The rescue of Cuba, marking an epoch in the growth of free government

Front matter

OFCllBA mil

ANDREW S. DRAPER

Class ^li<5

Preface to the Enlarged Edition

THE first edition of this little book was prepared ten years ago to illustrate to American youth the spirit which led the American people to drive Spain from Cuba ; as well as to give the war with Spain what the writer conceived to be its proper setting in the long and thrilling story of the progress of democracy in the world. It was the intention to point out the horrors as well as the heroisms of war, and both to stir and steady the proper ambitions of the young people of our country. The writer tried to show that government is more a burden than a privilege or a pleasure. It was hoped to use the facts and the results of the Spanish contest in ways which might lead more people to think of the cost and the worth of self-government.

Now, with more history to draw from, and with added experiences to enlighten us, the book is extended and brought down to date in the hope that it may go further and accomplish more.

A. S. D.

Albany, N. Y.,

August, 1909,

CHAPTER I Historic Misgovernment by Spain PAGE

Spain's part in the world's contest for freedom ; Characteristics of the Spaniards ; Bravery and courtesy ; Corruption and cruehy ; Spain's original territorial importance; Greatness of her empire ; Vastness of her dreams ; Her self-destructive methods ; Results of her methods upon her own people ; Loss of the Netherlands ; Loss of other European possessions ; Losses in America and the East Indies ; A few details of Spanish inhumanity ; Final effect of Spanish misgovernment . . 15-27

CHAPTER n Spanish Misrule in Cuba

Beauty of Cuba ; Size, population, climate, and resources of Cuba ; Cuba's early history and Spain's short-sightedness ; Spanish hostility to education ; Series of Cuban revolts ; English and Spanish colonial policies compared ; Exhausting Cuba ; Taxation without representation and without benefits ; Official corruption ; Absence of personal liberty ; The " Ten Years' War " ; Rebellion of 1895 ; Weyler's barbarity and war upon the helpless ; Famine and death ; Making a desert and calling it " peace" ; Cuban intrepidity ; Voice of the United States. 2S-39

CHAPTER HI Rescue by the United States

American foreign policy ; Washington's Farewell Address ; Monroe Doctrine ; Change of policy towards Cuba forced by the masses ; Case of the Virginius ; American commercial interests ; Growth of popular feeling ; Destruction of the Maine ; Patriotic excitement ; The lights turned on ; Learning the truth ; Investigations and statements by Senators Proctor and

CONTENTS

Thurston ; Popular demand for war ; The President's pacific yet energetic course ; $50,000,000 voted for defense by Congress ; Official report on the destruction of the Maine ; The President's message ; The declaration of war ; A war for humanity ; The noble pledge ; Lofty national ideal . 40-52

CHAPTER IV The Preparation

American confidence in American ability ; Unprepared for war ; Folly of unreadiness ; Size of our regular army ; Excellence of our trained soldiers ; Neglect of the army by Congress ; Dependence on volunteers ; The President's call for volunteers ; Character and organization of the volunteers ; The Krag-Jorgensen rifle and smokeless powder ; Hasty preparations ; The navy better prepared ; Buying vessels ; The reserves ; Naval guns ; Accurate gunnery ; Training the navy ; The hospital ship ; Lack of dry-docks ; Making smokeless powder ; Secretary Long's foresight ; A critical situation ; Unhesitating courage ........ 53-66

CHAPTER V Dewey's Battle in Manila Bay

The first blow on the other side of the world ; The Philippine Islands and their importance ; Defenses of Manila ; The Pacific fleet starting for Manila ; A daring venture ; Confidence of victory ; Entering the harbor ; The first gun and the answer ; Waiting for closer range ; The assault at daybreak ; Gallantry of the American flagship ; Destructicm of the Spanish flagship ; Spanish ships burning ; Withdrawing to examine the magazines and serve breakfast ; A council ; Renewal of the assault ; The white flag ; Complete victory ; The amazement of the world 67-80

CHAPTER VI The Attack on Santiago

Sailing of our Atlantic fleet ; The blockade ; First actions ; The new army ; The first army movement ; Admiral Cervera's formidable fleet arrives ; Locating Cervera at Santiago ; Lieutenant Blue's daring reconnoissance ; Lieutenant Hobson's exploit; A "bottled" fleet ; Heroism of marines at Guantanamo ; Welcoming General Shafter ; Landing of troops ; "Old Glory" on Cuban soil; The advance; Spirit under great difficulties ; Boundless courage and steady progress . 81-93

CONTENTS y

CHAPTER VII The Attack on Santiago (^Continued) p^ge

Rapid movement of events ; Sharp fight of the " Rough Riders " and colored regulars at Guasimas ; Pushing forward towards Santiago ; Formidable obstacles ; Problem of General Shafter ; Fortifications at El Caney and San Juan ; Opening of the battle at El Caney ; Rapid fire on both sides ; Steadiness of American troops ; The creeping advance under deadly fire ; A desperate charge ; Capture of El Caney ; Spanish tribute to American gallantry ; Losses at El Caney ; Opening of battle at San Juan ; Derangement of original plans ; March through narrow trail ; Sharpshooters in trees ; The war balloon ; The charge without orders ; The irresistible rush ; The private soldier ; Terrible cost of victory ; Holding the ridge ; Demand for surrender of Spanish army ; Escape of Spanish fleet 94-113

CHAPTER VIII Destruction of Cervera's Fleet

The fateful Sunday, 3rd of July ; The waiting American fleet ; The absent Admiral ; The alarm, " The enemy's ships are coming out"; The instant rally; Opening fire; The Gloucester "remembers the Maine"; Destruction of torpedo boats; Helping the enemies ; Three Spanish warships destroyed ; Captain Philip's chivalry ; The great chase of the Colon by the Brooklyn and the Oregon ; Heroes under the decks ; The five-mile shot and the Colon's surrender ; Spanish losses ; The victory of skill and discipline ; Spirit of thanksgiving for the extraordinary triumph ...... 1 14-123

CHAPTER IX The Winning of Cuba and Puerto Rico

Fourth of July with the army ; Anxiety followed by confidence ; Sufferings of the American troops ; Depression of the Spaniards ; Parleys about surrender ; Hardship and exhaustion ; Reinforcements ; Reverence for the flag ; The generous terms offered to the enemy ; Spanish politeness and curiosity ; The capitulation of 23,000 Spaniards ; Scenes on entering Santiago ; The star-spangled banner over the palace ; Cheers from the trenches ; General Miles's expedition to Puerto Rico ; Surprise and strategy ; Welcome in Ponce ; Friendly greetings everywhere ; General Miles's proclamation ; Releasing prisoners ; A joyous campaign ; Advance on San Juan ; A battle stopped ; The end of fighting in the West Indies . 124-135

10 CONTENTS

CHAPTER X The Fall of Manila and the Suit for Peace p^^.

Need of troops for Manila ; Admiral Dewey's long waiting ; Careful preparation of General Merritt's expedition ; Peculiar interest in this expedition ; The arrival at Manila ; The delicate problem ; Aguinaldo and the Philippine insurgents ; Troublesome friends ; General Merritt's wisdom ; The demand for surrender ; The parley ; Arrangements for attack ; The assault ; The surrender ; General Merritt's tribute to his soldiers ; A real foothold gained in the East ; Spain's suit for peace ; The protocol of peace ..... 136-146

CHAPTER XI The Spirit of American Soldiers and Sailors

American compassion for the oppressed ; The people's war ; Men of the army and navy worthy representatives of their country ; Spanish surprise at humane ways of Americans ; General and special heroisms of Americans ; Admiral Dewey's gallantry and wisdom ; Lieutenant Rowan in the enemy's country ; Lieutenant Hobson and the Merrimac ; General Wheeler and Colonel Roosevelt ; Patient and generous sufferers ; Lieutenant Ord and the two boy privates ; Young heroes on the Brooklyn ; A clever Cuban and his beast ; The daring and dutiful newspaper men ; The heroic women ; The President's moral courage and wise statesmanship ; The fury of a just indignation 147-169

CHAPTER Xn The Settlement

The Peace Commission ; New methods in diplomacy ; The treaty ; Justice of American demands ; Review of reasons for the war ; Its enormous cost ; Wiser views about preparedness for war ; European surprise as to our fighting qualities ; Our surprise at smallness of aid from Cubans ; New spirit of union among the American people ; Better relations with Great Britain ; Our entrance into \vider relations and responsibilities ; Our present problem and duty for Cuba ; The acquirement of Puerto Rico ; ;The Philippine question ; Conflicting views ; The predomiinant opinion ; Our future policy with the Philippines ; Additions of territory and people not unusual ; Question of /citizenship not immediate ; Duty to educate and develop the 'new peoples under our flag; Safety in accepting national duties ; Destiny of the English-speaking race ; Its ability to govern ; The war an episode in the growth of freedom ; Its ends will be completely accomplished .... 170-186

CONTENTS 11

CHAPTER XIII The Results in the PhiHppines

Ten years later; Purpose and policies of United States ; Aiding toward self-government ; Taft's work on Commission ; Wood as commander of army in Philippines ; President's powers, limitations and opportunities ; McKinley's attitude ; Roosevelt's words and acts ; What Taft did as Governor-General ; No false promises to Filipinos ; Taft as Secretary of War ; Insular administration no longer a novelty ; Realization of moral responsibility ; Development of school system ; Commercial activity ; Public improvements ; Separation of church and state ; Contrast between Spanish and American infantry ; Military government gradually to give way to civil ; Officers, except Governor and Treasurer, chosen by people ; Philippine Congress trains in self-government by practice : Filipinos in judicial and police systems ; United States has lacked generosity in trade relations ; Modifications in tariffs ; Need of industrial training ; Independence a question of the future 187-198

CHAPTER XIV The Results in Cuba

Independence ; Responsibility of United States ; Requirements of Congress ; Objections in Cuba ; Sketch of Cuba's possibilities ; Constitutional Convention ordered ; Dissatisfaction over Piatt amendment ; Convention held Nov. 5, 1900; Constitution follows United States principles ; Education provided for ; Manhood suffrage ; Departments of government ; President's powers and duties ; Judiciary ; Comprehensive plan ; Election Dec. 31, 1901 ; Palma inaugurated ; Congratulations of United States ; Troops withdrawn ; Troubles of Palma administration ; Chaos impending ; Appeal to United States ; Second rescue ; Return of troops ; Magoon appointed provisional governor ; Condition of country; Needed improvements put through ; Preparation for resumption of insular government ; A reliable census ; Another general election ; Gomez inaugurated ; Magoon and associates return to United States ; Troops again withdrawn ; Congratulations once more exchanged ; Self-government re-established 199-219

12 CONTENTS

CHAPTER XV The Results in Puerto Rico

PAGE

Situation and size of island ; Characteristics of people ; Few troubles with Spain ; Treaty of Paris gives sovereignty to United States ; People gratified and expectant of benefit ; New government somewhat disappointing ; American citizenship withheld; United States obliged to move slowly ; Difticulties of a democracy ; Progress under American control ; Industrial quickening ; Improved school systems ; Federal aid in education ; Increased imports and exports ; Outlook hopeful ; Claims upon citizenship ; United States should be generous in commercial support 220-224

CHAPTER XVI

The Results in the United States

World formerly ruled by force ; Present-day government by law ; Different peoples require different government ; American capacity for accomplishment and progress ; Duty of United States toward Cuba plain ; Obligations to our wards ; Must help them to help themselves ; New problem in human history; United States wins respect of other nations; Increased influence and responsibility ; Settling down to our task ; Democratic government better understood ; National progress ; Free political initiative ; Advance in moral force ; World progress ; International peace ; Course of United States an inspiration to her youth ; Learning through doing ; A nation to love . 225-235

List of Illustrations

PAGE

The Cuban Senate in Session . , . Frontispiece Rulers and Leaders of Spain . . . . .22 A Map of the Seat of War in the West Indies . . 28 A Cuban Farmer's Family before Weyler's Edict of

Concentration ....... 34

Spaniards Driving in the Reconcentrados . . 38

President McKinley and Famous Officials . . 44

A Group of American Major-Generals ... 50

Four Fighting Admirals 62

A Map of the Philippine Islands .... 68 The Battle of Manila Bay, May I, 1898 ... 74 A War Map of the Santiago Campaign ... 90 Charge at El Caney, July i, 1898 . . . .102

Winning the Crest of San Juan Hill, July i, 1898 . 108 On the Deck of the Gloucester, July 3, 1898 . .116

Charge of the Brooklyn and the Oregon in the Sea-

Fight of July 3, 1898 120

The Messenger of Peace, Puerto Rico, August 13,

1898 134

American Volunteers Entering Manila, August 13,

1898 142

The Merriraac Entering Santiago Harbor, June 3,

1898 154

Colonel Roosevelt and Lieutenant Hobson . .160 Four Captains Who Fought Cervera's Fleet . . 172

Two Cuban Street Scenes 200

In a Cuban School . 208

Two Presidents of Cuba . . . . . .218

Tobacco Raising and Cigar Making in Cuba . . 228

Note: — The Spanish spelling Puerto Rico (rich port) is used throughout this book instead of the form Porto Rico, now commonly used in the United States.

CHAPTER I

IN the world's contest for freedom Spain has played a large part ; but her part, as this chapter and the next will show, has been unhappily upon the wrong side. No other people ever had greater opportunities to attain first rank among the nations, and no other people was ever overwhelmed with greater humiliations or more dismal failure.

The Spanish people have many admirable characteristics. They are distinguished for their grave and careful courtesy to strangers and for their hospitality to visitors. They preserve a marked dignity of bearing; they are intensely patriotic; they are brave to the extremity of desperation. They have been in the past energetic and aggressive.

But along with these qualities are others which are the opposite of admirable. A proper pride is always to be respected, but Spanish pride is so excessive that, from an Anglo-Saxon point of view, it seems to turn easily into foolish vanity ; it certainly leads the Spanish

Courteous Manners Corruption and Cruelty people frequently to deceive themselves rather than to admit that they have been wrong; and no people can make any progress unless they are willing to acknowledge their failings so that they can mend them. The chivalry and courtesy, which are so highly prized by the Spaniards, seem too often to be a thin crust of outward behavior, while below these pleasant manners may be selfishness and cruel feelings. Their dignified politeness is beautiful to experience, but underneath this sweetness of temper the world has discovered sad degrees of duplicity, intrigue, vindictiveness, and inhumanity. Moreover, the Spanish character has seemed to be almost hopelessly rapacious ; the poor, ignorant peasants of course have to work, but most Spaniards of the more intelligent classes consider labor to be beneath them, and too many of them have been accustomed, even to the present, to follow the custom of the old dark ages and depend for their riches upon what they could wrench from those who were weaker than themselves, or else purloin from their own Government. There are certainly many exceptions to this : there are good people in Spain, as everywhere; but corruption seems to prevail among Spaniards more widely and persistently than in any other European nation ; it is the trait that has most undermined the Spanish character, and has been more effective than any other in retarding Spanish progress, while other European nations have grown more honest and humane with the progress of civilization. Corruption and cruelty have held backward a nation of splendid possibilities, and

Territorial Importance Loss of Territory

have led Spain to commit acts almost as unwise and atrocious as those of Turkey.

The situation of the Spanish peninsula is exceedingly important. Washed by the Atlantic on one side and the Mediterranean on another, commanding the gate of Gibraltar on the great highway of the nations, and separated from the body of Europe by a mountain range which is practically impassable against spirited defense, her territorial position has been one of strong and world-wide significance.

Outside of her home peninsula she has come into the possession of more territory and lost more territory than any other modern nation. Her arms and her diplomacy have, at one time or another, given her claim to dominion over those parts of Europe now held by Austria, Holland, Belgium, Alsace and Lorraine in Germany, Italy, and Portugal ; while her discoveries and conquests gave her the greater and the richer part of North America, nearly all of South America, the West Indies, the Philippines, and other groups of rich islands in both hemispheres, as well as a large slice of Africa.

But her avarice, her illiberality, her intolerance of new opinions, her antagonism to liberty, her duplicity in dealing with other nations, her repeated attempts to repress manhood through cruelties, have caused nearly all these outside lands to be taken from her by more progressive powers, or else to leave her through their own revolutions.

Spain has not been without a civilization which was relatively high. She was the " Tarshish " of Scripture.

Wasted Opportunities Lack of Human Sympathy

Her soil is rich in vegetable and mineral wealth. The time was when she had prosperous and famous cities, when the arts and sciences were cultivated, when she was at the front and gave promise of remaining at the front of the intellectual progress of the world. But her national policy of deceitfulness and cruelty arrested the intellectual and moral development of her people.

The discovery of America by Columbus, under Spain's auspices, gave her the chance to become a great empire. Her monarchs had just conquered the Moors, and had consolidated the various little Spanish kingdoms into one nation. Now the limitless quantities of gold which began to be sent to her in treasure-ships from America enabled her to enter a career of European conquest and successful enlargement which lasted for a good part of a century, until the dominions of Philip H. included, not only the entire Spanish peninsula, but Sicily and Sardinia, a large part of Italy, and a splendid kingdom around the Rhine, besides most of the Western Hemisphere and innumerable islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. He was said to be the monarch of one hundred million subjects.

No wonder Spain dreamed of extending her empire till it embraced the whole world. Her soldiers were the most numerous and daring, her fleets were the largest, her treasury was the richest, her opportunity was the best. Her dream of universal empire might possibly have been realized if her rule had been tinged with human sympathy or had paid respect to human

Spanish Inquisition Confiscation of Property

rights. But it was so cruel that even the ignorant and downtrodden peoples of those earlier days revolted.

She had an ingenious method for keeping her people in humble submission to her throne and for bringing other nations under the same subjection ; it was the Spanish Inquisition, a system of torture and death for opinion's sake which was well calculated to strike terror to the strongest souls.

This was a scheme for secretly inquiring into the thoughts of the individual, and murdering him if his thoughts were not satisfactory to the crown. Under the penalty of torture and death anyone might be required to inform against his neighbor, or even against members of his own household. The inquisitors condemned without open trial. A suspect was put upon the rack at midnight, in a dimly lighted dungeon, and his sinews stretched and his bones broken until life almost went out of the poor aching body, for the purpose of eliciting a confession of guilt or a charge against others. This torture might be continued at frequent intervals, sometimes for years, only to let the wretched victim perish by burning at the stake at last.

The property of the condemned went to the king, and of course the possessors of wealth were early victims. No man was safe. Women and children were by no means exempt. To refuse information or supposed information was to defy the merciless inquisitors, and to reveal any secret or alleged secret of the bloody tribunal was certain death. The deceits which were used to entrap the unwary can scarcely be believed.

Persistent Cruelties Results in the Netherlands

Death, in its most horrid form of lingering torture, claimed hundreds of thousands. The executions took place at stated times in the public squares and were attended by the officials of state and by the wretched people in vast crowds. Death was ordinarily by fire. Confession before the multitude purchased the poor privilege of being strangled by the garrote before the body was thrown into the flames.

Such a system must necessarily accompHsh one of two ends, and that very completely. It must either drive a people to revolt, or it must utterly destroy their sense of manhood. In different parts of the empire it did both. The results turned upon the character of the people.

Thus, in the Spanish peninsula it stopped the wheels of progress. It drove out a million of Moors, Protestants, and Jews. The two former classes included the best mechanics and the cleverest artificers Spain ever had, and the Jews were her ablest bankers. To expel all these was to cut off the internal resources of national strength. The inquisitorial system also hurt those who remained in Spain by putting a premium on the arrogance of some and the subserviency of others, and thus robbed the people of much of their moral sense.

But when Spain undertook to put this system in operation among her subjects in the Netherlands, it there produced a revolution, the success of which gave a wonderful energy to the life of the liberty-loving Dutch, and, through them, opened the way for the advance of civilization throughout the world.

HISTORIC MISOOVERNMENT BY SPAIN 21

Dutch Revolt Our Debt to the Dutch

In 1568 the Spanish Inquisition condemned the three millions of people in the Netherlands to death because of their religious and political opinions, and a proclamation of the Spanish king at once confirmed the act. William the Silent led the Dutch revolt against the oppressor. It was the world's first great battle for the liberty of the individual. It continued for forty years. In it a hundred thousand Netherlanders laid down their lives for the rights of intellect and conscience. Words would fail to tell of the adventurous daring, of the intrigue and deceit, or of the atrocious cruelties of the Spanish. But the desperate heroism of the Dutch finally beat them back, gained recognition for their little Republic of seven states in 1609, and established the fullest liberty of thought and freedom of worship. They celebrated their victories by setting up schools and universities, and entered upon a career of intellectual and industrial progress. They had stood during most of the war utterly alone against the most powerful nation of Europe; their energy, industry, and virtue were so great that when their independence was gained they were as powerful as the English, and even more progressive; their ships were seen in every port ; there was scarcely any beggary ; and nearly every citizen could read and write.

Against this spirit in the Netherlands Spain proved powerless. We Americans are debtors to these Dutch patriots and defenders of freedom who delivered their country from the Spaniards; for it was from the Dutch RepubHc, quite as much as from England, that our

The Armada Spanish Defeats in Europe

forefathers got their ideas of liberty and popular government.

But before Spain was driven out of the Netherlands the British had given her a staggering blow by defeating her " Invincible Armada," which the arrogant Philip II. sent in 1588 to subjugate England. This was one of the most disastrous defeats in history; it broke the power of Spain on the sea and gave it to England, and opened the way for colonial settlements by both the Dutch and English in America.

A little later, in 1639, Spain was again humiliated by the loss of Portugal and its foreign colonies. During the latter part of the same century Spain was beaten by France and suffered a loss of eight million more in her population. Another war (1701-1714) pared away what was left of the great Spanish Empire on every side; Gibraltar and the island of Minorca were ceded to England; Milan, Naples, Sardinia, and Belgium were given to Austria. From the mightiest nation in Europe, Spain thus sank in a little over a hundred years to a third-rate power. But she still held a lordly empire over the seas in the Western Hemisphere.

From that opulent American empire she had drawn her treasure for her extravagant and foolish wars at home. She had made the American natives slaves, and had, by harsh treatment, exterminated whole races of them. She might have learned some valuable lessons from her own terrible reverses in Europe and instituted a milder and juster sway in America. But her

Rulers and Leaders of Spain in the War with the United States.

King Alfonso XIII. and his Mother, the Queen-Regent. Captain-General Weyler. Prime Minister Sagasta.

Mistakes in America Losses in America and East Indies

misrule and extortion grew heavier in her colonies, and they steadily slipped away from her.

Accordingly, by the time another century had passed, Spain began to lose her vast American empire. Stimulated by the success of the United States in its winning of independence, the Spanish colonies followed one another in rebellion. The Argentine Republic, including Bolivia, established its independence in 1810. Chili, Venezuela, Ecuador, and New Granada achieved theirs during the next ten years. Peru won freedom in 1824. Mexico and the states of Central America broke the Spanish yoke through bloody revolutions about the same time. Florida was bought from Spain by the United States ; and the Louisiana territory, including the enormous region west of the Mississippi and north as far as the British possessions, after having been ceded by Spain to France, came to us soon afterwards through diplomacy and purchase from France.

Brazil had gone when Portugal was lost. Santo Domingo and Hayti, which had been gradually conquered by the French, won their independence. Jamaica and the Bahama Islands were taken by the British.

In the West Indies, accordingly, Cuba and Puerto Rico were the only islands of importance left under the Spanish rule at the beginning of the late war.

The great and rich islands of the East India group in the Pacific were properly claimed by Spain through the discoveries by Magellan ; but all save the Philippines, the Carolines, the Ladrones, and a few other very small islands were taken from her by the English,

Bad Methods and Cruelties Massacre of French Colonists

French, and Dutch in the wars she had waged against those countries in the vain hope of broadening her empire.

It would have been no dishonor to lose all of these vast possessions, had not most of the losses been occasioned by dishonest dealings, signal violations of human rights, and merciless cruelty. An habitual disregard of the customs of civilized administration and of the laws of civilized warfare has persistently formed the substance of Spanish policy. It was so in the home country and it has invariably been so in the territories.

The details of the persecution of the men and women who thought for themselves, the narrative of the expulsion of the Jews and the Moors from Spain, and the tale of the atrocities of the war in the Netherlands, are too long and too horrible to be described. We should willingly pass them by without mention if similar practices had not been brought to the New World and continued into the present century.

During the religious wars of France in the latter half of the i6th century, several hundred Huguenots, aided by Admiral Coligny, started a colony in Florida. It was the first attempt in America to establish a free government, where men could enjoy liberty of opinion. The famous English Admiral Hawkins visited this colony in 1565, became deeply interested in it, and has left a description of its broad and humane policy, which was extraordinary for that day. Shortly after Hawkins left, the terrible Menendez, with his Spanish soldiers, arrived, and butchered the whole company of

Massacres in Mexico At Soto la Marina

men, women, and children, seven hundred in all, except six who escaped to an English ship.

Spanish official documents show that when Venezuela, Ecuador, and New Granada battled for freedom, eighty thousand of their people, taken prisoners of war, were hanged, shot, or otherwise murdered in cold blood by Spanish soldiers. Frequently these massacres were in spite of express agreements before capitulation that their lives and property should be secure. These crimes were not due merely to the excesses of half-savage troops, but had the specific approval of the Government of Spain.