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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
CUBA, THE PEARL OF THE ANTILLES.
PAGE
First glimpse of Cuba-Mistakes of Columbus-Its early names-Its strange
shape-Undeveloped mineral treasures-A rainy record-The one day of
snow-A land of trees and fruits and birds-How the island is peopled-
Peninsulars, Riollos and Asiatics - Characteristics of the provinces-Nominal
representation-An expensive religion-An island in pawn-Love, courtship
and matrimony in Cuba
CHAPTER II.
AMERICA, CUBA'S CHAMPION.
Abortive insurrections of the past-American sympathizers on the roll of martyr-
dom-President Grant's indignation-National conventions of both parties
sympathetic-Woodford's effective protest against Weyler-Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee's vigorous Americanism-Personal observations of United States Senators
-Humane shrinking from the inevitable conflict-President McKinley's
historical message-The Congressional resolutions-The ultimatum sent to
Woodford-Woodford's summary dismissal-President McKinley's call for
volunteers-Another message-War declared . .
CHAPTER III.
THE BATTLE FOR HUMANITY.
Incapacity of European journals to appreciate disinterested interference-The
United States patient and forbearing-Offers of purchase-Spanish resent-
ment-A European indictment of the oppressor-A long series of outrages-
European powers deprecate war-Not a war for territory-The nuisance of
proximity to mediæval barbarity-A vision of Anglo-Saxon comradeship—
A poet's acclaim
CHAPTER IV.
WEYLER, BLANCO AND THE RECONCENTRADOS.-AUTONOMY AND THE
"MAINE" DISASTER.
Attempts to crush the insurrection by brutality-Butcher Weyler-Personal esti-
mate of the man-His menacing manifests--The infamous concentration
order-Sugar planters provoked-A fence of steel across the island-A
policy of extermination-Driving in the peasants-Direct responsibility for
sixty thousand deaths-What autonomy meant-De Lome's insult to the
President-His recall-Destruction of the "Maine "-Verdict of the Board of
Inquiry
CHAPTER V.
AMERICAN AND SPANISH MILITARY AND NAVAL STRENGTH COMPARED.
Spain's eight army corps-A list of Spanish vessels, with their speed and arma-
ments-Her reliance on her navy-Disadvantages of distance from base of
supply-Coal is king-United States ships and their commanders-Elements
of strength-An English estimate-Rapid mobilization-The response to the
President's call-American inventive genius in activity-Science harnessed
for war-Electric bombs and flying torpedoes-Modern advance in speed . . 105
CHAPTER VI.
CUBA'S HEROES.
Brave, honest and patriotic men-Maximo Gomez-A manly proclamation—
Masterly tactics-Antonio Maceo-His brother Jose-Two daring soldiers-
A magnanimous proposal-Calexto Garcia-Nestor Aranguren-A Cuban
Centurion-Brilliant capture of a train-President Masso and his cabinet-
Once a prisoner in Morro Castle-Cisneros ex-president-His address to the
Junta
CHAPTER VII.
THE CUBA LIBRE MOVEMENT.
PAGE.
139
Justified by the American Declaration of Independence-Conditions of righteous
insurrection fulfilled-Suppression of Cuban representation in the Cortes-
The captain-general a dictator-Petitions presented at Madrid-A plan of
government and pacification formulated-Spain's arrogant answer-Cuba
saddled with cost of suppressing rebellions-Pensions for retired Spanish
officials-Causes of commercial ruin-Present situation in free Cuba ... 155
CHAPTER VIII.
AMERICA, CUBA'S GOOD SAMARITAN.
President McKinley's appeal for Cuba's starving people-Restrained from hus-
bandry by Weyler's decree-Consular supervision promised -The Christian
Herald's fund opened-A central Cuban relief committee appointed by the
President-Early shipments of supplies-Regular weekly consignments of
food, quinine, etc.-Twenty thousand dollars a day needed to sustain life—
The suffering described by an eye-witness-Half a million slain by hunger-
Admissions of a Spaniard-A living baby at its dead mother's breast-The
busy death-carts-An appalling statistical table-The Christian Herald's offer
to Clara Barton-Red Cross nurses for the survivors of the "Maine "-The
proprietor of the Christian Herald in relief work in Cuba-A characteristic
incident from the west . . 167
CHAPTER IX.
AMERICA IN THE ORIENT.
Manila a picturesque city-Taxed with no returns-Privateering and neutral
rights-Spain defines contraband of war-President McKinley's Proclamation
on same subject-What a privateer is-The right of search-America's
marines-Admiral Dewey entering the Bay of Manila-Daring attack on
Spanish ships under the guns of the forts-Annihilation of Spain's proud
fleet-A torrent of iron hail on the forts-Splendid marksmanship of the United
States gunners-Dewey fighting under disadvantages. .
The Geography of Cuba
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XI.
HASTENING TO THE END.
Planning to intercept the Spanish fleet-Preparations for a battle of giants on
the open sea-Congress providing sinews of war-Spain's policy changed
by the Manila disaster-Hysterical appeals for intervention-The United
States not seeking territory-Causes of Spain's decadence-Natural result of
avarice and cruelty-A specimen proclamation-The dynasty menaced with
revolution
AN AMERICAN WOMAN IN CUBA.
205
227
235
Impressions of a two years' residence on the island-Havana and its suburbs-
The people, their customs and amusements-Cuban and Spanish cookery-
The concerts at the Hotel Gran Inglaterra-The city walls and fortifications, 247