CUBA IN REVOLT AND B. E. GREENE OF MCGRAWVILLE

Jose Marti.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, May 25,1896.

CUBA AND HER CAUSE.

News, Facts and Figures of the Rebellion.

BY A RESIDENT OF THE ISLAND.

Interesting Talk on the Struggle For Liberty, the Causes Which Led Up to It and the Way In Which It is Carried On.

   NEW YORK, May 25.—A gentleman, for 45 years a resident of Cuba, in an interview with a representative of the press, gave a resume of the past and present of the Cuban insurrection. Owing to his interests in Cuba and his strong sympathy for the Cubans he refused to allow his name to be used.

   The present revolt, he said, was devised and planned by Cubans in New York. Following its inception a carefully worked out propaganda was made in Eastern Cuba. It was conducted with great secrecy. It had made many active agents among the best classes in Central and Eastern Cuba. To them the outline of the whole scheme was entrusted. Six months before the outbreak rumors obtained in the island of an impending revolt. Many, not in the secret, refused to credit the report, as they deemed the island wholly unprepared for a new struggle with Spain. That a clash with the mother country would follow was in the minds of all.

   "It had to be," said this informant, "as the first war had given the masses an idea of perfect freedom and the rights of men. While the 1868-1878 rebellion was on, the masses did not understand the whole issue. The many Cubans in the employ of Spain in Cuba sided with the former. They held small salaried positions. Since the close of the last war, the very active propaganda of the Autonomists has educated the masses. Today they want an equal freedom for all. To the blacks in Central and Eastern Cuba, where they outnumbered the whites, the new doctrine came as a revelation. Their experience, previous to the rebellion in the slavery days, was one of repression. All were looking forward to the time when Spain would accord Cuba self-government.

   "Everything was done by the masses through their representatives in the Madrid senate and cortes to persuade Spain to grant their reasonable demands, but the long promised reforms were deferred from year to year, first one assigned cause and then under another; that they were being studied or their claims investigated. Meanwhile 17 years slipped by. The masses in Central and Eastern Cuba had become restless and anxious.

   "Senor Maury, at one time minister for the colonies, proposed a series of reforms. Their discussion gave the Cubans renewed hopes; soon they hoped that they would become a working reality. Then Senor Abaruza took the proposed reforms in hand. His modifications so changed their character that their merits were eliminated. Had they been enacted the old status quo ante would have continued.

   "Waiting seemed vain. Early in 1895 many of the colored working classes were idle. Then on the 24th of February, 1895, a number raised the flag of rebellion and demanded a Cuba Libre or free Cuba. The standard of revolt was set up in a number of places in Eastern Cuba, a rich province in which the blacks greatly outnumbered the whites. The blacks joined the petty leaders.

   "The Spanish officials, not believing that the movement was serious, so informed the government and made light of the uprising. The Spanish officials did not want any disturbance that would upset their own money making plans. Later, the rebellion increased, when Spain became alarmed and sent out General Martinez Campos who, instead of bringing the long promised reforms, brought swords, whereas," said this informant, "if he had come alone, duly authorized to adjust all the differences, the extension of the rebellion would have been prevented and a settlement reached. But no, the mala fe or bad faith of the Spanish government was to continue, they assured each other.

Gen. Antonio Maceo.

OPENING OF HOSTILITIES.

How the First Armed Expeditions Were Landed In Cuba.

   "While the insular events were multiplying, Generals Maximo Gomez and Antonio Maceo landed with a considerable following. They landed on the north coast of Cuba near Baracoa. After a long and dangerous march through the woods and across mountains they joined a small party of rebels under General Jose Macco, a brother of Antonio. They were joined later by the late Jose Marti, who had been the life and chief organizer of the Cuban junta, or advisory board in New York. When General Crombet and his party landed they were ambushed by the Spaniards, Crombet was killed in action, the survivors were made prisoners and today are in the Moro castle at Havana. All the men named had been prominent in the 1868-1878 rebellion. Marti was a Spaniard, Crombet a Cuban, Gomez is a native of Santo Domingo, the Maceos are blacks, formerly muleteers, from Santiago de Cuba and Cristo."

   In reply to a question regarding the strength of the insurgents, the speaker said that fully 50,000 men are in the various rebel commands, of whom, say three-fourths, have arms. The insurgent army is made up of army corps under various commanders.

   "The men in the rebel army are about half whites and half negroes—the latter make the best soldiers. They are a strong race, large-limbed and muscular, familiar with hardship and life in the forests. They sleep in the open and can march a whole day without food. Their wants are few, and their native forests, abounding in small game and fruits, supply many of their wants."

   When asked as to their conduct under fire, this informant said that they are brave and cool. "As a general rule, they fire two or three volleys as they close with the enemy and then rush in, machete in hand, shouting their favorite cry: 'A machete!'

   "Time and again that ominous cry has produced a panic in the ranks of the royalists. Strange as it may seem, many of the negroes stripped to the waist ere fighting. All sense of danger seems to disappear and they fight like demons and make fearful adversaries, in Cuba as in Africa. On several occasions a blow from a machetero has cut a rifle barrel in two. Arms are cut off at a blow and heads split open to the very chin. The negroes and whites alike realize that they have taken their lives in their hands and that no retreat is possible for them.

   "The rebel army is officered by whites and blacks. The latter prefer the Maceos or men of their own race. Discipline is ridgidly enforced. Any disobedience of orders is severely punished. A rebel officer who had outraged a woman was court-martialed and shot by his own command. Strict discipline only can keep such commands in order. Robbery, in the broad sense, also is punished."

   When asked as to the method of attack, the speaker said that it was of the usual Cuban type. "When the rebels are advised that a Spanish column is advancing on them, they post their tiradores, or sharpshooters in parties of 50, five or six parties of them."

JAMES BELCHER ARRESTED IN CORTLAND.

Charged with Cruelty in Cutting and Slashing B. H. Wheeler's Cattle.

   It will be remembered that a little over two weeks ago Mr. B. H. Wheeler found a very valuable Jersey yearling heifer which belonged to him lying in the pasture near a tree dead, with her throat cut and slashed in a terrible manner, and another heifer was missing. The matter was brought to the attention of the officers of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and as a result of their investigations an arrest was made Saturday night by Officer Edwards on the charge of cruelty to animals.

   It is claimed that the evidence is very clear and conclusive against James Belcher, who was arrested. It is also claimed that there is other very damaging evidence against the defendant in other instances in addition to that alleged in the one referred to.

   The prisoner was brought before Justice Dowd and he made a plea of guilty to the charge. This morning he was brought in again, and through his attorney George S. Sands, withdrew his former plea of guilty and interposed a plea of not guilty.

   The People were represented by Attorney E. E. Mellon. Attorney Sands intimated in his remarks that the line of defence would be on the question of the defendant's capacity for committing crime. By consent the examination was adjourned to May 29 at 10 o'clock A. M. and the defendant was returned to jail.

Wire in a Cow's Heart.

   John Brooks, the milkman, had one of his best cows taken sick early last week. The cow had been giving about twelve quarts of milk, but suddenly began to dry up. Dr. E. O. Kingman was called, but could find no apparent cause of her trouble. Saturday she died and Dr. Kingman made a post mortem examination. A piece of wire about four inches long and about the size of the lead of a common pencil was found penetrating her heart. It is supposed that she had swallowed it in some food and that it worked from her stomach into her heart.

Matthewson Will Run.

   The match race between E. S. Matthewson of Cortland and D. E. Coville of Syracuse at Syracuse on Memorial day is the absorbing topic of conversation in sporting circles. The Syracuse people have been worrying themselves over the delusion that Matthewson would not compete, but we are authorized to say that he will be in Syracuse Saturday ready to meet Coville in a race of 100 yards or over. Matthewson is a fast man and his friends are confident that he can win.

MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Held by the W. C. T. U. Saturday for Deceased Members.

   The Memorial service held by the Woman's Christian Temperance union on Saturday, May 23, was a deeply impressive one and was largely attended. The service opened by singing "One Sweetly Solemn Thought Comes to Me O'er and O'er."

   Mrs. A. M. Waterbury gave a most truthful, tender and touching sketch of the life of the lamented Mrs. M. V. Welch, who died Oct. 12, 1895.

   Miss Sarah H. Hare told of the earnest Christian life of Miss Catherine H. Peck, who died April 18 full of years, full of faith and full of good works.

   The quartet sang the tender and beautiful hymn to the beloved dead, "Sleep On."

   Mrs. J. S. Squires spoke in her own choice impressive manner of Miss Sara E. Collins' life, of her earnest faithful effort as a Christian temperance worker, who passed from earthly service to heavenly rewards, May 12.

   Mrs. Kate M. Greenman gave a brief review of Miss Sarah K. Persons, whose life of weariness and suffering closed May 17, and who for over forty years had been a follower of Christ, and who was also a faithful, devoted, though a quiet member of the union.

   Selected gems telling of the rest and joy into which these dear promoted members had entered were given by several of the union. Closing prayer was offered by Mrs. T . P. Benjamin and the parting hymn, "Sometime," closed the solemn service. Many eyes were filled with tears, many hearts, it is believed, were drawn into deeper sympathy with the work and the workers.

BITTEN BY A DOG.

A Vicious Brute Attacks a Small Boy on Sunday.

   Lisle, the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Turner of Owego-st. was bitten by a dog Sunday afternoon. He with his father was walking past the Squires building on Tompkins-st. and when opposite the Chinese laundry a large short-haired yellow dog sprang at the boy setting his teeth into the calf of the right leg. The boy was badly frightened and before the dog could be gotten away he had bitten the leg in several places, but it is thought that nothing serious will result. The dog succeeded in making his escape, but if he had not, he would have suffered death at once. There are altogether too many such dogs prowling about town loose and a reduction in their number would be heralded with joy by the people in general.

Will Tie up the Dog.

   E. C. Palmer brought an action this morning in Justice Dickinson's court to have a dog said to be owned by A. V. D. Mills on Tompkins-st. killed. It is claimed that the dog is vicious and dangerous to the public safety. The matter was settled by the defendant agreeing to keep the dog tied up.

A Day Upon Cayuga Lake.

   The popular steamer Frontenac, Capt. Charles O. Bryant of the Cayuga Lake Transportation Co., will begin its regular trips upon Cayuga lake on Monday, June 1. The steamer will leave the Renwick pier at Ithaca each week day at 9:30 A. M., arriving at Cayuga at 1:05 P. M., connecting with New York Central trains east and west. Leaving Cayuga at 3:40 P. M., the boat will reach Ithaca at 7z:05, connecting with the Lehigh Valley trains north and south. Meals are served on the boat.

   Under previous time schedules on the E., C. & N. road it was never possible for parties along the line of the road to get to Ithaca in the morning in time to get the boat to spend the day at any of the beautiful resorts along the lake or in a trip to the lower end of the lake. Under the present management and the new timetable on the Lehigh Valley road good connections can be made. Parties can leave Cortland on the 6:35 A. M. train arriving in Ithaca at 7:11 A. M., and can then have two hours to get across the city or get breakfast before the boat leaves. Returning the boat arrives at 7:05 P. M. and the train for Cortland leaves at 7:40 P. M., reaching here at 8:17 P. M.

A MCGRAWVILLE BOY.

Who Has Recently Achieved Prominence in Many Ways.

(From Newspaper Maker, May 21.)

   The flood of newspaper comment which has been given to the electric show by the newspapers of New York, has attracted the attention not only of the general public but of quite a large class of people who may be called experts in publicity. The latter class have a practical and business interest in this sort of thing, and their curiosity has been aroused to know just how it was done.

   B. E. Greene, the enterprising press agent, has been working about fifteen hours a day since the opening of the show, and the results of this labor are plainly in evidence. These results show clearly that when a press agent is needed, he should be chosen from the ranks of practical newspaper men.

   Mr. Greene was born in McGrawville, N. Y., in 1862. This little village was also the birthplace of the Honorable Daniel S. Lamont, secretary of war, who left active newspaper hustling to become Grover Cleveland's private secretary.

   Mr. Greene was educated at Allegheny college, and after leaving that institution learned the printer's trade, subsequently setting type in many of the newspaper offices in the country.

   Later he did special political work, and in 1888 became associated with Mrs. Martha J. Lamb in the conduct of the Magazine of American History. In 1892 he purchased Electricity, a trade paper devoted to the interests of the science which the [1896 New York City] electrical show is intended to exemplify. During his management Electricity has achieved unusual distinction for a trade paper, due to the fact that it was conducted on daily paper lines as far as was possible with a weekly publication. Comments on men and companies were made without fear or favor, with the sole idea of ridding the trade of speculators and hangerson, regardless of their advertising patronage. It is safe to say that up to Jan. 1 of this year, when Mr. Greene retired from Electricity, that paper was one of the most talked about trade papers published in this country.