The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-04
WEYLER A GREAT FAILURE
THE INSURGENTS GAINED MORE IN
MIRCH THAN EVER BEFORE.

Their Hopes Are Bright, che Rsins Are
Near, aud the spaniards Are Perishing
Like sheep-Weyier's Work Chieay Con-
nnea to the Butchsry or -No--combstants.
HAVANA. April /. via Tampa, Fla, April a.
Army operations have been pushed with great
vigor for the past month. Gen. Weyier has
given officers and men no rest.
His orders have been ~peremptory, and many q
General has incurred his dlspleasure by tardi-
ness. The result of these active movements
has been to completely tire out a large portion
of tho army In the field.
The Insurgents have been kept moving. their
camps have been destroyed. and a dozen OF their
hospitals have been burned during the month
that has Just passed. but the Government has
not forced a single battle upon them.
The only serious engagements have been those
In which tho Insurgents, having the advantage
OF position or numbers, as at Cuyajabos and Can
delaria. assumed tho offensive and defeated the
regular troops Of Spain. There have been
many rear guard skirmishes which appear
in the Spanish Official reports as bat
ties and victories for tho Crown, but upon in
vestigation. a number Of them appeared to be
massacres of unarmed citizens, and there have
been more tales Of horrors committed than
battles fought In this island of Cuba during the
month OF March.
II one hundredth part Of the stories that
reach here of the operations of tho columns Of
Gems. Melquizo and Bernal and of Coils.
Molina. Tort, SeRuTa, and others are true.
the reason why Gen. Weyler cancelled
all passes held by correspondents is
plain. Owners of estates report excuses
committed by detached bodies OF Spanish troops
in all parts of the island, and there 10 no longer
talk OF attempting to grind sugar this year.
Tho problem is how TO preserve the lives Of en-
ployees and prevent wanton destruction by the
troops.
The insurgents have gained more in the past
month than in any two that have preceded It.
weyler's decree. compelling people to abandon
their homes in the interior, has driven many
peaceable Inhabitants into the insurRent armies.
The harsh measures adopted toward suspects
in cities and towns have also increased tho
number of recruits from families of the better
class in cities. The landing of four important
expeditions has given inspiration to the insur-
gents:
Their hopes were never brighter. Hot weather
is already here and the rains are not far Off
The limited time remaining for military opera
tions this spring makes it plain that
Spain cannot crush the rebellion before
the wet season sets In, and the serious
problem Of caring for the lives of her
soldiers presents itself. A Spanish officer says
that the losses of the army through fevers and
other sicknesses have been $4,000 since Septem-
Der, and over $4,000 during the year ending
March l.
Gems. Aldecoa and MADAM have been sent
back to Spain. making nine Generals who have
been returned since Gen. Weyler arrived. Gen.
Obrejon is also booked to return. and
Gen. Pando. Commander Of the First
Army Corps. has been ordered back for
allowing Gomez to enter Santa Clara with
out fighting a battle. Gen. Suarez Valdez is also
on the list. lie is in command of P.nar del Rio.