Chargé Sleeper to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Habana, August 28,
1906.
No. 162.]
Sir: In continuation of legation despatch No.
160, of the 25th instant, relative to the insurrection, I have the honor
to report that the general situation is somewhat improved. Although Pino
Guerra continues active in Pinar del Rio, and a considerable number of
insurrectionists are gathered in Santa Clara Province, conditions in the
provinces of Mantanzas and Habana are much better and as yet there has
been no disturbance in Camaguey and Santiago de Cuba.
Regarding the number of men in the field, it is generally said that
Guerra has about 2,000 well mounted and moderately well armed, the
government forces opposing him numbering about 1,200 and being daily
increased.
It is difficult to say how many insurrectionists there are in Santa
Clara. The Government claims that they number about 1,000, but
unofficial reports give them several hundred more.
In this connection I beg to inclose copy of decree No. 370, of the 25th
instant, providing for the increase of the government forces, and copy
in translation of a note from Secretary O’Farrill, No. 680, of the 28th
instant, conveying information as to the relative numerical strength of
the Government and the insurgents.
Yesterday the President issued a proclamation (translation inclosed)
granting amnesty and promising nonmolestation to all insurgents
[Page 458]
who will lay down their arms.
The Government believes that many of them are anxious to return to their
homes and will avail themselves of this opportunity, but I think it
useless as yet to venture an opinion as to the probable effect of the
proclamation.
I beg to advise the Department that neither Luis Perez nor Carlos
Mendieta, the latter being now under arrest, have ever been actually in
arms against the Government, the insurrectionist leader in Santa Clara
Province being General Guzman.
In closing I beg to say that I have been reliably informed that Cuban
bankers are refusing loans to planters and cattle raisers which,
naturally, further complicates the present situation.
I have, etc.,
Jacob Sleeper,
Chargé d’ Affaires ad
interim.
[Inclosure 1—Translation of Decree No. 370.]
Considering that it is absolutely necessary for the restoration of
peace to the country to amplify my decree of the 20th instant, I
hereby order the following:
First. A call is issued to all Cubans allied by their ardent love of
country, for its order and peace, who are in condition to do so, to
form a temporary national militia, which shall not only cooperate in
their respective provinces with the government forces to reestablish
the reign of law, but shall be subject to orders to assist wherever
their services may be necessary.
Second. This militia will be organized into companies and squadrons,
said divisions to consist of 1 officer, 2 sergeants, 4 corporals,
and 100 soldiers.
Four companies shall constitute a battalion and four squadrons a
regiment, under the command of a superior officer (colonel), who
shall have an adjutant under his orders.
While they remain in service, the chiefs of battalions and regiments
shall receive $200 monthly, adjutants $125, officers $100, sergeants
$85, corporals $75, and soldiers $2 per diem.
Third. All those disabled while in the service of the national
militia shall continue to receive the stipulated pay during the time
of the disturbance to public order.
Widows and orphans, or where these do not exist, mothers of those who
die in service, will receive pay during the same time.
Fourth. These forces shall be under the orders of the brigadier chief
of the rural guard.
Fifth. To defray these expenses (organizing militia) and any others
that may be incurred to establish normal conditions in the Republic,
the necessary money shall be taken from the surplus in the
treasury.
The secretaries of government and treasury are charged with the
carrying out of the present decree in all that appertains to their
departments.
Given at the Palace of the Presidency in
Habana,
August 25,
1906.
T. Estrada
Palma.
Rafael Montalvo,
Secretary of Government ad interim.
[Inclosure 2.]
Secretary of the Department
of State and Justice to Chargé Sleeper.
Department of State and Justice,
Habana, August 28, 1906.
No. 680.]
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: As I promised you in
our interview of yesterday, I transmit to you herewith a statement
showing the insurgent forces operating against the Government and
the government forces opposing them.
[Page 459]
In the Province of Pinar del Rio there are 800 insurrectionists,
nearly 300 of whom are armed, divided into several bands, the most
important of which, under the command of Pino Guerra, took refuge in
the hills after being repulsed in their attack upon the town of
Guane.
The Government will institute a vigorous campaign as soon as the arms
and ammunition ordered from the United States are received, and it
hopes to crush the revolt in a short time.
Pino Guerra occupied and abandoned the towns of San Luis and San Juan
y Martinez without damaging or attacking property.
In the Province of Habana the number of insurrectionists at one time
reached 400. The active campaign of the government forces, however,
the frequent encounters in which the insurgents were always
defeated, and the death or capture of the principal leaders have
reduced them to such an extent that there is but slight doubt that
peace will be a realized fact in a few days. Those remaining in the
field are constantly surrendering.
The rebellion in the Province of Matanzas is at an end. It did not
reach any alarming proportions, because the factions were neither
well led nor numerous. At most the insurgents numbered less than 100
men and were without arms.
In the Province of Santa Clara the revolutionary movement is of
importance because Gen. José Miguel Gomez, the leader of the present
rebellion, was for seven years governor of the province. The various
factions number close to 1,000 men, of whom the greater part are
unprovided with arms. Several bloody battles have taken place and
have been only so many defeats for the rebels. Several of the
leaders have been made prisoners, and already many of the insurgents
have surrendered.
Santiago and Camaguey provinces remain quiet. Advices received from
them assure us that order will not be disturbed.
The Government has sufficient resources to reestablish order and
crush the rebellion in a short time.
There are at present in the field against the insurrectionists 3,500
rural guards, 250 artillery, and 2,000 militia, the numbers of the
last being daily increased.
Public sentiment is favorable to the Government, and proofs of
loyalty and attachment, and condemnation of the rebellion are daily
received from all classes of the Republic.
It will afford me great pleasure to advise your honor of all that
occurs of importance.
I reiterate, etc.,
(Signed)
Juan F. O’Farrell,
Secretary.
[Inclosure
3—Translation.]
Department of
Government to Gen. Alejandro
Rodrigues, Chief of the Forces in the
Field.
General: By direction of the President, I
communicate to you as follows:
Give instructions to the chiefs operating in the provinces of Pinar
del Rio, Habana, Matanzas, and Santa Clara, recommending:
First. That they grant to all prisoners or others presenting
themselves, repenting of their error, the privilege of returning
peacefully to their homes.
To this are excepted those prisoners captured while in command of
bands. They shall be detained in the respective camps, until the
Government resolves to restore them to liberty, or place them at the
disposition of the special instructional judge.
Second. All rebel chiefs who in battle surrender themselves together
with the men under them, or who voluntarily lay down the arms of
themselves and men, shall likewise be allowed liberty in order that
they may peacefully return to their families.
Third. All those so returning shall be assured of no further
molestation and may rededicate themselves to their occupations
without any fear whatsoever.
Rafael Montalvo,
Secretary of Public Works ad interim of
Government.
Habana, August 27,
1906.
