Evening star., 1896-01-21
Harsher Measures to Follow the
Departure Of Campos.
RELENTLESS War UPON FHE CUBANS
Americans in Havana Demand {
Warship.
STATE OF AFFAIRS SERIOUS

o
policy Of the government is outlined. The
queen, the ministry and the people of Spain
demanded harsher measures In Cuba, but
Campos was unwilling to carry out plan
that could mean nothing else than wholesale
crime and butchery.
Weyler takes up the civil and military rule
of the island knowing full well what is ex-
pected Of him. He knows that to appease
Spain he must wage relentless war against
the Cubans, not alone in the field, but In the
cities, towns and villages
It will all be a repetition of the dark and
bloody days Of the ending year Of the last
war, and even Spaniards who clamored
loudest for the removal Of Campos now fear
to think Of the dire consequences of his
going.
Cuba has already suffered greatly from
the ravages OF war, but, unless every sign
fails. the worst is yet to come. In the
cities suspected revolutionists will be shot
and Others will be driven from their homes
and their properties conf1scated.
American residents of Havana demand
that United States warship be at once dis
patched to this port, for there is every rea-
son to believe that the lives and properties
OF Americans are IN Jeopardy.
Campos Was Discouraged.
1t has been told at the palace that the
pain Of old wounds is so great that the cap
tain general did not feel equal to the proper
direction of affairs in the island, and wish
ed to resign his post to some other man.
This official version has not been believed
by the public in general On the contrary,
a vast majority of the leading politicians
and business men in no way connected
directly with the government felt thar Cen
Campos was discouraged, and very weary
of the entire matter. That he has reason
to be, they say, Is without doubt. His chief
omcers IN the field seemed to care but little
whether the war was brief or long, and car
red out orders in a half-hearted way.
There were several Of them with eyes on
the post OF captain general
In one sense the Cubans here much dis
ike to think of Gen. Campos going While
ne was the represen tative of the power that
has ground, and is still grinding them down.
personally he has had a great attachment
ior the cuban people, and the feeling was
In large measure recprocated. On the
other hand, as prominent revolutionist
some time ago said to The Star cores
pondent If Campos goes and Weyler sue
ceeds MIN, 1t will be better for the Cuban
cause. 1t is explained that the comparative
ly pacific policy hitherto maintained would
be dropped by his successor, and a reign of
terror would be inaugurated that would
drlVe from the cities, and especially Ha-
vana, thousands of men who heretofore
nave been but nominal revolutionists.
Weyier and Pando are each remembered
from the last war. and are Thoroughly
A Serious State of Affairs.
One of the wealthiest bankers and i'm
porters Of Cuba said to The Star corre-
spondent: 'In all my recollection there was
never time so serious in the history of
this island. Business men are almost panic
stricken, and within two weeks a large num-
Der of the best Havana houses will be COM
pelled to close their doors. Some of nv
commercial
tlng what money they can together and
sending 1t to New York, for they do not
know what minute they themselves may be
compelled to flee from the country"
Despite the apparent calmness that pre-
walls throughout the city of Havana, the
situation is more serious than it has been
at any time. This is indicated in many
ways. Several warships, which have been
along the coast, have come into port and
are to remain here. Two nights these ships
kept their search lights in constant use
This fact alone served to create a very deep
impression of approaching trouble Amer
ican and English merchant ships that ar
rived were instructed by their consignees
not to discharge their cargoes, and in some
instances where the freights have been un-
loaded the cons1gnees have had the cargoes
Ieshipped.
Collecting the Taxes ON Burned Crops
The government Is experiencing consider
able difficulty in the collection Of taxes from
the planters. Under Spanish law there is
no land tax, the crops alone being made to
pay. 1t Is estimated that nearly half of the
sugar cane Of the island has gone I'D in
smoke, and the planters who have suffered
naturally ask why they should be expected
to pay tax on the crop when the latter has
been burned. Still the government main
tains that 1t was not its fault that the cane
fields were destroyed and says the taxes
must be paid. Hundreds of big planters al
ready heavy sufferers, are unable to meet
these obligations to the government, and
their estates will be sold.
Gen. Gomez, with 4, 600 cavalry has been
parading about in Havana province, taking
each small town he comes to and obtaining
supply Of clothing that will last his army
for some months to come.
Clothing and Equipment.
When the insurgents entered the province
of Santa Clara hundreds Of them were al
most naked, and 1T was not unusual to see
an entire cavalry company attired simply
in hats and pants. Shirts or underclothing
were out of the question, and shoes were
hardly thought of either by the mounted
or foot soldiers. The plantation stores Of
Santa Clara were rich prizes for them, and
the appearance Of the army greatly i'm
proved. But the raid into Matanzas and
Havana provinces afforded even better re-
suits In this line, as well as in some others
ana the rebel army now compares very fa-
vorably In appearance with the government
troops
Still the black infantry Of Maceo. to the
majority Of whom shoes are unknown, per-
slss In going about barefooted, although