New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-11

W. w ONl
enemy. and put end to the army OF liberia
tion These are the possibilities.
The short time that remains before the rainy
season sets in may prove hardship, and the
mysterious way in which the enemy grows
stronger after every defeat may make the task
OF putting him down difficult However. all
loyal Spaniards look to General Weyler for great
things and predict their accomplishment Ameri-
cans and others here. who desire peace before
calamity engulfs all business. hope that Weyler
VIII follow the methods OF modern warfare. treat
prisoners properly. prevent wholesale arrests
of suspected citizens, and give the enemy
chance to care for its wounded. They hope 10
See the war fought N the field and not in the
towns whose citizens have not risen. and hope
that Spain will fight armed men only and that
those who sympathiZc with their race but re-
main quiet will not be declared traitors and spies.
HAVANA BEING FORTIFIED
Spain is terrifying Havana for any emergency
that may arise. Recently four coast-defence
guns of about sixty tons each arrived from
Spain. They now being moved along tenn
porary tracks t. the Santa Clara battery. the
most modern Oh Havanas Notifications. This
battery is built on a rocky hill between the city
and the sea. II is about one mile west OF Moro
Castle. Il commands the approach OF vessels
from the north ana west while a battery be-
You'd MORO does similar service toward the east.
Neither Of these batteries commands the land
approach. or can even point a gun toward the
city itsel:. OF al Of HaVana's forts these are
the only ones containing modern guns. The
manner in which they are being strengthened
shows that Spain is preparing for others than
the insurgents. When the news OF the action
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs OF the
United States Senate reached here. OF the
most prominent political leaders here said to me:
I'VE are preparing for any emergency. Tell
that to the people Of the United States. Go
down to La Machina yourself and tell them
what guns We are unloading. and placing in our
forts"
This gentleman meant no threat He believed
that the surest way 70 prevent foreign war is
to make show of strength. \ glance at some
of the big guns around Havana is disapponi-
ing. If one looks for strength. Most of the
guns are half century old. some are still more
ancient For decorative purposes they are equal
TO those on Castle William, and some at Forts
Wadsworth and Hamilton. in New-fork Har-
Dor. For active service they are practically
worthless. The few modern guns here would
he effective if well manned. As TO what the
Spanish gunners would do with them / can
make no guess. The Chinese had sood guns on
their ships. and in their forts, but japan
showed that there is more in men behind guns
than in the guns themselves.
General Weyler seems to be stin less OF talker
than Marshal Martinez Campos. He has been sat
ished on his arrival at Havana. to acknowledge
with Official poNteness the enthusiastic reception
which was rendered him. without furnishing the
least information in regard to plans FOR the cohdu
OF the military campaign and of the political AFFAIRS
on the island But light was thrown on these
snort
uary 2s. just a the moment he embarked at Cadiz
for Cuba. That speech created deep sensation. IN
asmuch as it appeared to confirm the opinion OF
Marshal Campos concerning the sacrifices and the
time which will be required for the repression OF
the instruction.
4 believe" said General Weyler that / shall
surely conquer: bu; not quickly as It Is sup
posed and not SO quickly I wish myself: the
Undertaking j. most difficult. period Of two years
a least WI be necessary to cSnp.etc the pacinca-
- Of h. .ft4fr IN n+
the last war lasted for years: and the nsurrcc
ton had not assumed such development as the
present one. Among the bad conditions under
which to Cuba is the impOss billy OF sen Ing
new reinfOrccments until after thc next con-'ilp-
ton Il is true that We have reserves, but they
VIII be called only in II supreme necessity.
which 7 do not think at al probable. II VIII not
70 surprising i begin w having ne nnarcel
embarra ssments. on account Of the exhaustion of
the credits: but. nevertheless. have ia.in IN sue
cess As soon a. the rcinforcemcnts arrive shall
devote nv efforts L. clearing he provinces - Ma
tanzas Havana and Las Nllas-a task which
hope to finish within a few months. in using me
word clearing 60 not pretend 10 say that there
viii not remain d single man IN arms ~ those
provinces. since even In times OF peace. there are
bands II brieauds.
General Weylcr had asked tho Government 20
give him. lieutenant generals. Generals Arolas.
Ahu-nada Barges and Icrnal. The lattcr's name il
not mentioned in the Havana Dispatch The Plan ~
the new captain general. reported 10y The Madrid
apers Is TO form three army corps and 10 abandon
the system OF multi-divdng the spanish forces, ana
10 give up operations on small scale.