The Cuban Insurrection

Southland Times, Issue 13671, 5 February 1897, Page 3

The Cuban Insurrection

All sorts of stories are published here (writes the New York correspondent, of a contemporary) about the apparently interminable war in Cuba. It is very difficult, although the island lies near our shores, to obtain trustworthy detailed accounts of any engagement, but the general drift of the conflict is perceived. The Spanish army either was of very little value at the beginning, or , has since been paralysed by fright and the incompetency of its commanders. Spain has sent 220,000 soldiers to the island, and I suppose the insurgents have never had more than 40,000. But they have steadily advanced from the eastern end of Cuba, defying all attempts to stop them, and are now over-running the island, except the district in the immediate vicinity of Havana. General Weyler left his comfortable quarters in that city a few days ago, and “took the field ” with some ostentation. Three days later he came back, and thousands of wounded soldiers followed. Now he has gone once more to the' front, wherever that may he; but an impression prevails here that he can accomplish nothing. Not long ago he was reinforced by 40,000 soldiers in order that he might speedily bring the contest to an end. He has since made no progress, and there are 18,000 in the Cuban hospitals The insurgents have used dynamite skilfully and most effectively. They have dynamite field pieces, and they employ expert electricians, who plant battlegrounds with the explosive. If the Spaniards can be drawn to a field or pass thus “planted,” a current transmitted through a wire from a distant elevated

point causes terrible slaughter. On one field so “planted,” to which a part of Weyler’a army . was drawn by- retreating insurgents, nearly 800 Spaniards were blown to pieces. AU the passes which lead to the fastnesses in the hills west of Havana, which the insurgents hold, are planted with little rolls of dynamite, and it is not surprising that the Spanish soldiers lose courage, knowing that at any moment they may be slain by this concealed force, although there are no armed foes in sight. This Cuban insurrection has intensified the horrors of war.

While it is true that the insurgents have received supplies from thia country, there has been no organised-movement for their assistance which has attracted public attention. We hear occasionally of some small steamer eluding the vigilance of Government vessels, and going from some port in Flotida to the island, but nothing more. The American people, however, are waiting impatiently for an opportunity to interfere. It is believed that if the movement in which Weyler professes to be engaged should be clearly unsuccessful, some decided' step would be taken by the President and by Congress.