I send it for your information, as well as for any suggestions and
recommendations you may see fit to make either to the Spanish Government
or to the local authorities in Cuba for the protection of American
properties in Cuba from destruction by the Cuban insurgents.
[Inclosure.]
Messrs. E. Atkins &
Co. to Mr. Uhl.
Boston, Mass., December 9, 1895.
Dear Sir: By messenger returned from Cuba
last night we have full details of the destruction of property on
our Soledad estate. The total amount of cane destroyed was estimated
at 10,000 net tons, or about 10 per cent of the crop. Of this cane
some 6,250 tons were our own property, the balance belonging to
tenants leasing lands from us, most of which tenants were more or
less indebted to us for money advanced for the care of their places,
their crops being our security.
The firing was done by a band of some eight negroes, who said they
were acting under orders of one Rego, their chief. After the firing,
several parties reported having seen the written orders.
The insurgents were in force upon the neighboring hill and threatened
to kill any of our employees who attempted to put out the fires;
notwithstanding the threats, the employees of the estate, under a
young Englishman who was acting as assistant manager, finally
succeeded in extinguishing the flames.
Up to the time of these fires no attempts had been made to defend the
property, but upon information by one of the insurgents that it was
their intention to destroy not only cane, but factory buildings, a
body of Spanish soldiers was at once sent by the Spanish authorities
and a permanent guard for the buildings established, consisting of
25 soldiers. A permit was issued to us by the Spanish Government,
allowing us to arm an additional force of 40 men at our own expense,
the Government furnishing arms. This we were forced to do to protect
the buildings and machinery, as well as the lives of our employees,
which had been threatened.
Inquiry as to the cause of change of policy on the part of the
insurgents brings the following reports:
That orders for general destruction of all property had been issued
by the commander in chief, Maximo Gomez.
That the insurgents said they had knowledge that the American
property owners were not in sympathy with them; that the destruction
of American property would lead to claims upon the Spanish
Government, and consequent complications between the United States
and Spain, which would lead to their recognition by the United
States as belligerents.
Our reports say that the larger portion of the insurgents are
negroes.
On the night of the 1st instant a band of insurgents appeared at one
of our tenancies under the command of a white leader, who brought
written orders to destroy, which he showed to the man in charge
(Peter M. Beal, an American citizen). The orders were to destroy
that and other places.
The order contained the following:
Destroy all sugar estates. Burn their cane and defenses at
their factories, as well as destroy their railroad lines.
Every laborer shall be treated as a traitor who lends any
assistance to these sugar factories.
Maximo Gomez.
Copy of this order was brought to us by our agent, who arrived
yesterday.
While no destruction was attempted upon the night mentioned, we are
at this moment in receipt of cable advising that the above-named
tenancy is in flames.
[Page 1218]
This particular place belongs to our property of Soledad, and is
leased by American citizens who are engaged in production of cane
for our factory. It is an extensive place, and we paid them for
their cane delivered last crop some $70,000.
While the Spanish authorities are protecting the buildings and
machinery, they find difficulty in covering the railroad lines and
cane fields, extending over some 12,000 acres of territory.
All of this we submit for your consideration, and would respectfully
call the attention of the Department to the imminent danger of
destruction of this and other American properties in Cuba.
Respectfully, etc.,
E. Atkins & Co.
