Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-04
GENERAL wEyLER is INDIGNANT.
bitterly Denies stories Circulated by
His Enemies.

| tCopyright, 1875, by Press publishing Company.
HAVANA, March 3.-(New York World
Cablegram - Special Telgeram) Captain
| General Wdylar, the commander-in-chef eff
received the World correspondent at thu
palace today. He is extremely busy ant
works incessantly from daylight until mid
night. He was not in uniform, but wore q
! plain morning suit, such as business mar
| in New York would appear In.
1T is improper for me-" said Genera
| Weyler, ito discuss in the World events
which have occurred in the United States in
| the past week concerning the rebels in this
! island | have no information from the gov.
ernment at Madrid upon its views, and
| will not, therefore, discuss a subject of such
extremely delicate diplomatic Importance.
81 will say, however. that n nation which
l always supposed to be friendly to Spain
has taken steps through its congress to
| recognize as honorable enemies people who
! burn, steal and destroy; who hang peace
full citizen for attempting to pursue his
| lawful business (he referred to the case OF
Ulacia, who was hung by the insurgents at
Two and who fight by destroying the prop
erty Of non-combatants.
II cannot understand the sentiments which
| lead the United States congress to do what
II has done. If recognition of bellgerency
is formally declared American property will
lose the legal rights of protection by my
soldiers it now enjoys. There are extensive
States recognizes the rebels they relieve my
government and myself from responsibility. -
l asked General Weyler IL he would make
statement on the subject of the charges
against him made by Cuban workers, which
were read in congress. l explained that the
subject was one difficult tc approach an
honorable soldier with, but as specific
charges of monstrous acts had been made
in manner that might be regarded as of
fetal, 1t would be necessary to be plain
! .,,TAr - VI l.,
addition to the charges made by Cubans
that he was extremely severe in his treat
ment Of prisoners other attacks of a per-
sonal nature had been sent broadcast over
the United States.
american people are inclined to be senti-
mental when foreign affairs are considered,
but they are just and | do not think that
any one desires to entertain a wrong esti-
mate of yourself The impression VIII ch
prevails is the result of systematic work to
injure your reputation"
WEYLER SPEAKS WITH SPIRIT.
General Weyler answered with spirit ~
deny the infamous allegations made by
enemies Of Spain against me. 1 have no
complaint to make against Americans some
of whom are distinguished, who, no doubt,
believe what they have heard. l under
stand, however, the extent to which Cubans
insurgent sympathies will go. l came to
Cuba in the last war a comparatively young
officer. l was placed I'M the field during ten
years to pursue rebels in military districts
in Puerto Principe and Bayamo l was
given oreders by my superior officers, and
| obeyed them to the letter. | will not for
moment consider the propriety of those
orders. / will not speak of them in critical
manner. 1t would be unbecoming for me to
do so. But l am aware that times change
and that what might have been deemed
necessary at a former period may be un-
pardonable now. 1t is enough to say l
..l,n
not direct Inc to commit the monstrous acts
OF which l am accused, and l am guiltless of
them.
Il have always acted as an honorable SOL
der would under similar circumstances. The
allegations against my moral conduct are in
famous and unworthy of credence of honor
able enemies 1t is idle to speak of this sub
ject further than to deny those stories of bru-
tality and atrocity, with all the energy that
my voice will convey.
II thank the World for Offering me public
hearing and l have too much confidence in
the United States to believe that they will
persist in listening to my unscrupuous enc
miles, Let them judge me by my conduct
here, where / am now in supreme command.
have not been severe and do not propose
to be so. / have not treated prisoners with
severity and permitted military or civil exc
cution since l arrived in Cuba. I will do all
in my power to repress the rebellion and to
serve my king and queen as becomes a SOL
der Of Spain"
l asked General Weyler what his views
were in regard to the riots in Barcelona. He
replied:
THE Cataonians are a proud, spirited, gen.
erous and Jealous people. was formerly cap
tain of Catalonia l think | have many
friends among the people of Barcelona and
that there is spirit Of resentment because
of the libels uttered and printed against
me. l regret exceedingly that the disorder
occurred, however; it was unfortunate in
more ways than one. | again thank the
States against my traducers. 1t would be
great misfortune If the two nations, Spain
and the United States, were otherwise than
friendly, and / believe that the good sense
of the great American people will perceive
that Spain only desires to fulfill all interna-
tional obligations and to maintain peace and
order on this island"
WILLIAM SHAW BOWEN.