The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-17
Notified by the Government that IL He
Does Not Butcher Cubans in Earn
est He Will he Recalled.
HE HAS 100000 SOLDIERS
AND Is EXPECTED TO MAKE SHORT
WORK OF THE INSURGENTS.
Mr.. Cleveland Waiting for n Decisive
BattIe-Incident Showing Spanish
Hatred OF Americans.

WASHINGTON, Nov 16.-It is learned
here on authority that the Spanish govern
ment has given General Weyler TO under
sand that he must push his operations
against the insurgents aggressively and
vigorously. Unless he soon achieves a de-
cisive victory over the Cubans it is be-
lieved he will be recalled. General Weyler,
it 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 new aspect on the Cuban
situation one way or the other. The cam
paign, therefore, has become to him per-
sonal matter and, with the knowledge that
his prestige and rank are at stake, the
Havana cables are being watched with in
terest for news Of more important battles
than the skirmish and guerrilla fights that
thus far have come by way of them. Gen.
eral Weyler has all the troops that he can
use. There over 100000 Spanish soldiers
in Cuba, and the force under the Captain
General in his present operations in the
field in person is over 10000 men. Maceo,
against whom he is now operating, has un-
der him, it is estimated, about 1000 men.
Spain having fulfilled all General Weyler's
wishes as to troops now expects results
from him.
COnsul-general Lee has acquainted the
administration with these facts, and the
President is at present simply awaiting
events and will shape his course by the de-
velopments. 1t is the hope of General Wey-
Ter that he will be able to score a decided
victory before the assembling of Congress,
Dec. I. 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 a strong and almost
supreme effort to subdue her insurgent
colony. and that crisis apparently is at
hand, the President Will delay writing that
part of his forthcoming message on the
Cuban situation until the last moment be-
fore the meeting of Congress.
The position the administration will take
the chief magistrate will be largely deter
mined by the news received before Dec. z.
cess of the Spanish arms it is probable
that the President would continue 10 pur-
sue hisspolicy OF noninterference; should it..
on tho. other hand. be distinctly favorable
to the insurgent cause, and especially IL IL
should happen that Weyler We're defeated.
Mr.. Cleveland, it is possible, would no
longer hesitate to recommend the recogni-
ton Of their rights as belligerents, or some
other action equally undesirable to Spain
What acicn would fellow a simply negative
less chase after the insurgents by General
Weyler-is less clear. Probably the admin
istrations course would be influenced in
some measure at least by what representa-
tions Spain made as to the policy it would
pursue and the instructions given her new
Captain General in the event that Weyler
were summoned home. Therefore, it is felt
here that the most important Cuban news
may be expected to come from Cuba and
not from Washington.
General Fitzhugh Lee, consul-geperal to
Cuba, called at the State Department to-
day and was with Secretary Olney for half
an hour So far could be learned there
was no special significance in the visit be-
yond a further general discussion of the
situation in Cuba. Reports continue to
come from the acting cOnSul-general at Ha-
vana, and several of these were looked over
and later taken by General Lee for fur
called at the White House up to noon, and
was hourly expected to go there to-day.
Mr.. Cleveland is busily engaged in writing
his annual message and few callers see
him. 1t is understood that General Lee S
call had nothing to do with any new de-
velopment 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 several days, returning to Virginia
before going to Havana.
In connection with General Lees call on
Secretary Olney. to-day, 1T is said that the
consul-general, before returning to Cuba,
will pay a visit to West Point to see his
changed Mrs. Lee will accompany him on
his return to Havana The latter fact is
taken to Indicate that the General does not
regard the Havana situation perilous to
Americans.
The State Department had received no
ported serious engagement outside of Ha-
vana.