Germany has steadily sought such wireless sites throughout this region. Several have been established in Mexico, and in 1914 it was through a wireless station in Colombia that the German Admiral von Spec was enabled to keep himself informed of the movements of the squadron of Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock information which resulted in the naval battle in Chilean waters with a loss of three British battleships. It was after this battle that Colombia ordered the closing of all wireless stations on its coasts.
In Cuba, too, the hand of Germany has been evident, in spite of the disclaimers which were made by both parties in the rebellion which, in 1916, grew out of the contested election in which both President Menocal and the Liberal candidate, Alfredo Zayas, claimed a victory. It is strange, if this were the real cause of the uprising, that hostilities did not start until 9th February, 1917, when General Gomez, himself an ex- President, began a revolt in the eastern portion of the island. The date is important; it was barely a week before new elections were to be held in two disputed provinces and only six days after the United States had severed diplomatic relations with the German Government, and but four days after President Menocal's Government had dedared its intention of following the action of the United States.
A little study of the personnel and developments of the rebellion furnishes convincing evidence as to its true backing. The Liberal Party is strongly supported by the Spanish element of the population, which is almost unanimously pro- German in its sympathies. All over the island, both Germans and Spaniards were arrested for complicity in the uprising. Nor have the clergy escaped. Literally, dozens of bishops were imprisoned in Havana upon the same charges.
It is also a notorious fact that the Mexicans have supported the Liberals, and that the staffs of the Liberal newspapers are almost exclusively composed of Mexican journalists. These newspapers were suppressed at the beginning of the revolution.
But far more significant are the developments in the actual fighting.
Most of the action has taken place in the eastern provinces of Camaguey, Oriente and Santa Clara in which the more fertile fields of sugar cane are situated. The damage to the cane fields has been estimated at 5,000,000 tons and is, from a military standpoint, unnecessary.
Colonel Rigoberto Fernandez, one of the revolutionary leaders, stated that the rebels were plentifully supplied with hand grenades and artillery although the reports prove that they had none. Was this an empty boast or may there be a connection between Fernandez's statement and the capture by the British of three German ships, which were found off the Azores, laden with mines and arms?
I was in Havana in the latter part of March upon a private errand, although the Cuban papers persisted in imputing sinister designs to me. Naturally, the Germans were not inclined to tell all their secrets, but my Mexican acquaintances, all of whom were well informed regarding Cuban affairs, gave me considerable information. Among other Mexicans I met General Joaquin Maas, the former General of the Federal forces under Huerta. The General has since made peace with Carranza and was at this time acting as the latter's go-between in negotiations with Germany. When I last saw Maas it was after the battle of El Paredo. He was about to blow out his brains, but one of his lieutenants elegantly informed him that he was a fool and dissuaded him from suicide. Maas received me with the courtesy due to a former opponent, and was not averse from telling me much about the situation. I also had ample occasion to speak with Spaniards, whose sympathies were decidedly pro-German.
Little by little I was enabled to acquire a rather complete idea not of the issues underlying the Cuban revolution, but of what had brought matters to a head. The answer may be found in one word Germany. German agents notably Dr. Hawe ben Hawas, who took a mysterious botanising expedition throughout that part of Cuba which later became the scene of revolutionary activities, and who has thrice teen arrested as a German spy saw in the political unrest of the country another opportunity to create a diversion in favour of Germany. Cuba at peace was a valuable economic ally of the United States. Cuba in rebellion was a source of annoyance to the country, since it meant intervention, the political value of which was unfavourable to the United States, and a serious loss in sugar, which is one of the most important ingredients in the manufacture of several high explosives.
Hence the burning of millions of tons of sugar cane. Hence the rebel seizure of Santiago de Cuba. Hence the large number of negroes who joined the rebel army, and whose labour is indispensable in the production of sugar.
The ironic part of it all is that Germany had nothing to gain by a change of government in Cuba. Any Cuban Government must have a sympathetic attitude towards the United States. What Germany wanted was a disruption of the orderly life of the country and she wanted it to continue for as long a time as possible.
At the present writing the Cuban rebellion is ended. General Gomez and his army have been captured, President Menocal is firmly seated in power again, and the rebels hold only a few unimportant points. But much damage has been done in the lessening of the sugar supply and the rebellion has also served its purpose as an illustration of Germany's ability to make trouble.
Germany has played a consistent game throughout. She has sought to use all the existing weaknesses of the world for her own purposes all the rivalries, all the fears, all the antipathies, she has utilised as fuel for her own fire. And yet, although she has played the game with the utmost foresight, with a skill that is admirable in spite of its perverse uses, and with an unfailing assurance of success she has come to the fourth year of the Great War with the fact of failure staring her in the face.
But she has not given up. You may be sure that she has not given up.
CHAPTER XII
THE COMPLETE SPY
The last stand of German intrigue Germany's spy system in America. What is coming?
As I write these last few pages three clippings from recent newspapers lie before me on my desk. One of them tells of the new era of good feeling that exists between the Governments of Mexico and the United States, and speaks of the alliance of Latin American Republics against German autocracy.
Another tells how the first contingent of American troops has landed in France after a successful battle with a submarine fleet. And a third speaks of the victorious advance of the troops of Democratic Russia, after the world had begun to believe that Russia had forgotten the War in her new freedom.
I read them over again, and I think that each one of these clippings, if true, writes "failure" once again upon the book of German diplomacy.
I remember a day not so very many months ago, when a man with whom I had some business in for me less tranquil days, came to see me.
"B. E. is in town," he said quietly. "He says he must see you. Can you meet him at the Restaurant to-night?"
Boy-Ed! I was not surprised that he should be in America, for I knew the man's audacity. But what could he want of me? Well, it would do no harm to meet him, I thought, and anyway my curiosity was aroused.
I nodded.
"I'll be there," I said. "At what hour?"