The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-25
THE COMPETITOR CASES.
THE ALLiGED TRIIL ONLY III T.
PRELIMfSIRY EXiMfNITfON,
Gen. Weyler's Return Still Involved in
Mystcry-He Says He IL satisfied
with His Campaign.


wholly unconcernod over the reports that
the Competitor prisoners have been tried
in Havana prison by a drum-head court
martial. despite the protests Of the United
States Consul-General. As Secretary Oh
ney understands the case. there mas been
10 court-martial, but in accordance with
the law a commission similar to cur grand
jury has been for some time engaged in
investigating the Competitor incident, its
sole function being to bring an indict-
ment upon which subsequent court-mar-
tial trial can be had.
CUBANS JUBILANT.
NEW YORK, Nov. 4.-Thc sympathiz-
crs with the cuban cause In this city
were very lubiant to-day over tho news
that taptaiu-treneral Weyler mad return
cd to Havana. Several reasons are given
for the Generals action in Withdrawing
from the field. one of them being that
Marquis Ahumada, who took charge ot
affairs I'm Havana during the absence of
General Weyler did not properly conduct
the war. The Cubans all agree that
Wcylcf campaign I'm Pinar del Rio has
been a failure SenOr Estrada Palma.
president Of the Junta, in conversation
with reporter to-day said.
II think General Weylcr has disgraccd
himself by leaving the field. for. although
he had over three times the number OF
mon at his command than Maceo has
ed his avowcd purpose TO crush the rcvo-
lutiouists.
"Thc Information has come 70 me-" he
continued. that the insurgcnt forces un
der General CaliXtO Garcia. have hescig-
eI Puerto Principe. the fourth largest
city in the island. which they now prac-
tcaily control ana this has, / believe.
had something 20 do with his return TOR
hc is needed I'm Havana TO direct the
entire movements OF the Spanish army
ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE.
HAVANA. Nov. 4-The report circu-
lated By tie New York World 10 the
effect that the men captured on the
American ilibustering schooner Com
pctltor had been retired by court-martlal.
despite a protest filed by COnsul-General
Lee prior % his departure from Havana,
is absolutely without a word Of truth.
Only the preliminary examinations of
the prisoners on their second trial, as
ordered by the Supreme Military and Ma
val Tribunal in M-drid. have rs yet oc-
Cured. as was reported at the time by
the United Associated Press. IL Is not
known when the trials Will take place.
Every effort has been made 10 learn
the true reasons for the return last night
TO Havana OF Captain-Gcneral Weyler
from the Province OF Pinar Del Rio All
that is known is that -le came here on
the gunboat from M6rel accompanied by
only one adiutant The rest OF his stan
came ly rail from Artemisa.
General Wcyler has made no official
declaration concerning the condition Of
affairs In the Province Of Pinar Del Rio.
in an interview had with him just before
be LETT pinar Del Rio he said he was SAT-
isted with his campaign. lie had crossed
20 the south end. and had expected 10
meet MaccO 10 give him combat. lie had.
however. met only small bands Of rebels,
who disappeared when the Spanish troops
came near 10 them.
MACEOS WHEREABOUTS.
When questioned concerning the where
abouts ~ 1laceo. General Woyler said.
Il do not know where he is. II is GER
tain that | did not meet him IN either
the hills or dolls of Pinar Del Rio.
Despite their reputcd lrayadO the
rebels always flee on the approach of
troops"
General Weyler added that the supplies
Of cattle that had been obtained by the
insurgents are disappearing. the troops
capturing and destroying all that they
saw. Tho military combinations planned
~ him had resulted as he had expected.
All these combinations We're not finished.
but there would be much less 10 DO at
the end Of the year.
The press comments on the return OF
the Captain-Genoral are very gunrdcd. as
IS natural under the strict censorship
exercised here. II is rumorel that he
will soon return 20 the field. one report
has it that the chief reason for his re-
turn 10 Havana was pressing Government
business. which demanded his personal
attention. However, nothing really def
mite is known. and even This I'm the near
fHrf HH.ff. % s.af j
satisfaction IS quietly expressed. even
by loyal people, that General Wcylcr,
after his long preparations 10 innict n
crushing blow on Macc0 should now come
bacK % the capital without oven catching
sipnt OF the main body Of the ,ebels. The
rebel sympathizcrs are jubilan~ believing
thnt General Wcylor's return sgnalizos
the abandonment of his personal leader
ship of the campaign.
WHY WEYLER RETURNED.
MADRID. Nov PA dispatch to the
impartial from Havana. says that in an
interview General Wcyier stated that he
had returned 20 ..e Province OF pinar
del Rio. owing 10 the necessity OF settling
the question Of the now issue of notes
lv the Spanish bank and other urgent
matters. After these were settled he
would be ready TO return 10 the field.
Ho added that he did not believe that
Masoo nad more than six thousand men
and that these were scattered in remote
positions. The object Of the o. .ent Span
ish operations had been the occupation Of
the hills and passes and the cutting OF
OF the supplies Of the insurgents. These
fow insurgents In tho Provinces of Las
Villas and Havana were easily kept boa
check. There were more rebels On Cam
agucy than in Las Villas ana Havana.
Ha rf I4N
there. Moreover the objects of tho in
surgents IN gathering there might he 10
distract attention from MacoO In Pinar
III h-n- IL INV r-Ln N. An-uLl nru-n