Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-11
GEN. WEYLERL
He is ReesiVed With Great Enthusiasm
BY the HahanEt.
NE TAKES THE OATH OF OFFICE.
He becomes Captain-Gencral of
Cuba, and comman5er-in-chic of
the spanish Forces ON the Island.
HIS Opportunity.


HABANA, February l0.-The Spanish
cruiser Alfonso XIII, with General Wey-
Ter. the newly-appointed Captain-Generai,
and ommander-in-chief OF the Spanish
forces in Cuba. on board, arrived on
MORO Castle at o'clock this morning,
and at 10 o'clock entered the harbor and
steamed I'D to the city AS the warship
passed MORO Castle she was saluted by
the guns of that fortress. and as she
proceeded was welcomed by thunders CT
artillery from the Cabanas fortresses and
the dipping of flags and other greetings
from the ships in the harbor
General Weyler. who was accompanied
bv Generals Barges. Aratas, and the
MARQUIS de Ahumada, the last-named
having been designated by the Queen Re-
gent to be second to General Weyler IN
command, dsembarked shortly before
noon, and was met by civil and military
officials. who escorted him to the palace.
The streets were lined with people. and
the entire city was decorated with flags,
bunting. flowers. and every conceivable
bit Of color. flowing from the windows.
General Weyler proceeded on foot from
the landing to the palace. where he at
once took the oath Of office as Captain
General of Cuba. After this ceremony
the new Governor and COMMANDMENTS
chief held reception in the palace, re-
ceiving the leading citizens of Cuba.
number OF grandees of Spain, the heads
OF the various commercial bodies, the
leaders OF the political parties, and the
foreign consuls Crowds OF people In
holiday attire filled the streets. and the
Plaza de Armas. In the vicinity OF the
palace Of the Captain-General, was pack
ed with cheering men. women, and chill
dren. while numerous bands of music
PLAYED patriotic airs.
The weather was delightful and the
enthusiasm of the populace unlimited.
1t is asld that among the insurgents
who were killed in the battle which took
place last week at Candelra In the Pro-
vince of Pinar del Rio was young man
named Menocal, one OF two brothers I'm
the Cuban service, and cousin of Ane-
otto G. Menocal. United States navy, en-
aineer of the Nicaragua canal.
wEYLER's OPPORTUNITY.
HABANA, February 10. via TAMPA.
FLA, February 10.-General Weyler has
an opportunity TO achieve worldwide
fame. He succeeds SPANS greatest
general, and has much more difficult
task than the latter faced when he ar
rived from Spain last April. The insurrec-
ton has spread until the whole of Cuba
is involved, and instead OF disorganised
bands in the mountains. he has a fairly
well-organized army operating in the open
against the soldiers OF Spain.
lie has many capable generals to carry
out his orders. and an army of regulars
and volunteers numbering 10000 men.
Forty six men-of-war and .Kunboats pa
troi the coasts and guard the harbors
Small forts and blockhouses have been
buift at all important towns on lines
OF railroads, and barricades have been
erected at hundreds OF other places. y
trocha or strong line has been establish
ed across the island from liabana TO
Batabano.
Rallroad-cars for the movement Of
troops have been armor-clad. and the
Spanish army now has methods OF moving
bodies OF men. concentrating strong
forces, and pushing the war against the
enemy. which were lacking in the be-
ginning. IL required time to make these
preparations, and without them effective
work could not be done against the
rebels.
Now that the strength Of the enemy
and his elusive ways are appreciated by
the Spanish. and his general plan of
operations understood. General Weyler
need not fight in the dark, as Campos
did for time. but may be expected 10
dispose his superior forces In way that
will crush the enemy. and put an end
to the army Of liberation. These are the
possibilities.
DIFFICULTIES.
The short time that remains before the
rainy season sets in may prove handi-
cap, and the mysterious way in which
the enemy grows stronger after every
defeat may make the task OF putting him
down difficult However, all loyal Span
iards look TO General Weyler for great
things, and predict Yheir accomplishment.
Americans and others here who desire
peace before calamity enguifS all BUSH
ness nope that Weyler Will follow the
methods OF modern warfare. treat prison.
ers properly. prevent wholesale arrests
OF suspected citizens. and give he enc
my a chance 10 care for his wounded.
They hope to see the war fought in
the field. and not in towns whose citi-
zens have not risen. and that those who
sympathize with their race but remain
auiet may not be deemed traitors and
spies.
Spain is terrifying Habana Tor any
emergency that may arise. Recently tour
coast-defence guns of about sixty tons
each arrived from Spain. They are now
being moved along temporary tracks TO
the Santa Clara battery, the most modern
OF Habanas Notifications. This battery
Is built on rocky hill between the
city and the sea. 1t is about one mile
west of Moro Castle. II commands the
approach OF vessels from the north and
west while battery beyond MORO does
similar service toward the east. Neither
tf,n haff arfQ QOr1,4s1 nd ho lap
proach. or can even point a gun toward
the city itself.
PREPARING FOR ANY EMERGENCY.
OF all the Habana forts these are the
only ones containing modern guns. The
manner In which they are being strength
ened shows that Spain Is preparing for
others than the insurgents. When the
news OF the action OF the Committee OH
Foreign Affairs OF the United states
Senate reached here. one OF The most
prominent political leaders here said TO
me: I'VE are preparing for any emer-
gency. Tell that 10 the people of the
United Stales. Go down to la Marchlna
yourself. and tell them what guns we
are unloading and placing In our forts"
This gentleman meant no threat. He be-
leved that the surest way 10 prevent
foreign war ~ TO make a show OF
strength. A glance at some CT the big
guns around Habana. however. is dis
appointing, il one looks for strength.
Most OF the guns are half century
old. Some OF them are sim more ancient.
For defensive purposes they are equal
10 those on Castle William and some At
forts wadsworth and Hamilton, New
York harbor. For active service they
are practically worthless.
The few modern guns here would be 'ef-
fective II we'll manned. As to what the
Spanish gunners would do with them,
L. ho Nhlf.exa had lnnd