Evening star., 1896-12-14
Report Not Credited in Patriot Circles
in Havana.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE NOT PLEASING
Explanation of the lnsurgent Lead
er's Diminished Force.
WHAT A COURIER SAYS
Special Correspondence of The E~en,ne Star.

sidering the hundred and one wild rumors
that for the past two weeks have fioated
about and been magnified as they went the
pcpulace of Havana has been led to belle We
that all the world was in a state of the
most intense anxiety regarding the out
come of Captain General Weyler's raid into
Pinar del Rio Partisans of the govern
nent here who have been forced to believe
ttat Spanish arms have failed utterly in
the westernmost province have also been
| led to believe that the President of the
United States would urge strong measures
In favor of the patriots. So when the
message appeared and was found to be
compare lively mild in tone loyaIists of the
city began to think that they had attached
| two much Importance to the failure of their
chief in Pinar del Rio.
Comments on the Message
OF course, the message does not give
| satisfaction to the patriots of the metrop-
oils Nothing short Of a declaration of
war by the United States against Spain
would. Still, they see not even the slight
est hope in the Presidents utterances to-
ward Cuba, and they are becoming firm
In conviction that the American govern
ment desires to see Spain win III the con-
test.
Some of the local papers make slurring
States, but such illusions have been 40
common that the last cannot be attrihut ed
to anything that is especially hurtful to
Spanish feelings in the Presidents mes
sage. Some of the comments are exceed
ingly funny. Ell Dario says In para
graph:
THE President of the United States pro-
fesses to know all about the situation in
this island, yet he IS hundreds of miles
away Why does he not come here and
see for himself; then he might be able to
advise intelligently.''
Perhaps Ell Dario is indulging In little
satire, but considering that it is the official
organ Ii may be assumed that its utter
arces are honestly intended. Come to
Havana for news! If there Is one place
more than another if Europe or America
facts regarding the Cuban situation 1t is
right in this city. One day Gomez is re-
ported as marching westward in Santa
Clara province, and the next day the city
port that the Cuban Napoleon is just at
the outskirts and preparing to throw
shell or two at the moro! Santa Clara
and the Moro are $50 miles apart.
Report of Mnceo's Crossing the Trochn
Yesterday the report came in, or was
II anufa ctured in the city, that Maceo had
crossed the trocha and was in Havana
province. Maceo has done nothing of the
kind He could no more reach Havana
province AT tnlS time WltIf MS IOTCt- Of any
considerable part of it, than ne could reach
the United States by aid of carrier pigeons.
He certainly is hemmed in in the province
of Pinar del Rio. and will not be foolish
enough to attempt to make his way out at
present.
1t would be suicidal for him to do so. In
the first place. his entire force numbers
only in the neighborhood Of $500 men, Of
" hich. not more than GOO is cavalry. He is
fairly we'll equipped with ammunition. but
ammunition cannot accomplish everything,
and certainly not when it is being used by
5000 OF 1900 men against ten times that
number much better supplied.
While he may be held within the confines
of the western province for some time to
come, IT is by no means certain that he
will be captured or severely defeated. Be
cause of the nature Of the country, he is
able to avoid hic antagonist, while practi-
cally holding possession of the northern
and southern tiers of hills.
Gen. Weyler cannot starve him out, al
though PinaF del Rio is far from being the
most fertile province of Cuba. Corn, how
ever is grown in very great quantities, al
though tobacco Is the principal production.
Sugar cane, quite a staple food with the
rebels, is not cultivated to any great ex-
tent, but the main fruits of the island-co-
coanuts, bananas and oranges-are found
in wonderful abundance, especially along
the southern coast and in the eastern dis
tricts.
lnsurEent Generals Force,
AhS he"s, GS thS "dy, SoilIeS tFOfi
Cuban source, that Maceo has but 600
horses-at least not thousands consid-
cred in some quarters as most significant.
The Spaniards claim that large part of
his force has been compelled to desert its
horses and fee in small groups to the
mountains. The Cubans frankly confess
that the horses were killed for food during
the fearful rainy season, during which the
fruits and plants Of the island are prepar-
iI.g to be Serviceable as food
Your correspondent accompanied Gen.
Maceo's army into Pinar del Rio when the
second invasion was made, about a year
ago At that time he had nearly 10000
men-3,0OO cavalry and the remainder foot.
What has become Of over 1000 horses and
1000 or 5000 men Is as yet mystery
One OF the rebel couriers just In from the
Rubi hills attempts to explain it. To your
correspondent he said: Gen. Maceo knows
the province of Pinar del Rio better than
he does any other province of the island.
He knew when he invaded 1t the last time
that Gomez would have considerable diff1-
Guilty In taking care OF a large army in the
east during the long wet season. and so he
called upon his chief to send an additional
residents Of Pinar del Rio and could 20 to
their homes. There was not more than a
few thousand government troops in the
province at that time, and before summer
had fairly set in half of Maceo's force had
taken to their homes. Most of these took
their horses with them, and Maceo was left
with but small body of cavalry. These
men are still in Pinar del Rio, and when
called upon can assemble with but a few
hours notice. Mark me, when Gomez
reaches Havana province and prepares to
attack the trocha Maceo will be on the
other side of 1t with larger and better
force than he had when he crossed the
military line"
MaceO's Death Not Credited.
When questioned regarding the reported
death of Maceo, brought in by Maj. Cru
jeda of the Spanish army last night. the
courier said that it could not possibly be
true. While 1t was true. he said, that Gen.
Maceos underwear bore initials and marks
as reported in the story, yet he did not be-
lieve any detail of it. He knew. he said,
that Maceo was to the westward of the
trocha at least seventy miles, while ac-
cording to Maj. Ciruteda, the gallant rebel
leader met death IN Havana province after
having crossed the famous military line
No one in Havana really believes that
Maceo is dead, although the papers publish
joyous editorials regarding the supposed
event.
Marriage Licenses.
Marriage licenses have been issued to
the following: White-Edward W. Sartain
Il