Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-18

stood the test As an example Kentucky
mules that have safely passed two summers
in Cuba are worth between $500 and 500
each
Wey1er Must Hustle.
If Weyler is to make good his promises
toward crushing the rebellion he has no
time to spare In five weeks the rainy sea-
son will be here again. and then for as
many months operations must be sus-
pended.
The peculiar character of the Cuban soil
renders marching of either cavalry or in
fantry almost impossible after heavy rains
have fallen. Especially is this true in the
case of soldiers and horses unused to the
country and climate. During the rainy sea-
son very large majority of the insurgents
will discard their shoes, and experience no
inconvenience therefrom. This the Spanish
soldier could not do for a weeks travel
would render his feet sore and useless; and
even with high shoes hundreds of the
troops have been sent to the hospitals suf-
fering with swollen feet and limbs, made
so by particles of earth, apparently poi
sonous to the unacclimated flesh.
With the wet season will come the in
tense humidity of the Cuban summer,
bringing the germs of yellow Jack" that
great exterminator of the European in the
West Indies. The American is not espe-
cfally susceptible, but the European, it he
is exposed to the sun, and is not at all
times cautious of his food and habits, is
nearly invariably a sure mark for the fever
which usually allows its victims a lease of
life of only from five to a dozen days.
The new captain general will probably
dislike exceedingly the idea of remaining
inactive with an army of 12O,0W men, and
he will perhaps endeavor to carry on opera
tons more or less active. He may take up
Gen. Pando's idea. which. as expressed in
sentence to your correspondent, was:
why let the army remain idle and tine
men die of yellow fever, when the NOR
tality would be no greater were we chasing
the rebelS?'
Gen. Pando is a Cuban, and he should
know better than to make such statements.
He must be aware of the fact that ex-
posture and fatigue, necessary accompani-
ments to an army in action. even under
most favorable circumstances and condi-
tons. are invitors of disease and sickness.
During last summer Gen. Campos foand
his ability taxed to the utmost in caring for
his sick soldiers in scores Of hospitals from
one end of the island to another. He was
a man who was careful of his troops and
opposed to exposing them unnecessarily !;
yet at one time over 1900 were stricken
with fever. The figures, given in the Off
cial report issued November / of last year,
must be appalling for the Spanish people to
contemplate, as we'll as most dscouraging
for the man who recently arrived in Cuba
to take charge Of the army that Spain ex-
poets will within a few months put down
the rebellion.
During that last rainy season, covering
a period of about five months, ~, 100 SOL
dIers died of yellow fever. The figures
sreak potent argument.
What is Expected of Weyler.
Gen. Marin has sailed for Puerto Rico. of
which island he has been appointed gov
cInor general and Gen. Weyler Is busying
himself at the Havana palace preparing
for the operations that are soon to be made
against the insurgents.
1t was told in advance of his coming that
Weyler's policy would be much after the
style of that of Gen. Campos. This sound
ed very we'll, and a large number of peo-
pie here were pleased at the prospect. He
has. of course, done little thus far one way
or the other. and anything like correct
idea of his real intentions would he difficult
to form. But is 1t natural to presume that
the policy of Gen. Campos, which failed
ANONYMOUSLY, and because of which TIE
people of Spain and the loyal Spaniards OF
Cuba clamored for his resignation, viii be
followed by his successor?
Great feats are expected of Weyler. The
Spanish said that Campos was pursuing a
milk-and-water course, and that harsher
measures must be used. Weyler lands with
more soldiers ard more generals He comes
with the highest military rank of Spain.
He comes to make a reputation, and to do
what Martinez Campos failed to do. Know
ing these things, people here are lOath to
believe that he will make good The assur-
ance of the Spanish government 20 that Of
the United States in effect that compare
lively mild and humane policy would be
Hundreds Of Cubans left the island IN the
period intervening between the going of
CampOs and the coming of Weyler; and
there are other hundreds who wish they
had gone also, for now they are prohibited
by a decree of the new captain general
Cubans cannot leave the island for any rea-
sen. Weyler says all must remain, and
prove by actions whether they are with or
against him.
AS a result of this order all the Cutaas
in Havana or the other larger cities who
have ever dared dream of independence for
their island are made to feel an abject ter
ror. They find it almost impossible to reach
the rebel lines: they cannot go to the
United States. and are soon to De asked the
question: Are you a Spaniard or a
Cuban?" To acknowledge even the slight
est sympathy with the rebellion would
mean term of Imprisonment for them,
and to say they were Spaniards in senti-
ment would be the espousal of a cause op-
posed to that they love best.
The peculiar and decidedly unenyiable
position of The Cubans In the cities may
we'll be imagined.
There is no doubt that this policy will