Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-11-17


Washington, November 16.-It is
learned here on authority that the
Spanish government has given Gen.
Weyler to understand that he must
push his operations against the in
surgents aggressively and vigorously.
Unless he soon achieves a decisive vic
tory over the Cubans it is believed he
will be recalled. Gen. Weyler it is un-
derstood is aware of the alternative
and his present campaign in Pinar del
Rio is expected to result in an engage
ment that will put a new aspect on the
Cuban situation one way or the other.
The campaign therefore has become
to him personal matter, and with the
knowledge that his prestige and rank
are at stake the Havana cables are be-
ing watched with interest for news of
more important battles than the skir-
mish and guerilla fights that thus far
have come by way of them. Gen. Wey-
Ter has all the troops that he can use.
There are over 100000 Spanish soldiers
in Cuba, and the force under the Cap
tain General in his present operations
in the field in person is over $4,000
men. Maceo against whom he is now
operating has under him, it is estimat-
ed about 1000 men. Spain having full
filled all of Gen Weyler's wishes as to
troops, now expects results from him.
Consul General Lee has acquainted the
administration with these facts, and
the President is at present simply
waiting events and will shape his
course by the developments.
Ii is the hope of Gen. Weyler that he
will be able to score a decided victory
before the assembling of Congress,
December Z. Spain fears adverse ac-
tion by that body soon after it meets,
and has urged Gen. Weyler TO dem
onstrate his ability to crush the rebel
lion within the next two weeks, if pos
sible
In view of the fact that Spain IS now
making a strong and almost supreme effort
to subdue her insurgent colony. and that
a crisis apparently is at hand, the Presi-
dent will delay writing that part of his
forthcoming message on the Cuban sit
uation until the last moment before the
meeting of Congress. The position the
administration will take with reference to
Cuba in this message of the chief magis-
trate will be largely determined by the
news received before December :. Should
the news be favorable to the success of
&c 10 hot IN
President would continue to pursue his
policy of non-interference; should it, on
the other hand. be distinctly favorable to
the insurgent cause, and especially if it
should happen that Weyler We're defeated
Mr. Cleveland, it is believed, would no
longer hesitate to recommend the recog-
milton of their rights as belligerents or
some other action equally as undesirable
to Spain. What action would follow
simply negative result of the campaign,
that is. a fruitless chase after the insur-
gents by Gen. Weyler. is less clear Prob
ably the administrations course would be
influenced in some measure at least 10y the
representations Spain made as to the
policy it would pursue and the instructions
given her new Captain-General in the
event that Weyler were summoned home.
Therefore. it is felt here that the most i'm
portant Cuban news may be expected 10
come from Cuba. are not from Washing
ton.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. consul general to
Cuba. called at the State Department to-
day. and was with Secretary Olney for half
an hour So far as could be learned there
was no special significance in the visit
beyond a further general discussion of
the situation i'm Cuba. Reports continue
to come from the acting consul general at
Havana. and several of these were looked
over and later taken by Gen. Lee for
fuller perusaL The consul general had
not called at the White House up TO noon
and hardly expected to go there to-day.
Mr. Cleveland is busly engaged In writ
ing his annual message and few callers
see him. 1t is understood that Gen. Lees
call had not to DO with the new develop
ment i'm connection with the Spanish
Cuban situation. but was rather discus
sion of the situation. viewed from five
months residence on the island He Will
he here several days returning then TO
Virginia before going to Havana.