Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-18
WEYLER MUST WHIP MACEO
With swarms of Soldiers His Prestige and
Rank Are at Stake.
AFFAIRS IN CUBA COME TO ASHowOowN
Spain serves Notice Upon the Captain
General that He Must Win
Decisive Victories BEFORE
Congress Meets.

WASHINGTON, Nov 1G.-It is learned
here on authority that the Spanish govern
ment has given General Weylcr to under
stand that he must push his operations
against the insurgents aggressively ahd
vigorously Unless he soon achieves
decisive victory over the Cubans 1t is be-
lievod he will be recalled. General Weyler,
IL Is understood. is aware Of the alternative
and his present campaign in Pinar del Rio
is expected to result in an engagement
that will put a new aspect on the CUBAN
situation one way or the other The cam
paign therefore has become to him a per
sonal matter and with the knowledge that
his prestige and rank are at stake, the
Havana cables are being watched Win
interest for news Of more important battles
than the skirmish and guerrilla fights that
thus far have come by way Of them.
General Weyler has all the troops that he
can use. There are over 100000 Spanish
soldiers in Cuba, and the force under the
captain general in his present operations III
the field in person is over 10000 men.
Maceo, against whom he is now operating,
has under him. 1t is estimated, about I,OOO
men. Spain, having fulfilled all OF General
Wcyler's wishes as to troops, now expects
results from him. Consul General Lee has
ACQUAINTED the administration WIN th'oN
facts, and the president is at present simply
awaiting events and will shape his course
by the developments.
1t is thought by General Weyler that
he will be able to score decided victory
before the assembling of congress December
Z. Spain fears adverse action by that body
soon after it meets, and has urged General
Weyler to demonstrate his ability to crush
the rebellion within the next two weeks If
possible.
In view of the fact that Spain is now
making strong and almost supreme effort
to subdue her nsurgent colony and that a
crisis apparently is at hand the president
will delay writing that part of his forth
coming message on the Cuban situation
until the last moment before the meeting
of congress The position OF the chief magis-
trate will be largely determined by the
news received before December Z. Should
the news be favorable to the success Of the
Spanish arms, II is probable that the prest-
dent will continue to pursue his policy
of non-interfercnce; should It, on the other
hand be distinctly favorable to the insur-
gent cause, AMI especially If II should hap
pen that Weyler was defeated. MIR. CIeye-
land it is possible. might no longer hesitate
to recommend the recognition of their rights
as bellgerents or some other action equally
undesirable to Spain.
What action would follow a simply mega
tive result of the campaign. that is fruit
Il
Weyler. is less clear. Probably the ad-
ministration's course would be influenced
in some measure at least, by what repre-
sentations Spain made as to the policy Ii
would pursue and the instructions given
her new captain general In the event that
Weyler we're summoned home. Therefore 1t
IL felt here that the most Cuban news may
be expected TO come from Cuba, and not
from Washington.
General Fitzhugh Lee consul general to
Cuba, called at the State department today
and was with Secretary Olney for half an
hour. So far as could be learned there
was no special significance on the visit
than further discussion of the Cuban
situation. Reports continue to come from
the acting consul general at Havana, and
several of these were looked over and later
taken by General Lee for a fuller perusal.
Mr. Cleveland Is busily engaged in writ
ing his annual message and few callers see
him. 1t is understood that General Lees
call had nothing to do with any new devel-
opments in connection with the Spanish
Cuban situation, but was rather discus
sion of the situation viewed from his five
months residence on the island. He will
be here for several days. returning then to
Virginia before going to Havana.
The State department had received no re-
ports up to o'clock today as to the reported
serious engagement outside of Havana.
In connection with General Lees call on
Secretary Olney today, it is said the consul
general, before returning to Havana. will
pay visit to West Point, to see his son
there and that unless present plans ere
changed Mrs. Lee will accompany him on
his return to Havana. The latter fact is
regard the Havana situation as perilous to
Americans