the other coun- try the same treatment in respect of all port charges, including entrance and clearance dues, light dues and tonnage duties, as it accords to its own merchant vessels, not engaged in the coastwise trade. This article may at any time be terminated on six months’ notice given by either Government to the other. ARTICLE XVI. It is understood that any obligations assumed in this treaty by the United States with respect to Cuba are limited to the time of its occupancy thereof; but it will, upon the termination of such occupancy, advise any Government established in the island to assume the same obligations. - ArTICLE XVII. The present treaty shall be ratified by the Presi- dent of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and by Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain; and the ratification shall be exchanged at Washington within six months from the date hereof, or earlier if possible. In faith whereof we, the respective Plenipotentiaries, have signed this treaty and hereunto affixed our seals. Done in duplicate at Paris, the tenth day of December, in n the year of, our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight. William R. Day, Cushman K. Davis, William P. Frye, George Gray, Whitelaw Reid, Eugenio Montero Rios, B. De Abarazuza, J. De Garnica, W. R. De Villi-Urrutia, Rafael Cerero. TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. 773 jm of Jie The treaty of peace was signed at 8.45 on the evening of Decem- ber 10th, 1898. The treaty consisted of seventeen articles, it having been found advisable to subdivide some of the articles in the draft agreed upon at the last meeting. The commissioners of the two nations wrote their signatures on two copies of the treaty, one copy being for the archives. The document was prepared by Secretary Moore in behalf of the United States commission and by Senor Villaurutia for Spain, on account of the illness of Secretary Ojeda, of the Spanish commission. Each copy contained the English and Spanish texts of the treaty in parallel columns, the wording having been previously approved. There was a great contest among the families and friends of the American Commissioners for the pens with which the signatures of the treaty were written. Some of the Americans were provided with 774 TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. handsome pens purchased for the purpose. The Spaniards appeared to be unaffected by the souvenir craze, and contented themselves with the ordinary quill pens... i Arthur Ferguson, the interpreter of the American Commission, requested Senor Montero Rios to give him his pen, saying: “ Have you any desire to preserve the pen with which you will sign?” “Not the slightest,” said the Spaniard, with a courtly bow. The signing of the treaty would have afforded a subject for a great historical painting. The group gathered about the table in the stately chamber of the French Foreign Office was impressive, while the fact that the sense of the importance of the issues which the act con- summated was deeply felt by all the participants, gave an impressive and solemn tone to the scene. Details of Signing the Treaty. Around the great mahogany table sat the ten arbiters of the desti- nies of an old and a young nation. Ranged standing behind them were numerous attaches of the American commission. The jets from the crystal chandeliers above the heads of those present magni- fied the green and scarlet upholstering, giving the whole room a brilliant appearance. There was a theatrical contrast between the black-clothed actors and the scenery. To the Americans it was a happy ending of the drama of war; for the Spaniards it was plainly a bitter tragedy, none the less painful because long foreseen. They sat silently, as though almost crushed, and none could withhold sympathy from Senor Montero Rios, the President of the Spanish Commission, who, com- ing from his bed, was bundled in a great overcoat, though logs were burning in the fireplace nearby. The spirits of the two bodies were symbolized by the clothes worn by the members of the commission, for the Americans were attired in evening dress for the dinner given to them after the meeting by the Duc de Loubat, and the Spaniards wore black frock coats. When the seals were prepared to be affixed, attendants were sent to procure ribbons of the French tri-color with which the docu- TREATY OF PEACE WITH SPAIN. 775 ments were sealed, as a compliment to the French hosts of the com- missions. Many officials watched with great interest the proceedings. The seal being impressed, the commissioners rose, and without formality each member shook the hands of all his antagonists and exchanged assurances of sincere personal esteem. The signing was finished at 8.45. At that time the door of the chamber opened, and Senor Villaurutia appeared and exclaimed to a group of correspondents who were waiting in the corridor, “ C’est fini.” [It is finished.] The other members of the Spanish commis- sion followed Senor ViJlaurutia and hurried silently through the vestibule to their waiting carriages. The American commissioners strolled out chatting complacently, and as they descended the steps the lights in the chamber were darkened. Renewal of Commercial Relations. Further details were soon learned as to the wording of the treaty. The Americans are to pay for the repatriation of the Spanish troops from all the colonies. The Spaniards are to return all prisoners held by them. They are to retain possession of all military stores and munitions of war in the Philippines, and of such ships as have not been captured. The commercial treaties between the two nations which the war ruptured are to be renewed at the convenience of the two nations. The United States Peace Commissioners appreciated the respite from the long strain of daily conferences and almost daily sessions, the intensity of which they hardly realized until it was over. Warm personal friendships and mutual regard had arisen between the two commissions as the result of their extended controversy, and several members of both commissions exchanged calls. The American Commissioners unofficially informed the Spaniards that they would be glad to have the two commissions dine together. The reply was that the Spaniards would be most pleased, but feared it would be inadvisable, because it might be misconstrued at Madrid, where already much feeling existed against the Spanish Commis- sioners. ATTACK ON MANILA BY THE INSURGENTS. The insurgent army of Aguinaldo, which had resolutely main- tained its position near Manila after the town was surrendered by the Spaniards. to the American soldiers and sailors, made a fierce attack on the American lines in the evening of February 4, 1899. General Otis, who succeeded General Merritt in command of our infantry at Manila, sent the following official despatch : “Manita, February 5, 1899. “To Adjutant General Corbin, Washington: “Insurgents in large force opened attack on our outer lines at a quarter to nine last evening; renewed attack several times during night; at four o’clock this morning entire line engaged; all attacks repulsed; at daybreak advanced against insurgents and have driven them beyond the lines they formerly occupied, capturing several villages and their defense works; insurgents’ loss in dead and wounded large; our own casualties comparatively few. Trogps enthusiastic and acting fearlessly. Navy did splendid execution on flanks of enemy; insurgents have secured a good many Mauser rifles, a few field pieces and quick-firing guns, with a large quantity of ammunition. “Otis.” This message was received from Rear-Admiral Dewey : “Mania, February 5, 1899. “To the Secretary of the Navy, Washington : “Insurgents here inaugurated general engagement yesterday night, which was continued to-day. The American army and navy are generally successful. Insurgents have been driven back and our line advanced. No casualties to navy. “ Dewey.” This cablegram from General Otis was received at the War De- - partment: “Maniza, February 5, 1899. “ Adjutant General Corbin, Washington: “ Have established our permanent lines well out and have driven 776 ATTACK ON MANILA BY THE INSURGENTS. 777 off the insurgents. The troops have conducted themselves with great heroism. The country about Manila is peaceful, and the city perfectly quiet. List of casualties not as great as at first supposed. “ Oris.” Defeated in a desperate effort to break through the American lines and enter the city of Manila, the insurgent forces, after fourteen hours of continuous fighting, were driven from the village of Santa Anna, Paco and Santa Mesa. They were compelled to retreat to a position quite a distance further out in the suburbs than the one they held before attacking the city. Although it was at first impossible accurately to estimate the num- ber of Americans who fell, it was believed that few of our men were killed. Upward of fifty were wounded. The losses of the insur- gents were heavy, the American troops having gone into the engage- ment with great enthusiasm and determination. They made the streets of the city ring with their cheers when they were notified of the attack and were ordered to advance. Several of the vessels in Admiral Dewey’s squadron participated in the fight, firing on the natives in Malate and Caloocan, and driv- ing them inland from both of those places. How the Fight Began. This engagement was brought about by the action of three native scouts, who, advancing close to the American lines near Santa Mesa, made a feint to go through. They retreated upon being challenged, but returned again in a short time. Once more they retreated. When they returned a third time and attempted to make their way past the outposts of the Nebraska troops a‘corporal challenged | them and then fired. One of the natives was killed and another wounded. This affair was followed at 9 o’clock by a general attack on the American outposts. The insurgents advanced all along the line from Caloocan to Santa Mesa. Our troops lost no time in replying to the attack. Members of the North Dakota, Nebraska and Montana regi- ments returned the insurgent fire with great vigor and succeeded in 778 ATTACK ON MANILA BY THE INSURGENTS. holding the natives in check until the main body of the American troops arrived on the scene. There was a lull in the fighting after the first reply of our troops, but the firing was continued for five hours with much regularity. During the early hours of the morning it became more brisk, and at daylight the American troops made a firm advance. In the daylight it was found that the insurgents had massed them- selves about Santa Mesa and Caloocan, and that they had a consider- able force about Gagalangin. Our troops directed their movements primarily against the natives between the first named places, and ulti- mately drove them out of the two villages. Telling work was done at the same time against the insurgents about Gagalangin, and when the fighting ceased our troops were in possession of Santa Anna, in which village the natives had congregated for weeks prior to the fight. While the American troops were doing such effective work in repelling the attack, news of the fight was received on board the vessels of the American squadron, and the monitor Monadnock, which was lying off Malate, joined with the gunboat Concord and the cruiser Charleston, lying off Malabon, in firing on the insurgents. Signal for the Battle. Details of the battle furnished additional particulars of the victory gained by the American troops. The first shot from the American sentry was evidently accepted as a prearranged signal, for it was fol- lowed almost immediately by a terrific fusillade along the entire Filipino line on the north side of the Pasig river. The American outposts returned the fire with such vigor that the Filipinos were checked until the arrival of reinforcements. All the troops in the vicinity were hurried out and the Filipinos ceased firing for half an hour while their own reinforcements came up. At 10 o'clock the fighting was resumed, the American firing line consisting of the Third Artillery, the Kansas and Montana regiments, the Minnesota regiment, the South Dakota and Colorado regiments, the Pennsylvanians, Nebraskans, the Utah Battery, the ATTACK ON MANILA BY THE INSURGENTS. 779 Idahos, the Washingtons, the Californians, the Fourth Cavalry, North Dakota Volunteers, Sixth Artillery, and the Fourteenth In- fantry. The Filipinos concentrated their forces at three points, Caloocan, Santa Mesa and Gagalangin, and maintained an intermittent fusillade for some hours. They brought artillery into action at Gagalangin at 10.30, but only one gun annoyed the Americans to any appreciable extent—a howitzer on the road beyond Santa Mesa. The Third Artillery silenced the Gagalangin battery by firing two guns simul- taneously, which was followed immediately by volleys from the infantry. Battle Resumed at Daybreak. At about midnight there was a lull in the firing lasting until 3. a A.M., when the whole Filipino line reopened fire. The Americans poured a terrific fire into the darkness for twenty minutes, and then there was another lull until daylight, when the Americans made a general advance. , During the night, in response to Rear-Admiral Dewey’s signals flashed across from Cavite, the United States cruiser Charleston and the gunboat Concord, stationed at Malabon, poured a deadly fire from their secondary battery into the Filipino trenches at Caloocan. After daylight the United States double-turret seagoing monitor Monadnock opened fire off Malate and kept shelling the Filipinos’ left flank, while the other vessels shelled the enemy’s right flank for several hours. By 10 o'clock the Americans had apparently completely routed the enemy and had taken several villages, had destroyed hundreds cf native huts and had secured possession of the water main, a dis- tance of over six miles. The Americans held all the points they captured, and under date of February 7th the following statement of the situation was furnished : “The Americans are in complete control of the situation within a radius of nine miles of Manila. Their lines extending to Malabon, on the north, and to Paranaque, on the south, are fully twenty-five miles long. e 780 ATTACK ON MANILA BY THE INSURGENTS. | “While a few detached bodies of the enemy still offer desultory opposition, the main body of the rebels is in full retreat and utterly routed. Of the hordes of troops originally drawn up in battle array against the Americans, fully one-third are already incapacitated and the others are scattered in every direction. - “The terrible loss of the rebels may be gathered from the fact that 160 of them were buried in one rice field on Monday, near Pasas, and that 87 were interred between Paco and Santa Anna. A con- verted river gunboat did terrible execution among the rebels, sweep- ing both banks of the river with her Gatling guns and her heavier battery. Hundreds of Filipinos undoubtedly crawled into the cane- brakes and died there. “The Americans are working nobly in their efforts to find the wounded and are bringing hundreds of suffering rebels to the hos- pitals for treatment. The natives are unable to understand the humane motives which prompt the victors to succor the wounded of the enemy. , “The members of the hospital corps made the startling discovery that there are several women, in male dress and with hair cropped, among the dead. A Filipino colonel came out this morning from Caloocan, under a flag of truce. Several American officers promptly went to meet him, but when the parties met the Filipinos opened fire. The Filipino apologized for the barbarous conduct of his troops and returned to his lines. Never Saw Modern Artillery. “The American troops are being promptly furnished with supplies of all kinds, hospital attendance is supplied up to the firing line, and, in brief, all the wants of our troops are met immediately by the dif- ferent military departments whose duty it is to attend to such matters. “The chief of the Ygorates, the Filipino natives who fought so gallantly in the face of our artillery fire, with their bows and arrows, is in a hospital with ashattered thigh. He admits that he never saw modern artillery and was ignorant of its effects until he and his.fol- lowers met the disastrous fire of Sunday morning. ATTACK ON MANILA BY THE INSURGENTS. 781 “The chief is bitterly incensed against the Tagalos for placing the Ygorates in front of the American battery, under the pretense that they were sent to occupy a post of honor, and he intimates that the Ygorates will avenge this treachery.” Caloocan, a small town north of Manila and near the shore of the bay, was captured February ioth after a sharp engagement from 6,000 Filipinos, who had gathered there to make a stand against the Americans. The battle began at 3.30 o’clock, and two hours later the Stars and Stripes were raised above the house of an Englishman, where the only flagstaff in the town was found. Rebels Completely Routed. The American forces made a combined attack by sea and land. At a signal from the tower of the De La Lome Church, the United States double-turreted monitor Monadnock opened fire from the bay with the big guns of her forward turret on the earthworks with great effect. Soon afterward the Utah Battery bombarded the place from the land side. , The rebels reserved their fire until the bombardment ceased, when they fired volleys of musketry as the Montana and Pennsylvania regiments advanced on the jungle. The Kansas regiment, on the extreme left, with the Third Artillery deploying to the right, charged across the open and carried the earthworks, cheering under a heavy fire. Supported by the artillery at the church the troops further advanced, driving the enemy, fighting every foot, right into the town line and penetrated to the centre and lowered the Filipino flag at 5.30 P.M. The insurgents kept up a rattling fire upon our lines, but the American troops advanced through the woods on the left and across an open field on the right without stopping, firing only when they reached the enemy’s entrenchments. In the meantime a company of the First Montana Infantry under command of Major J. F. Bell, who volunteered this service, executed a neat right flank movement, driving the enemy’s left back into the town. Cheering like madmen the Americans rushed over the 782 ATTACK ON MANILA BY THE INSURGENTS. enemy’s trenches, completely routing the Filipinos, who scattered like sheep and fled toward the north. As the Twentieth Kansas and First Montana Regiments entered the town from the south they set on fire a number of huts in which some natives had concealed themselves for the purpose of firing upon the rear of our troops. The natives fied in a hurry. Our losses were slight, but those of the enemy were heavy, their casualties having been chiefly inflicted by shrapnel. Peace Treaty Ratified by the Senate. Not since the excitement immediately following the destruction of the battleship Maine were the people of Washington so aroused as they were when the peace treaty was voted upon in the Senate. The Capitol halls and corridors were thronged from early morning with crowds who were intent upon witnessing the proceedings. The fact that our flag had been insulted and our soldiers and sailors at Manila subjected to wounds and death accentuated national interest in the pending treaty. * Long before noon the public and private galleries of the Senate were filled and people streamed into the big marble building on Capi- tol Hill. But very few Senators were present before the gavel fell at noon. The Senators were in their various committee rooms, discuss- ing the situation, and working with the supposed doubtful Senators to induce them to place patriotism above party and vote for the treaty. The treaty of peace was ratified in the executive session of the United States Senate, February 6th, by a vote of 57 to 27, the sup- porters of the treaty mustering but a single vote more than the neces- sary two-thirds. There was no doubt whatever that the Spanish Cortes would ratify the treaty and the war with Spain was therefore concluded. When the news of the ratification of the peace treaty reached the President, at his direction it was cabled to General Otis at Manila, who promptly replied acknowledging the receipt of the message con- taining the information. The vote in detail on the treaty was as follows: TREATY OF PEACE RATIFIED. 783 Yeas:—Aldrich, Allen, Allison, Baker, Burrows, Butier, Carter, Chandler, Clark, Clay, Cullom, Davis, Deboe, Elkins, Fairbanks, Faulkner, Foraker, Frye, Gallinger, Gear, Gray, Hanna, Hansbrough, Harris, Hawley, Jones, Nev., Kenney, Kyle, Lindsay, Lodge, McBride, McEnery, McLaurin, McMillan, Mantle, Mason, Morgan, Nelson, Penrose, Perkins, Pettus, Platt, Conn., Platt, N. Y., Pritchard, Quay, Ross, Sewell, Shoup, Simon, Spooner, Stewart, Sullivan, Teller, Thurston, Warren, Wellington, Wolcott—57. Nays :—Bacon, Bate, Berry, Caffery, Chilton, Cockrell, Daniel, Gorman, Hale, Heitfeld, Hoar, Jones, Ark., Mallory, Martin, Mills, Mitchell, Money, Murphy, Pasco, Pettigrew, Rawlins, Roach, Smith, Tillman, Turley, Turner, Vest—27. Absent and paired—Messrs. Cannon and Wilson for, with Mr. White against and Messrs. Proctor and Wetmore, for, with Mr. Turpie against. The Vote Analyzed. The analysis of the vote shows that 43 Republicans, g Democrats and § Populists and Silverites voted for the treaty, and 21 Democrats, 4 Populists and Silverites and 2 Republicans against it. Senators Hale, of Maine, and Hoar,of Massachusetts, Republicans, voted against ratification, as they had publicly declared they would do. Senator Mason, of Illinois, finding that the fate of the treaty was in danger, and having heard from every part of Illinois in favor of ratification, voted for ratification, although he had declared him- self to be unalterably opposed to the treaty. Senator Wellington, of Maryland, who had been opposed to the acquisition of the Philip- pines, also voted for ratification. This was largely due to the influ- ence of Senator-elect McComas, successor to Senator Gorman. The Democrats voting for ratification were Clay, of Georgia; Faulkner, of West Virginia; Gray and Kenney, of Delaware; Mc- Enery, of Louisiana; McLaurin, of South Carolina; Morgan and Pettus, of Alabama, and Sullivan of Mississippi. The Populists and Silver Republicans who voted for ratification were Harris, of Kansas; Jones and Stewart, of Nevada; Kyle, of South Dakota; and Manley, of Montana. 784 TREATY OF PEACE RATIFIED. The absent members opposed to the treaty and paired were White, of California, and Turpie, of Indiana. The Republican Senators paired with them were Proctor, of Vermont; Wetmore, of Rhode Island, and Wilson, of Washington, and Silver Republican Cannon, of Utah. The ratification of the treaty was due in a great measure to the. Senators from Nevada, Stewart, the Populist, and Jones, the Silver Republican. This statement does not detract from the well-performed duty of others. Under the circumstances, while the administration was seeking support, in order that the war with Spain might be honorably terminated, there was no reason to apprehend that the Senators from Nevada, both of whom were opposed to the adminis- tration, and to the acquisition of the Philippines, would sustain the administration. But Senator Stewart, who had just been re-elected, announced himself as in favor of treaty ratification. He said: “We must stand . by our soldiers and sailors. We will dispose of those islands after- ward, for our people do not want to keep them. But I shall vote for the treaty.” Very soon thereafter Senator Jones, who had been in consultation with his colleague from Nevada, sent a telegram from the Capitol to the White House, saying to the President: “ The treaty will be ratified.” That was his means of informing the Presi- dent how he would vote. Patriotism Above Party. The determination of the Nevada Senators soon became known throughout the Senate chamber, and it produced a decided effect. The opponents of ratification then realized that’ their efforts had proved abortive and that the humiliation of our fighting soldiers and sailors, and of our entire republic could not be accomplished. The long agitation in Congress and throughout the country con- cerning the peace treaty was over and the way was prepared for Con- gress to adopt such measures as it might see fit for the future govern- ment of the Philippine Islands. The debate in the Senate had been very able and for some time the result was in doubt, .- CAPTURE OF ILOILO. 785 Further military operations inthe Philippines resulted in more victories for the American troops, who routed the insurgents and held them in check. Under date of February 14th the following dispatch was received at the War Department in Washington: “The United States forces, under Brigadier-General Miller, cap- tured Iloilo, capital of the Island of Panay, and seat of the so-called government of the Visayan Federation, on February 11th, after a bombardment. The rebels set the town on fire before evacuating it, but the American troops extinguished the flames. There was no casualties on the American side.” Bombardment of Tloilo. General Miller, on receipt of his instructions from Manila, sent native commissioners ashore from the United States transport St. Paul with a communication for the rebel Governor of Iloilo, calling on him to surrender within a time stated and warning him not to make a demonstration in the interval. The rebels immediately moved their guns and prepared to defend their position. The Petrel fired two warning guns. The rebels immediately opened fire on her. The Petrel and the Baltimore then bombarded the town, which the rebels, having set on fire, immediately evacuated. American troops were promptly landed and extinguished the fires in all cases of foreign property, but not before considerable damage had been done. The following official dispatch from General Otis confirmed the first reports of the capture of Iloilo: “General Miller reports from Iloilo that town taken 11th instant and held by troops. Insurgents given until evening of 11th to sur- render, but their hostile action brought on engagement during the morning. Insurgents fired native portion of town, but little loss to property of foreign inhabitants. No casualties among the United States troops reported.” General Miller left Manila on December 26 on the transport New- port, with the Eighteenth Regular Infantry and a battery of the Sixth Regular Artillery. 50 786 SURRENDER OF NEGROS AND CEBU. On February 21st the transport Newport arrived at Manila from Iloilo, having on board Senor Aranita, the President of the pro- visional government of Negros, and other representative natives of the island. They called upon the American authorities. These men visited General Miller at Iloilo and discussed the situation with him. They then returned to Silay, the principal town in the northern part of Negros, and hoisted the American flag. The flag was also raised at Bacoloo, the capital of the island, and was saluted with twenty-one guns. Afterward the men returned to Iloilo in order to embark for Manila to confer with General Otis. It was thought this new development would have an important effect on the general situation in the islands. Negros is one of the richest islands in the archipelago, and the principal producer of sugar, The people of Negros have never sympathized with either the Tagal or Visayan insurgents, and obviously were desirous of settling down to peaceful occupations. It was hoped that other islands would follow this example. The Island of Cebu Hoists Our Flag. It was soon ascertained that the island of Cebu was ready to sub- mit to the authority of the United States. Cebu is one of the most important of the Vasayas group of the Philippines. It hoisted the American flag on Washington’s birthday, February 22d.