The Indianapolis journal., 1896-11-25
WEYLER is A PUZZLE
PEOPLE OF HAVANA DO NOT UNDER
STAND HIS MOVEMENTS.
The Captain General to Return to
Pinar Del Rio Province To-Day
The Competitor Cases.
Downright. 1896. by the Associated Press,

HAVANA, Nov. 2.-Captain General
Weyler's movements are puzzling the peo-
pie of this city. Last night, without warn
ing, the Spanish commander suddenly re-
turned to Havana, and rumors began TO fly
about the capital that the general had been
recalled and would soon take his departure
for Spain. Sympathizers with the insur-
gents said the butcher had fled from the
front because General Maceo had put
price on his head. A few people, however.
contended that Weyler had merely returned
to look after some official business that
could not be attended to properly in the
field. The opinion of the few people was
probably correct, for this evening 1t was
announced the captain general would soon
return TO Pinar del Rio province, possibly
tomorrow. again assume command of the
Spanish forces in person and drive Maceo
and his men into the Atlantic or kill them
all off.
La Lucha's correspondent in the field had
an interview with the captain general pre-
vious to the latter's arrival here from Ar
temsa and Mariel and it is gathered from
the statements the captain general is said
to have made that he may not resume per-
sonal charge of the operations against the
insurgents in Pinar del Rio. In this inter-
view the captain general was asked for an
expression of opinion to the course of
the campaign, and he said: Il am con-
tented with it. We entered Rubi. hoping
to give battle to the combined insurgent
forces, and you know the result. They
went southwark, much to our regret. Maceo
himself went toward Mocurriyas, Mayari
and Corojal 6a Yaniguas Nevertheless
our columns, in two divisions. arrived with
out firing a single shot, and only saw a
band of about $50 insurgents in the woods
near San Luis
The captain general was then asked If
he knew the whereabouts of Antonio Maceo
at present. He answered: His where
abouts are not known. The truth is that
the insurgents were not found in the noun
tains nor on the plains. Nevertheless, they
boast that our troops always fly before
them"
General Weyler was then asked If many
cattle remained in the part of Pinar del
Rio which >he had visited, and he said:
Not many. Only few bullocks and calves
remain; the insurgents have killed or cap
tured the rest and the Spanish columns will
finish the rest
Speaking of his operations since leaving
Havana, the captain general explained that
had camped Several nights Ia the woods.
From other sources it has been stated tina,
he has frequently been without his regular
meals and that he has slept on the ground
In the rain.
The correspondent asked the captain gen.
eral hotFSthe Spanish soldiers had behaved
and whether they had shown the right
spirit. He said: 'The men are contented
and show themselves courageous at every
opportunity for fighting. The result Is
most satisfactory. although we have not
yet finished our work: But enough, has
been done until the end Of the year. l am
now going back to Havana
When will you return?" asked the cor
respondent.
can never say what / shall do. General
Munoz will take charge OF the division as
soon his health is re-established.
The captain general also took the Oppor-
tunity to warmly praise Generals MunOz,
Echague,. Obrigeon, Bernal Aguilar, Su-
ars1 Tn insrsent eircies it is said their lead
ers claim that the return of the captain
general to Havana without bringing about
an engagement with Maceo is equivalent
TO a defeat of the Spanish troops, for the
latter have completely failed to carry out
the programme mapped out by the Spanish
commander and he has returned here in ev-
cry way unsuccessful. 1t is asserted that
the plan of Maceo was to avoid a general
engagement with the Spanish troops, as he
paign being conducted by the Cubans must
ultimately exhaust the Spaniards and
bring about the concessions of ali or nearly
all the demands of the insurgents.
The City Council has subscribed the sum
of $4,000 as a patriotic donation to .the
wounded, and the military clubs subscribed
$500 monthly for the purpose. The
provinces are taking steps to form a COM
mittee for the national defense of the
provinces.
Advices received here from Madrid say
that Brigadier General Gelabert. who was
wounded in the province of Pinar del Rio,
died recently in that city.