The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-03-22
,therwlse they have a naughty little twin

ile.
The hand which clasped mine was finely
shaped cold and firm. The voice in which
egreeted me was quick and magnetic. He
ushered me to a chair and then sat near
ne.
He wore a black alpaca office coat. which
hung loosely on his big shoulders. Ills
lnen was spotless. About his waist. over
hs vest, he wore a sash of red silk, the
only mark of his military rank.
Your eXcellency," | said through my
interpreter. the American women have a
very bad opinion of you. am very much
uraid of you myself, but | have come to
sS the honor of an Interview with you in
eler that | may write something which
WI reassure the women of America that
you are not treating women and children
rmercifully"
I DO not give interviews" he said 81
~ wiling. however, to answer any ques-
IONS you wish to ask"
% 1t was with this understanding that
conversed. The general has allowed
NE 10 have the conversation published,
IN the United States" | said, IAN i'm
PRESTON prevails that your edict shutting
~ sM newspaper correspondents from the
~, NM Is only TO conceal cruelties perpetrated
.Wn The insurgent prisoners. win your
1usiiehcy tell me the real causc?"
nave, replied the general. shut out
e. ~. spanish and Cuban papers from the
lsa' az well as the Americans. In the
"a, war the correspondents created much
nsiousy by what they wrote. They praised
W w ana rebuked the other. They wrote
ae their passions dictated instead of
,r 40. they even created III feeling be-
'nsance"
men ! can deny the stories that have
M published as to your being cruei"'
ne general shrugged his heavy shout
S.r u, as he said carelessly:
"a. Hs'e 10 Time 10 pay attention TO sto-
,s some of them are true and some are
H.. you VIII particularige | will give
mr. answers, but these things are not
,I Dpes not your eNcellency think that
son',as Of war should be treated with
Tss.1etatlon and mercy?"
1r, generals eyes yinted dangerously.
,-s ue spanish columns attend to their
s'.ehers inst as wen as any other country
y,' n'ies Of war he replied. "War IS war.
sl.' 'i'aAe IL o'Hei"lSe' ny d. ''''
IA ~ III not your excellency allow me TO go
,olSID e scene of battle under an escort Of
iha ~ II necessary. that | may write Of
nm n'lhg as 1t really is. and correct tie
hbn.ssslon that prevails in Amc'icr that
hsnrnneh treatment is being accorded the
s.ilseni prisoners?"
,on,si osSible," answered the general, lit
'oaa not he safe"
h MY Ira Weyler laughed. "There would
m, ~ uanser from the rebels" he said
itom the Spanish soldiers. They are
sria very affectionate disposition, and
n ~, IA Sii ran in love with you"
fsb,,rlu Keep great distance from the
~ u you will allow me to go.
sid seAerars lips closed tightly. and he
~vwnliossible Impossible!"
tAavisa would happen" | asked. IF
t1Sa,. be discovered crossing the lines
syout nermisson?"
nsn would be treated just the same as
Yssuid be sent 10 Castle Morro?"
rha, ne nodded hts head vigorously
sWb,. {. 'ued 1t. ! decided not to 70.
tnnn, then asked, lis tho rule In
ie cr r,,, ADO placed upon prisoners? Is II
Vie and 70 =, prevent MON from seeing his
sal 81 lncommuuicado,' said the gen
asss military law. Prisoners are al
sexsr., their relatives as n favor but
'Ths,oiss discretion In these cases"
Nor ale stories that prisoners arc shot
' Castle at daybreak each morn