Evening journal., 1896-11-25
MEYLER IN RETREAT.

0Ommtulihb upou tho return vi
General Weyler to the official palace
in Havana, the Philadelphia Times
says:
General Weyler. the Spanish COM
mander in Cuba, has returned to Ha-
vana after an unsuccessful campaign
of several weeks against MaceO. He
had a force OF over 10000 men, well
equipped with modern arms and artil-
lery, while Maceo has not over 1000
effective men In the entire province
against him. But Maceo is in the
mountains, occupying we'll fortified
positions, which are difficult Of APP
proach, and it is not surprising that
Weyler has returhed defeated. His
campaign against Maceo that was eX-
pected to turn the tide In favor of the
Spaniards In Cuba must now be ac-
cepted as an utter failure.
The fact that General Weyler did not
permit any news OF military opera
tions to be sent from Cuba excepting
such as the severe Spanish censorship
approved has prevented the world
from getting any details OF Weyler's
campaign, but enough is known to
demonstrate that Weyler has gained
no military advantage whatever, and
that he now practically confesses Ma
ceo's position to be impregnable. Had
he succeeded i'm practically destroying
Maceo's army, it would have strength
ened the hopes of those who pretend
to believe that Spain may yet re-es-
tablish her authority in Cuba; but a
campaign with over 10000 Spanish
troops against 1000 insurgents that
accomplished nothing, clearly demon
strates that Spain cannot concentrate
sufficient force in Cuba TO defeat either
OF the two important insurgent armies
now I'm the field.
Congress will meet in a few weeks,
when the president in his annual mes
sage will be likely to express his
views on the Cuban question. Had
Weyler obtained any substantial mill
tary victory over Maceo, the president
would hnve forestalled against any
Intervention on the part Of this gov
ernment. but the failure of Weyler's
campaign against MaceO must clearly
demonstrate the utter inability OF
Spain to suppress the revolution that
now possesses nearly three-fOurths of
Cuba. The time has come, therefore,
when Intervention on the part of this
government, at least to the extent OF
recognizing the insurgents as bellig
erents, cannot longer be delayed.
With the insurgents recognized, thus
giving them open markets in this
country for the supply Of arms and
% munitions, it would at once decide the
utter hopelessness of the Spanish
cause. Spain would be likely to de-
clare war against the United States
not for the purpose of waging a gen.
eral ware. but solely for the purpose OF
making a treaty with this country at-
ter the capture OF Cuba, giving Cuba
independence under an American pro-
toctorate. with the probability Of the
new government of Cuba accepting
part of the Spanish loan, issued will
the revenues of Cuba as a basis OF
credit
There will be no war between Spair
and the United States beyond a con
test for the capture of Cuba, wher
Spain would readily make a treaty q
peace involving the surrender of Cub,
on the best condition obtainable, hop
ing thereby to save the ruling dynasty
of Spain from overthrow by revolu
tion. The war in Cuba is practically
over. so far as armies and battles ar
concerned. but it's fendish savager.
and sweeping desolation will continu
until halted by the Intervention of tn
civilized nations OF the world.
Before its adjournment Congress
expressed itself in favor Of this coun
try recognizing the belligerency Of tn
Cuban patriots, but President Cleve
land never acted in accordance witt
the spirit Of the concurrent resolution
which was passed by such large ma
jorities. We believe that nothing woul
so please the American people as sue
official recognition of the valorou
Cubans.