Once recognized as belligerents, they will be able to buy what they need in our ports, and fit out a navy to fight Spain.
The Spaniards are fearful that some such action will be taken. The Government in Madrid has cabled to Weyler that Las Tunas must be retaken at any cost.
An attempt has already been made on the town, but the Spaniards were routed by the Cubans, who still retain possession of their prize.
The Spanish prisoners who were exchanged have been put under arrest for surrendering. They will be court-martialled, that is to say, tried by military court, and called upon to explain why they gave up the town.
From the Cuban accounts that have reached us, it seems that they attribute the victory to the fine work done by a new artillery corps which General Garcia has just organized. An artillery corps is made up of a number of cannon, each having its regular number of gunners to serve it. The artillery is a very valuable assistance in all warfare.
The new corps of gunners had only lately landed on Cuban soil. It consists mainly of American sympathizers with the Cuban cause. The guns they serve are two heavy cannon, six rapid-firing guns, and one dynamite-gun.
The Cubans declare that as soon as the dynamite-gun went into action the victory was assured.
On the other hand, the Spanish claim that the loss of the city was due to the poor communication kept up on their side between the posts.
For more than two weeks before the attack on the city, the commander at Las Tunas had been aware that the Cubans were advancing, and contemplated an assault on it.
He therefore used the heliograph, and with it flashed the news to the Spanish stations on the Canto River, asking that reinforcements be sent him. He was surprised to receive no answer, and again and again the mirrors flashed his message across the hills. No response was received.