Evening star., 1896-02-14
CRUELTY IN CUBA
Excesses Of the Soldiers of
Spain.
PANDO CONDUCTS 4 War OF HlS OWN
Insurgent Prisoners Killed in Their
Beds.
IN MATANZAS
From The Stars Special Correspondent.
HAVANA, February 9, 1S9t

HAVANA, February Q, 1896.
The early expected arrival of Gen. Wey-
Ter. the new captain general of Cuba, COM
ing from Spain via Porto Rico, seemed to
give license for outrages by Spanish Off
GERS and soldiers in all parts of Cuba. Pan
Go, in the Santiago district, inauguratel
the reign Of terror ten days ago, and al
most unspeakable crimes have been at
triouted to him and his men.
AS your correspondent mentioned, as long
as a month ago, 1t was supposed on all
hands that Pando would be the successor
Of Gen. Campos. He believed 1t himself,
for when he landed In Cuba in December
he told your correspondent that he would
be lieutenant general but a short time,
expecting Campos to retire or be recalled
and he to be named for the post.
II will then begin a war;" said he, that
must be the ruin of Spain or Cuba within
six months. And you may publish that 1
say that unless l IAN end 1t one way or
another within that time 1 shall throw UP
my commission and return to Madrid
Now that he has received a great set
back in his hopes, he begins on his own
account war Of barbarism, and people OF
Havana are beginning to wonder if the diff
ferent generals will vie with each other in
the commission of bloodthirsty deeds.
Although outrages have been the common
talk of Havana for week past correspon-
dents have not dared to send out reports
giving correct details.
And this is especially true since Weyler
announced his program. In it he says he
will hold cores spondents personally respon-
sible for what may appear in their re-
spective journals. In other words, if a cor
respondent sends matter to his paper that
has not received the sanction of the cap
tain general, he must take the conse-
quences.
III recent letter it was told how Havana
newspaper men, supposed to favor the
rebel cause, were moving out. More are
going each day. American correspondents
are also beginning to believe that there is
no place like home. Especially is this
true since one American newspaper man
was told in a nice, quiet way that there
was no room for him in Havana. He de-
clned to be frightened away, and declared
that Spanish warship must convey him
to some port In the United States If The
Spanish government was so desirious of
getting rid of him. He was charged with
having communicated with the rebels, in
passing the Spanish lines and of Interview
ing General Gomez and President Cisncros
The government is considering whether to
put him in prison or send him back to the
United States in a man-of-war
y prominent American resident of Ha-
Vana said to your correspondent today:
1t is all right for people to say that in
twenty years things have changed, and
that the atrocities Of the last war will
not be repeated on account of the cable
nd hn
Weyler will arrange those little matters.
and you may be prepared for measure. as
harsh and wanton as characterized any
period between the years 1868 and 1878.
An American correspondent, Mr.. OKelly,
was sent to Ceuta then, and this frenzied
and desperate government will not hesitate
to do likewise in case any offense is given"
OutraEes in Matanzas.
An American, the assistant manager of an
estate in the province of Matanzas, has re-
ported to your correspondent concerning
recent outrages in his vicinity. The man is
regarded as thoroughly reliable He saws
that during the past week the government
scldiery have given themselves I'D to all
manner of fearful excuses. Especially in
the districts of Union de Reyes and Alfonso
have pillage, murder and other crimes been
common. Near Alfonso, on the Canas es-
tate, the volunteer murdered negro labor
ers in the fields, and then, going to the
cabins, outraged and killed the wives and
daughters.
In the castle at Matanzas the numbering
of prisoners has been carried on nightly for
some time. 4 large majority of those sent
there to be confined are negroes Within
fortnight the castle has been greatly over
crowded, and to make room for newcomers
the poorer and more wretched were machet-
ed at night and their bodies to which
weights were attached, were thrown into the
sea. This story Is not admitted as being
true by palace officials; neither is it denied
by them.
The Paso Real Fight.
Gen. Luque has requested cross for HIM
self for his noble work at Paso Real a few
days ago. In his report to the government
he says: Our troops had the great salts
faction of counting nearly one hundred of
the enemy dead in the Streets He de-
scrbes the affair as a glorious victory.
Capt. Stuard Of Gen. Maceo's staff, writ
ing of the Paso Real affray, says:
Let Spain continue the butchery she
commenced at Paso Real and Cuban inde-
pendence will come all the sooner. Since
our men have learned how their wounded
brothers, whom they left IN the houses of
tho village, were killed, vengeance and de-
termination have settled in their hearts.
I'VE had about seventy wounded men
when we entered Paso Real, and they were
left in care of friends there, who were most
willing to receive them, but who feared lest
a Spanish column would come and attack
the town.
Gen. Maceo left guard of 200 men, and
moved on Mantua, where we encamped all
one day and night. AS the army was pre-
pairing to march on the following morning
the sound of firing was heard, and we knew
that Paso Real was being attacked.
"Maceo hurried his army to the place and
drove out the three regiments Of Luque,
but he was not able to infiict compensat-
ing, less upon them.
1.-THE Spaniards had driven the guards out
of the place. killing about forty, and then