West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-04-30
WEYLER'S SIDE OF II.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SPAN
ISH COMMANDER IN CUBA.
He Explains Few Things TO Woman
Reporter-Cuba Women Who Fight
and WELD the Machets-One Now
In The Famous MORO Castle.

The New York Journal sent y
woman correspondent to Cuba to
interview the Spanish commander
in chief, General Weyler. The fol.
lowing is part OF the conversation
between them /:
"Thcn can deny the stories
that have been published as to your
being cruel ?"
The General shrugged his heavy
shoulders az he said carelessly
81 have no time to pay attention
to stories. Some Of them are true
and some are not. IL you will par
ticulArize | will give direct answers,
but these things are not otimportant."
"Does not your excellency think
that prisoners of war should be
treated with consideration and
mercy p
The Generals eyes ghnted dan
gerously.
The Spanish columns attend to
their prisoners just as we'll as any
other country in times of war;" he
replied. "War is war. You can
not make it otherwise, try as you
will"
"Will not your excellency allow
me to 60 to the scene of battle, un-
der an escort of soldiers if necess-
ary, that | may write OF the fight.
ing as it really is and correct the
impression that prevails in Amer
lea that inhuman treatment is be.
ing accorded the insurgent prison
ers ?"
'1mpossible," answered the Gen
eral; cit would not be SAFE
"I am willing to take all the
danger If your excellency will allow
me to CO." | exclaimed.
General Weyler laughed. "There
would be no danger from the reb-
els" he said, "but from the Span
ish soldiers. They are of a very
affectlonate disposition and would
all fall in love with you."
II will keep great distance from
the fighting if you will allow me
to CO."
The.General's lips closed tightly,
and he said
"Impossible Impossible !"
"What would happen" l said,
elf l should be discovered crossing
the lines without permission ?"
"YSu would be treated just the
same as a man"
"Would l be sent to Castle
MORO ?"
eyes" He nodded his head
vigorously.
That settled it. l decided not
to 20.
"Why," l then asked, fs the
rule incommunicado' placed upon
prisoners Is it not cruel to pre-
vent man from seeing his wife
and children ?"
"The rule fncommunicado, 4"
said the general, "is q military
law. Prisoners are allowed to see
their relatives as favor, bat we
exercise discretion in these cases."
"There are stories that prisoners
are shot in MORO castle at day
break each morning, and that the
shots can be plainly heard across
the bay. Is this true ?''
The generals eyes looked IN.
pleasant again.
"It is false" he said shortly.
"The prisoners go through q regu-
lar court martial and no one could
BE shot at MORO without my or
ders, and have not given orders
to shoot anyone since have been
here"
"Do you not think it very cruel
that innocent women aud children
should DO made to suffer IN time Of
war ?"
"No innocent women aud chill d
dren do suffer. IL IS only those
who leave their homes and take part
iu battles who are injured. II is
only tho rebels who destroy peace
ful homes"
cit is reported" l said "that 30
women are 6ghting under General
Maceo. Is this true ?"
Yes, replied the general. owe
took one woman yesterday. She
I u i