These towns are, however, more of a burden than a profit to the Government, for the Spaniards dare not venture out into the surrounding country, the Cubans being too strong for them.
They are thus practically besieged; their supplies have to be sent to them from Havana, and they are entirely dependent on the main army for support.
For months past the great object of the Cuban troops in Eastern Cuba has been to waylay the baggage-trains carrying these supplies. Again and again they have been attacked, the guard slaughtered, and the provisions captured. The Cubans have begun to boast that such comforts as their army is now enjoying have been supplied to them through these forays on the enemy.
Bayamo, one of the towns that especially depended on the convoys, is in a state bordering on starvation, as the last three trains sent to her relief have been captured.
The Spaniards declare that a force of ten thousand men is necessary to take provisions to Bayamo in safety.
But it is not alone the importance of their victory which pleases the Cubans in the capture of Las Tunas. Their great cause for rejoicing is that at this battle the Spaniards for the first time accorded them the rights of belligerents. That is to say, the Spaniards treated them as soldiers engaged in legitimate warfare, not as brigands and bandits.
The Spanish commander himself requested that the Cubans should consent to an exchange of prisoners.
That you may understand the importance of this request, you must remember that there are especial rules and laws which govern the conduct of a war, and from which no nation dares depart, unless it wishes to be branded as inhuman and savage.
One of these laws relates to the care of prisoners. Prisoners of war must not be treated like criminals, for they have done no wrong. The patriotism that makes a man willing to give his life for his country is a virtue, not a crime, and therefore prisoners of war must always be treated as honorable men. Nothing should be done to them but to keep them in confinement, and prevent them from fighting.
As every prisoner captured weakens the fighting force of the enemy, all armies try to take as many captives as they can. During a war it is customary frequently to exchange prisoners; that is to say, each side gives back the prisoners they hold, in exchange for their own soldiers who are held by the other side.