Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-02-27
Weyler Wants One Month.
GOMEZ BUYS SUPPLIES In THE
SUBURBS OF HAVANA.
The Captain General Promises That
He Will End the War Within
Thirty Days Telegraph.
ic Communication
Cut OF.

NEW YORK, Feb. ga dispatch
from Havana says that 80 days is the
limit which General Weyler has set
for the wiping out of the revolution.
He promises a delegation of sugar
planters that by March Is the country
would be cleared of the insurgents and
the grinding of sugar cane could then
be resumed. The insurgents have
burned 20 per cent of the crop.
General Weyler's promise is, prac-
tically, that s45, OOO, 600 worth Of sugar,
now remaining, is to be saved, and
that prosperity is to be restored be-
fore Easter.
Gomez and Maceo have announced
their intention of remaining in the
vicinity of Havana during the wet
season. The other provinces outside
of Havana r entirely under control,
and the new Government is estab-
lished everywhere, except in the few
cities held by the Spanish. The seat
of operations naturally is near Ha-
vana, and the insurgent forces are so
near the city that supplies are bought
daily from suburban dealers.
Every telegraph line between Ha-
vana and the rest of the island has
been cut off. A line to Rincon, ten
miles out, is the extent of communi-
cation with the rest of Cuba. The in
surgents control absolutely the tele-
graph lines of the whole island out
side of Havana.
For two months no freight has been
moved over the railroads, and a ter
rible state of affairs exists in many in
terror cities for the want of food and
other necessities. Cuba lives out OF
the grocery stores largely. The peo-
pie attempt to produce little except
sugar and tobacco, and purchase
nearly everything they consume.
In Pinar del Rio many towns are
without salt. The hardship has be-
come SO great that sea water is being
boiled. What little salt is manufac-
tured in this way is sold at fabulous
prices. Every article of export, such
as sponges, oranges, pineapples and
so on, which cannot be carried into
Havana without railroad transporta.
ton, lies rotting in warehouses or or
the ground. The people have nc
money, no employment and no pros
pect, except deprivation and suffer
ing, which are becoming most alarm
ing.
The annual carnival, which begar
three days ago, has been a mournful af'
fair. Last year the carnival began or
February "a, the day the revolution
broke out. 1t is customary to hole
the carnival in the largest buildings
of the city. The double line of car
riages and paraders in some years ex'
tended three miles. Every conceiv.
able costume appeared in the process
sion, and every PARTICIPANT wore q
mask. The air wal laden with music
and balls of -four were tossed hithel
and thither. The festivities were con
tinued in the homes and cafes of the
people, this pelting with flour con
tinuing until the air became cloudy
with it and everyone wore a robe OF
white.
This year masks were prohibited anG
the festival fizzled out entirely aftel
the first attempt to rouse the spirits o.
the people.
1t is announced that Cepero, the
young American, has escaped courf
martial and will be tried by civil pro
cess OH the suggestion of Mr. Viii.
liams, the American Consul General
General Weyler, it is said, is i'm
pressing negro troops and sending
them to the front. The negroes are
threatened with instant death if they
refuse to join the Spanish army.