Evening star., 1896-11-16
Forces of Maceo and Weyler Believed
to Have Met.
CUBANS had THE BETTER POSITION
Desperate Efforts Made to Capture
It.
CAMPAIGNS IMPORTANCE

CHICAGO. November 16.-A Tribune spe-
cial from Jacksonville, Fla. says:
Cipher dispatches just received report a
fierce battle in progress in Pima Del Rio.
1t is believed Maceo and Weyler have
met. The reports of firearms have been
almost necessarily heard for several
hours"
No details of the engagement are given
other than the statement that a most de-
cisive engagement is being waged. The
last definite news of Captain General Wey-
Ter located him at Oleaya. within a few
miles of Maceo's entertainments
The dispatch adds:
''Insurgent forces are well located in the
hills and are pouring hot fire into the
Spanish troops, which have repeatedly
been driven back in attempts to capture
the Cuban stronghold. The insurgents
have the advantage of position. being at Il
great elevation, but the Spaniards are
making a most desperate attack. From a
distance it looks if several towns are
in flames. The sky is lighted up by the
constant fire of the artillery. Whether or
not Maceo is directing the insurgents tao
tics cannot at this time be learned
Spain's Instructions to Weyler.
1t is learned that the Spanish government
has gwen Gen. Weyler to understand that
he must push his operations against the in
Eurgents aggressively and vigorously IN
less he soon achieves a decisive victory
over the Cubans, it is believed he will be
recalled. Gen Weyler, it is understood, is
aware of the alternative, and his present
campaign in Pinar del Rio is directed with
a view of putting new aspect on the
Cuban situation. The campaign has be-
come to him personal matter, and with
the knowledge that his prestige and rank
are at stake the Havana cables being
watched with interest for news of more
important battles than the skirmish and
guerrilla fights that thus far have come by
way of them.
Gen. Weyler has all the troops that ne
There over 9D,OtD Spanish
soldiers i'll Cuba, and the force under the
captain general in his present operations
in the field in person is over GO,OOO men.
Maceo, against whom he is now operating
has under him, it is estimated, about 1908
men. Spain having fulfilled all of Gen.
Weyler's wishes as to troops, now expects
results.
Consul General Lee has acquainted the
admins stration with these facts and the
President is awaiting events and will shape
his course by the developments.
1t is Gen. Weyler's hope that he Will be
able to score a decided victory before the
assembling of Congress, December. Z. Spain
fears adverse action by that body soon
after IL meets. and has urged Gen. Weyler
to demonstrate his ability to crush the re-
bellion within the next two weeks, if pos
sible.
Position of the Administration.
In view of the fact that Spain is now
making strong and almost supreme effort
to subdue her insurgent colony, and that
crisis apparently is at hand. the President
will delay writing that part of his forth
coming message the Cuban situation un-
til the last moment before the meeting Of
Congress The position the administra ton
will take with reference to Cuba in this
message, it is Claimed. Will be largely de-
termined by the Eews received before De
cemDer 7. Should the news be favorable to
the success of the Spanish arms, it is
probable that the President would continue
to pursue his policy of non-;nt erference.
Should it, the other hand. be distinct
1y favorable to the inSurgent cause, and
especially if 1t should happen that Weyler
were defeated. MIR. Cleveland it is possi-
BILE, would no longer hesitate to recommend
the recognition of their rights belise-
ents, or some other action equally unde-
sirable to Spain.
What action would follow simply mega
tive result of the campaign. that is fruit
less chase after the insurgents by Gen.
Weyler, is less clear. Possibly the admin
istration's course would be Influenced in
some measure at least by what representa-
tions Spain made as to the policy it would
pursue and the Instructions given ner new
captain general in the event that Weyler
were summoned home. Therefore, it is felt
here that the most important Cuban news
may be expected to come from Cuba and
not from Washington.
Gen. Lee Sees Secretary Olney.
Gen. FitZhuSh Lee, consul general to
Cuba. called at the State Department to-
day, and was with Secretary Oney for
half hour. So far as could be learned
there was no special Significance in the
visit. beyond further general discussion
of the situation in Cuba.
Reports continue to come from the act
ing consul general at Havana. and several
of these Were looked over, and later taken
by General Lee for fuller perusal.
The consul general had not called at the
White House up to noon, and hardly ex-
pected to go there today. MIR. Cleveland is
busily engaged in writing his annual mes
sage, and fevocailers see him. 1t is under
stood that Gen. Lees call had nothing to
do with any new development in connection
with the Spanish-Cuban situation, but was
rather discussion of the situation viewed
from his five months residence on the is
land He will be here several ,lays re-
turning then to Virginia, before going to
Havana.
In case the situation becomes more acute
he Will hasten back TO hi:; post as in that
event his presence there would be neces-
sary. but If there is no special cnansc in
the situation ne will spend his entire leave
OF absence in this country, consulting with
the Secretary of State whenever his serv-
ices may be needed