Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-24
His Unexpected Arrival Causes Con-
siderable Comment.
IMPORTANT CHANGES ARE EXPECTED
The Spanish Commander May Not
Return to the Field.
DISCUSSES HIS CAMPAIGN

copyrighted, 1896, by the Associated Press)
HAVANA, November A.-The unexpected
arrival here of Captain General Weyler
from the province of Pinar del Rio, without
having been successful IN bringing about
engagement of any Importance with the
insurgents under Antonio Maceo. Is causing
considerable comment here today. and there
are many rumors in circulation. On one
side 1t Is asserted that Weyler's return
means that he will shortly return to Spain
on some plea or another. Officially, how
ever this is denied. The impression pre-
walls, however, that there will shortly be
important changes here.
La Lucha's correspondent in the field had
an interview with the captain general prior
tc the latters arrival here from Artemisa
and Mariel and 1t Is gathered from the
statements the captain general is said to
have made that he may not resume per-
sonal charge OF the operations against the
insurgents in Pinar del Rio. In this inter-
view the captain general was asked for an
expression of opinion as to the course or
the campaign, and he said:
Il am contented with 1t. We entered
Rubi hoping to give battle to the combined
insurgent forces. and you know the result
They went southwark. much TO our regret
Maceo, himself, went toward Mocurriyas,
Mayari and Corojal da Yaniguas. Never
theless our columns, in two divisions, ar
rived without firing single shot. and only
saw band of about 1oO insurgents In the
woods near San Luis.
The captain general was then asked II
he knew the whereabouts OF ANTONIO
Maceo at present. He answered: His
whereabouts is not known. The truth is
that the insurgents were not found IN the
mountains nor on the plains. Nevertheiess'
they boast that our troops al~ ays lily De-
fore the m.
T..
tie remained in the part of Pinar del Rio
which he had visited, and he said: Not
many. Only a few bullocks and calves re-
main. the insurgents have killed or cap
tured the rest and the Spanish columns
will finish the rest
Speaking OF his operations since leaving
Havana, the captain general explained that
he had been all over the mountains and
had camped several nights in the woods.
From other sources it has been stated that
he has frequently been without his regular
meals and that he has slept on the ground
in the rain.
tain general how the Spanish soldiers had
behaved, and whether they had shown the
right spirit. He said: THE men are con-
tented, and show themselves courage ous
at every opportunity for fighting against
any odds. The result is most satisfactory,
although we have not yet finished our
work But enough has been done until the
end of the year. I am now going back to
when will you return?" asked the cor
respondent.
The captain general smiled and said: II
can never say what / shall do. Gen. Mu-
noZ will take charge of the division as soon
as his health is re-established."
The captain general took the opportunity
to warmly praise Gems. Munoz, Echague
Obregon. Bernal, Aguilar, Suarez, Ynclan,
Hernandez and Velasco.
In insurgent circles it is said that their
leaders claim that the return Of the cap
tain general TO Havana without bringing
about an engagement with Maceo is equiv
alent to a defeat Of the Spanish forces for
the latter have completely failed to carry
out the program mapped out by the Span
ish commander, and he has returned here
in every way unsuccessful. 1t is asserted
that the plan of Antonio Maceo was to
avoid a general engagement with the Span
fsh troops, as he feels confident that the
weartsome campaign being conducted by
the Cubans must ultimately exhaust the
Spaniards and bring about the concession
OF all or nearly all the demands Of the in
surgenta. --s.-