The San Francisco call., 1896-04-04
Unable to Force Battles Upon the
Constantly Moving Bands
of Patriots.
WEYLER SANCTIONS MURDERS.
Brutal Butcheries That Only Cause an
Increase of the Army Fight.
ing for Freedom.

HAVANA, CUBA, April (via Tampa,
Fla, April 3).-Army preparations have
been pushed with great vigor Tor the past
month. General Weyler has given officers
and men no rest. His orders have been
peremptory and many general has IN
Cured his diSpleasure by tardiness. The
result OF these active movements mas been
to completely tire out large portion OF
the army in the field. The insurgents
have been kept moving, their camps have
been destroyed and dozen of their hospi-
tails have been burned during the month
that has just passed, but the Government
has not forced a single battle upon the
rebels. The only serious engagements
have been those in which the insurgents
have had the advantage OF position or
numbers, as al Cuyai iabos and Candelaria,
where they assumed the offensive and
defeated the re gular troops of Spain.
There have been many rearguard skir
mishes, which appear in the Spanish off,
cial reports as battles and victories for the
crown, but which upon investigation
number of them proved to be massacres OF
unarmed citizens, and there have been
more tales of horrors committed than bat
ties fought in this island of Cuba during
the month OF March. If hundredth part
of the stories that reach here of the opera
tions of the columns of Generals Melquizo
and Bernal, and of Colonels Molina. Tort,
Sequera and others, are true, the reason
why General Weyler Cancelled all passes
held by correspondents is plain.
Owners OF the estates report excesses
committed by detached bodies OF Spanish
troops in ali parts Of the island, and there
is no further talk of attempting to grind
sugar this year. The problem is how to
preserve the lives of employees and prevent
wanton destruction bv the troops.
The insurgents have gained more in the
past month than in any two that have
preceded it. WeyIer's decree compelling
people to abandon their homes in the in
terror has driven many peaceable inhabi-
tants into the rebel armies. The harsh
measures adopted toward suspects in
cities and towns have also increased the
number of recruits from families of the
better class in cities.
The landing OF four important expedi-
tions has given Inspiration TO the insur-
gent army Their hopes were never
brighter. Hot weather is already here,
and the rains are not far off. The limited
time remaining for military operations
this spring makes it plain that Spain can
not crush the rebellion before the wet
season sets in, and the serious problem of
caring for the lives of her soldiers presents
itself. A Spanish officer says that the
losses OF the army through fevers and
other sickness have been II 900 since Sep
tember and over 5000 during the year
ended March l.
Generals Apdraa have hoo,
sent back to Spain, making nine generals
who have been returned since General
Weyler arrived. General -Obrejon is also
booked to return and General Pando. COM
Inander of the First Army Corps, has been
ordered back for allowing Gomez to enter
Santa Clara without fighting battle. Gen
eral Suarez Valdez is also on the coast. He
is also in command of Pinar del Rio, and
and besides failing to suppress the rebel
lion in his section, he sent an impertinent
message to Weyler by heliograph. Weyler
says he can get more active work out of
colonels than from generals, and the
exodus continues. There is much dissatis.
faction among officers of higher grade.
General Weyler has been in highly
nervous state for several days and many
stormy interviews between himself and
his men have taken place. His troubles
with the politicians are just beginning.
He has assured the home Government
: that elections can be held in Cuba, and
the Reformists and Autonomists, refusing
10 take part, leaves the nion-Constitu-
ton or Conservative, or Spanish party,
alone in the field.
Rumors that Weyler will be recalled are
persistent. Since adv.ces that the United
States will no. recognize the belligerency
of the Cubans General WevIer has begun
open executions OF prisoners of war. Three
have been shot at Cabanas prison within
week and more are doomed to the same
fate J. FRANK CLARK