The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-17
Snanish Demands Made For
Weyler's Recall.
MUST PUT UP OR SHUT UP
Fierce Battle Said to be Pro-
crossing Near Pinar Del Rio.
wEyLsR ANo MAcEo HAVE NET
Advices Much Bectouded by Govern
ment Espionage. But Weyier IS On-
der Spur and Firearms Have
Been Heard 80 Hours.

Been Heard 30 Hours.
Chicago, Nov. 16--A Tribune special
frsm Jacksonville, Fla, says:
Cipher dispatches just received report
fierce battle in progress in Pinar del
RE.
1t is believed Maceo and Weyler
have met. The reports of firearms have
been almost necessarily heard for 30
hours No details Of the engagement are
given other than the statement that
most decisive engagement is being waged.
Havana, Nov 16.-1he insurgents
have attacked a fort protecting the light
house on Cape Maisi at the eastern ex-
trelnity or the province of Santiago dc
Cuba. The gunboat Waco NUM-, with
$50 soldiers on board has left Baracoa
near Cape Maisi to assist the garrison Of
the besieged Lieut.. Romeo has surprised
the camp of the insurgent leaders Manuel
Gordo and Aruelia. The encampment was
in the woods near Solidad. In the skirm-
ish which followed the appearance of the
Spanish troops, both the insurgent lead
ers mentioned were killed and an insur-
gent officer and eight privates were also
killed while six insurgents were captur-
ed. Col Molinas command while
diminishing in the district of Guamatas,
province of Matanzas, killed the insur-
gent Captain Emilio Padrons and eight
privates. The Col. also captured five in
ssrgents.
Washington, Nov. 16--It is understood
here tLat the Spanish government has
given Gen. Weyler to understand that
he must push his operations against the
insurgents aggressively and vigorously.
Unless he soon achieves decisive vic
tory he will be recalled. Gen Weyler,
ii is understood is aware of this and his
present campaign in Pinar del Rio is ex-
pected to result in an engagement that
will put new aspect on the Cuban sit
nation one way or the other.
The campaign. therefore, has become
To him d personal matter and with the
knowledge that his prestige and rank
are at stake. the Havana cables are being
watched with interest for news Of any
important battle. Gen. Weyler has al
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 in the field in
person is over 10000 men. Maceo, a.
gainst whom he is now operating has
under him, 1t is estimated, about 1000
men. Spain, having fulfilled all OF Gen.
WeyIer's wishes to troops now expects
results from him.
Consul General Lee has acquainted the
administration of these facts and the
President is at present simply awaiting
events and viii shape his course by the
developments. 1t is the hope OF Weyler
that he will be able to score a victory be-
fore the assembling Of Congress on De-
cember z. Spain fears adverse action
by that body soon after it meets and has
urged Gen. Weyler to demonstrate his
ability to crush the rebellion within the
next two weeks If possible.
MIR. CLEVELAND'S ATTITUDE.
In view OF the fact that Spain is now
making strong and almost supreme
effort to subdue the insurgents and crisis
apparently is at hand, the President viii
delay writing that part Of his forthcom-
ing message ON the Cuban question until
the last minute for the meeting Of Con-
gress. The position the administration
will take with reference TO Cuba in this
message Of the President viii be largely
determined by the news received before
December {. Should the news be fay0ra-
bic to the success Of the Spanish arms,
it is probable that the President would
COHtiHHe 10 pursue MS ICllty DI H9H~1HteF-
ference. Should it, on the other hand,
be distinctly favorable to the insurgents
and especially If it should happen that
Weyler were defeated, Mr.. Cleveland, it
is possible, might no longer hesitate to
recommend the recognition OF their rights
as belligerents, or some other action
equally undesirable to Spain.
Probably the administrations course
would be- Influenced by what representa-
tons Spain made TO the policy it would
pursue and the instructions it would give
her new Captain General, in the event
that Weyler were summoned home.
Therefore. il is felt here that the most
important Cuban news may be expected
TO come from Cuba and not from Wash
ington.
General Lee, Consul General to Cuba,
Salled at the State Department to-day
and was with Secretary Olney for half
an hour. So far as could be learned there
was no special significance in the visit,
beyond further general discussion Of
the situation in Cuba. 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
General Lee will be here several days,
returning then to Virginia before going to
Havana.
A FLORIDA INfPOSTER.
Jacksonville, Fla, Nov. 16.-Not the
slightess foundation exists for the lurid
story OF n sanguinary battle in progress
ia Cuba that was published in Chicago
to-day as a special dispatch from this
city Jacksonville. unfortunately. bar
kors the most unscrupulous manufacturer
sf fakes connected with the Americas