TO THE

ARMY OF CUBAN PATRIOTS,

WHO ARE

SACRIFICING THEIR LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM

THIS VOLUME IS

DEDICATED

WITH THE HOPE AND BELIEF THAT

THEIR

GREAT STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE

WILL BE CROWNED WITH SUCCESS.

It's

your

the

APPEAL TO AMERICANS.

By a Lieutenant from the Cuban Army.

To the American People! Forefathers fought for independence, so the brave army of my bompatriots is struggling to make buba free. Read in these pages the bauser, Progress and certain Friumsch of great Revolution. I have examined the proofs of this work and I find that the account given is accurate and complete. The terrible struggle of long- auffering buba, the true and heart. thrilling story of which is contained in this comprehensive volume appeals to all freedom-lov, ug people. Every person in America should know how fust and holy is the cause for which so bubans are

here

many

sheding their blood

and giving their lives.

Francisco Bassol.

(hate Lieutenant of the "Regiment, Prado n° 2° "Sit Corps, Sit Division of the Cuban Army]

TH

HE eyes of the whole world are turned toward Cuba, eagerly watching her Great Struggle for Freedom. The American people recall the long and gory conflict that made this a free and independent nation. Their hearts beat high and their blood grows warm as they read of Cuba's gallant fight for Independence.

The Cuban people have the same reason for their Great Revolution that America had when she threw off the yoke of oppression. For long ages the beautiful "Queen of the Antilles" has suffered under the curse of Spanish tyranny and injustice. She has been robbed and impoverished. Just rights have been denied to her people. Repeatedly and gallantly she has fought to be free and has poured out her blood.

The whole tragic story is contained in this very comprehensive volume. The reader follows the silver-starred flag of the Cuban Patriots which waves from one end of the Island to the other. He sees an army of heroes fighting as Spartans fought at Thermopylæ, as sturdy Scots fought at Bannockburn, as the brave souls in our own Revolution fought at Bunker Hill and Yorktown.

PART I. treats of the Great Insurrection. Spanish brutality and injustice are pictured as they really are, and the reader fully understands why Cuba demands Independence from the atrocious rule of the haughty Castilian.

In a speech on the Cuban question, Congressman Robert R. Hitt, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, used the following stirring words: "Americans, who are descendants of those who

struggled through a contest against tyranny like that now being waged in Cuba, cannot be false to the memory of their fathers nor to the traditions and spirit of their history."

In this volume the opening scenes in the beginning of the war are vividly depicted. Then comes General Campos from Spain, with his Army of 75,000 troops. All the stirring incidents of the conflict are pictured in glowing colors-the successes of the Patriot Army, the downfall of General Campos, the arrival of General Weyler, secret expeditions, and pathetic stories of the war.

PART II. contains the complete History of Cuba from its discovery by Columbus to the present time. Striking portraits are given of the early Spanish rulers, and all the great events are vividly depicted. The story of Marti, the conspiracy of Lopez, the slaughter of the crew of the "Virginius," are told in all their thrilling details.

PART III. gives a picturesque description of Cuba, one of the loveliest gardens of the Tropics. This, like every other part of the work, has a peculiar charm to all readers. They behold the natural scenery of the far-famed Island; they see the people in their native homes; they learn all the manners, customs, peculiarities and characteristics of the Cubans, and find at the close of this most instructive volume that they have made a journey through every part of the “Queen of the Antilles."

This work stirs anew the sympathy of the American people for the brave Cuban Patriots who have resolved free their beautiful Island from the oppression under which it has long suffered and bled. The conflict has been waged before, but never with such grim resolution and heroic bravery. The day of victory is not far distant.

Freedom battle once begun,

Beared from bleeding sire to son,

gh baffled oft, is always won."