Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-17
GEN. WEYLER AND CUBA
Rigid Regulations Which He Proposes to
Enforce on the sand
Will This Government Permit Them
to he Carried Out is Now
the Question.

When Gen Weyler was appointed to sue
ceed Cen campos in Cuba the friends of
the ius,trg ants derived some comfort from
the reflecto,. that the new commander
would not be able. although probably we'll
enough disposed, TO carry out the wishes
of the Madrid government. 1t was insisted
that butchery could not be substituted for
legitimate warfare at a point SO very close
to the restrain ing influences of American
sentiment These influences alone, 1t WAS
believed would be sufficient to prevent
Barbarous blooGshed.
His Rigid Regulations.
These opinions, it is now felt, must he
revised II Gen. Weylers proclama tions
upon assuming authority are to stand.
They make barbarity not only possible but
secure Any policy he may devise may be
executed under them. There was Il cord IN
around the island before. There is now a
double Gordon. steel rivetcd. The cruisers
are OF the water. and the press censors are
OIL shCre Inspection Is r.g.d at all points.
Visitors to the island for any purpose are
to be closely watched. Gables or letters TO
the outside IresS are at senders risk.
Copies of all matter so dispatched must he
filed with the press ctasors, ami a COM
ri:rison is TO he made between the matter
So duplicated and the matter printed. If
the press censors 10y means of this com
rarison shall fnd that they have been
sccoEed at any time, the enterprsing Of
fender is tc b. made 10 walk Spanish 20
the slIartihouse, or to some secluded spot
" here he can be made to look for a brief
moment down the shining barrel of Il
loaded gun
The regulations for the interior of the is
lard are quite as severe. The people-,he
'on-combatants-are 10 De penned up like
sleep. Every person not in some insurgent
camp must BE- in some Spanish camp. This
is -.fi,. ,.al lf M
with you and who are against you But
that it will intict great hardships on wo-
men and children IS plain enough, and that
il will increase sickness and multiply the
death rate is regarded az certain. The pen
ming up of people in 4 healthy country Is
dangerous enough. In Cuba it is "a species
of death sentence.
His scheme viii Work.
Gen. Weyler's scheme will work. The
only question is should it he permitted to
go into extensive operation? Gen. Weyler'
argument is simple "Here,' he says, is
an instruction. The participants are out
laws. l have been sent 10 put them down.
and III as short time as possible. This is
my plan for doing IT, 1t is approved at
Madrid. and that is sufficient for me-
lave given timely warning. People who get
III the way are certain 10 get hurt"
This, il IS contended. challenges directly
the American view Of matters. The insur-
SeEts. it is held here, are very far from be
ing outlaws. They are regarded as men
with just cause of complaint, and entitled
to the terms of hororable warfare. The
treatment that Gen. sWeyler proposes
might do for chtthroats and outlaws, but II
Is hideous as applied otherwise.
VIII Cungrc~n Now Speak:
VIII Congress now formally speak: Will
the suggestion he made-polite enough. but
firm enough-that in this day people who
cannot ne held TO allegiance by nj her tha n
such means ought not TO be held at all? \
great nation, it is felt, which permits such
things done at its very doors runs the risk
of being held partly responsible for them.
The time u act is now. The Cuban people,
despite many discouragements and the long
delays. are still looking this way for succor
and their friends would be glad to see them
receive it.